Waves of Joy

Hosted by Shauna Dittl

Business Entrepreneurship Health Fitness Education

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Episodes

270

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Life happens for you, not to you. Learn how to breathe in joy and positivity amidst challenging circumstances. The most profound awareness can permeate through you as you demystify happiness and turn failure into feedback. The time we spend together will teach you how to live simply, leave the mundane, travel the world, and radiate joy. Told from everyday life experience, passion, and vulnerability.

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60 recent

October 5, 2026Episode 27122 min

There Are Some Things In Life You Can't Skip

If you skip the uncomfortable, the dysfunctional will follow you. In this episode, we talk about something I’ve been learning over and over again: avoiding discomfort doesn’t make it disappear. The conversations we don’t want to have, the fears we don’t want to face, and the anxiety we try to outrun have a way of following us until we’re willing to work through them. Sometimes faith isn’t about knowing exactly how things will turn out, it’s about asking for what’s on your heart, doing what you can, and trusting God with the rest. I also share a little life update as I head into another quarter of medical school, reflect on recent family trips, and think about how much I want to be present for this season instead of constantly rushing toward the next one. We also get into something that has made a huge difference in my life lately: hiring good help. Whether it’s childcare, support at home, or simply admitting that you don’t have to do everything yourself, the right help can create space for you to actually enjoy the life you’ve worked so hard to build. This episode is about facing what’s uncomfortable, loosening your grip on what you can’t control, being present with the people you love, and trusting that you don’t have to carry everything alone. 𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃 ' 𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

August 10, 2026Episode 27024 min

Wired + Tired, Extreme Fatigue, Disaster Lab Work: A Past Reality I Never Wanted To Relive

What happens when your body starts telling a story you thought you had already left behind? In this episode, I’m getting personal. I had been feeling so exhausted yet wired, and not quite like myself, so I decided it was time to take a deeper look at what was actually going on. And when my lab work came back, I found myself face-to-face with a reality I promised myself I wouldn't see again. It was a quick reminder that your body is always talking to you. The fatigue, the changes in energy, the sleep, the mood, the hormones, these aren't things we should simply learn to live with or push through; they are clues, asking us to slow down and pay attention. This experience also reinforced something I believe deeply: you can't put a price on your health. Taking care of yourself doesn't have to mean choosing conventional medicine or natural medicine. There is value in working alongside both your medical doctor and your naturopathic doctor, looking at the whole picture and using the right tools at the right time. And sometimes, natural doesn't cut it. Sometimes medication is the right answer. Taking medication when you need it doesn't mean you've failed, it means you're taking care of yourself. At the end of the day, you are your own best advocate. No one knows what it feels like to live in your body better than you do. Learning to listen to those signals, asking questions, getting the right testing, and finding practitioners who will actually listen can change everything. Your body is always talking. The question is: are you listening? 𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃 ' 𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

July 6, 2026Episode 26930 min

Another Year Older, A New Nanny, Less Screens, 529-College Fund, and Maybe Another Baby?

Today, we’re deep diving into a life update and everything that’s been going on during my two-month hiatus from recording. We chat about turning 36 and all the thoughts that come with entering another year of life, motherhood, and family planning. We also get into the quest to cure boredom with screens, how it can actually make the problem worse, and the honest truth that sometimes we hand our kids screens to make our lives easier, not necessarily theirs. We also chat about setting up a 529 college fund, why it felt important to start thinking about our baby’s future early, and how even small steps now can create a foundation for whatever path she chooses later in life. In addition, what it’s like training a new nanny, from teaching her how to cook our baby’s nourishing meals to helping with cleaning and becoming part of our family’s daily rhythm. And of course, the big question: is it time for another baby? As another year passes, the clock starts talking a little louder, and there are some things you just shouldn’t ignore. 𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃 ' 𝓉 References The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

May 4, 2026Episode 26814 min

Daily Poops + Why I’m Never Hangry Anymore

There was a time not that long ago where I could feel it coming. That shift. The irritability… the edge… the feeling like I needed to eat right now or everything in me was going to unravel. And I used to think that was normal. I used to think that was just me being busy, or not eating enough, or training too much. But recently, something changed. And I didn’t even notice it at first. I just realized one day I wasn’t getting hangry anymore. Not the urgency. Not the emotional drop. Not that almost panicked feeling around food. And at the same time—and this might sound small, but it’s not—I realized my body had found a rhythm in another way too… I was going to the bathroom every single day and at the same time every single day. No effort, no second guessing, just consistency. And if you know, you know… that kind of regularity changes how you feel in your body. And as someone who studies physiology, and also lives in a very real human body—this made me pause. Because hunger is supposed to guide us, it’s not supposed to hijack us. And digestion… it’s not just about what we take in, it’s about what we’re able to let go of. So in today’s episode, I want to talk about something incredibly simple that shifted that experience for me in a really profound way—and that’s psyllium husk. Sometimes the most powerful medicine isn’t complicated—it’s something as simple as giving your body the structure it needs to function the way it was designed to. References: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26561625/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23885994/ Eat Dirt by Dr Josh Axe 𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃 ' 𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS Connect With Me: https://shaunadittl.com/ Vivo Barefoot 10% Discount: Vivo Barefoot Code VIVOPRO10 https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

April 13, 2026Episode 26722 min

When Childcare Falls Apart (and So Do You)

This week, I’m opening up about something that has completely shaken me—our nanny quit. What followed was more than just a scheduling scramble. It sent me into a spiral of stress, tears, and some really hard questions… including whether I can realistically continue pursuing medical school while being the mom and wife I want to be. But the truth is, this isn’t just my story. Finding reliable, high-quality childcare right now feels nearly impossible—and so many women are quietly carrying the weight of that reality. The pressure to “do it all” starts to crack when one piece (like childcare) falls apart. This has felt unbelievably heavy, overwhelming, and at times defeating. And in the middle of that, I’ve had to come back to what I know keeps me grounded. In this episode, I talk about: Why childcare feels so hard to figure out (and why it’s not just you), the emotional toll this takes—and what this week has really looked like for me, the identity tension between ambition, motherhood, and partnership and how I’m actively managing the stress in real time. Because when everything feels like too much, I come back to what I can control: nourishing my body with healthy food, moving every day, and finding moments to laugh—even in the middle of the chaos. These small things aren’t trivial—they’re vital during stressful seasons like this. If you’re in a season where life feels overwhelming and you're questioning everything, this episode is for you. You are not alone in this. 𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃 ' 𝓉 Podcast Episode: Everything Will Be Okay, As Soon As You Are Okay With Everything BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS Connect with Shauna https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/ https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

March 9, 2026Episode 2661 hr 2 min

Rhythm of Conception: What You Didn't Know About Fertility Acupuncture, PCOS & AMH Levels with Annie Vedeler L.Ac

Infertility is more common than many women realize, yet it can feel incredibly isolating when pregnancy doesn’t happen as expected. In this episode, fertility acupuncturist, Annie Vedeler L.Ac dives deep into the most common causes of infertility, what AMH levels actually mean, when it's time to seek help, types and causes of PCOS, what fertility testing looks like and lifestyle factors that can significantly impact reproductive health. At the center of this conversation is the role of acupuncture in fertility care. How does it support hormone balance, improve circulation to reproductive organs, and work alongside modern treatments like IVF? We explore how this ancient practice helps regulate the nervous system and support the body’s natural reproductive rhythm. Infertility affects both the body and the heart, and this episode offers both practical insight and hope for women navigating this journey. 𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃 ' 𝓉 Connect with Annie for Questions or Treatment Book Recommendations: It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis Making Babies by Sami David Find a Fertility Acupunturist NEAR YOU! https://aborm.org/ SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

February 23, 2026Episode 26625 min

Adult Friendships: Why They're Harder Than Dating

We schedule date nights. We put work meetings on the calendar weeks in advance. We block time for workouts, studying, client calls, business planning. But we don’t schedule friend dates. Somehow we expect friendships to just… survive. In high school and college, proximity did the work for us. You saw the same people every day. You studied together. Ate together. Walked to class together. Friendship was built into your environment. Now? There’s no built-in proximity. No shared dorms. No accidental late-night conversations. If you don’t intentionally create time, it doesn’t happen. And then life gets full. Babies. Businesses. Marriage. Deadlines. Dreams. And friendships quietly move to the bottom of the list — not because they don’t matter, but because they don’t feel urgent. Add to that the fact that we’re more emotionally mature now. We’ve been hurt before. We have boundaries. We have standards. But we don’t always have the communication skills to match that growth. So instead of saying, “I miss you,” we withdraw. Instead of asking for more effort, we assume we’re too much. And suddenly, you can have a beautiful, full life… and still feel lonely. Today I want to talk about adult friendships — why they feel harder than they used to, why they matter more than we admit, and how to build them intentionally in the middle of a very full life. 𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃 ' 𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

