FINE is a 4-Letter Word

What happens when the thing you pride yourself on most… is the very thing quietly breaking you? Janice DaCosta grew up in a world where excellence wasn’t optional. You hold it together. You don’t fall apart. You make it work—no matter what. Until one day, standing in front of a mirror with scissors in her hand, she couldn’t hold it together anymore. What followed was a complete Control, Alt, Delete reset. Raised in a family of serial entrepreneurs with deep roots on Wall Street, Janice DaCosta grew up learning values centered around excellence, rigorous work ethic, and community upliftment. Love was at the core, but hustle was integral too. Janice’s professional journey began in the corporate world, navigating high-pressure environments across multiple continents as a global logistics leader. She excelled in male-dominated environments, but behind the scenes, it was a different story. She was holding together a marriage that wasn’t working. Showing up strong, being everything to everyone in every role she played. And quietly, she was unraveling. That pivotal “mirror moment” happened on a regular day when the façade finally cracked. It became the catalyst for radical change. She realized true failure wasn’t in letting go and not being perfect. It was in sacrificing herself at the altar of perfection. Thus began her long, messy, honest healing process. She started recording raw, unfiltered conversations with herself on video through which she allowed herself to unpack, witness, and process what she’d been holding back for years. This practice of speaking aloud, instead of shoving the emotions down, helped her cultivate self-trust and gave her the courage to finally seek support from others. Through this introspective journey, Janice unlocked the transformative power of “unshakable relief.” She learned to define her worth outside productivity, to let go of shame, and to give herself permission to feel all the emotions that make us human. That journey and its hard-won wisdom are now at the heart of her latest book on emotional wealth, which reimagines the concept of “pay yourself first.” Keep listening to hear what it sounds like when someone who “has it all together” finally admits… yeah, I don’t—and can’t keep pretending I do. Because you might recognize yourself here. Hype Song Janice’s hype song is Run the World (Girls)- Beyonce https://youtu.be/Xqo08TXbxWQ?si=jvYs5OeWT25608Wr Resources Janice DaCosta’s website: iamjaniceclaire.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicedacosta Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamjaniceclaire Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjaniceclaire Invitation from Lori:This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.Because when people feel heard, they engage.

We’re more connected than ever… and more lonely than ever. Because connected online is very different than connected offline.In this solo episode, I'm exploring the quiet epidemic of loneliness and why it shows up in places most leaders overlook.If you’re interested in being successful – whether you’re running a business or working for someone – no matter what your definition of success is… and you want to amplify or upgrade your abilities, this episode is for you. If you’re interested in living longer without having to eat kale and work out two hours a day, seven days a week, this episode is for you.More than 10 years ago, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy uncovered an epidemic of loneliness in the U.S. What surprised him the most was the degree to which people described feeling lonely. And the diversity of people affected – all genders, all ages, all levels of education and professionalism and wealth.People were reporting they didn’t feel like they belonged. And people felt embarrassed and ashamed to admit they felt lonely. Because they didn’t want to appear needy or inadequate. Because of course, in America, we’re all about independence and self-sufficiency.Nothing has changed since then. If anything, these findings have only intensified in the past decade and were especially exacerbated by pandemic times.When people don’t feel seen, known, or supported, collaboration suffers, trust erodes, and work becomes heavier than it needs to be.The truth is, humans aren’t designed to operate like machines behind screens all day. Real connection fuels creativity, resilience, and engagement. It also plays a surprising role in how long and how well we live.If you want a stronger culture, better communication, and a team that actually enjoys working together, this episode will give you a place to start.Resources:My Website: https://ZenRabbit.com/LinkedIn: https://zenrabbit.com/linkedin/Facebook: https://zenrabbit.com/facebook/Instagram: https://zenrabbit.com/instagram/Visit the “FINE is a 4-Letter Word” store at https://zenrabbit.printful.meInvitation from Lori:This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today’s hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn’t built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It’s built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it’s easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you’ve got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.Because when people feel heard, they engage.

Shaped by a childhood of resourcefulness and grit, Barry Bradham’s story moves beyond your usual rags-to-riches narrative. Raised in a family where money was often scarce, his parents displayed both strong work ethics and unconventional life choices. Barry started honing his sales skills at just eight years old; he was trading toys and selling bubblegum and baseball cards from a table on the corner. These formative experiences not only instilled the value of integrity but also introduced him early to both the highs of self-sufficiency and the lessons that come when the money in play isn’t as innocent as it first appears.From those humble beginnings, Barry followed an untraditional but ambitious route, blending work ethic with curiosity. His adolescence and entry into adulthood were marked by a succession of odd jobs, guided mentorship from community figures, and a constant drive to improve his financial footing. It was this drive, combined with the influence of books like "Rich Dad Poor Dad" and real-life examples of side hustles and entrepreneurship, that sustained his hunger for financial autonomy. But it was also a journey fueled by necessity and wanting a sense of control over his life that he didn’t always see modeled at home.In college, Barry took those scrappy entrepreneurial skills to the next level, helping launch new student organizations and eventually moving into a career in banking and real estate. By outward appearances, things looked, well, fine.He had an expanding portfolio, social credibility, and an impressive track record managing both businesses and teams. And yet, beneath the surface, Barry was making decisions in isolation, he no longer had the mentorship and strategic counsel that are vital when navigating high stakes. This was his first “fine but not fine” phase.It all came to a head during the economic downturn, when his calculated risks unraveled. He lost properties, financial security, his fiancée, and his sense of direction. And still, he kept the front up. Smiling. Positive. “I’ve got this.”But as often happens, those lowest moments became catalyzing ones. One day he was on a bus in the rain in Manhattan Beach, whispering to his sister through the phone that he felt like he was living out the movie The Pursuit of Happyness in real time.He was determined not to stay in that place though. He taught himself graphic design and studied Adobe programs late into the night. Slept on his office floor when he had to. Sold his car. Kept showing up to meetings with a belief that he could still create value.Barry credits his resurgence to humility, learning to ask for help, and embracing community instead of going it alone. His second “fine” season taught him something even bigger. And that story? Tune in to hear him tell it.Resources: Website: https://digilink.global/barrybradham-entrepreneur LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrybradham/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/barrybradham Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrybradham_entrepreneur/ Hype Song: Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines ft. T.I., Pharrell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyDUC1LUXSU&list=RDyyDUC1LUXSU&start_radio=1 Invitation from Lori:This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.

