I read through a list of things that have made me smile recently in order to share the joy and remind you that humans can be sweet and adorable sometimes, too. Also, happiness is more of a choice than I think we realize.

If you care about your health, you need to care about climate change. Not sure how or why? Listen to this episode to find out.

This episode features a conversation with a public health and climate action activist, a physical therapist, a mom , and a clean air policy manager. Her name is Dr. Brittany Keyes, DPT. I ask questions about how climate change and human health are related concerns and how specifically human health has been impacted from recent climate events. We also talk about one way we can inspire change... by talking to elected officials! Dr. Keyes gives some tips to make that seem a little less scary.

Brittany's song recommendations:

"Caroline" by Carsie Blanton

"Be Good" by Carsie Blanton

"Little Flame" by Carsie Blanton

Jamie's song recommendations:

"Alfie" by Burt Bacharach

"Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head" sung by BJ Thomas, written by Burt Bacharach

More resources:

FIND A JOYFUL WAY OF HELPING THE PLANET BY CLICKING HERE

Have you ever felt like you needed to prove that you did something cool by posting about it online? Have you ever wanted to just appreciate a moment for yourself and not feel the need to validate that you are a cool person doing cool things? THIS EPISODE IS FOR YOU!

How has social media influenced photography, videography, and film? or how we experience life and how we travel?

These are all questions I discuss in this episode.

Pre-save Mattea Joy's new song here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/matteajoy/when-you-move-to-chicago-2

Listen to Braden Andersen's amazing 2026 album Dendritica: https://open.spotify.com/album/1w6OXZcnijYaJH2LGiCmkL?si=9gaia5EnS6muvOmkaeqvew

I read through a jumbled, all-over-the-place list of the life lessons I've learned recently and topics I've been pondering, as well as the simpler things I've been really enjoying, like dried fruit and Parks & Rec.

Also covered: intuition vs anxiety, needing a night time routine, socializing, going for a run, social energy, Parks & Rec vs The Office, environmental activist Julia "Butterfly" Hill and tree-sits, speaking Spanish in Costa Rica, the joys of my trip there, working with kids, travel photo & video concerns, and my desire to make positive change!

How does migration work? Which animals stay active in the winter and which ones hibernate? How can we help contribute to wildlife conservation? Listen in for a chat with my mom, Erin, who works as an environmental educator as she fascinates us with facts and information about wildlife native to the wonderful midwest.

I had an episode recently. Decided to make it into an actual episode. Have you ever had a bought of indecision? Had to choose between job offers? Had to face change? Thought that if only you could learn to manage stress better, maybe stress would go away entirely? Me too. In this episode, I tell you about what I've been learning recently from a moment of indecision regarding a job change.

Today I introduce you to my mom, who works as a Park Naturalist. She tells us about what the position is like, its challenges and rewards, what she has learned from it, and what she'd like you to know about the position and her journey. And because I love to ask about the deeper questions, we talk about the larger implications of this kind of work and the importance of positive experiences with nature.

So... I guess now being offline and unplugged is trendy. I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT! Let's talk about where this is coming from and why it's more than a trend... it's a lifestyle! It's a philosophy! How can we practice it?

This episode is loosely inspired by ideas covered in the book I'm currently reading... Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport, which provides details on this philosophy and approach to technology. I highly recommend reading this book! You can listen to the audiobook in less than one full work day!

Spotify Wrapped 2025 came out on Dec 3! Listen in to hear my stats and stories behind my top songs & artists.

We're talking about indecision today! Maybe you're like me and recently graduated college and still don't know what you want to do with your life. Maybe you're 53 and are wanting to change careers. It is very normal to not know what to do. The good and terrifying news is... it is completely up to you! This episode aims to bring you comfort in knowing you're not alone, as well as to provide you some advice and things to think about that might easy some of the pressure. Spoiler alert: let your moral compass guide you. What are your values? What are you curious about pursuing right now?

We are all just explorers in the woods of life 🌲🌊

THE VALUES ASSESSMENT I HAVE USED:

Values Clarification Exercise (Google Doc)