What if joy isn’t a destination but something already living inside you?In this heartfelt and deeply grounding conversation, Jonathan sits down with tech leader, DEIB advocate, and proud mom Tamara Wall to explore joy through the lens of motherhood, legacy, and healing.   This is one of the conversations that never made it out during the Joy season—so bringing it to you now feels especially meaningful.   Tamara opens up about: • Motherhood as both healing ground and harvest • Breaking cycles and creating a different future for her children • Embracing Black joy as resistance • Finding joy even when grief or isolation try to take the lead • Teaching her kids that joy isn’t earned—it’s deserved   Jonathan reflects on his own upbringing, the legacy of joy passed down through his family, and the power of small moments that stay with us. There’s even a special moment featuring a voicemail from Jonathan’s mom that captures the heart of the entire episode: joy, love, and the quiet reminders that carry us forward.   If you’ve ever struggled to hold joy in a heavy season…If you’re a parent trying to raise kids with intention…If you’re healing your inner child…Or if you’ve simply forgotten that joy belongs to you—this conversation will meet you right where you are.   Joy is your birthright. Let this episode remind you of that.   💬 Join the Conversation!Finish the sentence: “Joy is…”Drop a comment or send a voice note → https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur   🤝🏾 Connect with Tamara Wall • LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamarawall/ • Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/theerealtam    📚 Resources & LinksGet Erased: What American Patriarchy Has Hidden from Us by Anna Malaika Tubbs → https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9781250876690 Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey → https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9780316365215   📬 Stay Connected: Join us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod  Get updates, behind-the-scenes content, and first access to the upcoming newsletter: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f Buy me Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod Instagram: @HighlyVisiblePod All links → https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod   🎛️ Production: Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod) Co-produced & Additional Editing by: Reggie Hall Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com

📺 HELP US HIT OUR SEPTEMBER SUB GOAL ON YOUTUBE → https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod  What is joy really—and how do we keep returning to it, even when life feels heavy? In this season finale of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, Jonathan Dumas reflects on a whole season of On Joy—pulling together the most honest takeaways, tender moments, and practical tools from every guest. No fluff. No toxic positivity. Just real-life ways to practice joy in the middle of struggle, work, community, and everyday life. We revisit conversations with Brandon Howard on joy in the body, Amani Roberts on creativity as muscle, Abe Medoff on somatics, Mimi Gonzalez on grief and creativity, Jennice Chewlin on joy as strategy at work, Ashmi Patel on joy guilt, Tiffany LeNoir on belonging, Louis Byrd on solution-oriented peace, and Shauntelle Carnegie on “joy-stacking” when life feels heavy. Jonathan also shares his own confession—how he accidentally turned joy into a KPI—and what it took to re-learn joy as a practice, not a performance. ✨ What you’ll take away: The body-first question that helps joy stop hiding Why joy ≠ happiness (and how to tell the difference) Simple micro-practices to return to joy at home, at work, and in community A reframe: joy and struggle can coexist without guilt If you’re new here—start with these fan favorites: Tiffany: Quitting Wasn’t the Risk–Staying Was → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-dumas-podcast/id1501526441?i=1000718924815  Abe: The Hidden Practice That Makes Joy Sustainable → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-talk-with-dumas-podcast/id1501526441?i=1000721049878  We revisit conversations with: Brandon Howard → Ep 91 | What If Joy Has Nothing to Do With the Scale? Ashmi Patel → Ep 92 | Joy Without Guilt: Unlearning Perfectionism & Generational Pressure Amani Roberts → Ep 93 | Fighting Fear, Doubt & Worry—And Creating Anyway Mimi Gonzalez, @griefsense → Ep 94 | Grief Isn’t the End—It’s the Remix Louis Byrd → Ep 97 | Finding Joy in the Mess and Fixing Problems That Shouldn’t Exist Shauntelle Carnegie → Ep 98 | “What If You’re Not Stuck—Just Scared?” Jennice Chewlin → Ep 99 | Joy at Work Isn’t a Perk—It’s a Strategy 💬 Join the ConversationWhat’s one small way joy has found you this season? Send a voice note → https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur 🚨 Help us hit our YouTube sub goal (125 by end of September)! Tap the Linktree and subscribe on YouTube → https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod 📬 Click to Join our community + get free stickers → https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod ☕️ Click to Support the show on Ko-fi → https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ All platforms: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod   🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com 

