Jump Start Your Joy®

Read the full show notes: https://jumpstartyourjoy.com/2024/07/activism-and-resilience-with-christy-tending-writing-through-grief-and-joy/

I'm welcoming back my friend and author Christy Tending. Christy is joining me to discuss her new book, "The High Priestess of the Apocalypse," which is a lyrical exploration of disobedience, grief, healing, and climate activism. Packed with heartfelt reflections and practical advice for activists, Christy's book offers a unique blend of memoir and guide.

We also dive into a thoughtful conversation about the personal and societal challenges we've faced over the last few years, highlighting the importance of community, preparedness, and personal resilience. We discuss the practical aspects of activism, the emotional toll of recent global events, and how Christy's writing has navigated these complex landscapes.

Key Highlights:

• Christy talks about the inspiration and process behind writing "The High Priestess of the Apocalypse," including the challenges of writing about deeply personal and societal issues.
• The importance of community and collective efforts in activism and beyond.
• Practical tips for personal and activist preparedness, including a PSA about phone security.
• The process of submitting work to literary magazines and dealing with rejection as a writer.
• Encouragement for creators to pursue their projects without waiting for external validation or permission.

Resources:

• Find Christy's book: ChristyTending.com/books
• Follow Christy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christytending
• Buy Christy's book, "The High Priestess of the Apocalypse" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3W71dc4

• Subscribe to Jump Start Your Joy for free on your favorite app by clicking here.
• Check out Jump Start Your Joy's back catalog and resources: JumpstartYourJoy.com
• Support the show on Buy Me a Coffee: Buy Me a Coffee

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome

00:20 Introducing Christy and Her New Book

00:33 Exploring the Themes of the Book

01:04 Community and Resources for Listeners

02:08 Christy's Journey and Writing Process

03:37 Navigating Modern Challenges

10:47 Practical Tips for Activists

15:13 Emergency Preparedness and Community Support

21:39 The Power of Community in Publishing

26:56 The Weird Book Thing

27:05 Self-Publishing Journey

27:48 Making Cool Stuff Without Permission

29:04 The Challenges of Writing a Book

30:18 Processing Isolation and Loss

39:37 The Role of an Editor

41:16 The Importance of Specificity in Writing

48:58 Finding Joy in the Little Things

50:59 Final Thoughts and Inspiration

Read the full show notes: https://jumpstartyourjoy.com/2024/06/finding-joy-through-structure-and-elegance-with-jennifer-l-scott/

In this episode of Jump Start Your Joy, Paula interviews Jennifer L. Scott, the New York Times bestselling author of the Madame Chic Series and content creator behind The Daily Connoisseur, who shares how adding structure and more formality to life can bring intentional joy.

Jennifer highlights her experiences living with a traditional family in Paris, her journey as a YouTuber through the Daily Connoisseur, and how she navigates homeschooling while balancing her professional life.

The conversation dives into how self-discipline and mindful living can transform daily routines, and Jennifer offers tips on being present, observing nature, and incorporating lifelong learning into one's lifestyle. Paula also introduces a new segment on inspiration, intention, or action, encouraging listeners to continually seek personal growth.

Resources:

Buy Jennifer's Book, Lessons From Madame Chic: https://amzn.to/3KYSCln

The Daily Connoisseur on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnEnLT5wBVnK56QFRg_Iwg

Jennifer L. Scott's website: https://jenniferlscott.com/

Jump Start Your Joy's website: https://jumpstartyourjoy.com/

Labyrinth Walk information: https://jumpstartyourjoy.com/labyrinth-basics/

Time Stamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:42 Jennifer L. Scott's Background and YouTube Channel 03:34 The Joys of Childhood and Early Inspirations 05:40 Writing the Madame Chic Series 08:08 Living a Formal Life: Lessons from Paris 10:43 Pandemic Reflections and Seeking Structure 16:23 Community Feedback and Personal Transformations 22:28 The Struggles of YouTube Content Creation 22:58 Taking YouTube Seriously 24:25 Balancing YouTube and Personal Life 26:36 The Chic Assignments 29:54 Homeschooling and Delegation 31:17 The Reality Behind YouTube Success 34:21 Future Plans and Community Building 37:37 Final Thoughts and Inspirations

