Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

My name is J.Nichole Smith, but you can call me Nic. I’m an author, artist, brand architect, and colour + design psychology expert. The Joy First podcast is for founders, workaholics, perfectionists, and parents who would love to experience more joy in their home and work lives, but feel like they never seem to have time. Many of our cultures programme us to believe that joy is “extra” and must be earned. In the podcast I make the case for why joy is a birthright and an essential part of our well-being, as well as provide simple, actionable ways to find, choose, and share more joy each day… without it being just another thing added to the never-ending “to-do” list.

How did the idea for Joy First come about?

At work: Over the past 20 years as a brand architect I’ve specialized in building luxury and “happy” brands that centre “the good life”, so I’ve become an expert using joy and desire to sell (instead of the feelings of fear and unworthiness that most businesses use to drive purchase). It’s important to me that any project I work on is “joy first” – leaving people feeling better about themselves, not worse.

In life: I started my business in my early twenties and burnt out before I was 25. I had to navigate some really huge obstacles early-on, and so by 30 I had really internalized the importance of putting happiness over hustle. I mean, what’s the point of having a successful business if it ruins your health and relationships? I’ve supported hundreds if not thousands of entrepreneurs to do the same: ride the wild rollercoaster of running your own business by embracing the fear and learning to put joy first in life and work.

Applied Colour Psychology is mentioned a lot in the podcast – could you give our readers a brief explanation of what this is please?

In my work and life I’ve had two intertwined obsessions: as humans what is it that really makes us happy? For brands, what’s the straightest-line to making our impact more predictable?

I studied positive psychology, poured through all the self-help protocols, and personality profiles and completed a Masters in Marketing at one of London’s top business schools in search of answers. It wasn’t until I discovered Applied Colour Psychology that I had a huge breakthrough in both. Applied Colour Psychology is the crossover between Colour Physics (how colour works), Colour Psychology (how colour impacts us as humans), and Jungian Personality Analysis. The most basic colours can be divided into one of 4 groups, and so can all people. Research shows each group of people has a strong preference for each group of colour – and not only that – but these colours tend to be the most flattering for them aesthetically as well. Wild right?

It’s similar to the idea of having a “season” of colour that looks best on you, but importantly this analysis is based more on personality than skin tone… for me it’s so much more about carving out the space for more authentic self-expression, colour harmony, and joy – than it is about getting your exact shade of lipstick “right”. Want to find your “type” and colour group? Pop over and take the quiz on our website.

Can you remember which podcast was the first you ever listened to?

I believe the first ever podcast I listened to was Desert Island Discs. I’ve been obsessed for well over a decade (in fact we even had a Desert Island Discs themed wedding! I even was lucky enough to get Kristy Young to record an intro for the CD of ‘Desert Island Tracks’ that was our wedding favour for guests – it was a surprise for my husband – he didn’t know until we played it for him at our reception – super geeky cool!)

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

I love sensory-rich, investigative podcasts like Serial – I’m looking forward to expanding into higher production and richer storytelling like this as we grow. I also love shows where the hosts’ voice is totally enveloping – there was a show called Wellpreneur, which became Alchemy & Action that I just adored because I could listen to the host, Amanda Cook, for hours and hours (to be fair that’s probably why I got into Desert Island Discs – Kirsty Young’s voice is like velvet!)

Recently I’ve really got into the Autistic Culture podcast – I love a co-host show and I love how instead of focusing on the medical side of Autism, the hosts are sharing the shared culture of “Autistica” – it’s fascinating! The Martha Stewart episode totally sucked me in.

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

Right now, my dream guest would be Michelle Obama. I’d love to have a deep conversation with her about the joy crisis we’re facing now – and how to hold onto hope and focus on joy and impact in our little circles of influence when the world feels dark and out of control.

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Maybe it’s boring, but the ‘why does joy matter’ episode (S1, E1) is the perfect place to start with Joy First – the first season takes a whirlwind tour through my favourite entry into joy first living and working: colour. How to understand your personality type and begin the journey of using your colours as tools for being more intentional about the way you want to be, be seen, and “do life”.

What are your plans for the podcast moving forward?

