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/

What if gratitude could change the way you see everything: your work, your relationships, even yourself?

In this powerful and timely conversation, we’re joined by Gratitude Ambassador Kevin Monroe, who reminds us that gratitude isn't just a nice idea, it's a transformational force that can shift our entire perspective…if we let it.

Kevin guides us through four unique dimensions of gratitude:
1️⃣ The joy of receiving gratitude
2️⃣ The warmth of expressing it
3️⃣ The inspiration of witnessing it
4️⃣ And most surprisingly: the healing power of giving gratitude to ourselves

Yes, self-gratitude.

And if that idea makes you pause…you're not alone. We explore why this often-overlooked form of gratitude might be the one we need most, especially during challenging seasons.

Whether you’re a leader, a coach, or someone simply craving more joy and connection in your life, this episode offers fresh insight and grounded practices to help you unlock the power and potential of gratitude.

You’ll hear answers to questions like:
✅ What does true gratitude look and feel like?
✅ How can you create more gratitude at work and at home?
✅ What’s the impact of expressing gratitude to yourself?
✅ And how do we bring more of it into everyday life?

Resources mentioned in the episode:
▶️ Kevin Monroe Gratitude Consulting
▶️ I’m Grateful For You cards:
▶️ Book: “The Four Loves” by C.S. Lewis
▶️ Video: “A Good Day” by Brother David Steindl-Rast

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
#gratitude #Appreciation #YouMatter #Leadership

On a podcast that talks a lot about thriving, what do we talk about when people are struggling with surviving?

It feels like a break-glass in case of emergency moment where many high-performing, high-agency, purpose-driven, resilient people are feeling overwhelmed, they’re unable to access joy, and they’re tapping out.

Whether it’s the move towards authoritarian governments, the worsening climate crisis, the state of the economy, the move away from social justice and increasing divide between ultra-wealthy and shrinking middle class, there’s enough to fill the day with doomscrolling and naval-gazing.

We rely on these paragons of resilience in moments like these, but they are getting caught up in this collective amygdala hijack moment too.

You can’t change it or actively resist it by staring at a screen; you can’t lift others up by languishing in your threat response.

But here’s the thing: You can change it by connecting with yourself in meaning for ways.

Since my purpose is to help others unlock their possibilities, I felt the need to speak with someone who can provide powerful guidance and tools to unlock their collective amygdala hijack, and Dr. Adam Dorsay answered the call.

Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist and executive coach based in Silicon Valley who works with high-performers and professional athletes. Dr. Adam is the host of the award-winning podcast, SuperPsyched. He’s given two highly regarded TEDx Talks and he recently published the bestselling book, “Super Psyched: Unleash the Power of the 4 Types of Connection and Live the Life You Love.”

Dr. Adam’s superpower is connections, and the first type of connection he shines a light on is connection with oneself. In this conversation, Dr. Adam shares powerful tools for re-connecting with oneself to not only stop the amygdala hijack, but more importantly find balance, find vitality and meaning in life, and get back to thriving.

In this episode, Dr. Adam answers the following questions:
- How do I stop feeling anxious and overwhelmed?
- How do I find more vitality and meaning in like?
- How can I help someone who is anxious?
- How does my creativity help me with my anxiety?

Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Dr. Adam Dorsay: https://dradamdorsay.com/
- Book: “Super Psyched”
- Podcast: SuperPsyched
- Jess Brain: https://www.thebrainbar.com/

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
#thriving #creator #ConnectiontoYourself

How often do you think about brain health?

Cognitive performance and brain health are critical our ability to make meaningful impact in the world, but for the leaders, coaches, and colleagues who work hard to develop their talents to live into their potential and possible self, brain health might be something that’s overlooked.

Several of my previous guests have talked about how the brain works and have shared the mindfulness practices they perform so that they can show up and attend to their most important work. But we haven’t spent much time on what it takes to ensure our beautiful brains stay healthy and we haven’t talked about the risk of burnout

That made me curious to learn more about the relationship between our pursuit for potential and our physical, mental, and emotional health, so I sat down with Dr. Krystal Culler, to learn more about the what we can do to nurture a healthy brain and improve our cognitive performance.

Krystal is a great resource to talk about brain health with. Not only does she hold a doctorate in Behavioral Health, she is the founder of the Virtual Brain Health Center and the co-host of the “Let’s Talk Brain Health” podcast. Moreover, she’s had her own challenges with brain health and experienced burnout, so this isn’t just academic for her. It’s personal.

In this episode, Krystal answers the following questions:
- How can I improve my brain performance?
- What affects brain performance?
- When should I worry about brain health?
- What causes burnout?

My favorite quote from the episode: “I can’t do well if I’m not taking care of myself well enough to do the work.”

In response to something Krystal said, I refute the old adage of “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” as being not only untrue, it’s quite the opposite. And this is where Krystal changed my perspective on the topic of burnout.

I had thought burnout was from working hard in an area that wasn’t aligning one’s superpower and purpose. Krystal corrected that assumption, saying burnout can happen when you are living into your purpose but not balancing physical, mental, and emotional well-being practices into your schedule.

Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Virtual Brain Health Center: https://virtualbrainhealthcenter.com/

- Let’s Talk Brain Health podcast: https://podcast.virtualbrainhealthcenter.com/

- Substack Newsletter: https://drkrystallculler.substack.com/

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/

#BrainHealth #BrainPerformance #CognitivePerformance #Wellbeing

For Life Coach and Public Speaker, Clayton Kirkland, being a Happiness Hero means helping others explore their happiness, and it means understanding his own relationship with joy and happiness.

In the 2nd season of the What Do You Know To Be True? podcast we’re exploring the role of joy in finding one’s superpower and living into one’s possible self or potential, so I wanted to learn more from Clayton about what he knows to bring true happiness for himself and how he helps others find it too.

Clayton shares many of the lessons from his award-winning book, “Happiness Trek: 200 Lessons for Happiness,” and what stuck out for me the most was how much happiness is created by being in relations with and creating happiness for others.

I had this old notion that only we can create our own happiness, we alone are responsible for our own level of happiness, but Clayton challenges that idea.

He also shares his Happiness Scale, like the Pain Scale a doctor uses in pain management, but the opposite of Happiness is not the absence of happiness, it’s suffering.

And this is where it gets interesting. As a Buddhist, Clayton knows one of the Four Noble Truths of the Buddha is ‘life is suffering,’ and happiness is what alleviates suffering.

Full circle, if you want to help someone experience more happiness, relieving their suffering is a great place to start.

In this episode, Clayton answers the following questions:
- How to create more happiness for myself?
- What is the difference between joy and happiness?
- What are the keys to happiness?
- How to alleviate suffering?

My favorite quote from the episode: “I give myself permission to be human, everyday.”

Clayton shares this as part of his daily mantra, and what this does is opens Clayton to welcome more grace and acceptance into his day for himself. What is possible if we applied this for ourselves?

Resources mentioned in the episode:
- Clayton’s Website: https://www.happinesstrek.com/
- Clayton’s Book: Happiness Trek: 200 Lessons For Happiness

Chapters
0:00 Intro and Welcome
4:21 Difference between Joy & Happiness
10:32 Importance of Bringing Happiness to Others
14:15 The Happiness Scale
17:11 How Much Suffering Do We Create Ourselves?
21:25 Admiring Vulnerability and Adaptability
22:38 Relationship between Vulnerability and Happiness
24:50 Inspiration to be a Happiness Hero
26:09 Framework for being a Happiness Hero
27:21 Relationship between your Purpose and Superpower
29:01 Superpower Impact on Clayton
33:29 What’s true about Happiness?
35:14 Lightning Round

Videos in this episode are from Blue Bird, cottonbro studio, olia danilevich, Pavel Danilyuk, Edmond Dantes, Suzy Hazelwood, Ron Lach, Max Medyk, Pressmaster, Danik Prihodko, August de Richelieu, RDNE Stock Project, Antoni Shkraba, Yaroslav Shuraev, Ketut Subiyanto, Martina Tomšič, Pat Whelen, Matilda Wormwood

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 Duwamis

In this conversation, Public Speaking Coach Kristin Link shares her superpower of helping leaders learn how to tell impactful stories. Whether it’s giving a speech or speaking up in a meeting, Kristin says, speaking with impact is more important than speaking with perfection.

And it’s by telling stories that we have impact through connecting with our audience’s hearts and minds.

So, what holds us back? What stops us from getting on stage or speaking up in the meeting?
It’s a limiting belief we tell ourselves that we need to be perfect.

And it’s also the fear. The fear of not being perfect or saying something that will proves what our internal saboteurs have been saying all along: we don’t belong here.

Well, there’s a reason the majority of us get invited on stage or are in the conference room, and Kristin has been proving it for over two decades with the people she coaches, from with Silicon Valley technology leaders, to TEDx speakers, and everyday professionals.

Kristin shares two simple frameworks with us, one for how to build our speech, the second for how to focus on the audience.

They are simple because Kristin stresses that simpler is better. Simple is comfortable, confident, and impactful.

In this episode, Kristin answers the following questions:
- How to tell an impactful story?
- How to be a better public speaker?
- How does a Public Speaking Coach help?
- What are storytelling techniques to telling an impactful story?

My favorite quote from the episode: “Impact not perfection.”

This speaks to me because many of us start with the idea we have to be perfect, and that is not the case. The beginning of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 1963 speech at the Lincoln Memorial was not stirring the crowd, in fact, it was moving some to leave. It wasn’t until Mahalia Jackson, standing a few steps below the podium, shouted out “Tell them about the dream, Martin.” And you know the rest.

What I know to be true about the episode: Our biggest barrier is our ego, and Kristin’s stories just illuminate this even more. Limiting beliefs, fear of other people’s opinions, past experiences believed to be a predictor of future performance. Toxic mental sludge.

What I learned from the episode: Kristin shares that what gives her the most joy is not seeing a leader on stage crushing it, but instead, it’s that same leader months prior who was paralyzed with fear and ready to make a career-limited move and not get on that stage.
It’s her ability to move her clients from fear and into experimentation that is the biggest moment of joy.

Resources in the episode:
- Kristin’s company – Link Coaching: https://kristinlinkcoaching.com/

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, click here:

"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/

#publicspeaking #publicspeakingcoaching #coaching #impact #joy