The Joy Project With Julia

Are you tired of constantly comparing yourself to others? Do you often feel like other people are judging your accomplishments? If so, learning how to defy jealousy will be a powerful skill that enables you to transform feelings of jealousy into empowerment, gratitude, and joy. In this episode, I explore the difference between jealousy and envy, why these feelings show up, and tangible ways to ref...

After taking a little time off to rest my voice, I’m jumping right into a conversation that’s been sitting on my heart. This episode was inspired by my friend, Jacob, who reminded me that “busy is a privilege.” It really made me think...what if we stopped seeing busyness as the enemy, and started viewing it as an opportunity for growth, gratitude, and connection? In this episode, I talk about how...

I’m so excited to share the first interview of Season 4! This interview has been in the works for ages, and I am overjoyed to finally have the opporttunity to share the story of my mentor and friend, Yoni Mann. He is a senior at the University of Florida whose passion for leadership, community, and adventure (including scuba diving...how cool!?) is so inspiring. In this episode, Yoni shares his Jo...

This week let's dive into the powerful choice of protecting your peace by stepping away from negative conversations. From college gossip and endless complaints to everyday negativity, knowing how to reclaim your energy and redirect the focus can open up space for gratitude, positivity, and true joy. Over the years, I’ve realized I don’t have to fix other people’s complaints or carry their nega...

Welcome to season FOUR of The Joy Project with Julia! I’m thrilled to kick off the season and share what’s been going on as I start my junior year...lots of diving into new opportunities, challenges, and relationships. In this episode, I’m talking about finding your “why,” why it’s so important to know what drives you, and how having that clarity can guide your choices, help you stay grounded, and...

After 10 incredible weeks abroad, I’m excited to finally reflect on my study abroad experience. So many people who return from their programs often say, “Study abroad changed my life”...and honestly, I couldn’t agree more. I’ve grown so much throughout this experience, and in ways I never imagined. From forming the sweetest connections with locals in Madrid, to practicing my Spanish communication...

It’s time to play… this episode about playtime! Rediscover the joy and importance of play in our everyday lives. Whether through creativity, movement, games, or pure goofiness, play has the power to brighten our days and reconnect us with what makes life feel light and fun. I challenge you to find hobbies and activities that fuel your passions and recharge your ambitions...let's play!

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how easy it is to open up quickly when everything feels exciting and new… but also how important it is to stay grounded in emotional awareness. I’m learning that protecting your heart doesn’t mean being guarded or distant—it means listening to your intuition, setting gentle boundaries, and trusting yourself to hold space for both joy and discernment. Hard-launching...

YAY!!! 21st episode of season 3 on my 21st birthday...I think YES!! Every year I write a letter to my future self on my birthday to open the next year. This letter is full of wisdom, predictions, and manifestations for the year. This has easily become my favorite birthday tradition. Listen to this episode recap to listen to me read & debrief you on my letter!

I am officially halfway through my 365 days of joy journaling, and I wanted to make a little episode talking about some of the most valuable takeaways I’ve gained from this type of reflection. Every day, I have the opportunity to express my gratitude and feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose in my 3 S's: self, school, and social. This journaling technique has motivated me to find the good...

Every day, we have the chance to see the world through our own unique lens. Lately, I’ve been practicing how to notice and celebrate natural beauty — not just in nature itself, but in people and everyday moments. As I reflected, I realized the moments that moved me most fell into three themes: human interactions, human appearances, and human experiences of the world. In this episode, I’m sharing s...

Being sick is something I’ve constantly had to navigate. From missing playdates in elementary school, to high school & college events, and to now even my study abroad experiences, illness has often been a joy stealer in my life. So, with my current situation—spending two days in the hospital while studying abroad in Spain—I decided it was time for a mindset reevaluation. Instead of focusing on...

