During the month of September The JOY Factor is taking a stand against domestic violence. Support Helping Services for NE Iowa Domestic Abuse Resource Center to honor my niece Sena’s memory and raise awareness of intimate partner violence Register for the 2nd Annual Sena Hanson Memorial Walk/Run/Bike 5k on 10/1/16 or make a donation (every dollar counts) Thank you for your support! Today’s guest is Dr. Jennifer Sippel. She is the Clinical Director for Cultural Transformation VA North...

Today’s episode may be difficult to hear and a trigger warning for some. The content is designed for a mature audience so please keep children out of listening range. Also, just a reminder that this podcast is not meant as a substitute for therapy, or counseling but it may provide information you find therapeutic or helpful. Today’s guest is Lisette Johnson creator of the website www.shamelesssurvivors.com Lisette Johnson leads a peaceful life with her two teenage children outside Richmond,...

  Support Helping Services for NE Iowa Domestic Abuse Resource Center to honor my niece Sena's memory and raise awareness of intimate partner violence Register for the 2nd Annual Sena Hanson Memorial Walk/Run/Bike 5k on 10/1/16 or make a donation (every dollar counts) My fundraising page for Helping Services Thank you for your support! Today's guest is licensed therapist, professional speaker and fellow podcaster, Robert Cox. His podcast, Mindful Recovery is an amazing resource for...

Today's guest is Kim Dow, founder of Sass Magazine and Kalico Design in Frederick Maryland. Kim shares her perspective on joy and offers a great example to other entrepreneurs.  Contact Kim http://www.sassmagazine.com https://www.facebook.com/sassfrederick More about Kim Kimberly Dow is the owner and creative director of Kalico Design, a graphic design studio in the Frederick, MD region that works with associations, publications and companies in the health & wellness,...

Today’s guest is Jacqueline Lawson from Joyful on Purpose. In May  of 2012 Jackie’s husband Brian lost his battle with cancer and died 112 days after his diagnosis. From the start Jackie made a conscious decision to find joy in the midst of pain no matter what. Unless you’ve been through the loss of a loved on, it’s hard to know how you would respond. Talking to Jackie was a privilege because she wholeheartedly admits to the intensity of her loss but at the same time she does exactly what the...

On today's episode, Boulder's own Cat Pantaleo joins me to discuss the power of connecting with nature and the ancient wisdom that's waiting for all of us to remember.  Cat generously shared her time and wisdom and her words will remind you of the power of nature and the impact of stopping to listen to it. She gave pointers on simple, yet inspiring practices  to connect with the wild life all around us and discussed the amazing work of Feet on the Earth, a non-profit organization committed to...

Today’s guest is Kelly Darke. Kelly is a Michigan based art therapist who has been using art as a portal to joyful living since she was a child. Lately she’s been collaborating with the organization Stand with Trans to lead art therapy groups for transgender kids. Creating a safe, creative space for these kids and their families has allowed her to learn from their wisdom and increase her understanding of the unique concerns the transgender community. Her authenticity shines through and I...

In today’s episode, I’m talking to Gloria Martin, a Dallas TX based marriage and family therapist in private practice. Gloria’s thoughtful approach to seeking joy offers us the opportunity to dive a little deeper into practice of creating space for reflection.  I hope you’ll take a moment and reflect on how you can listen to your soul. What questions need to be asked in order to mindfully check in with yourself? More about Gloria: Gloria Martin is in private practice in Dallas, Texas and...

  Today's guest is all about helping people reclaim their joy around food. Amy Goldsmith is a nutritionist who talks about the importance of finding someone you can trust to help you forge healthier habits with food. She shares what brings her joy, what steals it, and how she gets it back.  Here's a little more information on Amy and how to find her: Amy Goldsmith graduated Cum Laude from Virginia Tech with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise.  She has 17...

Today's guest is Jason Doorish and we're talking about remembering the basics when it comes to joy. Jason is a Licensed Professional Counselor and he's an expert on bringing mindfulness into the day every day. He reminds us that often the best things in life are the simplest and we all could benefit from chilling out a bit more and taking life less seriously wherever possible. When it comes to intentional joy he recommends starting where you are and operating from the understanding that we...

Today’s guest is Beth Boatman. Beth is a sex therapist and sexuality educator with the insight and expertise to inspire all of us to create more joy in our lives by embracing a sense of healthy sexuality. She shared the story of how she came to be known as Beth the Sex Consultant and offered her thoughts on comprehensive sex education, balancing different sex drives and keeping desire alive across the lifespan. One of the key points she makes is the importance of the c word……communication!...

Today's guest is an expert on holding her own in the face of struggle. Joclyn Hanson is a professor of communications but really knows how to teach the art of being classy, strong and light hearted. Listen in as she shares her insight on turning the worn out phrase "mid-life crisis" into mid-life TRANSFORMATION! 

Today's show is all about laughter! Our guest  is Laura Gentry,is dynamic leader in the world of laughter yoga and the founder of the Iowa School of Laughter Yoga.  “Joy-real heart singing joy- is possible and you deserve to have it.” Laura Gentry Listen as Laura shares: What inspired her to bring more laughter into her life How she builds laughter into her day Specific laughter exercises you can begin doing immediately How laughter can be a mindfulness practice and a daily elixir Insider...

Welcome to the JOY Factor podcast, featuring bi-weekly conversations to help you reclaim more space in your life for joy. The Joy Factor is a podcast for anyone with a desire to create more joy in their lives.  Julie Hanson, Licensed Psychotherapist, Certified Life Coach and Registered Yoga Teacher,  interviews experts in the field of mental health and positive psychology as well as everyday people who’ve got their own take on how to be on the hunt for joy even in the midst of struggle....