The “Have a Cup of Johanny Podcast” (HACOJP) is a big lesson-learned brainstorming session, where I, through storytelling, dive and uncover lessons and the pivots that occurred from those lessons. In each episode, I, Joa, share my own stories—those that make me cringe, blush, or hesitate. Why? Because behind each embarrassing tale or challenging moment lies a kernel of wisdom, a lesson that might inspire someone else to leap into new experiences, view failures as mere steps in the learning process, and ultimately, to fall forward into growth.
At HACOJP, we believe in the power of vulnerability, the strength it takes to share our lowest points, and the connections forged through our most human experiences. These stories are more than just personal anecdotes; they’re beacons for anyone looking to break the chains of fear, to try, to fail, and to rise again, stronger and more resilient. I started putting themes in my monthly batch in February of this year.
Themes make episode creation so much easier for me and keep me organized (I love a good organizational pin). In this blog post for our Motivational Monday post, I am bringing you a sneak peek into what April has in store for us on my podcast. This month, we’re diving deep with a series themed around observations—and not just any observations. We’re getting personal, real, and a bit vulnerable here.
April’s episodes are all about reflecting on the past, the hurdles, the mindsets, and, yes, even those cringe-worthy moments we’d rather keep under wraps. Why? Because facing our past, with all its blemishes and missteps, is crucial to our growth and progression. It’s all about laying it bare, the good, the bad, and the utterly embarrassing, to pave the way for genuine learning and transformation.
Are you ready for a heart-to-heart?
Embracing Vulnerability for Growth
Episode 1: “Minimizing One’s Self For Others”
We’re starting strong with a candid chat about the times we’ve made ourselves smaller, dimmed our lights, or changed our tunes just to fit into someone else’s playlist. It’s about exploring why we do it, how it affects us, and the journey to reclaiming our space. Spoiler alert: It’s okay to take up space and shine bright.
Episode 2: “How Being Defensive Can Go So Wrong”
In this episode, I opened up about a period in my life when being on guard meant losing out on valuable lessons and connections. I’ll share a story where my defenses, built for good reasons, ended up blocking more than just criticism. It’s a deep dive into learning how to separate the message from the messenger and finding growth in the process.
Episode 3: “Perfectionism’s Hold: From 4 Years to 8”
Here, we tackle the paralyzing grip of perfectionism and the myth of the perfect time. I’ll share my personal saga of how striving for unattainable perfection delayed my academic journey, turning a four-year degree into an eight-year marathon. It’s a reflection on letting go of perfection to embrace progress.
Episode 4: “The Fear of Falling: Losing Authenticity”
In our finale, we confront the fear of failure and the chains of embarrassment that often hold us back from being our true selves. I’ll discuss how this fear spiraled into a domino effect, impacting my self-esteem, self-acceptance, and ability to connect with my tribe. It’s a story of overcoming, reclaiming authenticity, and the powerful journey to self-love.
These episodes are a promise to be honest with ourselves and with each other. It’s about acknowledging our past, not to dwell on it, but to learn from it. After all, if we’re not learning and growing, are we really living?
So, grab your favorite cup of coffee (or tea, I don’t judge!), and let’s embark on this journey of self-discovery together. It’s going to be a month of heartfelt stories, laughter (mostly at myself), and maybe a few tears. But, hey, that’s how we grow, right?
Stay tuned, and let’s make April a month of revelations and growth. Let’s embrace vulnerability for growth. Because in the end, it’s our journey, with all its ups and downs, that makes us who we are.
PS: One day, I will tell you that embarrassing story of when I tried to give a motivational speech and was going for a spiffy ending and ended up saying something that made no sense…”If you are not growing and learning, you know? You are not learning and growing.”
cue the cringe…I know…I know
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