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

Exploring Seasonal Affective Disorder: Symptoms, Solutions, and Personal Stories

In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, Elisa Marie and Joji welcome guest Sandra Marshall to discuss the pervasive issue of the winter blues, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Sandra shares her personal experiences with SAD, including her use of light therapy and relocating to sunnier climates. The discussion covers symptoms, potential treatments, and practical solutions such as light therapy, maintaining high vitamin D levels, and engaging in social and physical activities. The episode emphasizes the importance of seeking help and provides resources for those in need, aiming to destigmatize mental health conversations.

The Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms

00:00 Introduction to the Deconstructed Woman Podcast

00:30 Discussing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

01:08 Personal Experiences with Winter Blues

04:56 Light Therapy and Other Treatments

12:45 The Importance of Vitamin D

18:21 Exercise and Social Interaction

22:20 Travel and Escaping the Winter Blues

27:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Reflecting on Three Years of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast

Hosts Elissa Marie and Jojy celebrate nearly three years of The Deconstructed Woman podcast by reflecting on their journey, the topics they've covered, and the guests they've interviewed. They discuss the diverse issues they've explored, including women's health, mental health, aging, social media, AI, online dating, and intergenerational trauma. They also share their future plans, potential topics for 2026, and emphasize the importance of continuing to bring new voices and perspectives into their conversations. The episode serves as a retrospective and marks the anticipation of another year filled with insightful discussions.

00:00 Reflecting on a Year of Conversations

01:24 Celebrating Milestones and Beginnings

02:22 Highlighting Guest Contributions

05:00 Diverse Topics and Deep Dives

08:05 Listener Engagement and Personal Stories

11:50 Looking Ahead to 2026

17:51 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

Reflecting on Personal Loss and Self-Care: A Journey of Pause and ChangeIn this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosted by Elisa Marie and Jojj, the conversation centers around reflecting on personal loss and its impact on one's perception of life and self-care. Joji shares her recent experience of losing a young family member and how it prompted her to contemplate life’s unpredictability and the importance of living mindfully. She discusses her decision to embrace her age by stopping hair coloring, symbolizing a new phase in her life. Elisa Marie relates by sharing her own experiences with loss, emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing self-care amidst busy schedules. Both hosts explore the emotional and physical challenges they faced over the past year and highlight the importance of pausing to take stock of where they are and where they want to go in life. The episode encourages listeners to reflect on their own needs, whether physical or emotional, and to take steps towards caring for themselves.00:00 Introduction to the Deconstructed Woman Podcast00:30 Reflecting on Personal Loss and Change01:58 Joji's Personal Experience with Loss04:46 Embracing Aging and Symbolic Changes07:36 Balancing Self-Care and Family Responsibilities10:50 The Importance of Physical and Mental Health13:46 Year-End Reflections and Emotional Exhaustion28:17 Concluding Thoughts and Listener Engagement

Exploring Love Languages and Family Dynamics on the Deconstructed Woman Podcast

In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Joji delve into the concept of love languages, popularized by Gary Chapman's book 'The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts.' They discuss the five love languages identified by Chapman—acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, words of affirmation, and physical touch—along with personal anecdotes illustrating how understanding love languages has impacted their relationships. Joji shares insights from listening to a podcast with Michelle Obama, discussing how teasing forms a love language in her own family. The conversation highlights how identifying and practicing love languages can strengthen connections with partners, children, and family members. Alyssa provides practical advice on applying these concepts and reflects on the ongoing nature of building and maintaining intimate relationships. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to share their experiences and thoughts on love languages.

00:00 Introduction to the Deconstructed Woman Podcast

00:30 Exploring Love Languages

02:23 Personal Experiences with Love Languages

04:34 Family Dynamics and Teasing as a Love Language

07:54 Love Languages in Marriage

18:01 Understanding Children's Love Languages

20:54 Connecting Love Languages with Other Concepts

28:48 Final Thoughts and Reflections

31:05 Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement

Navigating the Pros and Cons of Sleepovers: A Parent's Perspective

In this episode of the Deconstructed Woman Podcast, hosts Elisa Marie and Jojy explore the evolving views on traditional sleepovers versus the emerging trend of 'sleep unders' or 'late overs.' Referencing an article from the New York Post, they discuss the concerns of modern parents, including safety issues and childhood anxieties. Alyssa shares her personal experiences and the conversations she has had with her children about sleepovers. The hosts delve into the importance of preparing children for social interactions and the developmental benefits of sleepovers while emphasizing that the choice ultimately depends on each family's comfort levels and unique circumstances.

00:00 Introduction to the Deconstructed Woman Podcast

00:31 Traditional Sleepovers vs. Sleep Unders

03:27 Parental Concerns and Safety Issues

04:06 Alyssa's Perspective on Sleepovers

06:53 Preparing Kids for Sleepovers

12:07 Balancing Protection and Independence

15:09 Co-Ed Sleepovers and Changing Norms

25:58 Final Thoughts and Parental Wisdom

29:33 Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement