What brings you joy?

Welcome to the ninth episode of The Way Back In. This week, hosts Tracy and her brother John skip the toxic positivity and dive straight into the messy realities of being human. They kick things off by validating the need to actually sit in the "not-okayness" of our hardest days instead of trying to fix everything immediately or blaming ourselves. John and Tracy discuss how the valleys of life are where we actually build human connection, share our vulnerabilities, and create our most meaningful art. The conversation then takes a surprisingly emotional turn toward a local water treatment plant. A climate action Venn diagram Tracy discovered there prompts the duo to assess their own lives and purpose in real-time. They invite listeners to follow along as they break down three vital questions: What brings you joy? What are you good at? What work needs doing? As they explore their overlapping answers, John shares a revelation that small talk isn't so small after all, recognizing it instead as a valuable exchange of energy and a necessary stepping stone to deeper vulnerability. The episode wraps up with a frank look at the collective fear holding society back from solving massive issues like climate change, and how consciously choosing human connection over fear is the ultimate, subversive work we all need to be doing. Grab a piece of paper, draw your own Venn diagram, and join the conversation.