📺 HELP US HIT OUR SUB GOAL BY SUBSCRIBING TO OUR YOUTUBE PAGE!  Joy isn’t a perk you earn at the end of your to-do list—it’s a practice you build in the middle of real life.  In this episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, Jonathan sits down with Jennice Chewlin—Latina mom, workplace wellbeing strategist, and founder of Chewlin Group—to unpack why joy at work is not “toxic positivity,” but a strategy for connection, trust, and sustainable impact. We get into: how to stop confusing joy with happiness, why “design for joy, not just efficiency” changes meetings and morale, and what happens when leaders start small (think: human openers, meaningful celebrations, and collaborative “show & tell” lunches). Jennice shares the story of her dad biking across the border to med school—a masterclass in how struggle and joy can coexist—and we talk “mudita” (the joy we feel for someone else’s win), sport-as-reset (soccer/basketball), and how joy fuels collective healing and liberation without ignoring pain. If you’re a people leader, culture-builder, or just a burnt-out human trying to feel human again at work, this one’s for you. 💬 Join the Conversation📝 Finish this: “Joy at work looks like ______.” Keep it concrete (who, where, when). Bonus points if you share the song you’ll play to kick it off. Drop a voice note if that’s easier → https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur 🤝🏾 Connect with Jennice Chewlin LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennicechewlin  Website → https://www.chewlingroup.com/  Email → Jennice@chewlingroup.com  📚 Resources & Links Get Your Copy of The Lightmaker’s Manifesto   Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey   📺 Watch & Subscribe on Youtube → Hit subscribe for full video episodes, clips, and live chats. 📬 Click to Join our community + get free stickers ☕️ Click to Support the show on Ko-fi Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ All platforms: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod 🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com 

📺 HELP US HIT OUR SUB GOAL BY SUBSCRIBING TO OUR YOUTUBE PAGE!  What if you’re not stuck—just scared? In this episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, I sit down with Shauntelle Carnegie—multi-creative, employee experience strategist, and founder of Black Girl Season—to talk about the role of joy when life feels heavy. Shauntelle opens up about navigating grief, breaking out of old narratives, and discovering that sometimes we’re not stuck at all—we’re just afraid to move. Together, we explore how humor, levity, and the small daily practices of care can create space for joy, even in the hardest seasons. We ask: ✨ What if joy isn’t linear—but layered, like survival itself? ✨ How do we find joy without guilt when life feels like too much? ✨ And how can humor become a form of healing? This conversation is tender, real, and a reminder that joy isn’t just a fleeting feeling—it’s a practice that sustains us. 🤝🏾 Connect with Shauntelle Carnegie Connect with Shauntelle on LinkedIn  Looking for a supportive community of Black women? Check out Black Girl Season on LinkedIn  📚 Resources & Links Check out Spill See where your favorite apples rank on Apple Rankings  Follow us for more:📸 Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod🎙️ All platforms: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod   🎛️ Production CreditsProduced & Edited by: Jonathan DumasCo-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie HallContact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com

📺 HELP US HIT OUR SUB GOAL BY SUBSCRIBING TO OUR YOUTUBE PAGE!  What does it mean to find joy in the middle of problems that should never have existed in the first place? In this episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, I sit down with Louis Byrd, Chief Architect of Responsible Innovation at Zanago Design, to talk about how doing the hard, often frustrating work of fixing broken systems can still be a source of joy and purpose. Louis shares how he stays grounded while working on solutions to issues that overwhelm most people, the surprising ways joy shows up in that process, and why influence isn’t always about the loudest voice in the room. We get into: 🌍 Impact without burnout — why joy is a renewable fuel for long-haul work 🧩 The “sphere of influence” mindset — and how to use it when change feels impossible 🤝 The quiet power of presence — influencing others without having to push or persuade Whether you’re a changemaker, a problem-solver, or someone wrestling with the weight of the world’s mess, this conversation is a reminder that joy isn’t a distraction from the work — it’s what keeps us in it. 📺 Watch Previous Episode on Youtube   💬 Join the ConversationHow have you found joy in work that feels heavy or frustrating? Drop a comment or send a voice note → Submit your bit of joy ✨ 🤝🏾 Connect with Louis Byrd Connect with Louis on LinkedIn  Responsible innovation & products on Zanago  Homeowner? Stay organized & Financially ready with Kataba  📚 Resources & Links To Save and to Destroy: Writing as an Other by Viet Thanh Nguyen WATCH: Surviving For Closure: Documentary 📬 Join our community + get free stickers ☕️  Support the show on Ko-fi (one-time donation) Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ All platforms: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod 🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com    #Podcast #BlackJoy #HighlyVisiblePodcast #Joy #ResponsibleInnovation #Housing #HousingJustice #RealEstateTransparency #DesignThinking #ProblemSolving #EthicalTech #AIEthics #Startups #Entrepreneurship #Community #Creativity #Midwest #Fatherhood #BlackPodcasts #BlackPodcaster #BlackPodcast

