Comfort and Joy is the new theme for Season 7 and I'm thrilled to sharing all about "intentional comfort." After spending time in the messy middle, over the last 18 months our nervous system needs a pause and a reset and some intentional comfort. So that's what we're looking at in this episode. Here's what you'll find: 1. Intentional Comfort: It's the mindful activity of embracing comfort, and finding down time for yourself. It's important because we're all been in a "trauma vortex" since early 2020. (hat tip Ilene Smith) 2. What's the messy middle? (it's this weird undefined time we've been in, where we don't fully know when this pandemic will end, and know that we can't get back to where we were.) 3. It's time drop the idea that we should embrace "courage over comfort" or "living your big bold life" without balance of intentional comfort. 4. Introverts and highly sensitive people need to slow down and embrace comfort to be in a good place in their lives. 5. That we need comfort for comfort's sake. We need to rest for the sake of resting and wellness. (And not so that we can go do anything else. Just because.) 6. Finding intentional comforts, and the difference between comfort and numbing out. Comfort is affirming, nurturing and is taking care of oneself. Numbing out is doing something to an extreme, and losing oneself in the activity. Comfort is making space for life. Numbing out is usually an activity that takes over one's life. 7. Inspiration for the idea of Intentional Comfort: Tami Hackbarth of 100% Guilt Free Self Care Podcast, and guest on Jump Start Your Joy The Nap Ministry of Instagram Jennifer L. Scott, author of the Madame Chic series of books. Also on YouTube.  Stasia Savasuk, Jump Start Your Joy guest and founder of Stasia's Style School Jackie of Super Enthused, on YouTube and Instagram Sonya Renee Taylor, author of The Body is Not an Apology, leader, poet, activist, and guest on Jump Start Your Joy. Buy Jump Start Your Joy: Heart-Centered Ways to Find Joy in The Messy Middle on Amazon (affiliate link) Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Apple Podcasts Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Spotify    

Jump Start Your Joy

Intentional Comfort and Joy (Jump Start Your Joy Season 7 Kick Off)

Welcome to Jump Start Your Joy's Top 10 of Season One. As I round out the 6th Season of the podcast, I found myself wanting to take a look back at how the show started. Season One was magical, and memorable in so many ways. You can read the full episode notes on my website. Here's the sampling of who you'll hear in this episode: 1. Kathleen Davies, from Episode 1. She is a preaching pastor in Houston Texas, and my former room mate at Yale Divinity School. 2. Matthew Wood, Senior Sound Editor at Skywalker Sound and the voice of General Grievous in the Star Wars universe. Matt and I attended grade school together, and he shares how George Lucas chose him for the General Grievous role. He was on Episode 3. 3. Molly Larkin, a life coach, and registered nurse. We discussed Loving Kindness in Episode 10. 4. Liz Ross, advertising agency veteran and past president of Periscope agency in Minneapolis. We talked about leadership and putting people first in Episode 21. 5. Lexi Koch, a life coach and farmer. We talked about the courage it takes to be vulnerable in life. She was on Episode 35. 6. Holly Becker is the powerhouse behind the blog Decor8, and founder of "Blogging Your Way." She came on to talk about how to find your voice, and joined me Episode 36. 7. Jennifer Lee is the author of "Right Brain Business Plan," and a great business coach. She was on Episode 38 and we talked about how to build a sustainable creative business. 8. Sharon Aldeguer is a body builder and an IT professional. She had a brain tumor removed, and suffered nerve damage during the surgery. She joined me to talk about hope in Episode 45. 9. Flylady Marla Cilley has a successful website and helps people reign in the chaos of their homes. She joined me for Episode 46, and we talked about how habits and routines can help you find more joy in life. 10. Danny Wood of New Kids on the Block, and founder of Remember Betty was my guest on Episode 20. He had released a new album "Look at Me," which benefitted his nonprofit which supports breast cancer patients. He shared about losing his mother, Betty, to breast cancer and his family, and the fans.  Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Apple Podcasts Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Spotify  

The Top 10 Episodes from Season One (A Look Back)

