Ever wonder why two people who have such differing opinions about one very important subject like the function of the Church and faith in society work together so well? In this episode, we take some time to get to know our co-host Rick Costa and maybe understand a little bit better why it all works! Rick talks openly about his journey that led him to become 'Pastor Rick' - a title he initially resisted. Join us as we share our thoughts on topics such as why people are leaving Churches, scandals ...
Nov 26, 2023•34 min•Ep. 108
Do you remember what it was like to be part of a tightly knit team, where you not only had to pull together to succeed but also depended on each other for comfort and companionship? We'll share some funny incidents and some bitter-sweet memories of our time performing in Color Guard, and Drum Corp, and what it was like to be on tour -- reminding you of the camaraderie, the fatigue, the anxiety, and the thrill of the competition. Our mystery guest, Tommy Lee chimes in on all the memories and remi...
Nov 19, 2023•51 min•Ep. 107
In this episode, we express our gratitude to Fran Dresser, the president of SAG AFTRA, for her brilliant leadership during this period and rejoice in the fact that the strike is finally over! We also share updates about our weeks, from Cynthia's bustling schedule at the hospital due to an influx of new COVID and flu cases, to Joy's delightful family visit in East Tennessee. Here's a sneak peek: Would you dare to jump out of a plane on your 30th birthday or just for fun? Because two of us did. Th...
Nov 12, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 106
Join us as we sit down with Tony, a seasoned veteran, who takes us through the landscape of his life, including the complexities of maintaining family relationships post-divorce. Tony, who's a retired Air National Guardsman and a civil service aircraft mechanic, shares his experiences of navigating life after divorce, the impact it has on mental health, and the importance of family relationships. His story is one of resilience and compassion, offering a candid look at how family dynamics can aff...
Nov 05, 2023•58 min•Ep. 105
Have you ever danced through tears? Recently, I was reminded of life’s uncanny ability to blend both sorrow and joy in the same moment. We lost Patty Ann, an unexpected blow that threw us all into an emotional whirl. Yet this storm of feelings was punctuated by rays of joy as I flew back east, joining my family in a celebration of her life. United in our grief, we found solace in moments of laughter, singing, and dancing to Patty Ann's favorite tunes from Motown and Donna Summer, her favorites -...
Oct 30, 2023•13 min•Ep. 104
*This is the Collab event between All About The Joy and our friends over at Late Night Parents! Ready to break down the barriers of traditional relationship dynamics and stir the pot of societal norms with AATJ crew Rick Costa, Andrea Nunez, Cynthia Ruiz and me, Carmen Lezeth? Join us as we explore the multifaceted world of relationships in an enlightening and, at times, challenging but always funny conversation with our friends, Ted Hicks, Tony Dandridge, Mister B., and Brian TX Cattleskull fro...
Oct 22, 2023•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 103
Are you an old soul or forever young at heart? Such a riddle sparked an exciting round table discussion, setting the tone for an unforgettable journey down memory lane. Prepare yourself for an episode filled with laughter, real-life stories, and a touch of nostalgia as my friends and I share our experiences and thoughts. Wouldn't it be amazing if you could decode the language of love? Not just yours, but that all-important language of your beloved? We take a fascinating dive into the diverse wor...
Oct 15, 2023•58 min•Ep. 102
It's not every day you get to reconnect with a good old friend! So, buckle up as we embark on a fun ride with DGA Director Joel Lava. He'll reminisce about the time he spent with the late Dick Butkus, how he found his way to film directing with little guidance from anyone and he'll share some of the ways in which he'd advise someone today how to get there. Amidst some other chuckles over surprise guests in the chat room, Star Wars fandom versus Star Trek, and Joel's clear dabble with the ‘dark s...
Oct 08, 2023•59 min•Ep. 101
Ever been caught in the web of gossip and wondered about its impact on celebrities like the Kardashians or Chris Hemsworth? What if there's more to the story than what's on the surface? In a fun lighthearted conversation, we navigate the complexity of gossip and fame, tackling the dangers of spreading unverified information and the paradox of notoriety. You'll hear some intriguing personal anecdotes involving high-profile individuals and gain a fresh perspective on how rumors can reshape our per...
