The Joy and Gratitude Podcast

Beth and Nio were intrigued by the idea of a Midlife “Calling” instead of a Midlife Crisis.  Midlife can be a time of freedom and exploration. Let’s celebrate those individuals that are finding or re-finding what brings them joy and are identifying new ways to lean into purpose and do what is most fulfilling/energy giving.   Joy Notes Songs:   Nio:  Album by William Tyler - Time Indefinite Beth: Find Your People by Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors Gratitude Rocks!: Easeful Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com 

In a complex time of change and a frenzied pace, it can feel like the waves keep crashing on us with no time to breathe or get on our feet. How can we resource ourselves to be unstoppable regardless of what is handed to us?  Nio and Beth talk about their inner core and what they pull from in distressing moments.  We explore rest, mindset shifts, community, alone time, friends, spirituality and laughter as our personal tools to be unstoppable.  Join us and reflect on how you resource yourself in the harder times.   Joy Notes Songs:   Proud Mary by Tina Turner Gratitude Rocks!: Mindful Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio   Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/   If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Nio says, “Rest is Power”. Beth and Nio reflect on human design, the need to always be doing something and our current tendency to override our body’s need for rest and rejuvenation. Why can’t it be more commonplace and acceptable to not have plans and to just “be”.  What if we started to celebrate those that carve out time for rest, prioritize listening to what they need, and show up fully versus those who power through and perform.  Can we start to be more intentional about creating space for rest and allow for more natural joy to come through when we are present and energized?   Joy Notes Songs:   Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince Gratitude Rocks!: Joy Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com

Nio and Beth discuss the power in choosing to say YES but acknowledge that there is tremendous value in being discriminatory.  Can you ask questions to enable you to show up more fully and in alignment with your purpose and capacity?  We have an open dialogue about the role of “No” or “YES, AND . . .” in ensuring you are driving value and creating impact when you do say YES. We also talk about integrating how we feel and what our bodies tell us when we are asked to do something.  Tuning into ourselves, trusting ourselves and not overriding our own sensations plays a critical role in knowing when to pause, ask questions, and create additional options to get to a whole body YES.  Join us and practice listening to yourself and using discretion when you lean in and just say YES!   Joy Notes Songs:   Yes I Can by Sammy Davis Jr Note: covered by Ray Charles at concert Gratitude Rocks!: Explore Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com   

Laughter is good for us. We know it calms us, lifts us up, lightens our mood and adds levity, so how can we get more of it? Join Nio and Beth as they talk about laughter, the longevity of funny family stories/jokes and then consider how we can be more intentional about adding a little more laughter into our lives. Can we laugh at ourselves more? Can we find little moments that can be funny if we let them? Can we smile more? Join us as we continue to untangle this crazy, funny thing called life. Joy Notes Songs: Smile by Nat King Cole Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin Gratitude Rocks!: Enough   Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com 

Why do we fill the gap with words when there is so much power in the silence?  Can we “Mind the Gap” and take a moment to be still and ensure there is value in what we want to say? When we slow down and overcome our instincts to insert ourselves, we allow for more impact and connection.   Joy Notes Songs:   You Talk Too Much by Joe Jones Empty Words by Death Gratitude Rocks!: Beauty Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com  

We know that creativity can get lost when we are frenzied and buried in the chaos and complexity of life.  Beth and Nio discuss how we can choose to create space, let ourselves feel the freedom of unleashing our imagination and promote our creativity to flow.  Remember when we were kids and we created games and enjoyment out of simple things - boxes became spaceships!  Join us in finding ways to be intentional about bringing more creativity to our lives.     Joy Notes Songs:   Aventuro by Silvano Estrada Do You  Realize by the Flaming Lips   Gratitude Rocks!: Grow Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com 

Beth and Nio talk about pausing and creating spaces to gain clarity.  What are the ways that you pause and commit to listen to yourself in order to clarify how you are feeling or what you are thinking.  Rather than racing through and creating our own stories, let’s find ways to slow down, reflect, be empathetic, and focus on clarity so that we can then take choiceful and potentially different actions.   Joy Notes Songs:   I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash Gratitude Rocks!: Explore Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com  

In this very special episode, Beth and Nio are honored to have award winning film composer/producer/educator and author Chris Boardman share his personal story of meaningful music making and purpose.  Chris opens up about the incredible impacts of music on his own PTSD recovery and introduces us to Soundbridge health; an organization that uses music and breathwork to provide a digital therapeutic intervention for people suffering from mental illness.  We hope this episode will move you like it did us.   Joy Notes Songs:   Pure from Songs from the Heart by Chris Boardman   Gratitude Rocks!: Trust Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com 

The Power and Potential of Focused Energy Nio and Beth talk about how we can choose where to focus our energy, both positive and negative.  We can control where we spend our energy and we can even choose to intentionally opt out of things that are not energy giving.  Can we be open to more fulfilling and healthier places to put our energy?  Even if it is new and uncomfortable, get curious, get creative and let’s embrace being imaginative and full of possibility.   Joy Notes Songs:   Who We Are by Red Gratitude Rocks!: Flow Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com

In this episode, Beth and Nio first define what a “shadow” is and then discuss why integrating our shadows can allow us to show up more authentically. Self-awareness is a critical first step to the work of identifying our shadows.  An overused strength can turn into a shadow so knowing our strengths and being open to signals and feedback are great ways to help us understand and eventually have gratitude for our shadows. Pausing can allow us to blend with our shadows and make a different choice about how we react and show up in the moment.  Join us in discovering how blending/integrating with our shadows is powerful work that enables us to show up as our best selves each and every day.    Joy Notes Songs:    Chandelier by Sia   Gratitude Rocks!: Enough Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com 

What happened to that lovely sign off "Sincerely yours,"? Have we lost our ability to be sincere and authentic in our everyday lives? Nio and Beth talk about the meaning of sincerity and how it builds trust and human connection. Join us as we have a lively conversation about sharing our whole selves - let's be messy, proud and bring back Sincerely Yours! Joy Notes Songs: This is Me by Keala Settle Gratitude Rocks!: Grow Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com

Thank you to a listener and dear friend who asked us to talk about the impacts of volunteering.  Nio and Beth dive into what we get and what we give when we volunteer our time, talents, and treasures and build trust with other humans.   Identify what you care about and then start small.     Joy Notes Songs:   Give a Little Bit by Supertramp Gratitude Rocks!: Beauty Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio   Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/   If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com

Choosing to “just move on” can be a very intentional and impactful way to get through the challenges of our personal journeys.  Nio shares her personal struggles with health issues and how taking action and moving forward is hard but oh so healthy.  Join us as we talk about how we just have to get started and focus on movement.  Understand what your moves are - you can always find a way to move so let’s just move on. Like a river we can be persistent and keep flowing.   Joy Notes Songs:   River and Roads by the Head and the Heart Gratitude Rocks!: Laugh Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com  

We can find wisdom all around us if we remain present, open, and curious.  Nio and Beth share where they have found wisdom in their lives and how even those that challenge us most can provide beautiful insights that create wisdom and lifelong learning.  By harnessing and leveraging the wisdom within we can make choiceful actions about how we live each day.  Join us and let us know where you find your sources of wisdom.   Joy Notes Songs:   Let Knowledge Drop by Tupac Shakur Don’t Know Much by Aaron Neville and Linda Ronstadt Gratitude Rocks!: Accept Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com  

Join Nio and Beth as they quite literally experience “saying YES” and using experimentation as a tool for key learning. There are a lot of laughs in this one and we discuss what “skools” we use to show up as our best selves. Check out what it is like to let go, adapt and show up just as you are in real time. One to remember. Joy Notes Songs: Who You Are by Jessie J   Gratitude Rocks!: Trust Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio   Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/   If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com

It can be hard to embrace a new technology when we do not fully understand its capabilities and impacts. Beth and Nio talk about how AI is here and it’s time to embrace it. Can we make it easier by talking more about our fears and feelings towards AI(and new technology) and learn how to let it serve and positively impact us? We will always need humans so let’s stay open, accept it and maximize the upside. It gets exciting when you experience the enablement, efficiencies and fun that AI can provide. Join us in conversation and let us know the playful and useful ways you are using AI to enhance your lives.   Joy Notes Songs: Changes by David Bowie   Gratitude Rocks!: Strength   Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio   Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/   If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com   #innovation #Adaptability #AI

This episode is of full "aha" moments where we talk about the fuel that drives results. Can we adapt and be intentional about how we care and respect the people we work and live with. The fundamentals to creating a connected team/family/community are trust, communication, and curiosity. One of the fun moments in the podcast is our lively dialogue about the "helper syndrome" and how it can actually be a disservice to the people we want to serve and the results we want to achieve. Naama eloquently names so many of the communication and culture challenges we each face every day and provides both insights and tools to increase awareness and self-leadership. Take a listen and let us know if you can relate to these stories and if these tidbits were helpful.   Joy Notes Songs:   Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves Gratitude Rocks!: Easeful Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com #Leadership #Adaptability #Intention

It was incredibly fun and meaningful to have our first ever podcast swap with the Ritual Sisters, Michelle and Kelly. Join us as we practice a few rituals together and openly talk about the definition of a ritual and discuss how our rituals impact us. Do you know what your rituals are, how you created them and can you feel their transformative impact? Can we play even more with rituals and expand how they imprint on us and others? Joy Notes Songs: Michelle: Great Storm Clouds by Trevor Hall Kelly: Orange Sky by Alexi Murdoch   Gratitude Rocks!: Michelle: Open Kelly: Kind   Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/   If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com #gratitude #joy #ritual

Nio and Beth take on a very important and difficult topic about what it means to be an ally. How can we take action to support each other in the most challenging and hardest moments. Can we own and overcome our own fears and discomfort to move things forward as humans. This episode is full of vulnerability and honesty and is one that we will both remember for a long time. Joy Notes Songs: Matter of Trust by Billy Joel Gratitude Rocks!: Joy Hosts: Nio Queiro & Beth Mercurio Follow us: https://www.instagram.com/joyandgratitudepod/ If you'd like to ask any questions or offer up any topics to discuss email us at joyandgratitudepodcast@gmail.com #gratitude #joy #ally #allyship