The Joy Reset: Rewiring our Brains and Discovering our Capacity to Cultivate Joy. With Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald
Untangle2 Dec 2025

The Joy Reset: Rewiring our Brains and Discovering our Capacity to Cultivate Joy. With Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald

Our guest today is Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald, Trauma researcher and Author of the book, "The Joy Reset: Six Ways Trauma Steals Happiness and How to Get It Back.” Her book isn’t just about finding joy; it’s about rewiring our brains and rediscovering our power to cultivate joy EVEN in the darkest moments of life.

She describes the barriers that keep us from accessing joy—hypervigilance, emotional numbing, fear of loss, conditioning, guilt, and shame—and then defines ways to tap into positive emotions that can become the very foundation of psychological resilience.

In our interview she shares some exercises that make joy, hope and gratitude both bite-sized and accessible and how they can show up even in our toughest moments.

I love how she weaves neuroscience into her exploration of trauma and joy, explaining how our brains are biologically wired to both adapt to trauma and heal from it. And…good news…we ARE always biologically capable of joy.

Quote from her website: "Joy does not exist only in the moments that are free of pain. In fact, the brightest, tiniest, most important pieces can only be found in the dark. I want to teach you how to harness and amplify the power of that glinting magic–because this sustainable, endless light source will do more than help you get through your darkest, scariest, loneliest times."

As always, we’re untangle, the podcast from Muse the brain sensing headband that helps to transform your brain. Use promo code untangle 15 at choosemuse.com for your discount.

Resource: https://www.drmcmcdonald.com/

Thanks, as always, to our sponsors. Rula. Quince. Born Shoes.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Avsnitt(572)

Joanne Heyman - Meditation For Leaders

Joanne Heyman - Meditation For Leaders

Top executive coach Joanne Heyman integrates the practices of mindfulness and “radical self care” into her work with clients. She’s committed to social impact and to helping leaders grow and find purp...

29 Nov 201627min

Thanksgiving Meditation - Elisha Goldstein - Gratitude and Reflection

Thanksgiving Meditation - Elisha Goldstein - Gratitude and Reflection

Elisha Goldstein shares a meditation from the Meditation Studio App Happiness Collection. He suggests that we spend a few minutes every day reflecting on what is right in our lives. It’s helpful to ac...

24 Nov 20169min

Joe DiNardo - Meditation and a Love Story

Joe DiNardo - Meditation and a Love Story

First-time author Joe DiNardo shares his courageous journey with his late wife Marcia, from cancer diagnosis through death, as told in his new book, "A Letter To My Wife". It’s a sad but hopeful look ...

21 Nov 201638min

Elisha Goldstein - Meditation Questions Answered

Elisha Goldstein - Meditation Questions Answered

Elisha is back on Untangle answering our listeners' Top Five Questions. Learn how to commit to a meditation practice, how to make big life changes, how to find a teacher or mentor, and how to find you...

15 Nov 201625min

Richard Miller - Yoga Nidra Heals Trauma

Richard Miller - Yoga Nidra Heals Trauma

Richard is the founder of the iRest Program, which uses Yoga Nidra as a transformative practice of deep relaxation and meditative inquiry, and is currently in VA hospitals, military bases, hospitals, ...

7 Nov 201629min

Leigh Stein - Depression and Love

Leigh Stein - Depression and Love

Leigh Stein dealt with crushing depression for most of her young adult life. Her memoir, "Land Of Enchantment", chronicles her story of depression and her love addiction to a troubled man. She shares ...

1 Nov 201628min

Colleen Saidman Yee - Yoga For Life

Colleen Saidman Yee - Yoga For Life

Colleen is a Yoga teacher, studio owner, model, and the author of the book "Yoga For Life". She shares her heart-felt personal story filled with the surprising and dramatic challenges that she’s face...

24 Okt 201628min

Cara Bradley - Mental Strength Training

Cara Bradley - Mental Strength Training

Cara Bradley is a Yoga and mindfulness teacher, mental strength coach, and the author of the book “On The Verge: Wake Up, Show Up, and Shine”. Cara shares many of the strategies and practices she uses...

17 Okt 201624min

Populärt inom Hälsa

somna-med-henrik
rss-bara-en-till-om-missbruk-medberoende-2
rss-jossan-nina
inga-beiga-morsor
alska-oss
rss-vuxna-pa-latsas
sexnoveller-deluxe
sova-med-dan-horning
angestpodden
not-fanny-anymore
johannes-hansen-podcast
rss-viktmedicinpodden
brottarbroder
rss-the-house-podcast-3
sa-in-i-sjalen
vinterpasset
rss-sjalsligt-avkladd
sag-det-bara
till-sangs
halsoveckan-by-tyngre