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Ali Smith on Mindfulness

In this episode Live Happy Co-Founder and Editorial Director Deborah K. Heisz talks with Ali Smith, co-founder of the Holistic Life Foundation, on one of 10 practices for choosing joy: mindfulness. Ali has more than 15 years of experience teaching yoga and mindfulness to diverse populations. Through his work at the Holistic Life Foundation, he has developed and piloted yoga and mindfulness programs with at-risk youth at drug treatment centers, juvenile detention centers, alternative high schools, mental crisis facilities and in many other underserved communities. What you'll learn in this podcast: How to incorporate mindfulness in your life How to teach mindfulness to kids Why mindfulness is important Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Learn more about the Holistic Life Foundation Order Live Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy Thank you to our partner—AARP Life Reimagined!
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Birju Pandya on Giving Back

In this episode Live Happy co-founder and Editorial Director Deborah Heisz talks with Birju Pandya, a senior advisor for RSF Social Financial, on one of 10 practices for choosing joy: giving back. Birju is also involved with ServiceSpace, an organization run entirely by volunteers that leverages technology to encourage everyday people around the world to do small acts of service. Some of the projects by ServiceSpace include a daily positive news service, an acts-of-kindness portal and a gift-economy restaurant. What you'll learn in this podcast: The importance of giving back and how it affects your happiness How to train your brain to become happier How a gift culture invites a reciprocation of kindness Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Learn more about ServiceSpace Order Live Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy Thank you to our partner—AARP Life Reimagined!
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Sonja Lyubomirsky on Gratitude

In this episode Live Happy Co-Founder and Editorial Director Deborah Heisz talks with Sonja Lyubomirsky about gratitude. Sonja is author of The How of Happiness, the first book by a highly-credentialed positive psychologist to present the latest research in a “how-to” format.  Sonja’s work has been awarded a Templeton Psychology Prize, a Science of Generosity grant, a John Templeton Foundation grant, and a million-dollar grant (with Ken Sheldon) from the National Institute of Mental Health to conduct research on the possibility of permanently increasing happiness. What you'll learn in this podcast: The importance of gratitude to your overall happiness The challenges to maintaining a gratitude practice Tips you can follow to create more gratitude in your life Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Take the free online happiness course Read a free excerpt of The How of Happiness Order Live Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy Purchase a copy of The How of Happiness Thank you to our partner - AARP Life Reimagined!
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Holly Raynes on Creativity

HollyRayneswas inspired by a family member who was a Titanic survivor and another who escaped from Poland in World War II. Her book,Nation of Enemies, combines lessons from the past with a healthy fear of the modern landscape. A longtime member of Boston’s writing community, Holly has a history of trying anything once (acting, diving out of a plane and white water rafting). Out of all the things she has tried, writing and raising children seem to have stuck. In this episode, Live Happy co-founder and Editorial Director Deborah K. Heisz talks with Holly on one of 10 practices for choosing joy—creativity. What you'll learn in this podcast: The many forms of creativity Why we need to maketime for creativity in our busy schedules The importance of supporting others in their creative journeys Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Read afree chapterfromNation of Enemies PurchaseLive Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy Thank you to our partner—AARPLifeReimagined!
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The Science of Savoring with Paula Felps

Paula Felps is the science editor for Live Happy magazine and has worked as a freelance writer and editor since 1998, covering topics from health and fitness to luxury cars and travel to business and technology. She has written for publications and websites such as Executive Travel, American Driver, Self and Reserve. In this episode, Live Happy co-founder and Editorial Director Deborah K. Heisz talks with Paula about the science of savoring and shares a glimpse into the new April 2016 issue of Live Happy magazine. What you'll learn in this podcast: The definition of savoring How to improve your happiness with the practice of savoring The power of positive emotions Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Pre-order a copy of Live Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy Thank you to our partner—AARP Life Reimagined!
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Alastair Moock on Meaning

