Key Insights from the "I Am Happy" Podcast: Lessons on Balance From 2017
- stacyyamaoka
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
We all want to be happy. We all want to have it all. As my "I Am Happy" podcast demonstrated during its run that began in 2017, finding that balance is both challenging and achievable with the right approach.
Looking back at this podcast that began in 2017, we can extract valuable wisdom about juggling family, career, and personal well-being that remains relevant today. The podcast brought in experts to help listeners find balance, make time for themselves, and better care for their children—acknowledging that while no one is perfect, we can all improve our lives incrementally each day.
The Origins of the "I Am Happy" Podcast
I never imagined myself launching a podcast. As I explained in the inaugural 2017 episode, being transparent about my personal life made me uncomfortable. Even on Facebook, I described myself as more of a lurker—scrolling through others' posts, occasionally sharing photos, but rarely opening up about my own experiences.
The podcast was two years in the making before its 2017 launch. It all started during my maternity leave after having my second child. I was already struggling with balancing a full-time job, a side hustle, and caring for my first child. Adding another baby to the mix left me wondering: How do successful people "have it all"?
A friend's mother once told me, "See those moms who look like they have it all together? They don't. They just look like they do. Everyone is struggling." While that provided some comfort, I still wondered about those who seemed to effortlessly balance everything.
The Research Behind the Podcast
As detailed in early episodes, a chance encounter at a bagel shop sparked the podcast's creation. While carrying my son, a man approached me and mentioned he had just read an article about the founder of a baby product company I was using. Twenty minutes later, he returned with a printed copy of the article.
That moment became the catalyst. I decided to reach out to successful women entrepreneurs and ask them directly: How do you "have it all"? Is it even possible?
I conducted 30 interviews during my maternity leave. As I reviewed my notes and shared my findings with friends, I noticed recurring themes that resonated with everyone I spoke to. People wanted to hear more because they were asking themselves the same questions. This extensive research formed the foundation of the podcast that I launched in 2017.
Key Findings From the Podcast Research
One of the most valuable aspects of the "I Am Happy" podcast since 2017 has been its evidence-based approach. The host interviewed million-dollar entrepreneurs—women who had sold businesses, were just starting out, or were somewhere in between. These successful women had differing opinions on whether "having it all" was possible, but they shared common habits and approaches that made them happier, healthier, and more successful:
Prioritizing exercise – Despite packed schedules, these successful women consistently found time for physical activity
Building specific support communities – They cultivated networks of like-minded women who helped each other make decisions
Having supportive partners – Their partners actively shared responsibilities at home
Planning meticulously – They invested time in organization rather than constantly reacting to circumstances
Investing in therapy – Many regularly sought professional help to work through issues and become the best versions of themselves
The Podcast's Legacy
During its run that began in 2017, my "I Am Happy" podcast moved beyond the abstract concept of "having it all" to examine these key habits and provide practical guidance on implementing them in daily life—making them simple, easy, and executable.
The format I established in 2017 proved remarkably effective: each episode featured experts on personal development, health, wellness, relationships, and parenting. The first episodes shared those original research interviews about "having it all," establishing a foundation for the weekly content on various parenting topics that followed.
The podcast's mission statement was to bring "three more smiles a day" to listeners. By focusing on incremental improvements and practical strategies rather than perfection, the "I Am Happy" podcast helped many parents find more balance and joy in their lives.
Looking back at this work that I began in 2017, we can appreciate how it addressed important topics like work-life balance, mental health, and the myth of "perfect parenting." Many of the insights uncovered in those initial interviews continue to guide conversations about balancing career and family today.
The findings from the original research interviews that launched my podcast in 2017 are still valuable resources for those seeking balance in their lives.
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