Productive Joy

Dr. Christie McMullen
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Dec 9, 2025 • 31min

Build a Blueprint For Your Life and Go Where You’re Meant to Go with Dr. Brandy Stamper

In this engaging episode of Productive Joy, Dr. Christie introduces Dr. Brandy Stamper, an accomplished mom, wife, author, and leadership development coach. Brandy shares her expertise on creating a life you love by understanding yourself deeply through the Enneagram system. She discusses the importance of having a personal blueprint that aligns with your true self rather than societal expectations. With a background in psychology and communications, Brandy reveals her own experiences of feeling unfulfilled despite outward success and explains how discovering her Enneagram type transformed her approach to life and work.Brandy also gives glimpses into her book, 'Bridging the Purpose Gap,' which provides actionable insights into integrating Enneagram principles into personal and professional life. Connect with Dr. Christie at: christie@intentionalitygroup.comEpisode Highlights:00:00 Introduction to Today's Guest: Brandy Stamper01:44 Brandy's Journey: From Psychology to Enneagram03:27 Discovering the Enneagram and Personal Fulfillment05:46 Understanding the Enneagram: A Deep Dive09:02 Brandy's Book: Bridging the Purpose Gap12:39 Defining Productive Joy and Personal Insights17:16 The Fear of Failure and Self-Worth18:18 Understanding Enneagram Subtypes18:46 Self-Preservation, Social, and Sexual Subtypes21:16 The Importance of Accurate Typing23:00 Practical Applications of Enneagram Knowledge25:12 Rapid Fire Questions28:25 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
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Dec 6, 2025 • 7min

Finish 2025 Strong, No Excuses

On this episode of Productive Joy, Dr. Christie reflects on the rapid and prolonged moments of 2025. She challenges viewers to use the remaining four weeks of the year to accomplish their goals intentionally. Christie shares her personal growth experiences in various aspects of her life, including being a mother-in-law, dealing with her son's diabetes diagnosis, becoming a Ted X speaker, mentoring couples, and improving physical fitness. She emphasizes the importance of being present and intentional in achieving desired outcomes. Dr. Christie encourages everyone to recognize gaps, bridge them, and start new endeavors now instead of waiting for January.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome and Year-End Reflection00:48 Personal Growth and Challenges03:29 Intentional Living and Year-End Goals04:59 Support and Resources for Personal Development05:51 Conclusion and Encouragement
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Dec 4, 2025 • 27min

Be LGET...Learning Growing Expanding and Transforming with Curtis McCullum

In this episode of Productive Joy, we are joined by Curtis McCullum, a human potential coach, podcaster, seasoned expert in people dynamics, and an amateur photographer. Curtis shares his insights on discovering true joy that comes from within, contrasting it with external happiness. He dives deep into the importance of being authentic, acknowledging personal challenges, and the effects of carrying emotional baggage from the past. Curtis also discusses the methodologies he uses in his coaching practice, including clinical hypnotherapy, mental and emotional release techniques, and neurolinguistic programming. He defines the 'legit mindset' - Learning, Growing, Expanding, and Transforming - Curtis offers invaluable advice on how leaders and individuals can find productive joy and transform their lives by reprogramming their mindsets and embracing their true selves. Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:08 Defining True Joy02:55 Lessons from Experience04:08 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome04:36 Human Potential Coaching Techniques09:35 Reprogramming the Mind12:33 The Legit Mindset Framework16:07 Authenticity and Dropping the Mask20:27 Rapid Fire Questions25:08 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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Dec 2, 2025 • 28min

Speak From Experience, Then Get The Right People to Hear It with Danny DelVecchio

