Radical Joy with James Bullard

What if the bravest thing we could do right now is slow down before our thoughts decide everything is already on fire?A conversation that wanders on purpose — through parenting, anger, softness, and the quiet work of catching yourself before you spiral.A few laughs.A few realizations.You can feel your shoulders drop.💭 “Death in three steps” — how anxiety escalates faster than we realize, and the moment he learned to interrupt it.🧠 Catastrophizing, clocked in real time — watching his own brain sprint toward worst-case scenarios.🧸 Kids as emotional mirrors — the exact moment he recognized his own tone coming back at him.🍞 The last piece of bread — when letting go of ceremony saved everyone’s nervous system.🔥 Anger fatigue — why being mad about everything leaves nothing left for what actually matters.🧊 Road rage revelations — realizing who’s really listening when you think no one is.🛑 A well-timed pit stop — why rest isn’t quitting, it’s maintenance.🌱 Masculinity without armor — softness, humor, and presence as an act of quiet rebellion.🏠 Hygge in a small house — making warmth on purpose, even when the world feels loud and cold. This episode isn’t here to fix you.It’s here to sit with you while things feel a little tangled, to slow the pace just enough that you can hear yourself think again. You don’t have to solve anything today. You’re allowed to notice. You’re allowed to rest in the middle of it.We’re really, really glad you’re here. 💛Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

What if your birthday didn’t ask you to celebrate louder… but to listen closer?This solo birthday episode is a quiet reckoning with turning fifty—choosing simplicity without apology, making peace with change, and learning to meet what’s next with curiosity instead of resistance. No fixing required.No performance expected.Just honesty, with a candle flicker.In this episode:🥩 The birthday plate that doesn’t negotiate — rare steak, obscene butter, no compromises.🤫 Quiet over confetti — why solitude can be a love language.🔄 The reset nobody announces — what birthdays surface whether you’re ready or not.🪞 A truce with the mirror — loving the body that carried the story through.🧠 The moment self-criticism lost its lease — and why it’s not moving back in.🌪️ Change doesn’t knock politely — it shows up whether you RSVP or not.👁️ Trying on the adventure lens — fear gets benched, just for the drive.🚲 The crash that taught surrender — go limp, roll, live to tell it.⚖️ Joy isn’t a reward for responsibility — it’s part of the job.🌌 Asking for more without apology — even when life is already good.This episode isn’t here to fix you.It’s here to sit beside you—in the quiet, in the soft space between who you were and who you’re becoming.Take what resonates. Leave what doesn’t. You’re allowed to arrive exactly as you are. We are really, really glad you’re here💛Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

What if the bravest thing you could do wasn’t pushing through… but calling the pause before everything breaks?A conversation about theater, care, and the quiet power of choosing people over performance.Take a breath.You’re allowed to sit down here.Nothing needs to be proven.🌿 The conductor you never see — what it really means to hold the rhythm of a room together.🎭 Creativity behind the clipboard — why stage management is an art form, not a side note.🩸 The night the show stopped — when “the show must go on” finally met its limit.🔥 Advocacy in the booth — choosing actor safety when money is yelling louder.🧠 Musicianship, not machinery — calling a show like breathing with the cast.💔 When professionalism turns toxic — how endurance culture disguises harm as devotion.🌱 Teaching four-year-olds how to repair the world — curiosity-led learning and tikkun olam in action.🪶 Standing on your business — what it costs, and why it matters, to say no.🌙 Care as leadership — redefining success when the stakes are human.This episode isn’t here to fix you.It’s here to remind you that rest is not failure, that boundaries are part of the craft, and that sometimes the most radical joy is choosing to stop before the damage becomes permanent.We’re really, really glad you’re here. 💛Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Don't forget to tag @radicaljoypodcast and share for entry to win the GOLDEN Birthday Prize.  You don't want to miss this! Every share is an entry winner will be announced January 26th.  