Chasing Joy

Bryan Flores, Spencer Fischer, Wayne Randolph
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Chasing Joy is a podcast about the pursuit of joy in the midst of real life — with all its unfolding, obstacles, and unexpected turns. Hosted by Spencer, Bryan, and Wayne, each episode blends honest conversation, personal stories, and thoughtful reflections on how we show up to ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. Along the way, they’re joined by guests who bring their own inspiring — and sometimes heartbreaking — stories of resilience, loss, hope, and transformation. Their experiences open space for all of us to learn, reflect, and discover new ways of living with authenticity, purpose, and joy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Pasta Class That Taught Us About Free Will

    On this episode of Chasing Joy, Spencer and Bryan find unexpected wisdom in a pasta-making class in Florence, milestone birthdays, and everyday life. Two summers ago, twelve of us stood around a long wooden table in Florence. Same flour, same eggs, same instructions from a sweet Italian teacher who learned the recipe from her mother and grandmother before her. Twelve completely different doughs. Bryan has been thinking about that class ever since. This week, with Wayne off chasing some new endeavors, Spencer and Bryan sit with the question underneath that pasta class and a few others like it. Where do we actually learn the things that change us? What happens when the obvious teachers (pain, tragedy, a wrecked car, a hard birthday) aren't the only ones in the room? There's a heron rearranging the social order of an estuary. A dog named Daisy who keeps teaching Spencer about faith. And a closing thought on what it means to suspend judgment and stay curious. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  2. How to Stop Living Reactively and Take Control of Your Day w/ Jina Provensen

    APR 29

    How to Stop Living Reactively and Take Control of Your Day w/ Jina Provensen

    What if the difference between a chaotic life and a meaningful one… is just 20 minutes in the morning? In this episode of Chasing Joy, we sit down with entertainment attorney Jina Provinson to unpack the surprising system behind her calm, focus, and success—even in a high-pressure career built on predicting conflict. From waking up at 4:30am to building a daily plan before the world intrudes, Jina shares how she: Creates purpose instead of waiting for itUses meditation to manage stress, not eliminate itAvoids the trap of reactive living in a hyper-connected worldBuilds structure without becoming rigidProtects her energy in an age of endless information This isn’t about perfection. It’s about intention. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, distracted, or stuck reacting to life instead of shaping it… this conversation will challenge how you start your day—and what you allow into your mind. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  3. Why Real Change Starts with a Conversation (and Maybe a Beer) w/ Clint Garman

    APR 22

    Why Real Change Starts with a Conversation (and Maybe a Beer) w/ Clint Garman

    What does it really look like to live a life of service? In this episode of Chasing Joy, we sit down with Clint Garman—former Santa Paula mayor, business owner, pastor, and now leader at the Rescue Mission Alliance—to explore a life shaped by reinvention, relationships, and a deep commitment to helping others. From opening a restaurant to revitalize a struggling downtown… to navigating the realities of local government… to working directly with people facing homelessness, addiction, and trauma—Clint shares what he’s learned about leadership, empathy, and the human experience. This conversation dives into: Why hospitality and leadership are more connected than you thinkThe biggest misconceptions about being a mayorHow real change happens at the local levelWhat it means to “suspend judgment and get curious” about peopleHow proximity to suffering reshapes your perspective on humanityWhy relationships—not systems—are often the key to impact At its core, this episode is about growth—learning from mistakes, letting go of ego, and choosing to show up for others with compassion. Because behind every person is a story… and sometimes, all it takes is a conversation to start changing it. Find out more about Clint's work with Rescue Mission Alliance at www.erescuemission.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  4. From Pain to Purpose

    APR 15

    From Pain to Purpose

    What happens when pain becomes the turning point… not the end of the story? In this episode of Chasing Joy, we sit down with Kevin Weaver-Bey to explore his journey from injury, frustration, and feeling stuck… to purpose, connection, and meaningful work. After years of chronic pain and reliance on prescription medication, Kevin reached a breaking point. When he was unexpectedly laid off during the pandemic, he was forced to ask a deeper question… not just “What do I do next?” but “How do I actually want to live?” What followed wasn’t just a career pivot… it was a complete realignment. Through personal healing, curiosity, and a genuine desire to help others, Kevin built a business rooted in care, connection, and service… turning his own pain into something that now helps others move more freely, physically and emotionally. But this conversation goes far beyond CBD or entrepreneurship... It’s about: Listening to the quiet voice telling you something needs to changeBreaking free from work that doesn’t reflect who you areTurning setbacks into catalysts for growthBuilding a life around meaning instead of just making a livingAnd rediscovering the simple truth… that helping people is where real fulfillment lives If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure of your next step… this episode is a reminder that your path might already be trying to find you. Find all of Kevin's healing products from Leaf Made Organics at https://leafmadecbd.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  5. APR 9

