What happens when you lose your mother, go through fertility treatments alone, and still refuse to leave this earth without becoming one?

That's where Ayo Haynes' story begins — and it's just the beginning.

In this episode of The Joy! A.A.C.T.™, Dr. Lisa Summerour sits down with Certified Mentor, Life Strategist, and author Ayo Haynes — an actress, voiceover artist, award-winning realtor, real estate coach, open adoption mentor, and AI educator — for a conversation about what it really looks like to navigate life's biggest transitions with courage, faith, and zero regrets.

Ayo opens up about losing her mother in 2014, going through rounds of fertility treatments as a single woman, and how a four-week adoption match — 10 months to the day of her mother's passing — brought her daughter into her life. She shares what open adoption actually looks like, why she was invited into the delivery room, and what a teenager's act of love taught her about vulnerability, belonging, and trust.

They also dig into her book, The Importance of No Regrets: Choosing Courage, Healing the Past, and Designing Your Second Half — sparked by actor Eric Dane's farewell message to his daughters recorded before his passing — and why having the hard conversations now changes everything.

Plus: Ayo previews her She's Extraordinary Antarctica Mastermind Retreat (November 11–22, 2027) and her upcoming AI Action Lab.

You're not a building that needs to be torn down to the foundation. You're already here, living and breathing. This is the stage where you take responsibility for your future without blaming yourself for your past. Learn how to stand on your story instead of staying stuck in it.

Acceptance isn’t about liking what happened — it’s about stopping the fight with reality.

In this episode of The Joy! A.A.C.T.™ Podcast, Dr. Lisa Summerour explores Stage Seven of the Loss Cycle: Acceptance — the quiet, powerful moment when truth lands softly instead of violently.

You’ll learn how acceptance shows up without drama, why emotional neutrality is a sign of healing (not numbness), and how letting go of resistance frees your energy for what’s next. Dr. Lisa walks you through reflection questions, closure rituals, and the subtle shifts that signal you’re no longer surviving — you’re stabilizing.

This episode is about facing what was, reclaiming your inner calm, and creating closure without chasing it from anyone else.

The Joy! A.A.C.T.™ Podcast provides coaching insight and educational content and is not a substitute for therapy or medical care. Dr. Lisa Summerour is a divorce recovery coach, not a licensed mental health or medical professional.

In this episode of The Joy! A.A.C.T.™ Podcast, Dr. Lisa guides you into the Testing stage of the Loss Cycle — the moment you start living again. Not by jumping into romance, forcing healing, or pretending you’re “over it”… but by experimenting, exploring, and allowing curiosity to lead you forward.

This stage isn’t about perfection. It’s about movement. Small ones. Brave ones. Honest ones.

You’ll learn how to step back into your life with intention — whether that means updating your résumé, joining a new group, taking yourself to lunch, or yes, even creating a dating profile… but this time with boundaries, clarity, and self-respect at the center.

Testing isn’t about replacing anyone. It’s about rediscovering you.

If you’re ready to try — gently, slowly, intentionally — this episode will meet you right where you are.

In this powerful episode of The Joy! A.A.C.T.™ Podcast, Dr. Lisa Summerour breaks down the least-discussed stage of the loss cycle: depression. With honesty, clarity, and compassion, she explains why depression during divorce is not a failure—it’s a natural, human response to loss.

Drawing from her own journey and the teachings of Dr. Kübler-Ross, Dr. Lisa helps you understand the difference between grief-related depression and clinical depression, why emotions repeat in cycles, and why avoiding the sadness actually slows healing.

You’ll hear practical tools to help you move through the heaviness—timed emotional processing, movement, grounding, connection, and simple self-care that keeps your mind and body supported.

This episode gives language to what you’re feeling, anchors your experience in truth, and reminds you of this:

You’re not broken. You’re grieving. And you’re going to make it through this.

Join Dr. Lisa Summerour in this week's episode of her series on The Loss Cycle, where she delves into the bargaining stage. Dr. Lisa discusses the emotional intensity and desperation that can accompany this phase, especially near the end or after the end of a relationship. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, she explores how bargaining manifests, its impact on individuals, and the importance of recognizing and addressing it. She also provides practical steps to ground oneself in reality and move forward. This episode is a must-watch for anyone navigating the complexities of emotional loss and looking to rediscover their path to healing and growth.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa dives deep into the "Anger" stage of the Loss Cycle after divorce. Learn how to recognize, process, and transform anger into a tool for healing and self-discovery. Whether you’re navigating heartbreak or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with insights, research, and practical exercises to help you reclaim your power.

In this episode, Dr. Lisa continues her series on the Loss Cycle, focusing on the stage of Denial after divorce. She shares personal stories, practical strategies, and powerful exercises to help you move from surviving to thriving.