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The JOY Hour Podcast hosted by Ella Mesma. Episode 71: Be Unacceptable with Alex Harvey THE JOY HOUR PODCAST
Episode 71 – Be Unacceptable with Alex Harvey
Release Date: 23rd November 2025
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & THANKS:
Recorded between Bali and Lisbon. The JOY Hour honours the sacred lands of Bali and the Indigenous communities of Indon
Time: 33:33
THE JOY HOUR PODCAST
Episode 71 – Be Unacceptable with Alex Harvey
Release Date: 23rd November 2025
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & THANKS:
Recorded between Bali and Lisbon. The JOY Hour honours the sacred lands of Bali and the Indigenous communities of Indonesia. We acknowledge the colonial histories of both Indonesia and Portugal, and recognise that the land we stand on carries stories of Indigenous peoples, resistance, and resilience.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE:
Content Warning: This episode references depression, mental health struggles, self-worth challenges, sex and occasional strong language.
Alex Harvey shares her journey from depression and engineering to helping women break free from good girl conditioning. Discover how joy serves as a compass, the antidote to perfectionism, and why choosing yourself first serves the world.
🎁 FREE GIFT FOR LISTENERS:
Download your free Joy Hour resource at mayagandaia.com/joyhourgift
IN THIS EPISODE:
Breaking free from good girl conditioning and perfectionism
Alex's journey from depression through engineering to creative entrepreneurship
Using joy as an indicator of flow vs. stress states
The paradox of serving yourself first to serve the world
Living authentically outside the boxes of "acceptable"
Managing multiple creative projects whilst maintaining balance
The freedom that comes from choosing your own path
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Introduction
00:56 – Welcome and life in Bali
01:11 – Creating multiple projects: book, fashion line, and pleasure art
03:27 – The role of joy in business and creative life
06:27 – Alex's journey from depression to purpose
09:46 – The transition from engineering and finding a creative path
11:42 – Discovering pleasure and sensuality as a pathway
15:08 – Working with the nervous system and stress responses
19:25 – The pressure of good girl conditioning
27:22 – Society's impossible expectations
28:37 – The antidote: Being unacceptable
31:26 – Living for yourself vs. living for others
32:02 – How to connect with Alex and find the book
32:56 – Closing
ABOUT THE GUEST:
Alex Harvey is a transformational coach, author, and creator helping women remember who the f*ck they are and live it.
Through Feminine Alchemy, Alex guides women to break free from the "good girl" conditioning that keeps them playing small and step into their wildest creative power, leadership, and feminine magnetism.
She is the founder of The Modern Woman Academy, author of Be Unacceptable, and creator of Dare the Label, featuring a fashion range and glass pleasure collection.
Known for her raw honesty and no-fluff wisdom, Alex blends deep spiritual alchemy with real-world results, helping women shift from self-doubt and people-pleasing to unapologetic confidence, embodied purpose, and authentic success.
When not creating in Bali, Alex pursues dance, travel, and living fully turned on and free.
RESOURCES & MENTIONS:
Book: Be Unacceptable by Alex Harvey www.beunacceptablebook.com
Book mentioned: The Courage to Be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi
Feminine Alchemy: Alex's signature body of work
Dare the Label: Women's fashion and glass pleasure art collection
The Modern Woman Academy: Alex's coaching platform
CONNECT:
Ella Mesma
Website: www.ellamesma.co.uk | www.mayagandaia.com
Book: https://mayagandaia.com/journal-to-joy/
Current offers: https://mayagandaia.com/links/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellamesma/
Alex Harvey
Book: beunacceptablebook.com
Current offers: www.themodernwoman.academy/links
Podcast: www.themodernwoman.academy/podcastlinks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexh.co/
LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joy-hour/id1849505845
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1e2AslgK9q1hnEimdgQHzr
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mayagandaia
Amazon: https://shorturl.at/uFKCh
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & THANKS:
Music: LamRock
Everything else: Brought to you by Ella and guests ❤️
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GUID: 8651cbc9-1f23-4e3d-b489-545d853d1b4d
Release Date: 23/11/2025, 11:11:00
