JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast

Greg De Koker
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JOY² – Live With Joy is a leadership and personal growth podcast exploring the hidden power of joy in work, leadership and life. Hosted by brand and culture strategist Greg De Koker, the show features inspiring conversations with founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs and change makers who believe joy belongs at the center of how we live, work and lead. If you want more meaning, energy and joy in your life and leadership, this podcast is for you. Join the conversation. Let’s Live With Joy.

  1. 20h ago

    31 - The Greatest Measure of Success Is Who You Lift Up with Pierre Julien & Co-host Wray Carvelas

    What if your greatest achievement isn't what you accomplish, but what you inspire others to become? On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, host Greg De Koker and co-host Wray Carvelas, CEO of Ascencia Group and JOY² Founding Title Sponsor, welcome Pierre Julien, former Executive Vice President of DRA Global, for an inspiring conversation about leadership, fulfillment, adventure and the lasting impact we have on others. After more than four decades leading people and organizations in the global mining industry, Pierre shares a powerful realization: success and fulfillment aren't necessarily the same thing. Titles, achievements and financial rewards may mark a successful career, but the deepest joy often comes from helping others discover what they're capable of becoming. Pierre reveals how recognizing untapped potential, understanding people's unique strengths and creating opportunities for them to thrive can transform careers, strengthen teams and leave a legacy that extends far beyond any job title. Together, Greg, Wray and Pierre explore how curiosity, courage and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking open doors to extraordinary possibilities. Through personal stories of mentorship, adventure and unforgettable moments of joy, Pierre reminds us that a meaningful life isn't simply measured by what we achieve, but by the difference we make along the way. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why professional success doesn't always bring personal fulfillment • How believing in someone's potential can change their life • Why great leaders put people and their strengths first • How curiosity, courage and adventure create new possibilities • Why purpose and contribution are at the heart of lasting joy • How turning ideas into action creates meaningful change The most meaningful measure of leadership isn't how high you climb. It's how many people rise because you believed in them. Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to JOY² 02:08 Meet Pierre Julien 05:24 Finding Joy Beyond Professional Success 09:23 The Fulfillment of Developing People 17:19 Overcoming Barriers to Joy at Work 19:22 Understanding People and Their Strengths 21:20 Finding the Right Roles for Your Team 23:50 Overcoming Negativity and Joy Blockers 29:19 Connecting Purpose to Meaningful Work 34:06 Memorable Moments of Joy 36:56 Don't Accept No Without Taking Action 37:13 Turning Insights Into Action 39:10 Final Reflections on Leadership and Joy Connect with Greg De Koker Website: ⁠www.joy2.ca⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/gregdekoker/ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/greg_de_koker/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/greg.koker.5/⁠ Connect with Wray Carvelas Website: www.ascenciagroup.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ascencia-group-unleashing-tomorrow-s-leaders-today/ Connect with Pierre Julien: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrejulien1/ Listen and Subscribe to JOY²: Apple Podcast:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joy-live-with-joy-podcast/id1886910363 ⁠ Spotify: ⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joy-squared-podcast⁠ YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/@JOY2LiveWithJoyPodcast⁠ Stay Connected to JOY²: Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Take Action Ask yourself: • Am I measuring success by what I achieve or the difference I make? • Whose potential do I see that they may not yet recognize in themselves? • Where could I embrace a new challenge or help someone else grow? Action Tip Think of one person whose potential you believe in. Reach out and tell them what you see in them. Offer encouragement, guidance or an opportunity that could help them grow. Never underestimate the power of believing in someone before they fully believe in themselves. As Pierre reminds us, our greatest legacy isn't necessarily what we build or achieve. It's the people whose lives are better because we were part of them.

