**TRIGGER WARNING** Today's episode has extensive discussion related to suicidal ideation/suicide attempt, long term depression and the challenges of managing anxiety and depression.

If you, or anyone you know could benefit from it, the number for the suicide hotline in the USA is 988.

Suzanne went from working in corporate America to learning European hand tie at the Jane Packer school of floral design in London and never looked back. Suzanne opens up about her long term struggle with depression and her consideration of suicide, and ultimately realized that death is a very permanent solution to often temporary problems. She talks about the various people, dogs and activities in her life that bring her joy. She also discusses the many avenues people can pursue to tackle their mental health if it's standing in the way of their happy.

Jenn shares her association with happiness and the feeling of lightness or buoyancy. The weirdest thing that ever brought her joy was the sound of a spinning ratchet. She urges caution when we are tempted to correlate our worth to our productivity and to be wary of the proverbial hamster wheel of life. In one of her difficult eras of life she kept an empty glass jar near her door and each day added a folded piece of paper with one thing she was grateful for written on it. It created a visual representation of the joy that was in her life even when it may not have felt like an easy time.

Originally from southeast Louisiana, Jerry talks about Cajun culture, and the emphasis that is placed on community and socializing. He believes that surrounding ourselves with positive people will bring more positivity into our lives. He discusses the challenges of growing up gay in a conservative, Catholic community and how that shaped his relationship with happiness. He also discusses his appreciation for sophisticated design and awkward public interactions.

When he’s not researching the influence of the environment on surgical outcomes or working in the OR, Johnny is watching birds, reading and admiring the starscape as an amateur astronomer. He loves the Japanese concept of ikigai, balancing your passion and skill and turning it into something you can actually get paid for. He likes centering himself with physical activity and hiking. We discuss science, maintaining a sense of purpose and the book, the Great Animal Orchestra. Johnny recommends checking out Zazie in the Metro by Raymond Queneau for a fun, absurdist adventure in Paris.

Inspired by the impact of mental illness and lack of access to adequate care growing up in Cabrini Green in Chicago, Kamilah pursued a career as a child psychiatrist and focuses on working in underserved communities. Motherhood and love amplify her joy. Meditation and positive affirmations bring her out of a bad mood if one befalls her. This is a fun conversation, check it out.