In this episode we discuss how we may be living on borrowed values and why it matters in our own lives and in society as a whole. Quotes "Researchers at Saatchi and Saatchi have estimated that 80% of decision making is emotional, and only 20% rational." "I don’t actually care who you vote for." "Not choosing our own values can have some difficult consequences." As always, you can find me at: createjoypodcast.com or on Instagram at @createjoypodcas t...
Oct 06, 2020•18 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode with Jenny Furse of the Of Progress and Purpose Podcast , we discuss why it is important to get to know the individual in order to have a better understanding of the group. We discuss why it is important to have hard conversations, and how it ultimately helps us understand society as a whole and helps us solve the world’s problems, one relationship at a time. We also discuss why it is complicated to address a group as a whole and why the middle is a great place to be. Connect wit...
Sep 14, 2020•54 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode with Jasmine Bradshaw of the First Name Basis Podcast , we discuss why we should listen to other people who are different than us. This is an important thing to do both for our own benefit and for society as a whole. In this conversation, we talk about why being different is not something to hide, but to celebrate. In her loving and sweet way, Jasmine gives advice on how to approach difficult topics, and why we need people who are different than us in our lives. Connect with Jasm...
Sep 03, 2020•44 min•Season 3Ep. 4
If you could have three wishes, genie style, would you choose happiness? Do we actually value happiness? IN this episode we break down things that we may be doing to devalue happiness, which in turn creates less joy in our own lives. As always, you can find me at: createjoypodcast.com or on Instagram at @createjoypodcas
Aug 10, 2020•23 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Trials are going to come in waves. They are inevitable. That’s just the way it is. Today we discuss why resisting these trials actually prevents us from feeling joy instead of protecting us from pain. As always, you can find me at: createjoypodcast.com or on Instagram at @createjoypodcast
Jul 27, 2020•24 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Welcome back to the Create Joy Podcast! I am super excited to have you here! In this episode I explain the why behind the podcast and what I am doing to create more joy in my own life and in my community. I am excited for what this season is going to bring for us. As always, you can find me at: createjoypodcast.com or on Instagram at @createjoypodcast
Jul 20, 2020•16 min•Season 3Ep. 1
My dear friend Melina Chaffin is one of the sweetest, kindest people you will ever have the privilege of hearing from. She has her fair share of hard times, and handles them with grace and determination that is to be admired and learned from. In this Encore episode, she shares some of her struggles, and how they have brought her closer to God. I promise you will be uplifted as well. Connect with Melina Instagram @melinajchaffin SHOW NOTES Learn more about Smith-Magenis syndrome Connect with Us! ...
Jun 22, 2020•43 min
In this Encore episode, I share our family's story with my husband, Javier. He talks about the hard times, his parent’s sacrifices, some turning points, and why the word “mushroom” plays a big part in his life story. LIfe might seem unfair… in many ways, but as Javier mentions, it is not only unfair for you. It is unfair for everyone. Realize this, and do what you can to move your life in the direction that you want it to go. You might be amazed at what you can accomplish when you stop feeling s...
Jun 08, 2020•47 min
Like most of the world, I have been spending a lot of time in the kitchen lately. While spending some time with my kids, I have learned some valuable lessons about why both trials and sweetness are needed to help us become the best that we absolutely can become. Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast...
May 25, 2020•22 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast during daylight hours for the entire month. It is the holiest month in the culture, and one that prepares them for the rest of the year. In this Episode, I talk with Shahnila about what Ramadan is, how Muslims celebrate, what we can learn from their experience, and the wonderful contributions that the Muslim community provides to the world. This year the celebration is very different, as Shahnila describes in the interview, bu...
May 12, 2020•52 min•Season 2Ep. 15
In this episode I talk about how your expectations might be keeping you from seeing what is amazing around you. I think it is especially relevant this mother's day. I also have a bonus project I am sharing with you. To send in a submission, just submit your form here, or send me an email at createjoypodcast@gmail.com or over on Instagram - @createjoypodcast Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast...
