Noella Coursaris Musunka shares her inspiring journey from a challenging childhood in the Congo to becoming a successful model, philanthropist, and founder of the Malaika Foundation. Noëlla has received several awards including the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s 100 years award, BBC’s 100 Influential and Inspirational Women, 100 Most Influential Africans from New African magazine. She offers valuable advice for aspiring philanthropists and reflects on the ingredients of joy and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

It's 2000x more difficult! These were the words from Stephanie Sylvestre about her experience in launching her AI start-up. Yes, entrepreneurship comes with many challenges, but also many joys. Stephanie shares her journey from managing public sector programs to co-founding AvatarBuddy, an AI venture focused on innovation and empathy. She discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of mental health, and the power of human-centric leadership. Discover her recipe for joy and why she has an unwavering belief in human nature.

Dennis Hindsberg, is the CEO of Plandent and Chairperson of Dental Health Without Borders. Discover how his passion for surfing led to his journey of integrating sustainability into the dental industry. Under his leadership, Plandent achieved B Corp certification, setting a benchmark for environmental and social responsibility. Dennis discusses the importance of human-centric leadership, emphasizing the need to empower individuals to find purpose and joy in their work.

Kira Miller Fabregat is a global leader in diversity, inclusion, and adaptive leadership. Having lived in nine countries and across multiple cultures, Kira shares how her multicultural upbringing shaped her purpose and her deep understanding of human connection. In this interview we explore how joy and gratitude are foundational to belonging, why psychological safety fuels inclusion and innovation, and how unconscious biases can be transformed into conscious leadership. Kira also opens up about motherhood, purpose, and love — and how these life experiences have reshaped her views on leadership and joy. This episode is a celebration of humanity, inclusion, and the courage to put in the inner work to create meaningful change, in ourselves, our organizations, and the world.   #Leadership #Inclusion #JoyfulLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #PurposeDriven#DiversityAndInclusion #FutureOfWork #HumanConnection

Leadership Luminary Mark Beliczky explores how leaders can create organizations rooted in trust, authenticity, and joy. From transforming toxic cultures into thriving workplaces to sparking moments of joy through simple, human gestures, Mark illustrates why joy is not just a feel-good concept but a true competitive advantage. The episode dives into lessons on listening, family-inspired leadership, AI’s role in the future of work, and how leaders can foster environments where people love to show up, grow, and contribute.

Dr. Kerry Burnight, discusses her new book, JoySpan, a New York Times bestseller, which reframes the concept of aging by emphasizing the importance of joy and well-being over mere longevity. She introduces the JoySpan matrix, consisting of four essential elements: grow, connect, adapt, and give, which are crucial for thriving in later life. The discussion also touches on the unique challenges faced by women in aging, the role of technology and AI in elder care, and the significance of intergenerational connections. Dr. Burnight shares practical advice for enhancing joy and purpose in life, making this a valuable resource for anyone interested in aging gracefully and meaningfully.   00:00 Redefining Aging: The Concept of JoySpan 05:04 The JoySpan Matrix: Four Key Elements 10:23 The Importance of Connection and Adaptation 15:51 Women and Aging: Unique Challenges and Strategies 20:29 Navigating Caregiving and Aging Parents 26:12 The Role of Technology in Elder Care 30:39 Creating Intergenerational Connections 36:05 Recipes for Joy: Practical Tips for All Ages   Keywords: JoySpan, aging, well-being, social connection, growth, purpose, intergenerational, mental health, Alzheimer's, gerontology

What if resilience isn’t extraordinary, but something you can train every day? That’s the life’s work of Luis Velasquez, HBR and Fast Company contributor, Stanford University facilitator, and author of Ordinary Resilience. Luis is not only an avid endurance athlete who has completed over 100 marathons and ultra events—he’s also a brain tumor survivor who has turned adversity into a framework for growth. From coaching top executives to writing and running, he has distilled a formula for resilience and joy that anyone can apply when facing life’s toughest moments.

