Dusty is joined by Raquel Braganza, a transformational coach and joy strategist, for a powerful conversation on reclaiming joy as a daily, deliberate practice—especially for leaders and caregivers who often pour from an empty cup. Raquel shares moving stories from her clients, including a mother who found light in a dark season by throwing a “cat party” with her children, and executives who rediscovered joy through simple rituals like music-filled showers and warm towels. She explains how choosing joy isn’t about perfection or privilege—it’s about presence, agency, and designing a life that reflects your values. From redefining success to embracing emotion as a strength, Raquel invites listeners to treasure hunt for joy in the everyday. Whether you’re leading a team, a family, or simply trying to lead yourself well, this episode will challenge and encourage you to create moments of joy on purpose—and to believe that you are more than your circumstances.

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) – Meet Raquel Braganza

(03:51) – The Power of Rituals and Small Joys

(07:39) – Joy as a Leadership Tool

(10:39) – Creating Personalized Joy Moments

(16:35) – Balancing Joy and Misery

(30:06) – The Transformation of Seeking Joy

(34:41) – Embracing Joy in the Mundane

(38:08) – The Exhaustion of Leadership

(53:44) – Rapid Fire Questions

Key Topics Discussed:

Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership

Mentions:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-braganza/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raquelbraganza_lifecoach
Joy Coaching Gift: https://www.poweredbyjoy.coach

Mentions: https://dustyholcomb.com/2019/02/27/circle-of-concern-vs-circle-of-control/

Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial by Tony Robbins

Find Your Why: A Practical Guide for Discovering Purpose for You and Your Team by Simon Sinek

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu, and Douglas Abrams

More of Leadership Unlocked:

Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/

Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

Dusty breaks down one of the most overlooked traps in leadership: the urge to rescue. Drawing from real-world coaching conversations and timeless wisdom from Viktor Frankl, Dusty unpacks what happens when leaders carry the emotional weight of their team's problems—and why it backfires. You’ll learn how to use powerful questions to redirect responsibility, reinforce agency, and build a culture of accountability. This isn’t just theory—it’s a practical leadership judo move you can start using today to empower your team and protect your energy.

Key Takeaways:

• Why solving every problem makes you a rescuer, not a leader

• How to redirect challenges back to your team to foster growth and accountability

• The leadership questions that unlock personal agency and avoid burnout

Key Timestamps:

(00:00) – Confusing Leadership With Rescue

(01:00) – The Performance Review Dilemma

(03:00) – Reclaiming Agency Through Simple Questions

(04:30) – The Doom Cycle of Fixer Leaders and Problem Identifiers

(05:30) – Viktor Frankl and the Gap Between Stimulus and Response

(06:30) – Don’t Accept the Monkey: How to Restore Team Accountability

(07:30) – Packaging Problems With Solutions

(09:00) – “What Can You Do? What Will You Do?”

Key Topics Discussed:

Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership

Mentions:

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl, Harvard Business Review – Who’s Got the Monkey?

More of Leadership Unlocked:

Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/

Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com

Dusty sits down with Chuck Hall, the chairman of Vitality Living and founder of Charles Hall Construction, to explore his incredible journey—from his childhood hustle of working on the docks with his dad in Rhode Island to building a company that now employs over 2,300 people across 11 states. He opens up about being fired, starting over at 32, and the lessons he learned about vision, mentorship, and living a Life by Design. Highlights include his philosophy on mentorship, facing pivotal challenges, and creating meaningful change in the lives of aging adults. Hall also talks about his passion for ensuring dignity and quality of life for seniors, his personal passions, and the power of leading with authenticity and purpose. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an executive, or simply someone trying to lead with more clarity and impact, Chuck’s story will leave you challenged and inspired to “be the leader you wish you had.”

Key Takeaways:

• How Chuck Hall built a purpose-driven company supporting 2,300+ team members

• The power of mentorship, peer accountability, and Life by Design

• Why intentional leadership starts with curiosity, humility, and action

Key Timestamps:

(01:00) – Chuck’s Early Entrepreneurial Spark

(05:45) – Lessons From Family and Building With Grit

(10:30) – Getting Fired and Founding Charles Hall Construction

(16:00) – Mentorship and Showing up With Authenticity

(24:00) – Crossing the Threshold: Helping Others Lead

(26:00) – Life by Design: Chuck’s Strategic Visioning Framework

(36:30) – Vitality Living and Scaling With Purpose

(43:00) – Favorite Memory Care Moments

(47:00) – The Power of Saying “No” to Stay Aligned

(50:00) – Developing Leaders Through Boundaries and Ownership

(54:00) – Rapid Fire: Books, Failures, and Passions

Key Topics Discussed:

Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational Leadership

Mentions:

Website: https://www.vitalityseniorliving.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-hall-53a259/

Mentions: Alzheimer’s Association, Invisible Wounds Foundation, Freedom & Whiskey, YPO, The Surrender Experiment, Atlas Shrugged

More of Leadership Unlocked:

Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/

Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com