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What if true Joy isn’t about constantly feeling happy, positive, or carefree but about having the courage to feel everything? In this episode of The Unbuttoned Leader, Melissa welcomes Jillian Schecher, self-described “Joy Wizard” and founder of the Academy of Joyful Living, for a candid conversation about addiction, sobriety, self-abandonment, authenticity, and the deeper meaning of Joy. Jillian explains why Joy is different from conditional happiness, how leaders can create healthier and more empowered teams, and why authenticity is the foundation of modern leadership. She also walks Melissa through The Joy Method, a practical approach to processing difficult emotions, shifting focus, setting aligned intentions, practicing gratitude, and building resilience. In this episode, we discuss about: The deeper meaning of JoyAddiction, sobriety, and the courage to feelAuthentic and Joyful LeadershipThe Joy Method and emotional resiliencePurpose-driven, sustainable success Connect with Our Guest Jillian Schecher Website: https://jillianschecher.com/ The Academy of Joyful Living - https://www.theacademyofjoyfulliving.com/ The Daily Joy Journal - https://thedailyjoyjournal.com/ Book Jillian mentioned - You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay Connect & Work with Melissa Cotesta Melissa Cotesta is the host of The Unbuttoned Leader and founder of AuthenticExec. Explore her work on authentic, purpose driven leadership and how health, well being and human behaviour influence the way we lead. AuthenticExec Website: www.authenticexec.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cotesta Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissacotesta/ The Whole Woman Project - An initiative connecting women to healthcare resources in the north: www.thewholewomanproject.com Note: This episode is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice. Subscribe to The Unbuttoned Leader and share this episode with someone who would benefit from the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode Description Can having fun make you a stronger leader? Melissa sits down with longtime friend Tessa Bonhomme for a candid conversation about connection, team culture and finding joy in demanding environments. Drawing on Tessa’s experiences in team sports and Olympic training, they explore why humour and play matter, how shared challenges build trust and what it means to show up as someone’s best teammate. In This Episode Why laughter and play can strengthen a teamWhat competitive sport teaches us about trust and belongingFinding moments of connection during difficult workThe difference between being a best friend and being a great teammateLeading through action, inclusion and everyday interactions Connect with Our Guest Tessa Bonhomme Instagram and X: @Tessab25 Jocks and Jills Podcast: https://www.thepwhl.com/en/media/jocks-in-jills-podcast Connect & Work with Melissa Cotesta Melissa Cotesta is the host of The Unbuttoned Leader and founder of AuthenticExec. Explore her work on authentic, purpose driven leadership and how health, well being and human behaviour influence the way we lead. AuthenticExec Website: www.authenticexec.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cotesta Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissacotesta/ The Whole Woman Project - An initiative connecting women to healthcare resources in the north: www.thewholewomanproject.com Note: This episode is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice. Subscribe to The Unbuttoned Leader and share this episode with someone who would benefit from the conversation. Note: This episode is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice. Subscribe to The Unbuttoned Leader and share this episode with someone who would benefit from the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hot flashes, changing cycles, disrupted sleep and a flood of conflicting advice: what do women actually need to know about menopause? Melissa speaks with Roberta Heale about the stages of the menopause transition, the wide range of experiences women report and the importance of informed, individualized care. They also discuss how menopause can affect daily life and work, and why practical support matters for both individuals and employers. In This Episode Understanding premenopause, perimenopause, menopause and postmenopauseCommon symptoms and why experiences varyQuestions to raise with a qualified healthcare professionalHow symptoms can influence sleep, work and well beingRoberta’s virtual menopause care and workplace education offerings Connect with Our Guest Roberta Heale | virtual menopause clinic and workplace programs - https://www.roberta-heale.com/Virtual Menopause Clinic: https://www.virtualmenopauseclinic.com/ Connect & Work with Melissa Cotesta Melissa Cotesta is the host of The Unbuttoned Leader and founder of AuthenticExec. Explore her work on authentic, purpose driven leadership and how health, well being and human behaviour influence the way we lead. AuthenticExec Website: www.authenticexec.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cotesta Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissacotesta/ The Whole Woman Project - An initiative connecting women to healthcare resources in the north: www.thewholewomanproject.com Note: This episode is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice. Subscribe to The Unbuttoned Leader and share this episode with someone who would benefit from the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the life you've worked so hard to build no longer feels like your own? In this personal introduction, host Melissa Cotesta shares the experiences that shaped her approach to leadership, from her family's experience with childhood cancer and grief to a career studying health, people and organizations. She explains why she created AuthenticExec, wrote Lead the Shift and launched The Unbuttoned Leader: to explore the connection between physical well being, purpose, joy and the way we lead. In This Episode The personal experiences behind Melissa’s leadership philosophyWhy authenticity is more than saying what you thinkHow grief, health and purpose can shape the way we show upRecognizing when achievement comes at the expense of connection and joyQuestions to ask when your life and leadership feel out of alignment Connect & Work with Melissa Cotesta Melissa Cotesta is the host of The Unbuttoned Leader and founder of AuthenticExec. Explore her work on authentic, purpose driven leadership and how health, well being and human behaviour influence the way we lead. AuthenticExec Website: www.authenticexec.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cotesta Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissacotesta/ The Whole Woman Project - An initiative connecting women to healthcare resources in the north: www.thewholewomanproject.com Note: This episode is for general education and does not replace individualized medical advice. Subscribe to The Unbuttoned Leader and share this episode with someone who would benefit from the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Unbuttoned Leader, hosted by Melissa Cotesta, founder of Authentic Exec. Where leadership gets real, strategy meets human behaviour, and success doesn't have to come at the expense of your health, happiness, or purpose. Through honest conversations, expert insights, and practical strategies, Melissa explores authentic leadership, personal growth, wellness, decision-making, and what it really takes to build stronger teams, businesses, and lives. Lead with purpose. Stay human. Keep it unbuttoned. Learn more: https://authenticexec.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.