The Joy Junkie Show

JOIN THE TRIBE! Recently a listener wrote in to the show, asking what to do when you find yourself feeling stuck. You know that racket, no? Stuck in a relationship... stuck in a soul-sucking job... stuck in a friendship that doesn't serve you. The list goes on. Many times, when we feel "stuck", we look outside ourselves for the magic answer instead of addressing things that are totally within our power. Without knowing it, we fall into patterns and habits that ultimately leave us feeling stagnant and we forget to take action on the things that we already know bring us joy. Like, getting back to that knitting project you loved. Or picking up your guitar again. Whatever... you get the picture. In this episode, I dig into seven different strategies and questions you can ask yourself to break out of your stuck-ness in order to create much more happiness and fulfillment. You may actually be super surprised how easy it can be! This pod explores: Why you think you "don't have a choice" and what the real truth is Ho

FREE WORKSHOP! 3 WAYS TO IMMEDIATELY SILENCE YOUR INNER SHIT-TALKER. SWING BY THIS PAGE TO SECURE YOUR SEAT! At the start of every year, it’s likely you get pumped up and excited to make some serious change. You decide on a handful of things that you are GOING to conquer this year, god-damn-it! But what actually makes those goals a reality? Throughout my near-decade in this work, I have found that noble intentions have very little to do with bringing goals to fruition. Good ol’ fashioned gumption and desire are not enough to make your dreams come true. [sad trombone] But never fear, this episode targets seven ways people tend to sabotage their own goals (without even realizing it) and how you can set yourself up to slaaaaay all your goals. It’s not rocket science, but if you can employ some of these easy tactics, you will kill all your 2018 goals! Yes, please! This pod explores: My favorite tool to use to ensure you are tackling this goal for YOU (instead of mom/fam/boss/society) The number one way people l

FREE WORKSHOP! 3 WAYS TO IMMEDIATELY SILENCE YOUR INNER SHIT-TALKER. SWING BY THIS PAGE TO SECURE YOUR SEAT! 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

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THE NEXT TRIBE IS OPEN FOR REG. SIGN UP FOR THE TRIBE INTEREST LIST If you're like most people, you have an overwhelming sense of excitement and ambition come the new year. Also like most people, perhaps you hit Jan gang-busters-style, but when Feb comes around you have slowly begun to lose steam, fervor, and action. Many people (and maybe YOU) enter the New Year with tons of plans and intentions, but somehow end up a bit off track sooner than later. In this episode, I address the biggest obstacles people unknowingly establish for themselves when crafting New Year's goals and "resolutions". Yep, you read that right... many people actually make their job a shit-ton harder by not setting themselves up for success to begin with. I also share my personal planning tool I use to be sure I establish solid goals in aaaaall areas of my life (not just fitness and money... but, yes, those too). Be sure to grab your free download so you can plan and organize a seriously epic 2018 by figuring out

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THE NEXT TRIBE IS OPEN FOR REG. SIGN UP FOR THE TRIBE INTEREST LIST 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 burning Q about what to do w

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THE NEXT TRIBE IS OPEN FOR REG. SIGN UP FOR THE TRIBE INTEREST LIST Ever feel like you’ve checked off aaaaall the things, all the boxes, all the accomplishments and you look around and you’re still like, “Why do I still feel like shit!!?” If you’re like most, you’ve bought into the idea that the perfect husband/wife/body/career/baby/pair of shoes will surely bring you happiness. And then it doesn’t. So maybe you try perfectionism. Or people-pleasing. (I mean… if he loves you then of course that will change things!) Or maybe you isolate and shut everyone out. (Maybe this feeling will magically go away.) Perhaps you numb yourself with booze, Netflix, or work. If any of that sounds like “Waaaaait! How’d you know!?” then you have to tune into this week’s episode where I chat it up with my very best friend and colleague, Andrea Owen, who just so happened to write a book about it. That’s right, folks. On the show, you’ll hear her talk all about her latest bit o’ brilliance called How to St

ONE-ON-ONE COACHING SPOTS AVAILABLE! WANT SPECIFICS? OF COURSE YOUR DO. SWING BY THE PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION! Ever find yourself desiring deep, rich connections with your partner or your friends and family but have a hellova time letting your guard down? Maybe you even find yourself craving deep intimacy but you’re absolutely terrified to really “be seen”. I mean, isn’t it just safer to stay walled up? Well… if the otherparty was vulnerable first... maybe then it would be safe. Maybe. Why is it so damn hard to be vulnerable? If you’ve found your mind spinning with the same questions, you are certainly not the exception. Many of us crave rich, soulful connections with our loved ones, but we’re absolutely paralyzed by fear of being vulnerable. So we put up massive walls, don’t let people in, and then wonder why we don’t have intimacy. In this episode, I dig into the detrimental notions we’re inundated with in our culture, how it sends major mixed messages about vulnerability, and why you need to drastically c

