The Project: More Happy Podcast

Jessica Lyonford

Hosted by best-selling author and leadership coach Jessica Lyonford, this podcast is for leaders who give a damn. We’re talking purpose, power and psychological safety—real conversations with human-first leaders designing a future fueled by joy, not burnout. Rooted in the science-backed Eight Pillars of Happiness, these episodes are packed with bold ideas, big energy and actionable insight to help you lead with more impact, intention, and yes—more happy.

  1. Sleep Your Way to Success: The Science of Better Sleep with LaShasta Bell

    09/16/2025

    Sleep Your Way to Success: The Science of Better Sleep with LaShasta Bell

    Sleep isn’t lazy. It’s leadership. And if you’ve ever worn exhaustion like a badge of honor, this is your wake-up call. Burnout doesn’t make you stronger. It makes you slower, foggier and less capable of the impact you’re here to create. In this episode, I’m joined by LaShasta Bell—licensed counselor, certified sleep science coach and founder of the Optimal Life framework—for a myth-busting conversation about the future of sleep, rest and why “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” is a lie we’re done believing. LaShasta has spent 20+ years helping leaders, professionals and changemakers trade in stress and anxiety for work-life harmony. She’s been the overachieving, sleepless “superwoman” herself—and now she’s on a mission to help leaders rewrite the success narrative, one night of real rest at a time. We get into: The difference between sleep and rest and why both matter for leadersWhy burnout is still glorified in hustle culture and how to opt outHow poor sleep quietly fuels stress, chronic disease and emotional hangoversWhy boundaries around bedtime are a non-negotiable leadership skillOne simple shift you can make today to sleep better tonight If you’ve been running on fumes, this is your permission to stop. Not tomorrow. Not next year. Tonight. Because happy leaders don’t hustle harder. They sleep smarter. 🌐 Learn more about LaShasta and her work → https://lashastabell.com/ 🔥 Ready to stop shrinking and start leading like a Happy Leader? This isn’t your average newsletter. It’s your weekly power-up: real-world strategy, reflection, and energy for leaders who give a damn.→ https://subscribepage.io/SkKCOT 📘 Done with burnout leadership? The Happy Leader Playbook is your blueprint for designing a work life that fuels you—not drains you.→ https://a.co/d/80lZRdY

    30 min
  2. The Future of Leadership Begins at Home — with Soraiya Bodhi & Nishma Karim

    08/12/2025

    The Future of Leadership Begins at Home — with Soraiya Bodhi & Nishma Karim

    We talk a lot about leadership in boardrooms, but what about the leadership that happens in living rooms? In this conversation, I’m joined by Soraiya Bodhi and Nishma Karim—two powerhouse educators, mothers, and co-creators of The Light Movement, a global community dedicated to raising conscious children by first raising conscious adults. Together, we unpack what it means to lead with love—not just at work, but in our homes, our relationships and within ourselves. If you're someone who's breaking cycles, healing out loud or trying to model something better for the next generation, this one’s for you. We get into: 🧠 The connection between self-healing and conscious leadership💥 Why emotional intelligence starts with how we speak to our kids (and ourselves)🌿 How to stay grounded in a world that keeps pulling you out of alignment🔥 What it looks like to lead from clarity, not control💡 Why the future of work has to include more humanity, wholeness and care This is leadership, redefined—not as performance, but as presence.Because Happy Leadership doesn’t start with KPIs. It starts with how we show up when no one’s watching. Ready to reclaim your energy and lead without burnout?→ The Happy Leader Playbook is your go-to guide for designing success on your terms. Want weekly power-ups for your leadership (and your life)?→ subscribepage.io/SkKCOT – This isn’t your average newsletter. It’s real talk, practical tools and clarity that works. Learn more about The Light Movement and Soraiya + Nishma’s work:→ https://www.facebook.com/groups/915635096691141

    46 min
  3. The Confidence Episode You Didn’t Know You Needed — with Kinzie Elizabeth

    07/29/2025

    The Confidence Episode You Didn’t Know You Needed — with Kinzie Elizabeth

    Happy Leaders don’t wait until they “feel ready.” They show up as their whole selves—awkward, empowered and unfiltered. Because confidence? It’s not a personality trait. It’s a leadership skill. In this episode, I’m joined by Kinzie Elizabeth (they/she), founder of The Empowerment Studio, for a game-changing conversation about what it really takes to feel good in your body, on camera and in your life. This isn’t another self-love chat with cute affirmations. This is about unlearning shame, building trust with yourself and making being seen a power move—not a performance. We get into: 📸 What photo fear reveals about how you see yourself—and how you lead 💥 The confidence myth that’s keeping high-achievers small 🧠 The emotional weight of visibility—and how to carry it differently 🌿 What it really means to build body-trust, not just body image 🔥 Why showing up fully is a non-negotiable for Happy Leadership If you’ve been waiting to feel “ready” before stepping forward—this is the nudge you didn’t know you needed. Want to connect with Kinzie? Find them on Instagram at @empowermentstudio__—they’d be thrilled to hear from you in the DMs. And if you're ready to start showing up in photos with more ease and confidence, grab their free Feel-Good Selfie Guide → empowermentphotographer.com/selfie It’s packed with practical tips and energetic support to help you take selfies that actually feel good. Ready to stop shrinking and start leading like a Happy Leader? → https://subscribepage.io/SkKCOT This isn’t your average newsletter. It’s your weekly power-up: real-world strategy, reflection, and energy for leaders who give a damn. Done with burnout leadership? → https://a.co/d/80lZRdY The Happy Leader Playbook is your blueprint for designing a work life that fuels you—not drains you.

    47 min
  4. Self-Advocacy Is a Power Move (Not a Personality Flaw) — with Neelu Kaur

    07/15/2025

    Self-Advocacy Is a Power Move (Not a Personality Flaw) — with Neelu Kaur

    Happy leadership isn’t about being liked. It’s about being real. It’s about knowing your worth—and having the courage to back yourself in rooms that weren’t built for you. Because you can’t lead with impact if you keep silencing yourself to keep the peace. This week, I’m joined by Neelu Kaur—executive coach, inclusion advocate and author of Be Your Own Cheerleader—for a firestarter conversation on self-advocacy, identity and how to stop waiting for permission to take up space. We get into: 🧠 Why high-achieving women still play small—and how to break the pattern 🔥 What “speaking up” actually looks like in rooms full of power dynamics 💡 The cultural conditioning that keeps leaders over-delivering and under-valued 🗣️ Tactical self-advocacy strategies for corporate spaces that weren’t designed for you ⚡ How Happy Leaders build careers rooted in agency, alignment, and unapologetic self-trust If you’ve ever dimmed your light to make others comfortable, this episode will remind you that... You are the damn light. 🌐 Learn more about Neelu and her self-advocacy work → https://www.neelukaur.com/ 🔥 Ready to stop shrinking and start leading like a Happy Leader? → https://subscribepage.io/SkKCOT This isn’t your average newsletter. It’s your weekly power-up of real-world strategy, reflection and energy for leaders who give a damn. 📘 Done with burnout leadership? → https://a.co/d/80lZRdY The Happy Leader Playbook is your blueprint for designing a work life that fuels you—not drains you.

    32 min
  5. Living Courageously in a World That Keeps You Small — with Dr. Tamara White

    06/10/2025

    Living Courageously in a World That Keeps You Small — with Dr. Tamara White

    We’re told to be confident. To take up space. To lead boldly. But what if the world you’re leading in was built to keep you small? In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Tamara White—psychologist, coach and founder of The Courageous Woman Effect—for a deeply honest conversation about what it really takes to lead with courage when the pressure to stay quiet, grateful and overextended is everywhere. This isn’t about surface-level empowerment. It’s about unlearning the rules that have kept you stuck—and finally saying yes to the version of yourself you've been postponing. We get into: 💥 Why women leaders stay “busy but unsatisfied”—and how to break that cycle 🧠 The invisible weight of overachieving, performing, and proving 💡 The moment Dr. White stopped saying no to herself—and what shifted after 🔥 How to reclaim agency, rest and visibility (without guilt) 🚫 Why courage doesn’t always look loud—and why softness is a power move If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I keep playing small even when I know I’m meant for more?” — this is the episode that names it, challenges it and gives you tools to rise. 🔥 Ready to stop waiting for permission? → subscribepage.io/SkKCOT Your weekly leadership power-up: real-world tools, reflection prompts and clarity to help you lead boldly—even on hard days. 📘 Want a practical, proven framework for designing success on your terms? → https://a.co/d/80lZRdY The Happy Leader Playbook is your go-to guide for building a work life that fuels you—not drains you.

    30 min
  6. Leadership KPIs No One Tracks (But Should) —with Kate Gory

    05/27/2025

    Leadership KPIs No One Tracks (But Should) —with Kate Gory

    Let’s be honest, most leadership advice still centers on productivity hacks and performance metrics and ignores the actual humans doing the work. But if you want to lead a team that’s engaged, resilient and driving real results, you need more than dashboards and deadlines. You need clarity, curiosity and a set of metrics that actually reflect what matters. This week, I’m joined by executive coach and transformation consultant Kate Gory to talk about the KPIs no one’s tracking—but every high-impact leader should be. We get into: 🔍 Why most teams are disengaged (and how leaders are accidentally fueling it) 🧠 The overlooked leadership skill that builds psychological safety on repeat 📊 How to track culture and communication the way you track revenue 🛑 Why foosball tables and pizza parties aren’t solving your leadership gaps 🚀 The fastest way to create more trust, more impact, and less burnout If you're a leader who’s tired of the surface-level stuff and ready to actually change how work works—this conversation gives you the tools to start. Today. Want to lead with more clarity and less chaos? → subscribepage.io/SkKCOT This isn’t your average newsletter. It’s your weekly leadership power-up: clear, confident, human-first strategy that actually works (even on hard days). Done with burnout leadership? → https://a.co/d/80lZRdY The Happy Leader Playbook is your go-to guide for building a work life that fuels you—not drains you. Want to know how you're really showing up as a leader? → www.kate-gory.com Take Kate’s free Leadership Effectiveness Audit to find out where you’re empowering your team and where you might be the bottleneck.

    29 min
  7. Doing Money Differently: Healing Shame, Building Power—with Micah James

    05/13/2025

    Doing Money Differently: Healing Shame, Building Power—with Micah James

    Let’s talk about one of the most overlooked forces in your leadership: your relationship with money. In this episode, I sit down with Micah James—nonprofit leader, financial coach and deeply human guide—to unpack why financial clarity is foundational for confident, compassionate leadership. Because the truth is, you can’t show up fully for others if you’re weighed down by stress, shame or confusion about your own finances. This conversation isn’t about budgeting tips or spreadsheets. It’s about emotional power, self-trust and how doing money differently helps you lead with more confidence, presence and peace. Inside, we explore: 💸 Why financial stress quietly erodes leadership energy—and what to do about it 🔥 How to shift from shame to ownership when it comes to your money story 💡 The 3 first steps to take when your financial world feels overwhelming 🧠 Why emotional intelligence applies to money just as much as it does to people 💥 How empowered finances unlock freedom and choice—for you and your community Happy leaders don’t avoid hard conversations—they lean in with curiosity, clarity and compassion. This is one of those conversations. If you’ve ever felt behind or broken when it comes to money, this episode is your reminder: you’re not. You’re human. And you’re capable of leading yourself through it. Now it’s your move. Ready to create a life that works for you? 🔥 Start building your momentum (even on hard days).→ subscribepage.io/SkKCOT – This isn’t just a newsletter. It’s your weekly power-up: clarity, confidence and real-life leadership support straight to your inbox. 📘 Grab the go-to tool for reclaiming your time, energy and impact.→ https://a.co/d/80lZRdY – The Happy Leader Playbook is your practical, proven guide for designing success on your terms. 🎁 Want to clean up your money story? Start here.→ empoweringfinancialcoaching.com/free – Micah’s free tools will help you take that first brave step with confidence. 👋 Let’s keep the conversation going. Share what landed for you—or pass this episode to someone who needs it.Real change starts when we talk about the hard stuff out loud.And you don’t have to do it alone. You’ve got the power. Let’s make it work for you.

    34 min
  8. Emotional Mastery for Leaders: From Reactivity to Real Power — with Dr. Manoj Krishna

    04/29/2025

    Emotional Mastery for Leaders: From Reactivity to Real Power — with Dr. Manoj Krishna

    If you're still believing emotional intelligence is a soft skill, this conversation will flip that script for good. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Manoj Krishna—former spine surgeon and founder of the HappierMe app—to unpack one of the most overlooked leadership levers of our time: your emotional mind. This isn’t just about mindfulness. This is about learning to lead without the emotional chaos that’s costing you energy, connection and clarity. We get into: 🔥 Why stress isn’t the enemy—but your reaction to it might be 🧠 How unconscious emotional patterns sabotage your decisions (and how to break them) 🚨 The 3-word question that can immediately shift your leadership presence 💥 What happens when high-performers stop outsourcing peace and start mastering it 📲 How the HappierMe app gives you daily reps to strengthen your emotional leadership muscle I believe emotional mastery is no longer optional—it’s a non-negotiable skillset for anyone building meaningful impact. And if you’re not leading yourself clearly, you’ll keep bleeding time, energy and influence in ways you can’t afford. 🎯 Your Power Move Today Notice your next emotional trigger—and pause. Don’t explain it away. Don’t numb it. Just ask: “What’s really happening in me right now?” That pause? That’s leadership in action. Want the edge most leaders are missing? Start your free trial of the HappierMe app and build emotional mastery one powerful pause at a time: https://happierme.app/ Lead Smarter, Live Happier. ⚡ Grab 50 Free Power-Ups to elevate your team: https://thesuperchargedworkspace.com 📕 Ready to rewire how you work? Grab The Happy Leader Playbook: https://a.co/d/gGWEHik

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Hosted by best-selling author and leadership coach Jessica Lyonford, this podcast is for leaders who give a damn. We’re talking purpose, power and psychological safety—real conversations with human-first leaders designing a future fueled by joy, not burnout. Rooted in the science-backed Eight Pillars of Happiness, these episodes are packed with bold ideas, big energy and actionable insight to help you lead with more impact, intention, and yes—more happy.

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