Finding Joy in Helping Others Feel Heard: Interview with Monish Vijayaraghavan

What if joy wasn’t about finding the people who take your breath away… but the ones who remind you to breathe?In this grounding episode of The Joy Project, I sit down with Monish Vijayaraghavan, whose joy project is simple yet powerful: helping people feel heard. From meaningful conversations on campus to a life-shifting moment in the military, Monish shares how presence, empathy, and intentional listening can transform not just relationships—but lives.Together, we explore why listening is one of the most intimate things we can do, the difference between solving a problem and making someone feel seen, how small moments (like remembering details or sending a follow-up text) create lasting impact, and the role of grace, perspective, and community in shaping who we become.This episode is a reminder that you don’t need the perfect words to change someone’s day… you just need to show up and truly listen. Tune in, slow down, and rediscover the power of being present.