Ep.7. A bridge to JOY through restorative circles (Podcast Show Notes)

By Lead with LevityMarch 9, 2024

Min Read

Episode: A bridge to JOY through restorative circles

Episode: 7
Release Date: September 30, 2019
Guest: Kimberly “Lady Joy” Holiday
Radio Personality, Author, and Business Consultant (Austin, Texas)

Introduction

Welcome to the Lead with Levity podcast. My goal is to interview a diverse set of leaders who are interested in making a big impact on the employee experience and willing to share their perspectives on levity at work.

Today we will be graced by Austin’s beloved radio personality, author, motivational speaker, and business consultant extraordinaire — Ms. Kimberly Holiday!

Kimberly Holiday, otherwise known to most as LadyJoy, is the on air personality for KAZI 88.7 FM’s The Juice and Jam Morning Show, but she wears many hats.

As the owner of The Mobile Nanny Staffing Agency, she’s able to fulfill her personal commitment to child and family advocacy.
As a published author and motivational speaker, Ms. Holiday’s inspirational messages cross domestic and international boundaries.

She has a heart to serve others by modeling the potential to live with joy regardless of life’s circumstances. Her smile is her logo and #Gotjoy is her brand!

quote "Levity to me almost feels fluid, like liquid gold that can seep into every single nook, cranny and crevice, and it can reach places that humor and strategy and business meetings cannot reach."

quote "When we talk about levity, we're not saying you have to have fun all the time, be all smiles all the time. Sometimes, things are not okay. It's not about pretending, it's about being real and authentic and being able to share that with other people so that you can get the support you need and work in the most healthy environment possible." Heather Walker

quote "Masks are heavy, they're exhausting. You have to put on a different one for each group you're with.”

quote “I'm challenging us all to take off the masks that we've been wearing because that is how we will really access our true joy."

TIME STAMPS

[04:13] The story behind the #GotJoy brand
[05:44] How do you bring the concept of #GotJoy into the work you do? | Bonus: Why Kimberly’s called Lady Joy
[08:19] Lady Joy talks about healing circles
[10:00] Is there a place for healing circles in the corporate setting?
[12:48] When is the best time for an organization to do healing circles?
[14:55] Kimberly talks about her experience with sexual molestation and her healing
[16:24] Addressing emotional literacy through healing circles
[16:58] Healing circles are a conduit to get you through a place of healing to a place of joy
[17:43] Kimberly explains emotional literacy
[19:27] The impact of emotional literacy on the workplace
[21:32] Is there a link between joy and levity? | Kimberly talks about changeableness
[22:55] How would you incorporate levity into what you do?
[24:09] Have you done any of the [learning] circles with adults?
[25:45] Kimberly talks about mental wellness

QUOTES

— On Levity

“Levity involves quality interactions, and there’s a certain level of realness that has to occur between people for them to get to that point.” Heather Walker
“Levity to me almost feels fluid, like liquid gold that can seep into every single nook, cranny and crevice, and it can reach places that humor and strategy and business meetings cannot reach.”
“When we talk about levity, we’re not saying you have to have fun all the time, be all smiles all the time. Sometimes, things are not okay. It’s not about pretending, it’s about being real and authentic and being able to share that with other people so that you can get the support you need and work in the most healthy environment possible.” Heather Walker

—- On healing, healing circles, and modeling joy

“Everything we do, everything we say, and the way we interpret things are filtered through our own emotions and experiences. And oftentimes, we miscommunicate because of the filters that the things go through.”
“The healing that is done is not when you’re holding the talking piece, it’s when you have your heart open to listen to others.”
“I believe allowing yourself to safely release hurt and pain is your access to joy.”
“I’m not just talking about modeling joy IN SPITE OF life’s circumstances. Modeling joy while having mental illness, modeling joy while having labels, and still being able to live the life that you want to have.”

— On emotional literacy

“Just like how we have to learn how to read, we also have to learn how to read and understand our own emotions.”
“The best way to address emotional literacy is through the restorative circles.”
“It’s really important for us to acknowledge that emotions have been with us since birth and they’re going to be with us till we die. They were given to us for a reason — to tell us messages.”

— On being authentic

“Masks are heavy, they’re exhausting. You have to put on a different one for each group you’re with.”
“I’m challenging us all to take off the masks that we’ve been wearing because that is how we will really access our true joy.”