    How to Deal With Grief and Uncertainty When Life Feels Out of Control

    What does it actually mean to navigate grief and uncertainty when life falls apart? In this episode of Chasing Joy, Bryan, Spencer, and Wayne explore how to deal with grief, loss, and the overwhelming uncertainty that comes when you can’t control what happens next. This conversation breaks down: How to process grief without rushing itWhy uncertainty creates anxiety, stress, and emotional paralysisWhat it looks like to let go of control in real lifeHow to keep moving forward when you don’t have answers Rather than offering quick fixes, the episode reframes grief as something to move through, not avoid… and uncertainty as something to live with, not solve. If you’re asking: “How do I deal with grief?”“Why does uncertainty feel so overwhelming?”“How do I move forward when life doesn’t make sense?” …this episode offers a grounded, human perspective rooted in lived experience, emotional awareness, and honest conversation. Core idea: You don’t need certainty to move forward… you need the capacity to stay present and available inside the unknown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    40 min

  6. APR 1

    Finding Joy in Hardship: A Father's 27-Year Journey of Love, Caregiving & Resilience

    What does it really mean to find joy… when life doesn’t go as planned? In this deeply moving episode of Chasing Joy, we sit down with Kevin Clark, a father who has spent the last 27 years caring for his daughter with a rare and severe neurological condition. What began as unimaginable hardship became something else entirely… a path toward purpose, presence, and a redefinition of what it means to live a meaningful life. Kevin shares the reality of full-time caregiving, the emotional weight of uncertainty, and the daily challenges of raising a child with lifelong disabilities. But more importantly, he reveals how mindfulness, resilience, and surrendering control can transform even the hardest circumstances into something unexpectedly beautiful. This conversation explores themes of parenting, suffering, mental health, personal growth, and the quiet strength required to keep showing up… day after day. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, burned out, or uncertain about your path, this episode offers a powerful reminder… joy isn’t found by avoiding struggle… it’s discovered within it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min
  7. We're Moving Too Fast: Why Your Soul Needs Time to Catch Up

    MAR 25

    We're Moving Too Fast: Why Your Soul Needs Time to Catch Up

    In this episode of Chasing Joy, Bryan, Spencer, and Wayne explore a powerful idea that feels almost forgotten in today’s fast-paced world… the art of simply being present. After spending four weeks in the remote desert of Abiquiú, New Mexico, Wayne returns with a deeper understanding of spiritual direction… or what he calls soul companionship. Instead of fixing problems or offering advice, this practice centers on something far more rare… sitting with someone in their pain, listening deeply, and creating space for clarity to emerge. Together, the guys unpack what it means to “sit in the fire” with someone… why most of us are moving too fast for our own well-being… and how learning to slow down might be the key to healing, connection, and a more meaningful life. From personal stories of trauma and transformation to practical reflections on mindfulness, grief, and emotional awareness, this conversation invites you to pause… breathe… and reconnect with what actually matters. Whether you’re navigating stress, searching for purpose, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life in the modern world… this episode offers a different path forward. Less fixing… more listening. More presence… more joy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  8. MAR 18

    Retire at 49, Lose 40% and Start Over with a Microphone w/ Gary Vaughn

    What would you do if you had enough money to never work again — and then lost 40% of it overnight? In this episode of Chasing Joy, Bryan's former colleague Gary Vaughn joins Spencer, Bryan, and Wayne to tell the story of how he went from managing products in the cable industry to secretly trading stocks, retiring at 49, watching his net worth crater during COVID, and rebuilding everything... this time with a microphone. Gary turned a podcast that started with 3 listeners into a thriving business, not by chasing an audience, but by sharing what he actually knew. Along the way, the conversation digs into why most people overcomplicate investing, what a $10,000 bet on Apple in 2004 looks like today, why making mistakes is the real tuition of life, and how a guy who once had HR policies written specifically because of him ended up finding his happiest moments on the couch with his dog. This one bridges the worlds of financial freedom and personal fulfillment... and the gap between them might be smaller than you think. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
See All (42)

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Chasing Joy is a podcast about the pursuit of joy in the midst of real life — with all its unfolding, obstacles, and unexpected turns. Hosted by Spencer, Bryan, and Wayne, each episode blends honest conversation, personal stories, and thoughtful reflections on how we show up to ourselves, our relationships, and the world around us. Along the way, they’re joined by guests who bring their own inspiring — and sometimes heartbreaking — stories of resilience, loss, hope, and transformation. Their experiences open space for all of us to learn, reflect, and discover new ways of living with authenticity, purpose, and joy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Bryan Flores, Spencer Fischer, Wayne Randolph
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © JoyFindr Inc
  • Show Website
    Chasing Joy

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