The Path to Joy

For full disclosure, I do begin today’s episode with some bowling talk. I mean, we can’t go too long without talking about bowling! But the primary focus is what happens when we unravel. We all do it — reach a point where we just can’t handle it all anymore. It might be brief, but it happens. There’s really no avoiding it because, sorry to tell you, you’re human. Me too.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Yes! Ben went to the prom. Let’s talk about the prom -- I know for some people it can be this big, magical event: a defining moment, a before-and-after experience. For me, it wasn’t. I don’t think it was for Ben either. Because for me, at least, it’s always the small moments I remember far more than the highlight reel.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today's episode started with me thinking about spring and my dogwood tree, and somehow ended up spiraling into an episode about time flying, my boys growing up, and how the goal of motherhood is this beautiful, brutal kind of loss. Basically, I’m trying to soak in every messy, chaotic, ordinary moment -- even the 7:00am lunch-packing madness I swear I’ll miss someday.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

So, you may think more or less of me after today’s episode -- which features teenage boys, a drone, and some very questionable judgment. Spoiler alert: everyone is fine and no one is going to jail, but the whole experience got me thinking about how our minds evolve over time. Maybe the second half of life isn’t about learning more, but about unlearning what’s no longer true.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Yes -- today is all about money. I could probably do dozens of episodes about this topic, but in this one I’m sharing a bit of the history of money -- from cowrie shells to crypto. And along the way, we might start to see that money isn’t quite as ‘solid’ as we think it is.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today's episode is inspired by words by Bonnitta Roy (and shared by my friend, Cara Bradley): Go Slow, Stay Wide, Don't Chase. I think we all need permission to slow down and stop pushing. Me especially!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

I love the idea of being spontaneous and go-with-the-flow but, the truth is, I'm not. I love planning. I love structure. I love being prepared. So, after many years, I've decided to stop apologizing for it -- this is just who I am and how I thrive. And maybe you can stop apologizing for being 'who are you' too.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Well, it's been a big few days in the Bloom/Kish household. Ben made his college decision -- in a very 'Ben' fashion. All about the 'feeling.' I would love to make decisions like him -- less analytical, more emotionally driven. Maybe I should I get shirt that says "Be More Like Ben" but that's probably weird. At least I get to write a podcast episode about it!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

The weekend continued! Following the Ben college visit (Tuesday's episode), I then held my first workshop. You know I needed a nap after all this excitement! Today, let's chat about the workshop -- or really more like the lead up to the workshop -- which involved quite a bit of Chat GPT help AND some visualizations with Ben!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

It’s rare that we get a weekend alone with Ben (our oldest!). But this weekend kicked off our final quest to help him decide where to attend college this fall. And it was great — top highlights included a trip to the dining hall, trying to decipher a college map, and a visit to the largest roller rink in the world. I’d say this is a 'can’t miss' episode!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today we’re talking about the 2026 L.A. Marathon—well, and marathons in general—and the mental gymnastics it takes to finish, especially when you’ve got a specific goal in mind.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today's episode is a bit about Alexander (one of my twins) and a bit about the afterlife. We recently had a conversation about 'the other side' -- he was curious as to what I believe. So I told him. Quite a packed eight minutes!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

I like to picture myself as brave and fearless at this point in my life but I still get tripped up by small, scary things. Today, let's talk about doing things even when we are nervous. And, no, I'm not talking about bungee jumping -- I'm talking about really little things -- like 'small talk!' Yes, your girl who can ramble on about anything for over three hundred episodes gets freaked out by small talk.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