  2. Oct 15

    30 - How to Choose Joy and Reframe Perceived Limitations with Marie Armitage

    What if joy isn't something you find when life finally gets easier, but something you can choose even when life is hard? On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, host Greg De Koker sits down with Marie Armitage, Mindset & Confidence Coach and JOY² Founding Sponsor, for a deeply personal conversation about intentional joy, confidence, perspective and breaking free from the stories that quietly hold us back. Marie shares why choosing joy doesn't mean ignoring grief, uncertainty or life's inevitable challenges. Happiness may rise and fall with our circumstances, but joy can run deeper, shaped by what we focus on, how we interpret our experiences and the choices we make in response. Sometimes creating more joy starts surprisingly small: practicing gratitude, adding a little whimsy to your day or reconnecting with someone you love. Greg and Marie also explore the invisible stories we carry about ourselves. Past experiences, other people's judgments and our own assumptions can become internalized limitations that feel like truth. By questioning those stories, recognizing our strengths and shifting our perspective, we can build confidence and create more ease in how we live, work and lead. In this episode, you'll discover: • The important difference between joy and happiness • How joy and grief can exist at the same time • How internalized limitations quietly shape our choices • Why questioning your own stories can unlock confidence • How leaning into your strengths creates greater ease • Why high achievers put so much pressure on themselves • How boundaries and honest communication strengthen relationships You don't have to wait until everything is figured out to experience more joy. Sometimes it begins with a simple question: What am I focusing on right now, and is there another way to see it? Because changing your perspective doesn't mean denying what's difficult. It means creating enough space to see what else might also be possible. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to JOY² 00:02:10 Meet Marie Armitage 00:06:28 Choosing Joy Intentionally 00:08:21 Whimsy and Meaningful Connections 00:13:14 Grief, Loss and Health Challenges 00:15:05 Finding Joy Through Perspective 00:20:18 Overcoming Internalized Limitations 00:42:26 Reframing Limiting Beliefs 00:45:09 Why High Achievers Struggle 00:51:15 Gratitude and Self-Compassion 00:53:12 Shifting Your Perspective 00:56:17 Final Reflections: Put Joy Into Action Connect with Greg De Koker Website: ⁠www.joy2.ca⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/gregdekoker/ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/greg_de_koker/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/greg.koker.5/⁠ Connect with Marie Armitage: Website: https://easejoycoach.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariebarringtonarmitage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachwithmarie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marie.armitage Listen and Subscribe to JOY²: Apple Podcast:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joy-live-with-joy-podcast/id1886910363 ⁠ Spotify: ⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joy-squared-podcast⁠ YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/@JOY2LiveWithJoyPodcast⁠ Stay Connected to JOY²: Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Take Action Ask yourself: • What am I focusing on right now, and how is it shaping my experience? • What limitation have I accepted as truth without questioning it? • Where could I allow a little more ease, playfulness or joy into my life? Action Tip The next time you feel overwhelmed or overly critical of yourself, pause and ask: What perspective am I looking through? Is there another way to see this? Then choose one small action: send the message, set the boundary, reconnect with someone, question an old belief or simply make room for something that brings you joy. You don't have to deny what's difficult or force yourself to be happy. You can acknowledge what's hard and still choose where you place your attention next.

  3. Oct 8

    29 - Flourishing Is a Skill: How to Build More Joy Into Your Life with Emiliya Zhivotovskaya