Thank you for joining us on Productive Joy! Today Dr. Christie introduces you to Danny DelVecchio, an entrepreneur, digital creator, and salsa dancer who found a unique way to blend creativity with business prowess. Danny shares insights on creating stress-free systems, his transition from a sales career to launching a podcast with 500,000 listeners, and eventually building a niche agency. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity in content creation, overcoming fears of self-promotion, and targeting the right audience rather than going viral. Discover how Danny helps clients create engaging content effortlessly through his Video On Easy Mode service, turning fun into a productive endeavor. He and Dr. Christie also discuss his practical advice on leveraging social media to build a presence and connect with potential clients. Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:51 Danny's Background and Journey02:35 From Podcasting to Coaching06:16 The Birth of Video On Easy Mode08:13 Challenges and Solutions in Content Creation15:45 Defining Productive Joy23:54 Rapid Fire Questions and Key Takeaways26:54 Conclusion and Call to ActionA Deeper Dive:In the latest episode of Productive Joy, we delve into the world of content creation and entrepreneurship with Danny DelVecchio, an entrepreneur, digital creator, and salsa dancer. Danny shares his inspiring journey from a 20-year career in sales to becoming a content creation expert, helping others transform their expertise into engaging content. Throughout this insightful conversation, Danny reveals the essence of productive joy and how it can be achieved through authenticity, strategic content creation, and a touch of resilience.Danny’s journey into content creation began in 2016 after a thriving career in sales. Inspired by his love for the TV show "Impractical Jokers," Danny started a podcast that quickly gained 500,000 listeners. This success was achieved entirely through organic social media growth—a skill he now teaches others to harness. His passion for helping entrepreneurs create content led to the founding of "Video On Easy Mode," a service that guides clients through the process of effortless and authentic content creation.Many entrepreneurs face challenges when diving into the world of social media content. Whether it's fear of judgment, lack of time, or not knowing where to begin, these barriers often prevent them from utilizing social platforms to their fullest potential. Danny emphasizes authenticity as the key to overcoming these obstacles. By speaking from personal experience rather than regurgitating generic tips, content creators can deliver genuine value and connect with their audience on a deeper level.Danny explains that the true measure of content success isn't about going viral—it’s about connecting with the right audience. For entrepreneurs, the real goal is to use content as a vehicle for engagement. He reminds us that building a relationship with your audience is more valuable than the sheer number of views or likes. “The more hands you shake, the more money you make," he says, highlighting the importance of personalized, one-on-one interactions both online and offline.In defining productive joy, Danny finds fulfillment in activities that bring him closer to his goals and make him happy, like working with clients in a creative, supportive environment. His dedication to fostering joy and productivity in his work has made content creation an enjoyable experience for his clients, transforming a typically stressful process into something they eagerly anticipate.For more guidance on how to infuse your work with productive joy, be sure to connect with Danny on LinkedIn or explore his services at Video On Easy Mode.
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Nov 29, 2025 • 6min

Gratitude, Reflection, and New Beginnings

Today on Productive Joy, it’s fittingly all about being thankful. Dr. Christie reflects on the end of November and the importance of gratitude, in this season of Thanksgiving. She shares personal anecdotes about her family gatherings and her mother's move to Ecuador. She emphasizes the significance of recognizing your own worth and achievements and being grateful for the positive influences in life. She encourages everyone to  voice their gratitude, choose positive self-talk, and turn reflections into action as they head into the holiday season and the end of the yearEpisode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:24 Reflecting on Thanksgiving00:43 Family Changes and Gratitude01:58 Self-Recognition and Positivity03:06 Choosing Gratitude04:41 Final Thoughts on Gratitude and Action
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Nov 27, 2025 • 22min

Practice Makes Positive...Retraining Your Brain with Victoria Henrich

In this episode of Productive Joy, Dr, Christie welcomes Victoria Henrich, an inspiring author, speaker, and mom of five. Victoria discusses her new book 'Practice Makes Positive,' which encourages readers to prioritize happiness in just 10 minutes a day. She shares personal stories about managing a staffing company, overcoming breast cancer, and how these experiences inspired her to write and launch a women's retreat. Victoria also offers practical advice on finding happiness, being productive, and embracing new experiences. Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:50 Victoria's Journey to Happiness02:41 The Power of Intentionality09:20 Creating a Women's Retreat13:23 Advice for Aspiring Individuals18:53 Rapid Fire Questions and Conclusion A Deeper Dive:Welcome to a journey of joy, productivity, and intentional living as we explore the inspiring conversation between podcast host Christie and guest Victoria Henrich, a remarkable author, motivational speaker, and advocate for practicing joy. Here's how Victoria, a mother of five, a businesswoman, and a cancer survivor, chooses happiness and shares her wisdom with the world.Victoria Henrich brings a refreshing perspective on happiness. Her book, *Practice Makes Positive: Prioritize Happiness 10 Minutes at a Time*, is a practical guide to embedding joy in your daily life. She emphasizes that happiness comes from intentional acts, even if it's just dedicating ten minutes a day to something enjoyable. According to Victoria, intentionally creating positive moments helps train your brain to recognize and seek happiness, akin to seeing your new car everywhere after purchase.Victoria shares insights from her life experiences, shaped by both joyous and challenging moments. After selling her staffing company, she turned to journaling to regain her sense of control and purpose. This journey led to her book, described as her "pocket full of sunshine," crafted to inspire readers to embrace practical, happiness-driven choices. Her story underscores the importance of finding joy in transition and recognizing each individual's choice in creating a fulfilling life.An advocate for intentional living, Victoria recommends a mindset shift—from default to design. She discusses how thinking like an author of your own life, rather than a victim, opens up opportunities to intentionally craft a meaningful existence. This philosophy informs her actions, whether encouraging her children to recognize daily highs and lows or creating a women's retreat designed to foster self-discovery and joy.Victoria, alongside her best friend, co-founded the Serenity Summit Retreat in Nebo, North Carolina, transforming a beloved vacation spot into a space of healing and growth for women. This retreat epitomizes Victoria’s approach to life: blending creativity, community, and serenity. Each retreat offers a different focus, such as “Fall into Change,” providing attendees with rituals, yoga, crafts, and the transformative power of community and relaxation.In Victoria's view, life is too vibrant to be reduced to a single destination job or goal. Instead, she encourages exploration—trying new things, accepting imperfection, and discovering joy in unexpected places. Her message is clear: it’s not about being perfect at everything; it’s about the joy of trying, learning, and evolving.
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Nov 25, 2025 • 34min