What if the most important work isn’t happening under the lights — but in the quiet decisions no one claps for?In this episode, James sits down with Mike Brown to talk about children’s theater, nonprofit work, housing, and education — and what it looks like to keep showing up when the system isn’t built to help.There’s tenderness here.There’s frustration here.And a kind of care that keeps showing up — even when it’s tired.What we explore together:🎭 Two schools. Same county. Different centuries — seeing abundance and neglect before the same lunch bell.🧳 The touring job that changed everything without announcing itself — justice sneaking in through the stage door.🛠️ When the spotlight lost its pull — and the backstage systems started to matter more.👶 The moment service stopped being theoretical — and started sleeping down the hall.🗺️ The country you see from a children’s theater van — stitched together by loading docks and gym floors.🏛️ Teenagers practicing democracy with more care than most adults — one argument, one pause, one listen at a time.💸 When “budget uncertainty” stops being abstract — and turns into unanswered phones and canceled programs.🏠 The paper on the door that isn’t an eviction—yet — and how not knowing costs everything.⚖️ Discrimination that sounds polite — until someone trains themselves to hear it clearly.🧠 What happens when we hand kids teams instead of tools — and call it preparation.This episode isn’t here to fix you.It’s here to sit beside you while you notice what holds, what gives, and the ways care keeps showing up — tired, tender, quiet, imperfect, when no one’s watching.We’re really, really glad you’re here. 💛Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

What if this year isn’t about pushing harder—but about paying attention, choosing better, and letting yourself be supported for once?Season Four of Radical Joy opens with a real, unpolished, heart-forward conversation about growth, boundaries, community, and the quiet moments that change everything.No hustle talk.No toxic optimism.Just honest reflection and a deep exhale.Here’s what this episode dances around:✨ Four years in, jazz hands fully deployed — celebrating Season 4 while telling the truth about how bumpy the road’s been.🩹 “Failure is a fantastic teacher” — and why scraped knees might be doing more for you than smooth sailing ever could.🚩 Red flags ≠ red lights — how to stay open-hearted and discerning at the same time.🔄 Reciprocation is not selfish — showing up with love and expecting the relationship to feed you back.🏦 The emotional bank account check — who’s depositing, who’s withdrawing, and why it matters now more than ever.🛟 Help isn’t a handoff — the difference between sharing weight and quietly drowning together.🚴 The sound of tires on different roads — a tiny sensory moment that cracked something wide open.🎧 When your sensitivity comes back online — healing doesn’t scream, it hums.🎂 A birthday, a giveaway, and a zero at the end — yes, it’s happening, and yes, you’re invited.This episode isn’t here to fix you.It’s here to offer you some room—room to listen more closely, to choose with intention, and to trust yourself enough to follow what feels steady, kind, and quietly brave.Welcome to Season Four.We’re really, really glad you’re here. 💛  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Ever wonder what it looks like when parenting is actually a team sport?Mike Brown and Jocelyn Thompson don’t just co-parent—they co-everything. From Shakespeare to shipping breast milk across the country, this episode is full of heart, humor, and real talk about raising kids, loving loud, and managing chaos with grace.✨ What’s inside:🎭 Not your typical meet-cute: Arizona Tea, Shakespeare, a stage manager who broke the stereotype.💍 “Either you marry me or give me a baby”—Jocelyn’s cruise ultimatum ❄️The wild system they built to keep a baby fed across time zones - a breast milk operation that involved cross-country coolers and a freezer of frozen gold.🍼 The two words they use that shift the entire parenting dynamic🧒 A tiny queen, a carpet picnic, “You can’t join my picnic”—the toddler boundary that stopped everyone in their tracks🍵 Their simple (and surprisingly effective) ritual for handling big emotions🎒 What happens when your 9-year-old starts asking why—and you're actually ready to answer🧠 The magical mayhem of two kids, one castle, and an entire kingdom made from couch cushions and the question that changes everything🛠️ The parenting superpower that makes gender roles completely irrelevant —how they parent without pink-and-blue job descriptions😴 A midday mystery, two sleepy kids, and a bear in a nightcapWhether you're deep in the parenting trenches, figuring out how to balance love and logistics, or just need a reminder that partnership can be powerful (and playful), this convo with Mike and Jocelyn will leave you feeling seen, supported, and maybe even inspired to rethink the way you “divide” the work.