Season 2, coming up in March, is all about “joy first ways of working” – and we’ve got loads of interviews with mostly female founders, sharing what “joy first” work looks like at this stage of life and business. What they had to embrace, learn, let go of, and build in order to define and create lives and businesses that are successful and joyful.

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

You can find us at joyfirstworld.com (podcast is here) find me on instagram @jnicholesmith or LinkedIn.

Listen to Joy First on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

This article was produced as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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Who are you and what’s your podcast about?

Keri: I’m Dr. Keri Ohlrich, PhD in Human Development and Organizational Systems. I specialize in change management, HR processes, and coaching, with experience leading HR transformations for start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. I also hold certifications in Prosci® and iPEC CPC.

Kelly: I’m Kelly Guenther, and I hold a Master of Education, am an iPEC® Certified Professional Coach (CPC), as well as a certified Prosci® change management practitioner, and I specialize in holistic talent and people development, leadership training, and change management.

We founded Abbracci Group, where we work with individuals and companies to forge their own unique paths, offering expertise in coaching, strategic talent management, and people development. But we wanted to go beyond the HR space, and help ordinary people break free from all of life’s heavy expectations, by having real, raw (and funny) conversations with guests who’ve defied all of that – whether they’ve changed careers, overcome personal struggles, or challenged societal norms.

What’s the first podcast you ever listened to?

Keri: Honestly, I can’t remember the exact first podcast I ever listened to, but it was probably Bullseye with Jesse Thorn. I’ve love how Jesse has this gift for interviewing creative people in such a thoughtful way. The stories are always rich and inspiring – it’s the kind of podcast that makes you think and keeps you hooked at the same time.

Kelly: For me, it was This American Life on NPR. It’s such a classic! The storytelling is top-notch, and they dive into such a wide variety of human experiences. It was one of the first podcasts that made me realize how powerful the medium could be for sharing stories that connect people.

Why did you decide to start podcasting in the first place?

Keri: The idea for the podcast came to us during the pandemic, when we realized it was time to evolve from the HR-focused webinars we’d been offering. With our shared love of podcasts we knew we wanted to create something that went beyond the HR space. Over the years, we’ve heard thousands of stories from people who’ve inspired us in profound ways, and we realized there was a bigger conversation to be had about breaking free from expectations and living authentically.

Our podcast was born out of that desire to dig deeper and share meaningful content that reflects the real-life struggles and victories everyday people experience when they decide to take control of their lives.

Kelly: It’s been an amazing way for us to connect with people outside the traditional HR world and highlight the stories of those who’ve pushed boundaries and broken out of the boxes in which they find themselves. We’re passionate about these conversations because they’re not just inspiring – they’re real, relatable, and often life-changing.

Which podcasts do you take inspiration from?

Keri: I draw so much inspiration from Bullseye with Jesse Thorn. Jesse is a phenomenal interviewer who has this incredible ability to dig deep and get personal with his guests. The conversations are rich, authentic, and I love learning from all the creative minds he brings on the show. It’s not just about their success stories but the real, behind-the-scenes journeys that inspire me.

I’m also a huge fan of Pivot with Scott Galloway and Kara Swisher. Their dynamic is unmatched – sharp, insightful, and they push you to think differently about business, tech, and culture. Plus, they’re not afraid to challenge each other, and I find their banter as engaging as their analysis.

Oh, and I can’t forget Hidden Brain. It taps into the science and psychology geek in me! The show takes complex human behaviors and breaks them down in ways that are fascinating and eye-opening. I’m always left with a new perspective.

Kelly: For me, it’s SmartLess all the way. Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett are hilarious and self-deprecating about how little they claim to know about podcasting. But their authenticity and vulnerability with each other, combined with their humour and incredible guest lineup, make it pure escapism. It’s a great reminder that we don’t have to take ourselves too seriously to have real, meaningful conversations.

I also really appreciate The Daily from the New York Times. In 20 minutes, it gives me a quick, yet insightful dose of news. It’s focused, gets straight to the point, and gives you just enough information without overwhelming you – perfect for staying informed when life gets hectic!

Who’s your dream guest for the podcast?