How to Make Sure Your Story Matters with Bill Blankschaen

Today on Productive Joy, Dr. Christie welcomes Bill Blankschaen, a bestselling author, thought leader, and founder of Story Builders. Bill shares his story, from running a school in Ohio to helping individuals and organizations harness the power of their stories. He emphasizes that everyone's story matters and explores the concept of a 'story ecosystem' to maximize impact, influence, and income. Bill also delves into the common traps people face that prevent them from telling their stories and offers practical questions to help listeners get clear on their story and message. Tune in to learn how to live a life full of meaning and purpose by telling your unique story.Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome to Productive Joy00:14 Meet Bill Blank: A Multifaceted Talent01:08 The Power of Personal Stories02:18 From School Founder to Story Builder04:28 Overcoming the Confidence Trap07:57 Building Your Story Ecosystem12:10 Key Questions to Define Your Brand Story17:33 Helping People Feel Valued and Appreciated18:07 Treating Humans as Humans19:08 Storytelling Structure and Audience Engagement20:19 The Importance of Intentional Storytelling22:32 Finding Joy and Purpose28:24 Rapid Fire Questions and Final ThoughtsA Deeper Dive:In a world constantly driven by success, productivity, and self-discovery, we often overlook a critical element: the power of our personal stories. In a recent conversation on the "Productive Joy" podcast, host Christie sits down with Bill Blankschaen, a storyteller extraordinaire, to explore the profound impact of storytelling in shaping our lives and the lives of others. Here, we dive into some key takeaways from their enriching dialogue.According to Bill, storytelling is more than just a skill—it's a superpower. He believes that every story matters and that every individual and business can harness its potential to drive impact, influence, and income. He shares that his journey from running a private school to founding Story Builders was fueled by a passion for helping people and organizations craft meaningful narratives.Bill emphasizes that valuing one's story is the first step towards achieving breakthrough moments. He introduces what he calls the "story ecosystem," which begins with a clear brand story and leads to a message that resonates with people, ultimately leading to monetizing one's unique intellectual property.He intriguingly states, "Your breakthrough begins when you start with your story," underscoring that the more effectively you tell your story, the greater the influence you wield.Many people face barriers to expressing their stories, often due to a lack of confidence. Bill identifies this as the "confidence trap"—a tendency to devalue our own experiences while overvaluing those of others. Through exercises like the "story multiplier formula" and "book starter questions," Bill guides individuals and organizations in overcoming these hurdles to discover the power of their own narratives.One of the highlights of Bill's conversation with Christie is the actionable framework he proposes: the "story multiplier formula" (Who You Are x How Well You Tell Your Story = Impact, Influence, Income). This framework helps individuals and organizations understand and leverage their unique stories to make a substantial impact. The formula guides them to multiply their intrinsic values by articulating their stories effectively, thus maximizing their potential impact on the world.At the heart of Bill's philosophy is a profound belief in the transformative power of stories. He challenges everyone, from individuals to businesses, to find intentionality in their narratives. Whether it's understanding who they are at their core or connecting deeply with their audience, unlocking the story within is pivotal.
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Nov 21, 2025 • 7min

Gratitude Breeds Confidence and More From Dr. Audra Lewis-Hoesch, Carmella Dolde, Chloe McMullen, and Bose Akadiri

In this episode of Productive Joy, Dr. Christie recaps a special week featuring Dr. Audra Lewis-Hoesch, Carmella Dolde, Chloe McMullen, and Bose Akadiri, discussing imposter syndrome and generational perspectives. Dr. Christie shares personal insights about facing imposter syndrome and the importance of recognizing one's unique worth. She emphasizes actionable steps such as affirmations and recognizing gratitude, urging you to embrace your individuality. Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap00:25 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome02:07 Personal Experiences with Imposter Syndrome02:44 Choosing Joy and Gratitude04:00 Affirmations and Gratitude Practices05:08 Connecting and Seeking Support05:48 Final Encouragement and Wisdom
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Nov 20, 2025 • 31min

