What do we know about joy? What sparks joy? What sustains joy? And how do you access it when you need it most?

We’re halfway through season 2, the season of joy, and I thought now, especially now, it would be a good time to refresh and reflect on some of the learnings from the first half of this season.

The first place I wanted to start the reflection on is what we can do to stop the collective amygdala hijack that is going on and create more space for joy.

I have heard from many people that Joy feels elusive right now, and this was a hot topic in a several episodes this season so far, so I want to start this look back by addressing what we can do to open up more possibilities for joy in our lives – right now.

We start the reflection with some ideas that Dr. Adam Dorsay shared about the 3 things anyone can do to create more space for joy. I love how simple and accessible these steps are that Dr Adam shared with us.

And it should be no surprise that a couple of other guests have had perspectives on laughter, appreciation, and creating. We hear from Brain Health expert Dr. Krystal Culler, Seattle sportscaster Jen Mueller, and executive coach Nana Gyesie share their own perspectives for getting on the path to joy.

Second, as I’ve been consuming a lot of information about joy, I’ve noticed that Joy and Happiness to be used interchangeably and in contrast between psychologists, neuroscientists, and other experts. However, our guests have been consistent in their understanding of the difference between joy and happiness in the relationships with their superpowers.

Purpose expert, Anna Hall, and executive coach, Nana Gyesie share their perspectives on the difference between joy and happiness. And since words matter, this feels especially important to get clear on our definition of joy.

The third area of reflection is on how to access joy and build a joy practice so that we are able to be more joyful and resilient towards adversity. And when we’re more resilient and joyful, we’re able to help others do the same.

For this section, we’re highlighting
💙 Anna Hall’s “4 ways to access joy” framework
💙 Communication Strategist and Curious Minds author Beth Collier on finding joy in and through our connections.
💙 Dr. Adam Dorsay shares his framework for finding vitality and joy in life
💙 Alex Cook shares how he find joy rooted in the purpose and meaning of his work.

In this episode, we answer the following questions:
➡️How can we find joy now?
➡️What is the difference between joy and happiness?
➡️How do I create more vitality in my life?
➡️Does joy help us be more resilient?

Sections / Reflections
1) Three Actions to Create Joy Now - with Dr. Adam Dorsay (Psychologist, “SuperPsyched” author and podcast host). Additional comments from Dr. Krystal Culler (Brain Health Expert), Jen Mueller (Seattle Sportscaster), and Nana Gyesie (Executive Coach)

2) Difference between Joy vs. Happiness with Anna Hall (Purpose & Joy Expert) and Nana Gyesie

3) Accessing Joy with Anna Hall, Beth Collier (Curious Minds Substack author), Alex Cook (“You Are Loved” Muralist), and Dr. Adam Dorsay,
Music in this episode by Ian Kastner.

"What Do You Know To Be True?" is a series of conversations where Roger Kastner speaks with interesting people about their special talent or superhero power and the meaningful impact it has on others. The intention is to learn more about their experience with their superhero power, so that we can learn something about the special talent in each of us which allows us to connect more deeply with our purpose and achieve our potential.

For over 25 years, Roger has been working with leaders and teams to co-create pathways to becoming better versions of themselves. This podcast series and his writing on Substack, Roger gets to live into his values of clarity, co-crea

Artist and “You Are Loved” muralist Alex Cook joins the conversation to share his superpower of emotional honesty and how the question, “is it true?” helps guide his art, his voice, and his decisions.

A couple of episodes ago, Dr. Adam Dorsay recommended that to deal with an overwhelming sense of stress and anxiety, we should create more than we should consume.

That got me thinking about what motivates a creator and artist to put their heart into their work, and then put their work out there.

I wanted to learn more so I sat down with muralist, musician, and author, Alex Cook, to learn about what motivates his art.

Alex shares “the best art comes from a place of telling the truth,” and then he goes on to demonstrate that level of emotional honesty, vulnerability, and sincerity throughout the conversation.

From considering what others think of his art projects to finding the limitations of being honest, Alex shows up as someone who has thought long and hard about emotional honesty and lives by the principles he has created for himself.

In this episode, Alex answers the following questions:
- What motivates an artist?
- How to be honest?
- What is emotional honesty?
- How to live with integrity?

In the conversation, when asked about the relationship between his superpower and joy, Alex shares, “the most joyful thing is to do the work you’re here to do.” From my little “me-search” project here I call a podcast, I know 43 guests so far who would whole-heartedly agree with him.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

▶️ Alex Cook’s Website: https://www.stonebalancer.com/

▶️Alex’s “You Are Loved” Murals: Using https://www.youarelovedmurals.com/

▶️Alex’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonebalancerart

Music in this episode by Ian Kastner.

"What Do You Know To Be True?" is a series of conversations where I speak with interesting people about their special talent or superhero power and the meaningful impact it has on others. The intention is to learn more about their experience with their superhero power, so that we can learn something about the special talent in each of us which allows us to connect more deeply with our purpose and achieve our potential.

For more info about the podcast or to check out more episodes, go to: https://whatdoyouknowtobetrue.com/

"What Do You Know To Be True?" is hosted by Roger Kastner, is a production of Three Blue Pens, and is recorded on the ancestral lands of the Duwamish and Suquamish people. To discover the ancestral lands of the indigenous people whose land you may be on, go to: https://native-land.ca/

Keywords
#honesty #emotionalhonesty #art #motivation #YouAreLoved

Have you ever wondered what makes deeply curious people so curious? Are they trying to discover some untold truth, are they looking for that dopamine rush of surprise, or are they compelled to answer the question, “Why is that?”

If you are curious about curiosity, you are going to love this conversation.

I wanted to better understand what makes a deeply curious mind tick, so I reached out to the author of the Curious Mind Substack newsletter, Beth Collier to learn more.

Beth is a communications expert and runs her own consulting firm, and it’s her writing that really caught my attention.

Every Friday she drops a new Substack post that is a masterclass in that topic. Beth makes the interesting fascinating, usually with more turns than Lombard Street in San Francisco, and always unearthing some new angle or fact that most people are learning for the first time.

In this conversation, she shares what she’s discovered and learned:

✨ Many of those quotes you see from famous people on LinkedIn, Twitter, and on PowerPoint slides: they didn’t say them

✨ Imposter Syndrome is a “garbage construct”

✨ Being curious requires you to have a mindset of being open to what you don’t know, which can be hard because our brain craves certainty

Each article is a journey into the unfolding story, that sometimes results in joy, and sometimes ends in disappointment. But the path she takes is always in pursuit of the truth.

The three things I learned from our conversation:
1. Those famous people you are quoting MAY have never said what you think they said.
2. Imposter Syndrome has its roots in a misogynist past that tried to explain why something should be based on what it has always been.
3. Curiosity is about trying to uncover the truth, and sometimes ends in joy and sometimes ends in disappointment.

In this episode, Beth answers the following questions:
- What does it mean to be curious?
- What is the real meaning of curiosity??
- What are the benefits of curiosity?
- How can I foster curiosity in myself?

Resources mentioned in the episode:
➡️Beth’s company: https://www.beth-collier.com/
➡️Beth’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethccollier/
➡️Beth’s Substack “Curious Minds”: https://bethcollier.substack.com/
➡️WDYKTBT Episode with Roger interviews his "rather be mudwrestling" mom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yootEWoVjyo&list=PLbWfh34FP_dUcAaCrI31z00_fLdphi6b7&index=19

Music in this episode by Ian Kastner.

"What Do You Know To Be True?" is a series of conversations where I speak with interesting people about their special talent or superhero power and the meaningful impact it has on others. The intention is to learn more about their experience with their superhero power, so that we can learn something about the special talent in each of us which allows us to connect more deeply with our purpose and achieve our potential.

For more info about the podcast or to check out more episodes, go to: https://whatdoyouknowtobetrue.com/

"What Do You Know To Be True?" is hosted by Roger Kastner, is a production of Three Blue Pens, and is recorded on the ancestral lands of the Duwamish and Suquamish people. To discover the ancestral lands of the indigenous people whose land you may be on, go to: https://native-land.ca/