In this episode, Hannah and Jane are joined by therapist and podcaster Joy Parrish to explore the complexities of happiness, mental health, fitness, and body image. They dive into wellness conversations and how they have evolved over time, touching on the pressures of societal expectations and the impact of social media on our perceptions of happiness. Joy shares her personal journey—from struggling with traditional sports to finding her place in the CrossFit community, and eventually making the tough decision to pivot when its values no longer aligned with her own. The conversation highlights the arrival fallacy, where we believe happiness is a destination that can only be reached by achieving certain milestones, and Joy emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, acknowledging that it’s okay to struggle and feel a wide range of emotions.

Through an honest discussion about fitness culture, body image issues, and the societal pressures women face, Joy encourages listeners to let go of the unrealistic expectations tied to happiness. She talks about how aging has shifted her priorities, focusing more on mental well-being and embracing the full spectrum of emotions, including anger. This episode is a reminder that happiness isn’t a constant state, and the goal isn’t to chase it endlessly, but to accept the challenges, growth, and evolution that come with life. It’s a call to normalize struggles and be kinder to ourselves on the journey to self-acceptance.

Links:

The book Joy mentioned, Option B - https://adamgrant.net/book/option-b/

Joy's podcasts-

Laugh Cry Club

Older + Wilder

This month we are donating $5 for each 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and $10 for each written review on Apple Podcasts to ⁠Urban Peak⁠, an organization that supports youth to exit homelessness.

More information about the upcoming couples psychedelic retreat: ⁠alchemytherapyandwellness.com/2025retreat⁠

Learn more about the podcasts, and the hosts Jane + Hannah:

⁠arewehappyyetpodcast.com⁠

⁠alchemytherapyandwellness.com⁠

⁠grittherapy.com

We bring the wise and reflective Jen Fiser to the podcast to explore the vast terrain of the feelings of inadequacy and unworthiness that many of us struggle with, asking the critical question: Why do we all feel "not good enough?" Drawing from personal experiences, cultural influences, and childhood trauma, Jen explores how these feelings are often rooted in early life, and how they manifest throughout adulthood. These wounds, often unconscious, shape our self-esteem and create cycles of self-doubt that are difficult to break. With compassion and insight, Jen examines how our society and its expectations amplify this sense of inadequacy, leaving many to believe they’re not worthy of happiness, success, or love.

The conversation touches on healing through community, therapy, and even psychedelics—tools that can provide profound emotional breakthroughs. We discuss the complexity of self-doubt and how healing is a winding, non-linear journey of integrating all parts of ourselves, both light and dark. The episode also invites us to reconsider what true happiness means, encouraging us to look inward for validation rather than seeking it through external achievements.

If you’ve ever wrestled with feelings of not measuring up or wondered how to move past old wounds that affect your self-worth, this episode offers a thoughtful and reflective look at the journey toward healing and embracing self-love. It’s an honest exploration of how we can break free from the cycles of self-doubt and start finding peace within ourselves.

Connect w/ Jen or learn more about Innate Path and the upcoming training: https://www.innatepath.org

Learn more about the therapist Jen mentioned, Peter Levine and his contributions to the field: https://www.somaticexperiencing.com/about-peter

The book Jen mentioned, Trauma and the Soul by Donald Kalsched

This month we are donating $5 for each 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and $10 for each written review on Apple Podcasts to ⁠⁠Urban Peak⁠⁠, an organization that supports youth to exit homelessness.

Learn more about the podcast, and the hosts Jane + Hannah:

More information about the upcoming couples psychedelic retreat: ⁠alchemytherapyandwellness.com/2025retreat⁠

⁠arewehappyyetpodcast.com⁠

⁠alchemytherapyandwellness.com⁠

⁠grittherapy.com

Take our word for it - you DO NOT want to miss this episode. Sean Endsley reflects on his journey from a stable childhood to his decision to enlist in the military following the events of 9/11, ultimately pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a Green Beret. In this conversation, Sean opens up about his experiences during military training, his deployment to Iraq, and the emotional challenges he faced when transitioning back to civilian life after being medically separated from the military. He touches on themes of resilience, identity, and the lasting impact of war, offering a raw and honest look into the complexities of military service and the challenges some veterans face when reintegrating into society.

Sean reflects on the tough transition from military to civilian life, sharing the challenges of finding purpose and community after service. He talks about the importance of belonging and how veterans bond over shared experiences, but also addresses the misconception that all veterans are broken or damaged. Instead, he highlights his own journey of healing through philanthropy and fitness, emphasizing the role of gratitude and hope in overcoming grief and trauma.

A major part of Sean's story is the grief and loss he’s faced—losing his father and his son Rowan, and how these profound experiences have reshaped his view of life, love, and resilience. He shares how psychedelics played a role in his healing, alongside the power of community support. Through it all, Sean found purpose in his pain, emphasizing the importance of doing the work to heal and the light of hope that can be found, even in the darkest moments.

This month we are donating $5 for each 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and $10 for each written review on Apple Podcasts to Urban Peak, an organization that supports youth to exit homelessness.

More information about the upcoming couples psychedelic retreat: alchemytherapyandwellness.com/2025retreat

Learn more about the podcasts, and the hosts Jane + Hannah:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

grittherapy.com

We chuckle as we get started on our first episode of 2025. We use our time together to laugh about Snoop Dogg, Martha Stewart, and funny holiday sweatshirts. We then dive into reflections on what it was like for us to start the podcast in 2024, and unpack the lessons we've encountered in our first year of podcasting.

