The Contagious Joy Podcast
The Contagious Joy Podcast helps you build a life that feels good from the inside out—no matter what’s going on around you. If you’re ready to carry joy into rooms that have forgotten it, this is your place. Tune in. Take a breath. Together, let’s spread Joy like it's Contagious!
Just Give Me a Hug
Show Summary
Joy doesn’t always arrive on the timeline we expect, but when it does, it can be profoundly sweet. In this episode of Contagious Joy, hosts Kim and Jenny sit down with Kim's dear friend Wendy to pull back the curtain on the emotional rollercoaster of reproductive grief, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and infertility.
Wendy shares her raw and beautiful story of traveling across the world to Ukraine during the Orange Revolution to adopt her eldest son, Eagan. Just when she and her husband thought their family map was set, a switch in me...
Boredom, Boundaries, and the Full Circle of Family Systems
Episode Summary
In this episode of The Contagious Joy Podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny wrap up their month-long series on family and motherhood as they prepare for contrasting seasonal changes—with Kim heading into summer holidays and Jenny bracing for a rainy Australian winter.
The episode centers on the complex, beautiful, and sometimes difficult realities of parenting and family systems. Kim shares an intimate look at a real-time parenting standoff with her son over chores and screen time, explaining why it is vital for children to safely experience boredom and why she purposefully uses a po...
Flashes, Flushes, and First Homes
Show Summary
In this episode of the Contagious Joy Podcast, hosts Jenny and Kim celebrate a massive milestone—reaching 800 downloads! Before diving into the main celebration, they pull back the curtain on their typical pre-recording technical chaos and dive into a hilarious debate over American versus Australian terminology. From the quick onset of American "hot flashes" to the enduring body-heat of Australian "hot flushes" (accompanied by toilet-flushing hand gestures), they compare the cultural quirks of their respective home countries.
The heart of the episode centers around a major family milestone: Jenny’s adult daughter, Emily, and...
More Than Just Flowers: Navigating the Realities of Mother’s Day
Summary
In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, Jen and Kim dive deep into the multifaceted journey of motherhood. Set against the backdrop of Mother’s Day, the hosts share their personal and often contrasting experiences—from the physical toll of difficult pregnancies to the emotional complexities of family legacies. They discuss the societal expectations placed on women regarding starting families, the current financial barriers like rising housing costs and interest rates that impact young people's decisions today, and the reality that Mother's Day can be a day of both celebration and grief.
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The Overachiever's Guide to Menopause
Show Summary
In this episode, the hosts celebrate a major milestone—surpassing 700 downloads—before diving into deeply personal updates. Kim shares the surprising results of her recent blood work, revealing she has moved into the post-menopausal stage of life at age 52. This sparks a broad, heartfelt discussion on the "Remarkable" nature of the female body, ranging from the struggles of infertility and miscarriages to the complexities of Mother’s Day and the "Cruel" judgments women sometimes face from one another. The episode also touches on the humor of midlife crises—including a sudden interest in colorful underwear—and the im...
Phoenix Rising: How a Small Town Fire Led to a Community Sanctuary
Episode Summary
In this episode of Contagious Joy, hosts Kim and Jenny interview Lois Pajari, the owner and operator of Cook’s Country Connection. Lois shares the devastating story of the June 2013 fire that destroyed her business, the Cook Dollar Barn, and left eight families homeless. Out of that tragedy, Lois returned to her great-grandparents' 1900 homestead to build a new sanctuary. Now celebrating its 10th season, the farm has become a vibrant community hub featuring a mobile zoo, farm yoga, summer camps, and a sanctuary for "misfit" animals.
Show Notes
The Catalyst for Rebirth: Ki...Vertigo, Wipes, and the Esky Ritual
Episode Summary
In this episode, Kim and Jen dive deep into the concept of "joy" as a response to last week’s conversation with Annie. They explore the physical toll of high-stress environments, with Kim sharing her personal battle with vertigo and a familial health crisis that forced her to re-evaluate her priorities. Meanwhile, Jen shares a heartwarming and humorous story about stepping out of her comfort zone to care for her brother Brendan, who has autism, and the specific rituals (involving KFC and a specific placement of the spoon and straws) that brought them a unique mo...
From High-Stakes Solicitor to Wellbeing Coach: A chat with Annie Part two
Episode Summary
In this episode, Annie continues to share her transformative journey from a high-pressure career as a family lawyer to her current role as a health and wellbeing coach. After a life-altering trip to New York that served as a catalyst for change, Annie realized she could no longer sustain the stress and constant deadlines of her legal practice. She discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding career with motherhood, her transition into "Bodies Before Business" coaching, and the importance of maintaining meaningful professional relationships while prioritizing personal health.
Show Notes
The Catalyst...Beyond the Bar: Annie’s Journey from High-Stakes Law to Sustainable Joy
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny return from a two-week hiatus to interview Annie, a former family lawyer from Mudgee, New South Wales. Annie shares her powerful journey from living a high-pressure, "unsustainable" life in the legal field to finding a new purpose after a serious health diagnosis. The conversation explores the hidden burdens lawyers carry, the importance of listening to your body, and how to find clarity and joy even in life’s heaviest moments.
Show Notes
Meeting Annie: Jenny describes her "instant" connection with An...Get Ready for Season 2 of the Contagious Joy Podcast!
Are you ready to continue on an international adventure filled with both tomfoolery and fun? Welcome to the Contagious Joy Podcast, where we dive deep into the art of finding light even in the trickiest of times.