    What if flourishing isn't something that happens when life goes your way, but a skill you can practice and create? On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker sits down with Emiliya Zhivotovskaya, CEO & Founder of The Flourishing Center, for an eye-opening exploration of what it really means to live well. And it turns out flourishing isn't the same as being happy. Emiliya challenges the idea that difficult emotions are problems to fix or eliminate. Instead, our emotions are information. They can help us understand what matters, what we need, and how we want to respond. The goal isn't to feel good all the time, but to develop the skills to navigate the full human experience and still live well. And that includes joy. Emiliya describes joy as an "underdeveloped muscle" that can be intentionally strengthened through practices like savoring, play and connection. Rather than waiting for joy to find us, we can create more opportunities to experience it. Greg and Emiliya also take flourishing into the workplace, exploring why psychological safety, belonging and human connection matter far more than superficial perks, and why leaders have an opportunity to create environments where people can genuinely thrive. But perhaps the conversation's most powerful idea is mattering: our fundamental need to know that who we are, what we do and how we show up in the lives of others actually matters. In this episode, we explore: • Why flourishing is fundamentally different from simply feeling happy • How emotions can become information rather than obstacles • Why joy is an "underdeveloped muscle" we can intentionally strengthen • Why psychological safety is foundational to flourishing at work • Simple ways to begin flourishing more today Flourishing doesn't require a perfect life. It asks something far more empowering: What could I do today to flourish a little more, and help someone else flourish too? Because joy isn't simply something we find. It's something we practice, cultivate and share. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to JOY² – Live With Joy 00:02:02 What Does It Really Mean to Flourish? 00:09:00 Building the Skills of Well-Being 00:14:56 Understanding Emotions as Signals 00:28:13 Happiness vs. Joy 00:31:09 Training the Muscle of Joy 00:43:35 Why We Don't Teach the Skills of Flourishing 00:47:06 Mental Health as a Buildable Skill Set 00:54:51 How to Start Flourishing Today 01:00:28 Flourishing as Something We Can Practice 01:02:09 Final Thoughts & Takeaways Connect with Greg De Koker Website: ⁠www.joy2.ca⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/gregdekoker/ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/greg_de_koker/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/greg.koker.5/⁠ Connect with Emiliya Zhivotovskaya: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliyazhivotovskaya/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emiliyaz/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflourishingcenter Grab a copy of “How We Flourish” here at https://theflourishingcenter.com/howweflourish Listen and Subscribe to JOY²: Apple Podcast:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joy-live-with-joy-podcast/id1886910363 ⁠ Spotify: ⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joy-squared-podcast⁠ YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/@JOY2LiveWithJoyPodcast⁠ Stay Connected to JOY²: Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Take Action Ask yourself: • Am I confusing feeling good with genuinely living well? • Where could I intentionally create more opportunities for joy? • Who in my life needs to know that they matter? Action Tip Don't try to "be happier" this week. Instead, practice one skill of flourishing. Savor something you'd normally rush past. Play without needing a purpose. Reach out to someone you love. Or tell someone specifically why they matter to you. Don't wait for life to become perfect. Flourishing is something we can learn. Joy is something we can practice. And mattering is something we can give to one another.

