Finding Joy in the Hard

Suzanne Andora Barron
  • 5.0 (27)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Finding Joy in the Hard is a weekly podcast about how we meet life when it stretches us — in grief and growth, in ordinary struggles and unexpected turns. In short minisodes, I share honest reflections, gentle nervous system awareness, and simple embodied practices to help you steady yourself when things feel uncertain. From time to time, I sit down with guests who have walked through difficulty and found light in the dark and joy in the hard. I’m your host, Suzanne Andora Barron — yoga and meditation teacher, Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner, and writer. Through breath, awareness, and simple practices, I help people ease tension and reconnect to their inner steadiness.

  1. 5D AGO

    #154 What If Those Emotions Aren't Even Yours?

    Do you ever wake up feeling agitated, heavy, or triggered — and can't figure out why? In this episode, Suzanne shares what she discovered after waking up unsettled one morning: the culprit wasn't stress or worry. It was a TV series she'd been watching the night before. What follows is an honest, relatable exploration of what it means to be someone whose nervous system absorbs the emotions of others — from fictional characters on screen to the people sitting right next to you. In this episode, Suzanne covers: Why some of us carry the emotional residue of what we watch long after the screen goes darkThe difference between being emotionally engaged and actually absorbing others' emotionsHow this plays out in real life — including a story about her husband walking into the kitchen "revved up" and walking out calm while she was left reelingFive things you can do when you realize the emotions you're feeling aren't yoursWhy resisting those emotions makes them linger — and what to do insteadKey takeaway: Our ability to feel deeply is a gift. When we learn to work with it rather than against it, we can sense things others miss — and move through emotion rather than being stuck in it. Mentioned in this episode: Process What You Feel to Heal — Suzanne's monthly membership, diving deep into this topic this month. Reach out to me via Instagram to say hi, share a comment or ask a question. Click here. The information presented on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe for any medical or psychological condition, nor to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any such conditions.

    8 min

  2. MAR 2

    #153 What if Beauty is in the In-Between?

    I recorded this episode literally from my car right after an all-day Feng Shui Art Workshop — still in the energy of it. Here's what I discovered: judgment isn't something to shame yourself for. It's a signal. A clue that your nervous system is feeling unsafe, closed off, or resistant to something new. I also talk about what happens when beauty is still developing — how messy and disorganized it can look right before it becomes something meaningful. And why stepping away when you're too close might be exactly what you need. In this episode: Why judgment is a signal, not a flawWhat resistance is really protecting you fromThe in-between stage — in art, in hair, in lifeWhy stepping away can help you see more clearlyA gentle reminder that we're all still in processCan you relate to this?  I'd love to get your feedback. You can DM me on Insta here. The information presented on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe for any medical or psychological condition, nor to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any such conditions.

    5 min

  3. FEB 13

    Something to remember as you go about your day

    Some days are harder than others. They can start to seem all of the same. But this simple message is a reminder that today will be amazing because you are in it.  Be well.  And remember you are so much stronger than you think you are.  The information presented on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe for any medical or psychological condition, nor to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any such conditions.

    2 min

  4. JAN 22

    #151 When you give yourself 2 choices

    In this episode, I share a real-life moment from a cold winter morning — a missed phone call, unexpected traffic, and the familiar urge to spiral. Instead of bracing, I practiced something different: breathing, noticing, and staying in the moment. This episode explores: How the body often braces before the mind starts spiralingWhy familiar patterns of worry and fear feel so automaticHow to interrupt the loop by returning to breath and sensationWhat it looks like to choose presence, even when you can’t close your eyesA simple Jin Shin Jyutsu hold (the thumb) to calm worryHow tiny shifts open the door to clarity, steadiness, and possibilityI also share surprising insights from a blindingly bright sunrise — and why that moment became an anchor for staying open instead of contracting. If you’ve ever been pulled into future-tripping, tension, or “what if” thinking, this episode gives you a grounded way back to yourself. Resources Mentioned: Jin Shin Jyutsu thumb holdBreathwork: inhale / long slow exhaleProcess What You Feel to Heal Monthly Membership (now open)You can learn more about the membership here And I'd love to connect with you on Instagram. You can reach me here The information presented on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe for any medical or psychological condition, nor to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any such conditions.

