Pandora’s Box

In this episode of Pandora’s Box, Joy dives deep into the real work of waking up to your own life. She shares raw reflections on letting go of old roles, embracing calm over chaos, and discovering that you’re not late—you’re right on time. It’s a journey of witnessing your own truth without preaching, and a reminder that sometimes the quietest awakenings are the most powerful. Join Joy as she navigates the rough waters of real-life growth and proves that old Vegas energy never rushes.

In this episode of Pandora’s Box, Joy invites you to step into your own authenticity with a dash of old Vegas energy. She shares her journey of choosing joy, setting boundaries, and living in alignment with her true self. From a night of karaoke freedom to the symbolism of her Rebirth Gala, Joy reminds us that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is bet on yourself. Tune in for a powerful conversation about embracing your story, celebrating your journey, and letting the truth out of the box.

This isn’t a resolution episode.
It’s a reckoning.

From grief to growth, from shedding skin to finding momentum, this is the year-end wrap-up that explains why Pandora’s Box exists.

No preaching. Just witnessing.

Because even when shit gets crazy — it still works out.

And somehow… we’re still here.

Cheers to the hope left in the box.

This episode isn’t about perfection.
It’s about love.

This Christmas, I found myself remembering — not the gifts, not the chaos, not the noise — but the quiet moments that stitched me into who I am today. A song. A memory. A mother’s love woven into something that didn’t seem important at the time… until life made it clear.

We spend so much of our lives measuring worth in dollars, outcomes, timelines, and expectations. But the truth is, the things that carry us — the things we remember — are rarely the expensive ones. They’re the moment...

This is not a divorce story about blame, court dates, or bitterness.
This is the human version.

In this final episode of Season of Shedding, Joy opens the box on the quiet truth of divorce — the part no one prepares you for. The loss of identity. The loneliness that exists with someone. The moment you realize you didn’t just lose a partner… you lost a version of yourself.

Through grief, dark humor, fierce honesty, and lived experience, Joy explores how divorce reshapes you without defining you — and how choosing yourself becomes the most radical...

This episode marks a shift.

In Episode 15 of Pandora’s Box: Just Joy, Joy introduces the idea of your Born-On Date — the day you choose yourself. Not your birthday. Not the day you were celebrated by others. The day you stop waiting and take back the wheel.

This episode explores:

The difference between orbit and intention

Why being seen again can feel uncomfortable after years of invisibility

Letting go of survival skin that once kept you alive

Choosing presence over performance

And disc...

This episode is the most emotional one I’ve ever recorded.
Tonight, I share the story I didn’t plan to tell — the last Christmas I ever spent with my mom and how losing her changed the entire way I show up for the holidays.

In “The Last Cinderella Tree,” I walk you through the dementia, the long drives home, the Santa hat, the nursing home bathroom moment, the gifts she never used, and the way her face lit up when she saw my Christmas door.
I talk about grief, caregiving, honoring her memory, an...

Happy Thanksgiving from Pandora’s Box: Just Fucking Joy!

In this special holiday episode, we’re blending a little bit of Wicked magic with a whole lot of gratitude. Join me as I share how a night at the theater turned into a powerful reflection on being good even when others see you as wicked. We’ll talk about letting go of old stories, embracing your own sparkle, and stepping into your truth—even if it means saying “no” and rewriting your own narrative.

This week is all about gratitude with a side of sass and...

In loving memory of all the plates we’re going to break—because we’ve mourned them, and now we’re ready to live free.

In this deeply raw and honest episode of Pandora’s Box: Just Joy, Joy takes us on a journey back to the childhood dinner table and the emotional plates we were all forced to clean. She shares two unforgettable stories—one about those dreaded lima beans and another about liver and onions—that taught her that saying "no" was never allowed. Now, decades later, she’s apologizing to her younger self, em...

In this raw and unfiltered episode of Pandora’s Box: Just Joy, I dive into what I’m calling a “Bubble Bath Baptism.” Think of it as a journey of shedding old expectations and embracing the new you, one popped bubble at a time. I get real about choosing myself, letting go of the emotional janitor role, and discovering how life’s little moments (and a whole lot of bubbles) can lead to big transformation. Tune in and let’s pop away the old narratives together!

