The Joy Project With Julia

This week on The Joy Project with Julia, I’m joined once again by Jeremy Rich for a continuation of our previous conversation from the podcast. A year later, we reflect on growth, purpose, human connection, and what it means to leave a legacy through simply being yourself.

Jeremy shares how his definition of purpose has evolved from something big and overarching to the small intentional moments of everyday life...showing up for people, creating meaningful connections, and finding joy in the present moment. As graduation approaches, we spoke about navigating transition seasons, the pressure of having life figured out, redefining success beyond achievement, and learning to live authentically without worrying about outside expectations.

This episode is a reminder that purpose is constantly evolving, legacy is built through the way we make others feel, and sometimes the smallest moments end up meaning the most.

What does it really mean to lead with purpose… and how can failure become your greatest advantage?

This week on The Joy Project with Julia, I sat down with Lina Arguelles, a distinguished leader at the University of Florida, to explore the power of servant leadership, embracing failure, and stepping confidently into your own spotlight. From mentoring others to navigating major life pivots, Lina shares how shifting your mindset from fearing failure to learning from it can completely transform your path.

We dive into the importance of community, self-reflection, and mental discipline, and how small, intentional actions, like a single conversation or a moment of honesty with yourself, can spark meaningful growth. Lina’s perspective on “sharing your spotlight” is a powerful reminder that success isn’t about standing alone. It’s about lifting others up along the way.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to fail, this episode will leave you inspired to take action, trust your journey, and start turning setbacks into stepping stones.

Key takeaway: Your failures aren’t the end. They’re just a few steps closer to your next “yes.”

What if joy wasn’t about finding the people who take your breath away… but the ones who remind you to breathe?

In this grounding episode of The Joy Project, I sit down with Monish Vijayaraghavan, whose joy project is simple yet powerful: helping people feel heard. From meaningful conversations on campus to a life-shifting moment in the military, Monish shares how presence, empathy, and intentional listening can transform not just relationships—but lives.

Together, we explore why listening is one of the most intimate things we can do, the difference between solving a problem and making someone feel seen, how small moments (like remembering details or sending a follow-up text) create lasting impact, and the role of grace, perspective, and community in shaping who we become.

This episode is a reminder that you don’t need the perfect words to change someone’s day… you just need to show up and truly listen.

Tune in, slow down, and rediscover the power of being present.

After a month-long pause, The Joy Project with Julia is back with a powerful reminder that sometimes the best thing we can do is pivot.

Inspired by the iconic “pivot!” moment from Friends, this episode dives into what it looks like to navigate life’s highs and lows while learning to shift direction with intention. It explores the pressure of perfectionism, the challenge of showing up consistently, and the courage it takes to keep going even when things don’t go as planned.

From hobbies and daily routines to relationships, career uncertainty, and last minute plans, this conversation unpacks how small mindset shifts can lead to meaningful change. Through real-life reflections and relatable experiences, listeners are encouraged to reframe setbacks, protect their energy, and embrace flexibility in both big and small moments.

For anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of their next step, this episode serves as a reminder that pivoting isn’t failure, it’s alignment. And sometimes, the most important choice to focus on is the very next one.

In this episode, Zach Weisman joins live from his study abroad experience in Madrid to share how productive hobbies have become his anchor through life’s transitions. From playing guitar and scrap journaling to reading and staying active, Zach reflects on how these practices help him stay grounded, manage stress, and better understand himself while navigating his 20s.

Together, we explore the ebb and flow of hobbies...some passions come and go, but they always remain there when you need them most. Zach opens up about overcoming the pressure to be perfect when starting something new, learning to simply begin, and how small, consistent actions can grow into meaningful routines.

The conversation also dives into the deeper impact of hobbies: building a stronger relationship with yourself, becoming comfortable with solitude, and carrying lessons from experiences abroad into everyday life. At its core, this episode is a reminder to be intentional with your time, stay curious, and invest in the small things that bring you joy...because one day, your future self will thank you.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of exploring the topic of the 3 G’s: Grace, Gratitude, & Growth with Sophia Caram.

Rooted in her faith and shaped by transformative high school friendships, Sophia reflects on how choosing grace, especially when it comes to forgiveness, can feel less like changing others and more like freeing yourself. She opens up about learning to let go of grudges, releasing pride, and giving both others and herself permission to grow beyond past mistakes. 

We also explore what gratitude really looks like, not toxic positivity or ignoring hard feelings, but choosing perspective. Sophia challenges the idea of staying stuck in self-pity and instead invites us to acknowledge pain without letting it define us. It’s about feeling deeply, then redirecting with intention. 

And when it comes to growth? Comfort isn’t the goal. From shedding labels like “bossy” and stepping into leadership, to speaking up even when it’s scary, Sophia reminds us that humility and ambition can coexist. Pride is overrated. Vulnerability is strength. Shoot your shot. Apply for the opportunity. Say how you feel. If it flops, at least you’ll have a story. 

This episode is a reminder that none of us are perfect…we’re all just figuring it out for the first time. But when we stay grounded in our values, surround ourselves with people who celebrate us, and act out of love, we step closer to the person we’re becoming.

If you’ve been craving a reset in mindset or a gentle push toward living more intentionally, this conversation will leave you inspired to practice the three G’s in your own life & experience joy more fully.

On this episode of The Joy Project with Julia, I’m joined by someone who truly embodies what it means to chase your dreams with heart, humility, and a whole lot of passion… Alexis Vivanco.

From teaching broadcasting to at-risk youth through his high school initiative Media for Minorities, to pursuing sports broadcasting opportunities at the University of Florida, to working as an agent, Alexis shares how storytelling became his way of bringing value to people’s lives...and how purpose has guided every pivot along the way.

Together, we explore what it means to meet people where they’re at, to be “somebody now” instead of waiting for someday, and to turn obstacles into fuel. We talk about why empathy is the foundation of real impact and what it actually looks like to dream big, especially when the question becomes: if not you, then who?

This episode is full of laughter, vulnerability, and powerful reminders that your voice already matters. You don’t need a title to be a leader. You don’t need permission to go after what sets your soul on fire.

If you’ve been sitting on a dream, questioning your path, or wondering whether you’re enough...this one is for you.

In this episode of The Joy Project with Julia, I sit down with Sarik Shah — a mentor, a friend, and a constant reminder that growth lives just outside our comfort zone. Together, we explore the idea that fear is fuel. Fear doesn't mean we have to stop, but rather acts as a signal that something meaningful is waiting on the other side. From navigating life transitions and loss to embracing authenticity, vulnerability, and intentional relationships, this conversation is filled with honest reflections and powerful mindset shifts.We dive into choosing growth over comfort, redefining failure, and learning how to show up fully both for ourselves and for the people around us. If you’ve ever felt stuck, hesitant, or unsure about taking the next step, this episode is your reminder that you don’t have to be fearless to move forward...you just have to begin.

In today’s episode, on my brisk walk to class, I’m sharing a real-life moment that turned into a big life lesson...what a dead car battery taught me about my own social and emotional battery.

What I thought was just a quick recharge turned out to be something deeper, reminding me that sometimes negative influences, stress, and unhealthy patterns slowly drain us more than we realize.

This episode is all about self check-ins, protecting your energy, and making sure you’re taking preventative steps to stop you from burn out.

PS: Gville was WINDY on my walk (shoutout 28 degree weather)...so perhaps best to listen as you yourself are on a stroll :)

This season kicks off with the return of interviews featuring people whose stories have inspired me, and today’s episode is all about finding joy from within. I’m joined by the one and only MBG, Mary Beth Garrison, who opens up about learning to be content in her own company, navigating uncertainty, and finding peace even when life feels unclear.

We talk about community, mental and physical health, faith, friendships, and why you can’t pour from an empty cup. From law school lessons to personal growth, MBG shares her journey through hard seasons and how embracing the unknown has helped her become more grounded, confident, and joyful.

If you’ve ever struggled with uncertainty, comparison, or learning how to truly be okay on your own, this conversation is for you. Joy isn’t always found in having all the answers... sometimes it’s found in trusting yourself along the way.