Are you tired of constantly comparing yourself to others? Do you often feel like other people are judging your accomplishments? If so, learning how to defy jealousy will be a powerful skill that enables you to transform feelings of jealousy into empowerment, gratitude, and joy. In this episode, I explore the difference between jealousy and envy, why these feelings show up, and tangible ways to reframe comparison into inspiration.
It’s so important to stay grounded in your own worth, celebrate others without shrinking yourself, and build authentic joy by honoring your unique path. Because choosing joy isn’t about never feeling jealous — it’s about not living from it.
Tune in for mindset shifts, honest self-reflection, and simple practices to help you defy jealousy and live joyfully, confidently, and fully yourself.
After taking a little time off to rest my voice, I’m jumping right into a conversation that’s been sitting on my heart. This episode was inspired by my friend, Jacob, who reminded me that “busy is a privilege.” It really made me think...what if we stopped seeing busyness as the enemy, and started viewing it as an opportunity for growth, gratitude, and connection? In this episode, I talk about how to tell the difference between being busy and being frantic, how to align your schedule with your values, and how to build little daily rituals that keep you grounded in joy and gratitude.
Joy doesn’t wait for an empty calendar...it thrives in motion. So grab your Joy Journal, take a deep breath, and let’s dive into what it really means to find purposeful, balanced, and beautiful busyness.
You don't "have to do __" you "get to do ___"..,, being busy is a blessing!
I’m so excited to share the first interview of Season 4! This interview has been in the works for ages, and I am overjoyed to finally have the opporttunity to share the story of my mentor and friend, Yoni Mann. He is a senior at the University of Florida whose passion for leadership, community, and adventure (including scuba diving...how cool!?) is so inspiring.
In this episode, Yoni shares his Joy Project: learning to live fully in the moment, appreciating the small things, and surrounding yourself with people and experiences that bring genuine happiness. We talk about balancing a busy schedule, reframing obligations as opportunities, and why little joys—like a favorite color or five quiet minutes in nature—can make all the difference.
If you’ve ever felt “too busy” or struggled to slow down and be present, this episode will give you practical tips and a fresh perspective to carry into your week. I can't wait for you to hear from someone who has shaped my life in so many positive ways!
This week let's dive into the powerful choice of protecting your peace by stepping away from negative conversations. From college gossip and endless complaints to everyday negativity, knowing how to reclaim your energy and redirect the focus can open up space for gratitude, positivity, and true joy.
Over the years, I’ve realized I don’t have to fix other people’s complaints or carry their negativity...I can choose joy instead. For me, choosing joy isn’t about ignoring reality—it’s about intentionally creating more space for peace, clarity, and positivity.
Make sure to listen if you want to learn how to set healthy boundaries without guilt, redirect draining conversations into uplifting ones, protect your mental space, and practice daily gratitude to shift your perspective.
Welcome to season FOUR of The Joy Project with Julia! I’m thrilled to kick off the season and share what’s been going on as I start my junior year...lots of diving into new opportunities, challenges, and relationships. In this episode, I’m talking about finding your “why,” why it’s so important to know what drives you, and how having that clarity can guide your choices, help you stay grounded, and make it easier to navigate life’s ups and downs. We’ll also chat about thinking through the legacy you want to leave, giving yourself grace when things don’t go as planned, and embracing the little joys that keep you going.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or unsure about your next step, this episode is all about slowing down, reflecting, and remembering that your story is yours—and it’s worth celebrating.
After 10 incredible weeks abroad, I’m excited to finally reflect on my study abroad experience. So many people who return from their programs often say, “Study abroad changed my life”...and honestly, I couldn’t agree more. I’ve grown so much throughout this experience, and in ways I never imagined.
From forming the sweetest connections with locals in Madrid, to practicing my Spanish communication skills daily, to gaining a deeper sense of cultural and global awareness... I’m truly so happy with this new identity I’ve begun to form.
I’m looking forward to using these experiences to fuel future growth and continuing on my mission of seeking and spreading joy in as many ways as possible.
It’s time to play… this episode about playtime!
Rediscover the joy and importance of play in our everyday lives. Whether through creativity, movement, games, or pure goofiness, play has the power to brighten our days and reconnect us with what makes life feel light and fun. I challenge you to find hobbies and activities that fuel your passions and recharge your ambitions...let's play!
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how easy it is to open up quickly when everything feels exciting and new… but also how important it is to stay grounded in emotional awareness. I’m learning that protecting your heart doesn’t mean being guarded or distant—it means listening to your intuition, setting gentle boundaries, and trusting yourself to hold space for both joy and discernment.
