The Path to Joy

Well, it's not actually my birthday. As you are listening to this, my birthday was a few weeks ago. I am sorry -- there's no way for me to write and record in actual real time. But, today's episode is about my birthday -- 47 -- and, spoiler, a key lime pie!

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

Here are links that I mention in the show!!&nbs...

What mom wants their kid to suffer or struggle? I don't know many. But where is that line between supporting your kids and taking over? I have no clue because I probably cross it daily. But I'm learning...maybe I can sit back just a bit!

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

Here are links that I mention in the show!! 

🌱 Create the Li...

I love getting older. I love that, at this point, I know myself pretty well. I even know what my nervous system needs. Sometimes I forget -- like when I make a doctor's appointment way too early in the morning. But, at least I know!

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

Here are links that I mention in the show!! 

🌱 Create the Life Yo...

From California we fly west! To Hawaii! Middle seat again. Hawaii brought up lots of childhood memories, too. And the Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation was probably worth the flight.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

Here are links that I mention in the show!! 

🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only)

🌱 Melissa B...

Today I share a bit more about our time in California. Driving south to Monterey brought up all these memories of time with my parents in Monterey, Carmel, and then San Simeon (home of Hearst Castle).

Memory is funny, isn't it? Mine can be hazy and blotchy. But it's telling what our minds latch onto.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

He...

Today I share some stories from the start of our family trip in San Francisco. I honestly travel with a very funny crew -- from Andy, who likes to 'pump up the crowd' by playing songs related to our destination weeks in advance, to Alexander, who's worried he’s going to lose too much weight on our trip because we do so much walking. I can’t tell you how many times I ask myself, “How did I get here??” But it&...

As I write today's episode, I'm on a plane headed to California with my crew (middle seat -- I always get the middle seat!), but I'm really thinking about how much time is left before Ben leaves. In fact, by the time you're listening to this, it will be his last week home. It's all just crazy and surreal.

Today, I kick off the start of this two-week trip and spend a little time grappling with the change that's coming. I don't real...

What does your rich life look like? I love this question. Not what will you do someday when you have more money, but what kind of life do you actually want to create? Today, we’re talking money, budgets, and soap presses -- no joke!!

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

Here are links that I mention in the show!! 

🌱 Create the ...

What do you want to be when you grow up? I kind of love that question. Little kids' answers are the absolute best — firetruck might still be my favorite. But somewhere along the way, that question starts feeling a little more stressful. Today, let's talk about why maybe we’re asking the wrong question and what we might ask instead!

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their percepti...

Does luck exist? I love the word luck — it makes me think of rainbows, leprechauns, and little pots of gold — but I'm not sure I actually believe in it. Today, I share a week full of minor disasters that somehow made me feel incredibly lucky. Was it luck? Or was it something else entirely?

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

He...

I know -- you've been waiting with bated breath. Did Ben actually come to the beach?? I know the last five days of waiting have been torture -- but the wait is over! I reveal the answer in probably the first minute of this episode because I hate suspense. I can't handle it. So, don't worry, you won't have to wait very long! 

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their li...

I always thought those moms who said their kids start pulling away before college were talking about their kids -- not mine. Well...they were right. Today I'm sharing the story of our annual beach trip, which, spoiler alert, ends on a true cliffhanger!

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

Here are links that I mention in the show!! 

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My mom is moving! If you know my mom, or you attended one of my retreats in 2025, you know this is a really big deal. I'm so excited for her. Honestly, it feels like she's one of my kids who studied for months, aced the exam, and just got the best news ever. She is absolutely over-the-moon, and I couldn't be happier.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka fi...

Today's episode is all about a New York Times monthly challenge that invites readers to spend ten minutes looking at a painting. The idea was inspired by an assignment from a Harvard art history professor (although her challenge was three hours!). There's also a little test in today's episode to see if Andy actually listens to this podcast!

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception ...

My grandparents lived in a retirement community called Century Village. My childhood joke was that you had to be 100 years old to live there. It's not quite as funny now that I'm getting closer to the age where I could probably move in myself. 

They lived in a small two-bedroom condo overlooking a man-made lake. For them -- especially for my grandfather -- it was absolute paradise.

Today I'm sharing a few stories about them ...

Don’t be turned off by the title of today’s episode! Yes, there’s a little physics talk -- in honor of my dad -- but today is really about miracles. Miracles that exist within the natural world. We don’t have to force conclusions or make tenuous connections -- we just have to be patient and let science keep catching up with the wonder all around us.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change...

Don't worry -- I promise I'm not about to rank our favorite family games. This episode is about one very special game -- one that turned out to be the greatest gift Andy or I have ever received. I'm talking all-time, best-ever gift. And it all started with a trip to Staples!

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

Here are links that I mention...

No, I didn't get some time away. But someone in our family did. Today's episode is about Ben's first trip away with his friends -- and how I went from 'there is absolutely no way this trip is happening' to watching my child do laundry...voluntarily. Miracles do happen.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

Here are links that I mention in th...

Even your joyful, fearless (if you've listened to ALL the episodes about my absurd fears of ice and falling, you're probably shaking your head at that one!) podcast host can feel overwhelmed sometimes.

Today's episode is a little about that overwhelm—and how I planned my way out of it.

For all my list people out there, this one's for you.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perce...