Get the full show notes: Follow/subscribe to JSYJ (free) on your favorite app: https://plnk.to/JumpStartYourJoy Alison Arngrim, the actress best known for her role as Nellie Oleson on 'Little House on the Prairie' joins Paula in this look back episode. This episode, originally recorded a few years ago, is revisited as Paula and her son prepare to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder homestead and on the 50th anniversary of the TV show. Alison shares her journey from suffering abuse as a child to finding empowerment through acting. She discusses her audition for Nellie Oleson, her experiences working with Michael Landon, and her transformation into an AIDS activist after her co-star Steve Tracy's death. Alison also touches on the dynamics with her castmates, the impact of the show globally, and her post-'Little House' work, including her standup comedy and public speaking on surviving abuse. The episode emphasizes Alison's decision to turn her situation into a source of joy and advocacy. Listeners are also guided to check out the show notes and follow Paula's adventures in Kansas on Instagram. Resources Alison Arngrim's Bonnetheads.com website (sign up for the Nellie Newsletter here) Alison Arngrim's Book, Confessions of a Prairie Bitch on Amazon

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Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement 00:31 Revisiting a Classic Episode 01:04 Welcome New Listeners 01:48 Introducing Alison Arngrim 03:04 Alison's Early Career and Little House on the Prairie 05:13 The Audition for Nelly Olson 11:42 The Global Impact of Little House on the Prairie 14:42 Behind the Scenes with Michael Landon 19:25 The Friendship with Melissa Gilbert 21:58 Public Reactions and Personal Reflections 31:29 Navigating Early Uncertainty 32:02 Building a Support System 32:54 A Love Story Blossoms 33:26 Shared Values and Compatibility 35:44 Embracing Public Recognition 39:31 Turning Fame into a Force for Good 43:05 Confessions of a Prairie Bitch 45:21 Empowering Women Through Lectures 51:03 Practical Advice for Aspiring Changemakers 56:03 Finding Joy in Everyday Life

Get the full show notes: https://jumpstartyourjoy.com/2024/06/exploring-trauma-and-joy-with-author-jen-soriano

Follow/subscribe to JSYJ (free) on your favorite app: https://plnk.to/JumpStartYourJoy

In this episode of Jumpstart Your Joy, Paula interviews Jen Soriano, a Filipinx writer and movement builder, about her experiences with trauma and healing. They discuss Jen's book 'Nervous Essays on Heritage and Healing,' the effects of trauma, and the importance of addressing collective pain. The conversation delves into the difference between trauma-informed and trauma-wise approaches, the impact of the pandemic on mental health, and the pressing issues within local communities, such as the banning of pride flags in schools.

Jen also shares her personal journey through grief and chronic pain and offers practical advice and insights into the fundamentals of healing and finding joy.

Find Jen Soriano's website: https://www.jensoriano.net/

Jen Soriano on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jensorianowrites

Buy the book: https://amzn.to/4cfAkrw

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Buy me a cup of coffee, and I'll give you a shout out on the next episode.

