Ep. 123 Lifelines: The Journey Inward to Self-Discovery, Compassion, Light and Joy with Melissa Bernstein, Co-Founder of Melissa & Doug
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean Stitcher and more!
Happy #SeekTheJoy Tuesday!
On the podcast today is Melissa Bernstein, Co-Founder of the toy company Melissa & Doug, and Author of the new book, LIFELINES: An Inspirational Journey from Profound Darkness to Radiant Light.
Melissa, along with her husband Doug, is the Co-Founder of the toy company Melissa & Doug, which has created over 5,000 children’s products and sold billions of dollars of toys since its inception.
Raised by educators, Melissa and Doug started the business in their garage in 1988, and they’ve been on a mission ever since to provide open-ended, inventive, non-technologically driven playthings for young children.
Throughout Melissa’s remarkable career, she kept secret her lifelong battle with severe depression and anxiety. She reveals her struggles in LIFELINES, her first book, which she wrote to help others who are also suffering. Melissa’s book heralds the launch of LifeLines.com, an online ecosystem she and Doug are underwriting to support those seeking support, guidance, and community on their mental health journeys. Melissa lives in Connecticut with Doug and their six children.
In today’s episode Melissa and I chat about:
Melissa's experience with existential anxiety and depression, her journey inward from profound darkness to radiant light, and why our sensitivity is a strength and superpower
The role of self-acceptance in finding fulfillment, choosing to define who we are on our terms, and becoming our own anchor
LifeLines, Melissa's new book and online community
How our experiences can offer connection and support, and why sharing our story reminds us that we're not alone
Melissa's mantra, her biggest lesson from sharing her journey and new book, her biggest dream, and so much more!
I’m so excited to share this week’s new episode with Melissa, and I can’t wait to hear what you think! Make sure to join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
“I was so exhausted from trying to resist myself that finally my facade began to crack and I reached a point where I was pretty much like I can’t do it any longer, I cannot deny myself, I cannot deny the cry of my own soul to be seen authentically.”
“I’m finding such joy in being able to connect with others and just show them they’re not alone, because when I show them they’re not alone, they’re showing me I’m not alone! We can hold hands and join in our similarness, our sameness, it’s really beautiful.”
Melissa & Doug is a half-billion-dollar success story, its products a cheerful presence in toy stores and on children’s bedroom floors everywhere. Far less known are the real people behind the company: Melissa and Doug Bernstein, a married couple and parents of six, who are the founders, architects, and entrepreneurial force behind the company’s meteoric rise. Melissa, with her uncanny ability to understand what brings joy to children, has been the chief designer of its 5000+ playthings. But behind that genius is a truth she's rarely divulged: she has spent her life grappling with existential anxiety and depression, a condition that both fueled her creativity and brought her to the brink of self-harm.
In LIFELINES: An Inspirational Journey from Profound Darkness to Radiant Light Melissa shares the story of her journey inward toward self-discovery, detailing the ways she adapted her thinking and practices to feel at home in her body and in the world. The book offers solace, connection, and support to others struggling with feelings of depression, anxiety, isolation, or loneliness, with one fundamental message: you are not alone.
“Lifelines is designed to show people three things. One, you’re not alone. Two, we all have the capacity within us to channel our darkness into light. Third, it’s not until we decide, because it’s a choice, to stop racing outside ourselves for the answer or the quick fix solution and stop, take a breath and truly make that journey inward towards self-acceptance that we will ever find real peace or fulfillment.”
LIFELINES is an unfiltered and authentic reckoning with how Melissa’s anxiety and depression—which started in childhood and continue to this day—have manifested and how she coped.
Born of a desire to forge community, LIFELINES features Melissa’s story, as well as three of the "lifelines" that saved her: the rhyming verses that have been filling her head for decades (many of which became her mantras), her deep connection to nature (depicted throughout the book with awe-inspiring photography), and stories of how she wrangled her pain into positivity through the act of creating toys.
