Episode 28: "Joy is Everything": Making Our Joy List

Send us Fan MailThis season we’re asking: What would it look like if joy was our strategy, not our reward? In this episode, Emma and I explore that question through Tracey Michae'l Lewis-Giggetts’ Black Joy Playbook, beginning with her invitation to make a joy list.A joy list is simple: write down ten things that once made you laugh, smile, or feel free during your youth, and then choose two to bring back into your life now. Emma and I share our lists, reflect on what those activities meant to us, and talk about how different it feels to reclaim joy as an adult versus experiencing it naturally as a child.I hope this episode encourages you to make your own joy list and notice what shifts when you let delight back into your everyday life.Chapters02:39 – Introducing the Joy List activity (Black Joy Playbook)04:43 – Emma’s Joy List08:51 – Generational differences in joy12:13 – My own Joy List26:43 – Reflecting on joyful activities30:17 – The importance of laughter37:10 – Creating your own joy list43:15 – Final thoughts on joyResources & MentionsTracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts, The Black Joy PlaybookTracey Michae’l Lewis-Giggetts, Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and RestorationJames Baldwin, The Fire Next TimeEddie Glaude, Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our OwnRooted WorkbookVoices of Fire, JOY (Unspeakable)Connect with Me:Instagram: @natural_inclinationYoutube: @naturalinclinationTikTok: Amber SessomsLinkedIn: Dr. Amber M. Sessoms, NCSPBluesky: @ambersessoms.bsky.socialFacebook: Natural InclinationWebsite: www.aninclination.comLike, Comment, Share, EngageIf this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who would love these conversations. Engage with the Curiosity Cards and ask the youth in your life about their experiences because you might be surprised by what you learn. Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments or on social media using #LivingIn3DPower. And, don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s conversation!