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Season 2 Episode 9 Joy doesn’t always arrive on the timeline we expect, but when it does, it can be profoundly sweet. In this episode of Contagious Joy, hosts Kim and Jenny sit down with their dear friend Wendy Long to pull back the curtain on the emotional rollercoaster of reproductive grief, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and infertility. Wendy shares her raw and beautiful story of traveling across the world to Ukraine during the Orange Revolution to adopt her eldest son

In this episode of the Contagious Joy Podcast, hosts Jenny and Kim celebrate a massive milestone—reaching 800 downloads! Before diving into the main celebration, they pull back the curtain on their typical pre-recording technical chaos and dive into a hilarious debate over American versus Australian terminology. From the quick onset of American "hot flashes" to the enduring body-heat of Australian "hot flushes" (accompanied by toilet-flushing hand gestures), they compare the

In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, Jen and Kim dive deep into the multifaceted journey of motherhood. Set against the backdrop of Mother’s Day, the hosts share their personal and often contrasting experiences—from the physical toll of difficult pregnancies to the emotional complexities of family legacies. They discuss the societal expectations placed on women regarding starting families, the current financial barriers like rising housing costs and interest rates t

In this episode, the hosts celebrate a major milestone—surpassing 700 downloads—before diving into deeply personal updates. Kim shares the surprising results of her recent blood work, revealing she has moved into the post-menopausal stage of life at age 52. This sparks a broad, heartfelt discussion on the "Remarkable" nature of the female body, ranging from the struggles of infertility and miscarriages to the complexities of Mother’s Day and the "Cruel" judgments women someti

In this episode of Contagious Joy, hosts Kim and Jenny interview Lois Pajari, the owner and operator of Cook’s Country Connection. Lois shares the devastating story of the June 2013 fire that destroyed her business, the Cook Dollar Barn, and left eight families homeless. Out of that tragedy, Lois returned to her great-grandparents' 1900 homestead to build a new sanctuary. Now celebrating its 10th season, the farm has become a vibrant community hub featuring a mobile zoo, farm

In this episode, Kim and Jen dive deep into the concept of "joy" as a response to last week’s conversation with Annie. They explore the physical toll of high-stress environments, with Kim sharing her personal battle with vertigo and a familial health crisis that forced her to re-evaluate her priorities. Meanwhile, Jen shares a heartwarming and humorous story about stepping out of her comfort zone to care for her brother Brendan, who has autism, and the specific rituals (invol

Episode Summary In this episode, Annie shares her transformative journey from a high-pressure career as a family lawyer to her current role as a health and wellbeing coach for legal professionals. After a life-altering trip to New York that served as a catalyst for change, Annie realized she could no longer sustain the stress and constant deadlines of her legal practice. She discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding career with motherhood, her transition into "Bodies

In this Season Two opening episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny return from a two-week hiatus to interview Annie, a former family lawyer from Mudgee, New South Wales. Annie shares her powerful journey from living a high-pressure, "unsustainable" life in the legal field to finding a new purpose after a serious health diagnosis. The conversation explores the hidden burdens lawyers carry, the importance of listening to your body, and how to find clarity a

We are excited to bring you Season Two of The Contagious Joy Podcast. You can listen to our first episode on April 5th, 2026. Thank you for your support!

Jenny & Kim at Sydney Harbor Bridge In this special season finale, Kim and Jenny reflect on their journey through the first 11 episodes of the Contagious Joy Podcast . They celebrate reaching a milestone of 400 listens and take a trip down memory lane, revisiting the heartfelt, heavy, and hilarious moments that defined their first season. From discussing the "biosecurity" of mixed nuts to navigating sibling loss and "joy vampires," the duo explores how they've found light in

Episode Summary In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Jenny and Kim explore the intentional practice of "bringing joy" to others. Inspired by the storytelling of folk singer Christine Lavin, Jenny reflects on how a simple conversation can prevent a "moment from slipping away" and shares a touching story about a chance encounter at a grocery store that changed a stranger's week. The hosts delve into the profound impact of kindness, from supporting those with di

Episode Summary In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny explore the intersection of joy and boundaries through the lens of unexpected life events. Kim shares her recent experience serving on a day-and-a-half theft trial, describing the selection process, the internal struggle to remain stoic while being a naturally joyful person, and the small ways she found joy—such as admiring the new courthouse views and doodling to stay focused. Jenny complemen

Episode Summary In this episode, hosts Kim and Jenny explore the concept of "toxic positivity" —the dysfunctional promotion of a "good vibes only" mindset that dismisses authentic negative emotions. After recapping a previous conversation with funeral photographer Nell Aburto about finding joy during mourning , the hosts pivot to discuss why forced optimism can be harmful, during hard times. They reflect on personal experiences with invalidation, the negativity of current wor

Show Summary In this heartfelt episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny dive into the complex dynamics of experiencing joy in the presence of others who may not be ready or able to share it. The conversation explores deeply personal stories of familial betrayal and generational trauma, including a significant incident that changed a relationship. They discuss the concept of "lateral violence" and how shared trauma can lead to "dimming someone else’s light".

Episode Summary In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny shift from last week's heavy discussion on toxic positivity to the "age-old debate" of being a cat person versus a dog person. The hosts share heartwarming and humorous stories about their past and current pets, ranging from golden retrievers and "bougie" Bombay cats to a first pet budgerigar. They reflect on the deep family bond formed with animals, the unique personalities of their pets, and

Episode Summary In this episode, hosts Kim and Jenny are joined by their first official guest, professional funeral photographer Nell Aburto. The conversation explores the delicate balance between grief and joy, highlighting how documenting life’s final goodbyes can provide lasting comfort and help families process loss. Nell shares her personal journey into funeral photography—born from the regret of not having photos of her own parents' services—and explains how she capture

Episode Summary In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny celebrate a major milestone: reaching 100 listeners!. They open with lighthearted corrections from previous stories—clarifying the mystery of the "American Tacos" and the creative use of coffee pots in American motels. The conversation turns toward a deeper, more meaningful theme: Finding joy without guilt. . Jenny shares a moving tribute to her late brother, Paulie, who lived with cerebral

This episode of the Contagious Joy podcast explores the concept of the "heavy room"—those difficult environments where news is bad, tension is high, or personal trauma looms—and how to navigate them while still finding a path back to joy. Episode Summary In this candid conversation, hosts Kim and Jenny discuss their professional backgrounds in education and the specific moments when the weight of their environments felt overwhelming. Kim shares a poignant story about balanci

In this episode of Contagious Joy , co-hosts Kim and Jenny bridge the gap between an Oregon winter and a scorching Australian summer to explore why the most beautiful emotions can often feel the most frightening. Through personal stories—ranging from a hilarious "ice cream rescue" on a busy highway to the profound grief of losing siblings—Kim and Jenny discuss the "dress rehearsal of tragedy" and how we sometimes protect ourselves from pain by foreboding the very joy we seek.

Welcome to the debut episode of The Contagious Joy Podcast! In this introductory session, hosts Kim (from Oregon, USA) and Jenny (from Sydney, Australia) share the heartwarming and often hilarious story of how two families from opposite ends of the globe became "framily". Inside the Episode The Fortune Cookie Prophecy: Kim reveals how a fortune cookie she received 30 years ago—stating she lived her life with "contagious joy"—became the lifelong mission and inspiration for thi