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00:00 Welcome to Season Eight! 01:03 Introducing Jen Soriano 01:38 Diving into Trauma and Healing 04:16 Jen's Childhood Joys 06:21 The Birth of a Book 10:17 Understanding Trauma 15:23 Chronic Pain and Trauma 22:54 The Fluidity of Our Nervous Systems 25:09 Rewiring Neural Circuits for Joy 27:25 The Pandemic's Collective Trauma 29:44 Addressing Global and Local Issues 32:28 School Board Controversies and Trauma 42:15 Healing Trauma and Finding Joy 46:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Get the full show notes: https://jumpstartyourjoy.com/2024/06/what-do-you-stand-for/ In the first episode of Season 8 of 'Jumpstart Your Joy,' I'm returning after an 18-month break to discuss the profound changes and reflections experienced during the hiatus. The episode dives into themes of intentional living, navigating grief, the importance of setting boundaries, challenging hustle culture, and the reverberating impact of focusing on internal growth over external validation. Emphasizing the significance of finding joy even amidst hard times, the host also introduces upcoming topics and invites listeners to join a vibrant community centered around positivity and personal growth. Want to Learn More About Labyrinths and get a Labyrinth Walking guide? Sign up on my website. https://jumpstartyourjoy.com/labyrinth-basics/

Resources:

Buy Nothing, Get Everything Plan: Discover the Joy of Spending Less, Sharing More, and Living Generously by Liesl Clark and Rebecca Rockefeller

Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your Life by Byron Katie

High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out by Amanda Ripley

Audible version of "Untethered life" by Michael A Singer (affiliate)

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00:00 Welcome Back to Jumpstart Your Joy 01:00 Reflecting on a Long Break 01:28 Intentional Living and Time Management 01:59 Navigating Grief and Personal Loss 03:20 Understanding Growth Beyond Hustle Culture 09:07 The Importance of Setting Boundaries 14:05 Finding Joy Amidst Societal Challenges 24:29 The Power of Intentionality and Reflection 25:11 Embracing Labyrinth Work 29:48 Looking Forward: Season Eight Plans

This week's episode is the finale of season seven where I've been talking all about intentional comfort and how to bring more comfort and ease into your everyday life.

If you have not yet listened to the episode where I did the countdown of the top 10 most downloaded episodes, you can tune in here.

1. Choose comfort, and build it into our lives. I think we are looking for a way to wind down and a way to hold space for the things that we've done and to take a breather. It may be that the world feels heavy, and that you need a break. Mirror what you choose to do with what the seasons do. Winter is a time of darkness and quiet and solitude. And so I think comfort and joy are bookends for each other, but I think they also go hand in hand.

2. See it as riding the wave. If youcan ride the wave of whateverdifficult thing you're facing, and intentionally schedule in comfort, you will be in a better place. It can be helpful to know that this current situation is temporary, and ride it out. And, you can get through it by clinging to that intentional comfort that we are setting up for yourself.

3. Everything is cyclical. Hard times, good times. Comforting times, overwhelming times. It's all cyclical. Knowing that there is a season for each thing that sometimes will be easier. Sometimes it'll be harder. And knowing this can maybe help you find comfort in one that the season will change just like if you ride out the wave. But in two, that, that this is part of the bigger plan and pattern.

4. Learn to live an "Untethered Life," as inspired by the book by Michael A Singer. The really big takeaway for me with that book is that you can start to question some of the patterns and habits that you recognize that you have after you spent some time looking at them. Because comfort can come from getting to know yourself instead of fighting whatever comes up and ruminating on whatever comes up.

5. Joy and happiness is comforting. Make time for whatever it is that makes you happy. Let go of the expectations and the pressure of day-to-day life that's telling us what we "should" do or want. Learning to let yourself be in the present moment, without feeling the need to document for social media or feel the pressure to share every detail with anyone else.

Resources:

Season 7 Countdown (finale pt 1)

Audible version of "Untethered life" by Michael A Singer (affiliate)

Join me for a Virtual Labyrinth walk (free) on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 1pm PST | 4pm EST

Love the show, and want to show your support?

Buy me a cup of coffee, and I'll give you a shout out on the next episode.

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Andrea Scher has thrilled and inspired others for nearly twenty years through her award-winning blog Superhero Journal, her international workshops, her Creative Superheroes podcast, and her joyful e-courses. In this episode, we discuss Andrea's new book, Wonder Seeker: 52 Ways to Wake up Your Creativity and Find Your Joy Today, and how and she describes why this is the perfect time to tune into the small things that bring you joy.

