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How do we welcome in a new year, after 2020 was full of so many difficult things? In this first interview of 2021, I'm so delighted to be joined by the five podcasters behind "The Best Parts Podcast:" Louise Neil, Nikki Baker Wulf, Laura Lively, Sara Doell, and Kim Romain. Their philosophy is that all parts of our lives are the best parts. I know that there is a really big desire to slam the door on 2020, and call it a dumpster fire. Instead, I want to focus on what is going on for each of us as we enter into a new year That said, there's something that's really juicy about the middle of all of this, because: One: I don't think all the problems that we've come up with and seen in 2020 are just going to end. We've already seen that that isn't true. Two: Much of the turmoil that's been put into motion across the board is also going to stay in play.  Get all the show notes and a full transcript at the website. Sign up for Newsletter on my website. Purchase my book, Jump Start Your Joy: Heart-Centered Ways to Find Joy in The Messy Middle

In this episode, we’ll be looking at how to bring joy into your life, even when it’s hard. Many of us are sitting in the midst of extremes right now: feeling isolated and wishing for connection, being overwhelmed and wishing for calm. We are sad over the current situation of the world, and also want to feel joy. In this episode I’ll share how you can integrate these things in your life, by looking for the “and.” Finding Joy in The Messy Middle  When we get into a place like the pandemic, and things have been difficult for a sustained amount of time, finding joy becomes a practice. And, it becomes more important than ever before. One way of doing this is to make sure that you become mindful of adding joy into your day, and scheduling in time (or taking the time) to do something that helps to connect you to joy each day.  Get all the show notes and a full transcript at the website. Sign up for Newsletter on my website. Purchase my book, Jump Start Your Joy: Heart-Centered Ways to Find Joy in The Messy Middle

I could not be more excited to share this week’s interview with John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. John is one of the most celebrated and best known banjo players in the world, and has had a long and exciting career in music. It was amazing to get to speak with him about his book, “The Life I’ve Picked,” his early days at the magic shop in Disneyland (where he became friends with Steve Martin), and about being the first American musical group to tour Russia in 1977.  I also loved getting to hear about John’s creative process, and how much he delights in creating music to share with others. You can hear the joy in his voice as he talks about his experiences. Plus, he talks about “bone records” which made to bootleg music into Russia in the 70s, and that is not something you are gonna hear on any other podcast today. Get all the show notes and a full transcript at the website. Sign up for Newsletter on my website.

In this interview, I’m joined by Lan Cao and Harlan Margaret Van Cao, who are the mother and daughter team who have written the beautiful duet memoir, “Family in Six Tones: A Refugee Mother, an American Daughter.” Lan Cao immigrated to the United States in 1975, after the end of the Vietnam War. She raised her daughter, Harlan, in the US. In their beautiful memoir, they both share about their journey in growing up. In this interview, we talk about: Lan and Harlan’s experiences growing up The importance of the role of both of their fathers in their lives How they wrote a duet memoir as mother and daughter The relationships between mothers and daughters The awkwardness of high school Dealing with isolation and the longing to belong Vietnam, the war, and what it was like to move to the US as a Vietnamese immigrant Get all the show notes and a full transcript at the website. Sign up for Newsletter on my website.

This episode’s interview is with Marsha Flowers of Five Blessings Candles in Leavenworth, Kansas. She’s been an entrepreneur for years, making candles and creating “Happiness in a Flicker” with unique scents and joyful names. She has had both a brick and mortar version of her business, and she is now all online. Marsha and I talk about: Her earliest sparks of joy: playing as the candlemaker How she and her sister started making candles and began their entrepreneurial  Why Marsha left the business for a bit, and why she’s back Going from brick and mortar to online sales (and why that’s great during COVID) The magic that’s happened along the way to discovering the pieces that have made her business work Ways to make the holidays feel a little merrier this year, even during COVID Her favorite scents and how she makes and names them Get all the show notes and a full transcript at the website. Sign up for Newsletter on my website.

The author of “You Were Not Born to Suffer,” Blake Bauer and Paula talk about the themes of initiation, struggle, and hardship as a path to knowing yourself and finding your purpose wove through the conversation and finding joy in the messy middle. In this episode, Blake and I talk about: Early joys of falling in love His “initiation” into adulthood in high school, when he was arrested for a DUI and was deep into addiction and drug use. How he found his way back to his own purpose and center after a rough time in his teen years Getting curious about your interests, and giving yourself permission to follow them What to do when you feel that your energy, blood, or emotions are stuck Get all the show notes and a full transcript at the website. Sign up for Newsletter on my website.

This week’s podcast is a new solocast all about the courage and joy … and I also share some of my favorite things that might not seem to all match at first glance. Princess Diaries, Battlestar Galactica, and Brené Brown ?!?! Well, they all have a thing or two to say about courage, about facing our fears, and about being vulnerable and embracing joy. Get all the show notes and a full transcript at the website. Sign up for "Three Joyful Things" Newsletter on my website.

This week, Molly McGlynn Knoderer joins me on the podcast. Molly is the co-founder of Legacy Concierge Services in Northern California. She also recently published a chapter in her first book, “Awakening and Deepening to Truth.” She has deep experience as an entrepreneur, and has followed her own curiosity and passion in her career in elder services after graduating from UC Davis. In the last year, she also wrote about her own journey and truth and so many powerful things to say about the writing process, and how to overcome shame that was present in her life and in so many of our lives. Get all the show notes and a full transcript at the website. Sign up for "Three Joyful Things" Newsletter on my website. In this episode we talk about: Molly reflects on her work with elderly people and families who are looking for elder care for people they love. The importance of being part of a team, even when you’re not on a “winning” team.  Curiosity of trying things out, like when she shared what she wanted to do and then did an internship.  Listening to other people’s stories and recognizing and learning from the history they share Being very present in others lives to really hear them. Sharing your story, even when it’s hard, and the freedom that it brings.  The evolution and transformation that comes from sharing the fullness of your story.  Understanding the legacy we want to create and the legacy elders in our life want to create.