What if the thing that’s been missing from your pursuit of joy isn’t more achievement, motivation, or “thinking positive”—but a deeper reconnection to your own body? In this grounded, expansive conversation, Jonathan Dumas sits down with somatic coach Abe Medoff to unpack how embodiment, breath, and emotional range aren’t just self-help buzzwords—they’re the sustainable infrastructure beneath real joy. Abe reframes joy not as a fleeting mood, but as a resource: something that emerges when we give ourselves permission to feel, release, and reclaim the parts of us that were taught to be shut down. Together they explore: 🫁 Somatics 101: What it really means to move out of your head and back into the aliveness of your body. 🌱 Joy as resilience: Why feeling your full emotional spectrum (not just the “positive” stuff) increases capacity, connection, and meaning. 🔄 The shame-to-allyship shift: How to humanize the protective parts of yourself that once kept you safe, without vilifying them—and begin allying with them instead. 🧠 Emotional range as practice: The same muscles that help you process anger, grief, or fear unlock your ability to hold joy. 🤝 Being present for others: What it looks like to show up embodied in someone else’s grief or celebration—how to move from headspace to heartspace. 🌳 Abe’s own revealing moments: From near-miss encounters in the woods that yank him into presence, to how community and deep belonging fuel his current season of embodied joy. This episode is for anyone who’s tired of “hustle happiness,” curious about what it would feel like to really be seen (by themselves and others), or ready to start practicing presence in a way that sticks. 💬 Join the Conversation!What’s one moment today where your body told you something your mind wasn’t? Drop a comment below or send a voice note →https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur 🤝🏾 Connect with Abe Medoff •  On LinkedIn   • Interested in Abe as a somatic coach?  📺 Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod  📬 Join our community + get free stickers https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f ☕️ Support the show on Ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ All platforms: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod 🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com    #Podcast #BlackJoy #HighlyVisiblePodcast #Somatics #Joy #Embodiment #EmotionalIntelligence #Breathwork #MentalHealth #Healing #SustainableJoy #Trauma-informed #BlackMen&Emotion #Community #Connection #JonathanDumas #AbeMedoff #Presence #PersonalGrowth #Self-Awareness

What if joy wasn’t a bonus after surviving the grind—but the intentional practice that sustains the work, heals the wounds, and builds community? In this stripped-down minisode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, Jonathan Dumas shares powerful highlight moments from two women doing the internal and external work—Melany Del Carpio and Kenisha Coon. They unpack how ritual, self-expression, boundary-setting, and radical commitment to joy become both armor and repair in lives filled with equity work, identity navigation, and creative evolution. What You’ll Hear: Melany’s morning and evening rituals that center her—ceremonial matcha, “rest is resistance” card pulls, and the symbolic cleansing to offload energy from work. How self-expression (clothes, tattoos, intention) becomes a practice of alignment, intuition, and reclaiming presence. Kenisha’s framing of joy as survival, transformation, and sustainable fuel for justice and equity work. The difference between community that drains vs. community that holds you accountable and amplifies belonging. Practical boundary language and the real mechanics of choosing joy while showing up in heavy systems. The connective thread between identity, purpose, and choosing yourself in seasons of uncertainty. Guests: Melany Del Carpio – Coach-in-training, creative self-expression advocate, and ritual practitioner. LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanydelcarpio/  Kenisha Coon – Equity strategist, author, consultant, and joy-as-repair practitioner. Instagram →  @kenishacoon (https://www.instagram.com/kcoon9288/?hl=en) Website → https://www.kenishacoon.com/ Kenisha Coon’s Memoir, And Then She Persisted → https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9798888385968  💬 Join the Conversation! What small intentional ritual keeps you grounded? Drop a comment or send a voice note → https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur   📬 Join our community + get free stickers https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f   ☕️ Support the show on Ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod   Catch us on Youtube 📺: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod     Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ All platforms: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod   🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com    #Podcast #BlackJoy #HighlyVisiblePodcast #OnJoy #RestCulture #WorkingMoms #MentalHealth #BlackPodcastCommunity #Joy&Career #BlackCreators #JoyRituals #RestIsResistance #Self-Expression #EquityWork #CommunityBuilding #RadicalJoy #MentalHealth #IntentionalLiving #IdentityReclamation #PersonalBranding #AuthenticLeadership #BoundarySetting #PodcastHighlights #Anti-Racism #JoyAsResistance #BurnoutRecovery

