Joy Starts When You Question The Life You’re Building with Michael Riso.

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Success is supposed to feel like the answer, so why does it sometimes feel like a quieter kind of hunger? That question opens a candid conversation with Michael J. Tiso, a professional golf coach turned full-time writer who walked away from a thriving business to explore what it means to live with joy at the center, not as a prize you collect later. We talk about the biggest misconception people carry: that happiness comes from external wins, and why that strategy can’t hold up in a world built on change. 

We dig into a practical model of inner peace using Michael’s ocean metaphor: storms still roll through on the surface, but deep water stays calm. From there we explore how joy in daily living starts with curiosity and honest self-inquiry, not a dramatic reinvention. Michael shares the story of Luna, a young woman who climbed into a thousand-year-old redwood and stayed for 738 days, showing how purpose often begins with one hard question and a willingness to commit. 

If you’re stressed, overbooked, or running on fumes, we get specific about what helps: simplicity before balance, cutting commitments, resisting the endless “next thing” chase, and building boundaries by valuing your time. We also talk about clarity and persistence, how to keep going when motivation fades, and why self-compassion matters when you’re learning new habits. Michael points to resources from his book, Finding Joy in Daily Living: 72 Simple Ways to Create Lasting Peace in Your Life, including free tools on his site. 

If this conversation helped you slow down and notice what you’ve been rushing past, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. What’s one change you’re ready to make this week?

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Intro Music Credit: Lumen Sound | Dmitrii Kolesnikov | Pixabay 

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