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EPISODE 26--Your Brain on Joy but this is one where we pop some Oxytocin. What if the deepest joy isn’t loud at all, but quiet, warm, and rooted in feeling safe with yourself and others? We go all-in on oxytocin—the bonding hormone behind trust, belonging, and the calm that lets joy stay—showing why presence beats productivity when it comes to feeling connected. Instead of glorifying hustle, we slow down to explore how emotional safety fuels happiness, why proximity isn’t the same as intimacy, and how “connection” outperforms “attachment” for lasting relationships.

You’ll leave with practical, human ways to boost oxytocin: longer hugs with consent, meaningful conversations where you listen without fixing, honest eye contact, unrecorded acts of kindness, deliberate laughter, and brave, bounded vulnerability. We also share reflection prompts to locate where you feel safe, with whom you feel most like yourself, and where you could soften. If you’ve felt lonely in a crowded life, this is your invitation to trade chaos for care, urgency for presence, and quick highs for gentle joy.

If this resonated, share it with someone who “gets you,” subscribe for the series finale next week, and text us your trial-and-error stories so we can include your voice in our Chels chat wrap-up. Your presence here matters—choose connection, and choose joy.

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Welcome to Your Brain on Joy- a mini-series breaking down the four neurotransmitters as if they were prescriptions for feeling better.

Ever feel like life only rewards you when you push harder? We flip that script by exploring serotonin—the chemistry of steadiness, safety, and quiet confidence—and how it differs from dopamine’s chase for the next win. Instead of glorifying the grind, we dig into how contentment forms the ground you can grow from, especially when your nervous system is asking for support.

We talk through clear signs that serotonin is running low and why that doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful or negative. Then we map out simple, science-aligned habits that help serotonin rise and build trust within yourself.

If this resonates, share it with a friend who’s tired of the hustle hamster wheel, and subscribe so you never miss a new chapter of Your Brain on Joy. Leave a review with one small routine you’re committing to this week—we’d love to cheer you on.

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Welcome to Your Brain on Joy- a mini-series breaking down the four neurotransmitters as if they were prescriptions for feeling better.

This episode we start with Dopamine. What if the reason you feel “meh” isn’t laziness, but chemistry nudging you toward the wrong rewards?

This conversation is for anyone craving real motivation without the crash. If you’re ready to swap quick surges for deeper satisfaction, try one trade this week: put the phone down for an hour, finish a lingering task, learn something new, or cook instead of tapping an app. Pause when you’re done and let that quiet surge of “I did that” land—that’s dopamine aligned with your growth. Next week we move to serotonin and the calm it brings. If this episode helped, share it with a friend who needs a nudge, and follow Choose Joy for more science-backed, heart-forward tools. Leave a review to tell us your one small win today.

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The world feels heavy right now, and its easy to believe we have to carry it all. But compassion doesn't mean burnout. In this episode of Choose Joyy, we explore how to care deeply while protecting our peace-- with gentle reminders, practical tools, and space to breathe lighter.

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Summer may be ending, but there's still plenty of time to soak up the sun and savor the season before the fall rush begins. This episode explores practical wellness tips to help you stay present and grounded during this seasonal transition while preparing your mind and body for shorter days ahead.

Take this invitation to slow down, breathe deeply, and choose joy in the present moment. Your autumn self will thank you for the care and intention you bring to this transition.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 to connect with trained crisis counselors.

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Have you ever felt that unexplainable ache when a friendship slowly fades away? Or been shocked by a friend's betrayal that left you questioning everything? You're not alone.

In this candid and sometimes spicy chat, I'm diving into your raw, unfiltered messages about friendship heartaches and revelations.

This episode is all about YOU, your texts, your stories!


Whether you're grieving a lost friendship, navigating a complicated transition, or feeling lonely despite past social success, this episode offers validation and perspective. Come join our community where vulnerability meets humor, and where we're all figuring out how to find our people at every stage of life.

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Remember when becoming best friends was as simple as sharing a class or a lunch table? As adults, the friendship landscape shifts dramatically, and nobody quite prepares us for what that feels like.

Science confirms what many of us experience – our ability to form and maintain friendships naturally declines after age 25.

This episode unpacks the raw truth about why adult friendships change, offering research-backed strategies for navigating friendship loss and building new connections. We explore why proximity still matters, how vulnerability creates intimacy, and why showing up consistently makes all the difference. Most importantly, we discuss why acceptance, not closure, leads to healing when friendships naturally conclude.

Whether you're deep in friendship grief or actively rebuilding your circle, remember: you are worthy of community, capable of connection, and you will absolutely find your people. Join our conversation and share your own friendship journey for our upcoming minisode where we'll dive deeper into your experiences and questions!

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Ever wondered why certain Disney characters resonate so deeply with you? In this heartwarming conversation, I'm joined by my Mama, Octavia (@DoinDisneymyWay), to unpack the surprising emotional intelligence lessons hidden within our favorite animated classics.

Disney movies offer profound insights into emotional intelligence when viewed through undistracted lenses. Looking beyond the entertainment, they serve as mirrors reflecting our complex emotions and teaching us about acceptance and community.

We begin by exploring the parallels between the imaginative world and our own emotional landscapes revealing something profound about human connection. As adults, we often lose touch with the emotional honesty we had as children, placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves and others.

This conversation will have you rethinking how you show up for yourself and others when sadness, fear, or anxiety takes the driver's seat. Because true friendship isn't about being perfectly put together, but about showing up anyway - honey pot and all.

Listen in and discover which character you relate to most, then ask yourself: who's at your emotional control panel today? And how can you extend that same compassionate understanding to your own crew?

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