Joy Uncharted: Michigan Fresh, Unfiltered & Deeply authentic

In this episode of The Mountain in Us, host Taran Singh speaks with Kristin Joy Ekkens, founder of Exponential Joy and a Michigan-native storyteller dedicated to spreading joy, purposeful living, and adventures. 

Kristin’s journey begins in Michigan’s inner city, where her parents’ commitment to community taught her the value of belonging—growing up surrounded by Michigan’s natural beauty—camping trips, freshwater lakes, and adventures at Sleeping Bear Dunes—instilled in her a lifelong connection to the outdoors. Her global travels and work within her local community further shaped her mission to foster inclusive spaces where people feel at home.

For Kristin, joy is not fleeting happiness but a foundational state of being. When rooted in purpose, it persists through uncertainty, conflict, and sorrow. Her work aligns individuals and organizations with their deeper meaning, often challenging complacency to amplify kindness. Central to this philosophy is gratitude—starting and ending each day with reflection on what she’s thankful for—and intentional living, even when it means disrupting norms.

Language plays a key role in Kristin’s storytelling. Fluent in Spanish and learning Arabic, she believes language reveals cultural values. For example, Spanish phrases like “Se me rompió el brazo” (my arm broke itself) reflect communal perspectives, contrasting with English’s individualistic framing. Learning languages, she argues, bridges empathy gaps and deepens human connection.

Kristin recently retraced Spain’s Camino de Santiago pilgrimage with fellow coaches. She describes the journey in three phases: grounding through physical struggle, growth through emotional turmoil, and finally, giving—shifting focus to uplifting others. Pilgrims greet each other with “¡Buen Camino!” (good journey), embodying the Camino’s spirit of shared humanity.

The episode closes with a nod to Michigan’s hidden gem, Sleeping Bear Dunes, where Kristin urges listeners to explore Lake Michigan’s stunning coastline and Indigenous legends.

Kristin’s mission—to be a “light” through joy—resonates in her stories. As she says, “Joy is our true essence. When we live aligned with purpose, we create ripples of kindness that transform communities.”

Exponential Joy™ | www.exj.global

Exponential Inclusion™ | www.exi.global 

LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/kristinjoyekkens

www.inkofsingh.com

Transcript

(Taran Singh)  

Yeah! Welcome to The Mountain in Us, a podcast where the journey finds its voice. I am Taran Singh, your host. Here, we greet the thrills, jolts, ascents, and descents of our uncharted adventures.  

Hey, everybody! Welcome back to The Mountain in Us. Today, my guest is Kristin Joy Ekkens, an inclusive Michigan native—or should I say, a freshwater OG? A soul passionately committed to the rolling trails of Michigan’s landscapes and the beats of life. She’s the founder of Exponential Joy and a multicultural storyteller. I’m thrilled to welcome a fellow OG freshwater Michigander to the show!  

Kristin Joy Ekkens  

Thank you, Taran! It’s truly a pleasure to be here.  

Taran  

Let’s jump into the topic. Could you share a bit about yourself and what you’d like to discuss today?  

Kristin  

Absolutely. As you mentioned, I’m the founder of Exponential Joy and Exponential Inclusion. For over 20 years, I’ve worked with global leaders and organizations on culture transformation—navigating change, uncertainty, and creating new cultures. Through that work, I realized the critical role of individual purpose and joy. That’s why I founded Exponential Joy. Today, I’d love to explore what exponential joy means, how to cultivate it, and how you view joy.  

Taran  

Thank you for framing that. Let’s start with Michigan’s landscape—the Great Lakes, forests, dunes, tulip fields. How has growing up there shaped your identity and perspective?  

Kristin  

We Michiganders pride ourselves on community. I grew up in Grand Rapids’ inner city, where my parents—a social worker and teacher—chose to live where they worked. That taught me to see myself in community. Nature was also pivotal. Camping, skiing, and hiking connected me to Michigan’s beauty. Now, I help others spark adventure and deepen their connection to nature globally.  

Taran  

Michigan’s communal spirit—shoveling snow for neighbors, sharing harvests—is special. How did that local ethos inspire your global work?  

Kristin  

Living abroad showed me the power of belonging. When I returned, I wanted to extend that welcome to immigrants and refugees here. “West Michigan Nice” is real—we smile at strangers, lend hands. That openness taught me joy grows when we create spaces for others to feel at home.  

Taran  

You’ve pursued linguistics and multicultural storytelling. What drew you to languages like Spanish?  

Kristin  

Language unlocks how people see the world. For example, in Spanish, you say “Se me rompió el brazo” (My arm broke itself) versus “I broke my arm.” That subtlety reflects cultural values. Learning languages like Spanish and Arabic isn’t just practical—it’s about connecting deeply.  

Taran  

Your middle name is Joy. How did that shape your mission?  

Kristin  

My parents named me Kristin Joy, and it’s become my life’s work. Joy isn’t just happiness—it’s an internal state that persists through challenges. It’s about alignment with purpose. Even in conflict, approaching others with joy fosters understanding.  

Taran  

One actionable tip for cultivating joy?  

Kristin Gratitude. Start and end each day reflecting on what you’re thankful for. Gratitude shifts focus from control to appreciation, anchoring joy.  

Taran  

You recently walked the Camino de Santiago. What inspired that journey?  

Kristin  

I first walked it 25 years ago. This time, I brought fellow coaches. The Camino strips you physically and emotionally, revealing profound human connection. We moved from struggle to growth to giving—ending at Monte del Gozo (Mount Joy), where we cheered fellow pilgrims with “¡Buen Camino!” (Good journey!).  

Taran  

A Michigan bucket-list spot for our listeners?  

Kristin Sleeping Bear Dunes. Climb the dunes, learn the Indigenous legend, and gaze at Lake Michigan. Pro tip: Rent a dune buggy—it’s a desert-like adventure!  

Taran  

Thank you, Kristin, for sharing your joy and light. Until next time!  

Closing  

Thanks for joining The Mountain in Us. If you enjoyed this episode, share your thoughts or reach out to be a guest. Keep adventuring!