What IS Joy, and Why Should I Care About It at Work? Artwork

Messy & Magnificent with Karlee Fain

For leaders building organizations that don’t run on adrenaline.

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Messy & Magnificent with Karlee Fain

What IS Joy, and Why Should I Care About It at Work?

April 06, 2025 • Karlee Fain • Episode 178

0:00 | 42:21

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When’s the last time you felt a real spark of joy?
Not just “this is nice” happy, but full-body, eyes-light-up, heart-exhale joy.

Maybe it was curling up with your dog and a good book.
Swinging with your kiddo at the playground.
Or three whole minutes of peace with your coffee and the sunrise.

That’s joy.

And we don’t just want more of it—we need it.

Joy isn’t fluff. It’s not a reward for getting everything right or being endlessly productive.
It’s something we cultivate—with small, everyday choices.
Because joy gives us the zest and energy we need to tend to the hard stuff, too.
It makes us more resilient, not less real.

And yes—joy precedes success.

(It’s science, not just a sweet idea.)

In this episode, we’re talking about what joy really is (hint: it’s not the same as happiness), why it matters so much for your health, work, and relationships, and how to actually practice it—even in the middle of your full, messy, meaningful life.

You’ll learn how to recognize it, how to invite more of it in, and why joy might just be your most underestimated strategy for doing brave, beautiful things in the world.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: