Follow Your Joy Podcast by Marla Diann

Marla Diann
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semiweekly

I'm your host, Marla Diann! I've been transforming creative entrepreneurs' lives for over 26 years through two businesses. As a success coach and business strategist, I am passionate about helping entrepreneurs collapse the time frame of achieving their desires and goals. It's time to make joy your inner GPS for life and business decisions rather than lean on your logic and reason, first. You'll not only be following what is most authentic to you and for you, but you will live the beautiful life meant just for you. Here at Follow Your Joy Podcast, I aspire for you, the highly talented and passionate creative entrepreneur, to do what brings you joy more often …because you learned to listen to your intuition and take action on that guidance. This is where you'll find inspiring entrepreneurial stories and solocasts that prove listening to your intuition is certainly the doorway to your wisdom, your genius and your joy. Joy is not to be relegated to a good feeling. It's a life & business strategy. When we follow our joy and stay tuned into it, we will live a more authentic life. Not sure how to access, use or trust your intuition living in a logical, intellectual world? Join me in the conversation to find out how!

  1. Jul 14

    When You Already Know the Answer… Why Do We Still Doubt Ourselves? with Dina Berrin, intuitive guide, certified life coach, and author

    Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @marladiann You know that quiet inner knowing that nudges you toward something? Only to talk yourself out of it or second-guess yourself? (That's your beautiful brain trying to protect you—even when your intuition already knows the way.) In this thoughtful episode of Follow Your Joy, I'm joined by intuitive guide, author, and certified coach Dina Berrin for a conversation about one of my favorite subjects—intuition. Not as something mysterious or reserved for a select few. But as a natural part of being human that we've simply forgotten how to trust. Dina believes we don't lack intuition—we've just gotten out of the habit of listening to it. And when we begin paying attention to that quiet inner knowing, even in small ways, life begins to shift. Inside this conversation, we explore: • Why so many people second-guess themselves despite knowing what feels right • How intuition quietly guides our everyday decisions—in business, relationships, and life • The surprising connection between self-honesty and lasting change • Dina's personal journey from a demanding corporate career to intuitive coaching • Why COVID became the unexpected pause that changed everything for her • How tools like tarot, numerology, and astrology can become mirrors for self-discovery rather than sources of answers • Practical ways to begin trusting your own inner wisdom with greater confidence One of my favorite insights from Dina is this: The work isn't learning how to access your intuition. The work is learning to stop talking yourself out of what you already know. That simple shift has the power to change everything. Dina is generously sharing her free guide, The Tarot Coach Approach, introducing a thoughtful way to use tarot as a reflective tool for gaining clarity and strengthening your intuition. You'll find her gift inside the Portal of Joy, along with dozens of carefully curated resources from Follow Your Joy guests. https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/ If you've been standing at a crossroads, overthinking a decision, or sensing that life is asking something new of you, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that the wisdom you're searching for may already be within you. Sometimes the greatest act of courage isn't finding the answer. It's trusting the one you already have. Resources + Links: www.dinaberrin.com Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/dinaberrin YouTube: www.youtube.com/@dinaberrin5975 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dina-perlmutter-berrin-cpcc-pcc-5b812022 Book: The Way Within: Igniting Your Intuition with Sacred Tools https://a.co/d/08Jr79AL -Marla's Amazon Lifestyle Influencer Store – shop for favorites. Marla Diann's Amazon Page Take a virtual seat in my NEW year-round community: The Elegant Way Forward Salon. A place where accomplished women gather twice each month for thoughtful conversation, meaningful mentoring, and practical guidance as they shape the next chapter of their lives together. Details: https://marladiann.com/ig/   Loved this episode? Don't stop here, unlock the tools, resources, and free downloads mentioned during the episode. Click here to access the portal of joy. https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/