If your body pulled the emergency brake tomorrow, would you wish you’d slowed down sooner?Growing up on a dude ranch in the remote town of Utica, Montana, Lindsey Korell was immersed in a world where hard work, family, and a curious eye toward the wider world set the tone for her upbringing. Surrounded by international guests drawn by her grandfather's innovative marketing and her father's relentless entrepreneurial drive, Lindsey developed a deep-rooted wanderlust and a respect for building success through grit and persistence. Early lessons included watching her dad make cold calls every evening after family dinner—a practice that became both a source of admiration and apprehension, showing Lindsey the realities, and costs, of uncompromising dedication.Curiosity about life outside Montana led Lindsey far from home, first to England on a Rotary Foundation scholarship and later to Turkey, where she wrote her master’s thesis on a bridge-building project. These adventures expanded her worldview, helping her recognize just how small her perspective had been and igniting what would become a lifelong passion for travel and understanding diverse cultures. A stint in the Peace Corps working with banking co-ops in developing countries taught her the profound importance of flexibility and humility. The world looks a lot different when you experience it on the ground and she learned how vital it is to see life through more than one lens.Back in the U.S., Lindsey’s career spanned real estate, launching her own businesses, and high-level operations in the corporate world. For years she thrived on the illusion that she could handle everything herself. Then came the wake-up calls she never expected. First a serious autoimmune diagnosis discovered by chance and, not long after, a heart attack that forced every assumption about work, life, and health into question.Lindsey’s journey is one of repeated reinvention, and one that includes unlearning the myth of invincibility and gradually accepting that genuine success is as much about surrendering control as it is about seizing it. Today, she helps women create more breathing room in their businesses. Through lessons learned in moments of both triumph and adversity, Lindsey embodies a philosophy that true fulfillment is about presence, perspective, and prioritization.Hype Song: Lindsey’s hype song is “Something's Got a Hold On Me” by Christina Aguilera Resources: Lindsey’s website: dailyprincipal.com LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/lindseykorell Invitation from Lori:This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.

What if the moment you tell yourself “I’m fine” is the exact moment you should be paying closer attention?Rooted in the core values of hard work, family, and emotional restraint, Emma Collyer grew up with the unspoken rule to “just get on with things.” This principle followed her well into adulthood. Raised in the UK and now residing in Canada, she learned early how to be dependable, observant, and low maintenance. The kind of person organizations love. The kind of leader who listens deeply, carries a lot, and rarely asks for help. This early belief of not causing a fuss left Emma wrestling with the tension between being a good listener and risk fading into the background vs speaking up and voicing her ideas.Her tendency to overcommit reached its breaking point during a pivotal leadership assignment. Wanting to prove herself, Emma found herself saying yes to every task. Investigations. Operational work. Emotional labor that wasn’t on any job description.Then one afternoon, she broke down in the middle of a busy city center, unable to maintain the “I’m fine” façade any longer. The emotional moment prompted honest conversations with supportive colleagues and forced her to reconsider the self-imposed pressures behind her relentless hustle.Reflecting on this turning point, Emma candidly admits that old habits sometimes resurface, but now she’s equipped with greater self-awareness and boundaries that keep her from sliding back into overwhelm.A large part of Emma’s work today centers on helping people master difficult conversations in the workplace – the ones most people avoid – the ones about capacity, trust, feedback, and what’s really happening beneath the façade of professionalism. She emphasizes the importance of using frameworks that shift the focus from accusation to collaboration, encouraging leaders to approach issues as shared challenges rather than personal failings. She understands why people disappear in meetings. Why feedback feels threatening. Why managers stop hearing the truth the higher they climb.This episode is about recognizing the quiet patterns that lead smart, well-intentioned people to override themselves and learning how to interrupt them sooner. Let’s shift conversations from transactional to human, from faking it to honesty.Hype Song:Emma’s hype song is “Unstoppable - R3HAB Remix” by Sia, R3HABhttps://open.spotify.com/track/0F3v8p8ZnEGtZDxNcJ5Klq?si=6cHF8iauRkWszhx3gI_mQ&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A2fmxVDpboTzLaLAfj5ZaQWResources: Emma’s website: aspireexecutivecoaching.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-collyer-aspire/Instagram: https://instagram.com/aspireexecutivecoaching/Invitation from Lori:This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.