Don't Be a Miserable Cow

The Power of Stepping Into Their Reality

What happens when we stop fighting the reality of Alzheimer’s and begin joining our loved one’s world instead?In this episode, we explore how one simple shift in perspective can reduce stress, deepen connection, and completely reshape the way we move through caregiving, grief, and uncertainty.Author and End of Life Doula John Scully shares how regular visits with his mother in memory care unexpectedly changed the direction of his life. What began as stress and sadness slowly became presence, purpose, and a deeper understanding of human connection.We talk about communication beyond words, the emotional weight of caregiving, what an end of life doula actually does, and how openness during difficult seasons can lead us somewhere we never expected.This conversation is gentle, grounding, and full of hope for anyone navigating Alzheimer’s, caregiving, loss, or simply the uncertainty of being human.Get John's book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0aF1s4td———Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again.Subscribe so you never miss a conversation like this.http://joywithlisa.comhttps://www.instagram.com/find_joy_no_regretshttps://www.facebook.com/share/1Ha53wjaKc/

A Dog Named Emily Captured 5 Million Hearts

A simple thrift store photo discovery turned into something that touched more than 5 million people.But the part that stays with you most is what happened after strangers opened their hearts to Emily’s story.In this episode, we talk about Emily, the golden retriever at the center of it all, the photos that stirred so much emotion, and the unexpected way people came together because one person chose to pause and care.What unfolded next is a beautiful reminder that love lingers, memories matter, and even the smallest moments can bring out something extraordinary in people.———Lindsay is a wedding photographer, boy mom of 2, a dog mom to one, and a wife to her husband Mike. She lives in the Hudson Valley, where she enjoys hitting up local thrift stores almost daily. She loves to listen to people and can often end up hearing someone’s entire life story during casual conversation. She still thinks about the time she won an award for “best Kermit the Frog” impression in elementary school and tries to tap into that confidence to this day, because she believes that trying new (sometimes scary) things is the best way to grow. She loves seeing the best of humanity in every day moments and tries to help people in whatever way she can. https://www.instagram.com/lindsaylazarephoto/https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsaylazarephoto———Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again.Subscribe so you never miss a conversation like this.http://joywithlisa.comhttps://www.instagram.com/find_joy_no_regretshttps://www.facebook.com/share/1Ha53wjaKc/

Grief, Identity, and Finding Your Way Forward

What happens when the life you thought you were living… suddenly changes?In this episode, we’re talking about grief, healing, and what it really means to rebuild a life after losing the person you thought you would grow old with.Today’s guest, Christy Kovel, was widowed at 46 after a 20-year marriage. In this honest and deeply human conversation, she shares what it was like to navigate the early fog of grief, learn to live alone, and begin redefining who she was without the role that had shaped so much of her life.We talk about the parts of grief people don’t always see… the loneliness, the identity shift, and the quiet work of moving forward. We also talk about something many people struggle with but don’t say out loud… the guilt that can come when joy starts to return.This is a conversation about loss, but it’s also about resilience, community, and the courage it takes to build a life again… even when it looks nothing like the one you planned.If you or someone you love is navigating grief, this episode will meet you with honesty, compassion, and hope.------Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again.Subscribe so you never miss a conversation like this.http://joywithlisa.com [http://joywithlisa.com]https://www.instagram.com/find_joy_no_regrets [https://www.instagram.com/find_joy_no_regrets]https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ha53wjaKc/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ha53wjaKc/]

The Real Reward Wasn't the Finish Line

In this episode, I’m joined by Julie Rancourt for a conversation about persistence, self-talk, and what it really looks like to stay committed to something meaningful over time.Julie shares her journey of running all 169 towns in Connecticut, and how what started as a goal turned into something much deeper. Along the way, she found unexpected joy, built lifelong friendships, and developed the kind of mindset that helps you keep going—even when motivation fades.We talk about the power of community, the role of inner dialogue, and how shared struggle can create connection in the most beautiful ways.Julie is one of those people who truly loves others—you feel it immediately. She has the kind of warmth that makes people feel seen, and a curiosity that reminds us everyone has a story worth hearing.If you’ve ever been in the middle of something that felt long, hard, or uncertain… this conversation will remind you why staying in it matters.------Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again.Subscribe so you never miss a conversation like this.http://joywithlisa.comhttps://www.instagram.com/find_joy_no_regretshttps://www.facebook.com/share/1Ha53wjaKc/

Sarah made a decision the night her step-dad, Peter died that changed her life and mine.

Lisa Marshall sits down with her daughter Sarah Brehant for a deeply personal conversation about presence, intuition, and the quiet power of showing up. Together, they remember Peter—husband, stepdad, gentleman—and how Alzheimer's slowly changed him while never dimming the love between them. What unfolds is a tender story about a single decision on a December night that transformed a moment of loss into one of grace, connection, and shared peace. ------ Sarah Brehant is a luxury wedding designer who brings creativity, care, and intention to everything she does. She's also Lisa's daughter and someone who showed up in one of life's most meaningful moments with the kind of quiet courage that speaks louder than words. https://sarahbrehantevents.com/ [https://sarahbrehantevents.com/] https://www.instagram.com/sarahbrehantevents [https://www.instagram.com/sarahbrehantevents] https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahbrehantevents [https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahbrehantevents] ------ Don't Be a Miserable Cow shares practical tools and deeply personal insights that empower people to take control and improve their lives with intentionality and presence. Lisa and her guests explore captivating topics like gratitude, boundaries, self-care, relationships, persistence, and finding joy in everyday life, all through the power of choice, by choosing peace and joy again and again. Subscribe so you never miss a conversation like this. http://joywithlisa.com [http://joywithlisa.com] https://www.instagram.com/find_joy_no_regrets [https://www.instagram.com/find_joy_no_regrets] https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ha53wjaKc/ [https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ha53wjaKc/] http://ohhelloalz.com [http://ohhelloalz.com] https://www.instagram.com/ohhelloalzheimers/ [https://www.instagram.com/ohhelloalzheimers/] https://www.facebook.com/OhHelloAlzheimers [https://www.facebook.com/OhHelloAlzheimers]