  2. Jun 24

    Beyond the Bucket List: Why More Midlife Women Are Choosing Solo Travel

    Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @marladiann  For many midlife women, solo travel isn't about checking destinations off a list. It's about friendship, confidence, curiosity, and remembering that life can surprise you in a good way when you least expect it.   In this relatable episode, I'm joined by Gina Cambridge, ICF Certified Travel Coach, retreat host, and founder of Wanderlust Solo Women Tours and Wanderlust Travel Coaching. After experiencing her own season of reinvention later in life, Gina discovered how transformational travel helped her rebuild confidence, create meaningful friendships, and reconnect with herself. Today, she's helped hundreds of women experience the same through her curated retreats, tours, and purposeful adventures around the world. From New Zealand to Bali, Cuba and beyond, Gina's work is centered around helping women embrace freedom, courage, and the joy that comes from stepping outside their comfort zones. Inside this conversation, we explore: • Why traveling with fewer expectations can lead to richer experiences • How women in midlife are discovering new freedom, joy, and confidence through solo travel • How travel can become a catalyst for healing and reinvention • Why meaningful friendships often begin outside our comfort zones • The role intuition plays when planning journeys and creating experiences • How Gina navigated the uncertainty of the pandemic without giving up on her dream • The serendipities of life that emerged for Gina from local retreats and unexpected pivots What I love most about Gina's philosophy is that travel isn't simply about checking destinations off a bucket list. It's about saying yes to yourself. It's about remembering that life can still surprise you.  And potentially, a plane ticket becomes the beginning of an entirely new chapter. Gina is generously sharing her free guide, Travel Solo with Confidence, filled with practical tips, confidence-building hacks, and encouragement for women dreaming about their own adventures. You can access her gift inside the Portal of Joy. It's an easy free sign up to have access to our selected high value podcast guest's gifts! Downloads, discount codes, journals, audios, and courses, and so much more. https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/ If you've been longing for more freedom, more adventure, or wondering whether it's too late to reinvent yourself, let this conversation be your reminder: You never want to miss answering to the call of wanderlust regardless of age or season in your life.  Because following your joy starts with the courage to say yes to yourself and the magic of travel. Resources + Links: https://wanderlustsolowomentours.com/  https://www.facebook.com/WanderlustSoloWomenTours/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/wanderlust_momentum/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/wanderlust_travel_coach/ -Marla's Amazon Lifestyle Influencer Store – shop for favorites! Gifts for yourself and others inside my store in the travel section https://www.amazon.com/shop/marla_diann -If your own midlife (40+) reinvention is knocking, let's explore it. What does freedom look and feel like for you? More travel? More creative expression? We begin our connection with a Freedom Chat. Use my Calendly link to get on the calendar. https://calendly.com/successcoach-marladiann/connection -To request the Reverie + Velvet overview and details for an introductory consideration, email: support@marladiann.com Loved this episode? Don't stop here, unlock the tools, resources, and free downloads mentioned during the episode. Click here to access the portal of joy. https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/

