Love & Joy Over Hate: A No Contest Battle

In this episode of Behind Beliefs, Behaviors, and the Brain, I explore how joy, love, and connection shape the way we communicate, especially in uncertain and stressful times. Using the Super Bowl halftime show as a real-world example, I unpack why only a small part of communication is about words and how our nervous system responds to what we see, feel, and experience. I also share why being intentional about what we consume mentally matters, how joy and laughter build resilience, and what it looks like to lead from love without losing boundaries or accountability. Tune in to learn practical ways to cultivate trust, strengthen relationships, and bring more humanity into your leadership and everyday life.

Key Takeaways:

Only 20% Is Words – The halftime show sparked a lot of conversation about language, but it highlighted something deeper about how communication really works. Most of what we communicate happens through presence, emotion, and meaning, not just words. Even without saying it directly, the performance conveyed a message of love, community, and hope, reminding us that what we show often speaks louder than what we say.

Why Accessing Joy Builds Resilience – When the world feels chaotic and filled with painful events, connection helps, but joy and love matter just as much. They help us hold onto our strength and stay grounded in uncertain and frightening times. Moments of celebration, community, family, and shared history can communicate hope and meaning without needing many words, reminding us that resilience is often built through what we choose to lift up and celebrate.

Choosing Joy on Purpose – We cannot ignore what is happening in the world, but we also need to intentionally look for small wins, bright spots, and reasons to celebrate. Just like physical health depends on what we consume, our resilience and mental well-being are shaped by what we take in, and joy and laughter play a powerful role in helping the nervous system recover from stress and trauma.

Helpful Resources

• Leading with Joy and Boundaries – Many leaders feel pressure to stay serious all the time, especially when things feel heavy or uncertain. But teams are shaped by what leaders consistently allow and model, including what they mentally and emotionally consume. Being intentional about creating small moments of joy, offering genuine acknowledgment, and still keeping clear boundaries helps build trust, safety, and resilience without losing accountability.

• Balancing Accountability and Joy in Leadership – Strong leadership is not just about metrics, boundaries, and seriousness, but also about being intentional with joy, acknowledgment, and leading from love. When leaders learn to hold both at the same time, teams become more trusting, safer, and more resilient, creating cultures where people can perform well without losing their humanity.

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Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

Communication is the foundation of everything and everything happens in communication. If you’re ready to take your communication to the next level, our Communication That Transforms course dives deep into creating psychological safety, handling crucial conversations, navigating conflict, and cultivating trust in a way that truly leaves the people in your life feeling seen, heard, respected and valued. It will transform how you lead and how you show up in all of your relationships . Learn more and register at www.mindremappingacademy.com/ticc. If you are a leader and your employees or teams are struggling with team dynamics, consider taking them through our new “Communications That Transforms” group cohort.

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