Hosted by two friends who have "been through the wringer" when it comes to serious and confronting topics, this show explores how to capture joy in the moments that matter most.
In every episode, you can expect:
Deep Exploration: We discuss themes of joyful living, personal growth, and the vital importance of finding joy in everyday life.<...Season 1 Wrap-Up: Tacos, Trauma, and 400 Listens
Episode Summary
In this special season finale, Kim and Jenny reflect on their journey through the first 11 episodes of the Contagious Joy Podcast. They celebrate reaching a milestone of 400 listens and take a trip down memory lane, revisiting the heartfelt, heavy, and hilarious moments that defined their first season. From discussing the "biosecurity" of mixed nuts to navigating sibling loss and "joy vampires," the duo explores how they've found light in both the mundane and the monumental. The hosts conclude by inviting listeners to share their own stories as they prepare for a refreshed Season 2 in April.<...
Contagious Joy: Why Kindness Costs Nothing
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Jenny and Kim explore the intentional practice of "bringing joy" to others. Inspired by the storytelling of folk singer Christine Lavin, Jenny reflects on how a simple conversation can prevent a "moment from slipping away" and shares a touching story about a chance encounter at a grocery store that changed a stranger's week. The hosts delve into the profound impact of kindness, from supporting those with disabilities and communication challenges to the life-changing work of the Jesse Reese Foundation. Whether it’s through "Joy Jars," Lego fl...
Joy Boundaries, Doodles, and Civic Duty
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny explore the intersection of joy and boundaries through the lens of unexpected life events. Kim shares her recent experience serving on a day-and-a-half theft trial, describing the selection process, the internal struggle to remain stoic while being a naturally joyful person, and the small ways she found joy—such as admiring the new courthouse views and doodling to stay focused. Jenny complements the discussion with her own legal stories from Australia, including a run-in with a judge whose colorful language left a lasting im...
Dimming the Light: Navigating Envy and Family Betrayal
Show Summary
In this heartfelt episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny dive into the complex dynamics of experiencing joy in the presence of others who may not be ready or able to share it. The conversation explores deeply personal stories of familial betrayal and generational trauma, including a significant incident that changed a relationship. They discuss the concept of "lateral violence" and how shared trauma can lead to "dimming someone else’s light". Ultimately, the episode highlights the transformative power of apologies and the importance of finding "safe people" who celebrate your successes ra...
Paws, Claws, and Budgie Smugglers
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny shift from last week's heavy discussion on toxic positivity to the "age-old debate" of being a cat person versus a dog person. The hosts share heartwarming and humorous stories about their past and current pets, ranging from golden retrievers and "bougie" Bombay cats to a first pet budgerigar. They reflect on the deep family bond formed with animals, the unique personalities of their pets, and the profound grief that comes with "crossing the rainbow bridge". The conversation also touches on cultural differences in...
Sitting in the Muck: Beyond Toxic Positivity
Episode Summary
In this episode, hosts Kim and Jenny explore the concept of "toxic positivity"—the dysfunctional promotion of a "good vibes only" mindset that dismisses authentic negative emotions. After recapping a previous conversation with funeral photographer Nell Aburto about finding joy during mourning , the hosts pivot to discuss why forced optimism can be harmful, during hard times. They reflect on personal experiences with invalidation, the negativity of current world news, and the importance of allowing oneself to "sit in the muck" of difficult emotions rather than masking them with a smile.
Show Notes
Re...Funeral Photographer Documenting "Real Fun" and Joy in Mourning
Episode Summary
In this moving episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny are joined by their first guest, professional funeral photographer Nell Aburto. Nell shares how the personal regret of not having photos from her own parents' services inspired her to launch a business documenting final goodbyes. The conversation explores the " joy" that persists even in deep mourning, the importance of capturing family history, and how documenting loss can become the seed for a new kind of healing and connection. From lighthearted stories about "real fun" funerals to the technical and emotional challenges of...
Lessons from Paulie: Banter, Presence, and Pure Joy
Episode Summary
In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny celebrate a major milestone: reaching 100 listeners!. They open with lighthearted corrections from previous stories—clarifying the mystery of the "American Tacos" and the creative use of coffee pots in American motels.
The conversation turns toward a deeper, more meaningful theme: Finding joy without guilt.. Jenny shares a moving tribute to her late brother, Paulie, who lived with cerebral palsy and taught her that joy isn't found in things (like his favorite KFC gravy), but in the presence and laughter of others. Ki...
Navigating the Heavy Room: Finding Joy in Hard Spaces
This episode of the Contagious Joy podcast explores the concept of the "heavy room"—those difficult environments where news is bad, tension is high, or personal trauma looms—and how to navigate them while still finding a path back to joy.
Episode Summary
In this candid conversation, hosts Kim and Jenny discuss their professional backgrounds in education and the specific moments when the weight of their environments felt overwhelming. Kim shares a poignant story about balancing the joy of a long-awaited pregnancy with the sudden news of job loss and the death of a beloved pet...
Joy, Loss, and the In-Between
In this episode of Contagious Joy, co-hosts Kim and Jenny bridge the gap between an Oregon winter and a scorching Australian summer to explore why the most beautiful emotions can often feel the most frightening.
Through personal stories—ranging from a hilarious "ice cream rescue" on a busy highway to the profound grief of losing siblings—Kim and Jenny discuss the "dress rehearsal of tragedy" and how we sometimes protect ourselves from pain by foreboding the very joy we seek.
