Reframe to Create – Details, episodes & analysis

You can only go as far as who you are today.

That might feel limiting… unless you remember this:

You're not stuck with who you are today.

In this final episode of the 3-part Narrative Identity series, I walk you through Step 3: Reframe — the intentional rebuilding of your narrative identity so you can expand what's possible for you and your team.

Because you don't create from strategy alone.
You create from identity.

This episode builds on:

• Reframe to Create Episode 123 – Reveal

• Reframe to Create Episode 124 – Reclaim

• And earlier identity foundations in Reframe to Create Episode 122 and Reframe to Create Episode 31

In this episode, I share:

• Why you cannot skip the process and jump straight to slogans
• The difference between identity work and strategy work
• The powerful rallying phrase your team must define:
We are… We believe… We belong to…
• The bonus clarity statement:
We do… so that… the people we serve can…

When your narrative identity is clear, alignment increases, shadow narratives lose power, and innovation gains momentum.

You are not limited by who you are today.
You can build a new you.
And your team can too.

Ready to reveal, reclaim, and reframe your narrative identity?

Email me at joy@reframetocreate.com with the subject line: Narrative Identity

It's time to reframe to create.

Referenced Episodes

Reframe to Create Episode 124 -  If You Won't Choose, The Choice Will Be Made For You (Part 2 of 3): Reclaim 

Reframe to Create Episode 123 - What You Won't Look at Will Kill You (Part 1 of 3): Reveal 

Reframe to Create Episode 122 - It All Starts With and Goes Back to Who You Are 

Reframe to Create Episode 31 - You Can Only Go As Far As You Are

About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.  

Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

In Episode 123, we talked about Reveal—the courage it takes to finally look at what's already shaping your behavior, your decisions, and your results.

Today, we move into Part 2: Reclaim.

Because once you can see your narrative identity, you don't get to stay neutral anymore.
 

Not choosing… is still choosing.

And that choice always comes with consequences.

In this episode, I explore why reclaiming your narrative identity is fundamentally about making intentional choices—especially as teams and organizations that want to create something new, meaningful, and lasting.

• Why avoiding a decision doesn't protect you from consequences—it guarantees them

• How passive choices quietly shape team culture and outcomes

• What it really means to reclaim your narrative identity (hint: it's not about keeping everything)

• Why teams that don't choose their narrative identity end up being driven by shadow identities

• How unspoken assumptions sabotage alignment, strategy, and innovation

  Why narrative identity work must be done together and out loud

In Episode 125, which is the final episode of this 3-part series, I'll walk you through Reframe—the step where you intentionally reconstruct a new narrative identity that sets you up to create and innovate in power.

Reveal shows you what's there.
Reclaim helps you choose what stays.
Reframe is where the future gets built.

If you're ready to reclaim your creating power and help your team reveal, reclaim, and reframe its narrative identity, email me at:

📩 joy@reframetocreate.com
Subject: Narrative Identity

Let's build the narrative identity that can actually support the impact you're here to create.

Referenced Episodes

Reframe to Create Episode 123 - What You Won't Look at Will Kill You (Part 1 of 3): Reveal 

Reframe to Create Episode 122 - It All Starts With and Goes Back to Who You Are 

Reframe to Create Episode 31 - You Can Only Go As Far As You Are

About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.  

Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

What if your business, team, or even your personal work rhythm could actually grow because of friction — not in spite of it?

That's the question we dig into with today's guest, Travis Lee Howard, as he shares his powerful framework called the Mindful Business Paradigm (MVP). 

This isn't just another business model — it's a way to diagnose where things are off, whether you're a leader, creator, or changemaker trying to do mission-minded work that actually matters.

Travis breaks down the four-part paradigm — Self → Customer → Machine → Team — and helps us understand how misalignment between any of these areas can derail your impact. 

But with the right questions and reframes, you can find your way back to clarity, connection, and creativity.

• How to use friction as your best diagnostic tool

• The real reason your systems or team might be struggling (hint: it's probably not the tools)

• How non-founders and employees can use this to find their place and amplify their impact

• Why your most powerful leadership move is to speak your inarguable truths

"When things break down, don't panic — diagnose. Are you out of sync with yourself, your customer, the machine, or the team?"

• Business leader growing your company

• Employee searching for purpose and alignment

• Consultant designing better systems

• Or creative finding your path back to meaningful work...

This episode is your invitation to pause, realign, and reimagine how your work flows from gift to impact.

• Connect with Travis Lee Howard on LinkedIn

• Explore more tools to create, own, and storytell your real work at reframetocreate.com

About my guest: 

Travis Lee Howard's career is a remarkable blend of entrepreneurship, leadership, and mindful management. From his early days in technology and law to his pioneering work in the cannabis industry and his current role as a coach and consultant, Travis's journey is marked by continuous growth and impactful contributions. His dedication to fostering innovation, compassion, and strategic excellence makes him a standout figure in the modern business landscape.

With over 20 years of entrepreneurial leadership experience, Travis coaches potential founders and entrepreneurs to reach their full potential through a simple paradigm. In teaching the mindful management pillars he works with his clients to tackle self, customer, machine, and team in a manner that aligns and inspires.  

Contact Travis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisleehoward/

Reference Episodes

Reframe to Create Episode 97 - Are you the Gift or the Gift-Giver | Travis Lee Howard 

About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.  

Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

A New Year often brings lots of talk about making commitments to new resolutions. 

