In this episode of What One Thing?, host JT Long, vice president and editorial director of Smart Meetings, welcomes Robin Shear, founder of Joy to the World Coaching, to discuss the transformative power of joy. Shear shares how embracing joy can enhance personal and professional well-being when embraced even during life’s toughest moments. She offers practical tips like the “feel-good score.” She recounts spontaneous adventures, like a 10-hour trip for a deep-dish pizza, illustrating how joy can be cultivated through connection, spontaneity, and daily mindfulness.
[0:00 Intro music]
[0:12 JT Long (Host)] Welcome back to What One Thing?, a Smart Meetings podcast that provides you with a shortcut to the top of the events world by asking successful people what made the difference in their careers and lives. I’m JT Long, vice president and content director of Smart Meetings, and this conversation could be the start of a whole new, joyful life.
I’m so excited to welcome Robin Shear, author, speaker, and the driving energy behind Joy to the World Coaching. Welcome, Robin!
[1:03 Robin Shear (Guest)] Hi, JT! I’m so glad to be with you. I’d say I’m happy to be here, but I’m overjoyed to be here!
[1:30 JL] Very nice! We want to get a sense of how you became such a joyful person. What role did growing up in a small town play in that?
[1:45 RS] I grew up in a small town with about 120 kids in our class. It was wonderful to know everyone so well. I think connection is a rich source of joy. We all have this hunger to be known, and believe me, we knew each other well — parents, grandparents, pets, everything.
But while I love my town, I’m also excited to meet people from different places with diverse perspectives. That’s actually where the idea for Joy to the World Coaching came from.
[2:30 JL] That makes so much sense. The meetings industry is also a close-knit community. We know each other, support each other, and find joy in that.
[2:50 RS] Absolutely! Without relationships, we’d be nowhere. The industry is so relationship-driven, and that’s where the magic happens.
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[3:18 JL] We’ve done several episodes about understanding our teams and audiences better. One way to get to know someone is to ask: What brings you joy? So, Robin, what brings you joy?
[3:29 RS] Thanks for asking! My joy comes from so many things—relationships, nature, my faith, spontaneity, learning new things. But I’ve learned that real joy doesn’t depend on circumstances. Life can throw challenges our way, so we need to root our joy in what lasts.
[4:02 JL] That resonates with me. My joy comes from my grandbabies, going to events, connecting with people, and working with my amazing team here at Smart Meetings. Plus, my supportive husband, who keeps things running smoothly while I travel.
[4:17 RS] That’s a beautiful list! And those connections are exactly what makes life rich.
[4:54 JL] You mentioned that joy has to be independent of circumstances. What do people often get wrong about pursuing joy?
[5:00 RS] Many people think of joy as fluffy or trivial, so they put it off. But joy is foundational—it impacts everything. You don’t need to clean up the mess first. You can have joy even when life isn’t perfect, whether you’re stuck in a job you hate or going through a tough time. Joy can actually help you navigate those challenges.
[6:12 JL] That’s such a wise perspective. Approaching difficulties with joy can restore your energy and perspective.
[6:30 RS] Exactly. Sometimes, the hardest situations hold surprising sources of joy. I help people adopt that mindset so they can find purpose and perseverance, even during tough times.
[7:06 JL] I love that. Now, can joy be planned? Or does spontaneity play a big role?
[7:21 RS] Joy can absolutely be planned! I personally love spontaneity, but not everyone does, especially those who are neurodivergent. Joy is so individual—what delights me might stress someone else out.
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For instance, I have a keynote about spontaneous joy where I share stories of my adventures—like the time my son and I spontaneously drove five hours to Chicago just to get deep-dish pizza. We spent 10 hours driving for one hour of pizza, but that day was an unforgettable investment in our relationship.
[8:59 JL] That’s a fantastic example of joy as a journey! If someone isn’t feeling joy, what advice do you have?
[9:21 RS] If it were easy, we’d all be joyful all the time—which is why coaches like me exist! It starts with awareness. Make a list of things that bring you joy. The more you reflect on it, the more it grows.
Here’s a simple habit: Every night, write down the best part of your day. By your next birthday, you’ll have a joy-filled record and a habit of noticing the good.
[10:14 JL] I love that idea! I did a challenge when I turned 50—50 new things in 50 days. The list-making was actually the most powerful part.
[10:45 RS] Exactly! The act of seeking joy invites more of it into your life.
[12:08 JL] Since our audience includes meeting professionals—one of the most stressful jobs out there—what can they do to find a moment of peace amid the chaos?
[12:31 RS] Meeting professionals bring joy to others but often neglect themselves. Here’s a quick trick: Give yourself a “feel-good score” from 1 to 10. If it’s a five or lower, pause and do something small that makes you feel good — maybe take a deep breath or recall a joyful memory. Simple actions can ground you and restore your energy.
[15:02 JL] That’s practical and insightful. Now, our show is called What One Thing? because we ask every guest: What’s the one thing that made the biggest difference in your career or life?
[15:06 RS] For me, it was trusting that my unique joy had value. I never set out to do this professionally—joy was just part of the other jobs I’d done. But the idea of coaching kept nagging at me. Finally, I went for it, and shortly afterward, the pandemic hit. Suddenly, everyone was looking for joy, and I was ready to help.
The response showed me that joy isn’t frivolous; it’s essential. And now, when someone tells me my talk changed their relationship with their daughter, I know I’m doing what I was meant to do.
[15:42 JL] That’s inspiring. And it took real courage to take that leap.
[15:45 RS] It did — but now I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.
[15:46 JL] We’re so glad! Thank you, Robin, for sharing your wisdom and your joyful energy with the Smart Meetings community. And thanks to our audience for taking time out of your busy schedules to join us.
[15:50 RS] Thank you, JT! See you at the Smart Woman Summit.
[15:55 Outro music]
What One Thing? is produced by Bright Business Media. Visit smartmeetings.com to subscribe for your daily dose of inspiration.