  4. Oct 1

    28 - Building a Culture Where Everyone Wins with Richard Walkers

    What if creating a great workplace doesn't start with changing your employees, but with asking a much simpler question: Would I want to work here? On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, host Greg De Koker sits down with Richard Walker, CEO of Quik!, author and host of The Customer Wins podcast, for a refreshingly candid, insightful and seriously fun conversation about leadership, culture, relationships, well-being and joy. Rich shares how his own pursuit of fulfillment shaped the culture at Quik! and why taking care of yourself isn't selfish. It's essential if you want to show up fully for others. He explores leading by example, creating safety around mistakes, giving meaningful feedback and building relationships rooted in trust. The conversation gets deeply personal as Rich shares his experience with burnout after losing 45% of his company's revenue and the lessons that helped him rebuild: taking care of his health, investing in meaningful relationships and creating a bigger vision for what could come next. And somehow, between the leadership lessons, big ideas and plenty of laughter, Greg and Rich keep coming back to one simple truth: people matter. In this episode, we explore: • Why self-care enables leaders to better serve others • Why great leaders model the behavior they expect • How meaningful feedback strengthens people and teams • Why family should come first • The Golden Rule vs. the Platinum Rule • Why shared values matter when building culture • How Rich navigated burnout, setbacks and rebuilding • Why a goal without action is merely a dream Ultimately, great leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating an environment where people can thrive, customers can win and joy can grow. When things get difficult, focus on what you can control. Take care of yourself. Invest in your relationships. Create a vision worth moving toward. And then take action. Because joy isn't something we simply find. It's something we create, cultivate and pass on. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to JOY² – Live With Joy 00:01:34 Meet Rich Walker 00:05:55 Taking Care of Yourself Before Others 00:08:25 Building a Culture People Want to Be Part Ofa 00:18:06 Leading With Empathy & Putting Family First 00:21:00 The Golden Rule vs. The Platinum Rule 00:26:31 Building Customer Trust Through Culture 00:31:22 Hiring for Culture & Shared Values 00:33:42 Burnout, Setbacks & Rebuilding 00:36:44 The Three-Legged Stool of Happiness 00:38:24 Creating a Positive Ripple Effect 00:41:54 A Goal Without Action Is Merely a Dream 00:43:10 Final Thoughts & Takeaways Connect with Greg De Koker Website: ⁠www.joy2.ca⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/gregdekoker/ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/greg_de_koker/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/greg.koker.5/⁠ Connect with Richard Walker: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quikformsceo/ Website: https://www.quickforms.com/ Learn About The Customer Wins Podcast hosted by Richard himself: https://www.quickforms.com/podcast-blog Listen and Subscribe to JOY²: Apple Podcast:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joy-live-with-joy-podcast/id1886910363 ⁠ Spotify: ⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joy-squared-podcast⁠ YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/@JOY2LiveWithJoyPodcast⁠ Stay Connected to JOY²: Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Take Action Ask yourself: • Am I modeling the behavior I expect from others? • How do I respond when someone makes a mistake? • Am I taking care of myself well enough to show up for others? • What goal have I left as a dream because I haven't taken action? Action Tip Choose one relationship, goal or area of your life where you want more joy, and take one intentional step this week. Have the conversation. Ask for feedback. Own the mistake. Make time for what matters. Take the first step. Joy isn't something we simply find. It's something we create, cultivate and pass on.

  5. Sep 24

    27 - The Leadership Courage to Look in the Mirror with Jonah Erbe & Co-host Wray Carvelas

    What if becoming a better leader starts not with changing everyone around you... but with taking a harder look at yourself? On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker and returning Co-host and Founding Title Sponsor Wray Carvelas sit down with Jonah Erbe, President of Leadership Management International (LMI), for a powerful conversation about leadership, accountability, purpose, faith and human potential. Drawing on LMI's experience developing leaders across more than 80 countries, Jonah shares why meaningful leadership starts with genuinely caring about people, putting ego aside and leading by example. He explores the influence of mentors, why accountability becomes increasingly important as leaders gain influence, and why we all need people willing to tell us what we may not want to hear. Together, Greg, Wray and Jonah explore how joy can coexist with pressure, why taking ownership restores our sense of agency, what really motivates people, and why genuine human connection matters. They also tackle loneliness, faith, fear of failure and why progress often begins by simply taking the next step. In this episode, we explore: • Why great leadership starts with genuinely caring about people • How accountability and honest feedback make us better leaders • Why we need people willing to expose our blind spots • How small, intentional actions can create meaningful change • How genuine connection strengthens people, teams and cultures • How action and learning can take us further than overthinking Ultimately, leadership isn't something we simply talk about. It's something we demonstrate. Meaningful transformation rarely happens through one dramatic breakthrough. It happens when we look in the mirror, take responsibility, learn and keep moving forward... one intentional action at a time. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to JOY² – Live With Joy 00:01:51 Meet Jonah & Leadership Management International 00:09:07 The Highs, Lows & Ego of Leadership 00:20:39 Can Joy Coexist With Leadership Pressure? 00:23:02 The Importance of Accountability & Feedback 00:31:43 What Blocks Joy? Taking Ownership 00:41:06 Leadership, Loneliness & Workplace Connection 00:44:09 The Wheel of Life & Aligning Your Priorities 00:47:54 Overcoming the Fear of Failure 00:50:16 Turning Mistakes Into Lessons 00:51:49 Leadership, Influence & Service 00:53:16 Final Thoughts & Takeaways Connect with Greg De Koker Website: ⁠www.joy2.ca⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/gregdekoker/ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/greg_de_koker/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/greg.koker.5/⁠ Connect with Wray Carvelas Website: www.ascenciagroup.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ascencia-group-unleashing-tomorrow-s-leaders-today/ Connect with Jonah Erbe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaherbe/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonah.erbe Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonaherbe/ Listen and Subscribe to JOY²: Apple Podcast:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joy-live-with-joy-podcast/id1886910363 ⁠ Spotify: ⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joy-squared-podcast⁠ YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/@JOY2LiveWithJoyPodcast⁠ Stay Connected to JOY²: Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Take Action Ask yourself: • Where am I avoiding accountability? • What's the 1% I can take ownership of? • Who will tell me what I need to hear, not just what I want to hear? • Does how I spend my time reflect what matters most? • What action am I avoiding because I'm afraid of getting it wrong? Action Tip Choose one thing you've been overthinking and take one intentional step forward. Ask for the feedback. Own your part. Have the conversation. Take the first step. Then ask yourself: "What might change if I stopped waiting to get it perfectly right... and simply started moving forward?" Because leadership isn't built through intention alone. It's built through action.