    8 min

  5. JAN 12

    #150 Do you complain a lot?

    Most of us don’t think we complain very much — until we actually pay attention. In today’s episode, I share what I discovered when I started noticing my own complaints, and why these seemingly small moments matter more than we realize. Complaining isn’t just a habit — it creates a subtle contraction in the body that makes it harder for joy to land and stay. You’ll hear: why we rarely notice when we’re complaininghow complaining tightens the body and shifts our emotional statethe surprising things my students discovered during a “no complaining” experimentwhy stopping the cycle isn’t about being positive — it’s about giving the body room to feel something newIf you'd like to learn how to connect to more joy - consider joining my 90 minute workshop this Thursday, January 15th at 4pmET, called Connecting to Joy.  It's $27. Everyone who signs up - whether you attend live or not - gets access to the 30 day replay. You can learn more here.  I'd love to have you join us!  Questions or comments, please reach out to me on IG, here The information presented on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe for any medical or psychological condition, nor to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any such conditions.

    5 min

  6. JAN 1

    #149 A Beautiful Ending

    In October, I said goodbye to a very special part of my life—the foundation I created in honor of my little boy, Christopher. This episode is different. I recorded our closing celebration on my phone that night, not knowing exactly why—only that it mattered. What you’ll hear is the magic of that evening: voices, laughter, reflection, and what becomes possible when we honor an ending instead of rushing past it. There are so many takeaways in this episode. Just a few: What can unfold when we say yesWhen there’s will and passion, what once felt impossible becomes possibleMost of all, this episode is a reminder that something deeply beautiful and meaningful can come from something devastating and traumatic. I’m so grateful I pressed record. The information presented on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe for any medical or psychological condition, nor to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any such conditions.

    43 min

  7. 12/28/2025

    #148 "What do you want?"

    Our habits often consume us more than our wants do. We stay up late, scroll, tell ourselves "just a few more minutes"—even when we'd rather go to bed. It sounds simple to just stop, but our habits feel like they have a mind of their own. That's because many of our habits once helped us. They soothed our nervous systems, which is why they're so hard to break. For me, staying up late gave me "me time" when my boys were young. After Christopher passed, it helped me avoid harder mornings. "What do you want?" is a pattern interrupter that helps me get to the core of what's important. Try asking yourself this when you're feeling stuck or when transitions feel hard—not just at New Year's, but anytime. You can soften it to: "Is this what I want to keep doing? Or is there something else?" Cultivating Joy Workshop | January 8, 90 minutes Learn how we unconsciously cut ourselves off from joy and what to do about it. You can learn more here Questions, or if you'd like to let me know you'd like me to add another time to this workshop, you can message me on IG here. The information presented on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe for any medical or psychological condition, nor to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any such conditions.

    5 min

  8. 12/25/2025

    #147 Christmas Message

    Whatever you might be feeling this Christmas - it’s okay.  And it might be different than what your mind is telling you.   I wish you a blessed day.   The information presented on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe for any medical or psychological condition, nor to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure any such conditions.

    4 min
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About

Finding Joy in the Hard is a weekly podcast about how we meet life when it stretches us — in grief and growth, in ordinary struggles and unexpected turns. In short minisodes, I share honest reflections, gentle nervous system awareness, and simple embodied practices to help you steady yourself when things feel uncertain. From time to time, I sit down with guests who have walked through difficulty and found light in the dark and joy in the hard. I’m your host, Suzanne Andora Barron — yoga and meditation teacher, Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner, and writer. Through breath, awareness, and simple practices, I help people ease tension and reconnect to their inner steadiness.

Information

  • Creator
    Suzanne Andora Barron
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Finding Joy in the Hard
  • Show Website
    Finding Joy in the Hard