The Path to Joy

It’s rare that we get a weekend alone with Ben (our oldest!). But this weekend kicked off our final quest to help him decide where to attend college this fall. And it was great — top highlights included a trip to the dining hall, trying to decipher a college map, and a visit to the largest roller rink in the world. I’d say this is a 'can’t miss' episode!   Thanks so much for listening! I love help...

Today we’re talking about the 2026 L.A. Marathon—well, and marathons in general—and the mental gymnastics it takes to finish, especially when you’ve got a specific goal in mind.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat...

Today's episode is a bit about Alexander (one of my twins) and a bit about the afterlife. We recently had a conversation about 'the other side' -- he was curious as to what I believe. So I told him. Quite a packed eight minutes!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the sh...

I like to picture myself as brave and fearless at this point in my life but I still get tripped up by small, scary things. Today, let's talk about doing things even when we are nervous. And, no, I'm not talking about bungee jumping -- I'm talking about really little things -- like 'small talk!' Yes, your girl who can ramble on about anything for over three hundred episodes gets freaked out by smal...

It can be really tough to measure our impact. Our words and actions can have such lasting impact -- a ripple effect -- and yet, sometimes, we really have no idea. Kindness, compassion, even firm boundaries can have far reaching, long-lasting significance.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are li...

Guess what?? Today I got an ovation. Not a standing ovation -- let's not get too crazy. But an ovation nonetheless. Let's talk about appreciation -- it is nice to be appreciated. I don't really need validation but appreciation does feel good.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I me...

Today's episode is a must listen -- because we all need more miracles around us! Especially when life feels heavy, it's easy to forget that we don't live in a 'nuts-and-bolts' world. Just remember: there are wonder and miracles everywhere.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, a...

Today I share some really wonderful questions that were submitted during my February JOY SCHOOL call. I love this group -- I love the questions, the discussion, all of it!    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found...

I am very 'mixed' about the Nike slogan 'Just Do It.' One the one hand, I think it's terrible advice but then, on the other hand, there's a part of me that thinks it's probably the best advice for someone like me who can come up with lots of reasons not to do something. So, today, let's talk about the advice 'Just Do It!'   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!)...

No, don't get too excited, I haven't been taking swim lessons. Today, I share another wonderful Hannah Rosenberg poem entitled 'Swim Lessons' and I do reminisce just a bit about actual swim lessons.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your...

Today's episode is about my husband (and some advice he recently gave -- good advice!) and trees! He's not often one for emotional conversations but he really pulled through this time.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, c...

Today I share another incredible poem by poet Hannah Rosenberg from her book of poetry, 'Same.' I love this poem: Magic Disguised as Ordinary Life. More and more, I am compelled to take a breath and fully take in each moment -- even the boring ones, the ones that will never make into the memoir, the daily, the routine. Because that's magic.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people ch...

Today's episode is about my friend, Eddy. Sometimes friendship can surprise you. I've never met Eddy in person, we communicate solely through audio messages, and yet I consider him my friend. So, today, is all about sharing some of the wisdom he's shared with me over the years.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find...

Today's episode is a bit heavier because the truth is: sometimes life is grossly unfair. As much as I see so much beauty in this world, there is so much grief and suffering too. So how do we sit with both?   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you o...

Yes, today's episode is about a quiet moment -- but not just any quiet moment. A very specific one -- the moment I pressed 'publish' on my book (now three years ago!). Some reflection on what it's like to sit in a moment, alone, and feel quietly content.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the gu...

A snow day is a great way to determine how much of a homebody someone is! Today, I chat about homebodies (yes, that's me!), introverts/extroverts, and more! I do love how we are all wired so differently.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on...

Today's episode is all about the twins! The big snow we all experienced in much of the country coincided with the twin's birthday. As it did 15 years ago. Today, I reflect on that equally snowy day 15 years ago when two little miracles were born!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, em...

In today's episode I share another of Cara Bradley's famous 'Sparks!' This one is so good. Let's chat about how much we love to 'overexplain' our decisions and choices. Maybe today will inspire you to 'defend' a little less!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information...

Today's episode is about a local food packing/distribution organization -- JRA. Well, it's really about how much fun I had at a recent food packing event. This episode is replete with little girls dishing about their younger sisters and elderly Russian women kissing the twins!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find mo...

Today's episode is about the word 'communion.' No, not 'holy communion' but the concept of unity, of being connected deeply to one another. This episode features wisdom from our incredible rabbi -- so get excited!!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may h...

I do find it fascinating who we marry: are they like our parents or the total opposite? How do we choose? For full disclosure, I ponder some of these questions in today's episode but mostly I reflect on the fact that I, for sure, married my grandfather -- and I chose wisely!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more...

Today I share a few excerpts from an opinion piece written by New York Times columnist, David Brooks, called 'The Great Detachment.' In his piece, he sets up a conundrum that I have found to be very true: “It is one of the weird paradoxes of life that the constraints you choose are the ones that set you free.”    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perce...

No, I'm not moving! Today's episode IS about a potential move, just not mine. It's funny how we often move through life as though nothing will change and then, all of a sudden, big changes roll into our path.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help y...

It's the first day of 2026 and I am a bit reflective (just a little) -- thinking about releasing goals, control, and resistance. I'm choosing to 'allow.' Allow all aspects of my life to unfold with more ease, openness, and trust. It's still Day One so we'll see how it goes!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more...

I recently read a NY Times article in which the author compiled the best reader submitted advice of 2025. Today I share some of those nuggets of wisdom --- there are a few really good ones!! And that's saying a lot because you know I hate advice (yes, the irony is real).    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JO...