Keri: Oh, we love this question! Our podcast is all about people who have broken the rules and shattered expectations, so, naturally, we’re drawn to guests who embody that spirit. I would absolutely love to have RuPaul on the show. As a die-hard RuPaul’s Drag Race fan, I admire how RuPaul has consistently given a bold, unapologetic middle finger to societal norms and the establishment. His ability to not just survive but thrive in a world that tried to box him in is nothing short of inspiring.

Kelly: I’m a massive Serena Williams fan. Having played tennis, I’m in awe of Serena’s sheer power, grit, and determination. Serena didn’t just break out of the box – she smashed it to pieces. From her dominance on the court to her advocacy for women, mothers, and athletes, she’s the ultimate example of breaking through barriers, both personal and societal. Having Serena on would allow us to have an incredible conversation about resilience, success, and what it means to chart your own course.

RuPaul and Serena Williams – two trailblazers who’ve redefined what’s possible. Dream guests for sure!

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt so far as a podcaster?

Keri: The biggest lesson I’ve learned as a podcaster? It’s the incredible power of storytelling and just how resilient people really are. Hearing the journeys our guests have been through, their struggles and triumphs – it’s a reminder of how much strength and courage humans have.

But I’ll also be the first to say, podcasting is hard work! It’s a true commitment, and most of the time, it’s not about money. It’s about making an impact, knowing that your words are landing in someone’s ears, halfway around the world. That’s still mind-blowing to us – how many people are tuning in from all corners of the globe, all wanting to break out of their own boxes.

Kelly: One of the most important things I’ve learned is the art of truly listening. Podcasting demands an intense focus – you have to be fully present with your guest, completely in the moment. When someone’s sharing a raw, vulnerable story, it’s an incredible honour to hold that space for them. It’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and that deep connection is what makes this medium so powerful. You’re right there with them, and so is the audience. That’s the magic of podcasting!

Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?

Keri: Ah, it’s like choosing a favourite child – but let’s be real, we all secretly have one!

When we look back at the episodes that really stick with us, Robert Markowitz and Celeste Headlee’s conversations immediately come to mind. Robert’s journey from lawyer to clown (yes, you heard that right!) is such a powerful example of breaking free from the expectations to follow a “respectable” career path. Instead, he chose something unconventional, something that spoke to him – and it’s such a refreshing and inspiring story about what it means to redefine success on your own terms.

Then there’s Celeste Headlee. Her episode challenges how we think about time, work, and the constant pressure to be productive. We still laugh when we talk about her saying, “We are not knives,” in response to the hustle culture’s obsession with “the grind.” Celeste really opened our eyes to how deeply ingrained societal and capitalist expectations are, and how liberating it is to question them.

Both episodes perfectly capture the spirit of The Breakout: part humor, part personal journey, part life lessons, and a whole lot of “you can do this!” They’re a great starting point for anyone wanting to understand what we’re all about.

You have a new book coming out, Whatever the Hell You Want, is that linked to the podcast? Please tell us more about it.

Kelly: Absolutely! Our upcoming book, Whatever the Hell You Want: An Escape Plan to Break Out of Life’s Little Boxes and Live Free from Expectations, is deeply inspired by The Breakout podcast. The stories, wisdom, and lessons from our incredible guests, combined with our more than twenty years of experience in coaching and organizational change, compelled us to write this book.

At its core, this book is about freedom: the freedom to redefine what success and fulfillment mean to you. We all deserve to experience true happiness, peace, and authenticity, and this can only happen when we take control of our lives, unapologetically.

Keri: As best friends and business partners, we bring a sense of humour, compassion, and actionable steps to the process. We’re also thrilled to introduce our BREAK Change Model, which we’ve refined from both our personal experiences and work with clients. It’s a practical, empowering framework to help readers.

Like the podcast, our book offers a roadmap to freedom and fulfillment. We’re so excited to share it with the world!

Where can the Pod Bible readers find out more about you?

At the Abbracci Group website or the podcast website. We’re also on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube and you can pre-order our book Whatever the Hell You Want: An Escape Plan to Break Out of Life’s Little Boxes and Live Free from Expectations here.

Listen to The Breakout on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other popular podcast apps >>

This article was provided by Lower Street as part of a paid advertising package. To enquire about advertising with Pod Bible email info@podbiblemag.com

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In her podcast, Namaste Motherf**kers, she shares the microphone with guests to find out what makes them tick, and what makes them laugh. We asked her some questions about her podcast life…

For people who might not have listened yet, what is your podcast elevator pitch!

Namaste Motherf**kers is the only podcast where the worlds of work, comedy and wellbeing collide; the podcast where the life-changing stuff happens. With the help of a different celebrity guest or expert each week we get to the stories you’ve never heard before – uncovering not your normal life lessons, but some big ones nonetheless. Each episode culminates with our guest identifying three things: their own Namaste Mother**king life-changing moment, their favourite joke, and the life advice they most want our listeners to hear.

Tell us about that name – Why Namaste Motherf**kers?

The name sums up the spirit of what I most love about the combination of my career and life to date – wellbeing, emotional intelligence and self-development combined with humour, fun and irreverence.

Why do you love podcasts?

Having worked in television throughout my adult life I’ve found watching TV a bit of a bus man’s (bus person’s!) holiday so I’ve always loved listening to the spoken word to relax. Until the advent of podcasts it was always the radio, but nowadays it’s audiobooks and podcasts too. It’s rare I don’t have something on in the background during the day and it’s the audio equivalent of people watching. I’m nosy and I can’t get enough of what other people are saying, doing and thinking!

Which podcaster makes you laugh the most?

If there’s one thing they don’t need it’s any more publicity but I really love Parenting Hell; Rob Beckett in particular is a genius. I’m also a big fan of WUYN with Seann Walsh and Paul McCaffrey. Paul is outstanding, onstage and on the podcast. And I love Desert Island Discs which I always listen back to on BBC Sounds.

For listeners of your podcast, what can they expect from your stand-up?

My comedy is, as it says on the tin, purely for laughs – no life lessons required and obviously no-one to interview! It’s observational, intelligent, and feminist and I tell stories about subjects no one else is covering on the circuit. I’m also a big believer in punchlines needing to come thick and fast so there are lots of actual jokes. But don’t take my word for it – come and see for me live!

What exciting things will 2023 bring for Namaste Motherf**kers?

We have some fabulous guests coming up including: Deborah Meaden, Kirsty Wark, Mariella Frostrup, Richard Coles and Philippa Perry. It’s our 100th episode in March which we’ll be marking with a star-studded compilation of our most famous and popular guests’ life-changing moments – big names, telling the stories of their wow moments. We have some live shows planned for later in the year and there’s even a Namaste Motherf**king book in the works! It’s fair to say that 2023 will be our biggest year yet.

Listen to Namaste Motherf**kers on Apple Podcast, Spotify and other popular podcast apps >>

The post Cally Beaton from Namastee Motherf**kers: Where work, comedy and wellbeing collide appeared first on POD BIBLE.

On the back of her huge success with her original podcast, The Really Bitchee Podcast, Christina is back and is in the midst of her latest podcast run alongside her co-host Lily Stewart for the Gin and Toxic podcast. We speak to Christina to find out about some of her personal highlights around the first podcast series and what led to the relaunch of Gin and Toxic:

Christina: The Really Bitchee Podcast was the first podcast I ever put out, so it holds a special place in my heart and gave me my start in the podcasting world. One of the highlights of The Really Bitchee Podcast was having guests that were my friends and not just people in the industry. People love realistic/relatable conversations and content, which is why my episodes with people I already knew personally performed so well; it felt like the audience could jump in the chat at any time and feel like they were talking to their close friends. This is something I want to carry over into my new show, keeping that relatability factor.

Like all of us, there’s an origin tale! So what was the aim of the podcast for Christina when it first started?

To share my stories and life experiences with my audience, and advice on being a 20-something-year-old living in NYC.

I love to talk and blabber about all sorts of topics and B.S., and I do consider myself a very open person. With this podcast, I wanted it to be an open, vulnerable space I could share with my audience in the form of long conversations. This is all quite ironic because now, looking back at the show, it ended up not being that at all. That’s exactly why I decided to stop that show, take some time to determine what I truly wanted to talk about, and then start my new show.