🎧 Tap play to hear what it really sounds like when parenting is shared, stage-managed, and full of radical joy.💬 Loved it? Leave us a 5-star review and share this episode with someone who needs to know they’re not doing it wrong—they’re just doing it differently.Get your Milk Stork MagicBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Ever feel like you're doing all the things — and still not getting better?What if the missing piece isn’t more effort... but making space to slow down?In this episode, we talk about the lost art of tarrying — and why pressing pause might be exactly what your growth needs.🌀 Tarry, don’t hustle — reclaiming an old church word as your new go-to for mental health🔊 Why the gym told me to chill — and why I’m actually grateful🍰 Cheese cake diplomacy — how talking kunefe at Tal Cafe helped me connect in Dutch🧠 Diminishing returns are real — and your brain needs time to file things away🔥 Envy and spite... as motivation? — hear me out🎭 Comparison is forever — but here’s how I’m making peace with it🎮 Gamify it or forget it — why play makes everything stick better🥴 Duolingo is driving me wild — but I keep showing up anyway💪 Growth happens during rest — in the gym and in life📌 You’re not behind — you’re just marinating in your own magicSlowing down isn’t lazy—it’s smart. Hit play and give yourself permission to tarry a little.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Feel like the world’s on fire and love isn’t enough?This episode gets real about fear, connection, and the messy work of choosing joy anyway.What it's about:Two old friends get vulnerable about what it actually takes to lead with love—even when everything around you says don’t bother.You’ll hear about:🌱 Why Ben says it all comes down to “love vs. fear”😳 The wild idea that “you can’t hate something unless you fear it first”🔥 What a self-immolating monk has to do with unshakable inner peace🥊 A surprising take on “punching Nazis” (and what it’s really about)🌀 How to stay grounded when the world keeps swinging from one extreme to the other👀 Why “care” might be the emotion hiding under your rage🛋️ The power of curiosity to pull us back from the edge🤝 How getting punched in the face (literally or metaphorically) can build unexpected bridges🐟 What we can learn from koi fish, Costa Ricans, and homemade biscuitsBig takeaway:Radical joy isn’t about pretending everything’s fine. It’s about staying open when it’s easier to shut down—and choosing connection anyway.If your nervous system whispered “yes” at any point—come hang with us again.We’re here every week with tender, messy, sometimes salty conversations that won’t fix your life—but will make you feel a little less alone in it.Tap follow. Bring a friend. Bonus points if they cry at dog videos too. 💛Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Ever seen something beautiful on someone… and said nothing?  This episode is your nudge (and permission) to speak the compliment, even if it’s awkward, weird, or wildly unexpected.  😏 What if your throwaway “nice shoes” is actually a life raft in disguise?🔥 The neon-orange pedicure that turned an elevator into a joy grenade🧹 A secret trick to know exactly what someone wants you to notice👀 The quiet epidemic of compliment stinginess—and why we’re all catching it🎭 The compliment ambush: when you’re ready to give one… but they beat you to it📉 One simple move that boosts human connection and battery life👻 Why invisibility haunts more than just the elderly—and how to undo it in 3 seconds💬 A subway, a metallic coat, and the awkward art of saying the thing out loud 🧠 “Put your give-a-shit in the right spot”—the mindset shift that changes everything🎯 The tiny, free, underrated superpower you already have—but might be hiding  Say the thing. Make the day. And if this episode sparked something in you, share it with someone who needs the reminder.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Feeling fried, frazzled, or full-on fed up—even before the holidays hit? You might just need a break (and no, that’s not laziness—it’s strategy).This week on Radical Joy, James unpacks the sacred (and sometimes scandalous) art of stepping away—from workouts, language apps, news cycles, and soul-sapping conversations—and why taking a break before the holiday chaos sets in might be the boldest act of self-care you can commit to.