Send us your thoughts! The crushing weight of perfectionism affects so many of us, subtly draining our energy while convincing us that we're never quite good enough. Perfectionism doesn't just rob us of joy—it's a direct pathway to burnout, compassion fatigue, and a disconnection from our authentic selves. Drawing from both clinical expertise and p…

Send us your thoughts! Your heart chakra holds the key to experiencing true soul joy. This week, we're continuing our exploration of the heart chakra by diving into the transformative practices of self-compassion and gratitude – two essential components of sustainable wellness care. Did you know your amygdala – that little almond-shaped structure i…

Send us your thoughts! The most foundational relationship in your life isn't with your partner, friends, or family—it's with yourself. In this deeply personal exploration, I reveal how the relentless self-judgment that once dominated my thoughts became the catalyst for understanding the profound importance of "holding space" for ourselves. Many of …

Send us your thoughts! Ever been asked "What's for dinner?" after a long day and felt your brain completely shut down? That's decision fatigue – the mental exhaustion that comes from making countless choices throughout your day. And for helping professionals making upwards of 40,000 decisions daily, it's a recipe for burnout. In this revealing epis…

Send us your thoughts! Time management isn't sexy, but it might be the secret key to your happiness and well-being. Drawing from personal experience, I share how I evolved from an exhausted overachiever cramming impossible to-do lists into each day to someone who now guards her mornings and evenings zealously for what truly matters. My journey reve…

Send us your thoughts! The quest for purpose is a lifelong journey that evolves as we move through different life stages. What happens when you've achieved all your major life goals and that once-unquenchable fire in your belly begins to fade? This fascinating exploration of life purpose delves into the sometimes disorienting period that follows ma…

Send us your thoughts! Fear is the silent thief that steals our joy, authenticity, and potential – and Dr. Julie Merriman isn't afraid to call it what it truly is: a big fat liar. Drawing from her own journey through paralyzing fear to empowered living, she offers both personal testimony and practical wisdom for anyone ready to stop letting fear di…

Send us your thoughts! Feeling like you're constantly breaking promises to yourself? That persistent self-betrayal isn't a character flaw—it's an energy imbalance in your solar plexus chakra. Today's soul-stirring exploration takes us to the powerhouse energy center in your upper belly that governs self-esteem, personal power, and integrity. We've …

Send us your thoughts! Step into a vibrant discussion on the importance of hot and sexy creativity in our lives as we explore its link to holistic wellness. Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as we dive into how embracing our sexuality can become a key component of sustainable self-care, strengthening relationships and boosting resilience against burnout…

Send us your thoughts! What if recognizing and prioritizing your personal needs could be the key to unlocking your full potential and fostering resilience? Join Dr. Julie Merriman on SoulJoy as she shares invaluable insights from her book, "In Pursuit of Soul Joy," to guide professional helpers through the challenges of burnout, compassion fatigue,…

Send us your thoughts! Rediscover the secret to a fulfilling life by engaging with the transformative power of holistic self-care, as shared by Dr. Julie Merriman. Through her personal journey of overcoming burnout, especially in the demanding field of helping professions, Dr. Merriman provides valuable insights into cultivating what she calls "Sou…

Send us your thoughts! Ever felt like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, leaving you frazzled and drained? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as I reveal how holistic and sustainable self-care can be your pathway to profound happiness and fulfillment. Drawing from my own experiences overcoming burnout and compassion fatigue, I'll share how bal…

Send us your thoughts! After enduring a year marked by personal trials, including my husband's melanoma diagnosis and my own battle with breast cancer, I've gained a deeper understanding of the often-unseen challenges faced by those of us in the helping professions. I am Dr. Julie Merriman, and in this episode of SoulJoy, I open up about my journey…

Send us your thoughts! Ever wondered how first responder families celebrate the holidays amidst the chaos of service demands? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as we unpack the emotional complexities faced by professional helpers and explore holistic self-care strategies to combat burnout and compassion fatigue. As we approach the holiday season, emotio…

Send us your thoughts! Picture this: a herd of baby calves frolicking in the pasture, embodying pure joy and playfulness. That's the energy we're tapping into today on SoulJoy as we journey through the essential but often overlooked aspects of self-care—creativity, sexuality, and emotions. I'm Dr. Julie Merriman, and in this episode, I share cheris…

Send us your thoughts! What if your financial beliefs are unconsciously impacting your well-being? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as we unravel the intricacies of your money mindset in the latest episode of SoulJoy. We embark on a journey to uncover how our childhood and family history shape our "money story," which often operates beneath our conscio…

Send us your thoughts! What if the very risks you're avoiding are the keys to your personal growth and fulfillment? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as I recount a life-altering risk I took in college that not only reshaped my path but also led me to my husband. Society often whispers caution and safety, but I’m here to champion the idea that risk is a…