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THE NEXT TRIBE IS OPEN FOR REG. SIGN UP FOR THE TRIBE INTEREST LIST 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 six 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,

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THE NEXT TRIBE IS OPEN FOR REG. SIGN UP FOR THE TRIBE INTEREST LIST 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 holida

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THE NEXT TRIBE IS OPEN FOR REG. SIGN UP FOR THE TRIBE INTEREST LIST! If you’ve hung out with me for a while, you know that I’ve spoken often about NOT apologizing for yourself in regards to your wants, opinions, needs, and desires… As long a you express those wants, opinions, needs, and desires with grace + kindness. Through my work, and talking on this subject frequently, I’ve realized that there is a slippery way we apologize for ourselves through over-explaining. Perhaps you can identify with this idea. I mean… the last time you were unable to make it to an event, did you simply decline or did you give a lengthy explanation why you couldn’t make it? Or how ’bout over-explaining a decision you’ve made… like, not wanting kids or opting to be vegan or moving across the country or getting tattooed. Are you comfortable just stating that or do you feel the need to explain WHY you made those choices? Listen, there are certainly going to be those people in your life who you love having co

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THE NEXT TRIBE IS OPEN FOR REG. SIGN UP FOR THE TRIBE INTEREST LIST! Ever feel like if you speak up for yourself and tell someone “No” to something they are requesting of you or decline an invite (even to obligatory family functions… GASP!) then you are totally being an asshole? Or being super mean? JUST because you’re saying “No”? If this is your belief, you are sooooo not alone. I can’t tell you how many times people tell me that if they say “No” to someone they assume they are totally responsible for the other person’s feelings. What if that actually wasn’t true? What if saying “No” could be done with the utmost kindness and grace? What if saying “No” had nothing to do with the other person and only meant you were taking care of YOU? Well, guess what? It can. And, in this week’s pod, I’m challenging the listeners (YOU!) to not only take a stand and start saying “No” to the shit that no longer serves you, but also to change your entire mentality about what you’ve made this whole co

BE THE FIRST TO KNOW WHEN THE NEXT TRIBE IS OPEN FOR REG.  SIGN UP FOR THE TRIBE INTEREST LIST! Ever find yourself in a situation where someone you love dearly is in (what you perceive to be) a toxic relationship? Feel like your hands are tied in trying to show your loved one what is possible if they choose to stop tolerating such shitty treatment inside their relationship? This can be so incredibly frustrating, and furthermore, what-the-hell are you supposed to do about it? Maybe you have a bestie who calls you crying after her douchebag of BF says something super insensitive yet again and you find yourself wondering how much more you can take. Or maybe it’s your sister who constantly complains about how shitty her husband is and it seems like this is the ONLY thing you talk about anymore. If you’ve come up against this racket and are having a hard time know what to actually DO about it, have a listen to this episode where I dig into 4 action steps you can take to let your loved one know what’s up without fe

JOIN AFTER HOURS! You’ve been in the same industry for 20 years and you’re dying to make a change but you’re scared shitless to throw in the towel. Wouldn’t that mean you wasted two decades? You’re not totally sure you’re getting your Master’s because it’s what YOU really want or if it’s because that’s what mom wants… or because it’s what a younger version of you wanted. Shit. What if you just don’t want that path any longer? Finish what you started? That’s what they say, right? You’ve always wanted to pick up and move to a new country, but jesus, how stupid would it be to quit your six-fig job? But, you’re so damn good at what you do! But, then again, Italy is calling... If you’ve faced any of these harrowing decisions (or something similar) you know what it can feel like to tow the line of QUIT or PERSEVERE. I mean… how do you know if you should stick with something or if you should just quit while you’re (sort of) ahead? In this episode, I cover off six, specific tactics you can employ to make your decisio

JOIN AFTER HOURS! Over 15 years ago, I sat in my doctor’s office explaining my obsessive and compulsive thought patterns, my debilitating worry, and my latest (and thrilling) symptom of dry-heaving. She kindly explained to me that if I continued on the same trajectory, it was likely that I would be dead from a heart attack by age thirty, or at the very least, have extreme stomach ulcers. Bottom line: This anxiety disorder could take me out. This wasn’t just a matter of being “a worry wort” or a “perfectionist” or all the other labels I had haphazardly thrown around to define my constant need to control and obsess on everything. This was a serious condition that was radically, and detrimentally, affecting the quality of my life. In this week’s episode, I discuss what it really looks like to struggle with anxiety disorder, how to work through crippling panic attacks, and how to approach (or not) the journey of finding a medicinal solution. Struggling with anxiety doesn’t mean you can’t ever see an improvement i

