Joy is the Resistance: What Jess Greenwood Taught Me About Finding Light in the Dark

In this powerful conversation, Sara sits down with serial entrepreneur and author Jess Greenwood to explore the profound difference between happiness and joy. After navigating her mother's terminal cancer diagnosis, single parenting during COVID lockdowns, and her husband's devastating motorcycle accident that required ten surgeries, Jess discovered something life-changing: joy doesn't abandon us during our darkest moments - it hangs out with our trauma, waiting for us to make space for it.Unlike happiness, which Jess describes as floating "in your eyebrows," joy lives deep in your gut. It's involuntary, organic, and shows up sideways when you least expect it. Through raw storytelling, Jess shares how she went from believing joy was "b******t" to understanding it as a constant companion that requires no action from us except openness.This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending everything is fine. It's about recognizing that you can experience profound joy even while sitting in hospital waiting rooms, even while grieving, even while everything feels uncertain. As Jess puts it, "Joy is the resistance" - choosing to make space for these moments is an act of rebellion against fear and anxiety.Perfect for anyone who's ever felt guilty for laughing during hard times or wondered if they're "allowed" to experience joy while others are suffering. Sara and Jess explore the relationship between joy and hope, the importance of embodiment, and why learning to recognize joy in your body might be the most important skill you never knew you needed. This conversation with life coaching for women will leave you with a completely new understanding of what it means to truly live, not just survive.00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Sara Stansberry01:45 - Meet Jess Greenwood: From genetics to writing to joy exploration03:20 - The trauma that started everything: Mom's cancer diagnosis and COVID05:15 - Single parenting through grief and career changes06:30 - The motorcycle accident that changed everything08:45 - Finding humor in the ER: "This is how we cope"10:20 - Four years of survival mode and losing touch with happiness12:10 - What does joy actually mean? Joy vs happiness defined15:30 - Is joy something we have or something we cultivate?17:45 - The whiteboard story: Finding agency in powerlessness20:15 - Joy as a constant companion, even in the canyon22:40 - The difference between joy and love25:20 - From thinking joy was "b******t" to building trust28:10 - How joy has softened and opened space30:45 - Joy as the resistance against fear and anxiety33:20 - The self-worth component: "Joy wasn't in the cards for me"36:15 - Gratitude as the gateway to joy38:45 - Joy at the beach: All versions of yourself in one place41:30 - Real life joy: When your book arrives but gymnastics waits43:20 - The relationship between joy and hope45:50 - Writing as a tool for healing and pivoting48:10 - Creating space for joy in 8 million different ways49:30 - Sharing stories instead of prescriptive advice50:45 - Where to find Jess Greenwood and closing thoughtsDisclaimer: Always seek the counsel of a qualified medical and/or mental health practitioner or other healthcare provider for an individual consultation before making any significant changes to your health or lifestyle, or to answer questions about specific medical conditions. This podcast is for entertainment and information purposes only. Get full access to How To Blow Up Your Life at sarastansberry.substack.com/subscribe