The Joy Project With Julia

What does it mean to find joy in the human experience and embrace all the little things that make us who we are? In this episode, Julia sits down with Rhea Polhovsky to chat about self-acceptance, creative expression, and finding happiness beyond the expectations of others. From cooking and reading to embracing spontaneity and trying new things, Rhea shares how her passions, experiences, and cultu...

In life, we are frequently asked "who are you?" and we so quickly respond with a basic "name tag" answer. This short pitch shares general information about you, but doesn't give others the opportunity to truly understand your values and what motivates you. After hearing Dr. Ashley Gaddy Robbins share her story over the past few years, an activity she has challenged me to do is free write. In this...

Losing yourself can be defeating & scary...but what if it’s the path to discovering a joy you never knew existed? In this deeply personal episode of The Joy Project , I open up about my rocky start to senior year at the University of Florida, revealing how navigating challenges and responsibilities led me to the realization: sometimes, you must lose yourself to truly find who you are. This epi...

What if growth isn’t about having it all figured out, but learning to give yourself grace along the way? In this episode, I sit down with Charlee Shon for an honest conversation about ADHD, people-pleasing, mental health, and the journey of choosing yourself. We talk about rejection sensitivity, overthinking, setting boundaries, asking for help, and finding routines that actually support you. Char...

Welcome to Season 6 of The Joy Project with Julia! In this episode, I begin my journey of transitioning from only audio to having video too! This episode is all about embracing the bittersweet moments of life and the importance of surrounding yourself with uplifting people. Key takeaways: -Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. -The bittersweet nature of life can lead to deeper joy. -Surr...

In this season finale of The Joy Project with Julia, I’m reflecting on a summer that completely changed my life. From navigating rejection and waiting for the right opportunity...to stepping outside my comfort zone, traveling, building new friendships, and discovering a career path I never expected, I’m sharing what this season taught me about finding myself. I learned that the best things in life...

In this episode, I'm sharing one of my favorite birthday traditions: reading the letter I wrote to my future self one year ago. Together, we're reflecting on the friendships, challenges, and lessons that shaped my 21st year, while looking ahead to everything I hope my 22nd year will become. I'm opening up about embracing change, finding purpose, navigating hard conversations, and choosing joy even...

In this episode, I reflect on my experience at the World Cup Fan Fest in Boston and the powerful reminder that joy often begins with a simple conversation. From making new friends while waiting in line to dancing in the rain with strangers, I share how stepping outside my comfort zone led to unexpected connections and unforgettable memories. Tune in as I explore the beauty of human connection, the...

In this heartfelt episode of The Joy Project with Julia, I welcomed my cousin, Angela Cramer, to have an honest conversation about the friendships that shape our lives. Together, we explore what it means to build value-based friendships, recognize the people who truly fill your cup, and navigate relationships through different seasons of life. From childhood friendships to workplace connections, A...

This week, we are diving deep into finding joy in removing stains, both literally and figuratively. From navigating a negative conversation that drains your energy to facing rejection, life throws heavy obstacles that threaten to leave a permanent mark. Together, we explore how to build a personal toolkit to treat these challenges before they solidify into self-doubt or resentment. I break down ho...

As I step into summer, I’ve been thinking deeply about how I want to use this season intentionally instead of letting my goals fall to the side. In this episode, I’m sharing the simple “ABC” mindset that’s been helping me stay grounded, motivated, and excited about growth: A — Activities & Being Active B — Beauty & Body C — Career & Competencies I talk about everything from creating co...

This week on The Joy Project with Julia, I’m joined once again by Jeremy Rich for a continuation of our previous conversation from the podcast. A year later, we reflect on growth, purpose, human connection, and what it means to leave a legacy through simply being yourself. Jeremy shares how his definition of purpose has evolved from something big and overarching to the small intentional moments of...

What does it really mean to lead with purpose… and how can failure become your greatest advantage? This week on The Joy Project with Julia , I sat down with Lina Arguelles, a distinguished leader at the University of Florida, to explore the power of servant leadership, embracing failure, and stepping confidently into your own spotlight. From mentoring others to navigating major life pivots, Lina s...

What if joy wasn’t about finding the people who take your breath away… but the ones who remind you to breathe? In this grounding episode of The Joy Project, I sit down with Monish Vijayaraghavan, whose joy project is simple yet powerful: helping people feel heard. From meaningful conversations on campus to a life-shifting moment in the military, Monish shares how presence, empathy, and intentional...

After a month-long pause, The Joy Project with Julia is back with a powerful reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is pivot. Inspired by the iconic “pivot!” moment from Friends, this episode dives into what it looks like to navigate life’s highs and lows while learning to shift direction with intention. It explores the pressure of perfectionism, the challenge of showing up consistently,...

In this episode, Zach Weisman joins live from his study abroad experience in Madrid to share how productive hobbies have become his anchor through life’s transitions. From playing guitar and scrap journaling to reading and staying active, Zach reflects on how these practices help him stay grounded, manage stress, and better understand himself while navigating his 20s. Together, we explore the ebb...

In this episode, I have the pleasure of exploring the topic of the 3 G’s: Grace, Gratitude, & Growth with Sophia Caram. Rooted in her faith and shaped by transformative high school friendships, Sophia reflects on how choosing grace, especially when it comes to forgiveness, can feel less like changing others and more like freeing yourself. She opens up about learning to let go of grudges, relea...

On this episode of The Joy Project with Julia, I’m joined by someone who truly embodies what it means to chase your dreams with heart, humility, and a whole lot of passion… Alexis Vivanco. From teaching broadcasting to at-risk youth through his high school initiative Media for Minorities, to pursuing sports broadcasting opportunities at the University of Florida, to working as an agent, Alexis sha...

In this episode of The Joy Project with Julia, I sit down with Sarik Shah — a mentor, a friend, and a constant reminder that growth lives just outside our comfort zone. Together, we explore the idea that fear is fuel. Fear doesn't mean we have to stop, but rather acts as a signal that something meaningful is waiting on the other side. From navigating life transitions and loss to embracing auth...

In today’s episode, on my brisk walk to class, I’m sharing a real-life moment that turned into a big life lesson...what a dead car battery taught me about my own social and emotional battery. What I thought was just a quick recharge turned out to be something deeper, reminding me that sometimes negative influences, stress, and unhealthy patterns slowly drain us more than we realize. This episode i...

This season kicks off with the return of interviews featuring people whose stories have inspired me, and today’s episode is all about finding joy from within. I’m joined by the one and only MBG, Mary Beth Garrison, who opens up about learning to be content in her own company, navigating uncertainty, and finding peace even when life feels unclear. We talk about community, mental and physical health...

Welcome to Season Five of The Joy Project with Julia — a brand-new chapter shaped by growth, reflection, and intentional living. In this episode, I’m leaning into the beauty of new beginnings as I share my personal “ins and outs” for 2026, reflecting on the habits I want to carry with me and the mindsets I’m learning to release. From handwritten notes and outside time to setting healthier boundari...

After a six-week pause, I’m finally back...this week reflecting on what finding joy looks like when we’re home for break. In this episode, I talk about the emotional shift that comes from leaving a fast-paced, fight-or-flight school routine and stepping into the slower, sometimes complicated rhythm of being home. As much as we may wish otherwise, winter break isn’t always a holiday Hallmark movie....

In honor of my 2nd National Joy Day, I’m taking you back to the moment that sparked everything! How crazy is it that my quiet Sunday on a campus bench turned into the realization of my purpose, the birth of this podcast, and a commitment to finding joy in every corner of my life TWO years ago!?! Celebrating Joy Day is something so special to me! From running my first 5K with a glittery cardboard m...

This week is extra special because… drumroll, please… National Joy Day is TOMORROW (yes, November 5th—my self-declared favorite holiday ever)! I cannot wait to share the recap of all the joy-filled moments, growth, and little wins. But today… today we’re diving into something real, raw, and so incredibly common: finding joy in the midst of imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is something so many...