What happens when the qualities you spent a lifetime apologizing for suddenly make you famous? That’s the story of Annie Korzen, an actor, writer, and now an accidental influencer who skyrocketed to social media fame in her 80s. You may recognize her from Seinfeld, but today, she’s captivating millions with her unfiltered wisdom, humor, and brutally honest takes on life, aging, and saying “Yeah, why not?” to unexpected opportunities.

In this episode, Annie shares how she went from bit-part actress to viral sensation, the lessons she’s learned about storytelling, rejection, and reinvention, and why she believes embracing your true self is the key to success. We also dig into her new book, The Book of Annie: Humor, Heart, and Chutzpah from an Accidental Influencer, and her thoughts on aging, money, and why everyone needs a little rebellion in their lives.

Whether you’re 25 or 85, this conversation will leave you laughing, inspired, and maybe even rethinking your own next big leap.

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• Annie Korzen’s Website: AnnieKorzen.com

• Buy The Book of Annie: Amazon

• YouTube Channel: Annie Korzen Videos

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1. [00:00] Introduction – Meet Annie Korzen and her unexpected journey to viral fame.

2. [03:00] Embracing Change in Your 80s – How TikTok transformed Annie’s career.

3. [07:00] The Power of Saying “Yeah, Why Not?” – Why taking risks leads to unexpected rewards.

4. [12:00] Life Lessons from Hollywood and Seinfeld – How Annie’s iconic TV role shaped her career.

5. [18:00] Storytelling, Rejection, and Resilience – The craft of storytelling and why persistence matters.

6. [24:00] Ageism, Social Media, and Finding Your Voice – Annie’s take on how older voices are gaining traction.

7. [31:00] The Book of Annie – What inspired Annie’s memoir and the stories inside.

8. [37:00] Breaking Free from Society’s Expectations – Owning who you are at any age.

9. [42:00] Final Thoughts & Where to Find Annie – Links, social media, and how to get the book.

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In this episode of A Joyful Rebellion, host James sits down with R.L. Carpentier, a veteran law enforcement officer turned crime fiction writer. Rodney shares his journey from studying English literature to unexpectedly entering law enforcement and how he rekindled his love for storytelling after nearly two decades on the force. His debut novel, Our Lady of the Overlook, is the first in a gripping crime thriller series that merges real-world policing experience with compelling storytelling.

Rodney walks us through the moment of inspiration that led to his novel, how he overcame imposter syndrome, and the writing strategies that helped him bring his book to life. He shares insights on crafting realistic police procedurals, the importance of self-imposed deadlines, and how he balances his creative work with his career. He also discusses his approach to self-publishing, working with editors, and building a writing platform ahead of his upcoming retirement.

If you've ever wanted to write a book but struggled with getting started, this episode is packed with actionable advice and motivation.

[00:00:00] Introduction

• Welcome to A Joyful Rebellion
• James introduces guest R.L. Carpentier

[00:01:00] The Inspiration for Our Lady of the Overlook

• Rodney’s background in law enforcement and literature
• How a late-night shift sparked the idea for his novel

[00:03:30] From College Writer to Police Officer

• Studying English and idolizing the Lost Generation authors
• How he drifted away from writing when he started his career

[00:06:00] The Turning Point: Why Writing Had to Happen

• Losing his father and reevaluating his life path
• The moment he decided: I have to do this for me

[00:09:00] Learning the Craft & Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

• Discovering storytelling techniques like Save the Cat
• Finding editors and trusting the revision process

[00:12:00] Self-Publishing: The Reality of Making a Book Happen

• The step-by-step process of hiring editors, designers, and proofreaders
• Attending writing conferences to build confidence and connections

[00:18:00] Realistic Crime Writing: Blending Fact with Fiction

• How Rodney balances procedural accuracy with compelling storytelling
• Navigating what can and cannot be shared from law enforcement experience

[00:22:00] The Evolution of a Trilogy

• How Our Lady of the Overlook expanded into a three-book series
• What’s coming in books two and three

[00:26:00] Financing & Marketing a Self-Published Book

• How Rodney used overtime work to fund his debut novel
• Considering Kickstarter for future projects

[00:30:00] Building a Writing Career Before Retirement

• Planning ahead for his post-law enforcement creative career
• The importance of having a platform before transitioning careers

[00:34:00] Final Thoughts & Advice

• The philosophy that shaped his approach: Early is on time, on time is late, late is not acceptable
• Where to find Our Lady of the Overlook and connect with Rodney

Guest Website & Newsletter Signup: rlcarpentierwriter.com Buy Our Lady of the Overlook: Available on Amazon & Direct from Author Follow Rodney on Patreon: (Link to be provided by guest)

Podcast Episode Summary

In this insightful episode of A Joyful Rebellion, host James sits down with Kareen Aristide, a human behavior consultant and mental health advocate, to discuss the profound difference between happiness and joy. Kareen shares her personal journey—from a thriving career to a life-altering crash that forced her to reevaluate success, purpose, and well-being.

She introduces the DISC personality model, explaining how self-awareness can help individuals break free from societal expectations, avoid burnout, and make career and life choices that align with their true nature.

They dive deep into why high-achievers often struggle with fulfillment, the dangers of overachievement, and the warning signs that signal an impending crash.

Kareen also provides actionable advice on how to cultivate joy, set boundaries, and align personal and professional growth with individual strengths. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a high-performer, or someone feeling stuck, this episode will inspire you to rethink success and embrace a more intentional, fulfilling path.

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Guest Website: KareenAristide.com Free DISC Training & Resources: SleekBio.com/KareenAristide

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Tune in to learn how to shift from doing to being—and discover a more joyful, authentic way to live.

[00:00:00] Introduction

• Welcome to A Joyful Rebellion
• James introduces guest Kareen Aristide
• The importance of distinguishing between joy and happiness

[00:02:00] Understanding Societal Expectations

• Why success doesn’t always equal fulfillment
• The weight of external expectations from family, society, and culture

[00:03:30] Kareen’s Personal Journey

• How a career in counseling led to self-discovery
• Her transition from employment counselor to mompreneur
• The car crash that changed everything

[00:07:00] The Concept of "Being Before Doing"

• Why high achievers often lose themselves in their work
• The importance of self-awareness in creating a meaningful life

[00:10:00] Exploring the DISC Personality Model

• Overview of DISC personality types (D – Dominant, I – Inspiring, S – Supportive, C – Cautious)
• How understanding personality helps in relationships and careers
• How Kareen used DISC to improve her marriage and business

[00:18:00] Applying DISC to Work and Life

• How personality impacts leadership, delegation, and productivity
• Why burnout often stems from operating outside of your natural strengths
• How entrepreneurs can balance drive vs. sustainability

[00:25:00] The Warning Signs of Burnout

• What most people ignore before they crash
• How to recognize when your body and mind are warning you
• The role of journaling and self-reflection in staying aligned

[00:30:00] Managing Mental Health as an Entrepreneur

• Why entrepreneurs rarely ask for help until it’s too late
• The importance of therapy, self-care, and intentional pauses
• How Kareen integrates mental health and personal growth in her work

[00:36:00] Cultivating Joy Over Happiness

• Why joy is a state of being, while happiness is fleeting
• How to cultivate long-term joy despite temporary challenges
• Finding fulfillment in everyday moments

[00:42:00] Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• Recap of key insights
• Where to find Kareen’s free DISC resources and training
• Kareen’s upcoming book on mental health and personality styles