Read the full show notes on my website. Click here.

In this episode, Andrea and I talk about:

• Why Andrea was inspired to write her book to inspire others to add more wonder and magic to their lives
• What a Wonder Seeker actually is and how wonder relates to joy
• Becoming braver and more resilient as you pivot your attention towards wonder and joy
• How Wonder Seekers create comfort by being open-hearted and cultivating a spirit of kindness and love
• Some of the exercises in Wonder Seeker: 52 Ways to Wake up Your Creativity and Find Your Joy Today and why 144 is her personal favorite
• How Andrea sets intentions and the magic the practice can bring
• How to move past the rigid routines of the last 18 months and embrace the magic and wonder your world has to offer
• Andrea's e-courses, retreats, and creative workshops, and how to find out more about her
• Three ways Andrea recommends to jump-start joy in your life, in the world, or other people's lives?

Resources

Preorder Andrea Scher's book: Wonder Seeker: 52 Ways to Wake Up Your Creativity and Find Your Joy

Get your free gift from Andrea after purchasing Wonder Seeker here

Andrea Scher's Superhero Life

Andrea Scher on Instagram

Other books and resources we mention in this episode

The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Wisdom, and Love: Buddha's Brain by Rick Hanson

Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence by Rick Hanson

Camera Obscura in San Francisco

Intentional Comfort is the theme of this season, and in this episode I'm taking inspiration from Priya Parker's Art of Gathering, and using her 3 rules of gathering to consider new ways to reconnect with what nourishes, fortifies, and supports you. While her Ted Talk is about how to interact in groups and gatherings in new ways, I find that her rules and thoughts offer insights on how to connect with yourself, and how to determine what is meaningful to you when looking for intentional comfort.

Here are the basics of what I'm covering:

Don't leave it to chance

This is the intentional part of things. If we leave the relationship and connection we have to and with ourselves to chance, it's far too easy to focus on the basics and logistics of life, and ignore time for self care. If you're longing for more time for yourself, or time to do thoughtful, comforting things, schedule that time in.

Embrace your purpose

For many of you, especially over the stretch of the pandemic, you may have developed some habits that aren't really serving you. And, while they likely did serve you for a period of time, now that we're nearly into the third year of all of this, I think the way we look at comfort and what fortifies us has likely changed. It's become super apparent that this isn't about a sprint, this is about a transition. What is the purpose, or meaning, behind setting up time for intentional comfort?

How can you craft something that supports and nourishes you, as we all work through this transition together?

What is the purpose of what you want to do, in finding comfort?

What would meet your needs?

If you're looking for an escape, what does that look like given any of your current constraints?

If you're looking for peace and quiet, why?

And if you dig a layer deeper, is there something you feel is missing?

Cause good controversy

Priya says that "human connection is as threatened by unhealthy peace as it is by unhealthy conflict." And, I'd add that this connection is true for gatherings as it is for the connection you and I have with ourselves.

For this, I'd ask yourself what do you need, right now? Drop any sort of "shoulds" or polite answers. You're answering this just for yourself.

Some of these answers might be overly simple: a walk, a shower, a drink of water, a meal

Some of these answers might be more complicated and feel harder to figure out: a feeling of connectedness, quiet time when I'm not needed by anyone else, a day to just bake cookies and connect with the holiday spirit

How can you do this? It might feel like it involves creating some good controversy, especially if it involves speaking up to divide up housework with your family, to find quiet time, to find time to pursue a hobby, or to interview for a new job. You may need help from other people to do these things. So, dive in and ask yourself what you need and then figure out what kind of help you need from other people in your family.

The other side of this good controversy could be a totally inside job. It could be that you've been sitting with something for a long time that doesn't feel so great, and in order to find comfort and joy on the other side, you need to work through it. You may need to break through a Story - or something you're assuming is true but isn't really true.

