Annalese Walmsley is one of those people who lights up a room—but as she shares in this episode, sometimes that brightness is something we learn to switch on, even when things aren’t easy underneath. We talk about what it means to be “outwardly happy,” the pressure to perform positivity in certain roles, and how Annalese has learned to protect her peace through routines, boundaries, and the occasional bag of salt and vinegar Discos. She also shares her thoughts on friendship, financial stability, and why true happiness often hides in the quiet moments—not the job titles or shiny stuff. While we don’t go into the details of her past trauma (beautifully shared on the Two Russells podcast), we do explore how she’s built a meaningful, joyful life in the aftermath. It’s warm, funny, honest, and packed with proper wisdom.

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