AlastairMoockis a 2013 Grammy Awards nominee and a two-time winner of the Parents’ Choice Gold Awards. His works have twice been included in TheFidsandKamilyIndustry Critics’ Top 3 Albums of the Year. One of Boston’s premier folk artists,Alastairturned his attention to family music after the birth of his twin daughters in 2006.The New York Timescalls him “a Tom Waits for kids” andThe Boston Globedeclares, “in the footsteps of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie,AlastairMoockmakes real kids music that parents can actually enjoy.” In this episode, Live Happy co-founder and Editorial Director Deborah K.Heisztalks withAlastairon one of 10 practices for choosing joy—meaning. What you'll learn in this podcast: The unique powers of music to educate and heal It is possible to write music for kids that touches on serious issues Finding meaning in your work can help you deal with difficult situations Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Watch "When I Get Bald"music video PurchaseLive Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy Thank you to our partner -AARP LifeReimagined!
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Mary Miller on Attitude

Mary Miller is the CEO and owner of JANCOA Janitorial Service, Inc., an award-winning commercial cleaning service located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mary is known for her positive outlook and desire to help others realize their uniqueness and personal power. Through her renowned employee benefits program, the Dream Manager, she has created an exceptional work environment and a truly successful organization. The Dream Manager, popularized by the bestselling book under the same name, grew from an employee retention program into an inspiring example of what a business can be. In this episode, Live Happy co-founder and Editorial Director Deborah K. Heisz talks with Mary on one of ten practices for choosing joy—a positive attitude. What you'll learn in this podcast: The impact a positive attitude has on others How embracing change can help you enjoy the adventure of life The importance of the choices you make and the attitude you choose to have Links and resources mentioned in this episode: PurchaseLive Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy Follow Mary onTwitter Thank you to our partner -AARP LifeReimagined!
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Barbara Fredrickson on Relationships and Love

Barbara Fredrickson, Ph.D., serves as the president of the International Positive Psychology Association and is considered one of the most highly cited scholars in the field of psychology today. Her research reveals how micro-moments of love and other forms of positivity nourish your health, wisdom and longevity. In this episode, Live Happy co-founder and Editorial Director Deborah K. Heisz talks with Barbara on one of ten practices for choosing joy—relationships and love. What you'll learn in this podcast: The importance of day-to-day positive emotions The bar for experiencing love is lower than you think Simple steps to take to unlock more positivity in your daily life Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Purchase Live Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy Take the free online course on positive psychology Thank you to our partner - AARP Life Reimagined!
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Achieving Harmonious Passion with James and Suzie Pawelski

Suzie Pileggi Pawelski is a contributing editor for Live Happy magazine as well as wellness counselor specializing in the science of happiness and its effects on health and relationships. Her 2010 Scientific American Mind cover story "The Happy Couple" was selected by the magazine as one of its most intriguing articles of recent years. James Pawelski, Ph.D., is Director of Education and Senior Scholar in the Positive Psychology Center at the University of Pennsylvania. For the last ten years, he has served as the founding director of the Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program, the world's first degree program in positive psychology. He is also the founding director of the International Positive Psychology Association. Live Happy co-founder and Editorial Director Deborah K. Heisz talks with James and Suzie about achieving harmonious passion in your personal relationships. What you'll learn in this podcast: Understanding the psychological concept of passion and how it differs from popular culture The difference between healthy (harmonious) and unhealthy (obsessive) passion How to cultivate a healthy passion in our daily lives Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Visit JamesPawelski.com Visit SuzannPileggi.com Thank you to our partner - AARP Life Reimagined!
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90 Days to a Happier You Success Stories

In this episode we talk to the Live Happy team members who recently took part in the “90 Days to a Happier You” challenge. Find out how Susan, Kim, Donna, Shelley and Chris learned to make better choices and build habits that have helped them become happier people. Through this series we'll tackle topics like improving communication with others, managing negative thinking, overcoming chronic insomnia, setting life goals and learning to unplug from work. Learn more about our guests and their challenges: Susan Kane–improving communication skills Kim Baker–mastering anxiety Donna Stokes–unplugging from work Shelley Levitt–sticking to a sleep schedule Chris Libby–setting life goals
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