S2 Ep 9: What If Joy Isn't Optional? What children know about learning and adults forget about living.

Differences NOT Deficits · Nov 5, 2026 · 34m

When was the last time you stopped to think about what truly brings you joy?

In this episode, we explore something that sounds so simple, yet can be surprisingly difficult to answer. Through our own experiences, we reflect on how easily joy can become lost beneath expectations, responsibilities, comparison, and the pressure to take life so seriously.

We also look at the important role joy plays in learning, including research that helps us understand why it matters. What happens to children's natural curiosity, creativity, and excitement when learning becomes more about meeting standards than…