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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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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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A man and woman having a conversation with one another.

Standing Together in Divided Times With Rob Volpe

As we head toward the end of summer, many of us are talking about the contentious election environment. In this episode, host Paula Felps is joined by Rob Volpe, an empathy activist, consultant, and author of Tell Me More About That: Solving the empathy crisis one conversation at a time, who talks about how we can avoid some of the hazards that come with discussing differing opinions. He’ll also explain how learning to approach these conversations differently can change the way we interact with one another in the long run. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the discourse has become so heated and how social media has contributed to the problem. How it changes to stop viewing someone as being on “the other side.” The power of the Curious Breath — and how to use it. Visit Rob’s website here. Read Rob’s column, Divided We Stand? here. Get Rob’s 10 tips for talking to those with differing beliefs here. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Links and Resources: LinkedIn: @rmvolpe Instagram: @Empathy_Activist Twitter: @rmvolpe TikTok: @EmpathyActivist 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 group of people jumping in celebration.

What’s Coming Up in Season 10 With Paula Felps and Deborah K. Heisz

As Live Happy Now wraps up its ninth season, we’re looking ahead to some exciting new things to share with our listeners. In this episode, Live Happy CEO and co-founder Deborah Heisz flips the script to interview host Paula Felps and find out what’s in store. In this episode, you'll learn: Why we’re going to look at Election Stress in Season 10 and how to sign up for our related email course. Why (and how) Gen Z is playing a big part of our next season. More about the Live Happy Newsletter and how to discover it. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Links and Resources: Facebook: @livehappy Instagram: @mylivehappy Twitter: @livehappy 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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How Music Shapes Your Mind With Renee Fleming

How Music Shapes Your Mind With Renee Fleming

Acclaimed soprano Renee Fleming has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages, performing in operas, concerts, theater, and films. But now, the five-time Grammy Award winner is using her voice to help improve our wellbeing. In her new book, Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness, Renee has curated a collection of essays from leading scientists, artists, musicians, creative arts therapists, educators, and healthcare providers about the powerful impact of music and the arts on health and the human experience. She’s here to discuss how this project came about and why she is so committed to sharing this message. In this episode, you'll learn: What compelled Renee to advocate for the arts as a healing tool. How following the Neuroarts Blueprint can improve your mental health. What Renee considers to be some of the music’s “best-kept secrets.” Discover Renee’s Music and Mind streaming series. Learn more about the Neuroarts Blueprint. Visit Renee online. Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Follow One Mind on social media: Instagram: @reneeflemingmusic Facebook: @ReneeFlemingMusic YouTube: @ReneeFlemingTV X: @ReneeFleming Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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A group of people playing games together

Prioritizing Play With Jeff Harry

Summer is a recess for all of us, but what if you could prioritize play all year long? This week, host Paula Felps talks with Jeff Harry, who uses a combination of positive psychology and play to foster healing and help individuals overcome their biggest challenges. Learn why we all need to embrace the power of play and how to create your personal play practice. In this episode, you'll learn: How to discover your “play values.” The power of having a “play partner.” How adding play to your life can improve your productivity and well-being. Visit Jeff’s website here. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Follow Talia on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffharryplays/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jchuche/featured LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-harry-6991a94 X: https://x.com/jeffharryplays TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeffharryplays 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 group of women arranging flowers on a table together.

Mindful Flower Arranging With Talia Boone

We’ve all heard the advice to stop and smell the roses, but this week’s episode is a reminder to take a moment to arrange them. Talia Boone is a social entrepreneur whose work has centered around human and civil rights issues. A few years ago, she discovered flower arranging as a form of meditation and self-care, and in the height of the pandemic she launched Postal Petals to help others relieve the anxiety they were feeling. Today, her company’s mindful approach to flower arranging is being used by companies, individuals, and community groups who are discovering just how life-changing her workshops can be. In this episode, you'll learn: How Talia discovered the impact of flower arranging on mental and emotional well-being. Why arranging flowers is so therapeutic. How a flower arranging practice can support mindfulness. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Follow Talia on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PostalPetals Meta: https://www.facebook.com/PostalPetals X: https://x.com/PostalPetals Have more fun this summer! Sign up for the free weekly email series, Live Happy’s Summer of Fun with Mike Rucker, PhD 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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