Three Gentle Ways to Jump Start Your Joy (plus a quote from Michelle Obama)
Jump Start Your Joy®
In this episode of Jump Start Your Joy, I'm diving into something we all need right now: gentle, accessible ways to reconnect with joy during difficult times. I open with a powerful quote from Michelle Obama about planning for joy, especially for those of us who are caretakers, empaths, or sensitive types who can easily get burnt out. I explore three distinct types of joy that can serve as doorways back to ourselves: comfort joy (the soothing, familiar things that help us exhale), connecting joy (the vital relationships that remind us we're not alone), and meaningful joy (the deeper...
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Finding My Word of the Year 2026: How Music Brought Me Back to Joy
Jump Start Your Joy®
Welcome back to Jump Start Your Joy! In this episode, I'm sharing something deeply personal my unexpected word of the year for 2026: HARMONY. This word literally came to me in the middle of the night, and as I share my story, you'll understand why it makes perfect sense. I'm diving into how music, which was such a huge part of my childhood, has been missing from my life and how I'm intentionally bringing it back. From rediscovering my old Armstrong flute after 40 years to planning a duet with my trombone-playing son, this episode is all about reconnecting with what brings us joy. This...
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One Person Can Change Everything: WWII Stories from Notre Dame, Chartres & the Arc de Triomphe
Jump Start Your Joy®
In this episode, I share the deeply inspiring experiences from my recent trip to Paris with my 14-year-old son. What started as an eighth-grade graduation gift became a profound journey through living history, exploring three iconic sites that offered unexpected lessons about resilience, courage, and the power of individual choice. From the newly restored Notre Dame Cathedral rising magnificently from the ashes of its 2019 fire, to standing at the Arc de Triomphe where my son experienced a powerful moment of historical realization, to walking the medieval labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral (the...
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I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For: Faith, Longing, and Finding Joy in the Messy Middle
Jump Start Your Joy®
In this episode, I'm getting personal and sharing a discovery that felt like a gift at exactly the right time. While clearing out my closet in search of structure and calm, I found my old portable CD player from 1997, still loaded with U2's "The Best Of 1980-1990." When track four started playing, I was instantly transported back to grad school and reminded of my personal theme song: "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." This episode is about longing, faith, and finding joy in the messy middle of life. I dive deep into why this song became a favorite. I explorie its spiritual roots and...
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Planning Your Year with Ease and Calm (2026)
Jump Start Your Joy®
As we step into 2026, I'm excited to share my approach to planning your year with calm and ease. In this episode, I walk you through the exact planning methods I've used for over a decade to stay focused on what truly matters while maintaining peace and presence. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by the fast pace of life or simply want to create a roadmap for your goals, this episode will help you slow down mindfully so you can move forward with intention and joy throughout the year. I'm sharing two powerful planning tools that have transformed how I approach my goals: the "Ten in Three"...
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Ten Years of the Podcast: Let's Talk About The Jump Start of Encouragement, Community and Finding Our Grounding
Jump Start Your Joy®
Welcome back to Jump Start Your Joy! I’m so excited to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show with you. In this special episode, I reflect on a decade of podcasting, the transitions that have shaped my life, and the importance of being present for the moments that matter most. From recording in my car to embracing new adventures with my family and community, this milestone is a chance to look back, take stock, and set intentions for the years ahead. This episode dives into themes of mindfulness, intentionality, and the power of community. I share how the world’s challenges: from...
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Rebirth and Resilience: Andrea Owen on Navigating Life's Most Difficult Times
Jump Start Your Joy®
I’m excited to welcome back Andrea Owen! A lot has happened since her last visit in 2021, and she’s here to share her powerful journey over the past few years. We dive into Andrea’s experience during the pandemic and how ‘pandemic time’ reshaped her perspective on life and relationships. She opens up about navigating divorce, facing health challenges, and receiving an autoimmune diagnosis, all while maintaining her commitment to personal growth and self-discovery. Andrea also highlights the importance of advocating for yourself in medical situations and what she’s learned along the...
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DreamQuest with Judith Tripp - A Journey of Joy and Reflection in Liminal Space
Jump Start Your Joy®
This episode is a heartfelt and inspiring conversation with Judith Tripp, a multifaceted leader who brings together spirituality, psychology, and art in her work. Judith is the force behind DreamQuest retreats at Grace Cathedral, a labyrinth facilitator, a transpersonal psychotherapist, and a musician. In this episode, we explore: Judith’s impressive array of roles and talents, from leading DreamQuest to her work as a transpersonal psychotherapist and musician. The significance of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco as a central hub for DreamQuest retreats and labyrinth walks. The...
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Finding Glimmers: Embracing Moments of Joy and Hope Amid Life's Chaos with host Paula Jenkins
Jump Start Your Joy®
In this week's episode of Jump Start Your Joy, I'm talking about the concept of 'glimmers,' which are the small instances of joy, hope, or inspiration that counterbalance life's triggers. The episode aims to provide listeners with ways to identify and cherish these glimmers, especially during times of chaos and uncertainty. It's my intention that Jump Start Your Joy continues to be a comforting space through this podcast, offering weekly moments of respite and inspiration for all listeners. I'd love to hear from you about how you've seen glimmers in your world, and you can email me a or tag...
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Journey into Sacred Spaces: Building Labyrinths with Master Builder Lars Howlett
Jump Start Your Joy®
In this episode of Jump Start Your Joy, I’m thrilled to welcome Lars Howlett, a Master Labyrinth Builder and Advanced Labyrinth Facilitator, to explore the captivating world of labyrinths! Lars brings extensive knowledge about labyrinth building, labyrinth symbolism, and the power these sacred spaces have to transform lives. We dive into Lars’ unique journey from photography teacher to apprentice with a renowned labyrinth master builder, giving listeners an inside look at what it means to create these intricate paths. Lars also shares fascinating insights about the historic labyrinth in...
info_outlineFred LeBlanc is back for the third time on Jump Start Your Joy, and he’s joining me this time to talk about his new single, “Mardi Gras State of Mind” and his reflections on how things changed for him (and all of us) during the pandemic. In refreshing Fred style, we also dive into talking about the influences that shape people (including Elvis and Anne Rice), and how dreaming big can change the world.
Read the full show notes on my website.
In this episode, Fred LeBlanc and I talk about:
- His time during the pandemic: getting married, shelter in place, doing online concerts, and revisiting music
- Playing Lundy Gras and the Jazz Festival
- Tupolo Mississippi, the birth place of Elvis, and how our environments have a profound impact on our lives.
- Anne Rice, and how she was a friend of Cowboy Mouth
- The inspiration for Mardi Gras State of Mind
- His excitement about touring again.
- Their San Diego, CA concert.
Resources
Mardi Gras State of Mind by Cowboy Mouth
The Things You Wanted to Do by Cowboy Mouth
The Secret of Life by Dr.Joseph Murphy
Fred LeBlanc’s Frist Two Interviews On Jump Start Your Joy
Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth on Learning to Create Your Own Joy From the Inside Out (Open Wide)
Energy, Joy, and Cowboy Mouth with guest Fred LeBlanc
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