  6. Sep 23

    26 - The Power of Deliberate Curiosity with Vandana Puranik

    What if the obstacles and hardships in your life aren't roadblocks, but invitations to discover what's humanly possible? On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker sits down with Vandana Puranik, founder of Active Ingredients and What She Said, bestselling author, TEDx speaker and brand strategist, for a deeply personal, wildly insightful and joy-filled conversation about resilience, curiosity and the power of thinking differently. Vandana shares how extraordinary adversity, including cancer and a two-week coma, transformed the way she sees life, and why deliberate curiosity can change the way we navigate uncertainty, difficult conversations and life's toughest moments. Rather than simply accepting the meaning we give our experiences, she challenges us to get curious, reframe what's possible and focus less on solving problems and more on creating the outcomes we actually want. In this episode, we explore: • How deliberate curiosity can transform the way we approach challenges • Why we can become brilliant at solving the wrong problems • How reframing adversity can reveal new possibilities • Why letting go can create space for what matters most • How to become a “category of one” • The power of intellectual humility and asking better questions Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader, creative thinker or simply navigating change and uncertainty, this conversation is an invitation to question what you think you know, get curious about what you don't, and discover what might be possible. Because sometimes the breakthrough isn't found by working harder to solve the problem. Sometimes it begins by seeing the problem differently... and asking a better question. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to JOY² 00:02:23 Meet Vandana Puranik 00:05:31 Choosing Joy Through Life's Challenges 00:09:50 The Two-Week Coma & the Power of Discovery 00:16:24 Practicing Deliberate Curiosity 00:25:24 The Power of “Might” 00:32:24 Letting Go, Focusing & Receiving 00:35:24 Finding Joy in Loss 00:37:20 The Role of Humor in Difficult Moments 00:42:15 Solve for the Outcome 00:46:37 Thinking Differently & Creating Impact 00:47:50 Your Circumstances Don't Have to Define You 00:48:12 Choosing Joy, Purpose & Curiosity Connect with Greg De Koker Website: ⁠www.joy2.ca⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/gregdekoker/ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/greg_de_koker/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/greg.koker.5/⁠ Connect with Vandana Puranik: Website: www.thisiswhatshesaid.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/vandanapuranik/ Business Instagram: www.instagram.com/activeingreds/ Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/vandanaspuranik/ Business Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089863683637&mibextid=LQQJ4d X.com: https://twitter.com/activeingreds Grab a copy of The Book of Might Book here at https://www.TheBookOfMIGHT.com Listen and Subscribe to JOY²: Apple Podcast:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joy-live-with-joy-podcast/id1886910363 ⁠ Spotify: ⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joy-squared-podcast⁠ YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/@JOY2LiveWithJoyPodcast⁠ Stay Connected to JOY²: Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Take Action Ask yourself: • Where could I replace frustration with curiosity? • Am I solving the right problem? • What meaning am I giving a difficult experience? • What do I need to let go of? • What makes me uniquely valuable? Action Tip Choose one practice this week: • Pause during frustration and ask a curious question. • Define the outcome you want before solving a challenge. • Reframe a difficult experience by asking, “What else could this mean?” • Admit something you don't know and learn from someone else. Then ask yourself: “What might become possible if I stayed curious a little longer?” Because sometimes you don't need another answer. You need a different perspective, a better question and the courage to stay curious.

