Joy First®

J.Nichole Smith

Discover why and how to put joy first in a world that rewards hustle over happiness.   This bi-weekly show is for workaholics, founders, perfectionists and parents…the hardworking humans who struggle to find, choose or share joy because they are just so damn busy surviving. Expect inspiration, education and practical how-to’s for living and working in a way that allows you to easily and consistently prioritize joy over fear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. The Joy First Experiment Begins

    1D AGO

    The Joy First Experiment Begins

    The Joy First Experiment Begins After three years of podcasting about joy, colour, and business, I'm doing something different. Something scarier. I've spent two decades teaching entrepreneurs how to build brands that create desire, joy, and transformation. But as I've sat down to write this Joy First book, it feels like I've really been tested. It's been a really challenging 18 months and I've been asking myself, who the heck am I to share this work? But on reflection I feel like my experience with testing, and imperfectly embodying these joy first principles and practices is the way joy REALLY looks. Joy isn't just aspirational, sometimes it's actual survival. So, in this season, in an aim to continue to define share the real face of what 'joy first' actually means, 'm becoming my own guinea pig. Over the next six months, I'm auditing six key areas of my life, vitality, relationships, work, creativity, all of it, and documenting what happens when a someone who has obsessively built shiny, perfect 'afters' (but who feels perpetually like a 'before') attempts to really explore what the 'joy of the journey' actually looks like. This season isn't about teaching you how to be joyful. It's about what joy really looks like for a 44-year-old woman dealing with perimenopause, anxiety, weight loss, two kids, marriage and a couple businesses. To explore this 'Joy First Experiment' we're going back to our bi-weekly schedule on the public feed, with deeper, more vulnerable conversations happening over on the new Joy Journal Substack (link below). If you've been stuck in the messy middle, that gap between who you are and who you're becoming, pull up a chair. Let's get honest about what the real work of becoming the person you need to be to live the life you actually want actually looks like. Welcome to Season 4. LINKS: Join the Joy Journal on Substack: https://joyfirstworld.substack.com/Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyfirstworldTake the Joy First Pulse audit [coming next episode] In this episode, I share:• The real story behind the Joy First podcast (and the four iterations that came before it) • What I’m intentionally shifting this towards (and why) • What it has felt like to leave a niche where I had authority, ease, and security • Why joy is not shiny, aspirational, or performative (it’s gritty and lived) • What I've watched become the most powerful joy tool, ever • What my emotional intelligence profile revealed that helped fuel this journey • What’s coming next... This season is about pulling back the curtain. Not because I have it figured out. But because joy lives in the trenches, not in the shiny 'after' photo . If you’ve ever felt like you’re great at building a life that looks good from the outside but feels disconnected on the inside… If you’re in a season of change, confusion, or quiet unraveling… If you’re tired of optimizing for other people's opinions and ready to feel like you again (or the first time ever) You’re in the right place. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    41 min
  2. New Year, Whole You

    JAN 1

    New Year, Whole You

    What if the thing you've been trying to resolve is actually your secret weapon? In this special New Years episode, Nic's mom is visiting from Seattle (complete with sourdough starter and yoga mat) and her wisdom bombs inspire this special end-of-the-year episode that may just close that loop that's been making you so uncomfortable all year. You'll discover: What a 12-year-old with a handpan and 30 videos on instagram has to teach you about social mediaThe ai-unfriendly paradox that took Nic 14 hours locked in a hotel room to solve The feels Necker Island's version of "luxury" has that most 'luxury hotels' do notThe assumption Nic made about her book that almost killed the entire projectWhy most brands you admire refuse to pick a sideWhat Richard Rohr says we must accept or we'll never love anything correctlyThe real reason your brand doesn't feel like it fits What one thing might be your competitive advantage as we enter the AI agePLUS 5 journaling questions to help you integrate the thinking and lessons in this episode Fair warning: This episode will make you question every "either/or" decision you've ever made in your brand. And that's kind of the point. New year, whole you. Not new you. Ready to stop flattening yourself to fit one-dimensional definitions of success? Press play. Mentioned in this episode: Citrus Program (AI copilots for the Colour Brand® method): https://go.joyfirstworld.com/citrusBrand in a Week: book a call with Nic: https://go.joyfirstworld.com/brandingStrong Ground by Brené BrownBuilt to Last by Jim CollinsTake action: Grab the 5 reflection questions on the website: https://joyfirstworld.com/blogs/joy-first-podcast/new-year-whole-you Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  3. Finding Your Joy Codes

