UnBecoming with Elena Joy

Elena Joy Thurston

A liberation manual for queer leaders, code-switching chameleons, and recovering good girls ready to lead without losing themselves. elenajoyspeaks.substack.com

  1. Gen Z Called Out Again. Now What?

    May 27

    Gen Z Called Out Again. Now What?

    "Why doesn't Gen Z have a work ethic?!"We hear that time and time again. It turns out, Gen Z actually does have a work ethic. And they're also one of the first generations to hold a genuine capacity and ability to prioritize their mental well-being. Elena explains that by creating a system based on data, compassion, and accountability rather than blame and frustration, Alex and Brayden were able to solve an issue with most of their employees calling out from their shifts 25% of the time. If your organization could use some highly-skilled middle managers, let's talk. You can book a time at https://latitudeleaders.com/contact Connect with Elena Joy:Substack: https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenajoythurston/https://LatitudeLeaders.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com

    7 min

  2. Apr 16

    The Bathroom Stall Strategy

    Free Networking Cheat Sheet: https://latitudeleaders.com/networkingcheatsheet 49 HR conferences in 2023. Elena takes everything she learned in that year and breaks it down into three ways you can show up more authentically as yourself at your next event. Three Words Away: https://latitudeleaders.com/threewordsaway Connect with Elena Joy Thurston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenajoythurston/ UnBecoming with Elena Joy on Substack: https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com

    14 min

  3. Mar 17

    The Leadership Skill You Already Have Time to Build

    The Leadership Skill You Already Have Time to Build How to create connection at work without adding a single thing to your calendar Content Note: This episode includes a brief mention of miscarriage. Episode Summary: Connection at work is a skill, and it's one you already have time to practice. In this episode, Elena Joy breaks down why disconnection is the single biggest predictor of burnout, why managers hold more power over employee engagement than compensation or flexibility, and how the ARC framework gives any leader a repeatable, sustainable path to genuine connection without adding a single thing to their calendar. What You'll Learn: Why your nervous system is wired to need connection at work, and what happens when it doesn't get it The three-step ARC framework: Activate, Reinforce, Codify What Powerful Presence actually looks like in a meeting you're already running Why the best connection systems are the ones light enough to survive a hard week Mentioned in This Episode: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38285544/ https://www.gallup.com/services/182138/state-american-manager.aspx https://enboarder.com/blog/how-much-is-human-connection-really-worth/ Free Resource: Grab Elena's five favorite connection questions, the ones she actually uses in meetings, 1:1s, and when she's trying to find someone's spark without making it weird. LatitudeLeaders.com/sv-cheat-sheet Connect with Elena Joy: Substack: https://elenajoyspeaks.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenajoythurston/ Website: LatitudeLeaders.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com

    17 min
  4. Middle Managers Are Deciding Your Future Now (Whether You Train Them or Not)

    Mar 3

    Middle Managers Are Deciding Your Future Now (Whether You Train Them or Not)

    In this episode, I break down why middle managers are the single greatest lever in your organization — for engagement, retention, and burnout prevention. Using a real story from the public school system, I share how one principal walked into a failing school (fourth leader in four years, morale in the basement) and, without additional funding or lighter workloads, transformed retention, culture, and performance. What changed? Not strategy.Not budget.Not talent. People leadership. Employees don’t experience “the company.”They experience their manager. And research continues to show: Managers are the biggest driver of employee engagement (Gallup). “Relational detachment” is one of the strongest predictors of burnout. 47% of employees who quit say they loved their job, but not their manager. 58% cite management style as the primary reason they leave. Burnout rarely starts with workload.It starts with disconnection. In this conversation, we explore: Why middle managers are the operational layer of burnout prevention How tone, availability, consistency, and conflict style shape retention Why high performers don’t quit companies — they quit managers The daily behaviors that create sustainable engagement How to build connection intentionally instead of by accident If you care about strategy execution, talent retention, and sustainable leadership, this episode is for you. Because right now, your managers are deciding whether your highest performers stay — or take their impact, experience, and institutional memory somewhere else. Not because of compensation.Not because of workload.Because of connection. Resources Mentioned: The Manager Skills Lab – A hands-on leadership training designed to equip middle managers with practical relational leadership skills that stabilize teams and protect capacity. Learn more:🌐 https://LatitudeLeaders.com🔥 Burnout Prevention Starter Kit: https://BurnoutStarterKit.com If this resonated: Subscribe for more conversations on sustainable leadership Share this with an executive or HR leader Comment: What’s one leadership behavior that changed your experience at work? Let’s create your organization’s future by design, not default. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com