May 08, 2020•13 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Viktor Frankl’s inspiring book, “A Man’s Search for Meaning” can help us figure out how to find meaning in hard times through meaningful work, love and courage. In today's episode, we dive into lessons learned from the holocaust to help us find meaning in our darkest of times. Quotes “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” - Frederich Nietzsche “Suffering in and of itself is meaningless; we give our suffering meaning by the way in which we respond to it.” - Harold S. Kushner “If ...
Apr 28, 2020•21 min•Season 2Ep. 13
During this global pandemic, we may be attempting to shield our children from what is going on, but are we being part of the problem? Are we creating a home environment that makes them feel loved, safe and protected? Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast...
Apr 21, 2020•14 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In this episode, Stephanie Donegan shares how sharing her experiences with really hard things brought unexpected benefits, and some of the best friends someone could find. #CreateJoyChallenge This week’s #createjoychallenge is to look for small little wins. As of the time of this recording, we are at a weird time in the world. Most of the world is at home right now because of COVID-19, and we are experiencing life in a way that we did not expect. This can cause a weird identity crisis, as well a...
Mar 30, 2020•50 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Our bodies are amazing, wonderful creations, and they know exactly what they need! They usually start to tell us subtly, and if we don't listen, they get louder and louder. In this episode, Julie helps gives us three amazing tips on how to start working with our bodies. #createjoychallenge The Create Joy Challenge this week is to have something you love, and keep it visible. Maybe have lots of somethings you love, but make them meaningful, and make them prominent. This can be anything… this can ...
Mar 23, 2020•50 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In the episode we talk about 10 ways we can find joy amidst the chaos in the world of the coronavirus. It can feel scary and give us a lot of anxiety, but it doesn’t have to feel that way. The ten tips are: Look for the good - it is happening all around you Control the information you receive - control your media Use the power of technology for connection Give your kids (and yourself) the right tools - talk about what is and isn’t Surround yourself with things you love - (hide the good chocolate...
Mar 16, 2020•21 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Our guest today is Lorin Smith of @goodglutenfreegrub In this episode she talks about her own crazy journey to diagnosis, and how she has found health in spite of her struggles. She also gives us amazing takeaways to help us improve our own health journey, regardless of the health situations we may have. They are: 1. Educate yourself 2. Keep some sort of food journal 3. Create movement in your life 4. Set small, realistic goals that are possible to achieve #createjoychallenge Pay attention to ho...
Mar 09, 2020•40 min•Season 2Ep. 8
It can feel mind-blowing to think about the changes that take place for a caterpillar to become a butterfly. Do we realize that as women, we go through similar changes? Do we realize that we try our hardest to go back to being a caterpillar when we have already become a butterfly? Sources The Maternal Brain - Scientific American Tissue microchimerism - Oxford Academic #createjoychallenge Love your body and appreciate it for what it has done… and become. Transcript If you are interested in the tr...
Feb 24, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 7
This week we have my daughter, Grace Gandara on the podcast talking about how God can guide us. You can also find her on her podcast "Kids Change the World." Podcast https://anchor.fm/kids-change-the-world Instagram - @kidschangetheworld.podcast #createjoychallenge This week’s create joy challenge is to pay attention to how God is trying to guide you. Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast...
Feb 17, 2020•14 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Melissa Fredric is a mental health advocate who is passionate about you taking care of yourself. In today’s episode she gives three ideas on how we can be mindful of our own physical and mental health so we can be prepared for what life throws at us. Connect With Melissa! Instagram - @timeout.for.cake Power Of Moms Articles “Try Resting Instead” “Reconnecting With Yourself After Kids” #createjoychallenge Find 10 minutes in your day TODAY and do something you LOVE to do. Not a task on your list. ...
Feb 10, 2020•39 min•Season 2Ep. 5
In this episode I share 3 free or cost effective ways to celebrate valentines day in a way that will truly make your family feel loved. The quick version is: 1. Do a spin on the 12 days of Christmas 2. Write Love letters 3. Heart Attack Episode Resources To find Cami's ideas on the love letters: Cami's Podcast Cami's Instagram Find Cami's Highlight Bubble #createjoychallenge This week’s create joy challenge is to think about a way to make valentines day meaningful and special and really show our...
