Finding Joy in Simplicity

In this heart-centered episode of Simply Satisfied, Greg Danielson sits down with Kristan Swan for a conversation that feels like a deep breath—slow, intentional, and full of truth. Together, they explore what it really means to experience joy and contentment in a fast-paced world that constantly pushes us toward “more.”

Kristan opens up about the experiences that shaped her: the influence of family, the lessons learned through relationships, and the lifelong work of self-discovery. The conversation moves from childhood patterns to the complexity of divorce, from the pressure of people-pleasing to the freedom of choosing authenticity.

They also dive into entrepreneurship—how to build from a place of passion rather than competition, how collaboration creates momentum, and why slowing down is often the smartest move you can make. Kristan shares the inspiration behind her journal, Spaghetti on the Wall, a tool designed to help people cultivate discernment, trust their inner voice, and make decisions rooted in awareness.

The episode closes with a reminder that life isn’t a race—it’s a series of choices, moments, and opportunities to listen inward and come home to yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Joy and contentment are found in the simple, overlooked parts of life
  • Being satisfied doesn’t mean settling—it means being grounded
  • Our upbringing significantly shapes how we move through the world
  • Self-discovery is ongoing and nonlinear
  • Trusting yourself is foundational for personal growth
  • Collaboration > competition
  • Passion creates better businesses than money ever will
  • Slowing down often leads to better decisions
  • Awareness transforms the way we navigate life
  • Imperfection is part of being human
Listen Here

Ready for your next post?

Get to Know Yourself and Then You Can Trust Yourself with Kristan Swan

Get to Know Yourself and Then You Can Trust Yourself with Kristan Swan

In this conversation, Kristan Swan discusses the importance of self-trust and how it is foundational for making better choices in life. She reflects on her journey of learning to trust herself, which involved overcoming failures and understanding the significance of...

Hope and Healing, One honest day at a time

Spaghetti on the Wall, an elegant journal to organize the messy ideas of life, began as a tool to help my coaching clients. Business owners for whom their patterns and habits were in competition with their stated goals. In an effort to help them gain awareness around their behaviors, I made SOTW. The resulting journal and the simple daily practice of journaling was exactly what I need to examine my own very messy life.

Upstream swim

Exiting the concert, I caught a glimpse of a young woman making her way back towards the seats. Like a salmon swimming upstream, she navigated the river of people, all eager to get to the parking garage and join the next stream, car after car headed out the mouth of...