“I want you to know joy, so together we will practice gratitude. I want you to feel joy, so together we will learn how to be vulnerable.” — Brené Brown, Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto

This week, we’re talking about Joy—what it feels like, why it can be so hard to stay with, and how we’re learning to welcome more of it into our family life. We talk about the kind of joy that sneaks up on you, the kind that’s layered with memory and meaning, and the kind that feels a little scary to fully experience.

We also talk about foreboding joy (thanks Brené), how joy has changed since becoming parents, and why practicing vulnerability and gratitude actually expands our capacity to feel it. Greg opens up about how mental health plays a role in how he relates to joy—and Danielle reflects on how she’s reclaiming personal joy outside of motherhood.

Plus: We introduce a new segment!
TMIT Teammates kicks off with our dear friend Jennifer Zelman, whose story of raising a blended family across Rome and New York is full of perspective, humor, and wisdom. She shares what living abroad has taught her about parenting, presence, and letting go of the pressure to optimize everything.

💡 Episode Highlights

• The difference between joy and happiness (and why it matters)
• “Layered joy” and the power of nostalgic moments
• Foreboding joy: when our brains rehearse tragedy instead of presence
• How Greg’s diagnosis shaped his relationship to joy
• The value of silly, spontaneous moments in building family culture
• Jen Zelman on travel, resilience, and raising culturally open kids

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.
And stay tuned after the episode for TMIT Teammates—real talk with real families we love and admire.

🧡 As always, thanks for being here. If this resonated with you, share it with a friend or drop us a review—it really helps.