It can be really tough to measure our impact. Our words and actions can have such lasting impact -- a ripple effect -- and yet, sometimes, we really have no idea. Kindness, compassion, even firm boundaries can have far reaching, long-lasting significance.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Guess what?? Today I got an ovation. Not a standing ovation -- let's not get too crazy. But an ovation nonetheless. Let's talk about appreciation -- it is nice to be appreciated. I don't really need validation but appreciation does feel good.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE! 🌱Check out my website   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today's episode is a must listen -- because we all need more miracles around us! Especially when life feels heavy, it's easy to forget that we don't live in a 'nuts-and-bolts' world. Just remember: there are wonder and miracles everywhere.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today I share some really wonderful questions that were submitted during my February JOY SCHOOL call. I love this group -- I love the questions, the discussion, all of it!    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Workshop (March 22nd!) 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

I am very 'mixed' about the Nike slogan 'Just Do It.' One the one hand, I think it's terrible advice but then, on the other hand, there's a part of me that thinks it's probably the best advice for someone like me who can come up with lots of reasons not to do something. So, today, let's talk about the advice 'Just Do It!'   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!    🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

No, don't get too excited, I haven't been taking swim lessons. Today, I share another wonderful Hannah Rosenberg poem entitled 'Swim Lessons' and I do reminisce just a bit about actual swim lessons.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Workshop (March 22nd!) 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today's episode is about my husband (and some advice he recently gave -- good advice!) and trees! He's not often one for emotional conversations but he really pulled through this time.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Workshop (March 22nd!) 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today I share another incredible poem by poet Hannah Rosenberg from her book of poetry, 'Same.' I love this poem: Magic Disguised as Ordinary Life. More and more, I am compelled to take a breath and fully take in each moment -- even the boring ones, the ones that will never make into the memoir, the daily, the routine. Because that's magic.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today's episode is about my friend, Eddy. Sometimes friendship can surprise you. I've never met Eddy in person, we communicate solely through audio messages, and yet I consider him my friend. So, today, is all about sharing some of the wisdom he's shared with me over the years.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today's episode is a bit heavier because the truth is: sometimes life is grossly unfair. As much as I see so much beauty in this world, there is so much grief and suffering too. So how do we sit with both?   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Yes, today's episode is about a quiet moment -- but not just any quiet moment. A very specific one -- the moment I pressed 'publish' on my book (now three years ago!). Some reflection on what it's like to sit in a moment, alone, and feel quietly content.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

A snow day is a great way to determine how much of a homebody someone is! Today, I chat about homebodies (yes, that's me!), introverts/extroverts, and more! I do love how we are all wired so differently.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today's episode is all about the twins! The big snow we all experienced in much of the country coincided with the twin's birthday. As it did 15 years ago. Today, I reflect on that equally snowy day 15 years ago when two little miracles were born!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

In today's episode I share another of Cara Bradley's famous 'Sparks!' This one is so good. Let's chat about how much we love to 'overexplain' our decisions and choices. Maybe today will inspire you to 'defend' a little less!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today's episode is about a local food packing/distribution organization -- JRA. Well, it's really about how much fun I had at a recent food packing event. This episode is replete with little girls dishing about their younger sisters and elderly Russian women kissing the twins!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today's episode is about the word 'communion.' No, not 'holy communion' but the concept of unity, of being connected deeply to one another. This episode features wisdom from our incredible rabbi -- so get excited!!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

I do find it fascinating who we marry: are they like our parents or the total opposite? How do we choose? For full disclosure, I ponder some of these questions in today's episode but mostly I reflect on the fact that I, for sure, married my grandfather -- and I chose wisely!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today I share a few excerpts from an opinion piece written by New York Times columnist, David Brooks, called 'The Great Detachment.' In his piece, he sets up a conundrum that I have found to be very true: “It is one of the weird paradoxes of life that the constraints you choose are the ones that set you free.”    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

No, I'm not moving! Today's episode IS about a potential move, just not mine. It's funny how we often move through life as though nothing will change and then, all of a sudden, big changes roll into our path.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

It's the first day of 2026 and I am a bit reflective (just a little) -- thinking about releasing goals, control, and resistance. I'm choosing to 'allow.' Allow all aspects of my life to unfold with more ease, openness, and trust. It's still Day One so we'll see how it goes!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

