A man meditating on a cloud.

Ease Your Stress for Better Health With Dr. David Clarke

Since the pandemic, there has been a 70% increase in stress-based illnesses. This week, host Paula Felps is joined by Dr. David Clarke, whose practice in internal medicine and gastroenterology led him to explore how stress and emotions create chronic pain. As president of the non-profit Psychophysiologic Disorders Association, Dave is dedicated to educating people about the stress-related, brain-generated medical conditions. He’s here to explain why we’re seeing more stress-related illnesses, how to identify them, and what we can do about it. In this episode, you'll learn: What’s driving the rise in stress-based illness. Examples of the most common stress-based illness. Strategies for overcoming stress-based illnesses. Visit Dr. Clarke online here. Take Dr. Clarke’s free self-assessment quiz for brain-generated neuroplastic symptoms here. Check out his first book, They Can’t Find Anything Wrong! Discover his jargon-free textbook, Psychophysiologic Disorders. Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Follow Willem  on social media: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PPDAssociation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidclarkemd/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ppdassociation/ 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:           
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A woman playing with her dog.

Becoming Better Pet Parents With Wendy Lyons Sunshine

When award-winning journalist and bestselling child development author Wendy Lyons Sunshine adopted a difficult puppy, she found that traditional training methods didn’t work on her dog. So she began applying the evidence-based parenting practices she wrote about and found this new approach was life-changing for both her and her dog. In her latest book, Tender Paws: How Science-Based Parenting Can Transform Our Relationship with Dogs, Wendy offers therapeutic concepts designed to meet each dogs’ needs, and in this episode, she tells us why this approach is so effective. In this episode, you'll learn: What attunement is and how it affects the dog/human relationship. How the essential HEARTS strategy works for both kids and dogs. Why adopting a parenting perspective with our pets can improve our relationship with them. Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Links and Resources Follow Wendy’s Tender Paws blog on Psychology Today. Order Wendy’s book or read sample content from it here. Follow Wendy on social media here. Follow Brittany on social media: Website: https://www.sunshinehealingky.com/ Instagram: @lunabells_moonbows Instagram: @sunshinehealingky Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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A handshake between two people

Maintaining Relationships Through the Election Cycle With Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe

We are in the midst of a tumultuous election cycle, and that can take a toll on our sleep, our mental health, and our relationships. But the good news is it doesn’t have to be like that! This week, host Paula Felps talks with psychology instructor and resiliency expert Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe, author of Stress Wisely: How to Be Well in an Unwell World. Dr. Robyne offers tips to help us navigate potentially volatile conversations, understand the stress that we’re feeling right now, and learn how to better navigate this unusual time. In this episode, you'll learn: Why we tend to take political discussions personally. How to stay informed without becoming overwhelmed. Setting boundaries on political discussions at work and home. Visit Dr. Robyne online here. Discover her podcast, In Time, here. Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Follow Willem  on social media: IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr_robynehd/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drrobynehd/ X: https://twitter.com/dr_robynehd YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr_robynehd 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:           
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An overworked woman at her desk

Overcoming Burnout with Chris Germer, PhD

Burnout and stress continue to create tremendous challenges at home and on the job, so this week, we’re looking at how we can reclaim our joy and energy. Join host Paula Felps as she talks with clinical psychologist Chris Germer who, along with researcher Dr. Kristin Neff, developed the world-renowned Mindful Self-compassion program. Their third co-authored book, Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout, looks at how self-compassion can help overcome burnout and offers simple anti-burnout tools to de-stress, recharge, and develop your inner kindness. In this episode, you'll learn: What self-compassion is and why it’s so important to practice. Why burnout is so prevalent these days — and what’s causing it. How self-compassion can help alleviate burnout. Download a sample chapter of Mindful Self-Compassion for Burnout here. Visit the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion site here. Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Follow Willem  on social media: Facebook: @CenterForMSC Instagram: @centerformindfulselfcompassion LinkedIn: @center-for-mindful-self-compassion YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CenterforMindfulSelfCompassion 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:           
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A woman balancing on rocks

Becoming Mindful for Life with Willem Kuyken, PhD

Mindfulness is known for preventing depression and improving mental health, but how do you create a practice that works for you? This week, host Paula Felps is joined by Willem Kuyken, the Ritblat Professor of Mindfulness and Psychological Science at the University of Oxford in the UK, to answer that question. Willem’s most recent book, Mindfulness for Life, offers three keys to living well through mindfulness and explains how to develop and sustain a mindfulness practice that works for you. In this episode, you'll learn: How mindfulness affects our psychological well-being. The effect that living a mindful life can have on your relationships. How to start a mindfulness practice that works for you. Download a sample chapter and see the mindfulness practices here. Follow Willem  on social media: X: @WillemKuyken Instagram: @willemkuyken YouTube: @Willem Kuyken Facebook: Willem Kuyken 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:           
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A girl giving a boy candy.

