Live Happy Now Season 11

Halloween might be all about ghosts, costumes, and candy — but science says it’s also a powerful happiness booster. In this episode of Live Happy Now, host Paula Felps and social media manager Michelle Palmer Jones explore the surprising research behind why the spooky season lifts our spirits. From the nostalgia of childhood traditions to the thrill of a safe scare, Halloween taps into the emotions that help us feel more playful, connected, and calm — just when we need it most. In this episode, you'll learn: How nostalgia and play during Halloween boost joy and reduce stress. Why even a small piece of candy can trigger big feelings of happiness. How safe scares — like haunted houses — can actually make us less anxious afterward. Follow along with the transcript. Follow Live Happy on Social Media: 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! 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:  

If you’re dealing with feelings of stress and anxiety, you’re not alone! This week, host Paula Felps sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Seth J. Gillihan to explore his latest book, Your Daily Reset: 366 Practical Exercises to Reduce Anxiety and Manage Stress Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Designed as a daily companion, the book offers bite-sized, actionable practices rooted in CBT and mindfulness to help you gently reset your emotions and navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and compassion. Find out how embracing anxiety, practicing self-compassion, and tuning into the present moment can transform your mental health — one small step at a time. In this episode, you'll learn: Why “just this” might be the most powerful phrase for calming overwhelm. How to restart your mental health habits without guilt or judgment. A simple framework for embracing anxiety instead of fighting it. Visit Seth's website here. Check out his latest book, Your Daily Reset: 366 Practical Exercises to Reduce Anxiety and Manage Stress Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Download Seth’s free 30-day Stress Management Program. Follow along with the transcript. Keep up with Seth here: Substack: https://thinkactbe.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:  

One of the most universal struggles today is a feeling of disconnection, so this week host Paula Felps talks with Anna Runkle — better known as the “Crappy Childhood Fairy” — about her new book Connectability: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People, and Feel (At Last) Like You Belong. Anna shares how her own journey from childhood trauma to building genuine, sustaining friendships shaped the practices she now teaches to thousands. With humor and heartfelt insight, she explains why connection is essential yet elusive — and how we can all start creating it for ourselves. In this episode, you'll learn: Why disconnection is often a hidden symptom of early trauma and how it affects our ability to build relationships. Practical, nontherapy tools from Connectability to regulate your nervous system and begin forming authentic bonds. How letting go of unhealthy relationships and practicing new social skills can help you “find your people” at any age or stage of life. Visit Anna's website here. Check out her book, CONNECTABILITY: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People, And Feel (At Last) Like You Belong. Sign up for Anna's free Daily Practice. Follow along with the transcript. Follow Anna on Social Media: Instagram: @crappychildhoodfairy YouTube: @crappychildhoodfairy 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:  

What if everything you believe about mental health is wrong? In this episode, host Paula Felps chats with psychotherapist and author Joe Nucci about his myth-busting new book, Psychobabble: Viral Mental Health Myths & the Truths to Set You Free. Joe dives into the wild world of mental health misinformation — especially the kind that spreads like wildfire on social media. From self-diagnosis pitfalls to the overuse of therapy-speak, he offers a refreshing reality check and empowers listeners to better understand their emotional lives. In this episode, you'll learn: Why not every tough emotion equals a mental illness — and why that distinction matters. How social media can distort mental health conversations (and what to watch out for). The difference between emotional intelligence and just “sounding like a therapist.” Visit Joe’s website Joe's website here. Check out his book, Psychobabble: Viral Mental Health Myths & the Truths to Set You Free. Listen to Joe’s Psychobabble podcast. Sign up for Joe’s newsletter. Follow along with the transcript. Follow Joe on Social Media: Twitter: @joenuccitherapy Instagram: @joenuccitherapy Facebook: @joenuccitherapy 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:  

 What if practicing happiness were as simple as learning your ABC’s? This week, host Paula Felps talks with work psychologist and certified Chief Happiness Officer Klaudia Mitura, author of The Alphabet of Happiness. After a series of life challenges during the pandemic, Klaudia embarked on a hands-on happiness experiment, testing evidence-based practices and transforming them into accessible, everyday tools. That led to a podcast and her new book, which helps us cultivate happiness through small, intentional habits. From cold showers to gut health, Klaudia offers a fresh, practical take on what it means to thrive. In this episode, you'll learn: How to create your own happiness experiments using science-backed micro-habits. Why cold showers can boost dopamine and improve mood for hours. How gut health directly influences emotional well-being and resilience. Visit Klaudia's website here. Check out her book, The Alphabet of Happiness: 26 science-backed principles to create more happiness at work, in relationships and in your own skin. Listen to her award-winning podcast, The Happiness Challenge. Sign up for her free September 29 webinar, The Science of Happiness: How to Create Lasting Well-being at Work. Follow along with the transcript. Follow Klaudia on Social Media: LinkedIn: @klaudiamitura Instagram: @thehappinesschallenge_klaudia Substack: https://thehappinesschallenge.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:  

We talk a lot about how trauma affects our mental health, but have you thought about what it does to your body? In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with Dr. Aimie Apigian, author of The Biology of Trauma, to explore how trauma is stored not just in our minds but in our bodies — and how that impacts our physical health, relationships, and overall well-being. Drawing from her experience as a physician and foster parent, Dr. Aimie shares how traditional talk therapy often misses the mark, and why understanding trauma as a biological process opens the door to more effective healing. In this episode, you'll learn: How trauma differs from stress — and why trauma, not stress, is what makes us sick. Why stored trauma shows up in physical symptoms, emotional patterns, and relationship dynamics. How somatic self-practices can help shift your nervous system and begin healing — even when energy is low. Visit Dr. Aimie’s website Dr. Aimie's website here. Check out her book, The Biology of Trauma: How the body experiences and holds fear, pain and overwhelm and how to heal it. Sign up for her online 21 Day Journey to heal trauma. Follow along with the transcript. Follow Dr. Aimie on Social Media: LinkedIn: @dr-aimie-apigian Instagram: @draimie Facebook: @draimie YouTube: @DrAimieApigian 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:  

Now that Labor Day is behind us, we’re putting the lid on summer and getting ready to roll into fall. But that doesn’t mean we can’t carry our lighthearted summer vibe with us. This week, on the heels of our Summer of Fun campaign with Mike Rucker, Ph.D., we’re talking about how to start planning now to use what we’ve learned to create a fun-filled fall. In this episode, you'll learn: Why it’s so important to commit to fun during the fall and winter. Tips for incorporating more fun into life’s busy seasons. How scheduling fun adds joy to more areas of your life. Visit Mike Rucker's website. Check out Mike’s book, The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life. Follow along with the transcript. Follow Mike on Social Media: X: @performbetter LinkedIn: @michaelrucker Facebook: @mike.rucker.phd 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: