Puzzles, Purpose, & The Best Job Ever with Joey Maxey | The Essence of You Podcast

Joey Maxey wears a lot of hats - actor, filmmaker, dancer, cosplayer, and host of the vintage jigsaw puzzle YouTube channel Janky Puzzles. But ask him what he's proudest of, and he'll tell you it's his job as an elementary school janitor. In this episode, Steph Lokelani sits down with her longtime friend and collaborator to trace a career that's gone from indie feature films (including their own "Retreat" film) to retail, a hospital front desk, and a dream job delivering mail for the USPS, cut short by an epilepsy diagnosis. Joey opens up about being homeless and sleeping in his car, losing both parents, and the piece of advice from his grandmother that changed how he thinks about happiness altogether: stop chasing it, and chase contentment instead. Steph and Joey also get into the craft side of filmmaking - lighting, method acting, and why a well-run set matters - before landing on the deeply human question Steph asks every guest... listen to find out what it is. About Joey Maxey Joey Maxey is the goofy but lovable TV Dad in this situation comedy of life, one in which he relishes being the supporting character of a show that’s not his. He loves listening to people’s stories, learning about their hobbies, and sharing in those mutual experiences.  From community theater, independent films, burlesque reviews, stand up comedy, movie podcaster, he has carried many “dashes” in life. Currently he is the host of the YouTube show “Janky Puzzles”, exploring the world of vintage jigsaw puzzles of all things, who knows what buffoonery will come his way next.  He is a family man, a creative, a janitor, but most of all…alive. Which is pretty cool. 📌 Key Takeaways Career reinvention is rarely a straight line — Joey's path wound through retail, a hospital, a school, and the post office before he found his favorite job yet. A life-altering diagnosis can force a pivot you didn't choose, and that's okay. Chase contentment, not happiness — happiness is a moving target, contentment is something you can actually hold onto. The most "unglamorous" jobs can be the most meaningful ones. Hard seasons (grief, homelessness, hardship) don't have to define you, and acknowledging them doesn't mean minimizing them. Small, weird, specific memories — a chili contest, a truck-stop rib dinner — often mean more than the big bucket-list wins. Curiosity and not taking yourself too seriously might be the whole secret. Check out Joey's YouTube Channel, Janky Puzzles! https://www.youtube.com/@JankyPuzzles ⏱️ Chapters 0:00 – Cold open & pre-show banter 1:42 – Welcome to the show & how Joey and Steph met 3:23 – Making "Retreat" - their first film together 7:11 – The craft of low-budget filmmaking & staying present as an actor 12:58 – Lighting, gaffers, and why practical light matters 16:21 – Joey's official bio (and unofficial titles) 17:19 – 24 years in retail, then a hospital and a school 24:15 – The dream job that got cut short and an epilepsy diagnosis 28:33 – Why being a school janitor is the best job Joey's ever had 38:49 – Grandma's wisdom: chase contentment, not happiness 50:53 – Janky Puzzles: Joey's vintage jigsaw puzzle YouTube channel 51:49 – The wild true story behind Thomas Kinkade 1:03:03 – Mental health, hard seasons, and finding gratitude anyway 1:13:56 – Who is Joey Maxey at his core? 1:17:04 – Check out Janky Puzzles + final thoughts