It didn’t take long to make an impact with the relaunch and the now titled Gin and Toxic podcast charted on Spotify in the Top Comedy Podcasts in the USA, but why the change? And what can we look forward to that’s a little bit different?

Gin & Toxic is a play on the classic Gin & Tonic, which is my go-to cocktail on a night out. The name embodies the show as a whole, representing a crazy, carefree environment. After taking a break from the podcasting world for a few months, I decided it was best to do a complete rebrand to allow myself to be even more open and vulnerable with my audience, which then let me share crazier, more chaotic stories with them.

As I said previously, the purpose of having a podcast for me was to create an open, vulnerable space to share my stories and life experiences with my audience. Although that was my purpose, I felt I wasn’t genuinely doing that with The Really Bitchee Podcast. The podcast came out when I was in a very weird stage in my life, I couldn’t keep up with the show consistently, and I also couldn’t speak my mind on situations I would’ve liked to. After taking a break from the podcasting world for a few months, I decided it was best to do a complete rebrand to allow myself to be even more open and vulnerable with my audience, which then let me share crazier, more chaotic stories with them.

Christina – and her moniker BeautyChickee – is well used to hosting conversations from an elevated platform as she has over 1.5million followers and subscribers across social media, but Christina also has her own clothing line, Bitchee. With life as seemingly hectic, it’s clear that the inspiration for her Gin and Toxic podcast conversations would never be too far away – even if it’s an deeply personal take on the subjects at hand:

Our tagline sums everything up: “a show about the messy adventures and life lessons of two un-hinged best friends, living life in NYC throughout their 20’s”.

As for the extended version, the show is a collection of stories from our crazy adventures and nights out that Lily and I have experienced. An even more significant part of the show is discussing topics and tying our life experiences into those topics to either A) inform the audience, or B) to entertain.

For example, when we did our episode on cheaters, we talked about the concept of cheating as a whole and then tied in our personal experiences with cheaters and shared those stories. I think this adds a relatability factor to the show, considering that Lily and I are just like any other 20-something-year-old navigating life. 90% of our stories are messy; we don’t have it all together. I could go as far as to say we are a couple of hot messes! But that’s what we want our audience to see: the good, the bad & the ugly: the great decisions and the not-so-great ones. In a nutshell, we’re just navigating life alongside the audience & sharing our experiences.

What’s the reaction been like to the new podcast? And are you personally enjoying the experience and the openness of the dialogue?

People love the new show from what we’ve seen! It’s been getting incredible feedback. Like I said earlier, we’ve been way more open on this show, and we share all of the crazy experiences we have together, and people enjoy hearing about that & relating to it. It makes them feel like they are part of the show. We will get DM’s from girls that say something along the lines of “I just listened to your last episode, and here’s my similar story,” which we love receiving, because we love seeing how people relate to the show. The audience sees this new, crazier, more vulnerable side of Lily and I that they haven’t seen before, and they are just eating it up!

The experience creating Gin & Toxic has been so incredible, and now doing a podcast alongside a co-host has made the podcasting experience that much more enjoyable. Before, I was doing a solo show, and it’s tough to build off of topics and ideas on your own. A co-host makes it way easier to bounce those ideas and jokes off of, overall making for a better conversation within the show. The experience has been incredible, especially since my co-host is my best friend and we get to share the experience.

There’s an indefatigable energy which comes from Christina and Lily and their Gin and Toxic podcast, so presumably the future for the show looks good – what can we expect?

More “taboo” topics to be discussed as we open up more with our audience.

We also recently started recording our episodes on video! You can now watch future full-length video episodes on YouTube and Spotify, which is incredible for people who prefer to have a visual while listening. We’re going to have some great guests as well and we already have quite the roster of guests lined up to record with! We’d also love to eventually do some live-streamed live shows, as well as some live in-person shows around NYC and any significant cities where Gin & Toxic streams are high. Overall, we are just evolving the show every day and building it out to give our listeners the best possible listening/viewing experience.

Listen to Gin & Toxic now on Apple Podcast, Spotify and other podcast apps.

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