✨ In this episode:Workout wipeout 🏋️‍♂️ — “I’m walking like I’m 187,” and it’s time to restMuscle growth magic 💪 — Hint: it doesn’t happen at the gymDigital detox 📵 — The bedtime blue-light buzzkill you might need to ditchLanguage surprise 🇳🇱 — Took a break from Dutch and somehow got betterHoliday warning 🎄 — Burnout is not a great stocking stufferHard truth alert ⚠️ — “If you can’t name someone in the group you're raging against…”Boundary-setting 101 ⛑️ — Respectful clapbacks welcomeYour new holy trinity ✨ — Naps, trampoline parks, and beeswaxFaith, not fury 🙏 — Maybe take a break from all the holleringRest as resistance 🛌 — Be the weary soldier in the tent, not the one sharpening swordsBecause sometimes the bravest thing you can do—especially during the holidays—is stop. 🎿 Take a breather with us—then share this episode with someone who needs permission to pause.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Ever felt like you had to earn your right to rest or be heard or that asking for help is harder than hitting a Broadway high note?This week on Radical Joy, we’re rolling out the red carpet for Nik Walker—a dynamo of stage, screen, and sincere self-reflection. From Hamilton to handling hard feelings, Nik gets real about mental health, humility, and the radical magic of admitting you don’t have it all figured out. (Spoiler: nobody does.)🎭 Come for the Broadway cred, stay for the cartoon-deep wisdom and snack-fueled truth bombs. 🎢 ADHD, anxiety, and why being “a beautiful mess” beats faking perfection🧠 “Can I defuse this bomb myself?” — how Nik tackles big feels before they tackle him💬 Feedback without freakouts: “Don’t hear what I didn’t say” is the T-shirt we all need🛠️ From venting to investigating—how to handle your own heaviness with heart🌪️ What to do when you’re the eye of someone else’s emotional hurricane🎭 Why Nik still feels like he “snuck in the back door” of Broadway—and how that’s a blessing🧃 Rest, snacks, and naps that slap—Nik’s radical rejection of hustle culture🥁 Punk rock curiosity + radical rest = the plot twist we didn’t know we needed🌍 A hot take from the pale blue dot: life’s too big to sweat the small stuff alone🪞 Putting down the ego (gently!) and picking up more grace—for yourself and your peopleWhether you're carrying too much or just craving a little calm—this episode is your reminder to pause, get curious, and breathe.If it resonated, leave us a review, share it with a friend, and snag your Radical Joy sticker by sending us a screenshot. 💌✨ See you next week—until then, Love y’all! Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Are you stuck in self-doubt, playing small while secretly craving something wildly more freeing?This week on Radical Joy, James invites us to try on something better—emotionally, mentally, even sartorially—by shedding the heavy sweaters of self-sabotage and donning the wings of self-trust. ✨Top Takeaways:🔁 “Put yourself outside the circle every day”—a mantra for ditching doubt👕 That old belief? Just a too-tight sweater—time to donate it🧠 Obstacle or outfit? Why your inner critic might just be bad fashion advice💥 Smash your stuckness—yes, literally, with a sledgehammer👢 Hooker boots, biker jackets, and bold nails—because joy has a wardrobe🐝 Got wasps in your hive? Here’s your permission to kick them out❌ “Thanks, but no thanks”—how to say no to unsolicited feedback☁️ Radical Joy isn’t toxic positivity—it’s survival with style🌍 You don’t have to fix the world to light it up👤 From obstacle to wing—the upgrade your spirit’s been waiting for📬 Loved this episode? Leave a 5-star review and send us a screenshot—we’ll send you a little swag love (stickers, anyone?) to brighten your day. And remember: your joy isn’t a luxury—it’s a lighthouse. Let it shine.  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Returning guest Spooky Melanin Magic is back with cozy chaos, full-moon rituals, and the unapologetic art of protecting your peace.Totally tapped out but still trying to feel festive this fall?Same. Let’s fix that.This week, nurse practitioner and paranormal investigator Bianca Pierre Louis (aka Spooky Melanin Magic) returns to talk all things ghosts, gourds, and grounding. From Halloween film cameos to candlelit rituals, she’s bringing spooky season magic—and some serious self-care reminders.Big mood: Radical joy isn’t a luxury. It’s a life skill. Especially when your nervous system is running on fumes.In this episode:✨ Summerween is a thing – July 5th hits and Bianca’s spooky switch flips🎥 Halloween movie moment – She’s on-screen and overjoyed🍂 Apple picking, pumpkin beer, corn maze chaos – Fall is her full-body love language🧼 Sage, smoke & sacred space – Her nightly ritual is chef’s kiss💸 Energy is currency – Watch those emotional overdraft fees🧠 Morning magic – 10 calm minutes > 10 chaotic hours🥣 Trader Joe’s therapy trip – Butternut mac ‘n cheese, anyone?