What if the biggest risk in your career isn’t walking away, but staying in a job that drains your soul? In this episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, Jonathan Dumas sits down with Tiffany LeNoir—former tech‑sales leader, mom, and children’s‑book author—to explore why she left a six‑figure role without a backup plan, how she navigated the guilt and fear that followed, and why choosing rest can be your most radical act of self‑care. Tiffany and Jonathan dive deep on: Undoing the Hustle: Code‑switching, performance pressure, and the moment she realized her worth wasn’t tied to a quota. Quit with a Strategy: What it really takes—financially and emotionally—to leave a stable job without knowing what comes next. Motherhood & Meaning: The unexpected joy of watching her toddler share her own book at daycare, and why family can’t be replaced. Reclaiming Your Voice: From “pod voice” to authentic speech, how Tiffany un‑learned corporate patterns to show up fully herself. Rest as Resistance: Why resting now—before burnout breaks you—is the bravest, most transformative choice you can make. Whether you’re a Black woman in tech, a working parent, or anyone wrestling with a career impasse, this conversation will remind you that joy isn’t a prize for later—it’s your birthright today. 💬 Join the Conversation!Have you ever faced that crossroads—“stay the course” or “bet on myself”? What fears held you back? What unexpected freedom came when you finally said, “I deserve rest, I deserve joy, I deserve me”? Drop a comment below or send a voice note → https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur 🤝🏾 Connect with Tiffany LeNoir• LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanylenoir/• Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/tharrisonlenoir/   📚 Resources & Links• Get a copy of Mama Made Time  • Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey 📬 Join our community + get free stickers https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f ☕️ Support the show on Ko-fi https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ All platforms: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod 🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com    #Podcast, #BlackJoy, #HighlyVisiblePodcast, #OnJoy, #Burnout, #RestCulture, #CareerJoy, #TechIndustry, #BlackWomenInTech, #BlackWomeninSales, #WorkingMoms, #CareerPivot, #MentalHealth, #BlackPodcastCommunity, #QuitWithoutBackupPlan,#Joy&Career, #BlackCreators, #CorporateBurnoutRecovery

How do you keep choosing joy when your heart keeps breaking? In this episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, I sit down with Mimi Gonzalez—host of griefsense, Gen-Z storyteller, and grief worker—to explore how we carry loss, build legacy, and still find our way back to joy. Mimi shares what it’s like to live with 36 funerals by age 29—and how grief reshaped her relationship with creativity, community, and rest. We talk about the weight of cumulative trauma, the loneliness of being a highly visible griever online, and the radical act of turning grief into art. We also unpack: The moment she walked away from a C-suite job to protect her nervous system Why cooking and creating can feel like “cocoa butter for the soul” The pressure of “healing for content” in a social media world What it means to build legacy instead of chasing a brand How joy still finds its way through the cracks—even if it takes time This isn’t a conversation about “getting over it.” It’s about being with it. And letting your life expand to hold both grief and joy at once.   📤How has grief reshaped your relationship with joy? Send a voice note or message: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur   🤝🏾 Connect with Mimi Gonzalez LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimigonzalez TikTok & YouTube → @griefsense Newsletter “The Sala” (grief + creativity) → https://griefsense.com Grief-Sense podcast → https://linktr.ee/griefsense 📚 Resources & Links HINDZSIGHT on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@Hindzsight “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” by Susan Jeffers (book)  🔔 Stay Connected & Support the Show Subscribe & Share to keep these conversations alive Join our email list + get free stickers: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod All links: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod 🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com  #Podcast #BlackJoy #HighlyVisiblePodcast #OnJoy #GriefAndJoy #MentalHealth #BlackJoy #GenZCreators #griefsense #LegacyNotBrand #Creativity #PodcastInterview #CreativeProcess #MentalHealth #JoyAsResistance #BlackPodcasts #BlackPodcaster #BlackPodcastCommunity

