Joy Is Your Birthright — Not a Reward (Relish Podcast Ep. 2)

When was the last time you allowed yourself joy without feeling like you had to earn it first? In this episode of the Relish Podcast, Alyssia Sheikh challenges the idea that joy comes only after we’ve healed, achieved, or “done the work.” Instead, she invites us to see joy as our natural state—something we can access right now.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why so many of us get stuck on the hamster wheel of “fixing” before we let ourselves feel joy
• Alyssia’s vulnerable story of realizing she’d shut down around play—and how the Hoffman Process cracked her open
• Research-backed benefits of play, from boosting health and creativity to protecting cognitive function
• The difference between hedonic happiness (short-term pleasures) and eudaimonic joy (long-lasting fulfillment)
• Practical reflection prompts to map your own relationship with joy

Show Notes & Links:

• Follow Alyssia on Instagram → @alyssiasheikh
• Connect on TikTok → @alyssiasheikh
• Download the free Joy Mapping Journal Prompts → [Link here]
• Learn more about Alyssia’s work and upcoming retreats → alyssiasheikh.com
• Research mentioned in this episode:
• National Institute for Play
  — Dr. Stuart Brown
• Texas A&M study on play and productivity (2024)
• Research on hedonic vs. eudaimonic well-being (MDPI, PMC, ResearchGate)

Key Quote:

“Joy and play aren’t dessert—they’re the main course. You don’t have to earn them. Joy is your birthright.”

Listen & Subscribe:

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Google Podcasts
• Anywhere you listen 🎧

Next Episode: On Wednesday, Alyssia dives into the sneaky reactive patterns that block our joy—plus a bonus “dessert” practice you won’t want to miss.