  3. Jun 2

    The Reinvention I Never Saw Coming: How Following My Joy Led Me Home

    What happens when everything you've built after 18 years no longer feels aligned—and the future is a mystery? In this deeply personal solo episode of Follow Your Joy, I share the story behind my most significant reinvention in nearly two decades and the unexpected birth of my new company, Reverie + Velvet. For months, I felt caught between worlds. My intuition kept  telling me something needed to change. The coaching industry was changing in a big way. Technology and AI were disrupting how we work and connect. And despite countless pivots, new ideas, and attempts to find clarity, nothing seemed to really fit. What looked like an unraveling on the outside was actually making way for something very different. It was transformation and my "real" next identity. In this vulnerable conversation, I take you behind the scenes of a season marked by uncertainty, loss, grief, identity shifts, and the search for a more authentic way to express who I am at this stage of life. You'll hear:  • How a chance meeting at a local chamber event became the catalyst for an entirely new business • Why I reached a breaking point after years of working primarily online • The profound losses I experienced that quietly reshaped my life and perspective • What I learned about the "world between worlds" when an old identity is dissolving but the new one hasn't fully emerged • How intuition guided me when logic could not • The surprising way my entire three decade long career finally integrated into one unified mission I also share the story and meaning behind Reverie + Velvet—a creative house devoted to women artists, founders, and visionaries expanding into greater visibility, success, and self-expression. This episode is a reminder that what feels like unraveling is actually an evolution. Oftentimes the next chapter doesn't arrive when we're trying our darndest to figure things out. I believe it arrives when we stop thinking our way through it and instead listen very carefully to our intuition and our higher power, and allow life to reveal what has been waiting for us all along. For me, it was a God thing. God had been trying to show me and lead me where to land, but I was too busy in the weeds trying to figure it out! This episode isn't really about launching Reverie + Velvet, although I am very excited about this! It's about a woman who spent months searching, pivoting, grieving, questioning, praying, listening, and ultimately surrendering. It was a return to my: Creativity Entertainment roots Love of artistry A gift for storytelling A passion for visibility and personal branding The intuitive way of guiding women + men creatives even more deeply Desire for beauty, artistry, music, conversation, and meaningful connection If you're navigating uncertainty, craving reinvention, or sensing that a new chapter is calling your name, this conversation is for you. The truth is, when you follow your joy, you eventually find your way home. Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @marladiann  Resources + Links: -Reverie + Velvet is now accepting a limited number of inquiries for artist representation and founder mentorship consideration. If something in this story spoke to you deeply, perhaps that's where the conversation begins. -To request the Reverie + Velvet overview and details for an introductory consideration, email: support@marladiann.com IG: marla_diann TT: Marla Diann FB: Marla Diann LI Marla Diann Dennis Shop Marla's Amazon Lifestyle Store for her favorites –  https://www.amazon.com/shop/marla_diann   Loved this episode? Don't stop here, unlock the tools, resources, and free downloads mentioned during the episode. Click here to access the portal of joy. https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/

  4. May 13

    The Next Chapter of Women's Health: Intuition, Hormones & Feeling Alive Again

    Today we're exploring a topic impacting millions of women—yet one that is often misunderstood, overlooked, or quietly endured: women's health, weight struggles, hormones, and the emotional toll that comes with feeling disconnected from your body. In this episode of Follow Your Joy, I'm joined by entrepreneur and MyStart Health founder, Matt Stern, for a candid conversation about the future of women's healthcare, personalized wellness, and the intuition it takes to build something meaningful in a crowded industry. Matt's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and trusting his gut instincts against the odds. From being homeless at 17 and living in a pool house… to building multiple businesses and helping generate over $300M in growth…his entrepreneurial journey has been anything but conventional. Today, through MyStart Health, Matt and his team are focused on expanding access and affordability to life-changing medications—beginning with GLP-1 weight loss treatments and now strongly expanding into personalized hormone health programs for women over 50. Inside this conversation, we explore: • The growing health concerns impacting women today • Why women's hormones, metabolism, and wellness need more personalized support • Matt's personal story from hardship to entrepreneurial success • How intuition helped him go "all in" on MyStart Health despite industry skepticism • Why impact and personalization matter more than simply scaling a business • The emotional and physical realities women face with weight, aging, and health changes • What true success feels like when your work genuinely changes lives What I appreciated most about this conversation is that it's not just about medications or healthcare trends. It's about listening—to your body, your instincts, your health, and the deeper knowing that you deserve support, vitality, and solutions that honor your life stage. Matt is offering Follow Your Joy listeners a special lifetime savings of 25% off all MyStart Health plans. You can access Matt's savings code details inside the Portal of Joy. Please sign up for access to all of the podcast guest's gifts: https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/ If you've been navigating changes in your health, energy, hormones, weight, or overall well-being—or simply want a more hopeful conversation around women's health—this episode is for you. Resources + Links: www.mystarthealth.com https://www.instagram.com/mattsternsf www.linkedin.com/company/thesterngroup   -Marla's Amazon Store – shop for favorites.  Summer specials & savings https://www.amazon.com/shop/marla_diann -If your own midlife (40+) reinvention is asking to be revealed or supported, let's explore it. What does freedom, more creative expression, success look and feel like for you at this stage of your life? We begin our connection with a reinvention conversation. Use my Calendly link to get on the calendar. https://calendly.com/successcoach-marladiann/connection Loved this episode? Don't stop here, unlock the tools, resources, and free downloads mentioned during the episode. Click here to access the portal of joy. https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/

  5. Apr 21

    From Dream to Vineyard. What It Really Takes to Build a Legacy Wine Brand

    Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @marladiann    What does it really take to turn a dream into a living, breathing reality? In this episode of Follow Your Joy, we explore the journey of desire, intuition, resilience, and timing through the story of building a vineyard from the ground up. My guest, Sarah Lyons, co-founder of Lyons Vineyard in the Los Olivos District of Santa Barbara County, shares the behind-the-scenes truth of what it takes to create a wine business rooted in legacy, passion, patience, and purpose. What began as a shared dream between Sarah and her husband evolved over years—from corporate careers in the entertainment industry… to planting vines… to producing and finally launching their own wine label. This is not a story of overnight success. It's a story of: • Listening to a long-held desire • Trusting intuitive nudges • Navigating uncertainty, loss, and unexpected timing • And continuing forward—even when the outcome isn't guaranteed Inside this conversation, we explore: • What it takes to build a vineyard and wine business from scratch • The emotional and financial realities behind winemaking • How intuition guides both creative and strategic decisions • The power of timing—and recognizing when life is inviting you to act • Why meaningful work often unfolds in nonlinear, unpredictable ways • The blend of feminine desire and masculine structure required to bring a dream to life Sarah also shares the deeper joy behind her work—creating something tangible, building community, and watching her wine become part of meaningful moments in people's lives. Because in the end… Wine isn't just something you drink. It's something you experience, share, and remember. This conversation is a reminder that the dreams placed in your heart are invitations. And when you follow them, step by step, something beautiful begins to take shape. If you've ever felt called toward a dream that won't leave you alone, this episode will speak directly to you. Listener Gift: Sarah is offering Follow Your Joy listeners a $15 credit to her online wine shop. Access details inside the Portal of Joy: 👉 https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/ Listen on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube and iHeart or www.marladiann.com/ep102   Resources + Links: https://www.lyonsvineyard.com https://www.instagram.com/lyonsvineyard https://www.tiktok/lyonsvineyard ----------------------------------------- Join Follow Your Joy Private FB Community Group -> https://marladiann.com/ig/ -Marla's Amazon Lifestyle Influencer Store – shop for favorites! https://www.amazon.com/shop/marla_diann -If your own midlife (40+) reinvention is knocking, let's explore it. What does freedom look and feel like for you? More travel? More creative expression? We begin our connection with a Freedom Chat. Use my Calendly link to get on the calendar. https://calendly.com/successcoach-marladiann/connection Loved this episode? Don't stop here, unlock the tools, resources, and free downloads mentioned during the episode. Click here to access the portal of joy. https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/