  7. Sep 10

    25 - The Joy of Building Wealth That Lasts with Afam Elue

    On this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker sits down with acquisition entrepreneur, M&A advisor, author, strategist and Founder of the Fugleman Group, Afam Elue, for a thought-provoking conversation about entrepreneurship, wealth, joy and the legacy we leave behind. What if the true measure of success isn't simply what you build... but why you're building it? Afam shares how buying businesses can create extraordinary financial opportunity, while reminding us that the greatest wealth isn't measured only in dollars, but in purpose, relationships, freedom and the lives we impact. Together, Greg and Afam explore why joy shouldn't be viewed as the reward for success, but the fuel that helps create it. They also discuss gratitude, emotional awareness, boundaries and intentional living, revealing how each shapes both personal fulfillment and long-term success. One of the most memorable moments is Afam's remarkable story of acquiring a $2 million business despite having little money to invest, proving that creativity, relationships and courage can often matter more than capital. In this episode, we explore: • Why joy is fundamentally different from happiness • Why joy can become the fuel for lasting success • The surprising connection between boundaries and sustainable joy • How acquisition entrepreneurship creates wealth by buying existing businesses • The remarkable story behind a $2 million business acquisition that initially seemed impossible • Why legacy is about far more than money and how to build something that outlives you Whether you're an entrepreneur, leader or simply someone pursuing a more meaningful life, this conversation offers practical wisdom for creating success without sacrificing what matters most. Because the greatest legacy isn't simply what you leave behind. It's the people you impact while you're here. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to JOY² 00:02:06 Meet Afam Elue 00:12:42 Joy vs. Happiness 00:18:24 Creating Transformational Value 00:25:06 The Story Behind Afam's Legacy 00:34:24 Why Boundaries Matter 00:40:36 Focusing on One Thing at a Time 00:44:18 Moving Through What Blocks Joy 00:53:12 The Power of Acquisition Entrepreneurship 00:55:24 A $2 Million Acquisition Story 00:57:48 Preserving Legacy Through Succession 01:03:42 Building Better Futures & Generations 01:04:24 Choosing Joy Intentionally Connect with Greg De Koker Website: ⁠www.joy2.ca⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/gregdekoker/ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/greg_de_koker/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/greg.koker.5/⁠ Connect with Afam Elue: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afamelue/ Instagram: @therealafamelue FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/afam.elue Listen and Subscribe to JOY²: Apple Podcast:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joy-live-with-joy-podcast/id1886910363 ⁠ Spotify: ⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joy-squared-podcast⁠ YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/@JOY2LiveWithJoyPodcast⁠ Stay Connected to JOY²: Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Take Action Ask yourself: • Am I postponing joy until I achieve my next goal? • Where could stronger boundaries create more energy and peace? • What am I building today that will continue creating value after I'm gone? Action Tip Choose one practice this week: • Begin or renew a daily gratitude habit. • Give someone your full attention without distractions. • Set one healthy boundary that protects your time or energy. • Instead of resisting a difficult emotion, acknowledge it and move through it. • Think beyond immediate success and identify one action that contributes to your long-term legacy. Then ask yourself: "Am I simply building success... or am I building something that truly matters?" Because success isn't measured only by what you accumulate. It's measured by the joy you experience, the lives you elevate, and the legacy you leave behind.

