Joy isn’t optional for leaders, it’s what keeps you connected to the story that makes your work matter.

In this episode, Andy sits down with Kate Bowler to explore why joy isn’t a distraction from leadership—it’s what sustains it. Joy doesn’t come from solving every problem or achieving every goal. Instead, it reconnects leaders to the deeper story behind their work—the reason it matters in the first place.

Download the application guide: https://bit.ly/422p1Ad

Here's what they cover in this episode:
The difference between happiness and joy and why it matters (04:30)
Why joy shows up in hard moments—not just easy ones (06:40)
Burnout isn’t just exhaustion—it’s losing the story (10:45)
How busyness crowds out joy (and what to do about it) (11:30) 
Can you actually practice joy? (14:30)
Why leaders need joy to stay connected to purpose (17:10)
Three ways to become more open to joy: do, love, hope (20:45)
The danger of worshiping productivity (22:00)
Toxic positivity vs. honest joy (25:00)

Special thanks to our sponsor BELAY for offering a free download of their resource The Guide to Outsourced Accounting. Just text the word ANDY to 55123 to claim your free guide now.

Recognized as one of Forbes' 6 Leadership Podcasts To Listen To In 2024 and one of the Best Leadership Podcasts To Stay in the Know for CEOs, according to Industry Leaders Magazine.

If this podcast has made you a better leader, you can help it by leaving a quick Spotify or Apple Podcasts review. You can visit Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and then go to the “Reviews” section. Thank you for sharing!

____________

Where to find Andy:
Instagram: @andy_stanley
Facebook: Andy Stanley Official
X: @andystanley
YouTube: @AndyStanleyOfficial

 

Joy isn&rsquo;t optional for leaders, it&rsquo;s what keeps you connected to the story that makes your work matter.
In this episode, Andy sits down with Kate Bowler to explore why joy isn&rsquo;t a distraction from leadership&mdash;it&rsquo;s what sustains it. Joy doesn&rsquo;t come from solving every problem or achieving every goal. Instead, it reconnects leaders to the deeper story behind their work&mdash;the reason it matters in the first place.
Download the application guide:&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/422p1Ad">https://bit.ly/422p1Ad</a>
Here's what they cover in this episode:
<ul data-start="237" data-end="1266">
<li data-section-id="xqw6mf" data-start="381" data-end="458">The difference between happiness and joy and why it matters (04:30)</li>
<li data-section-id="1mpamnr" data-start="459" data-end="526">Why joy shows up in hard moments&mdash;not just easy ones (06:40)</li>
<li data-section-id="1q5yzoi" data-start="584" data-end="651">Burnout isn&rsquo;t just exhaustion&mdash;it&rsquo;s losing the story (10:45)</li>
<li data-section-id="5md4aw" data-start="652" data-end="721">How busyness crowds out joy (and what to do about it) (11:30)&nbsp;</li>
<li data-section-id="1yneljf" data-start="722" data-end="768">Can you actually practice joy? (14:30)</li>
<li data-section-id="1kl3yv4" data-start="829" data-end="894">Why leaders need joy to stay connected to purpose (17:10)</li>
<li data-section-id="zw7z8d" data-start="966" data-end="1035">Three ways to become more open to joy: do, love, hope (20:45)</li>
<li data-section-id="9ubuc2" data-start="1036" data-end="1089">The danger of worshiping productivity (22:00)</li>
<li data-section-id="1iri5sp" data-start="1090" data-end="1137">Toxic positivity vs. honest joy (25:00)</li>
</ul>
Special thanks to our sponsor <a href="https://resources.belaysolutions.com/andy">BELAY</a> for offering a free download of their resource The Guide to Outsourced Accounting. Just text the word ANDY to 55123 to claim your free guide now.
Recognized as one of&nbsp;Forbes'&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelwells/2023/12/31/new-year-new-leader-6-leadership-podcasts-to-listen-to-in-2024/?sh=5a71451b70c8">6 Leadership Podcasts To Listen To In 2024</a>&nbsp;and one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.industryleadersmagazine.com/best-leadership-podcasts-to-stay-in-the-know-for-ceos/">Best Leadership Podcasts To Stay in the Know for CEOs</a>, according to&nbsp;Industry Leaders Magazine.
If this podcast has made you a better leader, you can help it by leaving a quick Spotify or Apple Podcasts review. You can visit <a href="https://bit.ly/3JyxZvy">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://bit.ly/36SUV9m">Apple Podcasts</a>, and then go to the &ldquo;Reviews&rdquo; section. Thank you for sharing!
____________
Where to find Andy:
<ul>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://bit.ly/3qjT0UH">@andy_stanley</a></li>
<li>Facebook: <a href="https://bit.ly/3CpqrrL">Andy Stanley Official</a></li>
<li>X: <a href="https://bit.ly/43CsaW8">@andystanley</a></li>
<li>YouTube: <a href="https://bit.ly/43fKDrv">@AndyStanleyOfficial</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

A conversation designed to help leaders go further, faster. Rooted in providing practical advice for both emerging and veteran leaders, the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast equips leaders with the necessary tools for continuous improvement and lasting impact. One of Forbes' 6 Leadership Podcasts To Listen To and recognized as one of the Best Leadership Podcasts To Stay in the Know for CEOs by Industry Leader Magazine. Andy Stanley is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia. For additional information, visit andystanley.com.

A conversation designed to help leaders go further, faster. Rooted in providing practical advice for both emerging and veteran leaders, the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast equips leaders with the necessary tools for continuous improvement and lasting impact. One of Forbes' 6 Leadership Podcasts To Listen To and recognized as one of the Best Leadership Podcasts To Stay in the Know for CEOs by Industry Leader Magazine. Andy Stanley is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia. For additional information, visit andystanley.com.

Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast

Welcome to the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast, a conversation designed to help leaders go further, faster. Rooted in providing practical advice for both emerging and veteran leaders, the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast equips leaders with the necessary tools for continuous improvement and lasting impact. Recognized by Forbes as one of the 6 Leadership Podcasts To Listen To and as one of the Best Leadership Podcasts To Stay in the Know for CEOs by Industry Leader Magazine. Andy Stanley is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia. For additional information, visit andystanley.com.

Welcome to the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast, a conversation designed to help leaders go further, faster. Rooted in providing practical advice for both emerging and veteran leaders, the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast equips leaders with the necessary tools for continuous improvement and lasting impact. Recognized by Forbes as one of the 6 Leadership Podcasts To Listen To and as one of the Best Leadership Podcasts To Stay in the Know for CEOs by Industry Leader Magazine. Andy Stanley is a pastor, communicator, author, and the founder of North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia. For additional information, visit andystanley.com.