Stasia Savasuk is an amazing style coach, has an outstanding Tedx Talk, and is the founder of Stasia’s Style School. She’s joining me on the show, and I’m delighted to share this interview. We giggled our way through our discussion, and had a hilarious time talking about style, what lights us up, how to find what kinds of styles fit YOU, and, all about Stasia’s inspiring story of becoming an entrepreneur. In this episode, Stasia and I talk about: Her early entrepreneurial work as a child, collecting and selling worms How she broke up with style, and wore very bland clothing for many years That one size fits all is bullshit How to discover style that works for you and reflects who you really are How to get in touch with who you really are What it looks like to belong to yourself How her differently abled child has taught her so much about inside out congruency Her thoughts on how to jumpstart your joy: asking yourself how you want to show up, don’t participate in body shaming, and getting outside Resources Stasia Savasuk’s website Stasia on Instagram  Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Apple Podcasts Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Spotify

Stasia Savasuk on Dressing for Confidence and Joy

Andrea and I are talking about the many ways that you can make some noise, own your strengths, and speak your mind. It’s a big topic, and it could not come at a better time. At the heart of making noise is first getting comfortable with accepting the unique things that make you great. I know that many times, it feels more comfortable to play down your strengths because maybe somewhere back in your childhood or formative years you were told that you shouldn’t bring too much attention to yourself, or “brag” about what you are good at. The thing is, that’s all a bunch of BS. Each person on this planet has a very unique set of talents and gifts, and it’s your job to uncover them and share them with others. When you get stuck in the messaging that you need to hide your talent or play down what you do best, it means that you are not owning all of who you are. And it means that you are playing into fear: the fear that you’re not enough and the fear of outshining others. The truth is that no one wins when you hide your greatness, AND everyone wins when you do share your strengths and talents. And that’s what Andrea has written about in this new book. How you can make some noise. Here’s what else we talk about: – how women and girls are conditioned to play down strengths and fit in, even to the point that we will hold ourselves back so we don’t outshine friends or colleagues – why hiding your strengths doesn’t help you or anyone else – understanding the role of intuition in stepping in to your greatness – resilience – the mindset of greatness – internalized misogyny: why some women align themselves with a misoynistic point of view, and how it keeps women from stepping into their own greatness – why we all need to make some noise, now, in the #metoo era Read the full show notes on the website. Resources: Order Make Some Noise by Andrea Owen Andrea Owen on How to Be Taken Seriously Even When You’re Not a Serious Person (on Jump Start Your Joy) How to Stop Feeling Like Shit and Live a Kickass Life with guest Andrea Owen (on Jump Start Your Joy) Andrea Owen’s Website Andrea Owen on Instagram Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Apple Podcasts Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Spotify

Andrea Owen on How You Can Make Some Noise, Speak Your Mind and Own Your Strength

John McEuen reached out to share 2 new songs with us, and I'm releasing "Hey Joe" with the Oak Ridge Boys, and "Back in History" with John Russell in this episode as we listen to John talk about his book, the Life I've Picked. I could not be more excited to share this week’s interview. 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 to receive the Jump Start Your Joy newsletter Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Apple Podcasts Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Spotify

John McEuen Shares New Music, and His Book: The Life I've Picked

Season 6 has been all about finding joy in the messy middle. In the season finale, I'm looking back and the 5 most memorable conversations I've had with guests over the last year. For each one, I'm sharing a bit about what stood out about our conversation, and, playing a bit of the episode so you can hear them explain things in their own words.  Dr. Jeff Speiss is the author of "Dying with Ease," and he joined me early on in the season. I love that he shared about what he's learned from working with people who are dying, and what we can all do to feel more joy while we are alive. He also talked how listening to someone in a difficult time is often the most profound gift you can give them. Tune in to our original full length conversation in episode 268.  Molly Knoderer and I went to high school together and played softball on the same team. She's a co-owner of Legacy Concierge Services, and an author. Her business works with finding care for the elderly, both in working with families and with aging people. I loved that she shared about overcoming obstacles and self doubt. And she also talked about some of the lessons she's learned about how to face hard times (like 9/11) from working with elderly clients. Listen to our whole conversation right here in episode 270.   Lan Cao, and her daughter, Harlan Margaret Van Cao wrote an amazing memoir together title "Family in Six Tones." As an immigrant from Vietnam during the Vietnam war, Lan Cao has interesting perspectives on belonging and family. She shared about how learning the syntax of English as a child gave her a framework for understanding complexities in life, and she talks about how that layered in to her understanding of her daughter as a high school student. You can listen to episode 274 by clicking here. Erica Courdae is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant, and a life coach, and small business owner. She is also the host of Pause on the Play. I had the pleasure of meeting her in 2019 and was really inspired by her talk about "Imperfect Allyship" at She Podcasts. I loved having Erica come on to share what imperfect allyship looks like, and how we can all approach anti-racism in a way that leaves room for honest mistakes as individuals grapple with difficult topics in an earnest way. Listen to episode 283 here. Sonya Renee Taylor is the author of "The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love," and Radical Executive Officer of The Body is Not An Apology, a digital media and education company promoting radical self-love and body empowerment as the foundational tool for social justice and global transformation. It was a true joy to have her on the show, and I loved that she shared about how she defines radical self love. And, I was inspired hearing her talk about she only "gives from her overflow" in regards to activist work. You can listen to this whole delight-filled conversation here on episode 287.  Read the episode notes on the website Sign up to receive the Jump Start Your Joy newsletter Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Apple Podcasts Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Spotify  