Hard-launching yourself into new friendships can sometimes create more confusion than connection. So let’s normalize the slow burn—building trust, staying intentional, and letting genuine connections unfold over time.
This week, I’m sharing my own experiences navigating new relationships, strengthening emotional intelligence, and finding ways to enjoy life without losing myself in the process.
Join me as we talk about honoring our feelings, embracing connection with care, and finding joy in slowing down and protecting the most sacred parts of ourselves.
YAY!!! 21st episode of season 3 on my 21st birthday...I think YES!! Every year I write a letter to my future self on my birthday to open the next year. This letter is full of wisdom, predictions, and manifestations for the year. This has easily become my favorite birthday tradition. Listen to this episode recap to listen to me read & debrief you on my letter!
I am officially halfway through my 365 days of joy journaling, and I wanted to make a little episode talking about some of the most valuable takeaways I’ve gained from this type of reflection. Every day, I have the opportunity to express my gratitude and feel a sense of accomplishment and purpose in my 3 S's: self, school, and social. This journaling technique has motivated me to find the good even in the lowest moments—and this past spring semester was definitely rocky.
However, good growth can and will come from our negative past experiences if we choose to adopt a positive mindset. So, listen to me yap about my silly entries, my "aha" growth moments, and why daily reflection is so important.
Every day, we have the chance to see the world through our own unique lens.
Lately, I’ve been practicing how to notice and celebrate natural beauty — not just in nature itself, but in people and everyday moments. As I reflected, I realized the moments that moved me most fell into three themes: human interactions, human appearances, and human experiences of the world.
In this episode, I’m sharing some of the things that make me smile, how my mindset around beauty has evolved over the years, and what keeps me inspired to keep finding joy in small, honest moments.
Whether you already notice these things or you're just beginning to look more closely, I hope this episode helps you reconnect with the quiet joy of simply witnessing life as it is.
And maybe, you'll find something that makes your eyes sparkle too.
Being sick is something I’ve constantly had to navigate. From missing playdates in elementary school, to high school & college events, and to now even my study abroad experiences, illness has often been a joy stealer in my life.
So, with my current situation—spending two days in the hospital while studying abroad in Spain—I decided it was time for a mindset reevaluation.
Instead of focusing on what I’m missing out on, I’m choosing to celebrate the small victories and practice gratitude. More than ever, I’ve been reminded of the importance of human connection and empathy. Navigating the healthcare system alone—and in a language that isn’t my native one—has pushed me to form deeper connections with those around me and encouraged a new perspective.
After experiencing so many physical health challenges over the years, I now feel more equipped to be a positive resource, a trusted confidant, and a support system for others.
To every case of strep throat, every surgery, every stomach bug—I thank you. This is the moment I begin living with more compassion for myself and the health issues I face, and I commit to continually reshaping my mindset when these challenges arise.
Once you start doing things on your own, you become more aware of what you're truly seeking for yourself. Use your failures as fuel to propel you toward pursuing your passions and opportunities that will bring fulfillment. Being authentically yourself allows others to meet you where you are.
This episode recounts my study abroad experiences over the past two weeks—sweet friendships I’ve formed despite language barriers, navigation mishaps that forced me to problem-solve, and immersive moments in the city of Madrid that I wouldn’t trade for the world.
Finding joy in exploring alone means accepting that you don’t have to be perfect—you just have to be okay with taking risks, owning your mishaps, and celebrating the victories along the way.
Navigating life is hard—both literally and figuratively. However, how lucky are we to have the opportunity to grow each and every day?
Listen to me yap about the power of solitude and how happy I am to have so many supporters in my life (all of you, duh!) who are authentically growing into the best versions of themselves. You all inspire me to keep seeking and spreading joy.
Thank you.
Have you ever met someone so full of knowledge that you can’t help but wonder how they became so wise? Well, in this episode, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about finding joy in the journey of becoming—with Nicole Calero.
When she reached out about coming onto the podcast, I instantly jumped at the opportunity. She has been such an incredible mentor to me and has so much to share with others. When I asked her what she finds joy in and what her “joy project” is, she replied:
"To me, our lives are a collective of moments that make up the portrait of our story. I find joy in those moments more than anything. Moments of laughter with friends, and coming together with family to fill my cup. It's reading all my favorite books and doing sudoku under my lamp light.
My favorite quote by Theodore Roosevelt is "far and away the greatest prize life has to offer is to work hard at work worth doing." I’m also passionate about the book called the midnight library, and it teaches great lessons about life and how life gives us choices, even when we don't realize it."
With a response already so full of insight, I was eager to hear more. Her story is truly one you won’t want to miss!
