The Merriment Making Podcast

• Comfortably Uncomfortable: Permission to Play with Brigid Gibson

  What if being a little bad at things was actually the secret to a life that lights you up? In this joyful and insightful conversation, I chat with Brigid Gibson of Vibrant Badass about stress relief, breaking out of perfectionism, and letting joy guide your choices—even when it feels weird, messy, or unproductive. We talk creative identity, stress management tools (like brain dumps and challenge playbooks), and how authenticity is actually the ultimate form of self-care. 🌟 Want more? Check out the replay inside The Positive Pulse, where you’ll find exclusive bonuses for this episode including: Affirmations for releasing pressure Journaling prompts to rediscover joy A 3-part mini challenge to help you try playful discomfort Brigid is a fellow member of Positive Pulse, and you can find her at @vibrantbadass. 📩 Momentum Monday Newsletter Sign up for inspiration & practical magic 📚 Magic Moments Book Grab it on Amazon 📸 Follow on Instagram @vibrantbadass Let this episode be your permission slip to stop “doing it right” and start doing what feels good.   Positive Pulse: Uncustomary.org/Positive-Pulse

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• The Joy Toolkit: What Every Helper Needs in Their Emotional First Aid Kit

  When you spend your life caring for others, who cares for you? Today, we’re building a Joy Toolkit — a playful, powerful emotional first aid kit that helps caregivers, helpers, and heart-forward humans stay resourced, recharged, and radiant. This episode is especially for the Heartfelt Caregivers — the over-givers, the nurturers, the ones who feel guilty resting. Less about healing, more about sustaining your sparkle. ✨ You’ll discover real tools (plus some delightfully weird ones!) to stock your kit, tips for actually using it, and loving reminders that you matter even when you’re not “producing” or “helping.” We’re reclaiming joy as a necessity — not a luxury. 🎉 Special Announcements at the Beginning! Merriment Makers and Feel Good Troop have officially shifted into Vaults! You have a limited-time discount for lifetime access if you’re a current member — don’t miss out before May 5th! Our Positive Pulse Party is happening TOMORROW (Wednesday, April 30th at 7 PM ET)! Come celebrate with us! 🎈 🎁 Want even more support? Inside Positive Pulse you’ll find free bonus resources: 35 Things to Put in Your Self-Care Kit Playful Toolkit Name Ideas Printable Merriment Missions Cards Personalized Journaling Prompts Link to the 1-Minute Joy Challenge 🛎️ Helpful Links Mentioned in This Episode: Join Positive Pulse for free: https://uncustomary.org/positive-pulse Grab your Merriment Makers Vault: https://uncustomary.org/merriment-makers Grab your Feel Good Troop Vault: https://uncustomary.org/feel-good-troop Get your Merriment Missions Deck: https://uncustomary.org/deck 👉 And don’t forget: Take the free Joy Archetypes Quiz to find out if you’re a Heartfelt Caregiver (and get extra free resources!): https://uncustomary.org/quiz    Let’s build a world where joy is part of the plan — not the prize for surviving it.

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• People Like Us Do Things Like This: How Culture, Community, and Ritual Create Change

  Why do some habits stick and others fade? It’s not about willpower — it’s about identity. In this episode, Mary explores the power of group culture, the psychology of belonging, and why “people like us do things like this” might be the most life-changing phrase you’ve never considered. You’ll learn why culture always beats strategy, how rituals reinforce who you really are, and why becoming a Merriment Maker is less about rules and more about joyful rebellion. Plus, Mary shares how her free Positive Pulse community can help you embody joy — without pressure or perfection. 💛 Bonus resources for this episode — including rituals, journal prompts, and a downloadable guide — are available exclusively in the Positive Pulse. Join for free and explore what it means to create your own culture of joy. 🔗 uncustomary.org/positive-pulse

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• Joy as a Professional Tool: How Therapists and Teachers Can Use Delight in Their Work

  What if joy wasn’t just a personal indulgence, but a professional advantage? In this episode, we’re exploring how therapists, teachers, caregivers, and helpers of all kinds can use delight—yes, delight!—as a real strategy for building trust, boosting morale, and deepening connection. Whether you’re guiding a classroom, holding space in therapy, or working with a team, joy isn’t just welcome—it’s powerful. 🤩 You’ll learn how joy builds rapport 🧠 Why science says play makes us more effective 🎨 Real-life joy rituals you can try today 💼 How to bring fun into your work without losing credibility 💛 Bonus Resources Available Only Inside Positive Pulse: Get exclusive access to companion content, including: • 20 Ways to Sprinkle Joy Into Your Workday • Joy Rituals & Journal Prompts • Affirmations for Joyful Professionals • Mirror Work + Brainy Fun Facts • A Weekly Joy Mission Challenge Join the free community and unlock the bonus resource vault at uncustomary.org/positive-pulse   🎧 Learn more at uncustomary.org 🎴 Grab the deck: uncustomary.org/deck 💛 Join the free community: Positive Pulse

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• Run Your Own Joy Experiments: (The S.P.A.R.K.L.E. Method for Personalized Joy)

  If you’ve ever felt frustrated by people shouting “Just start!” like that’s helpful (spoiler: it isn’t), this episode is your permission slip to try something different. We’re tossing out the rulebook and running our own experiments in joy — with curiosity, wonder, and a whole lot of permission to play. In this episode, I’ll teach you my S.P.A.R.K.L.E. system: a playful, step-by-step method to tap back into your inner knowing and figure out what actually works for you. Whether you’re feeling stuck in perfectionism, procrastination, or plain old autopilot, this episode will help you gently experiment your way back to feeling good — no rigid rules required. Plus, I’m sharing some wonderfully weird experiments you can try today (think: snack rituals, talking to your mug, and doing things backward on purpose). Because joy is not supposed to be serious. 🎉 Ready to run your own experiments? Join the 1-Minute Joy Challenge inside Positive Pulse and play along with us: Uncustomary.org/Positive-Pulse You have to feel good to do good. Let’s go sparkle. ✨

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