The Contagious Joy Podcast

Kim Anderson & Jenny Chate
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Mental Health
  • Series

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!

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  1. Episode 1

    Beautifully Sad: Finding Joy in the Midst of Grief

    Show SummaryWelcome to Season 3 of the Contagious Joy Podcast! In this moving season premiere, Kim and Jenny catch up after a painful break following the passing of Kim’s father, Chuck, on Father's Day. Recording live from her childhood home on a peaceful lake in northern Minnesota, Kim reflects on the "beautifully sad" experience of being present during her dad's final days, the unexpected moments of comfort—like a sign from the lightning bugs—and the overwhelm of community support. Meanwhile, Jenny shares her perspective from afar in Australia, navigating the deep distance during times of loss, the lingering warmth of past memories, and finding comfort in life's simple, cozy moments. Together, they explore how grief isn’t a burden, but rather "love refusing to let go"—and how true joy can still be found in the quiet middle of mourning. Show NotesIntro & Catching Up: Pre-show banter, skin care, aging, and dream interpretations.Season 3 Kickoff: Kim records lakeside from her childhood home in northern Minnesota.Remembering Chuck: Processing the loss of Kim's dad on Father's Day and the concept of "beautifully sad" moments.The Story of the Lightning Bugs: How a quiet final conversation provided comfort and a feeling of connection."Grief is Love Refusing to Let Go": Discussing funeral photography, giving the eulogy without tears, and honoring loved ones.Community & Showing Up: How friends, family, and neighbors show up during hard times in the Midwest.Moving Forward: Gail’s journey of resilience and transitioning from "we" to "me".An Interruption from the Rain: Relocating mid-episode as Minnesota finally gets much-needed rain amid dry weather and wildfires.Fire Memories & Winter Comforts: Jenny shares Australian bushfire memories and the physical comfort of "Snuggies".Looking Ahead: Upcoming family camping trips to Voyageurs National Park and honoring traditions.

  2. Episode 2

    Finding Joy in the Midst of Embracing Life’s Next Chapter

    🎙️ Podcast Show SummaryIn this episode of the Contagious Joy Podcast, co-hosts Kim and Jenny connect across the globe—from a sunny, warm evening in northern Minnesota to a chilly morning in Sydney, Australia. Together, they explore the bittersweet process of navigating major life transitions, purging personal belongings, and moving forward after loss. Jenny shares her personal journey of letting go of 35 years' worth of catering crockery, closing the chapter on her teaching and catering careers. Meanwhile, Kim reflects on clearing out her late sister’s room and her dad’s stored items at her parents' lake house. Interspersed with lighthearted moments—like discussing high-stakes lottery dreams, birdwatching interruptions from local wildlife (crows, loons, and cockatoos), and the art of finding joy while grieving—this episode serves as a gentle reminder that life is constantly changing, and it is entirely okay to embrace both sadness and joy at the same time. 📝 Show NotesKey Topics & TimestampsWelcome & Cross-Continental Catch-Up: Kim (Minnesota) and Jenny (Sydney) discuss extreme weather and time zone differences.Winning the Lotto & Big Dreams: The hosts share funny stories about lottery dreams, past $7.35 wins, and hypothetical travel plans to Australia.Tiny Homes & Unique Living Spaces: Exploring shipping container homes, modular student housing, and differing perspectives on living space.Empty Nesting & Letting Go of the Past: Jenny discusses her children moving out and the emotional weight of selling her 35-year-old catering crockery.Decluttering & Healing from Loss: Kim opens up about cleaning out her dad's garage and her late sister Paige's room, navigating the emotions of purging items.Nature Interludes & Bird Stories: A hilarious real-time interaction with local wildlife—crows, pileated woodpeckers, Australian cockatoos, and Minnesota loons.Finding Lightness in Heavy Seasons: Reflecting on mindfulness, self-compassion, and the song How Can I Help You Say Goodbye.

  3. Episode 3

    Continue to Choose Joy

    Show Summary In this episode of The Contagious Joy Podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny catch up on a busy week filled with life updates, unexpected victories, and finding happiness in challenging times. Kim records from Ocean Park, Washington, reflecting on recent wildfires in Minnesota, Washington and Oregon, and sharing her love for crafting birthday banners and cake toppers for her son. Meanwhile, Jenny shares a surprising medical win—perfect blood pressure after leaving a toxic workplace—alongside stories of her rewarding work supporting a participant with a disability. Together, they reminisce about past trips to Hawaii, explore cultural differences in terms like "condo" versus "apartment" and "neutered" versus "desexed", and highlight how small acts of service and connection bring genuine joy. Show Notes Introduction & Catching Up: Kim and Jenny jump into their weekly check-in, laughing about who talks more during their pre-recording chats.Coast Escapes & Wildfire Reflections: Kim shares updates from her trip to Ocean Park, Washington, and discusses navigating the emotional weight of regional wildfires.Crafting for Hawken's Birthday: Kim breaks down her annual tradition of making hand-crafted birthday banners and Nerf-themed decorations.Health Wins & Toxic Workplaces: Jenny reveals her latest doctor’s visit where her blood pressure was surprisingly perfect, attributing the change to leaving toxic work environments and focusing on joy.Language & Travel Flashbacks: The hosts discuss regional terminology ("condo" vs. "apartment", "neutered" vs. "desexed") and look back on a memorable group trip to Hawaii.Closing Thoughts & Community Call: Reminders to find small moments of happiness amidst life's chaos, freedom from the "cone of shame" for Hector the dog, and how to connect with the podcast online.

    Continue to Choose Joy

  4. Episode 4

    Skee-Ball, Census Delivery and Family Trees: Celebrating Life's Small Victories

    Episode Summary In this episode of The Contagious Joy Podcast, hosts Kim and Jen share lighthearted personal updates, humorous stories, and meaningful reflections on community and connection. Kim opens by sharing highlights from a relaxing family trip to the coast, complete with driving on the beach, arcade competitions, mini-golf, and quality time spent together. Jen catches up with news of her recent health scare, reassuring listeners after receiving clean biopsy results. She then recounts her uplifting experience volunteering as a census deliverer for the Australian Bureau of Statistics, at the local Ronald McDonald House, where interacting with the children and playing lively games of "Snap" brought a wave of pure joy. The conversation pivots to family milestones, including the excitement surrounding Jen’s son Rowan publishing his new book, Afterlife. Finally, Kim delves into her passion for genealogy, recounting how tracing her family tree led to surprising connections—from Mayflower ancestors to Hollywood actors—and how uncovering personal histories helps foster a deeper sense of belonging. Show Notes Beach Trip Recap: Kim details a fun family getaway filled with mini-golf, arcade Skee-Ball and air hockey, beach drives, and swimming.Health Update & Perspective: Jen shares her experience getting a skin biopsy checked out and receiving good news, reflecting on how quickly perspective shifts.Volunteering at Ronald McDonald House: Jen talks about delivering census forms to families, playing cards with the kids, and being humorously challenged at "Snap" by an 8-year-old.Rowan’s Book Launch: Celebrating the release of Rowan's self-published book, Afterlife, its premise, and early sales success.Soccer Camp & Community: Kim discusses her son Haakon's local soccer camp and reconnecting with familiar faces from school.Genealogy Discoveries: Kim breaks down her deep dive into family history, tracing connections back to the Mayflower, royal lines, and even actor Matt Damon.The Power of Knowing Your History: Reflections on how uncovering ancestral stories gives people a sense of root identity and shared human connection.