The Top Five Most Memorable Conversations of Season 6 (The Season 6 Finale)

A lot of people are talking about FOMO, especially as the US is opening back up after the pandemic. As everything and everyone starts to come out of quarantine and shelter in place, and we are feeling safer about being in public, it seems that a lot of people are feeling he push to rush back into life, and, rush back to returning to life at the same pace we'd all been keeping in the end of 2019 (if not faster). And, many people are layering this return to "normal" with an urgency to catch up for "lost" time, or, trying to cram in more during this time because we fear what's to come after losing so much over the past 16 months. Because 2020 was a total sh*tshow, it's reasonable to be cautious and concerned, but I think it's amping up our anxiety. In this episode I'm sharing about how it's OK to slow down, and it's also totally OK to Opt Out during this transition time. Maybe you realized that you like a slower pace of life while you were in quarantine. Maybe you discovered you needed more quiet time for yourself. And now that invitations are going out about social gatherings, and people getting together you might feel like you "should" go (and not really want to).  I want to give you full permission to do a couple of things: 1. Take stock in what you really want to do. If you're craving alone time, don't feel like you need to go to an event, or go do anything. Opting out is an option. 2. Notice where you feel like things are "too much." We've all just been through a lot, and our brains and nervous systems have been on high alert for over a year. We've been living in a time where even basic tasks were not as safe as usual, and it will take time to re-acclimate. If it feels like you've done enough today as far as socializing or going out in public goes, let it be enough. Opting out of doing more, or doing anything, is an option. Sign up to receive the Jump Start Your Joy newsletter Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Apple Podcasts Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Spotify Resources Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most by Greg McKeown There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing by Adam Grant in the NY Times Make Some Noise by Andrea Owen Get it Done: The Email Course by Alexandra Franzen  

Opting Out is an Option: Thoughts on FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

In this episode, I'm talking about the term "languishing," which is something that Adam Grant recently wrote about in the New York Times. His article was titled "There's a Name For The Blah That You're Feeling, and It's Called Languishing." When I read it, it struck me that languishing really is one of the predominant emotions that you find in the messy middle. It's languishing. Isn't full on depression. It's not boredom or anger. It's not any of those. It's just that vague feeling, that things aren't great. Adam Grant describes it this way, "Languishing is a sense of stagnation and emptiness. It feels as if you're muddling through your days, looking at your life through a foggy windshield, and it might be the dominant emotion of 2021." And, in reading this I felt similar to the way I did when I read about people naming the feeling of grief that was a predominant emotion at the beginning of the pandemic. It has also given me something to call the annoyance and mild overwhelm I've felt recently, and that I even did a podcast episode about. This low-level funk made me feel that I needed to try and do something, anything, to find my way out and into something else. And so I signed up with Tami Hackbarth's "Deferred Maintenance" program and I tackled just one thing. Sign up to receive the Jump Start Your Joy newsletter Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Apple Podcasts Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Spotify Resources: Adam Grant's Article in the New York Times: "There’s a Name for the Blah You’re Feeling: It’s Called Languishing" Revenge Bedtime Procrastination  