What does it really take to push through fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome—and still choose joy? In this episode, I’m joined by DJ, professor, and bestselling author Amani Roberts for a grounded, honest conversation about the creative process, the emotional power of music, and the kind of joy that only shows up after you’ve risked something real. We talk about: How nostalgia and music help us reconnect with ourselves The disappearance of R&B groups and what it says about culture and community Amani’s COPPERS framework for moving through fear, imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and worry Why joy often arrives after the mess, the risk, and the discomfort If you’ve ever been stuck in your head, second-guessed your next move, or wondered if the thing you’re building is even worth it—this episode is for you.   🗣️ Share with us: What’s one song that brings you back to joy? Drop it here: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur   🤝🏾Connect with Amani Website: https://www.amaniexperience.com Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxkCZxjdP3E8pe2cA6S4m2g  Instagram: @amaniexperience   📚Resources Mentioned The Quiet Storm: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of the Power, Passion, and Pain of R&B Groups (book)   DJ's Mean Business: One Night Behind the Turntables Can Spin Your Company's Success (book):    🔔 Stay Connected & Support the Show Subscribe & Share to keep these conversations alive Join our email list + get free stickers: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod All links: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod 🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com    #Podcast #BlackJoy #HighlyVisiblePodcast #Creativity #MusicHealing #R&B #PodcastInterview #CreativeProcess #MentalHealth #FearAndJoy #JoyAsResistance #BlackPodcasts #BlackPodcaster #BlackPodcastCommunity

Annual tradition, honest conversation. Each July 4th I return to Frederick Douglass’ 1852 address to check the pulse of American freedom. In this replay runback I share a partial reading of the speech’s most searing passages—followed by my own reflections  📤When have you felt both pride and discomfort on the 4th? Share your story via voice note, DM, or tag @HighlyVisiblePod—I may feature your perspective in next year’s runback: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur    📚Resources Mentioned A Nation’s Story: “What, to the Slave, is the 4th of July?” - National Museum of African American History & Culture: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/nations-story-what-slave-fourth-july ‘What To The Slave Is The Fourth Of July?”: Descendants Read Frederick Douglass’ Speech | NPR - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBe5qbnkqoM&t=37s   🔔 Stay Connected & Support the Show Subscribe & Share to keep these conversations alive Join our email list + get free stickers: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod All links: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod 🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com  #HighlyVisiblePodcast #PodcastCommunity #PodcastCommunity #RestIsResistance #FrederickDouglass #FourthOfJuly #BlackHistory #HighlyVisiblePodcast

What happens when joy feels like a luxury you didn’t earn? In this powerful conversation with life coach and facilitator Ashmi Patel, we explore the quiet ache of perfectionism, inherited guilt, and the radical practice of feeling good—on purpose. Ashmi shares how growing up as the daughter of immigrants shaped her relationship to joy, rest, and self-worth. From late-diagnosed ADHD to healing through creativity and coaching, she invites us to rethink the stories we’ve been told about what we deserve. If you’ve ever felt guilty for slowing down, choosing yourself, or daring to enjoy your life—this one’s for you. 🌀 Topics we explore: How perfectionism and people-pleasing block joy Guilt around rest and success (especially for children of immigrants) The emotional weight of “earning” your joy Creative healing and honoring your needs What joy looks like outside of achievement 📤 Have you ever felt like you had to earn your joy—or that it came at a cost? Maybe you felt guilty for feeling good while others were struggling, or found it hard to celebrate something that came easily. Where do you think that feeling came from?: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur    🤝🏾 Connect with Ashmi Email: coach@ashmipatel.com  Website: https://ashmipatel.com/  All Feelings Welcome (Substack): https://ashmipatelcoaching.substack.com/subscribe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashmi-patel/     📚 Resources Mentioned Rick Rubin – The Creative Act (book)  https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9780593652886  Ross Gay – Inciting Joy (book)  https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9781643753959  Ross Gay – The Book of (More) Delights  https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9781643756356  🔔  Stay Connected & Support the Show Subscribe & Share to keep these conversations alive Join our email list + get free stickers: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod All links: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod 🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com  #HighlyVisiblePodcast #OnJoy #JoyWithoutGuilt #CreativeHealing #PodcastCommunity #OnJoy #JoyWithoutGuilt #PerfectionismRecovery #CreativeHealing #PodcastCommunity #ChildrenOfImmigrants #ADHDWomen #PeoplePleasingRecovery #RestIsResistance

