💡 Episode Summary:

In this candid and energizing solo episode, Lori explores a surprising superpower that many leaders underestimate: taking a real vacation. Drawing from her own story—where a life-changing trip to Paris with her sons became the moment she finally unplugged—Lori challenges the culture of hustle and the badge of busyness.

She breaks down why stepping away isn’t a luxury—it’s leadership. If you’ve ever answered emails from a beach chair, or told yourself “I’ll relax after the next deadline,” this episode is your permission (and playbook) to rethink what true rest looks like.

From neuroscience to team dynamics, Lori lays out a compelling case for disconnection as a strategy to reconnect—with yourself, your family, and your vision.

📍 If you’re building a sustainable leadership life and want to create a team culture that thrives even when you’re offline—this one’s for you.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Rest Is a Responsibility, Not a Reward

True vacations aren’t indulgent—they’re part of being an effective leader. Rest sharpens clarity, creativity, and decision-making.

• You Can’t Be Essential and Always Available

Being the bottleneck doesn’t make you irreplaceable—it makes you tired. Lori emphasizes building systems and trust that allow work to flow without you.

• The Paris Wake-Up Call

Lori’s honest reflection on a vacation that didn’t go as planned vs. the one that changed everything. Her turning point? Realizing her presence is the best gift she can give her family—and herself.

• Model the Culture You Want

If you want your team to value rest, you have to model it. Leaders who take real breaks create permission for their teams to do the same.

• Boundary-Setting Is an Act of Service

Clear out-of-office messaging, aligned expectations, and strong communication allow for guilt-free time off. Lori shares how she prepares her business and team for her absence.

🔎 Mentioned in the Episode:

• Lori’s Paris vacation story—how stepping back redefined her leadership lens
• Science of unplugging: The mental health and productivity benefits of true rest
• Psychology of overwork: Why it’s so hard to stop—even when we want to
• Lakehouse vacation vs. Paris trip—two different outcomes, one major lesson
• Practical delegation tools and pre-vacation planning tips

✨ Reflection Prompts:

• What would it take for you to feel safe unplugging?
• Do you believe your team can thrive without you for a few days? If not—why?
• Are you leading from depletion or from overflow?

🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

• Founders and executives who haven’t taken a guilt-free break in years
• Leaders struggling with control or delegation
• HR professionals cultivating healthy team dynamics and burnout prevention
• Working parents navigating boundaries between life and leadership
• Anyone who wants to rest, but feels like they can’t

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

• Download Lori’s Vacation Prep Checklist for Leaders
• Share this episode with your team before your next time-off request
• Follow Lori on LinkedIn for more leadership tools
• Book a Leadership Strategy Call:...

💡 Episode Summary

In this inspiring and honest conversation, Lori sits down with Liza Maschi—Vice President at Kraft Heinz—to talk about the bold moves, personal sacrifices, and joyful wins that shaped her career journey. From starting as an intern to becoming a senior executive at brands like Coca-Cola, Danone, and now Kraft Heinz, Liza shares how saying yes to unexpected opportunities (and tough transitions) built the foundation of her courageous leadership.

Liza opens up about navigating pregnancy in the corporate world, balancing motherhood with a high-impact career, and what it means to lead with both drive and heart.

If you’re a high-achiever looking for real talk on risk, resilience, and rising with purpose—this one’s for you.

🔑 Key Takeaways

Say Yes Before You’re Ready

Liza’s rise from intern to VP was fueled by her willingness to step into roles that stretched her—even when she didn’t feel 100% prepared.

Authenticity Is a Leadership Superpower

Whether managing teams or making tough decisions, Liza emphasizes showing up as your full, human self. Vulnerability builds trust.

Duality Is Strength—Not a Flaw

Liza talks about embracing the “and”—being a powerful executive and a present mom, being driven and joyful, being serious and playful.

Lead by Example, Even in Private Moments

From quietly pumping breastmilk in a Danone breakroom to taking bold career leaps, Liza models resilience in everyday acts.

Find Joy, Not Just Achievement

Liza weaves self-care, reflection, and joy into her fast-paced schedule—proving that high performance doesn’t have to come at the cost of well-being.

🔎 Mentioned in the Episode

• Liza and Lori’s Coca-Cola connection—how one chance meeting shifted a career path
• Liza’s move to Danone during a major life transition
• Kraft Heinz’s culture and Liza’s leadership approach today
• The importance of women advocating for themselves during motherhood and career moves

✨ Reflection Prompts

• What risk would you take if you trusted yourself more?
• Are you prioritizing joy—or just productivity?
• What version of leadership would your younger self be proud of?

