The Joy Junkie Show

Not Another Self-Help Podcast ~> NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~> JOIN AFTER HOURS ~> Last week I stopped by to let you know I needed to take a few weeks off from the pod to tend to my health and well-being. Not to worry… nothing crazy is going on. I’m not retiring the show or moving to a commune or going to chiropractic school or anything. But… there is some really exciting news I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss. First off, my bestie and I (Andrea Owen over at Your Kickass Life) are starting a brand-spankin’ new podcast which will officially drop on January 3rd! Mark your calendars! Not Another Self-Help Podcast will start with an 8-episode season and this show will be a bit of a departure from our respective podcasts. Expect many more random conversations, anecdotes, and comedy paired with some truth-bomb advice giving. This show will be available on aaaall the major platforms, so get ready! Second, I currently have a few open spots (like, only 2 left) for my radically transformative coaching program, Deep, Down,

Not Another Self-Help Podcast ~> NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~> JOIN AFTER HOURS ~> I’ll be honest. I have been needing a break for a while.  Not to worry… nothing crazy. I’m not ending the pod or moving to Bali or going to vet school or anything. But, I am needing a few weeks off from the pod to cater to my health and well being. But… there is some really exciting news I wanted to make sure you were looped in on. First off, my bestie and I (Andrea Owen over at Your Kickass Life) are starting a brand-spankin’ new podcast which will officially drop on January 3rd! Mark your calendars! Not Another Self-Help Podcast will start with an 8-episode season and this show will be a bit of a departure from our respective podcasts. Expect many more random conversations, anecdotes, and comedy paired with some truth-bomb advice giving. This show will be available on aaaall the major platforms, so get ready! Second, I currently have a few open spots for my radically transformative coaching program, Deep, Down, + Dirty. Interested

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~> Ever feel like you just can’t quite enjoy the holidays because you’re in the middle of an emotional shitstorm that seems to make the season trying, stressful, and overwhelming? Maybe it’s your first holiday after being newly divorced. Or maybe it’s the fifth Christmas without your beloved mother, and you can’t seem to understand why it’s still so damn hard for you. Or perhaps you just moved your family across the country and although it was an amazing decision for you, you still find yourself incredibly nostalgic, overly emotional, and sensitive. If any of that sounds familiar, it’s likely that there is something in your world that needs a little processing. (And, no there’s nothing wrong with you.) Perhaps what’s tugging at you is the need for full-on grieving the loss of a loved one, which feels exacerbated by the sentimental tone of the holiday. Or perhaps it’s as simple as “a case of the blues” because you’ve changed jobs and aren’t able to do the gift exchange with your previous co

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~> A PODiance member wrote to the show and wanted to know how to figure out what to do… when you just don’t know what to do… aka Making Tough Decisions. I mean… how on earth do you know if you’re making the right choice or not? And, GOD! What if you don’t make the “right” choice! Hell may freeze over… Or maybe you’re super indecisive, always second-guessing your choices, and find yourself fearful of making the wrong choice… so you simply remain paralyzed, not moving in any real direction. Or maybe you’re having a hard time making a choice because of other people in your life. Maybe you’re afraid of letting them down or afraid of how they may feel about your choices. In this episode, I share seven steps to take when you are spiraling into the “I don’t know what to do!” abyss. These specific steps will help you get centered, make powerful choices for yourself, and let go of what everyone else may think about it. Yes, please! This pod explores: How to use the information you already know to

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~> In our society that craves INSTANT gratification for damn-near everything, no wonder we get tripped up on the continual chase for the next best thing. The next shiny object. Surely, *this new thing* will make me happy. But, wait… now I’m bored with *that thing*, but Ooooooo, what about *this new thing over here*… and then rinse, repeat. Jumping from shiny object to shiny object. Not following through with anything and on a hamster wheel of happiness chasing. But, here’s the thing… we usually do this racket without even realizing it. We do it subconsciously. We’re usually just trying to feel better, avoid something uncomfortable, and forget our shitty situation already. But, if you keep up this chase, you never really accomplish anything of merit and your happiness is inevitably always postponed. In this week’s show, I look at the multitude of ways this not-so-medical “syndrome” shows up in your world, how to stop yourself from making hasty, rash choices, and where to really, *truly* fin