What if fitness wasn’t about chasing numbers—but about reclaiming joy in your body? In this episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, I’m joined by Brandon Howard, a personal trainer, health coach, and founder of Howard Power Fitness. Together, we explore what it means to feel at home in your body—regardless of weight, appearance, or arbitrary milestones. Brandon shares how years in the fitness industry taught him that most people don’t just want muscle—they want to feel better, move easier, and live with more freedom. We talk about vanity goals, body image, performance culture, and how self-awareness and grace can transform how we approach movement and strength. This episode is an invitation—to slow down, listen inward, and return to joy… on your terms.   💬 Join the Conversation! When do you feel most at home in your body? Tell us about a moment of body joy—no numbers, no pressure. Just you, being fully you.  📩 Submit here: https://form.smartsuite.com/sszxz4mn/sxwLOAg7ur   🤝🏾 Connect with Brandon Howard: Email: mbrandon@howardpowerfitness.com  Facebook: Howard Power Fitness 📚Resources from Convo Dr.K with @HealthyGamerGG > https://www.healthygamer.gg/  It’s Been a Minute with Brittany Luse > https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ne24yyz4jstbSYRUM2Qlw?si=155af6ac5aeb48d5  🔔 Stay Connected & Support the Show Join our email list + get free stickers: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f Buy me a Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod Follow on Instagram & TikTok: @HighlyVisiblePod All links: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod 🎛️ Production Credits Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas Co-Produced & Additional Editing: Reggie Hall Contact: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com  #HighlyVisiblePodcast #OnJoy #BodyJoy #FitnessJourney #BlackJoy #HowardPowerFitness #PodcastCommunity

What if joy isn’t something we chase, but something we return to? In this season’s opening episode of our new theme, On Joy, I reflect on what it means to slow down, pay attention, and remember joy—not the loud or curated kind, but the quiet, complex, deeply human kind.

Jonathan Dumas checks in with a quick update! Season 3 of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood—On Joy—launches next month. Plus, learn how to share your joy story and get featured on the show!

Authenticity isn’t about oversharing or performing—it’s about practicing your values daily. And in this episode, we’re getting real about what it means to truly show up, reject the performance trap, and redefine success on our own terms. I’m joined by Alawna Ozoka—certified life & leadership coach, bestselling author of Awareness Put Me On, and all-around truth teller. We dive into: ✅ Finding contentment in a chaotic world 🌍✅ Why rest is resistance—especially in a world that glorifies hustle✅ The tension between performance culture and authenticity✅ How to practice self-compassion & give yourself permission to be YOU✅ The power of community, boundaries, and protecting your peace We’re keeping it real, unfiltered, and unapologetically human in this one. If you’ve ever struggled with people-pleasing, perfectionism, or feeling stuck in a version of yourself that no longer fits, this conversation is for you. 💬 Join the Conversation! 🔥 What’s one way you’re practicing authenticity today? Drop a comment below or leave a review on Apple Podcasts/Spotify—we’d love to hear from you! 📌 Connect with Alawna Ozoka:Website: AlawnaOzoka.com  IG & LinkedIn: @AlawnaOzoka   📚 Buy Alawna's Book, "Awareness Put Me on": https://www.awarenessputmeon.com/   🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share!If this episode resonated with you, don’t forget to like, comment, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. And as always, keep showing up as YOU. 🙌🏾✨ 🚨 Join Our Community: Don’t forget to subscribe and sign up for our email list in the YouTube description. Be part of the conversation and get exclusive content, updates, and free stickers to rep the pod!Join our email list: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f    📺 Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod    Ways to support the show: 👉🏾 Buy me Ko-fi ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod   Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram: HighlyVisiblePod 🎥 TikTok: HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ Podcast: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod   Production: Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod) Co-produced & Additional Editing by: Reggie Hall Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com   #Authenticity #PerformingAuthenticity #Podcast #SelfAwareness #Healing #BlackJoy #RestIsResistance #Coaching #RealTalk #HighlyVisiblePodcast

