On the first episode of Ordinary Lives, I chat with my friend, Faith Harron. In what is perhaps the most perfect conversation to kick off this new series, Faith and I chat about a range of things, including: cultivating joy, having a constellation of interests, creative ways to optimize time, and permission to be fully yourself. As Faith says: “You don’t have to suffer through your life.” Faith’s perspective reminds us all that it’s important to speckle your life with joy and to find beautiful moments in each and every day. About Faith: Faith Harron often likes to ask the question: how can you add more joy to your life? She's spent the last few years (and will continue to spend time) earnestly answering it herself. Her constellation of experience includes work as a consultant at BCG, engineer, reporter, strategy director, and writer of 16 books. She holds two degrees and honors from Stanford, and currently runs a consulting firm focused on upskilling, usually related to improving soft skills in the current and future workforce. She's also coauthoring a book, slated to publish in May 2026, about what college doesn't teach you. Connect with Faith: On Substack On Instagram On LinkedIn About Ordinary Lives: Susan Orleans wrote: “An ordinary life examined closely reveals itself to be exquisite and complicated and exceptional, somehow managing to be both heroic and plain.” With each conversation on Ordinary Lives, Courtney shows that our seemingly ordinary lives are exceptional and awe-inspiring, and that there is magic to be found in the mundane. Here, we explore what’s lingering on our hearts, not in our brains. These episodes serve as a reminder that, just like the aspen tree’s network of roots, we’re all a bit more alike and connected than we think. About the Host: Courtney Zanosky is a writer, storyteller, somatic practitioner, textbook marketer, and professor that's passionate about creating inclusive spaces and bringing you into the here and now. She has her MA in Nonfiction Writing from Johns Hopkins University and BA in English from Hofstra University. Her Substack, lingerings, is a weekly newsletter and community that contains creative stories, reflections, and conversations. Subscribe to lingerings! Follow Courtney on Instagram Get full access to lingerings. at courtneyzanosky.substack.com/subscribe