Having the ability to evaluate certain situations with a specific attitude and perspective enables us to fully experience the growth we desire. This week, I was prompted by my Principles of Entrepreneurship class to share what I've learned about the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset. I found it insightful to learn the definitions, reflect on my personal experiences with each mindset, and collect my thoughts on how to fully embrace a growth mindset in all aspects of my life. This week, I challenge you all to do the same!
In this uplifting episode, we sit down with Owen Nash to explore the art of embracing joy through a lighter perspective on life. Together, we unpack why so many of us get caught up in seriousness—and how Owen has learned to balance lightheartedness without slipping into carelessness.
We dive into how humor and a playful mindset have helped Owen navigate life’s toughest moments, along with practical habits for easing stress and inviting more joy into daily life. From the mental health toll of overthinking to the freedom that comes with letting go, Owen shares insights that are as heartfelt as they are helpful.
As RuPaul famously says, “If you can't love yourself, how the heck are you gonna love somebody else?” Well, my guest today fully embodies that energy. With a blend of warmth, honesty, and humor that puts you instantly at ease, Owen invites us all to stay present, release the pressure, and rediscover the joy in simply being ourselves.
What if the key to joy isn't in holding on—but in letting go? In this week's episode of The Joy Project with Julia, I sat down with Jared, @theheadbandgolfer, a passionate golfer and storyteller, to explore how living authentically can be liberating. Jared opens up about his personal evolution, reminding us that “you can’t be the victim of your own life” and that transformation begins with a simple choice: “It’s one day, or day one.”
From shedding false identities to chasing a dream worth risking everything for, Jared shares the bold mindset shift that turned his pain into purpose: “It’s not happening to you—it’s happening for you.” With unshakable authenticity, he invites us to choose real over easy: “I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I’m not.”
This episode is a powerful invitation to stop surviving and start living—with joy, clarity, and courage.
Today’s episode is all about finding joy in the time we share with others, especially during life’s big transitions. In this interview, I sit down with Brooke Flask, who is wrapping up her semester at the University of Florida before transferring to the United States Naval Academy. Together, we reflect on the people who have shaped us—family, mentors, friends—and the values they have instilled: kindness, empathy, and unwavering support.
We dive into what it truly means to be present in our relationships: active listening, small daily habits that spark joy, and carving out space for others even when life feels hectic or uncertain. You’ll hear personal stories about balancing the excitement of new beginnings with the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye, and learn how embracing every moment with intention can turn ordinary interactions into lasting memories.
Whether you’re navigating your own transitions or looking to deepen the connections in your life, this conversation will remind you that joy isn’t just found in milestones—it’s created in the everyday moments we choose to share. Tune in and discover how you can become a little bit of joy in someone else’s world.
Today, Ariel Gabriely and I dive into what it truly means to find joy in letting go — releasing the need for control, validation, and perfection, and making space for real growth, healing, and peace. To do this, we must lead with kindness, empathy, and self-respect. Honoring our time and energy as valuable currencies can completely shift the way we move through the world. Growth and healing are never linear; a difficult day doesn’t mean you’re off track. Every step — even the messy ones — still matters.
Ariel also shares personal reflections on how she learned to trust her own perception of self instead of chasing validation from others, and the freedom that comes with letting go of what’s not meant for you.
I hope this episode reminds you that you are exactly where you need to be — and that letting go can sometimes be the most powerful act of self-love.
Hello beautiful people! I came across this recording I had happened to film during one of my long walks a few weeks ago (hence the Final Four reference), and realized I had never posted and shared it with all of you!
This episode was incredibly liberating for me to film as I fully embraced how beautiful it is to be in solitude sometimes. My content and thoughts were incredibly chaotic and so "julia coded", but I hope you all take time to listen. Once YOU live out YOUR dreams, then you inspire others to pursue theirs. You have the power to choose where you spend your time, what you do, and who you are with...choose experiences that will enable you to grow into your most authentic self. You owe it to yourself to take the risks to to find what you are most passionate about. Find, know, and live out your values. Do extraordinary things and extraordinay things will come to you.
Hello beautiful people! I came across this recording I happened to film during one of my long walks a few weeks ago (hence the Final Four reference), and realized I had never posted or shared it with all of you! This episode was incredibly liberating for me to film, as I fully embraced how beautiful it can be to spend time in solitude. My content and thoughts were incredibly chaotic and so Julia-coded, but I hope you all take some time to listen.
Once you live out your dreams, you inspire others to pursue theirs. You have the power to choose where you spend your time, what you do, and who you're with... choose experiences that will help you grow into your most authentic self. You owe it to yourself to take the risks necessary to find what you're most passionate about. Find, know, and live out your values.
Do extraordinary things, and extraordinary things will come to you."