  6. Apr 1

    When Wanderlust Becomes a Calling: The Season You Choose Yourself

    Watch & Subscribe on YouTube @marladiann  What if the very thing you've been taught defines success… is the reason you burned out? In this inspiring episode of Follow Your Joy, we explore the powerful intersection of travel, intuition, and redefining success for women who have achieved — yet know there's much more. My guest's story is a prime example of how a NEW CHAPTER begins with discontent, uncertainty, a defining moment, and then burnout. If her journey of being pulled toward something different… more freedom, more adventure, more aliveness… then this conversation will surely resonate deeply. I'm joined by global travel journalist, author, and entrepreneur Jen Ruiz, whose story is a brilliant example of what happens when you stop following the expected path — and start following your joy. Jen went from practicing law to taking a bold leap: 12 trips in 12 months before her 30th birthday — a decision that completely transformed her life and career. Sometimes… the most powerful next step isn't more strategy — it's a plane ticket, a yes to yourself, and the courage to follow what feels true. Inside this episode, we talk about: •        Why traditional "success metrics" rooted in hustle and logic often lead to burnout •        Jen's personal story of heartbreak, solo travel, and unexpected magic that led to her newest memoir •        How travel becomes a catalyst for clarity, healing, and reinvention •        The importance of blending feminine intuition with masculine structure for true alignment •        The role intuition plays in making bold life and business decisions •        Why women don't need to wait for the "perfect time" to start living fully Jen shares how she now uses her platform to amplify local and women-owned businesses around the world — combining her background in law with storytelling, advocacy, and global impact. This conversation is a reminder that: Success isn't just what you build. It's how you feel while living your life. Jen is offering a free 5-Day Travel Writing Challenge to help you craft compelling pitches and land your first paid travel assignment. You can access it inside the Portal of Joy. www.marladiann.com/podcast/portal If you're in a season of transition, craving more freedom, or ready to redefine what success looks like for you — this episode will open something within you. Resources + Links: @jenonajetplane across all socials, jenonajetplane.com, https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jen-Ruiz/author/B07B7GSVSL -Marla's Amazon Lifestyle Influencer Store – shop for favorites! Jen's book is inside my store in the travel section https://www.amazon.com/shop/marla_diann -If your own midlife (40+) reinvention is knocking, let's explore it. What does freedom look and feel like for you? More travel? More creative expression? We begin our connection with a Freedom Chat. Use my Calendly link to get on the calendar. https://calendly.com/successcoach-marladiann/connection Loved this episode? Don't stop here, unlock the tools, resources, and free downloads mentioned during the episode. Click here to access the portal of joy. https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/

  7. Mar 11

    Why Following Your Joy Is a Life & Business Strategy: Lessons from 100 Podcast Episodes!

    Watch & Subscribe on YouTube  Today we're celebrating a major milestone — the 100th episode of the Follow Your Joy podcast. To mark the occasion, we're doing something a little different. Instead of interviewing a guest entrepreneur, I invited my long-time brand manager, good friend, and creative partner Chelsey Marie to join me on the show and flip the script. Chelsey has worked beside me for over a decade behind the scenes producing the podcast and supporting the evolution of my brand. In this special episode, Chelsey interviews me about the story behind Follow Your Joy — why I started the podcast, what I've learned from 100 conversations with entrepreneurs around the world, and why joy and intuition remain the most powerful strategy for building a meaningful life and business. Inside this conversation we talk about: • The origin story of Follow Your Joy and how the idea arrived intuitively • What happens behind the scenes of producing a storytelling podcast • How intuition shapes the way I interview and uncover the heart of each guest's story • The burnout that changed the trajectory of my life and led me to Italy • Why joy, creativity, and feminine energy are essential to sustainable success • The pressure entrepreneurs feel to monetize everything they create • How business owners quietly lose their joy — and how to find it again • What 100 episodes has taught me about the human spirit We also talk about the deeper philosophy behind the show: Following your joy isn't just a feel-good idea. It's a life & business strategy. When you listen to your intuition and act on what lights you up, your path becomes clearer, your work becomes more meaningful, and your life becomes richer. Thank you to every listener who has been part of this journey. Let's raise a glass of bubbly to celebrate 100 episodes that illuminate the human spirit! If there's one theme that runs through every episode, it's this: Joy isn't a reward — it's a compass.  Let's discover why following your joy might be the most powerful strategy for your life and business. Always on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, iHeart & YouTube Resources + Links: -High value gifts, ebooks, downloads, product specials, journals, and more from my selectively chosen guests accessible ONLY in The Portal of Joy: www.marladiann.com/podcast/portal -Marla's Amazon Lifestyle Influencer Store – take a peek, shop for favorites! https://www.amazon.com/shop/marla_diann -If your own midlife (45+) reinvention is knocking, let's explore it. What does freedom look and feel like for you? More travel? More creative expression? I begin our connection with a Lifestyle Design Chat. Comment Freedom with your email. I'll send you my Calendly link to get on the calendar.  P.S. When you book and attend our call, I'm bearing gifts. You'll receive my custom "La Vita Dolce Italy Slow Travel Tips & Reinvention" Guide ($49 value)

