Make Me Smile with Miist

Have you ever considered the magic held within the word "Creator"? We often picture gods or great artists, but what if I told you that this incredible, world-altering power is something you possess right now? It's a forgotten gift, a feeling of deep pride and accomplishment we've known since childhood, capable of making something wonderful out of absolutely nothing. In this episode, we journey bey...

Have you ever felt a rhythm so deep it seems to move you from the inside out? It's a feeling we're all born with, a universal language of joy that needs no translation. In this episode, we'll rediscover the profound, almost magical, power of dance—not just as steps or routines, but as a key to unlocking pure, uninhibited happiness and forging deep human connections. We'll explore the fascinating s...

What if the one thing holding you back from true love, from success, from the simple joy of being silly, isn't a real monster but a ghost from your past? Fear can be a powerful, paralyzing force, one that I've known intimately since I was just a little girl. It can dictate our choices, keep us in a constant state of fight-or-flight, and stop us from living the life we truly desire. In this episode...

What do a determined toddler, a guilty-looking dog, and a self-guided robot vacuum have in common? They are the stars of one of the most hilariously epic disasters a family can face—a story that had me considering throwing a $500 appliance right in the trash. In this episode of Make Me Smile, we dive headfirst into a "poop-ocalypse" of legendary proportions to get to the heart of something truly t...

Hello, and welcome back to Make Me Smile. Have you ever considered the profound science behind a simple game of Peek-a-boo? It feels so perfect and natural, but what if that interaction holds the key to our child's development and our own happiness? In this episode, we explore the forgotten art and biological necessity of play. We'll uncover why play is essential not just for children but for adul...

What if the one thing that keeps us going through even the darkest times is something we can give to ourselves and others in an instant? In this episode of Make Me Smile, we dive deep into the incredible, almost magical, power of hope. I’ll share a remarkable and frankly shocking true story from a 1950s research lab that reveals the secret to enduring the impossible, and a personal moment with a t...

What if I told you that the moments you spend lost in thought—the ones you were told to snap out of as a child—are actually a hidden superpower? We all possess this incredible tool, a secret world inside our minds that can unlock our deepest creativity, solve our toughest problems, and even help us heal. In this episode, I share my own journey with this forgotten gift, from a lonely child's escape...

Have you ever heard of a horse who could count? It all started with this very real story, one that seems simple on the surface but reveals a profound and beautiful truth about what makes us human. This week, we explore the incredible, almost invisible, chasm that separates us from the animal world. What if our most unique abilities—our capacity to dream generations into the future, our complex mor...

Have you ever felt completely misunderstood, as if your words were being translated into a foreign language? From hilarious autocorrect fails to heart-wrenching family divides, it seems we're in the midst of a global communication breakdown. Wars have nearly started, billion-dollar spacecraft have been lost, and countless relationships have crumbled, all from simple misunderstandings. We're the mo...

What if the secret to feeling less stressed, more connected, and even more generous wasn't about adding something new to your life, but about rediscovering a forgotten emotion? Join me as we explore the surprising science behind "awe," from the specific brain network it quiets to the eight universal triggers that can spark this powerful feeling in our daily lives. Together, let's learn how to inte...

What if the most powerful medicine for loneliness and anxiety was literally at our fingertips, a forgotten language we're designed to speak? Join me as I explore the surprising science of touch starvation, from the specific nerves that crave a gentle caress to the shocking experiments that revealed how vital physical connection is for our survival. Together, we'll rediscover the simple, profound p...

Have you ever wondered why we laugh at something as absurd as a freezing cow in a refrigerator or a turkey vulture on a plane? In this episode, we explore the surprising science behind laughter, including the 17 different types of humor and what they reveal about our relationships. Discover why making someone laugh is a sign of intelligence, and how you can harness the power of humor in just 15 se...

Have you ever stopped to ask the simple yet profound question: why do we love? In this deeply personal episode of Make Me Smile, I, your host Miist, explore this very question as we seek to understand one of humanity's most powerful forces. We'll journey beyond the simple 'I love you' to discover the eight ancient Greek words for love—from romantic Eros to the universal love of Agape—and discuss w...

Have you ever felt a special relationship slowly drifting apart, not from a big fight, but from the quiet routine of everyday life? I went on a journey to find the key to rekindling that connection, exploring popular advice like "Active Listening" and "Validation." While helpful, I discovered the true secret to a bond that lasts is something much simpler and more powerful: being genuinely curious....

Welcome to "Make Me Smile"! I'm your host, Mist, and this week we're exploring the beautiful, innate human need for connection and why we often personify everything from our quirky lemon trees (you'll hear that story!) to our Roombas. It's all about our deep desire to connect, and we'll uncover how these bonds—with nature, animals, and especially each other—are the true sources of lasting happines...

Struggling with lingering feelings from a past relationship or the desire to be remembered? In this deeply personal episode of "Make Me Smile," host Miist shares the vulnerable story behind her song "Remember Me Again," exploring how a decade-old breakup unexpectedly surfaced and impacted her present life. Discover how holding onto resentment can subtly poison current happiness and learn why truly...

Does scrolling social media promise connection but often leave you feeling more disconnected? Dive into this "Make Me Smile" episode exploring the addictive, dopamine-driven nature of social media versus the deep fulfillment of real connection with nature, others, and yourself. Host Miist unpacks why our brains crave connection like hunger and introduces a powerful tool: the simple 15-second pause...

Hello, lovely listeners! Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the craziness of our world, or the constant pull of social media? I know I do. That's why on this episode of the Make Me Smile podcast, we're taking a break to explore how we can find joy and spark positive change with simple, powerful 15-second actions. I'll share my personal journey and introduce you to the Kindness Cube – a tangible way t...

Still haunted by resentment from a past relationship? Discover the surprising path to healing as host Miist unpacks the deeply personal story behind her song, "Give Her My Love." Learn how decade-old hurt from a breakup unexpectedly impacted her present marriage, leading to the profound realization that holding onto resentment is like "drinking poison and hoping the other person dies." This episod...

Can imagination be a powerful tool for healing childhood trauma and reframing a difficult past? In this deeply personal episode of "Make Me Smile," host Miist reveals the surprising truth behind her song "She" it was written not for her actual mother, but for the supportive figure she imagined needing after facing abandonment and abuse. Explore the transformative power of choosing gratitude over r...

Host and singer-songwriter Miist shares her deeply personal journey of healing childhood trauma related to parental abandonment and resentment, initially channeled through songwriting, including her featured original song "She." The focus shifts to the transformative power of gratitude as a tool for mental wellness and positive psychology. Miist explains how cultivating gratitude helped her refram...

This week, we confront the pervasive feeling of loneliness and isolation affecting so many, even in our hyper-connected world – a stark reality highlighted by the US Surgeon General's findings and the story behind my song, "Could You Lend Me a Smile." But there's immense hope! We explore how simple, powerful actions, taking just 15 seconds or less, can forge human connection and combat this epidem...

Join me, Miist, on this heartfelt episode of Make Me Smile, where we rediscover the simple yet profound power of a smile. Inspired by a touching story of loneliness from Japan and my personal journey into songwriting, we explore how one genuine smile can transform not only your day but ripple positively through your community and beyond. Hear uplifting interactions from my conversations with peopl...

Hello there, I'm Miist, and welcome to Make Me Smile. Have you ever felt, like I did walking through the park recently, that we've become a bit disconnected, maybe forgetting the simple, powerful gift of a smile? It seems loneliness and feeling adrift have become widespread, but I truly believe we hold the power to change that and rediscover what it means to be human. This podcast is our shared jo...