loader from loading.io

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For: Faith, Longing, and Finding Joy in the Messy Middle

Jump Start Your Joy®

Release Date: 01/19/2026

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For: Faith, Longing, and Finding Joy in the Messy Middle show art 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...

info_outline Planning Your Year with Ease and Calm (2026) show art 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"...

info_outline Ten Years of the Podcast: Let's Talk About The Jump Start of Encouragement, Community and Finding Our Grounding show art 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...

info_outline Rebirth and Resilience: Andrea Owen on Navigating Life's Most Difficult Times show art 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...

info_outline DreamQuest with Judith Tripp - A Journey of Joy and Reflection in Liminal Space show art 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...

info_outline Finding Glimmers: Embracing Moments of Joy and Hope Amid Life's Chaos with host Paula Jenkins show art 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...

info_outline Journey into Sacred Spaces: Building Labyrinths with Master Builder Lars Howlett show art 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_outline Rediscovering Purpose and Connection: The 25th Yale Divinity School Reunion and The Transformative Power of the Labyrinth show art Rediscovering Purpose and Connection: The 25th Yale Divinity School Reunion and The Transformative Power of the Labyrinth

Jump Start Your Joy®

In this heartwarming episode of Jump Start Your Joy, I’m taking you along with me on a journey back to Yale Divinity School for my 25th reunion—a place where old friendships, profound growth, and life’s deeper questions all come together. Reuniting with friends, revisiting cherished memories, and even leading a Labyrinth walk, I found myself reflecting on what it truly means to reconnect with both people and places that have shaped who we are. I’ll share the magic of the labyrinth as both a spiritual tool and a metaphor for life’s journey—how its twists and turns mirror our own...

info_outline The Yale Divinity School Labyrinth, Ecological Renewal and Spiritual Journeys with Christopher Freimuth show art The Yale Divinity School Labyrinth, Ecological Renewal and Spiritual Journeys with Christopher Freimuth

Jump Start Your Joy®

In this episode of 'Jump Start Your Joy,' join Paula in a rich conversation with Christopher Freimuth, a Yale Divinity School student and owner of CF Gardens in New York City. The episode unpacks Chris's journey from his rural upbringing in Connecticut to becoming a professional gardener in New York City, with a focus on the spiritual and ecological significance of gardening. Chris shares how he employs gardening to create ecological habitats and foster a connection to nature for his urban clients, emphasizing a meticulous approach to sourcing materials and plants. In this coversation, we talk...

info_outline How Illana Burk Revolutionizes Ethical Business with Joy and Integrity show art How Illana Burk Revolutionizes Ethical Business with Joy and Integrity

Jump Start Your Joy®

In this episode, Paula is joined by the remarkable Illana Burk, a coach and consultant with a passion for helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs thrive. Illana shares her journey from being a dancer to becoming a successful business mentor, diving into her philosophy on building values-based businesses. The conversation is filled with practical advice, laughter, and a fresh perspective on modern entrepreneurship. Key Points That We Discuss: Illana Burk's background and journey from dancer to business mentor. The concept of 'feral preneurs' and how it differs from...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

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 what Bono meant when he called it "a gospel song with a restless spirit." We'll look at the biblical references woven throughout the lyrics, including what I consider a powerful connection to Jesus's cry on the cross in Matthew 27:46.

I share three key insights this song offers us in 2026: that joy isn't dependent on having everything figured out, that faith and longing are powerful motivators, and that being a spiritual person means staying curious, questioning, and engaged, even when things feel hard.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The discovery of my 1997 CD player and how "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" became my theme song
  • The story behind U2's song and Bono's intention to explore theological themes in rock music
  • How the lyrics mirror the tension of living with faith and integrity in the messy middle
  • The connection between the song and Jesus's cry "Father, Father, why have you forsaken me?" from Matthew 27:46
  • Why joy is found in the journey, not the destination, and how to look for it in small moments
  • How faith and longing work together as wayfinding emotions that jumpstart us toward joy
  • What it truly means to be a spiritual person: staying curious, questioning, and engaged rather than blindly following

Resources:

Keywords: theme song, U2, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, faith and doubt, spiritual journey, joy in the messy middle, longing, Christian spirituality, gospel music, Bono, Joshua Tree album, finding joy, spiritual practice, faith and questioning, religious exploration, personal growth, mindfulness, hope, Matthew 27:46, Psalm 22, living with intention, Nancy Meyers aesthetic, decluttering, self-discovery, INFJ, Yale Divinity School, religious studies, paradox, tension, wayfinding emotions