The JOY Hour

Welcome to The JOY Hour with Ella Mesma.Each episode, creative entrepreneurs share their real stories: the struggles, the transformations, and what it truly takes to build a business and life that feels aligned.This isn't about hustle culture or overnight success. It's about the messy, beautiful journey to choosing joy, creativity, and authenticity over everything else.Grab a tea, get cosy, and join us for The JOY Hour

The JOY Hour is a education podcast hosted by Maya Gandaia, with 18 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Maya Gandaia hosts The JOY Hour, a education show with 18 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #88

  The JOY Hour Podcast hosted by Ella Mesma Episode 88: Becoming the Forest with Warren Roberts

  Sep 27, 202636 minS1

  ABOUT THIS EPISODE This week I am joined by Warren Roberts, founder and CEO of Living Legacy Forest, the first company in the world creating master planned forests from human ashes. We talk about presence, abundance and “IT". Warren shares how Living Legacy Forest evolved from him thinking about how we remember people, and why he believes grief and gratitude can both be honoured at Living Legacy Forests, and the book he is writing about the one word he believes shapes our reality. We also talk about conflict as connection, and what it means to lean in to joy. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Recorded between Bali, Indonesia and Lisbon, Portugal. We acknowledge the colonial histories connected to both places, and honour the diverse communities whose lands and labour built these cities. FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS Free Joy Hour resource: www.goddxxpath.com/joyhourgift IN THIS EPISODE Presence over striving, and finding joy in the ordinary moments of family life Snapping out of lack mentality by noticing what we have 6 years of journaling to joy, and the peacock and the ducks A conflict that deepened a relationship Living Legacy Forest: turning ashes into master planned forests at scale The family tree concept, generations added to one living tree Un-earthing family history and the story of the returnees Warren's book about the word "it", and how language creates reality The invitation to reforest the planet Living Legacy Forest, Warren's forest and legacy company Journal to Joy, Ella's 6-year daily practice The Wheel of Consent, referenced by Ella Deconstructing Colonialism, Decolonizing the Imaginary, the book Ella references Warren's forthcoming book on the word “IT" and language TIMESTAMPS 00:59 - Joining from Bali, and a recent joy in presence with family 02:52 - Abundance, lack mentality and reframing what we already have 04:45 - 6 years journaling to JOY, the peacock and the ducks 07:53 - A conflict that brought connection rather than distance 14:57 - What is Living Legacy 16:50 - The scale of the forests, and cherry blossoms underfoot 19:09 - The family tree, and ashes added across generations 20:20 - Family history, the returnees, and finding his grandfather's grave 23:30 - The book about the word “IT", and language creating reality 31:48 - Expanding beyond Australia, and reforesting as legacy ABOUT THE GUEST Warren Roberts is the founder and CEO of Living Legacy Forest, the first company in the world to create brand new master planned forests from the ashes of people who have died. Operating across Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland, Living Legacy Forest has spent 12 years transforming ashes into the nutrients that grow forests of cherry blossoms and jacarandas at scale, changing how people are remembered and grieved. Warren is also writing a book exploring how language, and one word in particular, shapes the reality we experience without our awareness. RESOURCES & MENTIONSCONNECT Ella Mesma Website: www.goddxxpath.com Book: www.goddxxpath.com/journal-to-joy/ Current offers: www.goddxxpath.com/links/ Instagram: instagram.com/ellamesma Warren Roberts Living Legacy: https://livinglegacyforest.com/ LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzr YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Music: LamRock. Brought to you by Ella and guests.

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  Episode #87

  Episode 87: The Audacity To Create with Nicholas Ferguson

  Sep 13, 202635 minS1

  ABOUT THIS EPISODE This week I am joined by Nicholas Ferguson, a London based artist and imagination guide who uses painting to honour the unrepeatable complexity of being human. We talk about having the audacity to come back to the thing we loved as children after years of doing what felt sensible, and what it cost us to push rather than follow our intuition. Nicholas shares how a school grade nearly kept him from calling himself an artist, and how two decades in hospitality and beauty eventually led him back home to the canvas. We talk about his burnout pattern, the nervous system work helping him recognise it early, and the immersive performance he created for Edinburgh Festival that plays on the hero's journey… as well as the audacity to create. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Recorded between London and Lisbon, we acknowledge the colonial histories of the UK and Portugal, and honour the diverse communities whose lands and labour built these cities. FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS Download your free Joy Hour resource at www.goddxxpath.com/joyhourgift IN THIS EPISODE Turning discarded flip chart paper into abstract art Painting outdoors in mud and charcoal Painting as childhood expression before he had the words The GCSE grade that changed his path away from art school 20 years across Wallpaper, Estee Lauder and MAC Naming the burnout pattern and where it started Nervous system regulation, breathwork, forcing versus flow Icons of London, his series of 70+ watercolour portraits The immersive Hero's Journey performance he created with friends Finding his singing voice through beatboxing and vocal coaching TIMESTAMP 12:42 - Joining from Crystal Palace and Lisbon, recent joy and outdoor painting 15:56 - What is a Fermax board 18:05 - Painting as childhood expression 21:01 - The GCSE grade and art school 23:44 - Twenty years in hospitality, beauty and magazines 26:07 - Naming the burnout pattern 29:00 - Nervous system, forcing versus flow 34:51 - The Hero's Journey performance 50:55 - Where to find Nicholas ABOUT THE GUEST Nicholas Ferguson is a London based artist and imagination guide who uses creative expression to honour the unrepeatable complexity of being human. He grew up using painting to process what he felt before he had the words for it, and after two decades in hospitality, beauty and magazines he came back to the canvas.His portrait series Icons of London celebrates the imperfect perfection of being human, with over 70 watercolour portraits completed so far. His imagination practice, The Colour of Splash, creates space for people to reconnect with creativity as a compulsion and a practice, not just a talent. RESOURCES & MENTIONS Icons of London, Nicholas's portrait series The Colour of Splash, Nicolas's imagination practice and monthly workshop Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey Marv Radio, Beatboxer and Vocal Coach Dr Voice, Vocal Teacher The Shift with Giel Create Your Destiny with William Whitecloud SuperGenius with Ryan Pinnock CONNECT Ella Mesma Website: www.goddxxpath.com Book: www.goddxxpath.com/journal-to-joy/ Current offers: www.goddxxpath.com/links/ Instagram: instagram.com/ellamesma Nicholas Ferguson Website: www.thecolourofsplash.com / www.atelier-naf.com Instagram: @atelier_naf / @thecolourofsplash LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE Apple: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzr YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Music: LamRock. Everything else: brought to you by Ella and guests.

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  Episode #86

  The JOY Hour Podcast hosted by Ella Mesma Episode 86: The Joy of the Shadow with Judith Quin