Melissa is sharing her innermost experience and the lifelines that saved her because millions of Americans are struggling with mental health issues—now more than ever—and she believes her personal story can inspire and bring light to those shrouded in darkness.
In this video, Melissa outlines her journey through existential depression and into self-acceptance and offers an outstretched hand to those seeking meaning and community in their own lives.
The publication of LIFELINES also heralds the launch of LifeLines.com, an online community, resource center, and content hub which Melissa and Doug Bernstein are developing and underwriting to offer support and authentic connection for those on their own journeys toward mindfulness and a sense of purpose and meaning. The website will go live on March 01, 2021.
“I can’t even believe that my whole life I was living with this misperception that I was alone. When the truth is the minute I had the courage to share who I was, pretty much everyone else came out and said yup me too I’m right there with you. ”
To connect with Melissa and learn more, visit her website https://www.lifelines.com and on Instagram @seekLifeLines Twitter @seekLifeLines and Facebook @seekLlifeLines
MERCH: Seek The Joy MERCH is here! Grab your favorite Seek The Joy t-shirt, sweatshirt and mug here
BETTERHELP: Today’s episode is sponsored by Betterhelp. We’re going through challenging times, and we know you’re feeling it too! Now more than ever it’s important we have reliable resources we can turn to. That’s where Betterhelp comes in.
Betterhelp will assess your needs and match you with your own licensed professional therapist, and it’s easy and free to change counselors if you don’t think the person you’re matched with is a good fit. This service is available for people worldwide too. Betterhelp offers a broad range of expertise in their counselor network. You’ll get timely and thoughtful responses, plus you can schedule weekly video or phone sessions too.
We want you to be able to live a happier, more joyful, and ease filled life, and I’m excited to share that as a listener of Seek The Joy Podcast, you will you get 10% off your first month by going to betterhelp.com/seekthejoy.
Join over one million people taking charge of their mental health with the help of an experienced professional. better help.com/seekthejoy
NEWSLETTER: Are you on the Seek The Joy List? Subscribe to our newsletter today for our weekly updates, exclusive offers, a look behind-the-scenes, and so much more. Subscribe and get on the list here
YOUTUBE: Seek The Joy is now on YouTube! If you’re on YouTube, we would be so grateful if you subscribed to our channel and shared it with your social circle.
SEEK THE JOY GUIDES: Our guides are LIVE and I couldn’t be more excited! Click here to learn more and get your hands on a little more joy in your life.
RATE & REVIEW: I’d be so grateful if you left us a rating and review on Apple iTunes or wherever it is that you love to #SeekTheJoy! When you do, take a screenshot of your review and send it to sydney@seekthejoypodcast,com and as a token of my appreciation and gratitude for your love and support, I'll send you our brand NEW and IMPROVED #SeekTheJoy Guide for Infusing More Joy into Your Life!
STORIES OF INSPIRING JOY: This series is beautiful and powerful and we want you to be part of it! To learn more and to submit your story, visit the Share Your Story section of our website. Fill out our interest form - and we'll get back to you ASAP.
JOY CORNER: Our interview-style blog series spotlighting inspiring souls, moments that bring you joy, products we love, and so much more. Join our corner of the internet - share your joys, passions, and moments of inspiration. Ready to share your light, magic and joy? Get in touch here - a new post in this series goes live on our site every Thursday.
“LESSSONS IN” SERIES: In this new series, we're sharing our reflections on life’s biggest lessons and the joys we find through these experiences - all to create greater connection and community. Every episode features a conversation that will inspire, motivate, and get you thinking- and we can't wait to grow with you. Ready to join us and share a lesson that impacted your life? Fill out our interest form here.
PATREON: We're now on PATREON!! Your support of this podcast means the world. Full of rewards and exclusive content, we can't wait to take this joy journey to the next level. Sing up to be a patron of the podcast here: patreon.com/seekthejoypodcast
Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Podbean Stitcher and more!