Languishing, and One Great Way to Find Your Way Out of the Blah You Are Feeling

In this interview, I am so honored to be joined by author Sonya Renee Taylor. Sonya is the author of the the New York Times Bestselling book, “The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love.” She just recently released an updated version of that book, and the “Your Body is Not an Apology Workbook: Tools for Living Radical Self Love.” Sonya is joining me to talk all about radical self-love and joy. And, she shares that when we start to love ourselves, we can transform how we interact with others in the world. One of my favorite parts of our discussion sits at the heart of something that has bothered me about joy recently; the question of “how can I embrace joy if that joy possibly comes at the expense of someone else’s freedom, joy, or access to things?” In other words, where does my own privilege enable me to experience joy when others may not have that same access to it. In talking about altruistic joy, Sonya and I talked about how this relates to her frame work of   “interest buying” or “detriment buying” – in other words, there are things that we do or things that we consume that are in the better interest of all people (altruistic) and there are things that we consume or do that are at the detriment of others.  And here’s where it got really juicy. Sonya shared that she feels that true, altruistic joy is the kind of joy that has no residue. And, this is perhaps one of the most amazing reflections I’ve heard about joy in the 7 years I’ve been talking to guests about it. Here’s what she had to say about it: “What it brings up for me is: joy doesn’t have a residue. There’s no residue on joy. It’s beautiful. If there’s a residue, that’s information for you. That’s information to say, “this might not actually be best interest. This might actually be detriment by it. There is something on it that is not about simply living into the most joyful, highest vibration of myself in the world. There is something that says, ‘I’m trying to clean up something. I’m trying to fix something. I’m trying to extract something externally because it’s coming from a place of lack or scarcity.'” That’s what the residue piece is. And so I think if we can start noticing and getting present with the question of is there a residue after I do a thing? And then, how can I let that be an indicator of whether or not I’m actually in a joy practice. Am I in an interest / buying practice? Or am I in a detriment practice?” Sonya Renee Taylor and I talked about: – her early joys of creating radio shows with her friend – slam poetry festivals, and how entering them fed her soul – how “The Body is Not an Apology” got started – how the Genesis story in the Judeo-Christian tradition relates to shame and body image – how to tell if your joy is coming from an altruistic place, or if it may have residue on it – embracing radical self love – why radical self love is not easy work – the indoctrination of all of us in a society where the hierarchy has a vested interest in keeping us from embracing self love – giving from your overflow, and how that can help you steer clear of burnout – that choosing to spread radical self love feeds itself, and creates room for more radical self-love Resources Sonya Renee Taylor’s Website The Body is Not an Apology Website Support The Body is Not an Apology by making a contribution Sonya Renee Taylor on Unlocking Us with Brene Brown Sign up to receive the Jump Start Your Joy newsletter Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Apple Podcasts Follow Jump Start Your Joy on Spotify

The Body is Not an Apology with Sonya Renee Taylor

In this episode, I’m delighted to have Fred Waitzkin return for his second interview, this time to talk about his brand new book “Strange Love.” Fred is the author of “Searching for Bobby Fischer,” which is based on his experiences with his son Josh who was a chess prodigy at age 7. In this new interview, we talk about his latest book (Strange Love), his time during COVID in New York and Costa Rica, and what drew him to write a story based in Costa Rica, and his writing process. What I love about this conversation is the way that Fred talks about his creative process. I find that creating a podcast weekly also takes a good deal of creativity, for my clients and for myself. It’s always interesting to me to learn how other creative people tap into creative flow. Fred uses real life to inspire the events of his book, and he talks about three key things as far as how he goes about writing. In this conversation, Fred Waitzkin and I talk about: – his new book, Strange Love, and how he crafted the characters – his inspiration for writing, often taken from day to day life and people he knows – Costa Rica and New York City during the COVID pandemic – his creative process in writing – how the pandemic has changed us as people – the resurgence of interest in his book, Searching for Bobby Fischer, after the release of The Queen’s Gambit Resources Fred Waitzkin’s website Strange Love by Fred Waitzkin Searching for Bobby Fischer by Fred Waitzkin Fred’s first interview on Jump Start Your Joy Sign up to receive the Jump Start Your Joy newsletter  

The Creative Process and Writing 'Strange Love' During the Pandemic with Author Fred Waitzkin