    12/24/2025

    Finding Your Joy Codes

    We've been living backwards. The lives we've been encouraged to build, rooted in consumption, achievement, and constant productivity, keep pushing us further from what actually creates lasting joy. But decades of research tells us plenty, we know what makes humans thrive. We've known for years. Why haven't we been encouraged to prioritize what makes us happier? Well, because it's not really in any corporate best-interests for us to be joy-fuelled and loved-up. (Spoiler: joyful people are harder to control and sell things to.) In this Christmas Eve episode, I'm sharing the 10 Joy Codes I've discovered and distilled for my upcoming book 'Joy First', These the research-backed sources of joy that are fundamental to human thriving. Think of them as the building blocks of a life that actually feels good to live (and that allows you that life in a healthy body and mind for longer!) Plus, I reveal my simple joy goal for 2026 (complete with phone alarm and daily ritual that takes less than 2 minutes). Want to play along? I'm creating a space for us to share in the New Year... Because choosing joy first isn't selfish: It's liberation work. And we're all in it together! What you'll discover: The 10 Joy Codes backed by decades of researchThe Harvard Study that will change how you think about successThe correlation between joy and longevity My ridiculously simple 2026 joy goal (and how to create your own) This is your permission slip to move closer to what actually matters to both you and our collective well-being in 2026 and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  4. Pantone's 2026 Colour of the Year Controversy

    12/10/2025

    Pantone's 2026 Colour of the Year Controversy

    Pantone just named white as their 2026 Color of the Year. And the internet is... not okay. When 'Cloud Dancer' was announced last week, I canceled everything to record this episode. Because like many of us, I simply could not wrap my head around how Pantone looked at the world and said: "You know what we need? More white." So let's get into it! In this episode, we're exploring: The hidden history behind Pantone's Color of the Year (spoiler: it has to do with The Devil Wears Prada)Who actually makes these decisions (and who gets put on stage to defend them)What color psychology actually says about white (hint: it's complicated)The rage-bait question: Did Pantone choose controversy on purpose?What the Pinterest trend report reveals about what we actually need right nowAnother take on the 'colour of the year' that I gotta admit, I like a lot better!My friend Natalie MacNeil's hot take on the colour of the year from an astrological perspective (this is what shifted my view) This isn't just about one color choice. It's about who gets to define what the world needs. It's about retreat versus revolution.. and it's about whether we're brave enough to choose colour in a world that's been training us toward grey for 400 years (more on that next week!) Mentioned in This EpisodePantone's 2026 Color of the Year: https://www.pantone.com/uk/en/color-of-the-year/2026 Pantone's Color Institute: https://www.pantone.com/eu/en/color-consulting/about-pantone-color-institute WGSN Trend Report on 2026 consumer behavior: https://www.wgsn.com/en/blog/colour-year-2026-transformative-tealEtsy's 2026 Colour of the Year: https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/color/a69676808/etsy-2026-color-of-the-year-patina-blue/Natalie MacNeil: https://nataliemacneil.com/Pinterest Predicts Trend Report: https://newsroom.pinterest.com/en-gb/news/pinterest-predicts-nonconformity-self-preservation-and-escapism-drive-21-trends-for-2026/CNET video featuring Sky Kelly: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EzYv2yxweGg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min
  5. Don't Shout Louder: Resonate Deeper

    12/03/2025

    Don't Shout Louder: Resonate Deeper

    What if you don't need a bigger audience, or a bigger budget... but deeper resonance? In this episode, we're talking about why "trying to be everywhere" might be killing your impact, the psychology behind what makes brands instantly magnetic, and how to stand out without burning yourself out in the process. If you're tired of the content hamster wheel and ready for marketing that actually feels good (and works better), this one's for you. What We Cover:Why the "shout louder" approach creates diminishing returns (and what to do instead)The neurological difference between content that interrupts vs. content that resonatesFive specific tactics for creating deeper connection without burning outThe consistency vs. frequency shift that changes everythingHow to audit your marketing to see if you're resonating or just reachingResources: Ready to stop shouting and start resonating? Join Founders' Circle: our community of joy first founders who are learning to practiec marketing in a way that feels good and works for the long-term. With weekly co-working, monthly Q&A calls and planning sessions, private podcast, and our 2026 goal setting session coming up on December 18th. Learn more: https://go.joyfirstworld.com/jffc Looking for a rebrand? We are the home of psychologically consistent, emotionally resonate rebrands, for founders at all stages with all budgets: Learn more: https://go.joyfirstworld.com/branding This Wild Idea: https://www.instagram.com/thiswildidea/ Podcast with Paige: https://joyfirstworld.com/blogs/joy-first-podcast/paige-brunton-focus Thai Insurance Ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaWA2GbcnJU Tara Lynn & Co. Website; taralynnandco.com/ Fb post: https://www.facebook.com/taralynnandco/posts/pfbid02y6iW2pWFKwUFNkV7Y7WbM9cSZzJaJFbJk9vi7Bi3Ggg5i4qi4i1j9G3vzasVsovel The Antarctic Experience: antarcticexperience.com Trader Joes Newsletter: traderjoes.com/home/ff Glorious Gravel: https://gloriousgravel.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  6. The Profitability of Positivity