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~>   Find yourself dreading holiday functions with your family because it’s only a matter of time until your mom pesters you about why you don’t go to church anymore… or you aunt gives you shit for not having kids or not being married… or your uncle gets in a heated (uncomfortable) “discussion” about gun rights? Or perhaps you’re dreading the impending convo where your bro asks you for money. Again. Even though the holidays are supposed to be merry and bright, they can often be the most stressful when it comes to dealing with our families. Enter years of baggage, a shit-ton of guilt, mix in some alcohol, and you have a family holiday that leaves you feeling like shit instead of connected with those you supposedly love the most. If this sounds any kind of familiar, all is not lost. And, believe it or not, you can totally take back your holiday experience, boundary your ass off, and consciously CHOOSE your focus this holiday. Even if your sister is an ass-hat. This pod explores: How to prep

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~> Hey everyone, Darlene here, Amy’s behind the scenes podcast ninja. I am cutting into our regularly scheduled program to let you know that the week Amy was supposed to record the episode that would have aired today, she got extremely sick and decided to walk her talk in the name of self-care. This means we won’t have an episode this week, but there’s still some really great news. 1. We’ll be back in your feed next week with a brand new episode. We promise. And 2. Amy has a freebie for you. If you have not been to her free workshop yet, what are you waiting for?  She shares 5 strategies to help banish self-doubt and perfectionism, help you access killer confidence + 'enoughness' and finally find your voice. If you’re DONE feeling like your own worst enemy, constantly beating yourself up, and overwhelmed because you’re constantly doing, doing, doing for everyone else, then you must grab your seat in this brand-new workshop!  Get all the deets and register at TheJoyJunkie.com/Workshop. Mr.

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~> If you’re like most people, you learned how to address conflict through a process of trial and error. Maybe it was just how your parents did things… just sweeping things under the rug or telling little white lies to make sure everyone else was happy. And, then you get into your adult life and wonder why you are always pulled to tell lies about why you can’t make it to that one work event instead of simply saying that you have plans. Or maybe now there is a shit-ton of conflict in your relationship, but you keep telling everyone else about it… just not your spouse. Listen, Love. If this is your sitch you are soooo not alone. It’s likely that you simply were never taught HOW to actually speak up for yourself and say what you really mean. In last week’s episode, I covered off 7 major communication habits we tend to fall into instead of simply saying what we really mean. In this week’s edition, I cover off what you can actually DO about those patterns so that you can truly stand up for you

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~>   I get it. You were told to never hurt anyone’s feelings. You were told to “not rock the boat”. You were told to “not let people down”. And you took that to heart. When you had a problem with something your bestie said, you swept it under the rug. Don’t open up that can of worms. When you had probs in the bedroom, you told your bestie and your therapist, but you could neeeever tell your spouse! I mean… that would destroy him/her. And, you continue this pattern throughout your life. When you’re pissed at your boss, you find co-workers to collude with, but never bring up the issue to the powers that be. When you don’t like how your mother-in-law is butting into your parenting, you bite your lip. And, then maybe have an explosive fight with your partner about it. Listen, I feel you. For many of us, we have lived our entire lives believing that saying what we really mean is a recipe for disaster and should be avoided at all costs. But here’s the clincher: If you constantly do and say shit

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~>   Ever see super confident people and wonder how-the-hell they became so sure of themselves? Ever wonder if they were just born that way or if someone taught them or if some life experience shaped them into that person who oozes confidence and self-assuredness? However they came to that state, you could sooo get in on that action, amiright? In this episode, I dig into 7 super easy ways to build confidence immediately. You don’t have to read an entire book or become a totally self-help guru to learn how to place value on yourself… and it also doesn’t have to take decades. The tools presented in this episode will help you nail down what might be in the way of your self-confidence, identify what will kick your ass into gear, and snag some serious self-confidence in no time flat. This pod explores: Why “pride” is integral to your personal self-confidence and how to get you some How to get a handle on your self-talk so your inner voice is more like a cheerleader instead of a bully How your

NEW **FREE** WORKSHOP ~>   We grow up buying into the idea that we are responsible for everyone else’s emotions. As we move into adulthood, that often looks like NOT bringing up important topics to your spouse, overlooking offensive comments from family, or allowing coworkers to walk all over you. Quite simply, we buy into the notion that everyone else’s thoughts, opinions, and beliefs are more important than ours. Perhaps you can relate. Perhaps you worry so much about what others may think that you’ve completely lost what matters most to YOU. Maybe you don’t even know what your opinions are because you’ve always been focused on everyone BUT yourself. Well, my friend, it’s time to change that shit up. In this week’s episode, I share four steps you can immediately implement in order to let go of what everyone else thinks and start tapping into YOUR wants and desires for a change. And, don’t worry, you’re going to do it all with the utmost grace and kindness. #noneedtobeadick This pod explores: How to tap int

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~>   Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have undoubtedly heard the notion of “setting boundaries”, but have you ever wondered exactly what that means? Or maybe you drummed up the nerve to tell someone (like, your mom, boss, or bestie) how you really felt about something only to be blatantly ignored? (Or worse… not even taken seriously.) How do you actually go about establishing boundaries that are clear, respected, and adhered to? It’s hard enough to broach a challenging topic with someone, let alone follow through on your boundary. Here’s the deal… if you’ve been constantly bitchin’ and moanin’ about something, and you’ve been super vocal about it to everyone, except the person who really needs to know you’re (ah-hem) “upset”, then it’s probably time to have a tough convo. In this week’s episode, I share my three-step process to establishing boundaries in a way in which you can be heard and own your personal power. This pod explores: What-the-hell a boundary even is The tell-tal

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~> You have a job interview coming up, but you can’t calm your mind from thinking about the worst case scenarios. You have a huge presentation coming up at work, and every time you think about it, your palms sweat and your heart races. You have a family event coming up and damn-it if your mother-in-law doesn’t spike your anxiety! Sound familiar? Trust, I get it. Although anxiety disorders and anxious thoughts are more commonplace than ever, it can be challenging to find tactics and strategies that actually help. Of course, we all know there’s weed or traditional western medicine approaches, but what do you do if you don’t dig those options? Just white-knuckle it the whole time? Hardly. In this week’s show, I sound off on ten, super simple and completely natural hacks you can use to combat your anxiety. Believe it or not, you actually have much more power over this than you think. You may have anxiety, but honey, it does not have you. This pod explores: Small changes you can make to your d

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~>   Ever feel like you’re expressing yourself like a #boss and the other person is like, “Why are you yelling? Please don’t scream at me.” And then you’re all, “Whaaaa?! I’M NOT SCREAMING!” Or have you ever addressed something with your partner/bestie/co-worker and they told you your tone was a bit harsh? Um. Yeah. Me too. Recently, a listener reached out to the show and asked how she could better control her voice when talking about serious issues with her husband. Often we think we are being crystal-fucking-clear about WHAT we are saying to another person, but in the passion of our emotions, we often lose sight of HOW we are expressing our thoughts. In this episode, I spill nine, super-easy-to-implement communication hacks you can use to control your tone, not lose your ever-lovin’ mind, and communicate in a way that gets your point across and your needs met. Boom. Just like that. This pod explores: My favorite body-related, go-to tactics to use in the middle of a heated conversation H

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~>   Recently a pod listener wrote to the show asking how one could actively cultivate optimism… especially if you happen to be a cynic, a skeptic, or tend toward pessimism. If you aren’t constantly shitting glitter, it’s likely that you’ve found yourself struggling to find the bright side or seeing that damn glass half full. I feel you. With the advent of social media, it’s damn near impossible to pop online and NOT see something that makes you want to throw your phone/computer/tablet out the window… or at someone else. Not to mention those negative co-workers, family members, and well-meaning friends who seem to always focus on the shit storm in their lives rather than having an attitude of gratitude. If you find it tough to stay positive and truly want to cultivate some kickass optimism, you won’t want to miss this episode. I sound off on nine, super simple tactics you can immediately implement to usher in some killer good vibes. Get ready to throw on those rose colored glasses, because

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~>   Ever have *that thing* where you make a positive life choice for yourself, like getting in shape, getting on medication, or choosing a new career path, and the peeps in your life are less thansupportive? They say things like, “Why would you stick to that workout; You always give up on everything?” or “Do you want to be dependent on that crazy medication all your life?” or “Why don’t you get yourself a ‘real’ job?” Whether they mean well or not, it can be so discouraging (and downright infuriating) when the people in your life shoot down your excitement and enthusiasm for something you are #legit pumped about. In this episode, I dissect a listener submission that asks, “How can I deal with all the naysayers and bullies that constantly make snide and hurtful remarks now that I’m committed and thrilled about my weight-loss process?” I discuss five strategies you can employ to get rid of the Negative Nelly’s in your life and speak up for yourself like the Confident Courtney that you are!

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~>   So you’re in your thirties or forties and you look around you and wonder, where the hell are my besties? Maybe you had awesome connections in college but now everyone’s in a different place… maybe you started working on yourself and getting into personal development and they’re still partying. Or you had kids and they didn’t. Or vice versa. Or you have a friend or two who you grew up with, but you have become radically different people… and often you wonder if you should still be friends. But you’ve been friends forever though… I totally hear you. I can’t tell you how many people ask me how the hell to find fulfilling relationships in their thirties and beyond. In this episode, I talk candidly about how our friendship connections change over the years, why they change, and what you can do about in order to find your peeps. And guess what? It’s actually doesn’t have to be so hard. Promise. This pod explores: How to figure out who should or shouldn’t be in your life Specific action ste

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~>   Ever feel like no matter what you do, you simply never have enough time? Perhaps you are constantly putting out fires, running on autopilot, all the while watching shit pile up that you swore you were going to handle two weeks ago. Ever find yourself volunteering for an extra project or an extra whateverthefuck that ends up leaving you feeling both obligated and stress to the max? Or perhaps your method of staying on top of things is a system of piles and stacks, sticky notes and memos, without a solid understanding of what really needs attention. So, you just constantly put out fires. And more fires. Until you, yourself, burn the fuck out. Sound familiar? If you are used to constant overwhelm and doing everything your god-dammed self, it’s likely that you could use a bit of knowledge on good ol’ time management. It’s time to break out of the rat race that leaves you feeling constantly behind, exhausted, and frazzled. In this week’s show, I sound off on seven things you can immediatel

FREE WORKSHEETS + SCREEN SAVERS WITH THIS EPISODE! Even though it’s not quite as popular as it was a handful of years ago, I find that people are still really interested in the Law of Attraction and what it really takes to actually manifest shit in your life. I mean… do you just state what you want and magically the Universe just drops it at your doorstep? Um, obviously not. If that was how it worked we would all be sporting some fabulous Jimmy Choos, chillin’ at a Beyonce concert(s), having killer spouses (and sex), and only amazing-ass friendships. So, just deciding what you want to manifest is only a small piece of the manifestation puzzle. In this episode, I share my 5-step system to manifesting damn-near anything you desire. No really. But, guess what? It’s going to take action. And planning and willingness and commitment. And maybe even some tough choices. But honey, you DO have the pow-ah to create some serious magic. #trust This pod explores: What the universe needs to hear from you when you declare

NEW *FREE* WORKSHOP ~>   You land your perfect job. And then your inner voice tells you that you are horribly unqualified and everyone is going to find you out. You enter a super healthy relationship with an awesome partner. And then your inner voice tells you how damaged you are, why you aren’t good enough, and why it’s all going to come crashing down in a blazing inferno. You finally finish that graduate degree. And then your inner voice tells you how you were the slowest in the class, probably won’t get hired, and should probably just try to get your old job back. Sound familiar? If so, you are likely battling a lovely little issue we (in the personal growth world)  like to call The Imposter Syndrome. The idea that, in spite of your success or accomplishment, you are somehow not good enough, a total fraud, and have fooled everyone who will surely soon find you out. In this week’s episode, I answer a listener’s buring Q about what to do when you find yourself beating yourself up about being an imposter in y