In this episode, I am sharing about a couple of parallel "paths" I've noticed in the past few months: those of Labyrinths, making mindful choices about what to do next, and setting boundaries to support those choices and new directions. Your Unique Path In December 2020 I took a week long course and became a trained labyrinth facilitator. The labyrinth has been around for centuries and is a helpful mindfulness tool, and a lovely walking meditation. It struck me that much like there are parallels between the center of a labyrinth and the messy middle of this pandemic. Mindful choices on What's Next This time in the messy middle has offered us a lot of time to think. I hear from other people that they are reflecting about what really matters, what things merit their time, what they really want to do when they can go back out in the world and do things with other people. Boundaries These two things (Labyrinths and honoring one's path) benefit from boundaries. A labyrinth without a clearly marked path is confusing, or, just a field. A life without boundaries is a free-for-all. So I want to mark things more mindfully, and make clear choices based on what I want and who I know I am. There is simplicity and beauty in knowing those things, and I want to honor them too. For you: What can you learn from your time in the Messy Middle of the pandemic? Where has your path led you? Is it different than where you thought you'd go? What kinds of boundaries could help define your path? Resources Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab Walking a Sacred Path by Lauren Artress Sign up to receive the Jump Start Your Joy newsletter

Rediscovering Your Unique Path Through the Messy Middle

In this episode, I'm honored to be interviewing Lauren Artress. She is an author, Canon of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, founder of Veriditas, and a spiritual pioneer and a leading force in popularizing the Labyrinth in the US and around the world. I have been fascinated with Labyrinths for years, and this last December became a trained Labyrinth facilitator. I'm excited to have Lauren joining me to talk about her experience with the Labyrinth, The Labyrinth Movement, and how it offers parallels and insights into our lives. In this episode, Lauren and I talk about: - the labyrinth and what it is - her journey in finding the labyrinth in Cathedral de Chartres, France - the role of the labyrinth at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco - both now, and during the AIDS epidemic - the Holy Fool and how it relates to the Labyrinth - Hand labyrinths: how they work and how they came about - The parallels and metaphors of our lives and the walk of the labyrinth Resources Lauren Artress' Website Veriditas Website World Labyrinth Locator Sign up to receive the Jump Start Your Joy newsletter

Discovering the Sacred Path of the Labyrinth with guest Lauren Artress

In this episode, Erica and are diving in to the important topics of racism in the US, and what it means to be an imperfect ally. I had the pleasure of meeting her at ShePodcasts Live, and I was deeply inspired by her presentation there on imperfect allyship and anti-racism. Erica is an an entrepreneur and certified coach, and her work is focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), imperfect allyship, and imposter syndrome. I deeply appreciate her insights on how white people, like myself, can be better allies for people of color. I know from experience that it can be vulnerable to make changes and that there's an underlying fear that we may do something (with good intentions) that is more harmful than helpful. And, that if it's not right, it could backfire. And so many of us freeze and do nothing. The truth is, action is what is needed. We can't continue to do nothing because of our own discomfort. And, the only way to make any change is to start trying it out, in small steps, and in little ways. And that's what the heart of imperfect allyship is all about. If you've been feeling deeply unsettled by what you've felt over the many acts of racial injustice that have been happening, and you know you want to do something (but you don't know what or how) - this is the episode for you. 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

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Imperfect Allyship with Erica Courdae

Intuition can give you powerful information about what you want and what brings you joy, but too often we ignore it. What can you learn from intuition, and what can you discover from getting curious about what annoys you?  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

How Intuition Can Help You Find More Joy (And What You Can Learn From Feeling Annoyed)

It’s so exciting to have Heather Chauvin back for a second time on the podcast! She has just released her brand new book, “Dying to be a Good Mother” and I was delighted that she reached out to connect again. Our interview is all about her journey with what she learned about self care after being diagnosed with cancer, and how 2020 has changed so much for so many of us.  As a former social worker, and mom of three boys Heather was juggling  family, health and happiness, and in doing so putting her own well being last on her priority list. And then, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer just one year after the birth of her youngest son. That’s when she took a hard look own self care, and how to place a priority on her own health, happiness and wellbeing. In battling through chemo, illness, and recovery she realized it was time to start living, not just for her family but for herself. 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

The Importance of Taking Care of Yourself, Your Health, and Your Own Happiness When You're a Mom with Heather Chauvin

Jump Start Your Joy is a podcast by Paula Jenkins, a business coach and podcast producer living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Inspired by the quote “Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day (Henri Nouwen),” this lively show looks at the inspiration, intention, and action that lead to joy in your life, the world, and other people's lives.

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Jump Start Your Joy

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