17. Chronic Pain, Creative Joy & Aging Vigorously with Debora Sepich

Jun 4

What if chronic pain didn't have to steal your joy?

In this heartfelt episode, Dr Debora Sepich shares her extraordinary journey of resilience, transformation, and the power of radical joy. From a successful CEO to a professor and now a certified Joy Facilitator, Deb has worn many hats—but it wasn't until chronic pain humbled her that she discovered a new way of living, where joy and suffering could coexist.

Deb shares how she shifted from chasing success to serving with soul, and why aging can be vigorous, vibrant, and deeply meaningful. Whether you’re navigating pain, burnout, or a new chapter in life, this conversation offers a healing blend of wisdom, humility, and hope.

In this episode, we cover:

How chronic pain became the catalyst for Deb’s spiritual and personal evolution
Why "joy is a practice" and how to nurture it, even on your toughest days
Deb’s powerful concept of Chronic Joy and how it can transform your perspective
How seniors can reclaim their creativity, purpose, and voice, no matter their age
How to find energy even in the depths of pain
The importance of meditation, movement, and reframing as daily, non-negotiables
Why gratitude is the key to unlocking sacred discipline in your life
How choosing hope and showing up just 5% better each day can create a profound shift

Connect with Debora Sepich:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bespeakjoy/

Connect with Jillian:

Join The Joy Club [FREE]: https://jillianschecher.com/thejoyclub/

Website: https://jillianschecher.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianschecher/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joyfullivingwithjillianschecher

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillianschecher/

Ready to Practice Joy Daily? Grab a Copy of The Daily Joy Journal: https://thedailyjoyjournal.com/

Thanks so much for tuning in! If this episode resonated with you, I’d love for you to share it with someone who’s ready to make Joy a priority in any and all aspects of their lives. Don’t forget to subscribe and come back next week for another episode—I can’t wait to keep exploring how Joy can transform the way we live, work, and lead. See you then!

More Episodes

Podcast Episodes

20. Creating a Business (and Life) You Enjoy with Lisa McInnes

What if your version of success didn’t burn you out but actually brought more joy into your life? In this episode, I’m joined by my client and dear friend Lisa McInnes, a heart-led mortgage specialist who helped my family land our dream home (and saved us thousands in the process). Beyond her brilliance in the mortgage world, Lisa brings so much wisdom about boundaries, self-trust, and redefining what it means to run a successful business, without abandoning yourself in the process.

19. Profits, Burnout & Nervous System-Smart Business: Real Talk with Staci Millard

What if building a profitable business could feel good and support your nervous system too? In this honest episode, accountant and CEO of Thrive Accounting, Staci Millard, joins Jillian for a conversation that’s part finance, part embodiment, and all about redefining what success really looks like.

18. The Power of Self-Celebration: Why It’s Time to Throw Confetti for Yourself

When was the last time you celebrated yourself? In this solo episode, I’m diving into the magic and power of self-celebration. This isn’t about toxic positivity or brushing things under the rug—it’s about learning how to honour your growth, recognize your wins (big or small), and anchor Joy into your everyday life.

17. Chronic Pain, Creative Joy & Aging Vigorously with Debora Sepich

What if chronic pain didn't have to steal your joy? In this heartfelt episode, Dr Debora Sepich shares her extraordinary journey of resilience, transformation, and the power of radical joy. From a successful CEO to a professor and now a certified Joy Facilitator, Deb has worn many hats—but it wasn't until chronic pain humbled her that she discovered a new way of living, where joy and suffering could coexist.

16. The Hero’s Journey, Healthy Masculinity & Coming Home to Yourself with John Trapp

What if the “success” you built was actually the thing keeping you from yourself? In this episode, I sit down with John Trapp, CEO, Leadership Coach, Longship Men Co-Founder &Facilitator – for an honest conversation about identity, reinvention, and returning to who you really are beneath it all.

15. Whispers from the Herd: Lessons in Healing & Hope with Dayna Hammond

Join me as I sit down with Dayna Hammond, founder of the Parsons Animal Rescue Foundation, for a conversation about trauma, trust, and what it means to find your way back to hope.

14. From Good Girl to Soul-Led Leader with Shelby Eloria

What if everything you’ve been taught to hide is actually the key to your next level? In this raw and insightful conversation, I sit down with speaker, identity coach, and style guide Shelby Eloria—founder of All Set Style and co-founder of Black Sheep Co.

13. The Grace Trail Method: 5 Steps to Move from Struggle to Strength with Anne Jolles

What if the path to Joy wasn’t about avoiding pain but walking through it with grace?

