Productive Joy

Dr. Christie McMullen
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Sep 13, 2025 • 8min

Change Dynamics, Activate Your Influence & More with Dr. Elizabeth Moran and Tyler Mount

In this episode of Productive Joy, Dr. Christie shares insights from two inspiring guests, Dr. Elizabeth Moran and Tyler Mount. Elizabeth, an organizational change expert, emphasizes the importance of supporting change even if you aren't fully on board and the need to combat our natural negative biases. Tyler, who transitioned from Broadway to real estate, illustrates how integrating all personal talents can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Dr. Christie discusses her company, Intentionality Group, which helps organizations discover their unique genius and improve job satisfaction. Discover more about Intentionality GroupEpisode Highlights:00:00 Introduction to Productive Joy00:17 Who are Elizabeth Moran and Tyler Mount?00:58 Elizabeth Moran on Embracing Change02:00 Tyler Mount: From Broadway to Real Estate02:56 The Intentionality Group: Making Work Fun04:28 The Power of Positive Influence06:13 Call to Action: Spread the JoyDeeper Dive:This week’s episode was particularly inspiring as we had the pleasure of hosting two remarkable guests—Elizabeth Moran and Tyler Mount. Both individuals are committed to spreading positivity and encourage us to intentionally seek joy in our daily lives.The heart of the podcast lies in the belief that joy is a choice. A choice worth making, as reiterated by our guests this week. Elizabeth and Tyler exemplify this philosophy as they continuously seek out the good in situations, contributing to the central theme of this podcast. By choosing to focus on the positive aspects, we are more likely to see and experience them more often.Elizabeth Moran, an expert in organizational change, shared insightful nuggets of wisdom. One of her key messages was the idea that one doesn’t need to fully agree with a change to support it. As a leader, you can maintain your authenticity while executing changes, as long as they are not harmful. She challenged us to confront our innate negative biases and actively choose to focus on more positive outcomes. The power of choice, Elizabeth suggests, lies in whether we allow negativity to linger, or we push towards a more positive reality.Tyler Mount is a force of nature known for merging his diverse talents into a cohesive identity. His journey from Broadway to building an impressive real estate empire is a testament to the power of integrating various skills. Tyler inspires us to look beyond compartmentalized views of our capabilities and recognize the extraordinary potential when all talents are embraced collectively. This approach not only enhances personal development but also encourages greater contributions to the world.My husband and I, alongside friends, have founded the Intentionality Group, an enterprise focused on helping organizations identify and leverage their unique talents for growth. The aim is to infuse workplaces with joy and engagement, to ensure employees are adequately equipped to excel. Understanding and nurturing an individual’s contributions to the mission fosters a culture where everyone can thrive, instead of just surviving.An intriguing concept from the podcast is the blend of fun with work, leading to what we call "productive joy." Often perceived as mutually exclusive, fun and work can indeed coexist and enrich one another. By pursuing activities that unite joy with professional responsibility, individuals tend to achieve better results and satisfaction. Therefore, exercising influence and seeking out the exceptional equips you for transformational change—whether personal or organizational..
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Sep 11, 2025 • 35min

Progress is Omni-Directional and is Always Net-Positive with Tyler Mount

In this episode of Productive Joy, Dr. Christie has a conversation with Tyler Mount, CEO of Henry Street Creative, Broadway producer, and multiple Tony Award winner. Discover the power of authenticity as Tyler shares his life stories and insights into personal branding and how embracing one's true self can lead to unparalleled success. Their conversation explores Tyler's transition from a career in theater to becoming a digital marketing expert in the real estate space. He emphasizes the importance of joy as a compass for achieving success and how authentic connections are crucial in business. Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:33 Meet Tyler Mount: A Multifaceted Talent01:28 The Power of Authenticity02:36 Finding Your Tribe04:56 Career Pivot: From Acting to Producing08:38 Building Henry Street Creative14:16 The Importance of Personal Branding16:00 Advice for Creating Productive Joy17:01 Finding Joy in Your Work17:26 Breaking Stereotypes in Real Estate19:37 The Journey into Real Estate20:34 Navigating Career Transitions23:54 Embracing Positivity and Patience26:21 The Power of Authenticity28:25 Rapid Fire Questions31:08 Final Thoughts on Branding and AuthenticityA Deeper Dive:In a world that often values conformity, embracing authenticity is a revolutionary act. Tyler Mount, Broadway producer, CEO of Henry Street Creative, and digital marketing expert, embodies this principle. In a recent conversation with Christie on the "Productive Joy" podcast, Tyler shared insights into his journey and the importance of authenticity in personal and professional success.Tyler's passion for storytelling began in the theater, where he learned the power of authenticity. Despite early struggles to fit in, Tyler found joy and success when he embraced his true identity. Today, Tyler helps others do the same through Henry Street Creative, his consultancy firm specializing in brand building for the nation's top real estate professionals.Tyler's journey was significantly shaped by his mentors and the communities that accepted him for who he was. His high school theater director and professional colleagues played a pivotal role in nurturing his love for the arts and storytelling. Tyler emphasizes that finding a community that accepts you can unlock your potential and help you thrive authentically.While Tyler began his career in theater, life steered him towards the real estate industry through a series of coincidental—yet perhaps fateful—events. This pivot allowed Tyler to leverage his storytelling prowess in the realm of digital marketing and personal branding, especially within the high-stakes real estate market.At Henry Street Creative, Tyler and his team emphasize the significance of personal branding. Successful branding isn't just about what you sell but about who you are. Tyler asserts that people prefer to do business with those they genuinely like. By promoting authenticity, professionals can stand out in crowded markets and build meaningful connections.For those feeling stuck or pigeonholed in their careers, Tyler advises embracing flexibility and leveraging past experiences as valuable lessons. Progress, he says, is omnidirectional—not simply linear. Recognizing that setbacks are part of the journey can motivate you to steer your own course towards joy and success.Tyler Mount's story is a testament to the power of authenticity in leading a fulfilling life. By embracing who you are and pursuing joy, you can not only find personal satisfaction but also professional success. As Tyler poignantly states, "Lighting someone else's candle doesn't extinguish your own." This philosophy of generosity and openness is not only a business strategy but also a fulfilling way to live.
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Sep 9, 2025 • 35min

The Struggle is Real...The Power of Optimism Works with Elizabeth Moran

In this episode of Productive Joy, Dr. Christie welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Moran, an author, leader, and change management expert. Dr. Moran shares her insights on leadership, resilience, and managing through change. She emphasizes that leaders don’t need to be fully on board with a change to guide their teams through it effectively. They explore concepts such as the negativity bias, the importance of authenticity, and differentiating between one's sphere of control and sphere of influence. Dr. Moran outlines her practical, neuroscience-based approach to change management, including useful scripts for leaders to handle tough questions and emotional reactions. Emphasizing optimism and the power of perspective, Dr. Moran advises leaders to focus on what could go right, even in challenging times. The conversation also touches on Dr. Moran's personal background and her upcoming book "Forward: Leading Your Team Through Change.".Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:05 Empowering Leaders Through Change02:36 Navigating Resistance and Authentic Leadership03:49 Practical Tools for Leaders05:33 The Emotional Impact of Change06:44 Positive Psychology and Authenticity07:47 Introducing the Book 'Forward'09:04 Practical Scripts for Leaders10:11 Handling Resistance and Emotional Reactions11:30 Productive Joy and Final Thoughts19:30 Exploring the Concept of Productive Joy20:11 Understanding Optimism and Negativity Bias20:39 The Power of Positive Vision in Teams21:29 Celebrating Failures and Learning from Mistakes22:28 Elizabeth's Journey and Career Path25:36 Challenges Leaders Face and the Importance of Self-Compassion30:51 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal InsightsDeeper Dive Christie sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Moran to explore the nuances of leadership, change management, and the power of optimism in navigating organizational challenges. Dr. Moran, an author and executive coach with a diverse background, shares her experience and insights, providing valuable tools for leaders to effectively guide their teams through change.**Understanding Authentic Leadership****The Power of Optimistic Sense-Making**Dr. Moran introduces the concept of leaders as "optimistic sense-makers." This involves acknowledging that while leaders may not always agree with certain changes, they must find ways to present them to their teams in a digestible manner. This approach can be instrumental in maintaining morale and keeping everyone moving forward despite uncertainties.Christie and Dr. Moran delve into the practicalities of this approach, emphasizing the significance of reframing resistance as normal. Leaders should recognize negativity bias, which causes people to anticipate the worst outcomes, and help their teams shift their perspective by focusing on where they still hold power.**Learning from Experience: Personal Growth and Change**Drawing from her diverse background, Dr. Moran shares how her career path — from human resources to executive coaching, with experiences in corporate and nonprofit sectors — shaped her expertise in change management. A particularly poignant experience was her time teaching personal growth to inmates, where she witnessed firsthand the transformative power of clarity over uncertainty.Her journey underscores the importance of viewing change as an inevitable part of life and leveraging every experience to build better strategies for the future. **Optimism as Fuel for Growth**The essence of the conversation boils down to harnessing optimism not just as an emotion but as a strategic tool. Dr. Moran stresses that optimism can be the fuel needed to navigate tough times, even when leaders aren't feeling optimistic themselves. It involves keeping the door open to possibilities and actively choosing to envision positive outcomes.
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Sep 6, 2025 • 50min

