Create Joy

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 @createjoypodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 with Jenny Website: https://ofprogressandpurpose.com/ Instagram: @ofprogressandpurpose Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast Show Notes The Nothing Box - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjnLLw5BTmc Quotes: Being lost can be a place too… and you just find your way from there. – Jenny Furse In order to be understood you must first understand. Joshua Straub Give people the benefit of the doubt if you want to create a safe space for conversation. -Jenny Furse If you give people the benefit of the doubt often, I think you will find it was well deserved more often than not. -Jenny Furse Papercuts matter to Jesus. Numbers don’t have the same impact that people and stories do. -Jenny Stories --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 Jasmine Website: http://firstnamebasis.org/ Instagram: @firstname.basis Email: hello@firstnamebasis.org Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast Show Notes Quotes "How can you really love someone if you don’t love the pieces of them that are different from you - if you are only connecting on what’s the same, them your relationship might be pretty shallow. And you are going to miss out on some people who are amazing because you are not looking for that." - Jasmine Bradshaw "Our differences connect us." - Jasmine Bradshaw "Society has set it up in a way that separates us so we are going against these systems that have been taught to us since we were really really little. Lean into the discomfort." -Jasmine Bradshaw "I know I am going to be a little bit uncomfortable, but it is worth it - for my values." -Jasmine Bradshaw "What message are we telling ourselves (and our kids) by not interacting with people who are different then us?" =Jasmine Bradshaw "We are missing out on so much by not embracing other people." Jasmine Bradshaw "As an act of rebellion we have chosen to be joyful" "When we are able to connect with someone on a level of struggle, there is a deep understanding there that can create an extremely powerful bond. We don’t have to be going through the same thing to make that deep connection." "It is so powerful to be able to hold space for struggles that are different." "Reshape our idea of what UNITY means." "We all want the same thing! We have differences in how we think that we are going to get there. Recognizing that is the starting point. Be willing to try other ideas." "Anything that leads us out of a place of hurt into a place of healing is a good road." - Jasmine Bradshaw "Things that come across really mean or defensive are coming from a place of hurt." - Jasmine Bradshaw --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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, but that does not keep the community from celebrating and refining themselves during this time, as well as praying for the world to overcome this difficult time. Connect with Shahnila email: shahnila.ahmad@gmail.com Instagram: @bravemuslimparents To learn more about Muslims: www.whyislam.org Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast Show Notes In 2020, Ramadan goes from April 23 to May 23. A simple, yet meaningful way to support our Muslim friends during Ramadan is to simply reach out and say “Happy Ramadan!” 3 Tips that will make your next fast the best ever. Know your why Think deeply about what you are hoping to gain an accomplish from your fast. Whatever you focus on grows If you are so focused on the negative things, it is going to grow. Have a plan for the day Make your plans for the day intentional and meaningful Words to Know Ramadan - the holiest month of the year for Muslims, when the Quran is believed to have been revealed. Iftar - breaking the fast together in the evening. Eid al Fitr - Festival of Breaking the Fast - when the community celebrates the end of Ramadan Iman - the Muslim religious leader that leads the congregation in nightly prayers Mosque - A building where Muslim’s worship God. Quotes "O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may develop God-consciousness." (Quran 2:183). Having our basic needs met is really a privilege, it’s not an entitlement. - Shahnila Ahmad. “When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heaven are opened; the gates of Hell-fire are closed, and the devils are chained.” - Prophet Muhammad Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation. - Shahnila Ahmad @bravemuslimparents During Ramadan you get to plant whatever seeds you want, and throughout the year, you get to benefit from the harvest. - Shahnila Ahmand @bravemuslimparents We give up bad things during Ramadan, because we know what we are going into that month for. - Shahnila Ahmand @bravemuslimparents It is leaving your bad habits at the door, and seeing on the other side, once the 30 days are over, which ones you actually want to leave behind, because it wasn’t really serving you