📿 Crystals, candles, clarity – Woo-woo with a why😮‍💨 “Damn, that’s crazy” x3 – Time to wrap up the rant, babe🚪 Permission to peace out – Clip the convo, exit the energy, save yourselfThis episode’s a cozy coven call-in—equal parts comfort and clarity, with a pinch of pumpkin-spiced protection. Wrap yourself in a scarf, light something that smells like fall, and hit play.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Is the scariest part of your week the news… or your group chat?  When life’s a haunted house, joy is your flashlight.  This episode dives into ghosts, girlhood, and getting older—with filmmaker and spooky sisterhood sage Melanie Moses—and it’s way more treat than trick. 🎧 This Episode Has It All (No Ouija Board Required):🎃 Monster timing, bad manners – Melanie’s hot take on what horror movies get dead wrong⚡ The ADHD audio hack – Why speeding things up might slow your brain down (in the best way)🧴 Injectable intel – What she tried, why it’s different, and how it totally twisted her take on aging👀 Spooky scams or sacred skills? – The one big question haunting the paranormal community📰 Breaking news… or broken trust? – A media moment that made us both bite our nails💔 When ghosts aren’t just in graveyards – The quiet collapse of a decade-long friendship💅 One man, one pedicure, one perfect pun – A story that left us screaming (in a good way)🧃 Joy as rebellion – What happens when a drag show becomes divine intervention🧭 The unsung heroes of hard times – Not everyone’s marching, but someone’s making the muffins🧠 Do your own due diligence – And why that’s harder (and more hopeful) than it sounds  👻 Wanna hear how spooky stories, surprise Botox, and sacred truth-telling all wind up in the same conversation?Hit play and find out. And hey—if this episode tickled your brain or hugged your heart, share it with someone who needs a little radical joy right now.   Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Growth lives in the grit. 💪🌱  Life is hard. Staying stuck is hard. Chasing dreams is hard. So… which hard are you gonna pick?  This week on Radical Joy, we’re diving into the sweet spot of struggle—the place where the hard stuff doesn’t just test you, it transforms you. From French cheese to Dutch drama, this episode is about choosing the hard that actually grows you.  Here’s what we get into:🌍 Culture shock with a French twist🧀 Brie-lliant lessons from a $12 cheese block😅 Fail fast, fumble forward, grow anyway📖 Flops that secretly fuel fierce growth🗣️ Dutch drama: tongue-tied and tested🚲 Training wheels on adult life (wobbly but worth it)📝 Dreams in bold ink, not buried in your brain🔥 When childhood hopes don’t fit grown-up realities🎁 The universe’s sneaky habit of slipping you gifts  Because in the end, the sweetest struggles aren’t the ones we avoid—they’re the ones we choose. 💥  👉 If this episode sparked something in you, share it with a friend who’s standing at their own crossroads, and don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss your weekly dose of Radical Joy. 🌱✨Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Because sometimes the bravest move is trading hustle for happiness.💛🌍What happens when you trade curtain calls for cobblestones—and let croissants, healthcare, and joy rewrite your life story?This week on Radical Joy, I sit down with Rob and Jill Reynolds, who swapped stage lights and American hustle for a new chapter in France. From spreadsheets to street cafés, this is their unfiltered story of choosing joy, even when it meant choosing a different kind of hard.Here’s what we savor in this episode:🎭 From curtain calls to croissants—rewriting their script🩹 Sore, hurt, or injured? Rob’s rule of life🌍 Why France’s “different hard” beat America’s grind🏥 Healthcare math that actually makes you smile🥖 Bread laws, butter clubs & giggle-worthy cheese🕰️ Two-hour lunches vs. decades of hustle💡 Eight years of spreadsheets, one big leap👯 The Dutch swing-dancing mystery unsolved🚀 Radical reset—no millions required  Joy isn’t about dodging struggle—it’s about choosing the struggle that makes your soul sing. 🎶💥👉 If Rob & Jill’s leap inspires you, share this episode with a friend who’s dreaming of their own reset, and hit subscribe so you never miss your weekly dose of Radical Joy.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Y'all, we here at Radical Joy looked at a calendar yesterday. Next week will be our 4 year anniversary! Thank you gor being with us. And get ready for yet another season with great guests and radically joyful reflection. Thanks for sticking with us dont forget! LOVE Y'ALL ❤️ Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