SPECIAL EPISODE! Intentionality Beats Everything and Creates a Culture Where People Don't Quit

In this exciting episode of Productive Joy, Dr. Christie introduces her new venture, Intentionality Group, and its key team members: Jonathan Grant Brown, Ben Solomon, and her husband Jason McMullen. The team discusses their unique contributions and insights on enhancing workplace culture and productivity. They emphasize the importance of intentional learning, fun, and effective communications. Real-life examples from diverse fields show how their approach can solve organizational challenges. Stay tuned to hear about their upcoming live webinar on creating an intentional workplace culture and tips for achieving extraordinary results.Find more about Intentionality Group and what it can do for you and your organization. Episode Highlights:00:00 Welcome to Productive Joy00:34 Meet the Team: Jonathan, Ben, and Jason02:30 The Birth of Intentionality Group03:13 Why Intentionality Group?11:06 Unique Genius: Ben's Analytical Mind13:21 Unique Genius: Jason's Attention to Detail20:11 Unique Genius: Christie's Learning Expertise23:49 Unique Genius: Jonathan's Leadership Insights25:03 Flipping Interruption on Its Head25:13 Unique Genius in Learning Quickly25:42 Closing Skill Gaps25:48 Real-World Examples of Skill Application26:26 Intentionality in Organizations26:52 Leveraging Intentionality Group28:18 Training and Development Strategies29:22 Case Study: Law Firm Transformation32:04 Case Study: Chemical Company and Doctor's Office35:20 The Importance of Effective Learning38:24 Final Thoughts and Webinar Announcement40:16 Rapid Fire QuestionsA Deeper Dive:Today, we delve into a fascinating conversation with the remarkable team behind Intentionality Group—a collective of passionate professionals dedicated to revolutionizing how organizations approach learning and leadership. This journey was born out of a shared belief in the importance of intentionality in personal and professional development.### Why Intentionality?What drives someone to invest time and energy into a concept like intentionality? Christie first poses this question to Ben Solomon, who highlights their collective journey through education and the limitless potential for applying intentional principles beyond classrooms to broader contexts like businesses and organizations. Jonathan adds his perspective, expressing passion for problem-solving and helping teams thrive, while Jason shares his corporate experience and emphasizes continuous learning beyond formal education.### Leverage Unique TalentsUnderstanding individual and organizational strengths is essential for maximizing potential. The team emphasizes knowing each member's unique genius. For instance, Ben brings an analytic mind and a systems approach, while Jason focuses on precision and the detailed implementation of ideas. Jonathan shares his passion for interrupting the status quo to incite meaningful change. This synergistic blend fosters environments where innovation and intentionality thrive.### Applying the Intentional ApproachEvery organization faces unique challenges, and Intentionality Group steps in as a partner to help navigate these. They've worked with various sectors, from chemical companies to law firms, providing personalized strategies to align company culture with strategic goals. By embracing the diversity of talents, they design efficient systems, revitalize employee roles, and tackle high turnover rates with creative, purposeful solutions.### Bring Intentionality to Your WorkplaceThrough the lens of two insightful stories, Jonathan illustrates how Intentionality Group aids companies. They address the disconnect between technical knowledge and user comprehension in a chemical company and improve employee retention in a health services provider by cultivating an intentional workplace culture. These examples showcase the tangible impact of applying their innovative frameworks.
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Sep 4, 2025 • 27min

