Before I spoke with Dr Kelly McGonigal (she/her) on the podcast, I spent a day reading her new book on joy. That evening, when I walked into a yoga class and the teacher asked how I was, I heard myself say, ‘I am so good.’ It took me a moment to realise why. Kelly is a psychologist, author and educator. All of her books are based on classes she has taught at Stanford University, including The Upside of Stress, The Joy of Movement and her latest, Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking. In this conversation, Kelly defines joy as the human capacity to be uplifted by what makes life worth living. She believes we have this capacity for a reason. Being human is hard, and joy helps us keep going. We talk about why joy can feel like such a risk. And why, for many of us, myself included, there can be so much guilt about expressing joy when there is so much suffering in the world. Her response to that guilt gave me tingles down my spine, especially her story of two people in Ukraine who joined her online joy class and told her joy mattered more than ever. Listen in as we explore lowering your threshold for joy, what pain and joy have in common in the brain, and why joy, more than any other emotion, wants to be let out. In this episode, we explore: <ul><li>Sharing joy as a first practice, and why ‘positive empathy’ connects us as much as compassion for each other's pain</li><li>Letting someone help you as an underappreciated act of joy</li><li>How conversations about joy brought Kelly closer to her father during his final illness</li><li>Kelly's definition of joy and its functions: a signal of what makes life worth living, a signal to others that they matter, and an energy that moves us toward connection</li><li>Joy as small and fleeting rather than peak happiness</li><li>Lowering your detection threshold for joy, and tracking one micro uplift a day</li><li>The barriers that make joy feel risky, including fear of loss and guilt amid suffering</li><li>Joy as part of our moral responsibility, and why calling joy a privilege is dehumanising</li><li>How depression can make joy harder to access, and why every practice in the book was tested with people who were struggling</li><li>How pain and joy both work through the brain's meaning system</li><li>The ‘champagne bottle’ of joy: why joy has more ways of being expressed than any other emotion, and how shared joy builds trust and closeness</li><li>Kelly's hope that her book helps people feel better about humanity</li></ul> Connect with Kelly McGonigal at <a href="https://www.kellymcgonigal.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.kellymcgonigal.com/</a> Join the hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga training today at <a href="https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid</a>  Download the free Patanjali’s Eight Limbs and Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook at <a href="https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbs</a> This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Before I spoke with Dr Kelly McGonigal (she/her) on the podcast, I spent a day reading her new book on joy.That evening, when I walked into a yoga class and the teacher asked how I was, I heard myself say, ‘I am so good.’It took me a moment to realise why.Kelly is a psychologist, author and educator. All of her books are based on classes she has taught at Stanford University, including The Upside of Stress, The Joy of Movement and her latest, Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking.In this conversation, Kelly defines joy as the human capacity to be uplifted by what makes life worth living. She believes we have this capacity for a reason. Being human is hard, and joy helps us keep going.We talk about why joy can feel like such a risk. And why, for many of us, myself included, there can be so much guilt about expressing joy when there is so much suffering in the world.Her response to that guilt gave me tingles down my spine, especially her story of two people in Ukraine who joined her online joy class and told her joy mattered more than ever.Listen in as we explore lowering your threshold for joy, what pain and joy have in common in the brain, and why joy, more than any other emotion, wants to be let out.In this episode, we explore:Sharing joy as a first practice, and why ‘positive empathy’ connects us as much as compassion for each other's painLetting someone help you as an underappreciated act of joyHow conversations about joy brought Kelly closer to her father during his final illnessKelly's definition of joy and its functions: a signal of what makes life worth living, a signal to others that they matter, and an energy that moves us toward connectionJoy as small and fleeting rather than peak happinessLowering your detection threshold for joy, and tracking one micro uplift a dayThe barriers that make joy feel risky, including fear of loss and guilt amid sufferingJoy as part of our moral responsibility, and why calling joy a privilege is dehumanisingHow depression can make joy harder to access, and why every practice in the book was tested with people who were strugglingHow pain and joy both work through the brain's meaning systemThe ‘champagne bottle’ of joy: why joy has more ways of being expressed than any other emotion, and how shared joy builds trust and closenessKelly's hope that her book helps people feel better about humanityConnect with Kelly McGonigal at https://www.kellymcgonigal.com/Join the hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga training today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid Download the free Patanjali’s Eight Limbs and Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbsThis podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Before I spoke with Dr Kelly McGonigal (she/her) on the podcast, I spent a day reading her new book on joy. That evening, when I walked into a yoga class and the teacher asked how I was, I heard myself say, ‘I am so good.’ It took me a moment to realise why. Kelly is a psychologist, author and educator. All of her books are based on classes she has taught at Stanford University, including The Upside of Stress, The Joy of Movement and her latest, Joy Is a Risk Worth Taking. In this conversation, Kelly defines joy as the human capacity to be uplifted by what makes life worth living. She believes we have this capacity for a reason. Being human is hard, and joy helps us keep going. We talk about why joy can feel like such a risk. And why, for many of us, myself included, there can be so much guilt about expressing joy when there is so much suffering in the world. Her response to that guilt gave me tingles down my spine, especially her story of two people in Ukraine who joined her online joy class and told her joy mattered more than ever. Listen in as we explore lowering your threshold for joy, what pain and joy have in common in the brain, and why joy, more than any other emotion, wants to be let out. In this episode, we explore: <ul><li>Sharing joy as a first practice, and why ‘positive empathy’ connects us as much as compassion for each other's pain</li><li>Letting someone help you as an underappreciated act of joy</li><li>How conversations about joy brought Kelly closer to her father during his final illness</li><li>Kelly's definition of joy and its functions: a signal of what makes life worth living, a signal to others that they matter, and an energy that moves us toward connection</li><li>Joy as small and fleeting rather than peak happiness</li><li>Lowering your detection threshold for joy, and tracking one micro uplift a day</li><li>The barriers that make joy feel risky, including fear of loss and guilt amid suffering</li><li>Joy as part of our moral responsibility, and why calling joy a privilege is dehumanising</li><li>How depression can make joy harder to access, and why every practice in the book was tested with people who were struggling</li><li>How pain and joy both work through the brain's meaning system</li><li>The ‘champagne bottle’ of joy: why joy has more ways of being expressed than any other emotion, and how shared joy builds trust and closeness</li><li>Kelly's hope that her book helps people feel better about humanity</li></ul> Connect with Kelly McGonigal at <a href="https://www.kellymcgonigal.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.kellymcgonigal.com/</a> Join the hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga training today at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/hybrid</a>&nbsp; Download the free Patanjali’s Eight Limbs and Mental Health Aware Yoga ebook at <a href="https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbs" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/8limbs</a> This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

