Shows / The Path to Joy
The Path to Joy
Yes!! This a podcast about joy, perspective, and being human. I share stories from my own life -- the things that make me laugh, make me think, and sometimes make me rethink everything.
No expertise. No perfect answers. Just one person paying attention and sharing what she finds along the way.
Join me every Tuesday and Thursday for a new episode.
Enjoy the journey.
Episodes
- The Path to Joy
An Ode to the Mess!
Today is about STUFF! I have so much stuff, friends: laundry that never gets put away, thousands of Pokémon cards, LEGO sets, school projects, exercise…
- The Path to Joy
A Quilt, a Smorgasbord, and Two Compliments!
What started as a family trip to Lancaster to replace our 22-year-old quilt turned into one of those unexpectedly GREAT days. There was a seven-minute quilt…
- The Path to Joy
Give Yourself Some Credit!
It's about time we give ourselves some friggin' credit! We get so used to everything we've done, created, and built that we forget none of it was always there…
- The Path to Joy
It's OK to Not Know: A Meditation
Today's episode is a little different. It's a short meditation about letting go of the need to know what's coming. Frankly, none of us love uncertainty…
- The Path to Joy
Two Hundred Bonus Days.
Today is a bit of a hard episode. I’m not going to sugar-coat it. Today is about the passing of my dear rabbi, Michelle Pearlman. It’s hard to get beyond the…
- The Path to Joy
What Does It Feel Like to Be 15?
Today I share about the twins’ first college visit. I kind of can’t believe I’m starting this process all over again — but you know I love it! I would go on…
- The Path to Joy
Not on My Watch!
I'm always coming up with new phrases to help me stop a train of anxious thoughts — the quippier, the better! The one I've been repeating lately is, "Not…
- The Path to Joy
A Season to Wake Up.
I've done an episode about Rosh Hashanah every year — and, yes, I know it's not actually Rosh Hashanah by the time you're listening to this. But the timing…
- The Path to Joy
A Shift in Perspective.
Sometimes you need someone to remind you what things could look like on the other side. It’s not that we try to operate with blinders on, but sometimes we do…
- The Path to Joy
Can We Just Sit at a Lake?
Today I share a bit more about our trip to the Finger Lakes but, really, today is all about expectations. What is my life with Andy, the most active man on the…
- The Path to Joy
I Guess Summer is Officially Over!
Thanks so much for listening! I love helping people change (and improve!) their perception of their lives -- aka find more JOY. Here are links that I mention…
- The Path to Joy
Oh Vermont!
Life got so busy I almost forgot to tell you about Vermont! Vermont is a funny place for me — it’s my home, it’s a place my kids feel is very much their second…
- The Path to Joy
An Update!
Today I share an update -- about Ben, me, and life in general. I think my rambling is getting worse, friends. At this point, some episodes are so all over the…
- The Path to Joy
Is It Time to Go Back to School?
I've been toying with the idea of going back to school. I have a little PTSD from getting my master's over twenty years ago, so I'm not exactly sure what…
- The Path to Joy
And How Am I Actually Doing?
I shared all the details of Ben’s move-in on Tuesday. But how am I actually doing (because it’s all about me, right??). If you need the CliffsNotes version…
- The Path to Joy
Rochester Here We Come!
So, this is it, friends! No, don't freak out — I'm not ending the podcast, but the move is here. Ben has officially moved to Rochester (land of 90 inches of…
- The Path to Joy
An Icon!
My dear friend Caitlin hit the nail on the head when she said, 'Your mother is a freakin' icon!' Well, there you have it folks -- I am the daughter of an icon…
- The Path to Joy
It's My Birthday!
Well, it's not actually my birthday. As you are listening to this, my birthday was a few weeks ago. I am sorry -- there's no way for me to write and record in…
- The Path to Joy
Learning to Sit Back.
What mom wants their kid to suffer or struggle? I don't know many. But where is that line between supporting your kids and taking over? I have no clue because…
- The Path to Joy
My Nervous System!
I love getting older. I love that, at this point, I know myself pretty well. I even know what my nervous system needs. Sometimes I forget -- like when I make a…
- The Path to Joy
And Now Flying a Little Further West!
From California we fly west! To Hawaii! Middle seat again. Hawaii brought up lots of childhood memories, too. And the Dole Whip at the Dole Plantation was…
- The Path to Joy
Traveling Old Footsteps.
Today I share a bit more about our time in California. Driving south to Monterey brought up all these memories of time with my parents in Monterey, Carmel, and…
- The Path to Joy
Time to Wear Flowers in Your Hair!
Today I share some stories from the start of our family trip in San Francisco. I honestly travel with a very funny crew -- from Andy, who likes to 'pump up the…
- The Path to Joy
It's Almost Time!
As I write today's episode, I'm on a plane headed to California with my crew (middle seat -- I always get the middle seat!), but I'm really thinking about how…
- The Path to Joy
What Does Your Rich Life Look Like?
What does your rich life look like? I love this question. Not what will you do someday when you have more money, but what kind of life do you actually want to…
- The Path to Joy
What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up??
What do you want to be when you grow up? I kind of love that question. Little kids' answers are the absolute best — firetruck might still be my favorite. But…
- The Path to Joy
Oh So Lucky!
Does luck exist? I love the word luck — it makes me think of rainbows, leprechauns, and little pots of gold — but I'm not sure I actually believe in it. Today…
- The Path to Joy
Did He or Didn't He??
I know -- you've been waiting with bated breath. Did Ben actually come to the beach?? I know the last five days of waiting have been torture -- but the wait is…
- The Path to Joy
Pulling Away!