  Aug 30, 202638 minS1

  ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This week I'm joined by the wonderful Judith Quin, multi-award winning voice coach and holistic practitioner. This conversation dived into the joy of the shadow. Judith shared the story of how her acting career led her to vocal sound healing in 2010, and how liberating her own voice became the foundation of the work she now does helping others find theirs. We talk about what shadow really means (hint: it isn't always the scary stuff), the 6 years it took her to acknowledge the truth beneath her relationship with her dad, and a remarkable story of ancestral healing that unfolded in a Temezcal ceremony in Mexico. Judith also shares her daily practice of delight, and why she's come to prefer that word over joy altogether. This is a conversation about embracing the gunk so there's room for the glory, and about what happens when we finally own who we really are out loud. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Recorded between London, UK and East London, UK. CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion of caring for a family member experiencing a mental health crisis, a reference to suicidal ideation, family estrangement and explicit language. Please take care while listening. FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS: Download your free Joy Hour resource at ⁠ www.goddxxpath.com/joyhourgift⁠ IN THIS EPISODE: Judith's journey from acting to vocal sound healing and confidence coaching What shadow work really means, and why it isn't always the scary stuff The client whose shine became her own shadow Being sole carer for someone experiencing a mental health crisis The 6 year journey to healing her relationship with her father A story of ancestral healing that unfolded in a Temescal ceremony in Mexico How owning the words "world class" shifted her business Daily delights: the nightly practice that keeps her going to sleep smiling Why Judith prefers the word delight over joy Voice as vibration, and how it reflects every experience, thought and feeling we carry TIMESTAMPS: 00:01 - Welcome and introduction to Judith Quin 04:30 - What Judith is currently journeying: closing a nine-year cycle 11:23 - Discovering vocal sound healing, and the moment it became her calling 14:03 - What shadow really means 17:11 - A hellish year: sole caring through a mental health crisis 21:08 - 6 years to acknowledge wanting to be wanted by her dad 24:57 - The Temezcal ceremony and Ella finding her grandfather 27:01 - Owning the words "world class", and what happened next 32:16 - Daily delights: her nightly practice 33:22 - Delight versus joy, and her complicated relationship with the word 35:23 - Voice as vibration 37:09 - Where to connect with Judith ABOUT THE GUEST: Judith Quin is a multi-award winning voice coach and holistic practitioner who understands the profound connection between the voice and the self. Her unique approach to working with and through the voice moves beyond traditional coaching methods. In 2011, her own experience of the power of vocal sound healing became the foundation for her transition into this work, and her passion for holistic wellbeing led her to a professional coaching qualification alongside energetic and intuitive practices. She loves nothing more than the transformation that comes from liberating voices, so that people can liberate and elevate their lives. RESOURCES & MENTIONS: Ballroom Burn – Judith's dance class Vocal sound healing membership – first 3 sessions free Free monthly practice space for speaking about who you are with confidence Free online course samples Sound healing retreats, including a seven-day retreat in September 2026 CONNECT: Ella Mesma Website: www.goddxxpath.com Book: www.goddxxpath.com/journal-to-joy/ Current Offers: www.goddxxpath.com/links/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellamesma/ Judith Quin Website: yourwholevoice.com Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn : (@yourwholevoice)

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  Episode #85

  The JOY Hour hosted by Ellla Mesma Episode 85: Choosing Joy Every Day with Giel

  Aug 9, 202636 minS1

  ABOUT THIS EPISODE: This week I'm joined by Giel, an American singer-songwriter, producer and connection curator who moved to Lisbon in 2021 and built a life there rooted in music, community and wellness. We talk about the fear that sits underneath so many of our creative gifts... the ones we've been carrying since childhood... and what it takes to keep choosing joy when life hasn't made that easy.Giel shares the story behind The Shift, the community night where I first witnessed her hold space for people to sing in public for the first time, and we talk about what it means to have someone believe in your voice before you believe in it yourself. She also opens up about a devastating loss in her life and how it led her to found Reignwel Global, a mental wellness startup serving the diaspora with culturally relevant healing practices.This is a conversation about faith, resilience and the daily choice to keep showing up in joy even when things are falling apart around you. If you've ever felt blocked in your own creative expression, or wondered how anyone keeps their light on through grief, this one is for you. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Recorded between London, UK and Lisbon, Portugal. CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses suicide, depression and the loss of a family member. Please take care while listening. FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS: Download your free Joy Hour resource at www.goddxxpath.com/joyhourgift IN THIS EPISODE: The joy of building community and connection in a place where nobody knew herThe Shift: the community night where creatives find the courage to sing in publicChildlike faith and staying in "flow state" through choice, not easeThe loss of her nephew, Darius Roberts, to suicide and how it changed everythingFounding Reignwel Global, a mental wellness startup for the diasporaPursuing JOI, her personal vlog on choosing joy transparently TIMESTAMPS: 00:01 - Welcome and introduction to Giel01:22 - Joining from Lisbon, and the story of how she got there05:17 - The recent joy of sitting in connection and community10:10 - Learning to hold space and believe in others before they believe in themselves16:22 - Flow state, resistance and the choice at the centre of it all19:01 - Faith, healing, and being honest about what joy really costs21:40 - How to connect, and an introduction to The Regulated Creative24:36 - The story of Reignwel: loss, grief and finding her purpose33:45 - Reignwel's slogan: "Here we reign well"34:16 - Where to find and connect with Giel35:32 - Outro ABOUT THE GUEST: Giel is an American singer-songwriter, producer and connection curator whose work bridges music, wellness and global culture. After relocating to Lisbon in 2021, she returned to songwriting, inspired by the city's rhythm, warmth and soul. As a wellness facilitator, she creates memorable melodies and powerful anthems that resonate deeply with creatives across the global diaspora.She's the founder of Reignwel Global, a mental wellness health tech startup born from personal loss, and hosts The Shift, a community night in Lisbon where people gather to sing, share and be met exactly as they are.Giel's work is about helping people feel seen, grounded and alive. RESOURCES & MENTIONS: The Shift – community night in Lisbon (Instagram @the_shift_live)The Regulated Creative – Giel's coaching offering for artists and creatives (⁠theregulatedcreative.club⁠)Pursuing JOI – Giel's vlog (spelled J-O-I, her birth name is Joi) (Instagram: @pursuingjoi)Reignwel Global – mental wellness health tech startup, ⁠reignwel.com⁠ | @reignwelglobal on InstagramThe eight wells of Reignwel's healing framework (Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Horticulture Therapy, Nutrition, Movement, Language, Soul Care, Community) CONNECT: Ella Mesma Website: www.goddxxpath.comBook: www.goddxxpath.com/journal-to-joy/Current Offers: www.goddxxpath.com/links/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellamesma/ Giel Website: reignwel.comInstagram: @heyitsgiel