January 26, 2026Episode 26541 min

An Infant Abroad: A Holiday Trip That Tested Us

We spent three weeks traveling through four European countries with our seven-month-old, and this episode is an honest reflection of what that really looked like, far beyond the highlight reels. We share the unexpected beauty of traveling with a baby: kind strangers who stepped in without being asked, people speaking to our daughter in languages she’s never heard before, and watching her light up as she absorbed new sounds, faces, and rhythms of life. We talk about wandering through centuries-old streets, standing in places layered with history, savoring unforgettable cuisine, and enjoying truly stellar wine that somehow tastes even better when life slows down. We also get very real about the logistics. Pushing a stroller over uneven cobblestones day after day. Timing everything around naps and how flexible (or not) Airbnb check-in times can make or break a day with a baby. Why renting a car in Italy completely changed our experience and allowed us to see places no train could ever take us. And yes, the inhalation of constant cigarette smoke in Rome, something we weren’t prepared for and had to mentally and physically navigate with an infant. This trip wasn’t effortless. Ten days of the flu in 18-degree weather with a sick baby. No food delivery or takeout when you’re too exhausted to leave the apartment. Navigating a hospital through a language barrier when your child is unwell. Changing flights because we were simply too sick to travel. Learning that Europe takes holidays very seriously, meaning closures, limited hours, and quieter cities that require flexibility. And realizing that overbooking ourselves with too many countries cost us precious time, as each flight took away nearly an entire day of presence and rest. We also share the unsung heroes of this trip: the countless farmacias that truly saved us, offering support, medications, and reassurance when we needed it most. This episode is about presence over perfection. About choosing memories even when things are hard. About what traveling with a baby teaches you about slowing down, surrendering control, and meeting life exactly as it is. If you’ve ever wondered whether international travel with an infant is possible, or if you’re craving a more honest conversation about family travel, this one is for you. 𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃 ' 𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

December 23, 2025Episode 26433 min

Addressing Your Biggest Travel Fears: An Infant Abroad For the Holidays

This year we are choosing presence over presents. We’re off Europe for the holidays—with a baby—and no, we’re not superhuman, rich, or reckless. We’re just choosing to live our life with our baby instead of waiting for some perfect future version of ourselves. “If part of you is thinking, ‘I could never do that,’ I understand—there was a time I felt that way too.” We’re about to leave for a three-week trip to Europe as a family, with a baby, no presents, and no rigid plan. And yes, it feels a little crazy. But I keep reminding myself that the people around us—on the plane, in the airport, in passing—are just that: passing. Our baby doesn’t need a perfect trip. She needs regulated parents, slow mornings, and the feeling of being carried safely through the world. This episode is an honest look at what traveling with a baby really looks like—and why we’re choosing presence over presents this holiday season. 𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃 ' 𝓉 BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS Connect With Me: https://shaunadittl.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/

November 10, 2025Episode 26325 min

From Hair Loss + Formula To Migraines, Mom Friends, and Periods: What They Don’t Tell You About the Fourth Trimester

“No one tells you how much of yourself you’ll lose and find again in the months after birth — in the hair on the floor, the ache in your neck, the silence between feedings, and the friends who make you feel human again.” From hair loss and neck pain to postpartum migraines, mom friendships, and even the truth about baby formula — this episode dives into the unfiltered realities of the fourth trimester that most moms never hear about. We’ll talk about the why behind what’s happening in your body: the hormone shifts that cause hair to shed, the neck and shoulder pain that comes from feeding posture, and why migraines often return with your first period. You’ll learn how nutrition, supplements, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and movement can help you feel grounded again in your changing body. We’ll also go deeper — into the emotional side of postpartum healing. Finding mom friends who truly get it, giving yourself permission to rest, and remembering that your health matters as much as your baby’s. And for those navigating feeding decisions, we’ll explore the differences between European and U.S. formulas (like Kendamil) so you can make confident, informed choices. This episode is for every mother standing in that in-between space — healing, adjusting, rediscovering herself. It’s honest, nurturing, and full of real solutions for the season no one really prepares you for. 𝓍𝓍𝒮𝒽𝒶𝓊𝓃𝒶 𝒯𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒩𝑒𝑒𝒹 & ℒ𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒𝒲𝒽𝒶𝓉𝒴𝑜𝓊𝒟𝑜𝓃 ' 𝓉 ♥ A SURVEY FOR MY MAMAS! ♥ BUY SHAUNA'S FIRST BOOK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4HVVLS https://www.instagram.com/shaunadittl/