I always thought those moms who said their kids start pulling away before college were talking about their kids -- not mine. Well...they were right. Today I'm…
- The Path to Joy
A New Beginning!
My mom is moving! If you know my mom, or you attended one of my retreats in 2025, you know this is a really big deal. I'm so excited for her. Honestly, it…
- The Path to Joy
The Power of Attention!
Today's episode is all about a New York Times monthly challenge that invites readers to spend ten minutes looking at a painting. The idea was inspired by an…
- The Path to Joy
Paradise!
My grandparents lived in a retirement community called Century Village. My childhood joke was that you had to be 100 years old to live there. It's not quite as…
- The Path to Joy
Physics Anyone??
Don’t be turned off by the title of today’s episode! Yes, there’s a little physics talk -- in honor of my dad -- but today is really about miracles. Miracles…
- The Path to Joy
We Love Games!
Don't worry -- I promise I'm not about to rank our favorite family games. This episode is about one very special game -- one that turned out to be the greatest…
- The Path to Joy
Some Time Away.
No, I didn't get some time away. But someone in our family did. Today's episode is about Ben's first trip away with his friends -- and how I went from 'there…
- The Path to Joy
I Always Need a Plan!
Even your joyful, fearless (if you've listened to ALL the episodes about my absurd fears of ice and falling, you're probably shaking your head at that one!)…
- The Path to Joy
A New Dynamic!
Sometimes you never know what something is going to be like until you are in it. Right? We had a new dynamic this week -- just me and the twins for a night --…
- The Path to Joy
Now It's Time!
And here we are at graduation. I keep trying to wrap my head around the fact that my oldest child will no longer be living in my home full time in just a…
- The Path to Joy
Summer Bodies!
I kind of laughed writing 'summer bodies' as the title of today's episode because, if you've listened to even one of my podcast episodes, you could predict…
- The Path to Joy
It's Been Five Years!
I started my newsletter five years ago. Friends, that is crazy! Today is the story of how one starts a business literally out of thin air. And, a huge thank…
- The Path to Joy
Finding Treasure!
After over 300 episodes, you can probably guess how this is going to -- Melissa is going to use the word 'treasure' but there will be no mention of actual…
- The Path to Joy
Can You Become a Beach Person?
Well, if you've been listening to this podcast for any length of time, you know when I ask a question like: Can you become a beach person? -- the answer is…
- The Path to Joy
Memories That Stick.
Today's episode is about a memory, really more of a thought, that just sticks in my brain. I couldn't even tell you what I had for dinner last night and, yet…
- The Path to Joy
A Day For Mothers!
Yes, I know it's early June for you listeners and here I am talking about Mother's Day. But I would say this episode could apply to any special day --…
- The Path to Joy
And Now It's My Turn!
Believe it or not, your fearless leader/podcast host (me) had never actually attended a retreat for herself until now. Well… that’s partially untrue. But…
- The Path to Joy
Stop Predicting the Future!
Yes, I know we all do it -- we like to try and predict the future. I am definitely guilty of it. Today I share a recent story where I could not have predicted…
- The Path to Joy
And Now the Event Itself!
After Tuesday's episode about the backstory, today I finally share a bit about the April retreat. There's always a theme, a take away that comes from each one…
- The Path to Joy
The Backstory!
Today’s episode is a little backstory on how I started leading retreats in the first place. I’ve always found origin stories fascinating -- the unexpected ways…
- The Path to Joy
To Witness Unraveling.
For full disclosure, I do begin today’s episode with some bowling talk. I mean, we can’t go too long without talking about bowling! But the primary focus is…
- The Path to Joy
The Prom!
Yes! Ben went to the prom. Let’s talk about the prom -- I know for some people it can be this big, magical event: a defining moment, a before-and-after…
- The Path to Joy
An Episode About Spring (Sort Of)!
Today's episode started with me thinking about spring and my dogwood tree, and somehow ended up spiraling into an episode about time flying, my boys growing…
- The Path to Joy
Learning (and Unlearning)!
So, you may think more or less of me after today’s episode -- which features teenage boys, a drone, and some very questionable judgment. Spoiler alert…
- The Path to Joy
Money, Money, Money!
Yes -- today is all about money. I could probably do dozens of episodes about this topic, but in this one I’m sharing a bit of the history of money -- from…
- The Path to Joy
Go Slow, Stay Wide, Don't Chase!
Today's episode is inspired by words by Bonnitta Roy (and shared by my friend, Cara Bradley): Go Slow, Stay Wide, Don't Chase. I think we all need permission…
- The Path to Joy
For Me...It's Structure!
I love the idea of being spontaneous and go-with-the-flow but, the truth is, I'm not. I love planning. I love structure. I love being prepared. So, after many…
- The Path to Joy
And It's Decided!
Well, it's been a big few days in the Bloom/Kish household. Ben made his college decision -- in a very 'Ben' fashion. All about the 'feeling.' I would love to…
- The Path to Joy
And Then a Workshop!
The weekend continued! Following the Ben college visit (Tuesday's episode), I then held my first workshop. You know I needed a nap after all this excitement!…
- The Path to Joy
A Ben Weekend!
It’s rare that we get a weekend alone with Ben (our oldest!). But this weekend kicked off our final quest to help him decide where to attend college this fall…
- The Path to Joy
A Marathon and the Power of Your Thoughts.
Today we’re talking about the 2026 L.A. Marathon—well, and marathons in general—and the mental gymnastics it takes to finish, especially when you’ve got a…
- The Path to Joy
What Do You Believe?
Today's episode is a bit about Alexander (one of my twins) and a bit about the afterlife. We recently had a conversation about 'the other side' -- he was…