How do you choose yourself in a world that asks you to sacrifice your essence? In this soulful and empowering episode of Highly Visible & A Little Misunderstood, Jonathan sits down with Candice, a Dream Doula, to explore what it means to embrace your authenticity, navigate societal pressures, and birth your dreams into reality. From the challenges of being a multi-passionate creator to redefining time and success, this conversation dives deep into the art of self-alignment. Candice shares her journey from an identity crisis to coining the transformative title of Dream Doula, helping others nurture their passions without abandoning their essence. Together, they tackle dream blocks, discuss the revolutionary act of choosing joy, and unpack how Afro-futurism reframes time and creativity. Plus, practical advice on managing competing visions and staying rooted in your soul’s calling. 🎧 Tune in for inspiration, tools, and gems to help you step boldly into the life you deserve. 🚨 Join Our Community: Don’t forget to subscribe and sign up for our email list in the YouTube description. Be part of the conversation and get exclusive content, updates, and free stickers to rep the pod!Join our email list: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f  Whether you’ve ever questioned if you’re truly being yourself, or are curious about the messiness of authenticity, this episode is the perfect place to start. Connect with Candace:Website: https://www.candacethedreamdoula.com/daily-cup-of-joy  Download Joy Hub App on Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-joy-hub/id6737627917  Download Joy Hub App on Google Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.createcommunity.joyhub&pli=1    📺 Watchon Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod  Ways to support the show: 👉🏾 Buy me Ko-fi ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod   Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram: HighlyVisiblePod 🎥 TikTok: HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ Podcast: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod   Production: Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod) Co-produced & Additional Editing by: Reggie Hall Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com   #Podcast #HighlyVisiblePodcast #Authenticity #PerformingAuthenticity

In this heartfelt episode of Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood, Jonathan Dumas welcomes author and creative Jocelyn Chung to discuss her newly released children's book, When Love Is More Than Words. Together, they journey through themes of storytelling, generational love, and finding authentic voices amid personal growth. Jocelyn shares the origins of her book, revealing how it began as a deeply personal poem and evolved into a testament of family care and unspoken love. The conversation flows from light-hearted memories of family and cultural idiosyncrasies to profound reflections on reclaiming one’s voice and navigating past versions of oneself with empathy. Jonathan and Jocelyn delve into their shared experiences of growth, identity, and the complex process of revisiting past work with grace. Join them for an enriching dialogue that inspires creatives, writers, and anyone seeking to embrace the raw, unpolished beauty of their journey. Plus, get a glimpse into how intergenerational relationships shape who we are and how we love. Listen in and reconnect with the power of storytelling, community, and self-compassion. ✨ Head to https://www.magicmind.com/highly and use code HIGHLY20 that gets you 48% off your 1st subscription or 20% off one time purchases 🧠 ✨ 🚨 Join Our Community: Don’t forget to subscribe and sign up for our email list in the YouTube description. Be part of the conversation and get exclusive content, updates, and free stickers to rep the pod!Join our email list: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f  Whether you’ve ever questioned if you’re truly being yourself, or are curious about the messiness of authenticity, this episode is the perfect place to start. Connect with Jocelyn:Buy her book, When Love is More Than Words: https://bookshop.org/a/79820/9780593533574 Website: https://www.jocelynchung.com/  Instagram: @JocelynSChung - https://www.instagram.com/jocelynschung/    📺 Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod    Ways to support the show: 👉🏾 Buy me Ko-fi ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod   Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram: HighlyVisiblePod 🎥 TikTok: HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ Podcast: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod   Production: Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod) Co-produced & Video Editing by: Reggie Hall Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com   #Authenticity #Podcast #HighlyVisiblePodcast #PerformingAuthenticity #AuthenticityJourney #BeYourself #RealTalk #DeepDive #TrueSelf #AuthenticLiving #PodcastCommunity #StorytellingPodcast