anyway. Shahnila Ahmand @bravemuslimparents Instead of a “To Do” list, I say we have a “GET to do list” - Shahnila Ahmand @bravemuslimparents God doesn’t need our hunger. - Shahnila Ahmand @bravemuslimparents --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 a certain quantity of gas is pumped into an empty chamber, it will fill the chamber completely and evenly, no matter how big the chamber. Thus suffering completely fills the human soul and conscious mind, no matter whether the suffering is great or little. Therefore the “size” of human suffering is absolutely relative.” - Viktor E. Frankl  “Love is the ultimate and the highest goal to which man can aspire.” - Viktor E. Frankl “Often it is just an exceptionally difficult external situation which gives man the opportunity to grow spiritually beyond himself." Viktor E. Frankl “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” - Zig Ziglar Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 as a myriad of other complicated emotions, and this is ON TOP of all the things that life has already thrown at us. It can be tempting to give in to the frustration of the moment, to the fear. It can feel so easy to wallow in the loss of the plans that we made. It can be hard to be met face to face with our own inadequacies, as we try to parent in a whole new way. It can also be easy to feel swayed by social pressure to make every moment of our social isolation “pinterest worthy”. I would strongly encourage you not to. I would encourage US not to give in to any of it. Yes, feel the feelings that you need to feel. Those feelings are valid, and real. But then look for the wins, as small as they may be. The increased connection you see in your children, the imperfectly baked bread you made, the fact that you made it outside in the sun today, having a dance party, or maybe a long hug with a child, or that you reconnected with an old friend over text, and in my case, the isolation from much funnier people make my kids think I am actually funny. Look for the small wins, and celebrate them… with ice cream, if you have any. Connect with Stephanie Instagram - @stephanie_donegan Resources Shared on Podcast Brooke Snow Podcast Quotes “Everything I am dealing with is only making me more like Christ, and if my true purpose is to be more like my Savior, then I just have to trust that this is part of Heavenly Father’s plan for me.” “God is listening. He is with me. I just have to press forward.” “Share what your feel comfortable with.” “You’re not alone.” “It’s OK to not be OK.” “Don’t beat yourself up. Have a dance party.” Ashley Marie Soap You can buy this amazing soap at AshleyMarieSoap.com use the code STAY HEALTHY for 10% off. Connect with Ashley on Instagram @ashleymariesoap Don’t forget to enter for you free bar of soap by leaving a rating and review! Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 be fresh flowers on the dining room table, a seasonal candle lit in the living room, a favorite tea kettle that lives on the stove, the guitar displayed in the piano room. If you have a blanket your grandma made you that makes you feel like you are wrapped in her arms again, it can be laid out on the foot of your bed. It can be a charm your child made you on your key ring. The key here is to keep things you love present in your environment, so it can be there to help you spark joy throughout the day. I would love to see what some of your favorite things are that you have in your life. If you feel like sharing on Instagram, tag me @createjoypodcast so I can see it and/or use the tag #createjoychallenge so we can all create joy together, and maybe get some new ideas of things to incorporate into our own homes and lives. Connect with Julie Instagram - @posturemassage_ct Website - posturemassage.net Resources Shared on Podcast Armchair Expert Interview with Bill Hader  Feelings Buried Alive Never Die Girl, Wash you Face Girl, Stop Apologizing  Quotes ”We can actually work with our bodies instead of against them. “You might not be allowing your body to communicate with you because you are blocking it with all these other things.” “It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.” “You can listen to your body and have a dialogue with it just like any friend. You are getting into a relationship. Treat it like a relationship.” “Our bodies like to get out of pain.” “Getting to know your body is a lot like getting a brand new baby. They can’t communicate verbally, but you have to be quiet and work on bonding with it.” “There are so many different reasons that we distance ourselves from our bodies. It is so important to reconnect and get to know each other again.” “Acknowledging that you have a body is is a huge first step for a lot of people.” “When you are confident in your body, you become more lovely to other people. When you are ashamed of your body and what it is, people also get uncomfortable, because they can feel that uncomfortableness in you.” “When you are dehydrated, you in essence are human jerky.” Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 in a closet) Keep as organized as possible Make “me time” non-negotiable. I really mean this one!!! Take advantage of the opportunity to get things done Try to get outdoors daily Do some fun activities Resources Mentioned in the Episode Coronavirus - Why you must act now How to Talk to your Kids About COVID-19 - National Association of School Phsychologist Tips to Spring Clean Closets - Darling Darleene Fun Activity Ideas Learn to make your own pasta - I am going to put an IGTV up about this on Instagram this week. Read books! Learn new kitchen skills with your kids Social isolation does not have to destroy the fun. Have a virtual play date/ dance party Help your kids write a book - self publish with blurb. Make a music video Learn your own zack king video tricks. Apple camp with video lab. Will do an IGTV about this as well. Work on a very big puzzle Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 how your body is feeling. Keeping a food journal would be ideal, but do what you need to do to figure out what your body is trying to tell you and how it is reacting to certain foods. You don’t have to have an autoimmune disease, or a chronic illness to have food impact the way your body is feeling. And wouldn’t it be amazing if you could feel amazing all the time? Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe To get the recipe from my favorite things this week, simply click on the link below. You won’t regret making them! createjoypodcast.com/messymemories/the-best-gluten-free-chocolate-chip-cookies Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 transcript for this episode, you can find it here. Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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. Not for others. Just for you. This can be anything. You can make it as complicated or as simple as you want. Melissa loves painting her nails. I love taking a bath. You can make a cup of tea, read a good book, dance all by yourself. Whatever it is that you feel will spark a little joy and make you feel like a human again… do that. Quotes "Depression, conflict, or negativism is often a message to us that we are not growing toward the full measure for what God has created us. Our pain, emotional pain is a demand that we stop and take time for change in our life because we may be getting off course.” - Patricia Holland Resources Mentioned To Mothers - Carrying the Torch of Faith and Family - Book by Patricia Holland Happiness, Your Heritage - Dieter F. Uchtdorf Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 loved ones how much we love them.  Heart Hole Punch Buy the 3 inch hole punch here.  Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message

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 trying to tell you. Julie shared an amazing tip of using kind of the Marie Kondo method with your body. Getting in tune with it and figuring out, does this feel good, or “spark joy”. Don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t feel like it is working at first. Like all good things, it is going to take some time and practice. Forget about what all the experts are telling you, and focus on what your body needs. Involve it in your prayers, if that feels right to you. Ask, what does my body need from me today? In my own experience, sometimes it is drink a lot of water… sometimes it is yoga, and sometimes it is go for a run. The hope is that little by little we will become more in tune with what our bodies need and become better at drowning out the outside influences. This is going to be amazing! Resources Shared on Podcast Your Inner Physician and You: Craniosacral Therapy and Somatoemotional Release Feelings Buried Alive Never Die The Happiness Advantage - Shawn Achor TED Talk by Shawn Achor Quotes I have learned that you need to be nice and say hi to your body and ask it where it wants to be and then just help direct it. As soon as you can start to connect with what your body is saying to you, you really start to pick up on the small ways it is communicating with you daily. The body is amazing when you give it what it needs, and it usually knows what it needs. Everything that happens to us gets recorded in our bodies. Our bodies are always trying to preserve themselves. Pay attention to the patterns of when you are feeling your symptoms. Your body is crying out at that very moment. Your body is going to change to the degree that you are ready. So if you are ready for big change, welcome to the journey. The power of positivity really does change things in your body. Positivity and gratitude change bodies. Emotions are information. They are not good or bad. They are just information. You can mold your children so that they do not take on the patterns of the generations past. Connect With Us! Website - createjoypodcast.com Instagram - @createjoypodcast Facebook Group - Create Joy Podcast --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/createjoypodcast/message