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What if joy isn’t the finish line but the fuel? We sit down with life coach and former crisis therapist Darlene Berry to reframe joy as a daily, practical practice that can live alongside pain without pretending everything is fine. Drawing from frontline experience, Darlene explains why suffering looks different for everyone and how gratitude becomes the bridge from “I’m hurting” to “I’m healing.” The heart of our conversation is simple and doable: slow breathwork to regulate the nervous system, short affirmations to anchor the day, and a three-line journal that captures one personal gratitude, one future-facing intention, and one small present joy.

We dig into how choosing joy reshapes relationships and work. If you’ve learned to overgive to feel worthy, this is your permission slip to set kinder boundaries and say no with clarity. Darlene connects the dots between positive emotion and measurable outcomes—better focus, higher engagement, and fewer sick days—without slipping into toxic positivity. Instead, we talk about grounded, felt joy that helps you navigate tough seasons with steadier hands and clearer choices. You’ll hear real language you can borrow, small rituals you can start today, and a mindset shift that makes room for both grief and gratitude.

You’ll also get a free guided meditation from Darlene to support your morning or evening routine, plus practical tips pulled from her article, “Unlocking Joy Through Coaching: Exploring Joy’s Connections to Suffering and Gratitude.” Whether you’re a coach or a curious listener, you’ll walk away with tools that are gentle, repeatable, and effective. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find the show. What’s one small joy you’ll practice today?

Watch the full interview by clicking here. 

Find the full article here.

Free meditation guide from Darlene can be found here. 

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