Joy, Loss, and the In-Between

In this episode of Contagious Joy, co-hosts Kim and Jenny bridge the gap between an Oregon winter and a scorching Australian summer to explore why the most beautiful emotions can often feel the most frightening.Through personal stories—ranging from a hilarious "ice cream rescue" on a busy highway to the profound grief of losing siblings—Kim and Jenny discuss the "dress rehearsal of tragedy" and how we sometimes protect ourselves from pain by foreboding the very joy we seek.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Weather Extremes: A look at the life of a podcast recorded between a 45°C ( 117°F) heatwave in Australia and the -60°F memories of northern Minnesota.The Science of Joy: Insights from Brené Brown’s Atlas of the Heart on why joy is our most vulnerable emotion and how gratitude serves as its essential antidote.Laughter that Heals: How a game of "Five Crowns" and a brewery lunch with old friends remind us that deep connection is the true source of joy.Finding Purpose in Pain: Kim shares the moving story of how her career in school counseling began and ended on the anniversary of her sister’s passing.What’s Your Joy?: Listener submissions featuring word-of-the-year inspirations, Minnesota birdwatching, and the simple joy of coffee and biscuits.Join us as we learn to lean into the vulnerability of being happy and discover how to "dance again," even after the hardest years.www.thecontagiousjoypodcast.comJoin our Facebook Group at: What's Your Joy?