But our current view of commitment isn't serving us.  

At all.  

It's got us blasting up like rockets and fizzling out way before the finish line.  

In this episode, you'll get a reframe on commitment that'll help you stay the course of your creating journey.  

This episode kicks off a 5-part series on the 5Cs of a Creating Maven.  These are the 5 key characteristics you'll need in order to truly embrace the identity of a person who is creating with their gifts and getting paid for it.  

About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.  

Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

It's time to drop the dead weight!

As we approach 2022, you may be plotting and planning about all the new things you're going to do and add in the new year.  

But a new year is not just about adding things.

It's also about all the things you need to stop, say no to, and leave behind.  

In this episode, I share five of the most important things you need to leave behind in 2021 in order to truly step into your full power as a creating maven in 2022. 

About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.  

Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

What would happen to your engine if you put the wrong fuel in your tank? 

I think you know it'd be a complete disaster!

We know how important getting the right fuel is when it comes to our cars but it seems we lose sight of this when it comes to our lives. 

In this episode you'll learn:

• How what you say yes to is your daily fuel by default
• The best fuel for your life if you're going to be a true creating maven
• A practice to get the right fuel in your life on a daily basis 

It's time to say yes to the right fuel! 

About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.  

Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

What do you do when things have become chaotic on the job?  

Do you try to leverage the mayhem to your benefit?  

Do you try to dominate and bring things under control so you can stop the madness? 

If you're a creating maven there's only one thing for you to do.

You've got to become indistractable.

But how?  

In this episode, I share three steps to take in order to become indistractable in the midst of any messiness that pops up around you.  

Because the world needs you to focus on creating the beautiful things and experiences you were born to create, and not battling the latest drama that's floating around the office.  

About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.  

Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

Have you ever wanted to give up because you questioned if all the effort you've put into creating was worth it at all? 

My guest knows all about this and shows us how to remain committed to creating, despite the challenges along the way.

In this episode, author Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond teases nuggets of gold from the toughest lessons she learned not just before but also after the debut of her novel "Powder Necklace".  

Lessons like: 

• Accepting that there's never going to be a perfect set of circumstances to make creating easier 
• Learning to follow your creative spark even if it switches gears
• Knowing when something you've created has missed its time. 
• Embracing the new parts of yourself you'll discover on your creating journey.
• Realizing that decision points don't just come once. They come again and again.  
• Seeing that creating isn't an easy road that gets easier. It's not even a hard road that will get easier. It's often a hard road that gets harder.  Even so. Keep going.  It's still worth it. 

Even if you've never felt like you had "a book inside you waiting to come out" there's so much you're going to learn from this episode about committing to a creating journey that's windy, twisty, and gloriously imperfect!

If you've never read Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond's debut novel "Powder Necklace" then you're missing out and need to "run not walk" to grab your copy! 

Learn more about what Nana is doing next by visiting: www.nanabrewhammond.com 

My Guest:  Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond is an American-Ghanaian writer of novels, short stories, and a poet. In 2014 she was chosen as one of 39 of Sub-Saharan Africa's most promising writers under the age of 40, showcased in the Africa39 project. Nana has been featured on MSNBC, NY1, SaharaTV, ARISE TV and has been published in Ebony Magazine. Her writing has also appeared in New Daughters of Africa: An International Anthology of Writing by Women of African Descent, Everyday People: The Color of Life-A Short Story Anthology, African Writing, Los Angeles Review of Books, Sunday Salon, and the short story collection, Women's Work. Coming up next from Nana is a new novel, a children's picture book, and a short story in the anthology Accra Noir. 

About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.  

Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

Did you know that boundaries aren't about saying no?

What?!!

If boundaries aren't about saying no then what're they about? 

And how can knowing this help you get the life you want? 

That's what we'll get into during this episode so that you can get a strong boundaries game because like most folks I bet your boundaries game is weak!

It's the reason you keep finding yourself in things that you never planned or promised yourself you wouldn't get sucked into.

It's the reason your plate always feels full of other people's agenda and never your own priority.  

Do you even know what your priority is anymore? 

Let's stop the madness so you can get your life back and create the things that are most important to you!

About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.  

Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/

What if I told you that there are people out there who are experiencing job satisfaction, right now? 

They don't dread Mondays and they don't anticipate Fridays.

Can you believe that? 

They are a rare breed but I think it's time that came to an end.

It's possible for this to be the norm for you too!   

That's why I'm going to share their secret so that you can also experience fulfillment in your work right now. 

In today's episode, you'll learn:

• Why you don't need to find your dream job  
• The most important thing you need to ask before you go to a new job 
• Two things I do not and two that I do recommend in order for you to set yourself apart in your 9-to-5 
• 4 steps to create and own something of your own on your job 

About: The Reframe to Create podcast is hosted by Joy Spencer, an Executive Leadership and Storytelling Coach, Speaker, and Organizational Development Consultant working with professionals and leaders at all levels within organizations.  Joy leverages over 17 years of experience she gained while working to champion change in social justice movements, including those related to global access to essential medicines and consumer advocacy for online privacy.  This work required a dogged commitment to not merely challenging the status quo, but to reimagining and working towards creating an ideal future.  It is this commitment to creating that has shaped Joy's coaching philosophy and approach today. Using her signature C.R.E.A.T.E. framework, Joy guides her clients through a process to become incomparable in work so they can get paid to be themselves.  

Follow Joy on LinkedIn  - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-spencer/