    11/26/2025

    The Profitability of Positivity

    Everyone keeps telling you to "push on the pain point"But what if that's exactly why your marketing feels so hard? What if that's why you freeze up when it's time to post, or why your sales copy makes you feel icky? Here's the truth: Not all purchasing decisions are driven by problem-solving. When was the last time you bought something expensive purely because it sparked joy? That weekend getaway you didn't "need." That dress that made you feel like your best self. The art piece that moved you. That decision came from a completely different place than booking an emergency plumber. In this episode, I'm challenging the biggest lie in marketing: That fear and pain points are the only way to sell. They're not. And for creative entrepreneurs, coaches, artists, and anyone selling transformation over transactions? Joy First marketing is often more profitable. What we're diving into: Why the pain-point formula works brilliantly for plumbers but might be killing your premium brandThe neuroscience behind joy-based purchasing (hint: happy people spend more generously)Real brands winning with positivity—from John Lewis's tear-jerking holiday ads to how Ryan Reynolds built a $14 billion empire through genuine enthusiasm and storytellingWhen joy-first marketing is your secret weapon (and the signs you're forcing the wrong approach)Why you get this intellectually but still can't implement it (and what actually helps) The truth nobody wants to say out loud: You're allowed to build a business that feels good. That leads with desire instead of desperation. That makes people feel better about themselves, not worse. And it can be more profitable than the fear-based alternative. Your work matters. Your joy matters. And showing up with genuine enthusiasm in a world drowning in manufactured urgency? That's how you stand out. Resources Mentioned: John Lewis 2024 Holiday Ad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1bRlnyQeDkWhite Stuff "Walkies" Campaign | https://www.whitestuff.com/life-stuff-style/episode-25Citrus 48-Hour Brand Refresh https://go.joyfirstworld.com/citrus (early bird pricing ends Friday)Joy First Founders' Circle https://go.joyfirstworld.com/jffc Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min
  7. Finding your Brand's Bliss Point

    11/19/2025

    Finding your Brand's Bliss Point

    Where Purpose, Product Market Fit, and Presentation Collide What makes Cheetos, Krispy Kreme and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup so dang addicting? These treats aren't perefction on accident, food scientists engineer them to hit what they call the "bliss point": the perfect balance of sugar, salt, and fat that makes your brain scream "more please" without you even consciously deciding. Your brand can hit this bliss point too. That sweet spot where what lights YOU up and what the market needs (and is willing to pay for) overlap so perfectly that people binge your content, buy whatever they can afford, and want to stay in your world long-term. Most founders I work with? They're operating with only one of the 'circles', which means they're either burning out doing work that pays but depletes them, or pouring their soul into something nobody will buy. In this episode, I'm breaking down the two foundational circles every brand needs, why most of us only nail one, and revealing the third circle that determines whether people stick around long enough to understand your brilliance. I'm also sharing my own painful story from 2024, how being out of alignment cost me big time, forced me to let go of team members, and nearly broke me. And what finally clicking back into my bliss point created (spoiler: it's Citrus). You'll discover: The ven diagram for sustainable business growthWhere "finding your why" fits into all thisWarning signs you're out of alignment (before it costs you big time)The third circle that makes everything clickHow AI is changing the game for founders who can articulate their bliss point This episode is for you if: You're making money but losing your soul in the processYou love what you're doing but nobody's buyingYou keep pivoting, second-guessing, feeling resentful about incoming workYou suspect there's a "next level" but can't quite see how to get thereYou're ready to stop bouncing between passion and profit The founders who nail this now: all three circles aligned, are going to blow up in the next few years. Because AI is rocket fuel for amplifying what makes you unique. But if you can't articulate what that is? You can't use that fuel. Links & Resources: Citrus: 48 hr. brand refresh: https://go.joyfirstworld.com/citrusFree Masterclass Waitlist: Get the full framework + check-list for psychological consistency: https://go.joyfirstworld.com/future?utm_source=podcastBrand in a Week | Whyfinding® | Super Bloom® : VIP Brand Experiences using the Colour Brand® Method": https://go.joyfirstworld.com/branding Next Week: The Profitability of Positivity: Why joy is the #1 strategy for small business success right now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 14m

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Discover why and how to put joy first in a world that rewards hustle over happiness.   This bi-weekly show is for workaholics, founders, perfectionists and parents…the hardworking humans who struggle to find, choose or share joy because they are just so damn busy surviving. Expect inspiration, education and practical how-to’s for living and working in a way that allows you to easily and consistently prioritize joy over fear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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