It Isn't Work Life Balance, It is Work Life Harmony with Julia Qian

In this episode of Productive Joy, Dr. Christie welcomes Julia Qian, CFO of Health in Tech, to discuss the intersections of productivity, joy, and innovation. Julia shares her extensive background in various financial sectors including manufacturing, FinTech, and healthcare. She emphasizes the importance of addressing problems effectively and discusses the critical difference between healthcare and sick care. Julia highlights the significance of adopting new technologies despite inevitable resistance and provides insights into creating a harmonious work-life blend. She and Dr. Christie offer practical advice for small business owners and aspiring CFOs, and stresses the value of empowering teams, being open to change, and making incremental improvements to one's lifestyle. Tune in to learn how to drive positive change in both professional and personal domains.Learn more about JuliaEpisode Highlights:00:00 Introduction to Productive Joy00:23 Meet Julia Qian: CFO and Foodie02:13 Julia's Journey in Financial Services02:48 Innovations in Healthcare and Insurance06:38 Challenges and Changes in Technology Adoption13:21 Defining Productive Joy15:31 Creating Productive Joy in the Workplace19:30 Preventative Healthcare and Personal Responsibility23:33 Rapid Fire Questions with Julia25:39 Conclusion and Key TakeawaysDeeper Dive:Welcome to another enlightening installment of Productive Joy, where we delve deep into the stories of remarkable individuals who seamlessly integrate productivity with joy in their lives and careers. In this episode, Dr. Christie has the pleasure of conversing with Julia Qian, a powerhouse in the healthcare fintech industry, a dedicated mother, and a lover of all things culinary.Dr. Kristie Christie kicks off the conversation by introducing Julia, who is not only the CFO of Health in Tech but also a mother to a 16-year-old. Julia’s diverse interests—from trying out new cuisines with friends to a passion for preventative healthcare—paint the picture of a vibrant, multifaceted woman excelling in both personal and professional spheres.**The Call to Disrupt and Innovate**Julia describes her motivation to engage with the healthcare market as part of her larger mission to drive change through technology. Her efforts with Health in Tech underscore her commitment to providing small business owners with more choices and better cost competition in the insurance marketplace. By integrating AI and automation, Julia is helping businesses streamline their insurance processes—a visionary step toward customer empowerment and industry innovation.**Understanding the Dynamics of Change**Dr.Christie and Julia engage in a philosophical discussion about the nature of change and habit. Julia’s insights illuminate the complexity of human behavior and how small, sustained steps toward improvement—both within work and personal health—are crucial. She shares her belief that true productivity joy lies in addressing issues effectively, whether it’s through technological innovations or quality time spent with loved ones.**Work-Life Harmony: Trusting Your Team**Julia’s leadership style, emphasizing autonomy and trust, fosters a harmonious work environment. By empowering her team to manage their tasks and responsibilities independently, she cultivates a workspace that values flexibility and accountability over rigid micromanagement. This approach reflects her belief in work-life harmony, which aligns with the natural fluctuations and demands of modern, remote work setups.
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Sep 2, 2025 • 33min

Working Your Butt Off To Become the King or Queen You are Meant to Be with Lenka Lutonska

In this episode of Productive Joy, Dr. Christie introduces Lenka Lutonska, a business energetics specialist, author, and entrepreneur from London. Lenka shares her fascinating story, from starting as a McDonald's worker to becoming an award-winning manager and eventually, a successful entrepreneur. She discusses her expertise in business energetics—a quantum model of business and leadership—and her journey to rebuild her confidence and business after a major setback. Lenka elaborates on the importance of self-worth, internal archetypes, and balancing work-life harmony. She emphasizes the value of living authentically and leading with joy and presence. The episode is packed with insights on how to bridge personal authenticity with professional success, setting boundaries, and believing in the unseen for higher levels of fulfillment in life and business.Find more about Lenka LutonskaEpisode Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:32 Linka's Journey: From McDonald's to Business Energetics02:56 Overcoming Adversity and Finding Purpose05:25 The Concept of Business Energetics08:49 Balancing Work and Life: The Queen Archetype15:35 Practical Advice for Entrepreneurs24:00 Defining Productive Joy28:58 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing ThoughtsDeeper Dive:Welcome to another inspiring entry in our "Productive Joy" series. Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Lenka Lutonska, an exceptional guest whose journey and insights will transform your approach to leadership, wealth, success, and business. Hailing all the way from London, Lenka is not only a business energetics specialist but also an author, entrepreneur, and a fun-loving individual with a passion for gardening, travel, and embracing her inner child.Lenka didn't start her career where she is today. In fact, her story begins as a young, eager worker at McDonald's in the UK. While climbing the ranks to become an award-winning manager, Lenka pursued her passion for understanding the human mind, studying psychology and various forms of therapy. Her determination and desire to help were the driving forces behind her eventual leap into entrepreneurship.However, even successes can face setbacks. Lenka's business faced a tumultuous period due to a tumultuous partnership, leaving her at rock bottom. Yet, amidst despair, she experienced what she describes as a "divine intervention," a pivotal moment that pushed her to pursue her true calling—business energetics. Business energetics is about connecting strategy with energy and purpose. It's the idea that businesses should serve as creative outlets that reflect the entrepreneur's soul and authenticity. Lenka emphasizes breaking away from the old paradigms of being serious and stoic, advocating for a leadership style that embraces multidimensional success—joy included.Lenka faced criticism and challenges along the way, but these experiences taught her invaluable lessons about self-worth and authenticity. She explains the transition from operating in the "whore archetype," reliant on external validation, to the "queen archetype," which is rooted in internal value and self-belief. By setting boundaries and embracing her true self, Lenka created a powerful impact on everyone around her.Lenka’s story is an inspirational reminder that we can redefine our worth and embrace authenticity to create a joyful, impactful life. Her work continues to resonate across 186 countries, helping countless individuals realize their potential. If you want to dive deeper into her transformative insights, you can explore her book "Energetic Selling and Marketing" or keep an eye out for her upcoming release "Business Energetics."
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Aug 30, 2025 • 9min