In honor of the Marine Corps’ 250th birthday, I dedicate this emotional, raw, and heartfelt episode to my dad — a proud Marine who lived and breathed honor, courage, and commitment until his final breath.

From banana seat bike rescues to boot camp grit, I share the stories that shaped me and the man who taught me what loyalty truly means. This isn’t just about the Marines. It’s about love, legacy, and finding your voice in the middle of grief.

Whether you're a child of a vet, a Marine yourself, or someone searchin...

In this powerful kickoff to the Season of Shedding, Joy dives deep into the journey of mirror work and self-acceptance. She shares the raw truth of shedding old layers of shame, embracing the skin she’s in, and reclaiming her life after years of carrying others. Joy opens up about the difference between being truly seen and just being watched, and how she’s choosing peace over performance. Join her in this heartfelt episode as she invites you to shed a little of your own shame and step into your true self, one reflection at a time.

In this special edition, I peel back the layers and share my journey of facing shame head-on. No costumes, no filters—just Joy. I talk about the little things that made me feel vulnerable, like the bumps on my eyes, and how I’m choosing to own it and share it before anyone else can turn it into a punchline. I’ll introduce you to my real self, the meaning behind my tattoo, and a glimpse into my personal space. Moving forward, whenever I feel that wave of shame (unless I’m at work!), I’ll be here sharing it in real...

Join me and my ride-or-die Dee as we dive broom-first into a Halloween special that’s as raw as it is spooky. From seances and tarot card readings to the real-life weirdness we’ve lived through, we’re owning every eerie story and every bump in the night. And hey, if anyone’s wondering about my eyes on camera, let’s just say we’re leaving shame at the door. This is a celebration of Halloween, the joy of the season, and the power of owning your story—reverb and all. Grab your favorite potion and tune in for a Halloween ri...

In this episode of Pandora’s Box: Just Joy, we dive into the art of finding joy right in the middle of life’s chaos. Joy shares a personal story about a spontaneous dance break, the power of music, and how a simple song can turn a stressful day into a celebration of being yourself. Tune in and let’s dance through those curveballs together!

In this heartfelt episode of the Coffee Cup series, Pandora (a.k.a. Joy) sits down with her guest Dee for a “Shadow Conversations” chat. Together, they dive into those deep reflections that help untangle the stories of the past. Grab your favorite mug as we explore how childhood experiences shape us, how confronting those shadows can lead to healing, and how a little self-reflection can bring a whole lot of light. With Dee as a guest, it's all about sipping on truth, stirring in some self-love, and sharing the journey. Cheers!

In this episode of Pandora’s Box: Just Joy, we dive into the transformative adventure of taking yourself out on a date. Join me as I recount my first solo dinner at Applebee’s — a night filled with a little nervousness, a lot of self-affirmation, and a ribeye that tasted like freedom. We talk about how growth happens in discomfort and how learning to show up for yourself sets the tone for how the world shows up for you. Expect a fun, light-hearted, and honest Pandora-style chat that might just inspire you to book a table for one.

In this episode of Pandora’s Box: Just Joy, host Joy opens up about her ongoing journey of self-discovery and emotional growth. She unboxes the concepts of orbiting and ownership in relationships — exploring how cycles of inconsistency and emotional whiplash shaped her understanding of what real love and self-respect look like.

Joy reflects on her evolution through divorce, grief, addiction, and caregiving, sharing candidly how self-love and consistency have transformed her perspective. With humor, vulnerability, and bold truth, Joy announces her decision to step back into dating — on her own terms — and invites listeners to celebrate themselves along th...

In this powerful episode of Pandora’s Box – Just Joy, we dive deep into what I’m calling my “midlife glow-up.” I unpack the journey from loss — including my dad’s death and a life-altering divorce — to the moment I realized I was done living on autopilot. This episode is all about shedding old narratives, embracing self-worth, and turning the so-called “midlife crisis” into a full-blown awakening.

Join me as I share how a single spark reignited my fire, how I lost weight and found my voice, and why you don’t need anyone else’s validation to start li...

In this inaugural episode of Pandora’s Box, Joy opens up about her mother’s journey through dementia, the day she received that life-changing call, and the beautiful legacy her mom left behind. Joy dives into raw memories of her mom’s kindness, the impact of loss, and how grief shapes us. It’s a heartfelt, unscripted reflection on love, loss, and the courage to share your story.