Once you start doing things on your own, you become more aware of what you're truly seeking for yourself. Use your failures as fuel to propel you toward pursuing your passions and opportunities that will bring fulfillment. Being authentically yourself allows others to meet you where you are. This episode recounts my study abroad experiences over the past two weeks—sweet friendships I’ve formed...

Have you ever met someone so full of knowledge that you can’t help but wonder how they became so wise? Well, in this episode, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about finding joy in the journey of becoming—with Nicole Calero. When she reached out about coming onto the podcast, I instantly jumped at the opportunity. She has been such an incredible mentor to me and has so much to share with others...

Having the ability to evaluate certain situations with a specific attitude and perspective enables us to fully experience the growth we desire. This week, I was prompted by my Principles of Entrepreneurship class to share what I've learned about the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset. I found it insightful to learn the definitions, reflect on my personal experiences with each mind...

In this uplifting episode, we sit down with Owen Nash to explore the art of embracing joy through a lighter perspective on life. Together, we unpack why so many of us get caught up in seriousness—and how Owen has learned to balance lightheartedness without slipping into carelessness. We dive into how humor and a playful mindset have helped Owen navigate life’s toughest moments, along with practica...

What if the key to joy isn't in holding on—but in letting go? In this week's episode of The Joy Project with Julia, I sat down with Jared, @theheadbandgolfer, a passionate golfer and storyteller, to explore how living authentically can be liberating. Jared opens up about his personal evolution, reminding us that “you can’t be the victim of your own life” and that transformation begins with...

Today’s episode is all about finding joy in the time we share with others, especially during life’s big transitions. In this interview, I sit down with Brooke Flask, who is wrapping up her semester at the University of Florida before transferring to the United States Naval Academy. Together, we reflect on the people who have shaped us—family, mentors, friends—and the values they have instilled: ki...

Today, Ariel Gabriely and I dive into what it truly means to find joy in letting go — releasing the need for control, validation, and perfection, and making space for real growth, healing, and peace. To do this, we must lead with kindness, empathy, and self-respect. Honoring our time and energy as valuable currencies can completely shift the way we move through the world. Growth and healing are ne...

Hello beautiful people! I came across this recording I had happened to film during one of my long walks a few weeks ago (hence the Final Four reference), and realized I had never posted and shared it with all of you! This episode was incredibly liberating for me to film as I fully embraced how beautiful it is to be in solitude sometimes. My content and thoughts were incredibly chaotic and so &quot...

Finding people in life who make you feel seen, heard, and loved is so important. Small acts of kindness can change the world, which is why we all must work to master the art of intentionality. This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Janelle Sumbeling—someone who truly embodies what it means to be intentional on a daily basis. From her unprompted hype-up texts, to always greeting people with...

Life can be overwhelming and often presents us with challenges and obstacles that we must navigate. However, it’s important to understand that everything happens for a reason. This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing a dear friend, Arjun Doshi. He shared incredible insights on how he’s overcome many obstacles in his life, the people who’ve helped him grow, and offered inspiring anecdotes abou...

For those of us at the University of Florida, this week is our spring break—and trust me, it couldn't have come at a better time. Life had become overwhelming with all the involvement commitments, academic deadlines, and social obligations that always seem to pop up...to say I was ready for a break was an understatement. Now, as I wrap up day 6 of 10, I already feel like a completely new perso...

For today’s episode, I’m beyond excited to share an interview with someone whose story has seriously inspired me—Jeremy Rich! He’s honestly one of the most down-to-earth, fun, and driven people I’ve ever met, and just such a joy to be around. I was totally thrilled when he agreed to come on the podcast, and I really hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did! We hear the words "purpose&...

One of the most common requests I get for my podcast is to include more episodes with acronyms or numbered lists—something that makes key takeaways clear and easy to apply. So, this week, I’m diving into The 3 C’s to Unlock Your Light (Leadership Potential): Courage, Curiosity, and Confidence. But here’s the twist—these 3 C’s aren’t a rigid step-by-step formula. Instead, they’re customizable, allo...