Oct 01, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 100
Picture this: your favorite comedians from the past and present, music icons, and a hearty chat on skincare routines - all in one episode! Yup, that's right. We at All About the Joy are serving you a smorgasbord of discussions that range from the hilarity of I Love Lucy to the contrasting musical styles of Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. Which artist gives you the chills - Tupac or Biggie? Hold that thought as we dissect the magic of their music, delving into the iconic hip-hop scene. Lest we forget, ...
Sep 24, 2023•54 min•Ep. 99
Ever wondered why Hollywood royalty would cross a picket line during a Writer’s Guild strike? Get ready to explore the controversial decision made by Drew Barrymore in our enlightening discussion. We'll delve into the ramifications of her choice not only for her but for countless others affected by the strike who are going without salaries. Brace yourself for a spirited talk about the creative ways other shows are supporting their staff and our sheer disappointment over Barrymore's potentially d...
Sep 17, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 98
What does it truly mean to have a best friend? Someone who sticks by your side through thick and thin, who understands you better than anyone else, and who you can always rely on. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of friendship and the significance these relationships hold in our lives. We discuss the concept of a 'best best friend', and how this bond can be both complex and rewarding. We share our own stories of friendship, shedding light on the importance of trust, reliability, and the a...
Sep 10, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 97
Join us as we navigate through feelings of loss and the unexpected triggers that arise. We share heartfelt recollections from personal experiences, revealing how loved ones' passing can stir unpredictable emotions. Meanwhile, amidst the ongoing storm in Florida and an unprecedented hurricane in Los Angeles, we delve into feelings of isolation and our reactions to such extraordinary circumstances. We use the article from the LA Times, as our backdrop That Personal Touch at Check Stand? Priceless ...
Sep 03, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 96
Ever wondered about the secret world of ghostwriting? Pull up a chair, sip on some coffee, and join us for an engaging discussion with Douglas Glenn Clark, a seasoned professional from this intriguing field. From his early days as a journalist to the reality of penning words for others, Douglas takes us on a fascinating exploration of what a ghostwriter does when it comes to writing work for others. We also unravel the art of ghostwriting, shedding light on how it helps authors express their nar...
Aug 27, 2023•35 min•Ep. 95
How much of our craving for connection is influenced by societal fragmentation? From the shared euphoria at high-energy concerts to the simple bonding over a Barbie movie, we explore how our collective quest for connection drives us to these shared experiences. Yet, we go a step further to dissect the role of technology and social media, often blamed for our societal divide, and put forth a different perspective. We make a case for these platforms as conduits for our shared human experience, if ...
Aug 20, 2023•27 min•Ep. 94
Ever wondered how a brawl, a hat and a chair could evolve into symbols of resistance? Join us as we journey through the heart of the Montgomery Brawl, unearthing its roots and examining the unexpected, yet humorous aftermath. From the key players involved to the potential hazards that lurked within the chaos, this episode promises a thorough analysis filled with candid conversations bordering on the hilarious and the alarming. Our discourse extends to the thorny issues of racism and inequality, ...
Aug 13, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 93
Let me ease you into my understanding of Artificial Intelligence. This is the simple version and also, what you fear about AI is not the right thing to be afraid of. It's here, it's not going back into the tube sort of speak. So, it's time to embrace it and learn what the real issue about this new and incredible technology! Also, check out Colin and Samir's interview with Miles Fisher, the guy who did deep fakes of Tom Cruise....and got away with it! Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our w...
Aug 06, 2023•18 min•Ep. 92
In this episode, Maurio Dawson shares his story about receiving a kidney transplant, a second medical scare, the loves of his life and what's next. For someone who has been through so much, it's his continued joy about life that inspires! We also promote Smartless as a great podcast to watch, talk about friendships, family, rejection and... above all... love! DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast are meant for entertainment purposes o...
