Make Me Smile with Miist

Winner, loser; beautiful, ugly; rich, poor—in a world that constantly asks us to measure up, have you ever stopped to wonder if the yardstick is broken? Join me, Miist, for a few minutes of refuge as we peel back the filters of "aspirational living" to reveal how the thief of joy — comparison — might be stealing more than just your confidence. From the tragic obsession of Salieri over Mozart to a deeply personal confession where I found myself unexpectedly envious of a gift given to my own daughter, we will explore the fine line between toxic jealousy and healthy admiration. If you have ever felt like you are falling behind in a race you never signed up for, I invite you to discover why looking sideways is slowing you down, and to learn the simple, 15-second action that can transform your envy into inspiration—but you’ll have to listen to find out just how powerful a simple smile can be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kick your shoes off and leave your worries at the door; let’s make this moment a refuge where we can finally breathe. In a world that constantly screams for us to look out for "Number One" and chase the solitary luxury of wealth, why do we feel more isolated than ever? Join me, Miist, as we unravel a 2,000-year-old secret that modern science—from an 80-year Harvard study to the biology of the "Giver’s Glow"—is just now catching up to. We’ll explore the surprising chemistry of connection versus the heavy, hidden cost of selfishness, and I’ll share a deeply personal, unscripted moment involving a simple hug that completely reshaped my perspective on love. Discover why true happiness isn't found in what we take, but in a forgotten, 15-second habit that has the power to heal our hearts and transform our communities. Are you ready to smile again? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever feel like we are just trading empty words about the weather while our true hearts remain hidden behind a wall of polite silence? In this episode of Make Me Smile, we step away from the safety of small talk to explore the terrifying, yet beautiful terrain of deep conversations and meaningful connection. I invite you into a vulnerable space where I confront the invisible barriers that distance us from the ones we love most—especially our parents—and question why we fear the very intimacy we crave. Together, we will discover how sharing our wildest ideas and dreams, rather than just our daily schedules, can heal old wounds and turn strangers into soulmates. Come, let us find the courage to ask the questions that actually matter and uncover the inspiration waiting on the other side of fear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered why we desperately crave to be unique, yet remain terrified of standing out? In this episode of Make Me Smile, we step into the refuge of our shared humanity to explore the delicate tension between peer pressure and the vibrant necessity of celebrating differences. Join me as we unravel the roots of judgment and discover why the biodiversity of our souls is as essential as the flowers in a garden. From the unexpected melody of a deaf pianist to the freezing waters of a seal’s habitat, we find that the antidote to the violence of fear isn't bravery—it is something far simpler and more profound. Let’s cross the bridge of friendship together and uncover the secret power of curiosity that turns the unknown into a symphony of connection. Come, take a break from the craziness, and let’s learn why the color periwinkle blue just might save the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever considered that the most valuable thing you own isn’t locked in a bank, but carried in the breath of those who speak of you? In this episode of Make Me Smile, we step away from the noise to examine the fragile, invisible architecture of our reputation and the profound weight of a name. We traverse the distance between the ancient cautionary tale of the "Boy Who Cried Wolf" and the quiet, transformative strength of Nelson Mandela, discovering why true integrity is worth more than gold—and why humility is the only armor that truly protects it. I open the door to a private moment with my daughter involving a simple request for an email address and the heavy, beautiful condition I placed upon it—a lesson on trust that took me decades to learn myself. Join me in this refuge as we uncover how a single, fifteen-second act of kindness can cement a legacy, and why the most powerful way to build a good name is often the terrifying act of admitting we were wrong. Let’s discover what it truly means to be remembered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices