The JOY Hour

Maya Gandaia
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Welcome to The JOY Hour with Ella Mesma. Twice a month, I sit down with visionaries, artists, and leaders who are shifting away from hustle conditioning to create from a deeper, more intuitive space: exploring the messy, beautiful journey of living and leading on their own terms. Grab a tea, get cosy, and join us for The JOY Hour

  1. Aug 9

    The JOY Hour hosted by Ellla Mesma Episode 85: Choosing Joy Every Day with Giel

    ABOUT THIS EPISODE:This week I'm joined by Giel, an American singer-songwriter, producer and connection curator who moved to Lisbon in 2021 and built a life there rooted in music, community and wellness. We talk about the fear that sits underneath so many of our creative gifts... the ones we've been carrying since childhood... and what it takes to keep choosing joy when life hasn't made that easy.Giel shares the story behind The Shift, the community night where I first witnessed her hold space for people to sing in public for the first time, and we talk about what it means to have someone believe in your voice before you believe in it yourself. She also opens up about a devastating loss in her life and how it led her to found Reignwel Global, a mental wellness startup serving the diaspora with culturally relevant healing practices.This is a conversation about faith, resilience and the daily choice to keep showing up in joy even when things are falling apart around you. If you've ever felt blocked in your own creative expression, or wondered how anyone keeps their light on through grief, this one is for you.LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:Recorded between London, UK and Lisbon, Portugal.CONTENT WARNING:This episode discusses suicide, depression and the loss of a family member. Please take care while listening.🎁 FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS:Download your free Joy Hour resource at www.goddxxpath.com/joyhourgiftIN THIS EPISODE:The joy of building community and connection in a place where nobody knew herThe Shift: the community night where creatives find the courage to sing in publicChildlike faith and staying in "flow state" through choice, not easeThe loss of her nephew, Darius Roberts, to suicide and how it changed everythingFounding Reignwel Global, a mental wellness startup for the diasporaPursuing JOI, her personal vlog on choosing joy transparentlyTIMESTAMPS:00:01 - Welcome and introduction to Giel01:22 - Joining from Lisbon, and the story of how she got there05:17 - The recent joy of sitting in connection and community10:10 - Learning to hold space and believe in others before they believe in themselves16:22 - Flow state, resistance and the choice at the centre of it all19:01 - Faith, healing, and being honest about what joy really costs21:40 - How to connect, and an introduction to The Regulated Creative24:36 - The story of Reignwel: loss, grief and finding her purpose33:45 - Reignwel's slogan: "Here we reign well"34:16 - Where to find and connect with Giel35:32 - OutroABOUT THE GUEST:Giel is an American singer-songwriter, producer and connection curator whose work bridges music, wellness and global culture. After relocating to Lisbon in 2021, she returned to songwriting, inspired by the city's rhythm, warmth and soul. As a wellness facilitator, she creates memorable melodies and powerful anthems that resonate deeply with creatives across the global diaspora.She's the founder of Reignwel Global, a mental wellness health tech startup born from personal loss, and hosts The Shift, a community night in Lisbon where people gather to sing, share and be met exactly as they are.Giel's work is about helping people feel seen, grounded and alive.RESOURCES & MENTIONS:The Shift – community night in Lisbon (Instagram @the_shift_live)The Regulated Creative – Giel's coaching offering for artists and creatives (⁠theregulatedcreative.club⁠)Pursuing JOI – Giel's vlog (spelled J-O-I, her birth name is Joi) (Instagram: @pursuingjoi)Reignwel Global – mental wellness health tech startup, ⁠reignwel.com⁠ | @reignwelglobal  on InstagramThe eight wells of Reignwel's healing framework (Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Horticulture Therapy, Nutrition, Movement, Language, Soul Care, Community)CONNECT:Ella MesmaWebsite: www.goddxxpath.comBook: www.goddxxpath.com/journal-to-joy/Current Offers: www.goddxxpath.com/links/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellamesma/GielWebsite: reignwel.comInstagram: @heyitsgiel

  2. Jul 26

    The Joy Hour Podcast Hosted By Ella Mesma Episode 84: It's Better to Be Absolutely Ridiculous Than Absolutely Boring with Kirsty Carr

    ABOUT THIS EPISODE: Kirsty Carr is a comedian, coach, and mum who won the 2023 Australian Roast Battle Championship and is now president of Roast Battle Australia. But her story isn't just about standing on stage making people laugh... it's about taking something that was a survival mechanism at age 8 and alchemizing it into her genius, her truth, her gift to the world. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Recorded between Sydney, Australia and London, England. We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the land where Sydney stands, and the colonial histories of both Australia and the UK. 🎁 FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS: Download your free Joy Hour resource at www.mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift IN THIS EPISODE: How imposter syndrome stops us seeing that we have made it How career desires shift over time and what relevance means when you stop striving Juggling multiple identities: comedian, coach, consultant, mum Can you integrate spirituality, psychology, neuroscience and comedy into one path Fear doesn't go away, it just gets easier and the stakes keep rising Defense mechanisms becoming your greatest gifts The lesson of clinging to safety and getting pulled back to your real path Motherhood as forced slowing down and boundary creation Being yourself without the fear of judgment or exclusion TIMESTAMPS: 00:01 - Welcome and introduction 01:53 - What's a recent joy: booked at the Comedy Store 03:00 - Do you feel like you've made it 04:28 - Relating to dance and shifting desires over time 05:39 - Journeying: not having the same desire to train 07:11 - What are you journeying right now 09:14 - Fear of being seen and getting over yourself 10:47 - Stakes rising as you get better 12:17 - Roast battles and the fearlessness required 13:00 - Strategic preparation for roasting 14:05 - Separating the personal from the performance 15:27 - The duality of being lovely and mean 16:13 - Dance as opposite expression 20:40 - Following your true path not the money path 23:32 - Operating from fear and lack 24:06 - Getting back on your right path 25:49 - Your spirituality and coaching all weave together 27:37 - Alchemizing suppressed voices into creativity 30:23 - Balancing comedy, coaching, mum ABOUT THE GUEST: Kirsty Carr is a comedian, roast battle champion, and coach based in Sydney, Australia. Known as the Roast Queen, she won the 2023 Australian Roast Battle Championship and is now president of Roast Battle Australia, producing shows across the country. A regular in the Sydney comedy scene, she's performed at Sydney and New Zealand Fringe festivals, conquered the legendary Comedy Store in LA in late 2024, and had sellout shows at the Tokyo International Comedy Festival in 2025. Her debut stand-up hour, Me and My Drunken Inner Child, premiered at Sydney Fringe Festival in 2025 to rave reviews, and she's touring across Australia in 2026. Beyond comedy, Kirsty works as a consultant and coach, integrating her passion for psychology, neuroscience, spirituality and personal transformation. RESOURCES & MENTIONS: Roast Battle League Roast Battle Australia Yeah Mad TV Sydney Fringe Festival Tokyo International Comedy Festival Comedy Store Sydney Pen Game Rap Battle youtube.com/@PenGameRapBattle CONNECT: Kirsty Carr Instagram: @_kirstycarr_ Google: Kirsty Carr Comedian Also on: TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn Ella Mesma Website: www.mayagandaia.com Book: https://mayagandaia.com/journal-to-joy/ Current offers: https://mayagandaia.com/links/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellamesma/ LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO THE JOY HOUR: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & THANKS: Music: LamRock Everything else: Brought to you by Ella and guests ❤️ Enjoyed this episode? Like, Subscribe, and Share!

  3. Jul 12

    The JOY Hour Podcast hosted by Ella Mesma... Episode 83: The Monster Is Always Smaller Than Its Shadow with Arush Bakshi

    LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Recorded between New Delhi and London. We acknowledge the diverse peoples and communities upon whose lands these cities stand, and the colonial histories that have shaped them. ABOUT THIS EPISODE: Arush Bakshi is an Identity Transformation Coach, health influencer, and Marketing and Operations Head at a football academy in New Delhi... and he came into this conversation with a reframe that I have been sitting with ever since. The monster is never as frightening as the shadow it casts before you face it. We talk about what shifted when Arush stopped living as though he were a guest in someone else's life, how a past life regression he did purely out of curiosity cracked open his whole relationship with responsibility, and why choosing the risk every single day, not just on the days you feel ready, is what builds real momentum. We also get into gut health, grassroots football culture in India, a Netflix script that nearly happened, and what it looks like when you follow your own compass rather than the rulebook someone else handed you. Grab your free gift from Journal to JOY: mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift IN THIS EPISODE WE EXPLORE: Why the monster is always smaller than its shadowChoosing the risk every single day, not just when motivation shows upWhat a past life regression taught Arush about responsibility and belongingHow stepping into his family rather than away from it changed everythingFinding your real capabilities rather than measuring yourself against someone else's standardBuilding three very different businesses and staying sane doing itIduna: @iduna_eternalhealthTIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome 01:14 A recent joy: the best football tournament his city has ever seen 02:21 Going viral on Instagram... from 10 followers to 40,000 05:30 A past life regression he did just for fun and what it revealed 08:30 How his relationship with his family transformed 11:40 Turning inward to find his real capabilities 16:27 Choosing the risk every single day 20:13 The monster is always smaller than its shadow 25:27 What Arush is creating next: coaching, filmmaking, and a gut health brand 30:13 Iduna: the Norse goddess and the vision behind the health brand ABOUT ARUSH: Arush Bakshi is an Identity Transformation Coach based in New Delhi, helping people build their dreams through a blend of coaching, creativity, and what he calls magic. With a decade of experience in life coaching, he also heads marketing and operations at a football academy with a mission to transform grassroots football culture in India, and co-runs a health brand called Iduna, inspired by the Norse goddess whose golden apples grant the gods immortality. He works with clients across Europe and India, and filmmaking is next on his horizon. RESOURCES MENTIONED:CONNECT WITH ARUSH: Instagram: @iduna_eternalhealth Email: Arush.bakshi@gmail.com CONNECT WITH ELLA MESMA: Website: mayagandaia.com Free Gift: mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Music by LamRock. Thank you to Arush and to you for listening.

  4. Jun 28

    The JOY Hour Podcast hosted by Ella Mesma. Episode 82: Choosing the Path That Is True with Sohyoung Ward

    ABOUT THIS EPISODE:Sohyoung Ward is the founder of True Level Leaders, and her own path took her from physicist to economist, from Wall Street to law school, from corporate restructuring attorney to holistic health counsellor and yoga teacher. In this conversation, we talk about what happens when the safe path and the true path are not the same thing... and what it costs to keep choosing safety over truth. Sohyoung shares the moment childbirth showed her what really matters in life, the year and a half she didn't speak to her mother over the choice to marry outside her culture, and how she taught her 9 year old son alchemy through the imagination. We talk about softness as a cellular, structural quality rather than a soft option, and why every human being is capable of choosing change in favour of their own joy.  LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:Recorded between London and Indianapolis. We acknowledge the colonial histories of the UK, and the Miami and Potawatomi peoples upon whose ancestral lands Indianapolis now stands.  Grab your free gift from Journal to JOY: mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift  IN THIS EPISODE WE EXPLORE:Why the safe path was never really saferSoftness as an ingredient of opennessThe moment childbirth showed Sohyoung what life is really all aboutChoosing your path against your parents' expectationsTeaching children to imagine something other than fearBringing consciousness and joy into corporate culture  TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Welcome01:37 A recent joy: helping her son imagine sleep instead of catastrophe06:14 Journeying softness and vulnerability after stepping off an old identity12:14 Why the safe path was never guaranteed24:16 What was your truth, or is your truth?27:02 Marrying outside her culture and not speaking to her mother for a year and a half28:17 The moment of childbirth that changed her understanding of the world35:18 Bringing consciousness, creativity and joy into corporate culture37:41 Every human is capable of choosing change in favour of their joy  ABOUT SOHYOUNG:Sohyoung Ward is the founder of True Level Leaders, coaching and training leaders and high performance teams to create what they love and serve the world with their vision and heart. She is also an artist, writer, and mother of two. Her own background spans physics and economics, portfolio analysis and corporate restructuring law, alongside her training as a holistic health counsellor and yoga teacher.  RESOURCES MENTIONED:True Level Leaders: truelevelleaders.com CONNECT WITH SOHYOUNG:Website: truelevelleaders.comEmail: sohyoung.choo@gmail.com CONNECT WITH ELLA MESMA:Website: goddxxpath.comFree Gift: goddxxpath.com/joyhourgift LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzrYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:Music by LamRock. Thank you to Sohyoung and to you for listening.

  5. Jun 14

    Episode 81: Even AI is Nature with Canay Atalay

    LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:Recorded between Ibiza and London. We acknowledge the colonial histories of Spain and the UK, and honour the diverse communities whose lands and labour built these cities. ABOUT THIS EPISODE:Canay Atalay is a regenerative innovation architect who works at the intersection of business, AI, and planetary regeneration... and in this conversation, she invites us to question one of the assumptions we most take for granted: that technology and nature are separate things. They are not. We are not.We talk about human agency in an age of AI, why your body is still the most sophisticated technology available to you, and how the quality of what you are feeling shapes everything you create. This is one of those conversations that asks you to sit with a tree, look honestly in the mirror, and take responsibility for the energy you bring into everything you touch.🎁 FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERSGrab your free gift from Journal to JOY: mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift IN THIS EPISODE WE EXPLORE:Why AI is not separate from nature... and neither are youHow your emotions shape the reality you are co-creatingWhat "recoding" means in business and personal transformationStrength training, embodiment, and women in leadershipWhy asking the tree in your garden might give you better answers than you expectTIMESTAMPS:00:00 Welcome02:04 The gym, accumulated stress, and a moment of recognition: this is the life I was dreaming of06:15 What her daughters reveal about ego and what is truly meaningful09:44 How the world is a mirror of what we have not yet integrated within ourselves15:50 Finding discernment with AI: what is good for me, and what is good for us?19:33 Thoughts are using humans, not the other way around25:19 Forgetfulness and remembrance... the game of being human29:21 Have you asked the tree in your garden?39:27 Canay's invitation: drink water, bless it, move it, be grateful for it ABOUT CANAY:Canay Atalay is a regenerative innovation architect and founder of the RX Innovation Institute and The Heroines, curator of Heart Masters Ibiza, and host of Regenerative Innovation with Canay at Harvard Business Review. She advises executives and boards on cultural transformation, intelligent systems design, and token economics across organisations and ecosystems. RESOURCES MENTIONED:RX Innovation InstituteThe Heroines: theheroines.coHeart Masters IbizaCONNECT WITH CANAY:Instagram: @canay.atalayLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/canayEmail: canay@theheroines.coCONNECT WITH ELLA MESMA:Website: mayagandaia.comFree Gift: mayagandaia.com/joyhourgiftLISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzrYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8MACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:Music by LamRock. Thank you to Canay and to you for listening.

  6. May 31

    The JOY Hour Podcast hosted by Ella Mesma. Episode 80: Being Aware of the Rhythm I'm Choosing with Cliff Tang

    In this conversation, we explore what it means to find your own rhythm in life... We talk about structure and freedom, manifesting dreams into reality through Lifebook, how to show up as your authentic self, and why martial arts, healing work, and teaching are all expressions of genuine human connection. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Recorded between London and Antwerp. We acknowledge the colonial histories of the UK and Belgium, and honour the diverse communities whose lands and labour built them. 🎁 FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS: Download your free Joy Hour resource at www.mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift IN THIS EPISODE: Why choosing your rhythm is more important than the choreography itselfThe journey from physiotherapy to energy healing to teaching to stunt fight choreographyHow healing work taught Cliff that the heart matters more than techniqueStructure and freedom: the paradox of real freedom living in structureManifesting through Lifebook: writing down your dreams and watching them unfoldThe childlike energy of curiosity and awe... and how to keep it aliveThe power of community and doing things togetherFrom lightsaber videos to Netflix sponsorships: the unfolding of a creative dreamTIMESTAMPS: 00:01 - Welcome and introduction 06:06 - Michael Jackson and keeping childlike energy alive 11:28 - Cliff's teacher in Malaysia: the missing piece is feeling 13:09 - Healing people with your heart not just technique 24:24 - Inner and outer journey: we need mirrors from other people 28:26 - This year my journey is more rhythm 40:37 - Love for Wushu sparked again after prison in Indonesia 43:22 - Creating Team Kai and the lightsaber journey 48:06 - Lifebook: the sacred book holding your vision ABOUT THE GUEST: Cliff Tang is a Belgian-born Chinese energy healer, body worker, stunt fight choreographer, and newly minted teacher based between London and Antwerp. His journey reflects a deep commitment to learning from lived experience... beginning with medical school, then physiotherapy and manual therapy, traditional Chinese medicine, and training in bone setting with a master in Malaysia who taught him the most crucial lesson: healing happens through the heart, not through technique alone. That teaching shifted everything. When Cliff returned to Belgium, his clients began releasing emotional baggage simply by being given space to feel. His work evolved to include intuitive energy healing, and he now teaches physical education to children aged 9-12, bringing that same heart-centred approach to helping young people discover their own light. Beyond that, Cliff is part of Team Kai, a stunt fight choreography group that creates martial arts content for films, recently sponsored by Kenjo Sabers. He's a dreamer who writes his vision down, takes small consistent actions, and trusts that the rhythm of life will carry him where he needs to go. RESOURCES & MENTIONS: Lifebook: A vision-crafting program for imagining your life across multiple categoriesMindvalley platform & Vishen LakhianiChinese bone settingPhysiotherapy and manual therapyTraditional Chinese medicineWushu (modern martial arts)Team Kai (stunt fight choreography group)Kenjo Sabers (high-quality lightsaber sponsorship)Jackie Chan films and philosophyBruce Lee philosophy: truly express yourselfHubert Goddard and tonic function theoryCONNECT: Cliff Tang Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaizen_project Ella Mesma Website: www.mayagandaia.com Book: https://mayagandaia.com/journal-to-joy/ Current offers: https://mayagandaia.com/links/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellamesma/ LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO THE JOY HOUR: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & THANKS: Music: LamRock Everything else: Brought to you by Ella and guests ❤️ Enjoyed this episode? Like, Subscribe, and Share!

  7. May 17

    The JOY Hour Hosted by Ella Mesma. Episode 79: Blooming Bravely with Tanya Richam-Odoi

    In this episode of The JOY Hour, I sit down with Tanya Richam-Odoi who is craniosacral therapist, sound healer, choreographer, and community instigator - to explore the journey from professional dancer to healer, and what it means to bloom bravely into your authentic self. Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of emotional trauma, challenging family relationships, and psychological demands in the dance industry. Land Acknowledgement: Recorded between Shipley and London, England. We acknowledge the colonial histories of the UK and honour the diverse communities whose lands and labour built these cities. Timestamps: 00:01 - Welcome and introduction 00:33 - Tanya's incredible journey from age 9 02:01 - Training at Northern School of Contemporary Dance 02:46 - Phoenix Dance Theatre and critical acclaim 03:04 - Moving into choreography and teaching 03:59 - The psychological demands of dance 05:03 - Dance as healer and grounding force 05:40 - Discovering craniosacral therapy 07:15 - How craniosacral therapy works 09:53 - Where Tanya is joining from and recent joy 13:42 - What Tanya is journeying right now 16:28 - The ongoing journey of healing work 20:19 - Giving permission to be multifaceted 23:09 - Awakening joy as purpose of the work 25:41 - Growing up without emotional availability 28:11 - Boundaries and embodied experience 29:19 - Stephen King quote and the healing journey 31:09 - Where to connect with Tanya In This Conversation We Explore: Dance as the healer that kept Tanya grounded from age 9 through traumaThe transition from professional dancer to craniosacral therapist after intense experiences with DV8What craniosacral therapy is: tuning in, listening to the body, sound healing, and facilitating the body's own healingTanya's first craniosacral session and feeling "unplugged from the matrix"Working with the Performance Ensemble of elders (60+) and the "bloom bravely" concept of moving from seed to full expressionAuthentic self and showing up fully, especially for perimenopausal women and neurodivergent clientsBoundaries as the Great Wall of China and embodied practice over book learningThe vision for community arts in Shipley and being a "community instigator"Awakening joy as the purpose of therapeutic workHow therapy and healing work is as much for the practitioner as for clientsThe multifaceted human experience and giving permission to be silly, beautiful, and genius all at onceGrowing up as an African-Scottish woman in Dundee without emotional availabilityThe power of holding safe space where nervous systems can settle and bodies can be heldAbout Tanya: Tanya Richam-Odoi is a craniosacral therapist, sound healer, choreographer, and self-described community instigator based in Shipley, West Yorkshire. Resources Mentioned: Stephen King quote: "Things conceived by minds and made by hands can never be quite the same, even if they try their best to be identical, because they're never the same from day to day or even moment to moment."Dundee Rep TheatrePhoenix Dance TheatreDV8 Physical TheatreNorthern School of Contemporary DancePerformance Ensemble Leeds (10-year anniversary)Methodist church in Shipley (potential social arts and culture centre)Critics Circle National Dance AwardsDancing Times magazineConnect with Tanya: Website: https://www.theayapractice.com/about-tanya Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_aya_practice/ LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tanya-richam-odoi-b56a4b71 In-person sessions: Shipley, West Yorkshire Online sessions: Available worldwide Connect with Ella Mesma: Website: mayagandaia.com | goddxxpath.com Free Gift: Grab a free practice from Journal to JOY at mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift Subscribe to The JOY Hour: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzr Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/de/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M Like, Subscribe, and Share!

