Episode Summary:

We’re kicking off The Joy CEO podcast with someone who holds a special place in my professional heart and who has been a big part of my journey—Justin Honaman. Justin was my last manager at Coca-Cola, and over the last 15 years, we’ve been through it all together: career highs, painful losses, big pivots, and even getting laid off in the same reorg.

Today, Justin is thriving as Global Head at Amazon—and in this honest, heart-felt conversation, we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to rise again after a setback. We talk about grief, reinvention, and the power of staying grounded in who you are (even when the world around you is shifting).

This episode is full of truth, resilience, and real talk about what leadership looks like when you choose to lead with authenticity—and how joy fits into all of it.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How Justin navigated job loss and bounced back stronger than ever
• Why grief transformed his approach to leadership
• The mindset shifts that fueled his reinvention
• What joy looks like at the top—and why it matters more than ever
• How to stay grounded in high-stakes, high-pressure roles

[2:15] – How We Met + Full Circle Moment

Justin and I reflect on our journey—from Coca-Cola to today—and what it means to launch this show together.

[6:45] – Losing Our Moms, Leading Through Grief

A heartfelt exchange about navigating personal loss and how grief changed the way we lead.

[11:30] – The Reorg That Changed Everything

We unpack what it was like to be let go in the same reorg—and how that forced pause led to a deeper sense of identity and purpose.

[17:50] – Reinvention & The Courage to Start Over

Justin opens up about the setbacks and key moments that helped shape his next chapter.

[23:00] – Thriving at Amazon: What Leadership Looks Like Now

What it means to lead well in a global, fast-moving environment—and why authenticity wins every time.

[30:10] – The Role of Joy in the Climb

We talk about how joy shows up (and how it gets lost) in leadership—and how to intentionally bring it back.

[36:00] – Rapid Fire: Legacy, Habits & What He’s Still Learning

The lightning round—Justin’s legacy, his daily habits, and what he’s still working on as a leader.

🔗 Links & Mentions:

• Connect with Justin Honaman on LinkedIn
• Listen to Justin’s ContenderCast Podcast
• Learn more about Lori’s work at LoriPine.com
• Follow Lori on Instagram and LinkedIn

Be sure to follow the show, leave a 5-star rating, and drop a quick review—it helps more people find the show, and it means the world to me.

And if someone in your world needs to hear this conversation? Share it. Because the ripple effect of joy starts with us.