In this conversation, I sit down with author, speaker, and creator of the internationally recognized Grace Trail, Anne Jolles, to explore how we can turn struggle into strength, and uncertainty into grounded presence.

12. Burnout, Pivots & Building With Purpose: The Bold Business Journey with Jen Kinal

What if success wasn’t about adding more, but finally learning to let go? In this fun, heartfelt, and honest episode, I’m joined by my bracelet sister and soul-led businesswoman Jennifer Kinal—a social media strategist, marketing expert, and event consultant known for her bold pivots and heart-first leadership.

11. Authentic Visibility, Owning Your Voice & Leading the Menopause Mission with Jesse Schewchuk

What if the parts of yourself you’ve been hiding are actually the ones that connect you most deeply to others? In this soulful and hilarious conversation, I sit down with content creator, speaker, and menopause advocate Jesse Schewchuk, founder of Modern Muse Media and The Menopause Mission. We talk about the power of authenticity, the chaos of content creation, and why true leadership starts with self-connection.

10 Part 2. Family Secrets, Spiritual Gifts & the Power of Telling the Truth with Mandy Trapp

What if your healing wasn’t just for you—but for everyone you're connected to?

In Part 2 of this heart-opening conversation, I’m back with my bestie and soul sister, Mandy Trapp, and we’re diving even deeper into the messy, magical journey of healing, integration, and leading from embodied truth.

10 Part 1. Family Secrets, Spiritual Gifts & the Power of Telling the Truth with Mandy Trapp

What if the pain you’ve been carrying is the key to unlocking your purpose? In this raw and real episode, I sit down with one of my dearest friends, Mandy Trapp, for a deeply personal conversation about trauma, healing, and the truth she’s held in silence for decades.

09. Choosing Presence & Leading with Heart with Dr. Kara Otuomagie

What happens when your identity is rooted in doing—but life calls you to simply be? In this episode, I sit down with the inspiring Dr. Kara Otuomagie—chiropractor, community leader, Ironman athlete, and founder of Kinetic Living, a multidisciplinary health clinic in Edmonton.

08.Embracing Intuition, Change & Soul Alignment with Sheetal Story

In this episode, I sit down with my soul sister, Sheetal Story – Psychic Medium, Spiritual Grief Support Counselor and Professional Astrologer, to explore what it truly means to trust your intuition, embrace transformation, and walk your soul’s path with courage.

07. The Joy Method

In this episode, I’m sharing The Joy Method™ – my step-by-step process designed to help you shift your thoughts, align with your desires, and cultivate lasting Joy. It’s designed to help you take real, aligned action to co-create the life you want.

06. The Practice of Joy

In this solo episode, I dive deep into what it truly means to practice Joy and why it's so much more than just pursuing happiness. We’ll explore the difference between fleeting happiness and lasting Joy, and I offer guidance on how to make Joy your number one priority.

05. Leading with Love: Cecilia Kissel’s Heart & Home Journey

In this heartwarming conversation with Cecilia Kissel, we dive into what it means to create an authentic life filled with purpose, intention, and JOY! From her journey as an "accidental influencer" to building a hobby farm and launching a new community focused on wellness, Cecilia shares how embracing your truth can lead to the most aligned opportunities.

04 Part 2. The Making of a Visionary with Kristina Botelho

In this powerful second part of our conversation with KB & Co. founder Kristina Botelho, we go even deeper into the raw realities of entrepreneurship, spiritual guidance, and the courage it takes to trust your journey—especially when faced with tough decisions.

04 Part 1. The Making of a Visionary with Kristina Botelho

In this powerful conversation with visionary entrepreneur Kristina Botelho, founder of kb&co, we dive deep into an incredible journey of resilience, divine guidance, and unwavering determination.

03. The Power of Authentic Leadership with Mandy Balak

In this soul-stirring conversation with transformational leadership guide Mandy Balak, we dive deep into what it truly means to lead with authenticity in today's world.

02. Embracing the Detour with Business Development Expert Kelly Kennedy

In this powerful episode of The Joy Journey Podcast, we sit down with the visionary who inspired this very podcast—Kelly Kennedy, founder of Capital Business Development and host of the award-winning Business Development Podcast.

01. My Joy Journey

In this intimate first episode of The Joy Journey Podcast, I'm pulling back the curtain and sharing my raw, real journey of discovering that Joy isn't just a fleeting emotion – it's a daily practice and your most powerful tool for transformation.

Kait Schmidek

As a website designer & self-proclaimed problem solver, I take the complicated out of bringing your website to life.

https://kaitschmidek.com/