Mode To Joy

It started when Chris LaFranchi was six years old. His uncle dunked his head into a California tide pool, and a water world fascination began that day that ultimately led him to his current calling. Decades later, that moment of childhood wonder is the foundation of One Reef Worldwide Stewardship, a nonprofit he founded that partners directly with Indigenous Pacific Island communities across seven countries to protect coral reefs, preserve ancient cultures, and build resilience in the face of a changing climate.In this episode, Monica sits down with Chris for a wide-ranging conversation about following a spark across a lifetime, what Pacific Island elders taught him about humility and conservation, and why helping other people succeed became his greatest source of energy. He also opens up about the very real challenges of building a nonprofit from scratch, including moments of inspiration and moments of self doubt and learning to unlearn everything his formal education had told him about solving problems.If you have ever felt called toward something bigger than yourself and wondered whether you are the right person to pursue it, this one is for you.ConnectFollow Mode to Joy for new episodes wherever you listen to podcasts, and connect with us on Instagram @renewalfuel.

Join Monica Lyle and her guests for engaging and thought-provoking conversations on the Mode To Joy Podcast. These honest, open episodes will inspire you to lean into what you’re naturally good at, and help you discover ways to spark joy in your own life and career.

What if a chance encounter changed the entire trajectory of your career and set you on an impassioned path to change the lives of others? For Cara Feldman Hunt, it did.A conversation with a stranger building a nonprofit set Cara on a path she never could have planned and set her on a mission to change healthcare. Today she is the Director of the OSHER Center for Integrative Health at the University of Vermont, leading an initiative achieving reductions in ER visits, testifying at the state house, and working to make Vermont a living laboratory for what better healthcare can look like.In this episode, Monica sits down with her dear friend to talk about her path to build something meaningful, why relationships and patience are the most underrated career tools, and what it really means to wake up every morning knowing your work matters. Cara also shares what she has learned after 18 years in the field and why she believes our healthcare system can and must change.If you have ever felt called toward work that is bigger than a job title, this one is for you.

What if dreaming big brought you to the big stage? For Rodd Cyrus - now starring on Broadway as Harry Houdini in Ragtime – that means making his debut at the very theater he once made his lunch spot when studying across the street at Juilliard.In this episode, Monica sits down with her longtime family friend for an honest, joyful and inspiring conversation about what it really takes to live the life of a working actor. While they discuss high times like cast albums, promos for the Tonys and parades – Rodd also opens up about the realities of winning and losing auditions, the importance of finding community with casts and colleagues and finding the quiet, fierce belief in himself that carries him through all the ups and downs along the way.This one will motivate you. As Rodd inspires: dream big, protect your imagination, and always find the determination to get back on the saddle.

What if your first CEO job was running a 22-room hotel at age 15? For Eric Chernik, that's exactly where the adventure began.In this episode, Monica sits down with her decades-long friend and former Stanford classmate Eric Chernik, seasoned CEO, connector, and strategist to trace the compelling path from young entrepreneur to corporate leader. Eric shares why as a CEO he prioritized people, how he unlocked career-defining opportunities, and why adventure is at the heart of his passion for life and informs his outlook.You'll leave with a fresh perspective on building diverse teams, leading with transparency, and making your own luck, plus five unforgettable life rules from the person who shaped Eric most: his amazing mom.If you've ever wondered what it really takes to lead a business and love your life, this one's for you.