Its been a tough couple weeks, heck year.  We here at Radical Joy think this episode rings more true than ever. So take a trip down memory lane with us. Let's all take a minute to find those movie moments while were living; things that make you over-the-moon happy, the place you want to be when the world seems darker than you love.Freeze a snapshot from your life in a perfect cup of coffee, laughter with your favorite person, that stunning sunrise to instill those permanent moments that will shine a light when shade comes to call.These are what help us through those darker days; and remember you are important and there is no one like you! Thank you for being here. Love y'all!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

What if the hardest work a man can do isn’t lifting weights—but laying down his walls? In the conclusion to this mini series of Radical Joy, James and longtime friend Christopher Daniels dive deep into the tender, tangled terrain of men’s mental health, vulnerability, and the radical strength found in being seen.🧡 Brothers, breakthroughs, and the bravery of being bare-hearted💥 Shame scripts swapped for self-compassion🧙 Weakness re-written as wisdom and worth🌱 Neural pathways, wheat fields, and planting new patterns⚡ Friendship, faith, and the funky “shelving unit” of connection🔑 Support without smothering—asking is its own superpower🔥 Affirmations that feel funny at first (but fuel real fire)💬 “I statements” that shift storms into steady seas🌊 Emotional physics: heavy hearts, lighter loads🌟 Radical joy rising from raw, real conversationsThis two part conversation is an honest, heart-heavy, hope-filled conversation about how men can move from isolation into integration, from silence into sovereignty. The path to radical joy isn’t paved with perfection—it’s built by brave, messy, moment-by-moment connection. Check out the mankind project If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear that they’re not alone. And don’t forget—leave a five-star review, screenshot it, and send it our way for some Radical Joy swag!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios

What if the hardest work a man can do isn’t lifting weights—but laying down his walls? In this mini series of Radical Joy, James and longtime friend Christopher Daniels dive deep into the tender, tangled terrain of men’s mental health, vulnerability, and the radical strength found in being seen.🧡 Brothers, breakthroughs, and the bravery of being bare-hearted💥 Shame scripts swapped for self-compassion🧙 Weakness re-written as wisdom and worth🌱 Neural pathways, wheat fields, and planting new patterns⚡ Friendship, faith, and the funky “shelving unit” of connection🔑 Support without smothering—asking is its own superpower🔥 Affirmations that feel funny at first (but fuel real fire)💬 “I statements” that shift storms into steady seas🌊 Emotional physics: heavy hearts, lighter loads🌟 Radical joy rising from raw, real conversationsThis two part conversation is an honest, heart-heavy, hope-filled conversation about how men can move from isolation into integration, from silence into sovereignty. The path to radical joy isn’t paved with perfection—it’s built by brave, messy, moment-by-moment connection. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear that they’re not alone.Check out the mankind project And don’t forget—leave a five-star review, screenshot it, and send it our way for some Radical Joy swag!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radical-joy-with-james-bullard--5644728/support.🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕Take care of yourself, take care of each other, and breathe!  ❤️🍊🟨💚💙💜🟤🖤❕❕  🌹🧡🟡🌳🔷🟪🤎🖤❔  Got something on your mind? James never runs out of things to say, so tell us what you want to discuss!   Remember there is no shame in joy or for asking for what you need.  Leave a review, send us a screenshot, and we’ll mail you a sticker! See you next FRIDAY for another dose of Radical Joy.  James is not a therapist, but you’re not alone. If you're in crisis, call 988 for professional help.  For non-emergencies, Psychology Today can connect you with support and therapists who fit your needs.  This podcast and CLW Studios content are not therapy or a substitute for it. Guest opinions are their own.  We're here for insight and encouragement but always seek professional support when needed.  This episode was Produced and edited by Kerri J of CLW Studios