🧠 Who This Episode Is For

• Women leaders navigating motherhood and executive roles
• Professionals ready to grow through change and uncertainty
• HR and DEI leaders looking to support more human-centered workplaces
• Ambitious individuals craving purpose and performance

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

• Follow Liza Maschi on LinkedIn for more leadership inspiration
• Connect with Lori Pine on LinkedIn to keep the conversation going
• Book a 1:1 strategy session with Lori at loripine.com
• Try reflecting on your last “yes”—and what it led to

🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast

⭐️ Leave a review so other heart-centered leaders can discover the show

📲 Share this episode with a woman in leadership who needs a reminder of her power

💡 Episode Summary:

In this deeply honest and empowering solo episode, Lori Pine shares her personal story of breaking free from The Exception Trap—the pressure to always overperform, over-deliver, and prove your worth. As a former corporate VP and now executive coach, Lori invites listeners into the emotional cost of being “the one who makes it”—and the quiet burnout that often comes with it.

Through the lens of her own professional success and personal loss, Lori unpacks what it means to redefine success on your own terms. If you’ve ever felt like you had to earn your seat every day, this episode offers the permission slip you didn’t know you needed: to rest, to realign, and to lead with joy—not exhaustion.

Whether you're navigating corporate life, entrepreneurship, or a leadership transition, this episode will help you return to yourself—and your true definition of success.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

The Exception Trap is Real

Being “the exception” can feel like a badge of honor—but it often comes with invisible emotional labor.

Success Without Alignment Is Exhausting

Lori shares how she climbed the ladder only to realize it was leaning against the wrong wall.

Let Go of What’s Not Yours to Carry

From grief to corporate pressure, Lori walks through how she learned to release responsibilities that didn’t belong to her.

Stop Performing, Start Leading with Presence

Authentic leadership isn’t about always having it together—it’s about being real, being present, and being human.

From Approval to Alignment

This episode is a roadmap for shifting your motivation from external validation to internal alignment.

🔎 Mentioned in the Episode:

• Lori’s journey from VP to Executive Coach
• The concept of The Exception Trap—and how it sneaks into ambition
• Reflection practices for redefining success
• Leadership lessons born from grief, burnout, and transformation

✨ Reflection Prompts:

• What am I chasing—and who am I chasing it for?
• Where am I operating from approval instead of alignment?
• How would I lead differently if I didn’t have to prove myself?

🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

• High-achieving professionals struggling with burnout
• Women in leadership redefining what success means
• Executives ready to lead with authenticity instead of perfection
• Coaches and mentors navigating personal transformation

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

• Reflect on your own Exception Trap using Lori’s journal prompts
• Follow Lori Pine on LinkedIn for weekly insights and leadership tools
• Book a 1:1 Strategy Session with Lori: loripine.com

🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast

⭐️ Leave a review so other ambitious, heart-led leaders can find the show

📲 Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder: they’re allowed to rest, realign, and rise on their own terms

💡 Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The Joy CEO Podcast, Lori Pine sits down with Nan Weaver Chambers—corporate leader, trailblazer, and dear friend—to talk about the power of resilience, relationships, and rising with joy. From being the first woman in her role at Coca-Cola to navigating the emotional aftermath of a sudden layoff, Nan opens up about the defining moments in her leadership journey.

Now a leader at Campbell’s, Nan reflects on how gratitude, integrity, and authentic connection have shaped her career and personal life—including a recent marriage and a life-changing health scare.

This episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about titles—it’s about who you are when life tests you, and how you rise with grace and purpose.

If you’re walking through change, rebuilding after loss, or simply seeking deeper meaning in your work, this conversation is for you.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Your People Are Your Power

Nan emphasizes that strong relationships and team culture are at the heart of every success.

→ Audience follow-up: Who’s one team member you could appreciate or connect with more deeply this week?

Lead with Integrity, Even When It’s Hard

From Coca-Cola to Campbell’s, Nan chose principle over politics—and it paid off.

→ Audience follow-up: Where can you choose values over convenience in your leadership today?

Being the “First” Comes With Pressure—and Purpose

Nan shares the real challenges of being the first woman in her leadership role and how she stayed centered despite it.

→ Audience follow-up: If you're a “first,” how are you paving the way for those who follow?

Rejection Can Be Redirection

After being laid off from a 20-year career, Nan rebuilt her confidence and found new purpose.

→ Audience follow-up: What past loss are you ready to see as a launchpad?

