Make Me Smile with Miist

Have you ever felt a special relationship slowly drifting apart, not from a big fight, but from the quiet routine of everyday life? I went on a journey to find the key to rekindling that connection, exploring popular advice like "Active Listening" and "Validation." While helpful, I discovered the true secret to a bond that lasts is something much simpler and more powerful: being genuinely curious. Join me as we explore how this one shift can transform your conversations, help you navigate disagreements with empathy, and allow you to truly see and be seen by the people you love. If you're yearning for deeper, more fulfilling connections, let's learn to be curious about each other all over again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to "Make Me Smile"! I'm your host, Mist, and this week we're exploring the beautiful, innate human need for connection and why we often personify everything from our quirky lemon trees (you'll hear that story!) to our Roombas. It's all about our deep desire to connect, and we'll uncover how these bonds—with nature, animals, and especially each other—are the true sources of lasting happiness and well-being, far surpassing the fleeting joy of material possessions. I'll share my song "It Was You," inspired by a profound connection, and we'll even practice a simple 15-second way to foster deeper, more authentic connections by asking "How are you, really?". So, join me as we take a break from the world's craziness and rediscover the simple, powerful joy of genuine human connection together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Struggling with lingering feelings from a past relationship or the desire to be remembered? In this deeply personal episode of "Make Me Smile," host Miist shares the vulnerable story behind her song "Remember Me Again," exploring how a decade-old breakup unexpectedly surfaced and impacted her present life. Discover how holding onto resentment can subtly poison current happiness and learn why truly letting go is crucial for your own well-being. Dive into the universal need for connection, the illusion of social media bonds, and a powerful 15-second exercise to redefine "who you are" based on what truly matters in your "life review." Tune in for profound insights on healing, forgiveness, and finding peace by choosing presence over the past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does scrolling social media promise connection but often leave you feeling more disconnected? Dive into this "Make Me Smile" episode exploring the addictive, dopamine-driven nature of social media versus the deep fulfillment of real connection with nature, others, and yourself. Host Miist unpacks why our brains crave connection like hunger and introduces a powerful tool: the simple 15-second pause before opening apps to practice genuine gratitude. Learn about the "Kindness Cube" and how these tiny shifts can combat overwhelm, boost your mental health, and genuinely change your world. Tune in to understand the failed promise of social media and rediscover true happiness and connection in achievable, mindful steps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello, lovely listeners! Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the craziness of our world, or the constant pull of social media? I know I do. That's why on this episode of the Make Me Smile podcast, we're taking a break to explore how we can find joy and spark positive change with simple, powerful 15-second actions. I'll share my personal journey and introduce you to the Kindness Cube – a tangible way to practice gratitude, share a smile, and more, because I believe we can change our world in small, beautiful ways. Plus, you'll hear the surprising story behind my song 'Slow Dance', produced by the legendary Narada Michael Walden, and its message about finding those precious moments of connection amidst the chaos. We'll discuss overcoming social media overwhelm, the beauty of being present, and rediscovering what makes for a truly meaningful life. Join me, Miist, as we learn to change our world and, most importantly, Make Me Smile. #15seconds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Still haunted by resentment from a past relationship? Discover the surprising path to healing as host Miist unpacks the deeply personal story behind her song, "Give Her My Love." Learn how decade-old hurt from a breakup unexpectedly impacted her present marriage, leading to the profound realization that holding onto resentment is like "drinking poison and hoping the other person dies." This episode explores why forgiveness is ultimately a gift toÊyourself, releasing you from emotional baggage. Uncover a simple yet powerful 15-second exercise to start acknowledging and letting go of resentment. Tune into "Make Me Smile" to gain tools for emotional healing, find peace, and improve your current happiness and relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can imagination be a powerful tool for healing childhood trauma and reframing a difficult past? In this deeply personal episode of "Make Me Smile," host Miist reveals the surprising truth behind her song "She" it was written not for her actual mother, but for the supportive figure she imagined needing after facing abandonment and abuse. Explore the transformative power of choosing gratitude over resentment, touching on concepts like dissociation and drawing inspiration from the film "Life is Beautiful." Discover how Miist used imagination to cope, heal, and ultimately foster forgiveness, and learn a playful yet potent 15-second action involving embracing silliness (like skipping or a 'wind dance'!) to instantly boost your mood and change your world. Tune in to unlock insights on harnessing imagination for profound mental health benefits and finding unexpected joy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host and singer-songwriter Miist shares her deeply personal journey of healing childhood trauma related to parental abandonment and resentment, initially channeled through songwriting, including her featured original song "She." The focus shifts to the transformative power of gratitude as a tool for mental wellness and positive psychology. Miist explains how cultivating gratitude helped her reframe painful memories, overcome a victim mentality, and find peace in her relationship with her mother and her past. Supported by scientific research insights (citing Harvard studies, Dr. Seligman, and a TEDx talk on "Kiss Your Brain"), the episode highlights how gratitude can rewire the brain, boost happiness, improve health, and strengthen relationships. Listeners are encouraged to practice simple gratitude exercises, like a 15-second reflection, to positively impact their own lives and foster connection, demonstrating how small shifts in perspective can lead to profound healing and well-being. #15second Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we confront the pervasive feeling of loneliness and isolation affecting so many, even in our hyper-connected world – a stark reality highlighted by the US Surgeon General's findings and the story behind my song, "Could You Lend Me a Smile." But there's immense hope! We explore how simple, powerful actions, taking just 15 seconds or less, can forge human connection and combat this epidemic. Building on last week's challenge, let's add a friendly wave or a warm hello to our smile when we see someone. It might feel strange initially, but as my family discovered, these small gestures create ripples of kindness, foster well-being (both theirs and ours!), and remind us of our shared humanity. Join me as we learn to smile again, choose connection over withdrawal, and actively build a happier, more meaningful world together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me, Miist, on this heartfelt episode of Make Me Smile, where we rediscover the simple yet profound power of a smile. Inspired by a touching story of loneliness from Japan and my personal journey into songwriting, we explore how one genuine smile can transform not only your day but ripple positively through your community and beyond. Hear uplifting interactions from my conversations with people about their experiences giving and receiving smiles, and learn how this small, 15-second action can significantly boost your mood and foster human connection. Together, let's remember what it truly means to be human—starting with a smile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello there, I'm Mist, and welcome to Make Me Smile. Have you ever felt, like I did walking through the park recently, that we've become a bit disconnected, maybe forgetting the simple, powerful gift of a smile? It seems loneliness and feeling adrift have become widespread, but I truly believe we hold the power to change that and rediscover what it means to be human. This podcast is our shared journey to combat loneliness and foster genuine human connection. Each week, we'll explore simple, quick actions – sometimes just 15 seconds – focusing on gratitude, kindness, hope, and finding meaningful living right where we are. Let's build a happier future together, learning, growing, and creating a life filled with passion, not just survival, starting with the simple, transformative power of a smile. Please join me, Mist, on Make Me Smile! #15second Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices