Podcast by Kim Anderson & Jenny Chate
15 October 2026
In this episode of The Contagious Joy Podcast, hosts Kim and Jenny catch up on personal updates, professional milestones, and uplifting everyday stories. Jenny shares exciting career updates, including podcast interviews and curriculum development for personal injury education. She also reflects on her work with Yoo Min (Luna), a 26-year-old hearing-impaired client gaining independence, who built the confidence to use a connected microphone device during a trip to Featherdale Wildlife Park. Kim discusses her home preparations, family visits, and home renovation plans.
The hosts then dive into a lighthearted segment exploring Australian slang words and phrases, touching on everything from "gasbag" and "sparky" to "dunny diver". They close the episode discussing childhood memories of space and "Numberblocks," the comfort of sensory nostalgia, and the importance of spreading small acts of kindness in daily life.
"Remember, it's very easy to find joy in little places. Even when times are dark or low, look for joy." — Kim & Jenny
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45:37
27 September 2026
In this episode of the Contagious Joy podcast, Kim and her co-host connect across the globe from the U.S. and Australia to share life updates and discuss meaningful themes. They dive into the excitement of back-to-school routines, high school graduation traditions in Australia, and the emotional significance of major life milestones. The discussion expands into a thoughtful conversation on true empathy—how to sit with someone in overwhelming moments without trying to fix the problem—and finding small, daily sparks of joy even through unexpected events like car breakdowns on the freeway.
Highlights & Key Topics:
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01:16:31
19 September 2026
In this episode of Contagious Joy, Jenny and Kim check in after a whirlwind couple of weeks involving ocean getaways, epic Nerf battles, wedding floral designs, and... matching cross-continental colds!
The duo compares Aussie versus American terminology (from "Snuggies" vs. "Oodies" to "woods" vs. "bush"), reflects on the necessity of giving your brain room to decompress, and highlights Rowan’s newly published book, Afterlife. Between laughs over balloon arches, whale watching in Narooma, and navigating life’s emotional overlaps, they dive into why true empathy and brain awareness matter at home, in schools, and in the workplace.
@days_of_donning00:00
01:03:28
05 September 2026
Show Summary
In this episode of Contagious Joy, hosts Kim and Jenny catch up on the shift in seasons, comparing rainy weather in Oregon to the sudden start of summer in Sydney. Kim shares a chaotic story about getting evacuated from a camping trip near Mount Hood due to nearby wildfires and pinecone-dropping squirrels. Jenny talks about her work with young kids building "monster truck bridges" and a heartwarming breakthrough with a long-term cooking participant. Together, they explore deeper topics around accepting genuine compliments, breaking free from negative self-talk, and learning to let go of constant vigilance as life evolves.
Show Notes
00:00
55:13
29 August 2026
Show Summary
In this episode, Kim and Jenny return for an honest, insightful check-in on navigating life’s unexpected hurdles, setting boundaries, and choosing joy through difficult seasons. Jenny opens up about her recent experiences supporting her participant, Luna, in an environment that lacked accessibility and proper accommodations for hearing-impaired adults. The duo reflects on the difference between being overly critical and operating out of deep empathy, highlighting how true advocacy means stepping up when systems fall short.
Kim shares updates on her creative birthday prep, personal life, and returning to the workforce, while both hosts reflect on neurodivergence, breaking generational cycles, and finding clarity after turbulent times.
Show Notes
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45:48
22 August 2026
Summary In this episode of the Contagious Joy Podcast, host Jenny shares a deeply personal story about falling victim to an intricate AI-driven text scam where fraudsters impersonated her daughter and stole $2,500. She candidly discusses the severe emotional toll and suicidal thoughts that followed, highlighting the mental health strategies she used to navigate the dark place and regain her footing—such as limiting contact with others, focusing on small positive tasks, and leaning on loved ones. Co-host Kim offers empathetic support, discussing the importance of recognizing faulty mental messages, reaching out for help, and normalizing conversations around mental health. The duo also touches on lighter topics, including organizing wedding flowers, local plant stories, eBay selling wins, and upcoming travel plans.
Show Notes
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44:49