Episode 51 - Finding Joy

In this episode, mother-daughter duo Denise and Jackie Freed embrace the changing seasons and the necessity of "making your own fun" amidst a heavy political and social climate. As the weather turns cold in both St. Louis and Los Angeles, the pair discusses how they are actively seeking joy, Jackie by driving eight hours round-trip to Chicago for the final Angel City FC game, and Denise by maneuvering her way onto a guest list to see Brené Brown.Jackie delivers three critical Public Service Announcements regarding the upcoming election, the end of Daylight Savings, and the impending Mercury Retrograde. The conversation then turns to the power of showing up, as they share stories of Halloween vulnerability, Denise facing "party anxiety" while hosting a "Wigging Out" office event, and Jackie leaning into the cringe of being the only student in costume at her department party.The episode tackles difficult topics with characteristic candor, including the conflict of supporting sports teams when ownership or players don't align with their values. Denise sounds off on the Dodgers owner's investment in private prisons, while Jackie navigates the pain of a transphobic op-ed written by an Angel City player. Ultimately, they circle back to the importance of community, fundraising for food banks, and celebrating diversity through Friendsgiving, before closing with their grounding 5-4-3-2-1 gratitude practice.Key Times:00:01:41 Jackie’s 8-hour drive for joy (The Angel City game) 00:04:45 Denise gets on the guest list for Brené Brown 00:08:00 Denise’s "Woo Woo" side: Mediums and signs 00:11:33 Jackie’s 3 PSAs: Election, Daylight Savings, Mercury Retrograde00:18:18 Homesickness, the World Series, and "Crazy, Stupid, Love" 00:21:12 Denise’s "Real Estate is Spooky" Halloween party 00:26:48 Jackie’s experience being the only one in costume at grad school 00:30:57 The importance of "Third Spaces" and staying at the retreat00:35:20 Denise on the Dodgers owner: "Why are you eating your own fanbase?" 00:39:54 Fundraising for the Westside Food Bank 00:43:14 Navigating the Angel City FC controversy and free speech 00:53:01 Friendsgiving and celebrating diversity Topics Covered:Active seeking of joy ("Making your own fun")Public Service Announcements: Voting, Daylight Savings, Mercury RetrogradeNavigating social anxiety and showing up for eventsThe value of "Third Spaces" for connectionSports ethics: The Dodgers ownership and Angel City FC controversiesThe intersection of politics, values, and fandomFundraising for the Westside Food BankCelebrating diversity in the workplace (Friendsgiving)Fall rituals: Sweater weather, cider, and "Happy Lamps"Closing 5-4-3-2-1 gratitude exerciseJoin our upcoming meetings: https://forms.gle/4VxnNUnev1RoRJMCA (Zoom meeting on Sunday at 10am PST, the meeting is password-protected so please fill out the form to receive the link and password!)Follow Us:Follow Jackie: @jackiefreed.laFollow Denise: @denise.freedFollow us on Instagram: @12stepsforeveryoneFollow us on TikTok: @12stepsforeveryone