In this conversation, Whitney Dawn Pyles shares her journey of sobriety and how it has led her to a deeper understanding of authenticity, joy, and connection. She discusses thecomplexities of joy and grief, life’s transitions, the societal normssurrounding alcohol, and the importance of creating spaces for genuine connection. Whitney emphasizes the significance of micro-practices in accessing joy and the role of dance and movement in self-expression. This is an invitation for listeners to explore their own relationships with joy, sobriety, and connection, encouraging a journey of self-discovery and authenticity.

Chapters

00:00 Trailer

02:14 Transitions and Cultivating Community

04:33 Well Blended Professional and Personal Lives

06:41 Complexities of Joy

11:31 The Return The Release The Renewal

16:05 Adventurous Spirit: Living Out of a Van

18:30 Existing Where We Are

22:28 Exploring Sobriety and Quality of Life

26:02 Sobriety As a Somatic Experience

33:01 Does Alcohol Have a Premium on Joy and Play

35:10 Impact of Imagery

37:32 Redefining Celebration and Play Beyond Alcohol

40:59 Reclaiming Authentic Connection and Vulnerability

44:29 Respect Choice. No Explanation Needed

48:14 The Role of Vulnerability in Authentic Sharing

51:43 Accessing Joy and Celebrating Life

57:31 The Power of Freeform Dance and Movement

01:02:00 Micro Practices for Cultivating Joy

01:05:29 Gratitude and the Importance of Connection

More about Whitney Dawn Pyles

Whitney Dawn Pyles is a Somatic Coach, facilitator, and creator of UNSTUCK, a self-paced series of body-based practices designed to help people move through emotionaland energetic stagnancy. After years of numbing and disconnecting from herself, her sobriety journey sparked a deep devotion to authenticity, nervous system literacy, and joy as a radical choice. Through movement, 1:1 and groupcoaching, and curated community spaces, Whitney supports people in reconnecting with one another, their bodies, and what truly moves them. She believes dance is our birthright, play is medicine, and that every moment offers an opportunity to return to ourselves with more compassion, clarity, and courage.

Connect with Whitney

Instagram @whitneydawnpyles

SomaticSobriety

UNSTUCK– A Space to Break Patterns and Build Momentum Together

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⁠⁠Work with Melanie⁠⁠

Download How to Consciously Create a Life of Joy Here

This dialogue highlights the significance of creating meaningful connections and the joy that comes from building impactful connections and fostering a culture of inclusion within personal and professional relationships. They discuss the power of rituals and micro habits to guide you through each day and the beautiful connection between your physical environmentand your energy.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome

01:27 A Word From Our Sponsor

02:27 Soulful and Corny Connections

03:24 Space to Feel

06:36 Set the Tone for Your Day

11:25 Send Loving Energy Into Your Day

15:13 Rituals to Guide Your Day

21:18 My Soul Nest is my Sanctuary

26:07 Beauty Through the Pain

31:17 Follow Your Energy to Find Your Moments

36:29 Natural Authentic Connection

44:41 When Things No Longer Fit

50:23 Still Relevant After 50

53:15 Appreciating Relief

55:29 Simple Pleasures in Choosing Yourself

59:43 What Wants to be Awakened Within You

More about Michelle Herndon

Michelle Herndon is a prominent leader in her industry. She is best known for her meaningful insights, mentorship andleadership.

Michelle began her career in hospitality at the famed Patina restaurant in Los Angeles. A very special time in the culinary world which has had great impact on her personal and professional life.

Before joining BOKA Restaurant Group, Michelle had an illustrious career including time spent in HR staffing, Diversity & Inclusion training for Limited Brands.

Over the last decade Michelle has enjoyed a successful relationship with BOKA Restaurant Group as Director of PrivateEvents. Michelle has collaborated and created revenue generating private events programs for six restaurant openings for BOKA in the Chicago area.

She is currently the Director of Culture + Community for BOKA Group, where she is furthering diversity programs and services within the company-including creating and leading mentorship program for People of Color and within the LGBTQ+ community. She is known for her ability to bridge differences and create impactful connections within her company. She leads the recruiting department for the entire group, where identifying diverse talent while ensuring equity is her company’s mission.

Michelle graduated from the University of Illinois/University of Barcelona and received a Bachelor of Arts, Spanish. She hasalso earned her Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University. She additionally spends time professional lifestyle coaching for her currently growing project SoulNest.

Connect with Michelle

Instagram @TheMichelleHerndon

A Moment of Gratitude for our sponsor.⁠ Michele Aikens

Connect with Melanie

⁠⁠Work with MelanieDownload How to Consciously Create a Life of Joy Here

⁠⁠Radical Love Book

Melanie Foote-Davis and Emmy Beeson explore the conceptof toxic productivity and its impact on personal and professional wellness.Emmy shares her journey from a high-pressure leadership role to embracing mindfulness and self-care, emphasizing the importance of creating conditionsfor growth and collaboration in leadership. They discuss the significance of rest, emotional health, and the need for leaders to model healthier behaviors.The conversation highlights practical tools for finding joy and gratitude in everyday life, ultimately advocating for a more harmonious and aligned approach personally and professionally.

Chapters

00:00 Embracing Change: The Passage of Time

04:03 Awareness and Decision-Making: A Shift inPerspective

08:04 Toxic Productivity: Breaking Free from the Cycle

11:01 Recognizing Patterns: The Body's Signals

14:03 Creating Healthier Work Environments

17:00 Mindfulness and Presence: The Gift of Awareness

20:07 Leadership and Cultural Expectations: A NewApproach

23:16 Transformative Experiences: Learning from Nature

26:20 Creating Conditions for Success: IntentionalLeadership

36:27 Unraveling the Knots: A Journey to Freedom

41:21 Listening to the Body: The Importance of Awareness

46:39 Creating Conditions for Growth: Leadership andResponsibility

01:00:50 Finding Joy and Gratitude: Embracing the Present

01:08:25 Building Safe Spaces: Nurturing Relationships

More about Emmy Beeson

Emmy Beeson is an executive leadership coach with over 20 years of experience guiding middle and senior-level leaders to navigate change, lead with authenticity, and build high-performing teams. As a former CEO and Superintendent in both K-12 and Career Technical Planning Districts, Emmyunderstands the complexities of leadership — from managing multi-million dollar budgets to balancing community expectations — and brings that real-worldinsight into her coaching practice.

Emmy specializes in helping leaders grow their personal andprofessional wellness while building practical strategies for time management, delegation, and organizational change. Emmy is a Board Certified Coach with an Executive Leadership Coaching Certification from Bellevue University.

Her background in career-technical education gives her a unique perspective on bridging the gap between education and industry, helping leaders create meaningful change that lasts. Emmy’s passion lies in uncovering shared visions, building capacity for growth, and supporting leaders in embracingtheir authenticity.

​Emmy holds degrees and licenses from Ohio Dominican University, the University of Findlay, and Ashland University. Whether guiding executives through organizational transformation or helping individuals rediscover theirpurpose, she is committed to equipping leaders with the skills and mindset to thrive.

Connect with Emmy

Emmy Beeson, The Change Coach

Emmy’s The Toxic Productivity Culture blog

Linkedin.com/in/emmy-beeson

A Moment of Gratitude for our sponsor.⁠ Michele Aiken

Connect with Melanie

⁠⁠⁠Work with Melanie

⁠⁠Download How to Consciously Create a Life of Joy Here⁠

⁠⁠⁠Radical Love Book