In this episode, Megan Gallagher joins me to talk about anxiety, and how to navigate it. After living with intense panic attacks (up to 20 a day) and anxiety as a teenager, Megan made it her life mission to inspire teenagers and parents on how to deal with anxiety in today's modern world by speaking at countless middle schools and high schools about her story.  Megan has written an amazing book, and she's a two time TED Talk giver. Today, she is a resource and inspiration for so many teenagers navigating the world of mental health.  I'm really excited to have her join me on the show. Get all the show notes and a full transcript at the website. Sign up for "Three Joyful Things" Newsletter on my website.  

In this episode of Jump Start Your Joy podcast, I’m delighted to be sharing an interview with Dr. Jeff Spiess. Author of the book, “Dying with Ease: A Compassionate Guide for Making Wiser End-of-Life Decisions,” Dr. Spiess was an oncologist, and later a hospice physician. He spent his medical career working with people were facing serious illness and death, and had a lot of experience in how to navigate both for all who are involved.   I’m honored to have Dr. Spiess on the show, and really excited to talk to him about how to find joy now, when we are alive. And, we talk about how to find joy even with the existential knowledge of knowing we are all headed toward death. What do we need to do now, to set ourselves up for more joy while we’re alive? How do we help others who are facing death feel contentment and joy in their time here? What’s it like to hold joy and the reality of our own mortality in the same moment? Get all the show notes and a full transcript at the website. Sign up for "Three Joyful Things" Newsletter on my website.  

In the season 6 opener, I'm looking at the Messy Middle, and how we are living in it right now. What is the Messy Middle? Why is it hard? Why do we long to know the ending, while still needing to lean into this time of transformation? Join me. Read the full show notes on the website. Sign up for "Three Joyful Things" Newsletter on my website.

Recorded live from the She Podcasts Live Conference, we are sharing the six most joyful things we've seen and heard here - from podcasters doing innovative things, to the community, to the spirit of altruism and inclusion, it's been an amazing conference. Read the full show notes on the website. Sign up for "Three Joyful Things" Newsletter on my website.

How do you find a career that you love, especially when you're working a 9 to 5 that feels soul sucking? Have you decided it's time to make the change? Laura Simms is the expert in helping people find careers that feel like home. In this episode, Laura Simms and I talk about: The kinds of people she works with Marketing during a pandemic The trends she’s seeing in people looking to make a career change now How to make the change: define what you want, and then make a plan to get there Developing Quiet Confidence How to know if you’re ready for a career transition Read the full show notes on the website. Sign up for "Three Joyful Things" Newsletter on my website.

Oren Jay Sofer is a communication expert and mindfulness teacher at Spirit Rock in Woodacre, California. He recently wrote the book “Say What You Mean: A Nonviolent Approach to Communication,” and I’m delighted to have him as a guest on the podcast. In this look back episode episode, Oren and I talk about: -Mindful communication -That language is an inherited phenomenon -How to stop ruminating over anger when you are upset -The work of Marshall Rosenberg around non-violent communication -Active listening and how to build understanding in communication -His thoughts on how to Jump Start Your Joy: find ways to be kind and generous, attune to beauty, connect to meaning and purpose, and play more Read the full show notes on the website. Sign up for "Three Joyful Things" Newsletter on my website. Resources Say What You Mean: A Nonviolent Approach to Mindful Communication by Oren Jay Sofer (on Amazon) Oren Jay Sofer’s Website Sign up for Oren’s class that starts October 17, 2019 Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg

From mindfulness to lunar abundance, and quiet bohemians to happiness coaches, and self care and creative process, this season has been an amazing gathering of people who embrace playing small in their own way. This is the finale for Season 5. Read the full show notes on the website. Sign up for the newsletter to receive these episodes in your inbox each week.

How do you move forward and find joy when you're in the middle of upheaval, tough times, and everything has changed? And how to you build a foundation during that time? In Part one of my season 5 finale, I share thoughts on joy during the pandemic. Read the full show notes on the website. Sign up for the newsletter to receive these episodes in your inbox each week.  

The pandemic has added a layer of stress to basic things like school and daily family life for many. Tami Hackbarth joins to talk about how you and your family can honor what what each person needs, adding kindness, grace, and ease to your days.

This week on Jump Start Your Joy, I'm sharing 6 ways to create a foundation for a joy-filled life during the pandemic. It's no secret that living in 2020 has brought many of the things that we considered foundational to our world into question. Health, school, our work, groceries, equality, safety, and freedom have all come into question as the world grapples with the immense change that COVID-19 has brought with it. One of the questions I'm getting asked on interviews and from listeners is: how do I find joy now, in the midst of the pandemic? Read the full show notes on the website. Sign up for the newsletter to receive these episodes in your inbox each week.

Author, artist, and entrepreneur, Colin Egglesfield joins to talk about creating connection authentic connection, listening, and how to become an "Agile Artist." He also shares testicular cancer, his role on All My Children, and his new online courses.

Starting a business can feel overwhelming and scary, but if you embrace starting small, and following what lights you up - it doesn't have to be. Inspired by a listener's question, this episode tells you how to embrace your dreams. Read the full show notes on the website. Sign up for the newsletter to receive these episodes in your inbox each week.