Finding Joy in Daily Living After Caregiving and Loss With Michael J. Riso

There is a moment some people reach where the life they planned quietly falls away, and what is left is just this day, this breath, this one ordinary morning. In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Sana sits down with Michael J. Riso, author of Finding Joy in Daily Living, to talk about what it means to keep finding joy and meaning when life does not go the way you wanted it to.

Michael, a longtime golf professional, shares his story openly: caring for his wife Nancy through a rapidly progressing illness that was eventually diagnosed as ALS, facing a serious health diagnosis of his own at the same time, and losing Nancy. Out of that chapter came a deepening intuition and a book of 72 short chapters. He talks about responding instead of reacting, finding joy in the smallest things, limiting the noise of media, and getting clarity about what you truly want. This is a personal, heartfelt conversation about grief, caregiving, and choosing to be an uplifting presence.

Editorial note: Michael also shares his personal experience and opinions about health, food, and alternative approaches to illness. These are his individual views and are not medical advice or an endorsement of any treatment or product. Please consult a qualified medical professional about any health condition.

About the Guest:

Michael J. Riso is the author of Finding Joy in Daily Living, a book he began writing after the death of his wife, Nancy, and which grew from an A-to-Z idea into 72 short chapters on themes such as acceptance, bravery, compassion, encouragement, patience, and perseverance. A longtime golf professional, he continues to teach and describes himself as a long-time meditator who lives by intuition and aims to be a source of calm and encouragement for others. His book is expected to be available on Amazon in the coming months.

Key Takeaways:

• Joy is something you create wherever you are. It often lives in small moments, not big events.
• Responding instead of reacting, even with a smile when the cat misbehaves, can change how a hard day feels.
• Caregiving can be physically and emotionally overwhelming. Accepting help and building a support system matters.
• Sudden loss and uncertainty can push us toward our intuition and a deeper sense of purpose.
• Do your own research, ask questions, and make health decisions that feel right for you, while working with qualified professionals.
• Clarity starts with introspection. Ask what you truly want, and be willing to seek guidance if you cannot find the answer alone.
• Limit the noise. Cut back on media and gossip, and surround yourself with people who reflect the life you want.
• Make room for fear instead of fighting it, and try to meet frustrated people with compassion rather than anger.

Connect With Michael J. Riso:

Website: Finding Joy in Daily Living 
Book: Finding Joy in Daily Living (expected on Amazon in a couple of months)

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Finding Joy in the Unremarkable Middle
00:48 Welcome and Meet Michael J. Riso
01:54 What It Really Means to Find Joy
02:56 Joy You Create: Nancy's Illness and a Caregiver's Story
10:12 Taking In a Hard Diagnosis
11:02 Making His Own Choices Through Illness and Loss
21:16 Navigating Health Information and Trust
32:25 Food, Sugar, and Everyday Choices
35:19 Writing the Book: 72 Chapters After Loss
38:41 Making Room for Fear
40:00 Clarity, Less Media, and Who You Surround Yourself With
43:09 Where to Find Michael and His Book
44:43 Closing Reflections

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Disclaimer: This episode is produced for educational and informational purposes only. All views expressed by the guest are their personal opinions alone and do not represent the views of the host or Healthy Mind by Avik™. The Network does not verify, endorse, or assume responsibility for any guest statements. Nothing in this episode constitutes medical, legal, financial, or professional advice, please consult a qualified professional before making any decisions. Listeners are encouraged to engage critically and independently with all content do not consume blindly. Use this content as a starting point for your own reflection and research, not as a substitute for professional guidance. Third-party content is referenced under fair use for informational purposes only. Guest speakers are solely responsible for their own statements.

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