The Path to Joy

I know -- you've been waiting with bated breath. Did Ben actually come to the beach?? I know the last five days of waiting have been torture -- but the wait is over! I reveal the answer in probably the first minute of this episode because I hate suspense. I can't handle it. So, don't worry, you won't have to wait very long! 

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their li...

I always thought those moms who said their kids start pulling away before college were talking about their kids -- not mine. Well...they were right. Today I'm sharing the story of our annual beach trip, which, spoiler alert, ends on a true cliffhanger!

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!! 

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My mom is moving! If you know my mom, or you attended one of my retreats in 2025, you know this is a really big deal. I'm so excited for her. Honestly, it feels like she's one of my kids who studied for months, aced the exam, and just got the best news ever. She is absolutely over-the-moon, and I couldn't be happier.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka fi...

Today's episode is all about a New York Times monthly challenge that invites readers to spend ten minutes looking at a painting. The idea was inspired by an assignment from a Harvard art history professor (although her challenge was three hours!). There's also a little test in today's episode to see if Andy actually listens to this podcast!

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception ...

My grandparents lived in a retirement community called Century Village. My childhood joke was that you had to be 100 years old to live there. It's not quite as funny now that I'm getting closer to the age where I could probably move in myself. 

They lived in a small two-bedroom condo overlooking a man-made lake. For them -- especially for my grandfather -- it was absolute paradise.

Today I'm sharing a few stories about them ...

Don’t be turned off by the title of today’s episode! Yes, there’s a little physics talk -- in honor of my dad -- but today is really about miracles. Miracles that exist within the natural world. We don’t have to force conclusions or make tenuous connections -- we just have to be patient and let science keep catching up with the wonder all around us.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change...

Don't worry -- I promise I'm not about to rank our favorite family games. This episode is about one very special game -- one that turned out to be the greatest gift Andy or I have ever received. I'm talking all-time, best-ever gift. And it all started with a trip to Staples!

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...

No, I didn't get some time away. But someone in our family did. Today's episode is about Ben's first trip away with his friends -- and how I went from 'there is absolutely no way this trip is happening' to watching my child do laundry...voluntarily. Miracles do happen.

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 th...

Even your joyful, fearless (if you've listened to ALL the episodes about my absurd fears of ice and falling, you're probably shaking your head at that one!) podcast host can feel overwhelmed sometimes.

Today's episode is a little about that overwhelm—and how I planned my way out of it.

For all my list people out there, this one's for you.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perce...

Sometimes you never know what something is going to be like until you are in it. Right? We had a new dynamic this week -- just me and the twins for a night -- and it surprised me. I love being surprised and I love the reminder that I shouldn't always try an anticipate an outcome. 

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY.

Here are links tha...

And here we are at graduation. I keep trying to wrap my head around the fact that my oldest child will no longer be living in my home full time in just a couple months. It's not really sinking in. Today, let's talk about processing (or not processing) big things!

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...

I kind of laughed writing 'summer bodies' as the title of today's episode because, if you've listened to even one of my podcast episodes, you could predict that this episode is most certainly NOT about how to achieve the perfect summer body. Rather, let's talk about how to move past tolerance and acceptance and actually love the bodies we are in. 

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their...

I started my newsletter five years ago. Friends, that is crazy! Today is the story of how one starts a business literally out of thin air. And, a huge thank you to my amazing mother-in-law, Karen, for editing every single newsletter I've written in the last five years!

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 th...

After over 300 episodes, you can probably guess how this is going to -- Melissa is going to use the word 'treasure' but there will be no mention of actual treasure, gold, emeralds, Cortes, etc. Well.... you would be right. The treasure mentioned today has zero monetary value -- like I'm not sure you could even give it away. But, it was treasure to me!

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their ...

Well, if you've been listening to this podcast for any length of time, you know when I ask a question like: Can you become a beach person? -- the answer is most likely, 'yes!' So, I don't think it's much of a spoiler to tell you this episode is about my becoming a beach person -- aka changing how I feel about the beach.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka...

Today's episode is about a memory, really more of a thought, that just sticks in my brain. I couldn't even tell you what I had for dinner last night and, yet, this image from three years ago just sticks around. It's a little heartbreaking but it's a good reminder for 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 mentio...

Yes, I know it's early June for you listeners and here I am talking about Mother's Day. But I would say this episode could apply to any special day -- birthdays, anniversaries, Flag Day! A day for YOU can really get us thinking about what actually makes the perfect day?

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 t...

Believe it or not, your fearless leader/podcast host (me) had never actually attended a retreat for herself until now. Well… that’s partially untrue. But still, I did it! I finally went on a retreat, and I’m still thinking about everything that came up. So today, let’s chat about it.

Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more J...

Yes, I know we all do it -- we like to try and predict the future. I am definitely guilty of it. Today I share a recent story where I could not have predicted the outcome. A good lesson for me to stop trying. Be surprised. It's way more fun!

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 th...