Use "pop up" rules

Priya suggests this for groups that gather that don't necessarily share the same background, or are part of the same generation, culture, or rules for etiquette. She says in those situations, you can set up pop up rules to encourage meaningful connection.

What if you changed your own rules for a bit? What rules could you set for yourself, just for a day or a week, to support yourself?

An example might be: set a bedtime for yourself for the next week if you are tired.

Make a rule for yourself that this week, you will slow down and have an afternoon snack and see how that feels.

Limit your interaction with people who stress you out, if possible.

Maybe if there's a particular person that tends to upset you but you know you'll see at a holiday event, maybe set a rule that you can leave after a certain amount of time at the event, or request that you not be seated next to them?

This might mean that you're asking for something slightly different of yourself and other people - and that could be uncomfortable. So, let it be an experiment. Try out what something new looks like.

Wrap up

These ideas are all so applicable to how we can find intentional comfort and joy in our lives. It's so easy to get into habits that don't really support you, but have addressed discomfort you may have been feeling. Intentional Comfort is all adding a layer of mindfulness to what you do every day. I have been looking for ways to intentionally add nurturing and nourishing habits to my days, and find that when I make those choices, I do find more joy, too.

Resources

Priya Parker's Ted Talk

Stasia Savasuk on Jump Start Your Joy (episode 303)

The Joy Diet by Martha Beck

The Work of Byron Katie

Loving What is by Byron Katie

Signe Myers Hovem is a spiritual counselor, an energy worker, and the author of The Space in Between: An Empaths Field Guide. In this interview on Jump Start Your Joy podcast, we are talking about empaths and highly sensitive people (HSPs).

If you are a highly sensitive person, or if you have a sense that you may be an empath, then I think you're going to get a lot out of this conversation (which ties so closely to this season's theme of intentional comfort on the podcast). HSPs and empaths notice the energy around people and places and things, and this can be overwhelming to them. The Empath's Field Guide, and this conversation, offers a lot of insight on how to manage your energy, hold space, and work with your gifts.

In this episode, Signe Myers Hovem talk about:

• What it means to be a functional empath.
• The difference between empathy versus being an empath.
• Exploring what it means to identify as a highly sensitive person.
• The power of our words and what we choose to call things.
• Minding your energy, and holding space without having your own energy drained.
• How to set up strong boundaries with people, places, or things if you feel an energetic drain and decide if you want to get involved further.
• How do we navigate through the space of being an empath or an HSP in everyday life?

Resources

Signe Myers Hovem's website

The Space in Between: An Empaths Field Guide by Signe Myers Hovem

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Season 7 was all about "Intentional Comfort." This episode shares the top ten most downloaded and beloved episodes from season 7.

They are:

10. Emma Loewe, author of Return to Nature

Listen to the original episode

Buy the book

9. 5 Tips to Bring More Mindfulness to You Everyday

Listen to the episode

8. Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth on Finding a Mardi Gras State of Mind

Listen to the original episode

Buy their best of album.

7. Heather Hall, Author of Step Up and Stand Out: 20 Tips for Aspiring Introverted Leaders

Listen to the original episode

Buy the book

6. Jenn Oglesbee: Intentional Comfort and Joy in the Midst of Grief

Listen to the original episode

5. Stasia Savasuk: Wearing Your Word of the Year

Listen to the original episode

4. 10 Things to Inspire More Passion and Joy in Your Life and Work

Listen to the original episode

3. Finding Your Heart's Second Home

Listen to the original episode

2. William J. Peters, Author of At Heaven's Door

Listen to the original episode

Buy the book

1. Scott Leftwich, owner of "Weiners and Losers," and 80s arcade, Airbnb and band member.

Listen to the original episode

Resources

Brene Brown's "Living Our Values" Exercise

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