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Ep. 119, Joy Is a Practice: What Writing a Book Taught My Family About Leadership

Season #3

You don't cultivate joy in a vacuum.  

You practice it at the dinner table, in hallway drive-bys, during crunch time, and when the person you love most has the office door shut… again.   In this episode, I invited my family into the conversation to talk honestly about what the last year and a half of writing Joyosity actually looked like from the inside. Writing a book may have my name on the cover, but it was never a solo act.   This episode is tender, funny, occasionally chaotic, and deeply honest about the cost and beauty of meaningful work.   Spoiler: This is a much longer than our typical episodes, but it has gummy bears, procrastibaking, missed dinners, deflated balloons, and a lot of love.  

Here’s What’s in the Episode:

  • Joy is not a personality trait—it’s a practice.
  • And it shows up (or doesn’t) in how we handle stress, conflict, and discouragement at home and at work.
  • Big work affects the whole system.
  • Writing a book, leading a team, or building a culture always asks something of the people around you.
  • Creative work always has a “this is terrible” phase.
  • You don’t get to skip discouragement—you get to move through it.
  • Leadership lessons are transferable.
  • The same principles that work in organizations show up in dorm rooms, summer camps, theater companies, and families.
  • Joy has to be durable.
  • If joy only works when things are easy, it’s not joy—it’s a balloon waiting to pop.

 

Moments You’ll Hear (and probably laugh at)

  • How my family knew the book was getting intense (hint: missing mugs and increased gummy-bear consumption)
  • The rise and fall of procrast-baking (including truly terrible cookies)
  • What changed in our household rhythms—and what was harder than expected
  • Why writing forces distillation, and why that’s both humbling and necessary
  • The story behind the deflated “Y” balloon on the Joyosity cover
  • How joy, play, and leadership show up in real-life conflict (siblings included)

 

Family-Level Truths

One of the most honest moments in this conversation is naming what was hard: less availability, missed conversations, unpredictable timelines, and watching someone you love doubt themselves. We also named what made us proud: the integrity of the work, the impact it’s already having, and the reminder that meaningful things are rarely easy—but they are worth it.  

Key Takeaway

Big leadership moments don’t happen on stage—they happen in kitchens, hallways, and hard conversations.   About the Guests: The Whitmer Cavalcade My four kids Chase, Stuart, Sabrina, and Annalise, and my husband, Michael Whitmer.   About the Host: Jenn Whitmer Jenn is an international keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and the founder of Joyosity™, helping leaders create positive, profitable cultures through connection, curiosity, and joy. With a background in communication, conflict resolution, and team dynamics, Jenn helps leaders and organizations navigate complex people challenges, reduce burnout, and build flourishing workplaces. Her insights have resonated with audiences worldwide, blending real-world leadership expertise, engaging storytelling, and a dash of humor to make the hard stuff easier. Whether on stage, in workshops, or with coaching clients, Jenn equips leaders with the tools they need to solve conflict, cultivate communication, and lead with purpose. Her book Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbooks hit shelves December 9, 2025, offering leaders a fresh approach to joy at work that builds real results.  

Resources & Links:

Get Joyosity and the Joyosity Works Playbook

  • This book gives leaders the tools to turn exhaustion into resilience and build cultures where work is a joy, people are whole, and organizations flourish.

 

Ready to Make a Plan:

  • Joyosity™ Jumpstart → Get crystal clear on what you want, what’s in the way, and how to move forward with traction.

Starting the Journey:

  • Enneagram Navigator → Stop guessing your type. In this 1:1 session, get clarity on your motivations and blind spots.

Ready to Dive In:

  • Joyosity™ Intensive → A one-day transformative experience to realign with your values and build a practical plan for joyful leadership.

A Party for More:

  • Bring Jenn & the Joy to Speak → Bring the spark (not just the spark notes!) to your whole team with contagious joy, practical tools, and plenty of laughter.

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