Set your Goals...and GRIND with Bose Akadiri

In this heartfelt and electric episode, Dr. Christie introduces Bose Akadiri, a multifaceted joy creator, motivational speaker, author, trainer, yogi, and holistic wellness advocate. Bose shares her personal story of discovering and maintaining joy, influenced heavily by her mother's teachings to prioritize happiness and remain creatively resilient. She discusses her strategies for creating a joyful life, including moving from Oklahoma to Chicago for a better lifestyle fit. Bose also explores her vision of productive joy, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal and professional goals with passion and support networks. Her upcoming book, 'Stay Joyful,' provides a guide to sustaining joy across life's key areas. Throughout the conversation, Bose reiterates the significance of joy as a fundamental right and encourages you to identify your personal sources of happiness and integrate them into your  daily life.Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Podcast Promotion00:16 Meet Bose Akadiri: A Multifaceted Joy Creator01:03 Bose's Journey to Joyful Living04:33 The Importance of Joy and Overcoming Obstacles05:07 Introducing 'Stay Joyful': Bose's Upcoming Book10:00 Goal and Grind: Leveraging Joy for Success16:44 Corporate Experience and Strategy17:51 Innovative Client Engagement20:12 The Joy Blueprint23:38 Nicknames and Personal Stories26:22 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts
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Nov 18, 2025 • 53min

GenX meets GenZ on Imposter Syndrome with Dr. Audra Lewis-Hoesch, Carmella Dolde, and Chloe McMullen

Welcome to this very special episode of Productive Joy! Dr. Christie is joined by Chloe McMullen, Audra Lewis-Hoesch, and Carmella Dolde—three remarkable women with unique, inspirational experiences. Hosted by Dr. Christie dives  into overcoming imposter syndrome, highlighting personal stories of resilience and transformation. Chloe shares her path from psychology to becoming a passionate kindergarten teacher. Carmella describes her career shifts from veterinary assistant to cybersecurity. Audra talks about founding Period Zero to bridge the gap between education and real-world skills. This episode emphasizes the impact of social media, the importance of vulnerability, and the value of focusing on individual definitions of successEpisode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:51 Meet the Guests: Carmella, Audra, and Chloe03:02 Carmella's Journey: Overcoming Self-Worth Struggles03:44 Chloe's Path: From Bullying to Teaching05:41 Audra's Story: From Homelessness to Doctorate08:39 The Importance of Sharing Struggles10:01 Generational Perspectives on Vulnerability14:25 Social Media and Imposter Syndrome22:19 Chloe's College Experience and Career Path27:22 Carmella's High School and Work Journey28:29 Moving In and Cultural Differences28:42 Challenges in the Veterinary Field30:03 Workplace Struggles and Career Shifts33:28 Burnout and Career Reevaluation35:11 Defining Productive Joy40:58 Rapid Fire Questions46:20 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysA Deeper Dive:In a recent episode of 'Productive Joy,' Christie brought together three inspiring women—Dr. Audra Lewis-Hoesch, Chloe McMullen, and Carmella Dolde—to explore their journeys of overcoming imposter syndrome. Each of these women, from different generational backgrounds, offered unique perspectives and wisdom on finding purpose and navigating life's challenges.**Meet the Panel**- **Carmella Dolde** is a multifaceted individual currently studying cybersecurity. Despite her love for animals and a background as a veterinary assistant, Carmella is shifting her focus while carrying the lessons from her past experiences.- **Dr. Audra Lewis-Hoesch** is a self-proclaimed workaholic, driven by her passions. As an educator and founder of "Period Zero," she provides a supportive space for mentorship and personal growth.- **Chloe McMullen** is a dedicated kindergarten teacher who found her dream job in education despite early self-doubt and a challenging first workplace experience.**Embracing Vulnerability: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome**The conversation revealed a common theme: the struggle with imposter syndrome transcends generational lines. Chloe and Carmella discussed how social media heightens comparison, making others appear more successful than they might be. Audra noted the cultural shifts between generations and emphasized the importance of open discussions to combat these feelings.Christie urged listeners to embrace honesty and vulnerability in their relationships. She highlighted the necessity of having open conversations about struggles and triumphs, allowing us to connect more deeply with those around us.**Building a Supportive Community**Chloe, Carmella, and Audra shared their strategies for dealing with imposter syndrome. They stressed the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people and maintaining a reminder of one's purpose. Audra encouraged taking "micro steps" toward goals, while Carmella emphasized focusing on personal paths rather than the achievements of others.**Key Takeaways**- **Just Start:** Take the first step toward your goal, regardless of self-doubt.- **Comparison is the Thief of Joy:** Focus on your own path and achievements.- **Life Moves Fast:** Stay grounded in what's important to you personally.- **Honest Conversations Matter:** Share your struggles and triumphs to deepen connections and build community.

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