Feb 03, 2020•16 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Our bodies are amazing, wonderful creations, and they know exactly what they need! They usually start to tell us subtly, and if we don't listen, they get louder and louder. In this episode, Julie helps us start to understand what our bodies are trying to tell us and how we can work with them, instead of against them. Connect with Julie Instagram - @posturemassage_ct Website - posturemassage.net #createjoychallenge This week’s create joy challenge is to work on figuring out what your body is tryi...
Jan 27, 2020•32 min•Season 2Ep. 3
There are industries worth millions and billions of dollars who are banking on the hope that you and I will think we are not good enough the way we are. When we feel bad about themselves, they make money. Let’s learn who they are, and how we can fight back. #createjoychallenge Find 5 people that we can compliment - on anything BUT their size. Find something that is ACTUALLY important. I promise those compliments are going to mean so much more to them than anything about their shape. My favorite ...
Jan 20, 2020•19 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Are you ever frustrated with your body and wish you could change it to be skinnier, stronger, healthier? Well, I have a message for you! #createjoychallenge Find something to love about your body. Even if it is just one little thing. Every time you catch yourself saying something negative about your body, whether it be about your size, athletic ability, health problems, etc. say 3 things that you love about it. It’s going to be hard at first! But I promise it gets easier. Quotes God didn’t give ...
Jan 13, 2020•19 min•Season 2Ep. 1
This is the last episode of the season! Thank you so much for all your support. We will be back on the podcast with the very first episode of season 2 on January 13th, but until then I will still be hanging out on Instagram every so often. In elementary school my teachers had this poster on the wall that said “Everything I need to know, I learned in Kindergarten.” I think I only got a tenth of the way through it, because there were just so many words on it, but today I applied that same message ...
Dec 16, 2019•16 min•Season 1Ep. 15
This is part 2 of my interview with Javier Gandara. Just a quick recap… in part 1, epsiode 13, he talked about his upbringing, about how life is not fair, and that’s OK, and about walking 6 hours home from school passing out resumes because he did not have the equivalent of $0.25 to pay for a bus ticket back home. He talked about how his family of 7 all shared one mattress on a concrete floor, and about some really key moments in his life that helped him to set a different path for his future. T...
Dec 09, 2019•27 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In part 1 of 2 of Javier’s story, he shares about growing up with very little in Mexico. He talks about the hard times, his parent’s sacrifices, some turning points, and why the word “mushroom” plays a big part in his life story. Create Joy Challenge This week’s #createjoychallenge is to resist the urge to become discouraged and instead find the “areas of opportunity” in your hardships LIfe might seem unfair… in many ways, but as Javier mentions, it is not only unfair for you. It is unfair for e...
Dec 02, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Have you ever had a dream that just felt too big and too scary? And the thought of it was almost paralyzing? I hope today’s story helps to inspire you to reach for your own dream. To dig a little deeper and try a little harder, and accomplish those great things that God has prepared for you. Because He has something prepared for each of us. Create Joy Challenge This week’s #createjoychallenge is to ask God every day, what He needs you to do today. The answers might surprise you. Some days they a...
Nov 25, 2019•40 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Create Joy Challenge This week’s create joy challenge is to focus on your extraordinary ordinary life. Slow down and focus on the GOOD, focus on the Beautiful. Look past the hard things and see the light inside of it. Find peace, love, and joy in the turmoil, and turn off as much of the noise as you possibly can. Connect with Create Joy Podcast on Instagram @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast Quotes from Episode "It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. "...
Nov 18, 2019•15 min•Season 1Ep. 11
In this episode we explore why we are lonely, and what we can do about giving 3 (that maybe could have been 4) useful tips. You can buy Big Talk cards here Create Joy Challenge This week's challenge is to figure out where you are lonely in your life, and make a connection. Some ideas are those mentioned above… plan a date, invite a friend to lunch, call a friend, plan a party, talk to a stranger. And if the person you tried to connect just couldn’t this time, don’t be discouraged. Try someone el...
Nov 11, 2019•20 min•Season 1Ep. 10
