The Joy Project With Julia

What if the key to joy isn't in holding on—but in letting go? In this week's episode of The Joy Project with Julia, I sat down with Jared, @theheadbandgolfer, a passionate golfer and storyteller, to explore how living authentically can be liberating. Jared opens up about his personal evolution, reminding us that “you can’t be the victim of your own life” and that transformation begins with a simple choice: “It’s one day, or day one.”

From shedding false identities to chasing a dream worth risking everything for, Jared shares the bold mindset shift that turned his pain into purpose: “It’s not happening to you—it’s happening for you.” With unshakable authenticity, he invites us to choose real over easy: “I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m not.”

This episode is a powerful invitation to stop surviving and start living—with joy, clarity, and courage.

Today’s episode is all about finding joy in the time we share with others, especially during life’s big transitions. In this interview, I sit down with Brooke Flask, who is wrapping up her semester at the University of Florida before transferring to the United States Naval Academy. Together, we reflect on the people who have shaped us—family, mentors, friends—and the values they have instilled: kindness, empathy, and unwavering support.

We dive into what it truly means to be present in our relationships: active listening, small daily habits that spark joy, and carving out space for others even when life feels hectic or uncertain. You’ll hear personal stories about balancing the excitement of new beginnings with the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye, and learn how embracing every moment with intention can turn ordinary interactions into lasting memories.

Whether you’re navigating your own transitions or looking to deepen the connections in your life, this conversation will remind you that joy isn’t just found in milestones—it’s created in the everyday moments we choose to share. Tune in and discover how you can become a little bit of joy in someone else’s world.

Today, Ariel Gabriely and I dive into what it truly means to find joy in letting go — releasing the need for control, validation, and perfection, and making space for real growth, healing, and peace. To do this, we must lead with kindness, empathy, and self-respect. Honoring our time and energy as valuable currencies can completely shift the way we move through the world. Growth and healing are never linear; a difficult day doesn’t mean you’re off track. Every step — even the messy ones — still matters.

Ariel also shares personal reflections on how she learned to trust her own perception of self instead of chasing validation from others, and the freedom that comes with letting go of what’s not meant for you.

I hope this episode reminds you that you are exactly where you need to be — and that letting go can sometimes be the most powerful act of self-love.

Hello beautiful people! I came across this recording I had happened to film during one of my long walks a few weeks ago (hence the Final Four reference), and realized I had never posted and shared it with all of you!

This episode was incredibly liberating for me to film as I fully embraced how beautiful it is to be in solitude sometimes. My content and thoughts were incredibly chaotic and so "julia coded", but I hope you all take time to listen. Once YOU live out YOUR dreams, then you inspire others to pursue theirs. You have the power to choose where you spend your time, what you do, and who you are with...choose experiences that will enable you to grow into your most authentic self. You owe it to yourself to take the risks to to find what you are most passionate about. Find, know, and live out your values. Do extraordinary things and extraordinay things will come to you.

Hello beautiful people! I came across this recording I happened to film during one of my long walks a few weeks ago (hence the Final Four reference), and realized I had never posted or shared it with all of you! This episode was incredibly liberating for me to film, as I fully embraced how beautiful it can be to spend time in solitude. My content and thoughts were incredibly chaotic and so Julia-coded, but I hope you all take some time to listen.

Once you live out your dreams, you inspire others to pursue theirs. You have the power to choose where you spend your time, what you do, and who you're with... choose experiences that will help you grow into your most authentic self. You owe it to yourself to take the risks necessary to find what you're most passionate about. Find, know, and live out your values.

Do extraordinary things, and extraordinary things will come to you."

Finding people in life who make you feel seen, heard, and loved is so important. Small acts of kindness can change the world, which is why we all must work to master the art of intentionality.

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Janelle Sumbeling—someone who truly embodies what it means to be intentional on a daily basis. From her unprompted hype-up texts, to always greeting people with a smile, to being an incredibly active listener, she has so much wisdom to share about how she’s grown in this area and in other connected parts of life.

Before beginning our interview, I asked Janelle what she hoped listeners would take away from today’s episode. She shared that she wanted people to hear this message: “Be intentional in it all… whether it’s your friends, values, or your goals. You are not alone. It’s so easy to take on the world alone, but we were meant to do it all together!”

I hope you all give this episode a listen and enjoy her little "homework" assignment at the end.

Life can be overwhelming and often presents us with challenges and obstacles that we must navigate. However, it’s important to understand that everything happens for a reason.

This week, I had the pleasure of interviewing a dear friend, Arjun Doshi. He shared incredible insights on how he’s overcome many obstacles in his life, the people who’ve helped him grow, and offered inspiring anecdotes about how he’s authentically embraced himself throughout his journey. I’m excited to share some of the beautiful quotes he shared, and I hope you enjoy this interview and his message as much as I did.

For those of us at the University of Florida, this week is our spring break—and trust me, it couldn't have come at a better time. Life had become overwhelming with all the involvement commitments, academic deadlines, and social obligations that always seem to pop up...to say I was ready for a break was an understatement. Now, as I wrap up day 6 of 10, I already feel like a completely new person.

Originally, I didn’t plan on recording an episode, but after some much-needed healing, I found myself with a fresh perspective and a desire to share. So, here I am, talking about the power of taking a step back to find joy. This spring break, I had the opportunity to visit my sister in Boston, where I got the big sister advice I had been craving. From that experience, I want to share how stepping away from the hustle and stress can help you reconnect with loved ones, reflect on challenges, and embrace new insights.

I encourage you to take a moment to step back from your own busy life, prioritize your mental and emotional needs, and approach life’s obstacles with a renewed perspective. I mean "sometimes we cannot see the forest for the trees." Tune in for a conversation about personal growth, relationships, and the importance of giving yourself space to heal and grow.

For today’s episode, I’m beyond excited to share an interview with someone whose story has seriously inspired me—Jeremy Rich! He’s honestly one of the most down-to-earth, fun, and driven people I’ve ever met, and just such a joy to be around. I was totally thrilled when he agreed to come on the podcast, and I really hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did!

We hear the words "purpose" and "legacy" all the time, and let’s be real—life can get so crazy that we often forget to actually think about what they mean to us. But Jeremy has spent a lot of time reflecting on these ideas, and he has some seriously amazing insights to share. He gives some super helpful advice on how to find joy in your purpose and stay true to who you are, no matter what life throws your way.

One quote that really stuck with me was when he said, "You don’t realize how much being yourself can inspire others.” It’s such a good reminder of how much our authentic selves can impact those around us. So, if you’re looking for a little motivation or just trying to figure out your next move, this episode is totally for you. We chat about living authentically, overcoming challenges, and building a legacy that actually matters. Seriously, you’re going to want to hear this! Huge thanks to Jeremy for joining me this week—this one’s a must-listen!

One of the most common requests I get for my podcast is to include more episodes with acronyms or numbered lists—something that makes key takeaways clear and easy to apply. So, this week, I’m diving into The 3 C’s to Unlock Your Light (Leadership Potential): Courage, Curiosity, and Confidence.

But here’s the twist—these 3 C’s aren’t a rigid step-by-step formula. Instead, they’re customizable, allowing you to apply them in the way that best fits your journey. In this episode, I’ll explore how these qualities work together, in any order, to help you grow as a leader and empower others.

Plus, I’m throwing in plenty of calls to action to help you intentionally choose growth every day and build a life you’re proud of. I can’t wait to hear how you make these 3 C’s your own!

Hello, beautiful people! On this episode of The Joy Project with Julia, we're diving into the power of perspective, the beauty of secret moments, and how small, intentional joys can transform our lives.

Last week, I talked about the importance of finding joy in shifting our mindset. This week, I’m opening up about my own struggles, what I experienced, and how I worked through them (getting raw and reflecting with all of you!). Even "happy" people have tough moments, and I'm learning to accept that these feelings are okay—because it’s important for us to feel everything. How are we supposed to celebrate the highest of highs if we don’t know what the lowest of lows feel like? It’s all about how we choose to navigate these moments. Giving ourselves the same grace we give others is crucial to keep moving forward.

In this episode, I explore the magic of secret joys—whether it’s an act of kindness no one knows about, a hidden nature spot, or a personal mantra, routine, or ritual that lifts you up. Plus, I share a heartfelt message from a listener that truly reminded me why I do this podcast.

So join me as we celebrate the little things, embrace our emotions, and find joy in the everyday. And don’t forget—your challenge this week: do one anonymous act of kindness and expect nothing in return. Let’s spread some secret joy together!