Send us your thoughts! What if embracing self-respect could be the missing piece to a fulfilling and balanced life? Through heartfelt personal stories, including my family's recent journey through cancer, we explore how self-respect is a vital component of holistic self-care. Join me as we uncover actionable strategies for fostering this essential …

Send us your thoughts! Could acknowledging your own needs be the key to unlocking a more vibrant and fulfilled life? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as we embark on a journey to prioritize self-care in our latest SoulJoy episode. Together, we'll explore the differences in how people approach self-care, from the confident self-advocates to those who ma…

Send us your thoughts! Ever faced burnout, compassion fatigue, or vicarious trauma? Imagine if embracing your weaknesses could actually boost your self-confidence and help you manifest your true desires. In this episode of SoulJoy, I'm Dr. Julie Merriman, and we’re diving deep into making peace with our imperfections. I share personal anecdotes, in…

Send us your thoughts! After years of overworking and living in fear, I found myself on a transformative journey that completely redefined my outlook on life. In this episode of SoulJoy, I'm excited to share how embracing an abundance mindset revolutionized my approach to holistic wellness. You'll hear about my shift from a scarcity-driven mindset …

Send us your thoughts! Can changing the way you talk to yourself actually rewire your brain for greater well-being? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, on this enlightening episode of SoulJoy as we uncover the transformative power of self-compassion. You’ll learn how the language you use about yourself affects your brain's amygdala and discover practical …

Send us your thoughts! How often do you find yourself teetering on the edge of burnout, unsure of who you’ve become? Today, Dr. Julie Merriman shares her raw and honest journey through the maze of self-sabotage, burnout, and rediscovering a resilient sense of self. This episode of SoulJoy is a deep dive into the essential elements of creating a hol…

Send us your thoughts! Ever wondered how to truly achieve "soul joy" through holistic self-care? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as I share a heartwarming personal story about my horse, Rex, and the immense joy that our fur babies can bring into our lives. Together, we'll explore how professional helpers can combat burnout, compassion fatigue, and vic…

Send us your thoughts! What does it really mean to experience exhaustion in the helping professions? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as I uncover the neuroscience behind this pressing issue, sharing deeply personal stories from my own life, including my husband's courageous battle with brain cancer and a recent heart-pounding escapade with some unruly…

Send us your thoughts! Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the pressures of your career, wondering if there's a way to maintain your passion without burning out? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as I share my own struggle with burnout, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma, and how these experiences led me to write "In Pursuit of Soul Joy." Together, we…

Send us your thoughts! Ever wished you could strike the perfect balance between being helpful and maintaining your own well-being? Join Dr. Julie Merriman as she unpacks the crucial topic of setting boundaries, particularly for professional helpers who often face the risk of burnout. Discover why establishing clear limits is essential for sustainab…

Send us your thoughts! Can you imagine writing a book at 60 or bringing home a new puppy to add joy to your life? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, as I share personal stories about our new blue heeler puppy, Louis, and how simple pleasures like these can combat burnout. Discover how my recent bedroom makeover has brought fresh energy into my life and l…

Send us your thoughts! What happens when life throws you a curveball and everything feels less than okay? Join me, Dr. Julie Merriman, on this transformative episode of SoulJoy as we explore the vital importance of acknowledging and embracing these "not okay" moments. Reflecting on a deeply personal story, I share how my family celebrated a quiet F…

Send us your thoughts! What if you could reshape your entire approach to self-care and mental wellness? In this episode, Dr. Julie Merriman opens up about her personal journey, sharing the emotional highs and lows of her husband's victorious battle with cancer and her own ongoing struggle with breast cancer. These deeply personal stories lay the gr…

Send us your thoughts! In today’s episode we’re gonna continue talking about chakras and how unbalanced energy impacts your wellness, also known as holistic, sustainable self-care. Y’all, there’s a lot of meat in this episode. I encourage you to grab a journal and pen to take notes. I’ve built holistic, sustainable self-care, aka wellness, on chakr…

Send us your thoughts! In today’s episode we’re talking about chakras and unbalanced energies impacting your wellness, also known as holistic, sustainable self-care. Y’all, there’s a lot of meat in this episode. I encourage you to take notes. There will be much to remember.By Dr. Julie Merriman

Send us your thoughts! In today’s episode we’re gonna explore the occupational hazards of professional helpers and look at some proven strategies to combat these. I wanna help you ditch these and fall in love with life.By Dr. Julie Merriman

Send us your thoughts! Dr. Julie Merriman has spent the last 25 years as a professor and counselor helping professional helpers ditch burnout and fall in love this life. In the Soul Joy Podcast, Dr. M shares evidenced-based tools and techniques to make the changes you long for. She has built her career on passionately helping other feel inspired, e…