FTUIY #152: Dr. Christie McMullen

Dr. Christie McMullen

Welcome back to the Unicorn Wall of Fame, where we celebrate extraordinary professionals who bring their unique magic to the world. This week, we’re delighted to spotlight Dr. Christie McMullen: podcast host, CEO, human interaction expert, and the creative force behind making work—and life—a whole lot more fun.

From Classroom to Boardroom: A Lifelong Educator’s Journey

Dr. Christie’s journey began in education. Starting as a high school teacher and later teaching teachers, she discovered a simple but profound truth: the art of helping adults learn is really the art of human connection. That realization became the foundation for her work as a consultant and CEO, where she now helps organizations across industries make work fun, engaging, and truly memorable.

Her philosophy? People quit things that aren’t fun. If work isn’t engaging, if meetings are pointless, or if people don’t feel valued, they’ll eventually walk away. Dr. Christie’s mission is to help leaders and teams flip the script—making every interaction safe, logical, fun, and memorable.

The Science of Fun at Work

What does it mean to make work fun? For Dr. Christie, it’s about more than ping-pong tables or free snacks. Fun at work is rooted in people feeling valued, heard, and empowered to use their unique gifts. She works with everyone from C-suite executives to sales teams, guiding organizations to:

• Create psychological safety: Know people’s names, invite their voices, and make it safe to contribute.

• Communicate logically: Share the plan up front so everyone knows what to expect and how to participate.

• Spark positive emotions: Use humor, stories, and authentic connection to create lasting memories—because we remember what makes us feel.

• Make it memorable: Drip, sprinkle, and flood information in a way that sticks, using pre-meeting emails, clear agendas, and meaningful follow-ups.

Her streamlined approach helps organizations save time, money, and energy—eliminating endless, unproductive meetings and replacing them with focused, joyful collaboration.

Know Your Superpowers and Advocate for Yourself

Dr. Christie believes everyone is a gift, but not every environment recognizes or needs the same gifts. Her advice for anyone wanting to be more effective at work? Start by identifying what you’re really good at—your superpowers. Then, be brave enough to advocate for doing more of what lights you up.

If you’re stuck in a role that doesn’t fit your strengths, it’s like wearing a mask all day: eventually, it becomes hard to breathe. Leaders who help team members play to their strengths create happier, more motivated workplaces where people want to stay and thrive.

Productive Joy: Where Fun Meets Action

Dr. Christie’s definition of fun is deeply tied to action. Her podcast, Productive Joy, explores this intersection, bringing together brilliant minds from all walks of life (including Dr. Jaime!) to share practical wisdom and a shot of joy. The goal? To turn fun into meaningful results—for yourself and for others.

Tackling Stress with Power Sessions

We all face hard, stressful tasks at work. Dr. Christie’s favorite strategy? Power sessions. Set a timer for 30 minutes, remove distractions, and focus on one challenging task. At the end, celebrate your progress—because small wins train your brain to stay in the fight, not the flight.

She also reminds us: multitasking is a myth. Every distraction costs you 23 minutes of focus. So, minimize those tabs, set clear boundaries, and give yourself permission to focus.

The Unicorn Lesson: Victory Over Victimhood

Dr. Christie’s unicorn lesson is all about perspective. Drawing on a lifetime of learning from her entertainer father, her caring mother, and her own experiences as a teacher and leader, she’s learned that everything happens by design, not by default. We can choose to see ourselves as victims of circumstance, or we can claim victory—using every experience to shape our unique genius.

“There’s only one you,” Dr. Christie says. “You’re a unicorn the world needs. Don’t hide that unicorn-ness—let it shine.”

Connect with Dr. Christie McMullen

If you’re ready to bring more fun, meaning, and productive joy to your work or team, connect with Dr. Christie:

• Website: aimwithus.com

• Podcast: Productive Joy (available on all major platforms)

• Social: Search “Dr. Christie McMullen” on any platform

Final Thoughts

Dr. Christie McMullen reminds us that work doesn’t have to be a grind. When we lead with joy, honor our gifts, and make every interaction meaningful, we create workplaces (and lives) where everyone can shine. Let’s keep spreading that unicorn magic—one joyful connection at a time.

For more inspiring stories, visit the Unicorn Wall of Fame and tune in to Finding the Unicorn in You—new episodes every Friday at 7am.