In today’s fast-paced, productivity-driven society, finding time to prioritize happiness often feels like a luxury. Juggling work, family, and personal commitments can leave individuals feeling as though they’re simply surviving rather than thriving. Enter Joy First, a new podcast designed to help listeners take a step back, slow down, and prioritize their happiness. Hosted by creative consultant and artist J. Nichole Smith, also known as Nic, Joy First aims to inspire people to put joy at the forefront of their lives, rather than the constant chase for productivity and achievement.
With nearly two decades of experience in helping people embrace creativity, colour, and joy, Nic’s approach to happiness is rooted in science and psychology. The podcast combines expert interviews, personal stories, and actionable advice to give listeners the tools they need to bring more joy into their everyday routines. Whether you’re overwhelmed by life’s demands or simply feeling too busy to enjoy the things that matter, Joy First is your guide to making joy a priority without feeling like it’s another item on your to-do list.
The Science of Joy: Insights for the Busy Mind
In a world that encourages people to “do more” and “achieve more,” it’s easy to lose sight of the importance of happiness. Nic’s podcast delves deep into the science and psychology of joy, providing valuable insights into how happiness works in the brain and how individuals can tap into their own joy potential. By exploring how our brains respond to positive stimuli and understanding the mental and emotional benefits of happiness, Nic offers listeners practical strategies for cultivating joy in a world obsessed with hustle culture.
Through expert-led interviews and real-life stories, the podcast presents a well-rounded approach to happiness, focusing not just on external actions, but on internal mindset shifts that help listeners navigate their busy lives while staying connected to their own joy. The overarching message is simple but powerful: by making joy a priority, individuals can improve their overall well-being and lead more fulfilled, meaningful lives.
Season One: Colorful Ways to Cultivate Joy
The first season of Joy First focuses on an often-overlooked yet incredibly powerful tool for creating happiness—colour. Colour psychology plays a significant role in influencing our moods, energy levels, and emotional well-being, and Nic’s podcast explores how people can use colour to create more joy in their lives.
Nic kicks off the season with an exploration of how personality types and colour preferences shape our individual definitions of joy. By understanding which colours resonate with them on a personal level, listeners can learn to harness these colours to boost their mood, inspire creativity, and feel more connected to their true selves. Whether it’s choosing the colours you wear, the hues in your home, or the foods you eat, Nic’s advice shows that the right colour choices can have a powerful impact on your happiness.
Key Topics in Season One
- How Colour Affects Your Mood: Understanding how different colours influence emotions, from calming blues to energizing yellows.
- The Psychology of Colour in Personal Style: How the colours you wear can change your mindset and how others perceive you.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder and Colour Therapy: Exploring how incorporating specific colours into your daily life can ease symptoms of SAD, a condition affecting many during the colder months.
- The Power of Colourful Foods: How choosing your meals based on colour can enhance both your physical and emotional well-being.
- Colour and Christmas: Nic introduces a fun and festive segment on the “four personality types of Christmas,” offering tips for joyful holiday decorating, entertaining, and gift-giving, all based on the power of colour.
In one notable episode, Nic speaks with Dr. Lynne Maureen Hurdle and Justin Nai’im Hurdle-Price, returning guests on the podcast, who discuss the profound influence of colour on their lives, particularly in relation to race, culture, and identity. The conversation touches on how navigating predominantly white spaces as people of colour shapes their relationship with colour, adding an important layer to the podcast’s exploration of colour and joy.
Prioritizing Joy in a Busy Life: The Joy First Philosophy
For many, the idea of prioritizing happiness may feel like just another pressure in an already packed schedule. However, Nic challenges this notion with the “Joy First” philosophy—a simple yet transformative concept that encourages individuals to center their well-being in everything they do. Nic draws from her own experiences as a serial entrepreneur, working mother, and highly sensitive person to show listeners that it’s possible to embrace joy even in the midst of a chaotic life.
By sharing her own struggles with self-care, productivity, and balance, Nic creates a relatable atmosphere that encourages listeners to rethink their approach to happiness. Instead of focusing on what they “should” be doing to feel happy—like meditating, journaling, or hitting fitness goals—Nic advocates for a more intuitive and individualized approach to joy. Through practical tips and rituals, she helps listeners identify what brings them joy and how to weave it into their daily routines.
In one inspiring segment, Nic discusses how embracing the concept of “joy first” has been a game changer for both herself and her clients. As someone who’s struggled with work-life balance and the pressure of self-care trends, Nic’s message is refreshing: it’s not about perfection, it’s about prioritizing happiness in ways that are sustainable, realistic, and uniquely suited to each individual’s lifestyle.
What’s Next for Joy First?
Joy First is launching with three episodes on Wednesday, November 6, and listeners can expect new episodes to be released bi-weekly. As the podcast continues to explore the intersection of joy, productivity, and personal well-being, there’s no doubt that the show will resonate with those seeking a fresh, holistic approach to happiness. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent, or someone simply looking to add more joy to your life, Joy First offers the guidance, inspiration, and tools you need to create lasting happiness.
With Nic’s down-to-earth style and deep expertise in creativity and well-being, Joy First is set to become a go-to resource for anyone looking to break free from the cycle of hustle and embrace a life filled with joy and purpose.
