Make Me Smile with Miist

Welcome, and thank you for joining me in our little refuge.

We’ve all felt that deep, burning desire for justice when we’ve been wronged—that primal urge for revenge that our culture promises will bring us satisfaction. But what if that powerful feeling is a lie?

What if I told you that the craving for revenge is a dangerous addiction, lighting up the exact same pathways in your brain as a drug and trapping you in an endless cycle of pain? In this episode, we’ll take a journey to explore this very human di...

In our six-second world, we're taught that speed is everything. We rush for instant gratification, scroll past life in a blur, and suffer from a deep fear of missing out. But what if this culture of impatience is quietly stealing the very connections and happiness we crave?

In this episode of Make Me Smile, let's take a breath together and explore the forgotten, beautiful art of patience. We'll journey from the slow, deliberate climb of Kilimanjaro to the heart of what's making an entire generation anxious, uncovering how slowing down is the secret to better mental health...

Are you ready to unlock the secrets of your subconscious? Join me as we explore the profound science of dreaming and its vital role in mental health and creativity.

We dive into the surprising power of REM sleep, revealing how it functions as "overnight therapy"—processing stressful emotions without the painful stress hormones—and why interrupting this crucial phase causes pessimistic thoughts and severe brain fog. From boosting productivity to deepening relationships, discover the simple actions you can take tonight to dramatically improve your sleep quality.

Don't miss this episode; the key to becoming your best self m...

Have you ever felt the immense pressure of a life you were supposed to live? We’re handed a blueprint for happiness from a young age—the perfect career, the fairy-tale romance, the flawless family.

But what if that very blueprint is the source of our deepest discontent?

In this episode of Make Me Smile, I invite you on a personal journey to unravel this paradox.

We'll explore the delicate space between the life we expect and the joy that’s waiting for us in reality.

Could it be that the true sec...

Have you ever wondered about the one human need so powerful, it’s considered more fundamental than even food or safety?

It all started for me with a single, heartfelt question from my daughter that sent me on a profound journey to understand our deepest-seated desire: the search for who we are.

In this episode of Make Me Smile, we unravel the powerful mystery behind our quest for a sense of belonging. From the stories woven into our ancestry to the surprising ways modern life can leave us feeling more alone, we'll explore the invisible th...

Have you ever wondered about the one human need so powerful, it’s considered more fundamental than even food or safety?

It all started for me with a single, heartfelt question from my daughter that sent me on a profound journey to understand our deepest-seated desire: the search for who we are.

In this episode of Make Me Smile, we unravel the powerful mystery behind our quest for a sense of belonging. From the stories woven into our ancestry to the surprising ways modern life can leave us feeling more alone, we'll explore the invisible th...

Have you ever felt you had to hide parts of yourself in a relationship, afraid that your true self wasn't quite worthy of love?

We often talk about "unconditional love," but what if that concept is flawed?

There's a different, deeper connection we're all searching for—a love that doesn't fail, built on a foundation of profound trust and complete emotional safety. This exploration started with a challenge from a music producer to write a song that would make him cry, and it led me on a journey to understand the powerful bond that forms wh...

Have you ever considered the magic held within the word "Creator"? We often picture gods or great artists, but what if I told you that this incredible, world-altering power is something you possess right now? It's a forgotten gift, a feeling of deep pride and accomplishment we've known since childhood, capable of making something wonderful out of absolutely nothing.

In this episode, we journey beyond creating things you can touch and explore our uniquely human ability to create feelings, forge connections, and inspire emotions in others.

Join me as we unlock the secret to wielding...

Have you ever felt a rhythm so deep it seems to move you from the inside out? It's a feeling we're all born with, a universal language of joy that needs no translation. In this episode, we'll rediscover the profound, almost magical, power of dance—not just as steps or routines, but as a key to unlocking pure, uninhibited happiness and forging deep human connections.

We'll explore the fascinating science that explains why our brains are hardwired for a beat, why even animals can't resist moving to the music, and how this simple act has been a se...

What if the one thing holding you back from true love, from success, from the simple joy of being silly, isn't a real monster but a ghost from your past?

Fear can be a powerful, paralyzing force, one that I've known intimately since I was just a little girl. It can dictate our choices, keep us in a constant state of fight-or-flight, and stop us from living the life we truly desire. In this episode, let's come together to gently pull back the curtain on this "Boogie Man Syndrome," to understand why it has such a grip...

What do a determined toddler, a guilty-looking dog, and a self-guided robot vacuum have in common? They are the stars of one of the most hilariously epic disasters a family can face—a story that had me considering throwing a $500 appliance right in the trash. In this episode of Make Me Smile, we dive headfirst into a "poop-ocalypse" of legendary proportions to get to the heart of something truly transformative: the power of laughter. But what if I told you that a genuine, uncontrollable laugh is more than just a reaction to something funny? What if it’s a biol...

Hello, and welcome back to Make Me Smile. Have you ever considered the profound science behind a simple game of Peek-a-boo?

It feels so perfect and natural, but what if that interaction holds the key to our child's development and our own happiness? In this episode, we explore the forgotten art and biological necessity of play. We'll uncover why play is essential not just for children but for adults, how it shapes our brains, boosts our creativity, and even affects our physical health. Discover why some forms of play, like those on screens, can actually hinder emotional...

What if the one thing that keeps us going through even the darkest times is something we can give to ourselves and others in an instant?

In this episode of Make Me Smile, we dive deep into the incredible, almost magical, power of hope. I’ll share a remarkable and frankly shocking true story from a 1950s research lab that reveals the secret to enduring the impossible, and a personal moment with a tiny, injured bird that taught me everything about the will to live. We’ll explore how this single emotion is hardwired into us, why stro...

What if I told you that the moments you spend lost in thought—the ones you were told to snap out of as a child—are actually a hidden superpower? We all possess this incredible tool, a secret world inside our minds that can unlock our deepest creativity, solve our toughest problems, and even help us heal. In this episode, I share my own journey with this forgotten gift, from a lonely child's escape to a songwriter's inspiration, and explore the surprising science that proves daydreaming is not a waste of time, but a necessary key to our well-being. Join...

Have you ever heard of a horse who could count? It all started with this very real story, one that seems simple on the surface but reveals a profound and beautiful truth about what makes us human. This week, we explore the incredible, almost invisible, chasm that separates us from the animal world. What if our most unique abilities—our capacity to dream generations into the future, our complex moral compass, and even our abstract relationship with time itself—hold the secret to our happiness? Join me, Mist, as we discover how these gifts come with a great responsibility, and...

Have you ever felt completely misunderstood, as if your words were being translated into a foreign language? From hilarious autocorrect fails to heart-wrenching family divides, it seems we're in the midst of a global communication breakdown. Wars have nearly started, billion-dollar spacecraft have been lost, and countless relationships have crumbled, all from simple misunderstandings. We're the most connected generation in history, yet we've never felt more disconnected. We'll explore why this happens—from cultural blind spots to the way our own emotions and technology betray us. But what if the solution wasn't about talking more, but about something else en...

What if the secret to feeling less stressed, more connected, and even more generous wasn't about adding something new to your life, but about rediscovering a forgotten emotion? Join me as we explore the surprising science behind "awe," from the specific brain network it quiets to the eight universal triggers that can spark this powerful feeling in our daily lives. Together, let's learn how to intentionally cultivate these moments of wonder, transforming our perspective and finding a profound sense of purpose in just 15 seconds a day.

What if the most powerful medicine for loneliness and anxiety was literally at our fingertips, a forgotten language we're designed to speak?

Join me as I explore the surprising science of touch starvation, from the specific nerves that crave a gentle caress to the shocking experiments that revealed how vital physical connection is for our survival. Together, we'll rediscover the simple, profound power of human touch and learn how a single, 15-second action can begin to heal our need for connection.

Have you ever wondered why we laugh at something as absurd as a freezing cow in a refrigerator or a turkey vulture on a plane? In this episode, we explore the surprising science behind laughter, including the 17 different types of humor and what they reveal about our relationships. Discover why making someone laugh is a sign of intelligence, and how you can harness the power of humor in just 15 seconds a day to completely reset your brain.

Have you ever stopped to ask the simple yet profound question: why do we love? In this deeply personal episode of Make Me Smile, I, your host Miist, explore this very question as we seek to understand one of humanity's most powerful forces. We'll journey beyond the simple 'I love you' to discover the eight ancient Greek words for love—from romantic Eros to the universal love of Agape—and discuss why knowing the difference is so important for our relationships. I'll share my own story of learning how to love after a childhood that didn't teach me, and we'll e...

Have you ever felt a special relationship slowly drifting apart, not from a big fight, but from the quiet routine of everyday life? I went on a journey to find the key to rekindling that connection, exploring popular advice like "Active Listening" and "Validation." While helpful, I discovered the true secret to a bond that lasts is something much simpler and more powerful: being genuinely curious. Join me as we explore how this one shift can transform your conversations, help you navigate disagreements with empathy, and allow you to truly see and be seen by the people you love. If...

Welcome to "Make Me Smile"! I'm your host, Mist, and this week we're exploring the beautiful, innate human need for connection and why we often personify everything from our quirky lemon trees (you'll hear that story!) to our Roombas. It's all about our deep desire to connect, and we'll uncover how these bonds—with nature, animals, and especially each other—are the true sources of lasting happiness and well-being, far surpassing the fleeting joy of material possessions. I'll share my song "It Was You," inspired by a profound connection, and we'll even practice a simple 15-second way to foster deeper, mor...

