Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone:

Small Risks, Growth, and Joy

Hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy discuss the concept of the comfort zone and why stepping outside of it can support personal growth. Joji shares research (via ChatGPT) linking the term to behavioral psychology and stress, explaining that comfort zones involve familiar routines with low anxiety and predictability but limited growth. They emphasize that healthy change is incremental rather than extreme, and discuss how moderate stress can be the right level for growth. Examples include using weight training to push just past comfort, shifting exercise to a morning routine, and taking social risks like initiating a friendship. They explore barriers that keep people stuck—fear, avoidance, identity, guilt (including “mom guilt”), overstimulation, and other people’s expectations—and note that boredom or restlessness can signal an opportunity for change. Joji describes her personal update of going gray and cutting eight inches of hair, finding unexpected joy and confidence in trying something new. The episode closes by encouraging listeners to reflect on what brings them joy, make small changes, and reach out to share comments or participate in the podcast.

00:00 Welcome to the Deconstructed Woman Podcast + Today’s Topic: Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone

01:31 What ‘Comfort Zone’ Really Means (Behavioral Psychology + Stress Levels)

02:55 Pushing the Edge: Weight Training as a Comfort-Zone Metaphor

04:50 Self-Care, Anxiety, and the Fear of Trying Something New

06:26 Small Stress, Big Growth: Changing Routines (Becoming a Morning Exerciser)

09:17 Why We Cling to Patterns: Survival Brain, Identity, and Risk Avoidance

11:16 Barriers & Breakthroughs: Friendship, Worst-Case Thinking, and Taking the Leap

13:02 Boredom vs Overstimulation: Recognizing the Signals to Rebalance

20:05 Guilt and Expectations: Mom Guilt, Life Changes, and Owning Your Choices

22:07 Myths That Keep Us Stuck: Incremental Change, Fear, ‘Comfort = Healthy,’ and Confidence

26:06 Everyday Comfort-Zone Challenges: Hair, Style, and Going Gray

27:37 Going Gray Journey Update: The Unexpected Joy of a Bold Change

31:31 Final Takeaways + Listener Invitation + Closing

Savor the Moment

In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy dive into the concept of slowing down to enjoy life, particularly during the busy holiday season. They discuss the challenges of managing a chaotic schedule while trying to savor joyful moments, inspired by Matthew Kelly's book 'Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy.' The conversation explores themes such as work-life balance, decluttering one's schedule, and the societal pressures that contribute to a rushed lifestyle. They reflect on techniques like time-blocking, sharing household responsibilities, and the importance of being present, ultimately pondering how to make conscious choices to slow down and appreciate life more fully.

00:00 Introduction to the Deconstructed Woman Podcast

00:30 Discussing 'Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy' by Matthew Kelly

01:48 Joji's Perspective on Slowing Down

03:32 Balancing Family and Personal Time

04:36 Challenges of Slowing Down During the Holidays

05:45 Implementing Tips from Matthew Kelly's Book

08:52 Morning Routines and the Pressure to Rush

10:47 The Impact of Technology on Our Work Lives

11:51 Finding Joy in the Present Moment

18:38 Sharing Household Responsibilities

20:07 Reflecting on Life's Different Seasons

22:59 Productivity and Time Management

30:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Understanding Cancel Culture: Perspectives from Gen Z

In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Joji, along with special guest Tara, a college student, dive into the concept of cancel culture. Tara explains the origins, evolution, and implications of this social media phenomenon. They explore its impact on politics, corporations, and personal interactions, highlighting both positive aspects and potential drawbacks. The discussion also touches on the psychological effects on younger generations and the importance of having healthy debates. This episode aims to educate listeners, particularly those above 40, about cancel culture and its relevance in today's digital age.

00:00 Introduction to the Deconstructed Woman Podcast

00:30 Understanding Cancel Culture: A Conversation with Tara

01:23 Defining Cancel Culture: Tara's Perspective

03:00 The Political and Social Impact of Cancel Culture

05:22 Cancel Culture in the Age of Social Media

07:18 Real-Life Examples of Cancel Culture

10:53 The Psychological and Social Effects of Cancel Culture

15:40 The Future of Cancel Culture and Its Implications

34:48 Final Thoughts and Conclusion