We set intentions for our podcast in 2025 to niche ourselves as the "ANTI-ADVICE" podcast. Instead of chasing quick fixes promoted by wellness culture, Hannah + Jane emphasize the power of lived experiences, personal connections, and embracing the gray areas of life. Listeners are encouraged to critically evaluate the advice they encounter, trust their instincts, and cultivate their own truths.

We also announce our 2025 plan to showcase and donate to various causes and non-profits each month - for each 5-star rating we gain on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, we will donate $5 to the cause, and for each written review, we will donate $10 to the cause.

Our January cause is Urban Peak!

In this heartfelt conversation, Meghan Rubenstein, creator and community maker of Sakala Community, takes us on a journey through her personal and professional evolution, shedding light on the powerful impact of community and inclusivity. Meghan begins by reflecting on her own path to sobriety, a journey marked by self-discovery, resilience, and a deep commitment to healing.

Central to the discussion is the creation of Sakala, a unique community space that Meghan envisioned as a sanctuary for connection, authenticity, and support. She explains how Sakala was built on the principles of inclusivity and empowerment, and how it strives to be a place where people can feel seen, heard, and valued. Meghan speaks about the importance of leadership in shaping Sakala, offering insights into the ways in which intentional leadership can foster a thriving, compassionate community.

As Meghan walks us through the innovative business model behind Sakala, she emphasizes its commitment to accessibility and healing. The model isn’t just about financial success, but about creating a sustainable ecosystem of care that values the emotional and spiritual well-being of everyone involved. She addresses the challenges and rewards of leading a community with such diverse needs, highlighting the importance of being intentional, empathetic, and open to growth. Ultimately, this conversation paints a picture of Sakala not just as a physical space but as a living, breathing movement for change.

Resources:

Learn more about Sakala + get on Sakala's monthly newsletter - https://www.sakalacommunity.com

Follow Sakala on IG: @sakalacommunity

Human Design - https://www.myhumandesign.com

Gene Keys - https://genekeys.com

Anna Nichols - https://www.spiritualbusinessincubator.com

Learn more about the hosts + the podcast:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

grittherapy.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

Join us for this honest and vulnerable conversation with Carly Schaller, therapist, adventurer, small business owner, and puppy momma.

Carly shares her journey of pursuing a marketing career in New York City, inspired by her mother’s success as a powerful corporate leader, while also grappling with the impact of being raised by her father, an empathetic journalist who struggled with alcoholism. She explores how these two contrasting influences shaped her career path, personal growth, and sense of self.

We work to bust myths and misconceptions and share some therapy real talk about panic, anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and OCD. We discuss medications, and normalize anxiety, particularly existential anxiety around big triggers like health, death, and belonging. Carly describes how travel, adventure, and nature can be not only transformative, but are imperative for our wellbeing.

We are also so lucky that Carly's company Loona Seeds is offering a 10% discount for Are We Happy Yet? listeners. Use discount code HAPPY10 on your next order.

We also talk about:

-personal experiences with medications for anxiety and OCD

-nature, and the impact of being outdoors on mental health and overall wellbeing

-travel and adventure as a tool for growth

-cultural experiences around happiness, and contentment

Connect with Carly:

https://www.grittherapy.com/our-team

https://www.loonaseeds.com

Learn more about the podcasts and hosts Hannah + Jane

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

grittherapy.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

Joe Sanok joins Hannah and Jane on the podcast for an honest and vulnerable conversation about his experience with divorce. He opens up about navigating the emotional and practical challenges of the process, and how he coped with the aftermath of his life not turning out the way he expected—even after doing everything "right."

We talk about how our unique perspectives not only shape our realities, but can also help us get through the most painful moments of our human experience. We connect Joe's personal experience to the bigger systemic questions around personal growth, uncomfortable change, happiness and contentment, and how to tolerate our deepest struggles.

We also talk about:

-The way that marketing + fixing pain is ingrained in our cultural narrative

-Using external tools to come back to ourselves

-Joe's expert insights into what is broken in mental health care at the systemic and individual level

-Relationships and how to manage discomfort and messiness in our friendships and romantic relationships

-Psychedelics and how they can be a helpful tool for reflection and deeper insight

Connect with Joe + Joe's Resources -

Joe's consulting agency: Practice of the Practice

Joe's podcast: Practice of the Practice Podcast

Joe's book: Thursday is the New Friday

Spiral Dynamics resources

How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan

Learn more about the podcasts and hosts Hannah + Jane:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

grittherapy.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

We are so lucky to have esteemed professor, attorney, and bestselling author David Heska Wanbli Weiden joining the Are We Happy Yet? podcast to talk about his lived experience as a Lakota Nation citizen and his family heritage on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota.

Jane and David talk about the resurgence of indigenous art, music, and movies and how using fiction and art can help us explore deeper social issues. They unpack David's amazing and award-winning book, Winter Counts, and how he used storytelling in this novel to explore issues like crime and prosecution of crime, food inequity, lack of access to healthcare, and low life expectancy on the Lakota Rosebud reservation.

David shares about his multifaceted identity as a writer, professor, and former lawyer, and how these roles intersect.

It's a great conversation, and we highly encourage you to learn more about how to support the Rosebud Reservation and the Lakota people!

David Heska Wanbli Weiden's Website

Winter Counts

David's short stories and other writing

The Indians Won by Martin Cruz Smith

Support the Rosebud Reservation

Learn more about the podcast and your hosts, Hannah + Jane:

arewehappyyetpodcast.com

alchemytherapyandwellness.com

grittherapy.com