  8. Sep 3

    24 - Change Your Life – From "I Should" to "I Choose" with Dana Hilmer

    In this episode of the JOY² – Live With Joy Podcast, Greg De Koker sits down with Happiness and Life Transition Expert, author, speaker, coach and Founder of Wiser & Free, Dana Hilmer, for a joy-filled conversation about freedom, reinvention, intentional living and giving yourself permission to choose a life that truly feels like your own. Somewhere along the way, many of us traded "I choose" for "I should." We stay busy. We chase the next milestone. We convince ourselves that joy can wait until everything else gets done. Dana offers a different path. With warmth, wisdom and plenty of laughter, she reminds us that joy isn't something we stumble upon someday. It's something we create through the choices we make every single day, even in life's hardest seasons. Together, Greg and Dana explore how our thoughts, expectations and stories quietly shape our lives, why creating space is often more powerful than doing more, and how a few simple mindset shifts can open the door to greater freedom, gratitude and joy. In this episode, discover: • Why "I should" may be stealing more joy than you realize • How to create peace and gratitude during life's most difficult seasons • How the stories you tell yourself become your reality • How to let go of what no longer aligns with who you're becoming • Dana's unforgettable "Compass Point" question for navigating life's biggest decisions One of the most powerful moments of the conversation comes when Dana shares the question she uses as her personal compass: "How do I want to feel about myself and my life on my very last day?" It's a beautifully simple question that has the power to reshape everyday choices, major life transitions and everything in between. This episode is full of practical wisdom, joyful perspective and those unexpected little "aha!" moments that stay with you long after the conversation ends. Because sometimes the biggest transformation begins with replacing just one word... "I should." ...with... "I choose." 🎁 Exclusive Offer for JOY² Podcast Listeners: Dana Hilmer is offering a FREE copy of her workbook: https://www.wiserandfree.com/happier No e-mail required either. Just download it and enjoy. Chapters: 00:00:00 Welcome to Joy Squared 00:02:15 Meet Dana Hilmer 00:07:06 Choosing Joy During Difficult Seasons 00:13:37 Letting Go of Control & Creating Space 00:18:48 Creating Small Moments to Look Forward To 00:25:33 Moving From “I Should” to “I Choose” 00:31:53 How You Begin Your Day Shapes Your Day 00:48:01 Using Feelings as a Filter for Decisions 00:57:52 Turning Insight Into Action Connect with Greg De Koker Website: ⁠www.joy2.ca⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/gregdekoker/ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/greg_de_koker/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/greg.koker.5/⁠ Connect with Dana Hilmer: Website - https://www.wiserandfree.com/ Substack - Living Never Gets Old - https://danahilmer.substack.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danahilmer/ Facebook Group - Happy After 50 - https://www.facebook.com/groups/happyafter50 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dana.hilmer/ Listen and Subscribe to JOY²: Apple Podcast:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/joy-live-with-joy-podcast/id1886910363 ⁠ Spotify: ⁠creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joy-squared-podcast⁠ YouTube: ⁠www.youtube.com/@JOY2LiveWithJoyPodcast⁠ Stay Connected to JOY²: Instagram: ⁠www.instagram.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Facebook: ⁠www.facebook.com/joysquaredofficial/⁠ Take Action Ask yourself: - What am I waiting for before allowing myself to experience more joy? - Where am I still living from "I should" instead of "I choose"? - What am I ready to let go of? - How do I want to feel about my life? Action Tip This week, pause before making one decision. Create a little space. Replace one "I should" with "I choose." Notice one moment of joy you might normally rush past. Sometimes a single intentional choice becomes the beginning of a completely different life.

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JOY² – Live With Joy is a leadership and personal growth podcast exploring the hidden power of joy in work, leadership and life. Hosted by brand and culture strategist Greg De Koker, the show features inspiring conversations with founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs and change makers who believe joy belongs at the center of how we live, work and lead. If you want more meaning, energy and joy in your life and leadership, this podcast is for you. Join the conversation. Let’s Live With Joy.

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