Hey friends! Welcome to Girls Night! I’m so excited to be back for Season 15 of the Girls Night podcast — and we’re kicking off this season with a really wonderful episode.  We’re talking about why it’s so important to celebrate the big things (and the little things) in our lives — and how to practically do that! I love this episode because I always find myself craving delight and whimsy and celebration (and popsicles!) more in the summer than any other time of year. But this episode is actually so much deeper than just having more parties. Something I learned in this episode is that joy is one of the most vulnerable things we can ever feel. It’s WAY less vulnerable to feel disappointment, to imagine worst-case-scenarios, and to rehearse bad things happening. It’s like, if you’re preparing for the worst, it won’t hurt so much if it happens. Whereas if you really open your arms and your heart to something good, and embrace it, then if it gets taken away, you feel like you’ll be crushed. (Even more so because you didn’t see it coming!) It’s like naming a puppy you’re not going to get to keep. It feels easier just not to name it. But actually, it doesn’t work this way. I can’t wait for you to hear why! Our guest walking us through this incredible topic is my friend Nicole Zasowski. Nicole is a Marriage and Family Therapist as well as an author. She recently wrote a book called, What If It’s Wonderful?: An Invitation to Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, and Find the Courage to Celebrate. Friends, if you’d like to feel more joy and contentment in your life (that’s all of us, right?) this episode is for you. I can’t wait to dive in! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices