Live Happy Now Podcast

The Secret Lives of Service Dogs With Shannon Walker

We’ve all seen service dogs in action, but most of us don’t know just what heroes they are. Today’s guest is here to tell us all about the secret lives of service dogs. Shannon Walker is the CEO & Founder of Northwest Battle Buddies, a nonprofit providing service dogs to combat veterans with PTSD. Inspired by her father, who was a veteran, she also founded Man’s Best Friend Dog Training and has worked tirelessly to not only train service dogs but to educate the public about what they do and how they provide a vital lifeline for veterans. In this episode, you’ll learn: In this episode, you'll learn: How Shannon became involved in training service dogs and what she’s learned along the way. The difference between therapy dogs, emotional support dogs and service dogs. What kinds of disabilities service dogs assist veterans with. Watch Shannon’s TEDx talk, “PTSD and Service Dogs: Beneath the Surface” Visit Shannon’s website. Follow along with the transcript. Follow Shannon on Social Media: Facebook: @NorthwestBattleBuddies Instagram: @NorthwestBattleBuddies YouTube: @NorthwestBattleBuddies Follow Brittany Derrenbacher on Social Media: Instagram: @lunabells_moonbows Instagram: @sunshinehealingky Website: https://www.sunshinehealingky.com/ Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Interested in advertising or partnering with us? Complete this quick form. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:

Podcast

Kick the People-Pleasing Habit With Amy Wilson

From childhood, we’re taught that helping others is the right thing to do. But what happens when it goes too far? This week, host Paula Felps sits down with author and podcast host Amy Wilson to talk about her entertaining new book, Happy to Help: Adventures of a People Pleaser, to learn more about what turns us into people pleasers, when to know it’s a problem, and what to do about it. In this episode, you'll learn: Why women are more likely to become “helpers” throughout their lives. What demand sensitivity is and how it contributes to people-pleasing behavior. How breaking the people pleasing habit changes relationships — for the better! Download bonus content from Happy to Help including an excerpt, book club guide, podcast playlist, and more! Visit Amy’s website. Follow along with the transcript. Follow her on Social Media: Facebook: @whatfreshhellcast Instagram: @whatfreshhellcast Instagram: @amywlsn Threads: @amywlsn TikTok: @whatfreshhellcast TikTok: @amywilsonauthor Substack: https://amywilsonwriter.substack.com/ Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Interested in advertising or partnering with us? Complete this quick form. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:

Podcast

Why Friendships Matter — for Life With Dr. Kimberly Horn

This is a time of year when we celebrate love, but we sometimes take for granted the special love that our friendships offer. This week, host Paula Felps sits down with professor and research psychologist Dr. Kimberly Horn to learn more about just how important friendships are for our health and happiness — and what we can do to make them stronger and more fulfilling. In this episode, you'll learn: What’s driving the loneliness epidemic and what effect that has on us. The concept of “dynamic friendships” and the 8 tenets of friendships — and how they can support your relationships. Why it’s harder to make friends in adulthood and what to do about it. Visit Dr. Kimberly’s website. Sign up for her newsletter. Follow along with the transcript. Follow her on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.horn.182 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkimberlyhorn/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kimberly-horn-862b3ba5 Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Interested in advertising or partnering with us? Complete this quick form. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:

A person experiencing seasonal depression

Podcast

Maintaining Mental Health During the Winter Months With Dr. Michele

The cold, gray days of winter can have a direct effect on our mental health, so this week, host Paula Felps sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Michele Leno to learn more about how we can make the next few weeks a little brighter — regardless of what’s going on outside our window. Michele offers insight into how seasonal changes affect our brains and what we can do for ourselves and those around us. In this episode, you'll learn: What causes physiological changes during winter months and how that affects our brain’s neurotransmitters. How these changes may affect children and older adults – and what to look for. What changes to look for in yourself and those around you — and when to get help. Visit Dr. Michele’s website. Follow along with the transcript. Follow Michele on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmichele_/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-leno-ph-d-lp-9b543436/ Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Interested in advertising or partnering with us? Complete this quick form. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:

Podcast

Rewire Your Brain for Health and Happiness With Tom Rosshirt

It's a common belief that achieving our goals and reaching success equates to peace and happiness. But what happens when it doesn’t? This week, host Paula Felps is joined by Tom Rosshirt, a former Capitol Hill press secretary and White House speechwriter who reached the pinnacle of his career only to find himself battling anxiety, depression, and illness. In his new book, Chasing Peace: A Story of Breakdowns, Breakthroughs, and the Spiritual Power of Neuroscience, Tom reveals how his relentless pursuit of success led to a physical and emotional breakdown. He shares how he used neuroplasticity to address ailments rooted in the brain's neural circuits, ultimately reversing the patterns that kept him unwell and opening the door to the life he was seeking. In this episode, you'll learn: Why so much illness and chronic pain begins in the neural circuits of the brain – and why mainstream medicine can’t cure it. How reducing fear can help us heal from chronic conditions. How retraining your brain will change every area of your life. Visit Tom’s website here. Register to win a free copy of his book here. Learn more about Annie Hopper’s Dynamic Neural Retraining System here. Learn more about Chasing Peace: A Story of Breakdowns, Breakthroughs, and the Spiritual Power of Neuroscience. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Follow Tom on Social Media: Instagram: @TomRosshirt Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:

Podcast

Finding Common Ground With Kurt Gray

As we grapple with the challenges of living in a polarized society, psychologist Kurt Gray returns to talk about how we can find common ground. In the second part of this two-part episode, Kurt, author of the new book, Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground, guides us through the steps to foster more civil dialogue. He also delves into the role that empathy plays in overcoming our outrage and explains why we need people who don’t think like we do. In this episode, you'll learn: The three-part framework you can use to bridge divides (and where to start). How storytelling can foster greater understanding of each other's perspective — and how that leads to respect. Steps we all can take to start coming together. Order Kurt’s new book here. Visit Kurt online here. Listen to Kurt’s episode, Overcoming Outrage in a Polarized World. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Follow Kurt on Social Media: Twitter: https://x.com/kurtjgray Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtjgray/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kurtjgray Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:

Podcast

Overcoming Outrage in a Polarized World With Kurt Gray

We have entered a time of unprecedented polarization that’s creating division among friends, family members, and co-workers. Understanding what’s driving our outrage is the first step in discovering what we can do about it, and in this first of two episodes, host Paula Felps sits down with Kurt Gray, author of the new book, Outrage: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground. This week Kurt – a professor in psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and director of its Center for the Science of Moral Understanding – unpacks how our perceptions of harm shape our outrage and then explains how our concerns and differences can foster hope for the future. In this episode, you'll learn: How our perceptions of harm drive our outrage and create moral divides. Why facts aren’t effective in bridging our divides. How we can use political and moral disagreements to strengthen our relationships. Order Kurt’s new book here. Visit Kurt online here. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Follow Kurt on Social Media: Twitter: https://x.com/kurtjgray Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtjgray/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kurtjgray Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:

A graphic of a person's head bursting with creative ideas.

Podcast

Ignite Your Creative Power with Rochelle Seltzer

This is the perfect time to think about what we’d like to accomplish in the new year, and starting a creativity practice is one way to discover new strengths and reach new goals. This week, host Paula Felps sits down with Rochelle Seltzer, a leadership coach, speaker, and author of Live Big: A Manifesto for a Creative Life. She explains why creativity is a natural boost for our mental health and tells us how we can use it to navigate uncertain times and how it can give us direction for the new year. In this episode, you'll learn: What “creative power” means – and how to connect to it. How the “Discovery Dozen” can help us discover our intuition. How to start a daily creativity practice – and why it matters. Learn to expand your creativity with a free download of Rochelle’s guide to Full Self-Expression. Visit Rochelle’s website here. Discover her book, Live Big: A Manifesto for a Creative Life Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Follow Rochelle on Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rochelle-seltzer-coach/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rochelleseltzercreativecoach Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seltzerrochelle/ Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:

A family reading a book together on the couch.

Podcast

SNAP Out of Holiday Stress with Julie Potiker

It may be called the most wonderful time of the year, but for many people, it’s the most stressful. Nine out of 10 Americans report feeling stressed out right now, so this week host Paula Felps talks with author and mindfulness expert Julie Potiker about how her SNAP mindfulness method can help lower your stress level throughout the holiday season — and beyond. In this episode, you'll learn: Why mindfulness is such an effective tool for managing stress. What the SNAP method is and how to use it. The importance of gratitude in a mindfulness practice. Visit Julie’s website. Check out Julie’s new book, SNAP! From Chaos to Calm. Discover Julie’s first book, Life Falls Apart, but You Don’t Have To: Mindful Methods for Staying Calm in the Midst of Chaos, on audiobook. Enjoy free meditations from Julie here. Follow along with this episode's transcript here. Follow Julie on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindfulmethodsforlife X: https://twitter.com/JuliePotiker Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:

A family gathering at a table with food.

Podcast

Keeping the Peace at Family Holiday Gatherings with Dr. Andrea Goeglein

With holiday gatherings just around the corner, many of us are experiencing a familiar feeling of anxiety. Annual gatherings can often unearth familiar arguments, so this week, host Paula Felps talks with author and success coach Dr. Andrea Goeglein to learn how to navigate those gatherings with less stress and greater success. In this episode, you'll learn: What drives anxiety around family holiday gatherings. How to set guidelines ahead of time to avoid common arguments. Tips for creating a more peaceful environment during the holiday season. Visit Andrea’s website. Discover Dr. Cortney Warren’s book, Letting Go of Your Ex. Follow along with this episode's transcript here. Follow Andrea on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrSuccessPhD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsuccess/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrSuccessTM/playlists LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drsuccessphd/ Don't Miss a Minute of Happiness! If you’re not subscribed to the weekly Live Happy newsletter, you’re missing out! Sign up to discover new articles and research on happiness, the latest podcast, special offers from sponsors, and even a happy song of the week. Subscribe for free today! Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:

The Secret Lives of Service Dogs With Shannon Walker

Kick the People-Pleasing Habit With Amy Wilson

Why Friendships Matter — for Life With Dr. Kimberly Horn

Maintaining Mental Health During the Winter Months With Dr. Michele

Rewire Your Brain for Health and Happiness With Tom Rosshirt

Finding Common Ground With Kurt Gray

Overcoming Outrage in a Polarized World With Kurt Gray

Ignite Your Creative Power with Rochelle Seltzer

SNAP Out of Holiday Stress with Julie Potiker

Keeping the Peace at Family Holiday Gatherings with Dr. Andrea Goeglein

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