Season 1, episode 2: Why Not Make Everything a Party? Stories from a vulnerable leader and restaurant owner, guest Jordin Johnson

Content warning: divorce

Today's guest is Jordin Johnson, owner of Blanc Champagne Bar in Midtown Kansas City, Missouri. She's a corporate marketer turned restaurateur. Mainly because she love bubbles and celebrations... with a little dash of "prove myself (and everyone around me) that I can do it"!

She own an amazing restaurant in the heart of KC, manages about 20 employees, and loves creating special memories for every person who walks through their door. She's also been on a self healing journey and is constantly searching for purpose and balance in everything she does.

Topics we cover are around leading with care, intention and empathy, being a collaborative leader who likes to say, “look at what we built” not just myself!

Jordin is wildly open and vulnerable in this episode. If you are going through or have gone through a divorce, launched a business, or had any other especially hard times, this episode will likely be very relatable.

Follow Jordin Johnson @blancchampagnebar on all platforms

Special thanks to our sponsor, Leader One Financial, for their recording space!

Music on this podcast is from the song "Grateful" by the local Kansas City band, The Canterberries. Stream and download their album, Flying Around.

Follow them on Instagram for upcoming show dates @the_canterberries 🍓 🫐 🍒 https://www.instagram.com/the_canterberries/

Connect with the host, Haley Grayless, MSOD

vaxacollective.com

https://www.instagram.com/the_haleygrayless

https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleygrayless/

Transcript for this episode can be found at vaxacollective.com/podcast

Season 1, Episode 1:

Great Leaders are Trauma-Informed

(Note: The audio on this first episode is a little off, as the guest's microphone wasn't working properly BUT you can still here her. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we figure out the technology -- the upcoming episodes won't have the issue! Please listen with grace) ​ ◡̈

Discover how to make mental health discussions engaging and uplifting! Learn valuable insights from therapy expert Jessica Doane on creating joy in serious topics.

In a world where serious topics often dominate discussions, why not make mental health a party? In this inaugural episode of the "Make It a Party" podcast, host Haley Grayless welcomes her dear friend Jessica Done, a licensed clinical social worker and the director of community engagement at Resolve Counseling and Wellness in Kansas City. Together, they explore the intersection of mental health and happiness, sharing insights that challenge traditional narratives.

Jessica Doane, LSCSW, LCSW (she/her), is a licensed clinical social worker in Kansas and Missouri and the Director of Community Engagement at Resolve Counseling and Wellness in Kansas City. She brings years of experience across diverse settings—including schools, residential treatment, and outpatient care—and is known for her work with the LGBTQ+ community and her focus on anxiety, perfectionism, and ADHD in adult women. Jessica is also an adjunct professor at the University of Kansas and a member of the Centurions Leadership Program. She’s passionate about building safe, inclusive spaces for healing and community connection.

Connect with Jessica! www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-doane-lcsw-lscsw

Resources:Need a therapist? Resolve

Community Trainings Resolve Community Trainings — Resolve

kcresolve.com

Special thanks to our sponsor, Kansas City Realty, for their recording space!

Music on this podcast is from the song "Grateful" by the local Kansas City band, The Canterberries. Stream and download their album, Flying Around. Follow them on Instagram for upcoming show dates @the_canterberries 🍓 🫐 🍒

Transcript for this episode can be found at vaxacollective.com/podcast

Here's a little taste of what we'll cover on the Make it a Party! Podcast.

Please hit "subscribe" and season 1's episodes will be dropping each week!