Live Like It Matters

A recent health scare reminded Nan to cherish the moment, embrace joy, and lead with love.

→ Audience follow-up: What brings you joy—and how can you make more space for it today?

🔎 Mentioned in the Episode:

• Nan’s transition from Coca-Cola to Campbell’s
• The emotional impact of corporate layoffs
• The importance of celebrating new personal chapters
• Leadership lessons from decades in Fortune 500 companies
• Building high-performing teams through connection

✨ Reflection Prompts:

• Where in your leadership journey have you shown resilience?
• How can you bring more humanity to your team or organization?
• What part of your story are you ready to own and share?

🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

• Leaders navigating change or career transitions
• Women breaking new ground in male-dominated industries
• Professionals seeking to lead with authenticity and empathy
• Anyone balancing personal growth with professional goals

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

• Reflect on how you're building a legacy of integrity
• Practice gratitude as a grounding tool during change
• Follow Lori Pine on LinkedIn for more real-talk leadership insights
• Book a Leadership Strategy Call at loripine.com

🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast

⭐️ Leave a review to help others find the show

📲 Share this episode with someone navigating change with courage and heart

💡 Episode Summary:

In this honest and inspiring episode of The Joy CEO Podcast, Lori Pine sits down with Jenifer Namestka—founder and CEO of AVO Solutions—to explore her journey from corporate burnout to entrepreneurial success. After being laid off from a traditional role, Jenifer turned uncertainty into opportunity, building a values-driven business rooted in emotional intelligence, purpose, and human-centered leadership.

From confronting imposter syndrome to cultivating community, Jenifer shares the powerful mindset shifts that helped her realign with her strengths and step into her calling.

If you're navigating a career pivot or dreaming of a purpose-led business, this conversation is your roadmap for starting over—with courage and clarity.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

Turn Setbacks Into Setups

Being laid off wasn’t the end of Jenifer’s career—it was the beginning of something more aligned. Her story is proof that reinvention is possible at any stage.

Build a Business That Reflects Your Values

AVO Solutions was born from Jenifer’s desire to lead with intention and create a socially conscious company where people matter more than profit.

Emotional Intelligence Is a Leadership Superpower

Jenifer emphasizes that self-awareness, empathy, and communication aren’t soft—they’re essential tools for leading teams and growing businesses.

Community Is Fuel for Courage

From networking in a new city to leaning on support systems, Jenifer shares how showing up and staying humble opened new doors.

You Don’t Have to Shrink to Lead

Jenifer opens up about minimizing herself in past roles and how stepping into leadership required unlearning self-doubt and claiming space.

🔎 Mentioned in the Episode:

• AVO Solutions – Jenifer’s company focused on values-based consulting
• The power of local networking – especially after relocating
• Leadership legacy – building something that lasts beyond the title
• Conversations around imposter syndrome, self-care, and intentional living

✨ Reflection Prompts:

• What fear are you holding onto that’s keeping you from starting something new?
• Are your current goals aligned with your core values—or someone else’s expectations?
• How do you define success beyond titles or roles?

🧠 Who This Episode Is For:

• Professionals navigating a career transition or layoff
• Entrepreneurs craving purpose-driven business strategies
• Women who want to lead authentically and boldly
• Anyone ready to redefine success on their own terms

📩 Want to Go Deeper?

• Connect with Jenifer Namestka and explore AVO Solutions - Linkedin, Website
• Book a Leadership Clarity Call with Lori: loripine.com

🎧 Subscribe to The Joy CEO Podcast

⭐️ Leave a review to help more women lead with purpose

📲 Share this episode with someone ready for a fresh start

Why build an entire business—and now a podcast—around joy? In this intimate solo episode, Lori pulls back the curtain on the moment she walked away from her high-powered VP role and made the boldest, most strategic decision of her life: to lead with joy.

Spoiler: Joy isn’t fluffy. It’s her anchor, her methodology, and her leadership advantage.

She shares what corporate never taught her about joy, the data behind why joy increases productivity, and the mindset shift that helped her move from burnout to clarity, from performance to presence. If you’ve been operating like success is the goal and joy is the reward—this one’s for you.

Joy Is Not Fluff—It’s Fuel

• Lori reframes joy as a hard-won mindset, not a fleeting mood.
• She made joy her anchor after two decades of pressure, promotions, and personal loss.
• Audience follow-up→ Ask yourself: What have I been calling “fluff” that might actually be a survival strategy?