Practicing Outrageous Kindness with Kristina Joy Carlson

Some days kindness seems in short supply, but this week host Paula Felps is joined by Kristina Joy Carlson, founder of the KINDd Method and managing director of global philanthropy at Carter Global. Kristina has turned her personal practice of outrageous kindness into an inspirational campaign that can be practiced by individuals and corporations alike. In this episode, she explains what it means to practice outrageous kindness and how it can change the world we live in. In this episode, you'll learn: Why listening to people with different viewpoints fosters greater kindness. What the KINDd Method is and how to practice it. How to start looking for ways to make each moment better. Learn more about outrageous kindness and the KINDd Method here. Enter a drawing for a free consultation with Kristina. Email kristina@kristinajoycarlson.com with subject line LiveHappy by September 30 to be eligible. Follow Kristina on social media here. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. 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:           
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Overcoming Election Stress With Dr. Lauren Cook

Overcoming Election Stress With Dr. Lauren Cook

Election season is now officially underway and that means that many of us are already feeling election stress. That’s why Live Happy has partnered with licensed clinical psychologist and author Dr. Lauren Cook to offer a free four-week email course, Overcoming Election Stress. In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with Lauren to talk about some of the symptoms of election stress and explain how this email course can help get you through the next couple of months. In this episode, you'll learn: What we mean by “election stress” and what’s causing it. Practices to help you manage anxiety throughout the election season. How Live Happy’s free email series, Overcoming Election Stress with Dr. Lauren Cook, can help. Visit Dr. Lauren’s website here. Check out Dr. Lauren’s latest book,  Generation Anxiety: A Millennial and Gen Z Guide for Staying Afloat in Uncertain Times. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Links and Resources: Instagram: @dr.laurencook TikTok: @dr.laurencook 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:           
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Two people hugging and showing love to a cow.

The Healing Power of Hugging Cows With Ellie Laks

If you’ve never thought of cows as intuitive healers, this episode just might change your mind. Ellie Laks is the founder of The Gentle Barn Foundation, a national organization that rescues and rehabilitates abused and discarded farm animals. She is the creator of cow hug therapy and, as she explains in her book by the same name, she has learned amazing lessons from these animals about life, death, and everything in between. She’s here today to share some of those lessons with us.  In this episode, you’ll learn: In this episode, you'll learn: The origins of Cow Hug Therapy. How farm animals can aid in emotional healing. What we can learn from barnyard animals and why they’re such great teachers. Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Links and Resources Visit The Gentle Barn website here. Watch a CBS News story on The Gentle Barn’s cow hug therapy here. Get an autographed copy of Cow Hug Therapy: How the animals at The Gentle Barn taught me  about life, death, and everything in between Follow Ellie and The Gentle Barn on social media: Instagram: @EllieLaks, @TheGentleBarn YouTube: @GentleBarn Follow Brittany on social media: Website: https://www.sunshinehealingky.com/ Instagram: @lunabells_moonbows Instagram: @sunshinehealingky Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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A woman feeling overwhelmed at her computer

Recognizing Our Invisible Work With Janelle Wells, PhD and Doreen MacAulay, PhD

If you feel like your workday never ends, you aren’t alone! This week, host Paula Felps is joined by Janelle Wells and Doreen MacAulay, partners in the consultancy WellsQuest and authors of Our (In)Visible Work: How Everyone Everywhere Experiences It Every Day. Their work focuses on the effect of the unpaid work we do both on the job and at home, and they’re here to talk about how taking on these essential tasks can tax our time and lead to burnout, anxiety, and exhaustion — and how we can manage it better. In this episode, you'll learn: How to define invisible work and determine where it lives. Why identifying your priorities can change the way you approach your to-do list. How to get help at work and home to share some of your invisible workload. Visit their website here. Pre-order their book here. Read Janelle and Doreen’s Psychology Today column on How Invisible Work at Home and on the Job Fuels Burnout Download a free worksheet to identify how your identities and roles contribute to your invisible work. Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Follow Janelle and Doreen on social media: Janelle E. Wells, Ph.D.: X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/docjewells Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janelle.wells.50 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docjewells/?hl=en LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/janellewellsphd Doreen MacAulay, Ph.D.: X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/DocMacaulay Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kdoreen.macaulay.56 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/docmacaulay/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/doreen-macaulay 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:           
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Two people playing music around a campfire.

Make Your Summer Fun Last All Fall

Students and teachers are heading back to school, but just because summer is ending doesn’t mean our fun has to end, too. This summer, Live Happy teamed up with organizational psychologist Mike Rucker, PhD, to offer the Summer of Fun email series, filled with ideas about how to bring more fun to your summer. As we head into fall and winter, host Paula Felps sits down with Mike to talk about how we can carry this commitment to fun with us as the days get shorter. In this episode, you'll learn: How (and why) to commit to fun when time seems to be in short supply. Why it’s important to plan to have fun during the fall and winter. How scheduling fun adds joy to other areas of your life. Visit Mike’s website here. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. 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:           
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