On Lowering Your Threshold for Joy with Kelly McGonigal

In today’s podcast episode, I’m joined by Sarah and Ty Powers, long-time partners in life and practice, and two teachers whose work has quietly shaped how yoga, meditation, and psychological inquiry are woven together in the West. This is a gentle, spacious conversation, and a beautiful one to ease into the new year. We talk about what it really means to practise, not just on the mat or meditation cushion, but in the middle of everyday life. Sarah and Ty share stories from their decades together, reflecting on partnership, parenting, teaching, retreat life, and the ways practice naturally matures over time. We explore gratitude as an antidote to the complaining mind, the importance of pausing and softening in moments of difficulty, and what it means to truly belong to yourself. Sarah speaks beautifully about yin yoga as a pathway home, while Ty reflects on meditation, inner dialogue, and cultivating compassion rather than self-criticism. This is a conversation about living your yoga - imperfectly, relationally, and with care. I’m really glad to share it with you. Sarah Powers is the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute as well as the author of Insight Yoga and Lit from Within, which interweaves Yoga, Buddhism, Taoism, and Transpersonal psychology into an integrated practice to enliven the body, heart, and mind.  Ty Powers is also the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute, and teaches yoga and meditation retreats around the world with his wife, Sarah Powers. He has been teaching Vipassana since 2003 as a graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader training program and has been practicing Dzogchen Buddhism for over 20 years.  Connect with Sarah and Ty Powers at <a href="https://sarahandtypowers.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://sarahandtypowers.com.</a> Access my nervous system regulation playlist at <a href="https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.</a> Join the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 today at <a href="https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.</a> Join the free info session for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training on the 24th January 2026 today at <a href="https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.</a> Apply for a scholarship for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training at <a href="https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.</a> This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In today’s podcast episode, I’m joined by Sarah and Ty Powers, long-time partners in life and practice, and two teachers whose work has quietly shaped how yoga, meditation, and psychological inquiry are woven together in the West.This is a gentle, spacious conversation, and a beautiful one to ease into the new year.We talk about what it really means to practise, not just on the mat or meditation cushion, but in the middle of everyday life. Sarah and Ty share stories from their decades together, reflecting on partnership, parenting, teaching, retreat life, and the ways practice naturally matures over time.We explore gratitude as an antidote to the complaining mind, the importance of pausing and softening in moments of difficulty, and what it means to truly belong to yourself. Sarah speaks beautifully about yin yoga as a pathway home, while Ty reflects on meditation, inner dialogue, and cultivating compassion rather than self-criticism.This is a conversation about living your yoga - imperfectly, relationally, and with care. I’m really glad to share it with you.Sarah Powers is the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute as well as the author of Insight Yoga and Lit from Within, which interweaves Yoga, Buddhism, Taoism, and Transpersonal psychology into an integrated practice to enliven the body, heart, and mind. Ty Powers is also the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute, and teaches yoga and meditation retreats around the world with his wife, Sarah Powers. He has been teaching Vipassana since 2003 as a graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader training program and has been practicing Dzogchen Buddhism for over 20 years. Connect with Sarah and Ty Powers at https://sarahandtypowers.com.Access my nervous system regulation playlist at https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.Join the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.Join the free info session for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training on the 24th January 2026 today at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.Apply for a scholarship for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training at https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

