Most people think joy is something that happens to you when life is perfect. They wait for the “aha” moment, the dream job, the perfect relationship — and then wonder why they still feel empty when it arrives. In this solo episode, 96, of The Grateful Podcast, Jack shares why joy isn’t a lucky accident, but a skill you can train — just like learning an instrument or building muscle.
Backed by science and real-life stories, Jack breaks down 7 powerful, proven habits you can start today to rewire your brain for joy:
•Train your brain to notice micro moments
•Move your body in ways you love
•Savor like a scientist
•Do something kind anonymously
•Create more than you consume
•Connect deeply — even briefly
•Practice joy on a delay
If you’ve been feeling burnt out, stuck, or like happiness keeps slipping away, this episode will give you both the mindset shift and the actionable steps to make joy show up more often in your life — without chasing it.
Chapters:
00:00 Understanding Joy as a Skill
01:44 Training Your Brain for Micro Moments
04:39 Movement and Joy: Finding Your Flow
06:59 Savoring Positive Moments
08:26 The Power of Anonymous Kindness
09:22 Creating Over Consuming
11:07 Deep Connections: The Joy of Conversation
13:08 Anticipation: The Joy of Looking Forward
Support the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2302168/support
📺 Listen on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-grateful-podcast-with-jack-wagoner/id1725776061
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5EsTEpQAjU4BxUrDoFyZ6b
Subscribe for more deep conversations with thinkers, seekers, and soulful creators. 🙏
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🧠 More from Jack:
Newsletter (Magic, Meaning & Momentum): https://magic.beehiiv.com/v1/aa6b0945-43aa-43c8-b320-0fde6998f852?email=%7B%7Bemail%7D%7D
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jack_wagoner_/
1:1 Coaching & Dream-Chasing Guidance: jackcwagoner@gmail.com
💬 If you found this conversation meaningful, send it to a friend and leave a review. It really helps more people find this kind of soul-nourishing content.
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🎙️ About Jack:
I’m an 18-year-old high school student with a big dream: to show the world that you can be grateful and ambitious at the same time. Through The Grateful Podcast, I explore what it means to live a meaningful life—one deep conversation at a time.
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