  5. Episode 5

    Wedding Flowers, AI Scams, and Strategies for the Dark Places

    Summary In this episode of the Contagious Joy Podcast, host Jenny shares a deeply personal story about falling victim to an intricate AI-driven text scam where fraudsters impersonated her daughter and stole $2,500. She candidly discusses the severe emotional toll and suicidal thoughts that followed, highlighting the mental health strategies she used to navigate the dark place and regain her footing—such as limiting contact with others, focusing on small positive tasks, and leaning on loved ones. Co-host Kim offers empathetic support, discussing the importance of recognizing faulty mental messages, reaching out for help, and normalizing conversations around mental health. The duo also touches on lighter topics, including organizing wedding flowers, local plant stories, eBay selling wins, and upcoming travel plans. Show Notes Life Updates: Kim's upcoming busy schedule with back-to-school routines and floral design for an upcoming wedding.The AI Scam Experience: Jenny details how scammers used AI to mimic her daughter's messaging style to urgently request money, leading to a financial loss and bank intervention.Mental Health & Coping Strategies: Jenny opens up about falling into a dark mental space and suicidal ideation, sharing actionable tools that helped her recover: acknowledging faulty brain messages, communicating with family (Tim), reducing social noise, and finding joy in tiny wins (posting an eBay parcel).Mental Health Awareness: Discussion on suicide prevention resources (Lifeline, Headspace, 988), supporting friends, and checking in on loved ones.Lighthearted Catch-Ups: Gardening (hydrangeas, invasive trees), eBay selling, family visits, and future vacation goals.

  6. Episode 6

    When the Class Hits a Wall: Lessons in True Empathy and Advocacy

    Show Summary In this episode, Kim and Jenny return for an honest, insightful check-in on navigating life’s unexpected hurdles, setting boundaries, and choosing joy through difficult seasons. Jenny opens up about her recent experiences supporting her participant, Luna, in an environment that lacked accessibility and proper accommodations for hearing-impaired adults. The duo reflects on the difference between being overly critical and operating out of deep empathy, highlighting how true advocacy means stepping up when systems fall short. Kim shares updates on her creative birthday prep, personal life, and returning to the workforce, while both hosts reflect on neurodivergence, breaking generational cycles, and finding clarity after turbulent times. Show Notes Episode Kick-Off & Listener Shoutouts: Reflecting on last week’s vulnerable episode and feedback.Living with Mental Illness & Neurodivergence: Embracing diagnoses, masking anxiety, and shifting perceptions as adults.The Reality of Ineffective Inclusion: Jenny shares her frustration with a disability course lacking basic accommodations (captions, visuals, or active listening) for deaf participants.What is a Roger Pen? Discovering assistive hearing technology and the emotional weight of invisible disabilities.Standing Up & Walking Out: Jenny's participant triumphant moment of self-advocacy against poor teaching and unfair criticism.Breaking Generational Cycles: Parental reflections, processing childhood trauma, and choosing better for the next generation.Wrapping Up: Back-to-school routines, upcoming breaks, and choosing joy in the quiet after the storm.

  7. Episode 7

    Pinecones, Evacuations, and Owning Your Intelligence

    Show Summary In this episode of Contagious Joy, hosts Kim and Jenny catch up on the shift in seasons, comparing rainy weather in Oregon to the sudden start of summer in Sydney. Kim shares a chaotic story about getting evacuated from a camping trip near Mount Hood due to nearby wildfires and pinecone-dropping squirrels. Jenny talks about her work with young kids building "monster truck bridges" and a heartwarming breakthrough with a long-term cooking participant. Together, they explore deeper topics around accepting genuine compliments, breaking free from negative self-talk, and learning to let go of constant vigilance as life evolves. Show Notes Intro chit-chat & behind-the-scenes recording clip.Seasonal changes: Transitioning to fall in Oregon vs. a sudden summer heatwave in Sydney.Kim's camping story: Smoke, level-3 wildfire evacuations, and aggressive pinecone squirrels.Back-to-school routines and milestones.Teaching stem to preschoolers: "Monster truck bridges" and taking instructions very literally.A heartwarming cooking win and dealing with parent competition dynamics.Reframing scams, accepting facts vs. compliments, and childhood driving stories.Why negative comments stick, social media dynamics, and challenging old self-beliefs.Letting go of constant vigilance, mid-life tiredness, and encouraging other women.Upcoming trips, birthday milestones, and wrapping up.

See All Season 3 (7)

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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!

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