Jul 30, 2023•59 min•Ep. 91
Wrapping your head around what you know to be true based on what you were taught as a child and your overall upbringing, versus what you can learn when you open your mind to the possibilities? Yeah, I had a revelation the other day trying to buy towels, and I was asked about it and it got me on a roll. I mention a thing about rich folk versus poor folk and also share a little bit about what I've learned along the way... Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and a...
Jul 23, 2023•21 min•Ep. 90
I sat down with the soon to be 15 year old and talked about the 5th Installment of Indiana Jones, Dial of Destiny, why we're not interested in new Marvel movies and we touch on the mistakes that Genx and Boomers keep getting wrong. It's a fun conversation and definitely will give you something to think about... Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share . You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if ...
Jul 16, 2023•20 min•Ep. 89
In this episode, I touch on a few things: 1. We all want to get rid of toxicity, but there are consequences that are also negative that I never considered. But I found out the hard way a few weeks ago. 2. Why am I talking about Viola Davis, Instagram and Threads? If you don't know, you will now. 3. And yes, I hate some of my friends. I said what I said. Hate. I did not misspeak. But, I have a workaround, so maybe it'll be okay? Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The J...
Jul 09, 2023•22 min•Ep. 88
Do you know the answers to these 80's questions? I bet you can't! In this week's episode, we take a slice of the live stream from this past week and talk with Tony D., about all things 80's. I do a little trivia game with Rick and Tony and as always, find ourselves laughing, giggling, and just enjoying a good 'ole time hanging out. Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share . You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate th...
Jul 02, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 87
In this episode, I share a lesson I learned long ago that so many people keep accidentally tripping on. I also touch on what the whole purpose of life is. Yup, I said what I said. Enjoy! Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share . You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481 Edi...
Jun 25, 2023•21 min•Ep. 86
In this episode, I share a personal example of how All About The Joy actually works in my own life and how it can in yours. Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share . You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481 Editing by Team A-J Host, Carmen Lezeth DISCLAIMER: As always, ple...
Jun 18, 2023•19 min•Ep. 85
In this episode: I wish what I’m about to share was an anomaly. Unfortunately, this story is more the norm than not. I decided to share it because so many of even my closest friends do not understand the hardship associated with this situation. So many people suffer with the same dilemma. The financial burden that is student loans and just getting an education. This is my personal story. Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share . You can also...
Jun 11, 2023•31 min•Ep. 84
In this episode, we hang out with Joy who shares so much about her dreams of being a Guest host on Somebody Feed Phil, to her love of Rollercoasters and also, gives some great advice on dealing with grief, dogs barking and just staying in a great space of Joy! Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share . You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please...
Jun 04, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 83
Straight from this week's chat on the Live Stream, we talked with Hai Ho, a former colleague of mine from back in day -- we went down memory lane, and learned a lot about what he's been doing and his 5-year plan! We also got some insight into the life of a freelancer. And yeah, why he moved to Texas!! Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share . You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want t...
May 28, 2023•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 82
In this episode, I realize there are some things I do on a pretty regular basis to help keep myself in a place of optimism, joy and happiness. We all have things we do that may help others achieve a better way of living this every day life -- and I'm starting to realize I need to share more of those and stop assuming everyone out there already does these things. I'm going to open up a bit more about how I do it -- I'm hoping others will find something here to help, but also to motivate and share...
May 21, 2023•18 min•Ep. 81
In this episode, I explain what I do for a living and also how I'm pursuing what I love while working my regular job. You can do the same. Also, I share the best piece of advice I've ever gotten, why my teeth are so white (again), and if I believe in...Love? Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share . You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please c...
May 14, 2023•27 min•Ep. 80
In today's episode, I share what happened this week that helped me decide who to work with, a surprise hug from a stranger that changed my day and how we can all do better with how we talk to one another. All that and an update on how the Live Show went in case you missed you. #MayTheFourthBeWithYou Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share . You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to ...
May 07, 2023•17 min•Ep. 79