Struggling with lingering feelings from a past relationship or the desire to be remembered? In this deeply personal episode of "Make Me Smile," host Miist shares the vulnerable story behind her song "Remember Me Again," exploring how a decade-old breakup unexpectedly surfaced and impacted her present life. Discover how holding onto resentment can subtly poison current happiness and learn why truly letting go is crucial for your own well-being. Dive into the universal need for connection, the illusion of social media bonds, and a powerful 15-second exercise to redefine "who you are" based on what truly matters in your "...

Does scrolling social media promise connection but often leave you feeling more disconnected? Dive into this "Make Me Smile" episode exploring the addictive, dopamine-driven nature of social media versus the deep fulfillment of real connection with nature, others, and yourself. Host Miist unpacks why our brains crave connection like hunger and introduces a powerful tool: the simple 15-second pause before opening apps to practice genuine gratitude. Learn about the "Kindness Cube" and how these tiny shifts can combat overwhelm, boost your mental health, and genuinely change your world. Tune in to understand the failed promise of social media and...

Hello, lovely listeners!

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the craziness of our world, or the constant pull of social media? I know I do. That's why on this episode of the Make Me Smile podcast, we're taking a break to explore how we can find joy and spark positive change with simple, powerful 15-second actions. I'll share my personal journey and introduce you to the Kindness Cube – a tangible way to practice gratitude, share a smile, and more, because I believe we can change our world in small, beautiful ways.

Plus, you'll hear the surprisin...

Still haunted by resentment from a past relationship? Discover the surprising path to healing as host Miist unpacks the deeply personal story behind her song, "Give Her My Love." Learn how decade-old hurt from a breakup unexpectedly impacted her present marriage, leading to the profound realization that holding onto resentment is like "drinking poison and hoping the other person dies." This episode explores why forgiveness is ultimately a gift toÊyourself, releasing you from emotional baggage. Uncover a simple yet powerful 15-second exercise to start acknowledging and letting go of resentment. Tune into "Make Me Smile" to gain tools f...

Can imagination be a powerful tool for healing childhood trauma and reframing a difficult past? In this deeply personal episode of "Make Me Smile," host Miist reveals the surprising truth behind her song "She" it was written not for her actual mother, but for the supportive figure she imagined needing after facing abandonment and abuse. Explore the transformative power of choosing gratitude over resentment, touching on concepts like dissociation and drawing inspiration from the film "Life is Beautiful." Discover how Miist used imagination to cope, heal, and ultimately foster forgiveness, and learn a playful yet potent 15-second action involving...

Host and singer-songwriter Miist shares her deeply personal journey of healing childhood trauma related to parental abandonment and resentment, initially channeled through songwriting, including her featured original song "She." The focus shifts to the transformative power of gratitude as a tool for mental wellness and positive psychology. Miist explains how cultivating gratitude helped her reframe painful memories, overcome a victim mentality, and find peace in her relationship with her mother and her past. Supported by scientific research insights (citing Harvard studies, Dr. Seligman, and a TEDx talk on "Kiss Your Brain"), the episode highlights how gratitude can rewire the...

This week, we confront the pervasive feeling of loneliness and isolation affecting so many, even in our hyper-connected world – a stark reality highlighted by the US Surgeon General's findings and the story behind my song, "Could You Lend Me a Smile." But there's immense hope! We explore how simple, powerful actions, taking just 15 seconds or less, can forge human connection and combat this epidemic. Building on last week's challenge, let's add a friendly wave or a warm hello to our smile when we see someone. It might feel strange initially, but as my family discovered, these small gestures create ripples of kindne...

Join me, Miist, on this heartfelt episode of Make Me Smile, where we rediscover the simple yet profound power of a smile. Inspired by a touching story of loneliness from Japan and my personal journey into songwriting, we explore how one genuine smile can transform not only your day but ripple positively through your community and beyond. Hear uplifting interactions from my conversations with people about their experiences giving and receiving smiles, and learn how this small, 15-second action can significantly boost your mood and foster human connection.

Together, let's remember what it truly means to be...

Hello there, I'm Miist, and welcome to Make Me Smile. Have you ever felt, like I did walking through the park recently, that we've become a bit disconnected, maybe forgetting the simple, powerful gift of a smile? It seems loneliness and feeling adrift have become widespread, but I truly believe we hold the power to change that and rediscover what it means to be human. This podcast is our shared journey to combat loneliness and foster genuine human connection. Each week, we'll explore simple, quick actions – sometimes just 15 seconds – focusing on gratitude, kindness, hope, and finding meaningful living right where we are. Let's...