Turn Time into Treasure and More From Peggy Sullivan & Skip Willcox

In this episode of Productive Joy, the recap, Dr. Christie looks back on key insights for time management from her guests, Peggy Sullivan and Skip Willcox. Both keynote speakers and coaches discuss the importance of intentional time use and overcoming the knowing-doing gap. Dr. Christie shares personal experiences about balancing multiple responsibilities, emphasizing the value of 'stealing moments' and power sessions. She highlights the OUTPACE framework from Skip, focusing on organization, empathy, time management, and controlling emotions, and challenges listeners to harness their 'green zones' and celebrate small achievements to boost productivity.Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction to Productive Joy00:05 The Importance of Time Management01:14 Personal Time Management Journey02:31 Effective Time Management Strategies02:56 Power Sessions and Celebrations03:30 The Art of the To-Do List04:23 Intentional Time Management04:57 OUTPACE Framework05:28 Maximizing Your Green Zone06:31 Stealing Moments for Success07:46 Final Thoughts and Call to Action
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Aug 28, 2025 • 28min

Beyond Busyness with Peggy Sullivan

Welcome to Productive Joy! Today Dr. Christie talks with Peggy Sullivan, an author, neuroscience expert, and TEDx speaker. Peggy shares her insights on overcoming 'busyness addiction,' emphasizing the concept of time poverty. She reveals a three-step process to reclaim valuable time and boost productivity: subtraction of low-value activities, igniting happiness through small rituals, and focusing on core values like energy management and human connection. Peggy also touches on the importance of authenticity and continuous learning. Listen in for practical tips to transform your life.Find more about Peggy00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:28 Meet Peggy Sullivan02:12 Peggy's Journey from Busyness to Success05:03 Understanding Time Poverty07:09 The Busy Busting Process09:45 Core Values for a Quality Life16:27 Practical Steps to Get Unbusy23:31 Rapid Fire Questions and ConclusionChristie: [00:00:00] Hi, friends. Welcome to Productive Joy. We have a wonderful guest with us today, and you are gonna love Peggy. I can't wait to introduce her to you, but before I do, if you're not already following this podcast, today's the day. It makes such a difference for us to get discovered by people and for you to get the free shot of B12 that is productive joy.So go ahead and follow, subscribe. Do that for me so that you can learn about guest. Like Peggy Sullivan. So today we have with us Peggy Sullivan. Peggy is lots of things. She is an author. She is a recovering busyness addict. She's also a neuroscience expert and a TEDx guest who admits that she's still in recovery.From busyness and she even got busyness recognized as an addiction, which is important, and I think many of us face that addiction. But perhaps most importantly, she is a cat lover. Her cat's name is Oliver. She does also love her son and her husband, but the cat [00:01:00] would win if she had a, a single seat in a rowboat from a sinking ship.So we are very excited about Oliver, and we're very excited about you. Peggy. Welcome to productive Joy.Peggy: Welcome back at you and I love my Oliver. So what kind of cat is it? He's a Siamese. Dog. And I call him a dog because he weighs 27 pounds. He is ginormous. He has big, very big cat, beautiful blue eyes, and, and he is ginormous.He is so big.Christie: Oh my gosh, Peggy, my cat's only. I mean, my cat. I don't have a cat. My dog is only 17 pounds.Peggy: So that is a lot of Yeah, I know. I know. I know.Christie: Oh my gosh, that's kind of funny. He'sPeggy: a big boy.Christie: Well, Peggy, I am so excited to have you as a guest today, and I really want my listeners to get super excited.So what would you tell 'em in like 30 seconds that would make them go, oh my gosh, I can't wait for this episode?Peggy: I think our Hustle [00:02:00] Society has put us into this position where we have to do more with less. And today
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Aug 26, 2025 • 24min

