The Audacity of Joy Podcast
Your host: Jennice Chewlin, MPH, CHES®
Founder & CEO, Chewlin Group
What role does joy have in our work to promote justice, transformation, and healing?
Listen to conversations from social impact leaders and changemakers exploring the role of joy in leadership, activism, and everyday life.
Each episode shares real strategies from leaders who use joy as a strategy for change, challenge, and celebration in places where they live, work, and lead.
Real talk, shared stories, and unexpected inspiration.
Want a quick note when new episodes drop? Join the early listener list — it’s where I share behind‑the‑scenes joy and first announcements.
Joy as Strategy with Tiffany (DrT) Manuel
Season 1: Ep. 1:
In this episode of the podcast, host Jennice Chewlin sits down with the visionary Dr. Tto explore a radical approach to social change: Joy as Strategy.
Often, we view community work and advocacy through the lens of struggle and sacrifice. But what if joy was actually the fuel that kept the engine running? Dr. T argues that joy is an essential ingredient for any movement because it is inherently inviting. While the work is often heavy and the days are dark, being the person who makes space for joy ensures that the movement remains sustainable and magnetic.
What We Discuss:
The Magnetic Power of Joy: Why people are drawn to causes that celebrate life, even while fighting for it.
Leading Through Darkness: How to hold space for happiness when the workload feels overwhelming or the climate feels grim.
Planting Seeds of Hope: The discipline of having faith that something inspirational and beautiful for the community will bloom from the seeds we plant today.
Sustainability in Activism: Shifting from "burnout culture" to a culture of collective celebration.
Jennice and Dr. T remind us that movements are made of people—and people thrive where they are fed, seen, and uplifted. Tune in to learn how to weave joy into your own leadership and community work.
Connect with our guest: Tiffany (DrT) Manuel
Joy is Hope with Evenor Pineda
Season 1: Ep. 3:
In this deeply moving episode, Jennice Chewlin is joined by Evenor Pineda, a dedicated advocate working with justice-impacted and opportunity youth navigating systemic barriers. Evenor brings a profound depth to this conversation, drawing from his lived experience with the juvenile and adult justice system and speaking with the authority of someone who has searched for light in the darkest places.
Beyond his work with others, Evenor opens up about his personal journey of redefining self-care. He shares the honest process of learning to prioritize his own well-being—something he never had a roadmap for. From moving out of "survival mode" to practicing intentional reflection, Evenor opens up about the pride he feels in his progress and the bravery it took to try different ways of existing in the world.
What We Discuss:
• The Unbreakable Internal State: Why joy and laughter are forms of resistance that no system can take from you.
• Self-Care Without a Map: Evenor’s personal journey of exploring self-care and wellness, even without having seen it modeled growing up.
• The Power of the Pivot: Evenor’s pride in his progress and the bravery required to try new ways of thinking and being.
• Competition vs. Character: Why comparison is the thief of joy and how to focus solely on being better than you were yesterday.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that while we can't always control our environment, we can always claim our right to heal, to play, and to transform.
Connect with our guest: Evenor Pineda
Joy is Revealed and Sustained in Community with April L. Carter
Season 1: Ep. 2:
In this episode, Jennice Chewlin sits down with April Carter, Chief Program Officer of the Tennessee Nonprofit Network, to explore how joy is revealed—and sustained—through the power of community and belonging.
In the high-stakes world of nonprofit leadership, burnout is often treated as an inevitability. April challenges this narrative by showing how rest, flexibility, and genuine connection aren't just "perks"—they are the foundation of collective capacity. Through stories of laughing through the chaos of office moves and the intentionality of ensuring every voice has a seat at the table, April demonstrates that joy is the glue that holds a team together when things get difficult.
What We Discuss:
The Architecture of Belonging: How intentional inclusion creates a culture where joy can actually grow.
Sustainability Through Rest: Why flexibility and care are the best defenses against leadership burnout.
Finding Joy in Chaos: Real-world stories of choosing laughter and connection in the middle of organizational transitions.
Collective Capacity: Shifting the focus from what we carry alone to what we can achieve when we are truly connected.
This episode is an invitation to look at your own leadership through the lens of care, reminding us that we don't have to carry the mission by ourselves.
Connect with our guest: April Carter