In today’s podcast episode, I’m joined by Sarah and Ty Powers, long-time partners in life and practice, and two teachers whose work has quietly shaped how yoga, meditation, and psychological inquiry are woven together in the West. This is a gentle, spacious conversation, and a beautiful one to ease into the new year. We talk about what it really means to practise, not just on the mat or meditation cushion, but in the middle of everyday life. Sarah and Ty share stories from their decades together, reflecting on partnership, parenting, teaching, retreat life, and the ways practice naturally matures over time. We explore gratitude as an antidote to the complaining mind, the importance of pausing and softening in moments of difficulty, and what it means to truly belong to yourself. Sarah speaks beautifully about yin yoga as a pathway home, while Ty reflects on meditation, inner dialogue, and cultivating compassion rather than self-criticism. This is a conversation about living your yoga - imperfectly, relationally, and with care. I’m really glad to share it with you. Sarah Powers is the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute as well as the author of Insight Yoga and Lit from Within, which interweaves Yoga, Buddhism, Taoism, and Transpersonal psychology into an integrated practice to enliven the body, heart, and mind.&nbsp; Ty Powers is also the co-founder of the Insight Yoga Institute, and teaches yoga and meditation retreats around the world with his wife, Sarah Powers. He has been teaching Vipassana since 2003 as a graduate of the Spirit Rock Community Dharma Leader training program and has been practicing Dzogchen Buddhism for over 20 years.&nbsp; Connect with Sarah and Ty Powers at <a href="https://sarahandtypowers.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://sarahandtypowers.com.</a> Access my nervous system regulation playlist at <a href="https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com/join.</a> Join the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training starting 16th February 2026 today at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.</a> Join the free info session for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training on the 24th January 2026 today at <a href="https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.</a> Apply for a scholarship for the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.mentalhealthawareyoga.com/online.</a> This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or training. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance or come and join one of our programs at the Yoga Psychology Institute for professional training. While we are grateful for our guests and sponsors, any statements, claims or endorsements made are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Yoga Psychology Institute.

Sarah and Ty Powers - On Practice, Partnership and Coming Home to Yourself

Dr Lauren Tober interviews internationally acclaimed author Don Miguel Ruiz Jnr to talk about gratitude, domestication, unconditional love and raising our children to be authentic and loving human beings. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

Dr Lauren Tober interviews internationally acclaimed author Don Miguel Ruiz Jnr to talk about gratitude, domestication, unconditional love and raising our children to be authentic and loving human beings.This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

Dr Lauren Tober interviews internationally acclaimed author Don Miguel Ruiz Jnr to talk about gratitude, domestication, unconditional love and raising our children to be authentic and loving human beings. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

Don Miguel Ruiz Jnr - On Gratitude, Domestication and Unconditional Love

Dr Lauren Tober interviews internationally acclaimed musician Ben Lee to talk about gratitude, death and living in the mystery. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

Dr Lauren Tober interviews internationally acclaimed musician Ben Lee to talk about gratitude, death and living in the mystery.This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

Dr Lauren Tober interviews internationally acclaimed musician Ben Lee to talk about gratitude, death and living in the mystery. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

Ben Lee - On Gratitude, Death and Living in the Mystery

Dr Lauren Tober interviews Wake Up Project founder Jono Fisher to talk about kindness, gratitude and presence. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

Dr Lauren Tober interviews Wake Up Project founder Jono Fisher to talk about kindness, gratitude and presence.This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

Dr Lauren Tober interviews Wake Up Project founder Jono Fisher to talk about kindness, gratitude and presence. This podcast is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised guidance.

Jono Fisher - On Kindness, Gratitude and Presence

Join Clinical Psychologist and Yoga Teacher Dr Lauren Tober for intimate conversations on yoga, mental health, psychology, spirituality and living a good life with some of the world's best teachers and thought leaders in the world. Find out more about our work over at www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com

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Join Clinical Psychologist and Yoga Teacher Dr Lauren Tober for intimate conversations on yoga, mental health, psychology, spirituality and living a good life with some of the world's best teachers and thought leaders in the world.Find out more about our work over at www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com

Join Clinical Psychologist and Yoga Teacher Dr Lauren Tober for intimate conversations on yoga, mental health, psychology, spirituality and living a good life with some of the world's best teachers and thought leaders in the world. Find out more about our work over at www.yogapsychologyinstitute.com

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