  8. Feb 18

    The Season After Hustle: Intuitive Branding & Feminine Leadership in Business with Luna Battalia

    Watch & Subscribe on YouTube (insert link)    Women entrepreneurs, see if this feels familiar.  You've built the business. It runs. It generates revenue. It makes the impact you desire.  And now… you're asking a deeper question. Who am I becoming next? In Episode 99 of Follow Your Joy, I'm joined by Luna Battalia — Leadership Mentor, Founder of Caru Creative, and creator of Animist Branding™ — a psychology-driven approach to branding rooted in intuition, intimacy, and feminine leadership. Luna works with mature women at the intersection of personal evolution and professional legacy. Her clients are no longer chasing growth metrics — they are building bodies of work that matter. Inside this episode, we explore:  • What happens when ambition softens into wonder • Why scaling isn't always the answer • How to relate to your business as a living entity — not just a revenue machine • The psychology behind powerful brand messaging • How to "listen between the lines" to uncover your true voice • Why Luna retired a successful podcast — and what that decision unlocked • The difference between identifying as your brand vs. tending to it Luna shares her Business as Entity™ philosophy — a shift from controlling your business to being in relationship with it. Because when your brand is treated as something living, breathing, evolving… The pressure dissolves. The clarity sharpens. The message deepens. This conversation is aligned beautifully with my La Vita e Bella brand for women entrepreneurs in their 40s, 50s and beyond who have built stability — and are now ready to lead from intuition, essence, and legacy. Luna is offering Follow Your Joy listeners 10% savings on her Messenger | Master the Art of Being Heard program, a six-figure step-by-step messaging system rooted in her Animist Branding™ and buyer psychology to become a better storyteller, and get more sales. Access her program link and savings inside the Portal of Joy www.marladiann.com/podcast/portal If you're in a season of tending rather than chasing — this episode will meet you there. ---------------------------- Resources + Links: https://www.lunaloveleadership.com https://www.facebook.com/lunaloveleadership https://www.instagram.com/lunabattalia https://www.linkedin.com/in/luna-battalia-352404248 Luna's gift: Access inside the Portal of Joy → www.marladiann.com/podcast/portal Messenger | Master the Art of Being Heard  (10% savings for FYJ listeners) a 6-figure step-by-step messaging system peeling back the curtain on the proprietary Animist Branding™ and buyer-psychology approach to confidently share your mission, become a better storyteller, and get more sales.  Inspired by the episode? Don't stop here, unlock the vetted tools, resources, and free downloads from Marla's podcast guests mentioned during episodes. Click here to access the portal of joy. https://marladiann.com/podcast/portal/ On the path of reinvention? New chapter? Done with pushing, hustling, living in overloaded, burnout mode too often as a mature woman entrepreneur? Fill out a form to be on a waiting list for the next 90-day Soul-Led Next Level Portal coming soon. https://tinyurl.com/soul-led-call

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About

I'm your host, Marla Diann! I've been transforming creative entrepreneurs' lives for over 26 years through two businesses. As a success coach and business strategist, I am passionate about helping entrepreneurs collapse the time frame of achieving their desires and goals. It's time to make joy your inner GPS for life and business decisions rather than lean on your logic and reason, first. You'll not only be following what is most authentic to you and for you, but you will live the beautiful life meant just for you. Here at Follow Your Joy Podcast, I aspire for you, the highly talented and passionate creative entrepreneur, to do what brings you joy more often …because you learned to listen to your intuition and take action on that guidance. This is where you'll find inspiring entrepreneurial stories and solocasts that prove listening to your intuition is certainly the doorway to your wisdom, your genius and your joy. Joy is not to be relegated to a good feeling. It's a life & business strategy. When we follow our joy and stay tuned into it, we will live a more authentic life. Not sure how to access, use or trust your intuition living in a logical, intellectual world? Join me in the conversation to find out how!

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