In our AI driven world, how do we protect what makes us human and what role will joy play in our lives? If you wish to get a glimpse into the future listen to this fascinating conversation with Katrin J. Yuan, CEO of the Swiss Future Institute. She is an influential AI community builder with expertise extending to AI Tech Future Boards, AI in Finance and Entrepreneurship. She has been featured as Top 100 Future Women and Leaders of the New Era in Media, she lectures at four Universities, and she sits on multiple boards. She is also the author of a book on AI for Managers (KI-Wissen für Führungskräfte).    #podcast #leadership #future #responsibleAI #joy

What is a counterfeit emotion, and can you identify at least one from the following list: Love, Lust, Guilt, Shame, Pain, Misery, Joy, Pleasure, Power, Control? In this enlightening conversation with Curtis Morley, you will discover the answer. Curtis is an emotionologist, a Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author, 6x Entrepreneur and founder of Counterfeit Emotions. You will walk away with valuable insights that will help you navigate life's twists and turns with more joy. Discover the One Million Years Of Joy newsletter, get your free joy profile and participate in our global study on joy: https://www.andreeavanacker.com/joy

After 20 years in the corporate world and a life-changing battle with cancer, Mantazh Khanna reinvented herself as a brain coach and holistic health guide. Now pursuing a Ph.D. in Integrative Medicine, she’s blending neuroscience and mindfulness to unlock the mind’s power to heal and thrive. In this episode, Mantazh shares her inspiring journey—and six practical, science-backed tips to boost brain health, reduce stress, and live with unstoppable positivity.

Keith Wakeman, CEO of SuperBetter, shares how dozens of studies show the power of building a mindset that fuels resilience and mental strength by simply playing life like a game. Discover the seven drivers that are foundational to fostering mental wellbeing for youth and young adults and how he believes AI will impact existing and future generations. He also shared tips for parents, educators so we can support and build a more joyful future for people of all ages.

How can you master self-coaching? Dive into the interview with Karen Stein for key insights that can elevate your leadership, productivity and overall fulfillment. After nearly 30 years at Deloitte in Australia, Karen is an executive coach, speaker, and author. Discover the power of feedback loops, intention, purpose, self-awareness, why it’s important to normalize menopause within organizations and key tips for leaders to bring create more engagement.  

What is the difference between management and leadership, authority and authorization, and why do leaders need to be self-aware and systems aware to drive transformation. Discover the answers in this conversation with Ignacio Martin Maruri who teaches leadership and organizational transformation at the Universidad Adolfo Ibañez de Chile in the Executive MBA program. Beyond leadership, Ignacio shares his experience from residing in multiple countries, the joys of living now in Chile, his love for different music, and his formula for living joyfully.

“Life, show me your magic” – these are the words by which Reina Hallab starts her day. As an author, entrepreneur, she is a catalyst for inner transformation and soulful living. Discover her incredible journey, her beautiful definition of joy, and unlock her wisdom so you can live with more self-love, gratitude, curiosity and acceptance of everything that life brings your way.

As the host of the Sparks of Gratitude podcast and a lawyer, Randy Sparks shares the power of a daily gratitude practice, forgiveness, self-awareness and hope. Discover why he loves being an estate lawyer, what led him to start his podcast, and his secret to a long a joyful marriage.

In this moving conversation, George Reinitz shares his journey of surviving Auschwitz, rebuilding his life in Canada, and finding meaning after the war. Now a great-grandfather, he reflects on what brings him joy, the power of love, and the secret to staying young at heart.

Helene V. Gagnon is the Chief People and Sustainability Officer at CAE Inc., and she has been appointed to more than 25 Boards of Directors. Helene is recognized in the top100 most powerful women in Canada by the Women's Executive Network in 2007, top 50 best Corporate Executive in Canada by the Global and Mail Report on Business in 2022 and top 100 Chief Sustainability Officers in North America in 2024. Discover how she defines success, her view on the impact of AI on the workforce, the best advice she has received in her career, and her key ingredients for living a joyful life.

Helmy Abouleish is a prominent figure in the field of sustainable agriculture, particularly known for his pioneering work in biodynamic farming in Egypt. As CEO of SEKEM, Helmy has grown and transformed the organisation founded by his father into a global leader in sustainable agriculture, and the company was awarded in 2024 the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity. Discover his journey, what the Economy of Love is all about, his role in forming future leaders that can transform our world and what brings him joy.  

Loretta Turner is the founder of Do Good Leadership Collective, and is a 2024 Leadership Luminary by One Million Years of Joy. In our conversation, she shares her journey of self-discovery through yoga and meditation, emphasizing the importance of self-love and connection. She discusses the transformative power of moving across the country and how it has shaped her perspective on life and work. Loretta offers practical advice on cultivating self-love, embracing change, and finding joy in everyday life. She highlights the significance of community and honest feedback in personal growth and resilience, ultimately leading to her entrepreneurial journey in social impact.

Peter Mandeno is a human connectivity expert and founder of “Wok & Wine.”  In our conversation, he shares insights about the importance of serendipity in fostering meaningful connections, and the significance of curiosity in creating connections. Peter also highlights the conditions necessary for human connectivity, the role of vulnerability in forming deeper relationships, and the impact of digital communication on joy and connection.