How to OUTPACE Your Competition with Skip Willcox

Join us on Productive Joy as Dr, Christie introduces Skip Willcox - an entrepreneur, mortgage professional, podcast host, and devoted dad. Skip shares his path from graduating with degrees in economics and political science at University of Georgia to embracing coaching and starting Kairo Sales Group. He emphasizes his OUTPACE acronym (Organization, Understanding, Time Management, Positivity, Active Listening/Adaptability, Controlling Emotions, Education) to enhance productivity and joy in personal and professional life. Skip drills home the advice on taking leaps towards your passion and always being a learner.Find more about Skip hereAnd Keiros Sales Group hereEpisode Highlights:00:00 Welcome to Productive Joy00:26 Meet Skip Wilcox: Entrepreneur and Lego Enthusiast02:04 Skip's Journey: From College to Mortgage Professional04:19 Transition to Coaching and Full-Time Entrepreneurship06:17 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs11:00 Understanding Productive Joy13:41 The OUTPACE Strategy for Success21:45 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts44Episode Transcript:Christie: [00:00:00] Hi, friends. Welcome to Productive Joy. I have a fabulous guest with us today and I cannot wait to introduce you to Skip. But before I do, do me a favor. Follow this podcast. It makes such a world of difference for people to see it, for people to get a little more productive joy in their lives, and we want that more than anything.So follow, subscribe, do your thing, and then share it with all the humans, you know, that's. Gonna make a big difference as well. So just like always, we have a fabulous guest with us today. We have Skip Wilcox. Skip Wilcox is lots of things. He's an entrepreneur, good things, good things. He is a mortgage professional in lots of different realms.He's also a podcast host, which we'll get into a little bit later. He's an avid sports fan. He was specific though, M-L-B-N-F-L and college football. He also plays tennis and he is a dad to three fabulous kiddos and a hu. Spend and fun fact, he is a Lego enthusiast and he got some new Legos just recently.So [00:01:00] congratulations to that. Skip. And why. Thank Skip: you. Thank you. It's true, it's true. We did an early Father's day and my wife got me new Lego sets for Father's Day. I'm not ashamed of it. I'm kind of proud of myself actually. 'cause you know what? I get some joy. Outta doing those Christie: Well, and that's why we're here today is to create a little productive joy.So Skip, I think that's fabulous. My son is a huge Lego fan and I think always will be for his whole entire life. Right. So what would you say to our listeners to get them super excited about this episode in like 30 seconds or less? Skip: Ooh. Well, I would say Chrissy, that in 30, 30 seconds or less, that's, that's, that's tough.All right, guys. What you're gonna pick up on this episode is you're gonna have a good, easy way to remember a set of skills, all right, that are gonna help you throughout your work day, your personal day. Doesn't matter what it is. To keep what's really important at at the forefront and help you be more joyful day in and day out.Christie: I love that. I like to say you have to [00:02:00] keep the main thing The main thing, right? Sure. Like you can't be so all over the place that you're missing the mark. Okay, so let's back up because you did not. Start here, but you are here. And so I want you to tell us a little bit about your journey. You can start with little, little tiny skip if you want to, or you want, you can go with a mid adult to adult, but ultimately what got you from, okay, I'm going to go on a career path to the career path that you're, oh my 
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Aug 23, 2025 • 7min

Rise Up, Passion is Powerful and More with Melissa Aarskaug &  Michelle Hensley

In this Productive Joy recap episode, Dr. Christie dives into the inspiring stories of two exceptional women. Melissa Aarskaug, a gaming industry engineer and podcast creator, and Michelle Hensley, who started a major gift-wrapping company after personal tragedy. Dr. Christie encourages listeners to rethink how they spend their time, embrace new opportunities at any age, and turn their passions into action. She challenges viewers to audit their time, focus on what they love, and transform fun activities into meaningful actions.Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction to Productive Joy00:17 Meet Melissa Aarskaug: Engineering Graduate and Podcaster00:39 Michelle Hensley: Rising from the Ashes01:23 Life is an Ongoing Journey01:35 Personal Stories of Reinvention03:06 The Importance of Enjoying What You Do03:38 Spending Time Wisely05:11 Turning Fun into Action06:07 Final Thoughts and Challenge

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