In this soul-nourishing episode of Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood, host Jonathan Dumas welcomes back Aizaiah Yong, a practical theologian, educator, and writer known for his profound insights on leadership and community. As they dive deep into the essence of authenticity, they explore its many layers—from personal journeys marked by multicultural heritage to the theological and philosophical dimensions of living a true life. Aizaiah opens up about his family roots, being raised in an immigrant household, and how this has shaped his vision of unity and compassion. Together, they discuss the struggle to stay grounded amidst societal noise and how authenticity is more than just an individual pursuit; it’s a communal practice of supporting each other's growth and wholeness. They also touch on the importance of finding or creating spaces where one can be fully seen and nurtured, even in the face of societal and religious challenges. Aizaiah shares wisdom from his work, upcoming books, and the role of spirituality as a means of reconnecting with oneself. Jonathan reflects on the importance of recognizing when your environment no longer serves your growth and shares personal stories of transformation. This episode will leave you with practical insights, a renewed sense of hope, and the courage to embrace your unique journey. Be prepared to pause, reflect, and, most importantly, breathe.✨ Head to https://www.magicmind.com/highly and use code HIGHLY20 that gets you 48% off your 1st subscription or 20% off one time purchases 🧠 ✨ 🚨 Join Our Community: Don’t forget to subscribe and sign up for our email list in the YouTube description. Be part of the conversation and get exclusive content, updates, and free stickers to rep the pod! Join our email list: https://highlyvisiblepod.ck.page/684e1e911f  Whether you’ve ever questioned if you’re truly being yourself, or are curious about the messiness of authenticity, this episode is the perfect place to start. Connect with Rev. Dr. Aizaiah Yong:Website: Spiritedrenewal.org Books:  Purchase Multiracial Cosmotheandrism: A Practical Theology of Multiracial Experiences Preorder Trauma & Renewal:Toward Spiritual, Communal, and Holistic Transformation  Preorder Sacred Parenthood: Spiritual Practices for the Highs and Lows of Parenting    📺 Watchon Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HighlyVisiblePod    Ways to support the show: 👉🏾 Buy me Ko-fi ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod   Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram: HighlyVisiblePod 🎥 TikTok: HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ Podcast: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod   Production: Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod) Co-produced & Additional Editing by: Reggie Hall Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com   #Authenticity #Podcast #HighlyVisiblePodcast #PerformingAuthenticity #AuthenticityJourney #BeYourself #RealTalk #DeepDive #TrueSelf #AuthenticLiving #PodcastCommunity #StorytellingPodcast

In this engaging podcast episode, host Jonathan Dumas is joined by his long-time friend and political science enthusiast, Gustavo, to dissect the critical stakes of the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The episode dives into debates about the economy, immigration, democracy, and more, contrasting the platforms of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. The conversation highlights the importance of political participation, the impact of policy differences, and the potential consequences of either candidate's victory. Gustavo also shares his personal journey as a first-generation immigrant and lawyer, enriching the political discussion with unique perspectives. The episode is packed with in-depth analysis, heated debates, and practical insights for voters. ✨ Head to https://www.magicmind.com/highly and use code HIGHLY20 that gets you 48% off your 1st subscription or 20% off one time purchases 🧠 ✨ 🚨 Join Our Community: Don’t forget to subscribe and sign up for our email list in the YouTube description. Be part of the conversation and get exclusive content, updates, and free stickers to rep the pod! Connect with Gustavo:Need a lawyer? Email Gustavo for support. Gustavo Boldrini on Linkedin  Thanks for watching Highly Visible & a Little Misunderstood! Your support keeps us going and growing. 👍🏾 Enjoyed the Episode? Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories and insightful discussions! Hit the notification bell 🔔 to stay updated on our latest episodes. #PresidentialElection2024 #Podcast #HighlyVisiblePodcast #Immigration #KamalaHarris #HarrisforPresident #RealTalk #DeepDive #Democracy #PodcastCommunity #Economy #Politics Ways to support the show: 👉🏾 Buy me Ko-fi ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/highlyvisiblepod   Follow us for more: 📸 Instagram: HighlyVisiblePod 🎥 TikTok: HighlyVisiblePod 🎙️ Podcast: https://linktr.ee/highlyvisiblepod   Production: Produced & Edited by: Jonathan Dumas (@highlyvisiblepod) Co-produced & Additional Editing by: Reggie Hall Email: HighlyVisiblePodcast@gmail.com   *All credit for me and Gustavo becoming best friends goes to Lindsay B