    6 min
  5. How to Show Up as a Leader on Jan 8, 2026

    Jan 8

    How to Show Up as a Leader on Jan 8, 2026

    Leaders in the US, let's chat about how can you show up for your people on a day like today. Links to the resources mentioned below. Somatic breathing exercise audio - https://latitudeleaders.com/grounding Burnout Prevention Starter Kit - https://latitudeleaders.com/burnoutstarterkit List of Core Values - https://latitudeleaders.com/corevalueslist Joyful Office Hours - https://calendly.com/elenajoythurston/joyful-office-hours This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com

    6 min

  6. 10/24/2025

    How a box of flyers helped me heal during late-stage capitalism

    🎙️ Episode Title: The Jolt That Changed Everything Episode Summary:There’s nothing more American than the solopreneur journey—it’s just you versus late-stage capitalism. (Cue the Rocky montage.) In this episode, Elena Joy shares the surprisingly emotional story of how a simple box of flyers—created by her friend and client Vera at Southwest Solutions—became a catalyst for confidence, clarity, and courage. What started as “I’ll make a flyer next year” turned into a powerful reminder that readiness isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you claim. Listen as Elena unpacks: The deeper work behind deconstructing internalized shame as a queer entrepreneur How inclusive leadership and friendship intersect to make “the impossible” feel possible Why tangible proof (even in the form of beautiful paper) can ignite intangible transformation Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, or just trying to keep your soul intact while paying the bills—this one’s for you. ✨ Featured in this episode: Southwest Solutions — award-winning merch and swag company helping small businesses look as bold as they feel. Leadership Capacity Framework — the burnout prevention model that helps you rebuild confidence from the inside out. 🔥 Ready for your own jolt of clarity?Download the Burnout Prevention Starter Kit — a free guide to help you understand your current burnout risk and start rebuilding your capacity today. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com

    6 min
  7. What the Heck Is the Leadership Capacity Assessment?

    09/24/2025

    What the Heck Is the Leadership Capacity Assessment?

    In this episode, I’ll break down: Why most burnout advice doesn’t stick (spoiler: no one else is the expert on your burnout but you). The five capacities every leader needs to protect to prevent burnout: Cognitive, Emotional, Relational, Time & Energy, and Systemic Support. How the assessment works and why it takes the shame out of talking about burnout at work. A real-world story of 50+ HR leaders who took the mini-assessment—and what happened next. Normally, this tool lives inside my paid trainings. But this month, I’m making it free during Joyful Office Hours. Thursday, September 25 at 1 pm PT (on Zoom).Always free, just register here: Register for Joyful Office Hours If you’ve ever thought “I just can’t anymore,” this is your chance to put language and clarity around that feeling—so you can finally do something about it. ✨ Links & Resources Register for Joyful Office Hours: BurnoutStarterKit.com Learn more about my work: LatitudeLeaders.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com

    7 min

  8. 08/12/2025

    Spend Time Like It Belongs To You

    Spend Time Like It Belongs to YouNot like you stole it. Once upon a time, I was called “Little Bit”—tiny in size, and eventually tiny in spirit—because I kept pouring myself into everyone else’s cup. Wife. Mother. Friend. Volunteer. Dutiful daughter. Until one day, there was nothing left of me to pour. In this episode, I’m not giving you a color-coded calendar hack. I’m giving you permission to reclaim your time like it’s actually yours—and to stop believing the lie that you have to earn rest. We’ll talk about: Why “time management” is the wrong game if you want to avoid burnout How to spot the time lie you’ve been sold—and refuse to buy it again A simple “Required Restoration” experiment to figure out what actually replenishes you The single question to ask yourself each morning that changes how you end your day Because the opposite of burnout isn’t balance—it’s alignment. And alignment is a choice you make in the now, not a reward you hope shows up later. 🎁 Want to protect your time and your energy?Grab my free Burnout Prevention Starter Kit and learn the first steps to restoring your capacity—without waiting for your schedule to magically open up. And if you’re hearing this before August 21, 2025, I’ve got something special for you. This month in Joyful Office Hours, I’m running the Leadership Capacity Assessment for the very first time—and I’m opening it to the public, completely free. Here’s what that means: you’ll join me live (virtually), take the assessment in real time, and discover which of your five capacities is running the lowest—and exactly where to focus if you want to rebuild your energy without burning out. All you have to do is register at JoyfulOfficeHours.com. It’s free, it’s fun, and it might just be the reset button you didn’t know you needed. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenajoyspeaks.substack.com

    10 min
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About

A liberation manual for queer leaders, code-switching chameleons, and recovering good girls ready to lead without losing themselves. elenajoyspeaks.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Elena Joy Thurston
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Elena Joy Thurston
  • Show Website
    UnBecoming with Elena Joy