I recently read a NY Times article in which the author compiled the best reader submitted advice of 2025. Today I share some of those nuggets of wisdom --- there are a few really good ones!! And that's saying a lot because you know I hate advice (yes, the irony is real).    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

I know the holidays are over and done but let's revisit them for one episode. It was a Christmas in Vermont -- cold, icy, but full of love.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

I know -- the title of today's episode might be a slight turn off for my male listeners (all SIX of them!) -- but I promise it's not just about menopause. You'll just have to listen to find out!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Yes, I know it's a bit cliche to refer to these chaotic days with kids at home as long days and short years but it's the truth. I'm trying to get my head wrapped around how I feel like each day is a marathon and yet time is just flying by.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

As today's title implies, this is episode number 293! And that seems just crazy to me. How did that happen? Today, let's chat about how small changes, starting one new thing, can change just about everything!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

It's 2026 -- that's crazy! Happy New Year my friends. Today, let's chat about intention setting. If you are looking for some suggestions of how to approach this new year with an open heart and clear intentions, take a listen!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today I share my own poem (a first for me!) to help ring in the new year: Let This Be the Year!    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

And just like that the holiday is here --- it's Christmas! Today's episode isn't exactly about Christmas but more ways that we mark time -- how we create monuments to remember. And celebrating Christmas is exactly that -- a monument.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Yes, December is almost gone for you listeners. But, for me, it's December 1st. Which means this Jewish family dives head first into advent! Let the countdown to Christmas begin!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today I share some stories of 'synchronicities' or signs. We don't have to figure out the 'why' -- sometimes that's really well above our pay grade. But it's fun to pay more attention to these 'universe' whispers because they tell us that reality is not really as black-and-white as it seems.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today I share another one of Cara Bradley's Sparks 'Oh the Haters.' The question is -- are we afraid of the real haters (of whom I believe there are very few) or the idea that their may be some haters out there -- folks who might hit a nerve and say the thing we are most afraid of? This episode may not solve the 'fear' problem but we can at least address the elephant in the room!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today I share a really great JOY SCHOOL question (and some responses) that was submitted prior to Thanksgiving but is very relevant for this period of holiday gatherings. Because sometimes we all future trip and catastrophize about getting together with folks we haven't seen in a while.    Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Today I share two poems from poet Hannah Rosenberg from her recently published book of poems Same. I love these two poems -- I can't tell you how often I've read them. They are perfect for this month of gatherings and holiday meals!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

It's tough making new friends as you get older -- sometimes I think there should be a dating app but just to make new friends. I've made some new friends lately and I'm thrilled. Let's talk about friendship and the process of really getting to know new people.   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

In my hunt for some paint brushes for the craft projects (from last week's episode), I stumbled into a veritable treasure trove! I can't wait to share the 'treasure' with you! Really, it's good stuff!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

Some recent school projects have provided the needed stimulus for me to remember my crafty days of yore. It's so interesting when you haven't really done something for like 30 years and then, all of sudden, you are back to it. Somehow, our fingers remember what to do!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!

My dad would have enjoyed today's episode -- I share some thoughts about what he liked to call 'process' and how to make some of your holiday busyness feel a bit more doable (less overwhelm = more fun)!   Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.   All of the guides, emails, and information that may help you on your joy journey, can be found on my website: melissabloom.life.   Here are links that I mention in the show!!  🌱 Melissa's One-Day Winter Reset 🌱 Create the Life You Love Living Retreat (for women only) 🌱 Melissa Bloom's JOY SCHOOL! 🌱 Free workbook Your Daily Guide to Finding More Joy 🌱 Stay Connected Newsletter 🌱 14-Day JOY Journal 🌱Schedule a 20 minute call with me for FREE!   If you'd like to check out my book, The Path to Joy, on Amazon, click here!   If you'd like to connect, share your thoughts on the show, suggest a topic to discuss, etc.  please feel free to email me at: [email protected]. I LOVE connecting!   Enjoy the journey!