  8. May 3

    The JOY Hour Podcast hosted by Ella Mesma. Episode 78: The Science of Orgasmic Expansion with Lil

    Lil Muxoll Nielsen is a neurobiologist-turned consciousness mentor who blends hard science with ancient wisdom... and she wants you to know that joy is not just a feeling; it's a biochemical choice. In this conversation, we explore why our nervous systems keep us stuck, what horses can teach us about shaking off trauma, and what it actually means to experience orgasmic expansion. Lil breaks down the science of how our cells literally change their receptors when we choose joy over survival... using the most delicious metaphor involving coconut and chocolate sprinkles. Content Warning: This episode references trauma, somatic release, and Kundalini energy experiences. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Recorded between Munich and Southern Denmark. We acknowledge the colonial histories of Germany and Denmark, and honour the diverse communities whose lands and labour built these nations. 🎁 FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS: Download your free Joy Hour resource at www.mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift IN THIS EPISODE: Why your nervous system might be the thing holding you back from joy The coconut vs chocolate sprinkles metaphor: how our cells change What horses teach us about releasing trauma and moving on Kundalini energy: what it feels like and why it matters The difference between trauma release and Kundalini activation Full body orgasmic expansion... and why it's our innate state Making the difficult times "exquisite pain" Choosing joy as an everyday expression, not a destination TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Introduction 00:29 – Welcome, and where is Lil joining from? 01:34 – Recent joy: the foal bringing heart explosions 02:45 – Ella's joy: nervous system relaxation through Rolfing 03:46 – Lil's journey from neuroscience to embodiment06:21 – The embodiment part of neuroscience 08:29 – Ella's honeymoon and the nervous system shock of re-entry 09:57 – Why the body's adaptation process is slow 11:30 – Coconut sprinkles vs chocolate sprinkles: how cells change 14:08 – Kundalini and connecting to source 15:07 – Horses, shaking and trauma release 20:39 – Kundalini yoga, KAP and energy rising 22:06 – What Kundalini activation actually feels like 25:41 – Being an ambassador for orgasmic expansion 29:27 – How to connect with Lil 30:36 – Closing ABOUT THE GUEST: Lil Muxoll Nielsen is a neurobiologist, consciousness mentor and embodiment facilitator based in Southern Denmark, surrounded by her husband, four horses and a dog. She blends modern science with ancient wisdom to support embodied transformation... helping people remember that we're not here to merely survive life but to consciously create it. Through coaching, Kundalini work, Sensory Energetics and retreats at powerful nature sites, Lil facilitates what she calls orgasmic expansion into joy, aliveness and creative power. She is currently writing her book on the science of magic, Quantum Intelligence, launching soon. RESOURCES & MENTIONS: Kundalini activation and alignment Sensory Energetics Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) Quantum Intelligence: the merge of spiritual and scientific approaches Rolfing Structural Integration CONNECT: Ella Mesma Website: www.ellamesma.co.uk | www.mayagandaia.com Book: https://mayagandaia.com/journal-to-joy/ Current offers: https://mayagandaia.com/links/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellamesma/ Lil Muxoll Nielsen (The Infinite Me) Website: https://www.theinfinite.me/ Instagram: @discover.theinfiniteme LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE TO THE JOY HOUR: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & THANKS: Music: LamRock Everything else: Brought to you by Ella and guests ❤️ Enjoyed this episode? Like, Subscribe, Comment and Share! Thank you!

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About

Welcome to The JOY Hour with Ella Mesma. Twice a month, I sit down with visionaries, artists, and leaders who are shifting away from hustle conditioning to create from a deeper, more intuitive space: exploring the messy, beautiful journey of living and leading on their own terms. Grab a tea, get cosy, and join us for The JOY Hour

Information

  • Creator
    Maya Gandaia
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Maya Gandaia
  • Show Website
    The JOY Hour