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  Episode #83

  The JOY Hour Podcast hosted by Ella Mesma... Episode 83: The Monster Is Always Smaller Than Its Shadow with Arush Bakshi

  Jul 12, 202632 minS1

  LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Recorded between New Delhi and London. We acknowledge the diverse peoples and communities upon whose lands these cities stand, and the colonial histories that have shaped them. ABOUT THIS EPISODE: Arush Bakshi is an Identity Transformation Coach, health influencer, and Marketing and Operations Head at a football academy in New Delhi... and he came into this conversation with a reframe that I have been sitting with ever since. The monster is never as frightening as the shadow it casts before you face it. We talk about what shifted when Arush stopped living as though he were a guest in someone else's life, how a past life regression he did purely out of curiosity cracked open his whole relationship with responsibility, and why choosing the risk every single day, not just on the days you feel ready, is what builds real momentum. We also get into gut health, grassroots football culture in India, a Netflix script that nearly happened, and what it looks like when you follow your own compass rather than the rulebook someone else handed you. Grab your free gift from Journal to JOY: mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift IN THIS EPISODE WE EXPLORE: Why the monster is always smaller than its shadow Choosing the risk every single day, not just when motivation shows up What a past life regression taught Arush about responsibility and belonging How stepping into his family rather than away from it changed everything Finding your real capabilities rather than measuring yourself against someone else's standard Building three very different businesses and staying sane doing it Iduna: @iduna_eternalhealth TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome 01:14 A recent joy: the best football tournament his city has ever seen 02:21 Going viral on Instagram... from 10 followers to 40,000 05:30 A past life regression he did just for fun and what it revealed 08:30 How his relationship with his family transformed 11:40 Turning inward to find his real capabilities 16:27 Choosing the risk every single day 20:13 The monster is always smaller than its shadow 25:27 What Arush is creating next: coaching, filmmaking, and a gut health brand 30:13 Iduna: the Norse goddess and the vision behind the health brand ABOUT ARUSH: Arush Bakshi is an Identity Transformation Coach based in New Delhi, helping people build their dreams through a blend of coaching, creativity, and what he calls magic. With a decade of experience in life coaching, he also heads marketing and operations at a football academy with a mission to transform grassroots football culture in India, and co-runs a health brand called Iduna, inspired by the Norse goddess whose golden apples grant the gods immortality. He works with clients across Europe and India, and filmmaking is next on his horizon. RESOURCES MENTIONED:CONNECT WITH ARUSH: Instagram: @iduna_eternalhealth Email: Arush.bakshi@gmail.com CONNECT WITH ELLA MESMA: Website: mayagandaia.com Free Gift: mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzr YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4ybUzyvIV4PVoZ3S9ZK1pEGKuY7XcY8M ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Music by LamRock. Thank you to Arush and to you for listening.

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