There’s Data Behind Joy

• Joyful leaders are 31% more productive and 3x more creative.
• Joy boosts profitability, sales, retention, and engagement.
• Audience follow-up→ Google studies from Harvard Business Review, Shawn Achor, and McKinsey on emotional contagion, psychological safety, and joy in the workplace.

Gratitude Is a Daily Practice—Not a Personality Type

• Lori’s 5-minute morning gratitude habit helps her shift from stress to presence.
• Audience follow-up→ Start your own: Write down 5 things you’re grateful for every morning (no repeats!).

You Can’t Lead Well If You’re Depleted

• Joy helped Lori repair her health, reconnect to her worth, and set unshakable boundaries.
• She stopped surviving on Diet Coke and pretzels—and started sleeping, hydrating, and showing up differently.
• Audience follow-up→ Choose one daily habit that supports your well-being and commit to it this week.

Legacy Isn’t About Metrics—It’s About Meaning

• People won’t remember your dashboard—they’ll remember how you made them feel.
• Joy creates space for human connection even in high-pressure environments.
• Audience follow-up→ In your next meeting, remember one personal detail about someone on your team—and ask them about it.

• Her VP roles at Coca-Cola, Campbell’s, and Anheuser-Busch
• The “Rainbows & Unicorns” comment from a toxic SVP that became a turning point
• Gratitude practice: 5 things every morning
• The TV show The Bear as a metaphor for her last corporate environment
• Her personal definition of joy:

• Where are you achieving, but not fulfilling?
• What would shift if you let joy lead—not as a finish line, but as your foundation?
• How do people feel in your presence—and how do you want them to feel?

• Executives who are successful on paper but running on fumes
• Professionals recovering from burnout, overfunctioning, or toxic leadership
• Women ready to lead on their terms—with boundaries, clarity, and presence
• Anyone asking: Is there a better way to lead? (Yes. It’s JOY.)

• Explore the neuroscience + business...

In this vulnerable and wisdom-packed conversation, Lori sits down with Dr. Susan Dean—an executive operations leader, educator, and researcher—to explore the leadership moments that shaped her. From running teams of 200+ to picking blueberries on a conveyor belt in 100-degree heat, Dr. Dean shares what she’s learned about leading people with empathy, structure, and presence.

This episode isn’t just about climbing the ladder—it’s about who you become as you rise, and how your past (including your pain) can sharpen your leadership superpowers.

If you’re navigating big responsibilities and want to lead with heart, not burnout—this episode is for you.

Soft Skills = Strong Leadership

• Dr. Dean’s doctoral research proves that communication, emotional regulation, and empathy aren’t “nice-to-haves”—they’re essential in the 21st-century workforce.
• Audience follow-up→ Ask yourself: Which soft skill do I need to develop to better support my team right now?

Make It Safe to Talk About the Problem

• Susan uses the “Phone in the Middle” method: place the issue at the center of the conversation (literally or metaphorically) to encourage solution-focused dialogue without blame.
• Audience follow-up→ Try this in your next team debrief: “Let’s talk about the issue—not the person.”

Resilience Is a Skill—Not Just a Trait

• Susan shares a powerful metaphor of falling off a cliff during trauma—and learning how to land on a ledge instead of in the water.
• Her takeaway? Feel your emotions, take a beat, then rise with purpose.
• Audience follow-up→ What’s your “ledge” strategy? How do you care for yourself after a setback?

Don’t Confuse the Title with Readiness

• It’s not about chasing the next title—it’s about learning how to make better decisions through experience, listening, and asking great questions.
• Audience follow-up→ If you’re gunning for a bigger role, ask yourself: Am I ready to lead people—or just ready to manage tasks?

Your Story Is Your Leadership Edge

• Dr. Dean’s trauma shaped her empathy. Her former team of incarcerated individuals reshaped her worldview. These experiences became her legacy, not liabilities.
• Audience follow-up→ What in your past shaped how you lead today—and how can you own it more fully?

• “Phone in the Middle” Approach – Susan’s framework for safe, non-defensive team debriefs.
• Tony Burgess, PhD – Leadership trainer and mentor who influenced Susan’s cliff/ledge metaphor and resilience practice. Dr. Tony Burgess
• Dr. Dean’s Dissertation – Soft Skills for the 21st Century Workforce (great for leaders and HR pros).
• Her Transformative Warehouse Experience – Managing a team of formerly incarcerated workers and helping them rebuild their lives and resumes.

• What’s one mistake you’ve made as a leader—and what did it teach you?
• Are you managing performance… or mentoring people?
• Where could you lead more with your team instead of above them?

• Executives and managers responsible for large teams
• HR leaders looking to improve...