GRAB YOUR FREE SPOT IN BECCA TRACEY'S, THE FIVE SECRETS TO GETTING MORE CLIENTS So, maybe you want to start dating again. Or perhaps you're dying to start your own biz. Or maybe you're dying to lose that damn extra weight. Or apply for your dream job. Or fill-in-the-blank. And yet, you haven't started yet because this voice in your head screams, "I'm not ready!!" So, you put it off a bit longer with a litany of excuses. "I'll start dating again after I lose 20 pounds." "I'll start my biz after I take another marketing course." "Well, I can't go back to the gym until I've built up more muscle." I mean... Sound familiar? Listen, trust. I get it. Putting yourself out there is scary as all shit. But like Michael Jordan says, "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." It's not about being perfect, and it's not even about being really ready, it's simply about taking action. In spite of your fear. This week on the pod, I'm joined by my dear friend and colleague, Becca Tracey, as we dig into the major hurdles we fa

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GRAB YOUR SPOT IN EXCUSE ME, YOUR BADASS IS SHOWING: SELF-LOVE EDITION Ever find yourself cruisin' through Facebook, just minding your own business, and then BOOM! You see someone who is thinner than you posing in her bikini in her exotically sexy, annoying vaca pics and you instantly start comparing yourself to her. Or maybe it's that one guy you used to work with sharing about his amazing work promotion for his new, totally awesome company, and your mind starts GOING OFF about how you just aren't smart enough... not good enough... not accomplished enough. Just. Not. Enough. And, you end up thinking, "I've got to stop comparing myself to others!" Because... it feels kinda shitty, amiright!? Maybe it's not even Facebook... although it can be a BEAST in the whole comparison thing. Maybe it's your co-worker, your neighbor, your bestie, or even your spouse that you constantly compare yourself to. And it usually ends the same way... with you CONVINCED that you totally suck. How do I know? Oh, honey, because I hav

GRAB YOUR SPOT IN EXCUSE ME, YOUR BADASS IS SHOWING: SELF-LOVE EDITION Have you ever replayed a conversation with someone over and over again in your mind, completely making up what the other person was thinking/feeling/intending? Or how 'bout this one... ever obsessively worry about something day and night until this *thing* comes to fruition, and NOTHING even remotely close to what you were worrying about actually happens? Or have you ever said something like, "I'm just such a perfectionist" or "I can't tell my husband that!!" If any of those scenarios seem eerily familiar, you will want to catch this week's pod where we're discussing all things Stories We Make Up. As in, all the ways in which we get locked into a specific story which inevitably keeps us small, stuck, and stressed-the-fuck out. Things like thinking you HAVE to do something... The story being "I don't have any choice in the matter". Or making up a whole story about what your mom meant/thought/felt when she made that one comment last week. We

GRAB YOUR SPOT IN THE WORKSHOP!! Ever see super confidant people and wonder how the hell they actually like themselves so much? Wish you could look in the mirror and actually like who you see? I used to think the same thing too until I realized that I actually had the power to change how I viewed myself. I learned that it was actually up to ME how I felt about myself and I didn’t have to invest all my happiness in everyone else’s opinion. Whaaaa!!? Yeah. No shit. Here’s the problem: No one ever teaches you how to love yourself… or speak kindly to yourself… or pay attention to your needs. After years of figuring this out on my own, I’ve put together 6 simple things you can start doing TODAY to help catapult your journey of self-love. [Hint: It’s actually not about finding the perfect job or the perfect mate that allows you start loving yourself. [#spoileralert] This pod explores: How to make sure you have time for YOU on your calendar How to make friends with the voices in your head How pride can actually be

REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP! We've all had those awkward-ass friendship situations... where we aren't totally sure where we stand. Not sure if our friendship has run it's course. Not sure if it's worth reconciliation. Not at all sure where we stand or what the other person is thinking. Or if we should fight for the friendship? Recently, a listener wrote into the show unsure of how she should deal with a situation where a friend essentially "broke up" with her. I guess the millennials call it "ghosting" - where someone just kinda disappears. No response to your texts, call, insta tags, nothing. Just done-zo. Ghosted your ass. I think we've all had those situations where we aren't sure where a friendship is headed or if the other person is DONE with us. In this episode, I look at 6 things you CAN do to work through this sticky predicament. Have a listen and find out if you even need to apologize (you may not have to!), how to figure out what stories you're totally making up, and how to focus on the friendships yo