Live Happy Now Season 4

Have you ever felt like your barber knew everything about life? Well, leading expert happiness and Harvard professor Tal Ben-Shar did, and he even wrote a book about it. Tal joins us on the Live Happy Now podcast to talk about his latest book, Short Cuts to Happiness: Life Changing Lessons From My Barber, which chronicles his visits with his neighborhood barber, Avi. Throughout the years, Avi’s barber shop has been the neighborhood hub of social connectivity as he hands out priceless wisdom on how to live a happy life—all for the small fee of a haircut. In this episode, you'll learn: The benefits of having social connections. The importance of taking a break from a busy world. Life lessons can come from anywhere if you pay attention. Links and Resources Website: https://www.talbenshahar.com/ Facebook: Tal Ben-Shahar Twitter: TalBenShahar Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           

When Colten Moore and his older brother, Caleb, competed for the first time in the 2010 X Games, they made a lasting impression. Specializing in freestyle and trick snowmobiling, the Texas brothers showed they were fearless, fierce and incredibly close to each other. They quickly became top athletes in the sport and were counting on taking home the gold and silver in 2013—although they argued over which brother would take the top spot. But their careers took a tragic turn during that competition: Both brothers crashed during their runs, and Caleb passed away a few days later as a result of his injuries. Colten has continued to compete and is using his experiences to encourage and inspire others. In 2016, he released his autobiography, Chasing the Sky, which tells his story of loss, resilience and the importance of family bonds. In this episode, you'll learn: What drives Colten to continue competing How he has used his loss to help others The importance of following your dreams Also in this episode, Live Happy’s own Laura Coppedge talks about our new journal, On a Positive Note. Find out how it can help make each day richer and can even make those work meetings more inviting. Plus, you can preorder it here at a discount! Links and Resources Twitter: @colt45moore Facebook: coltenmoore21 Instagram: @colt45moore Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           

Lea Waters, Ph.D., is more than just the current president of the International Positive Psychology Association; she’s also a researcher and expert on character strengths—and the mother of two. Her latest book, The Strength Switch: How the New Science of Strength-Based Parenting Can Help Your Child and Your Teen to Flourish showed parents how focusing on children’s strengths instead of trying to correct their weaknesses can yield extraordinary results. Now, Lea has created an online course based on The Strength Switch to give families the tools they need to put her findings into practice. In this episode of Live Happy Now, Live Happy CEO Deborah Heisz talks to Lea about how (and why) strengths-based parenting can benefit every family. In this episode, you'll learn: How focusing on your child’s strengths can unlock their full potential Why it’s important for families to work on this together How your family can benefit from this online course You can learn more about Lea's online course here, and you can also hear more from Lea about The Strength Switch here. Also in this week's episode, Mike Pepperman of LG Electronics explains the company's Experience Happiness initiative, which is bringing the principles of sustainable happiness to schools. Links and Resources Twitter: ProfLeaWaters Instagram: ProfLeaWaters Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           

If your internal critic and busy schedule keep you from the creative pursuits you enjoy, this interview—and a new book by actress Keiko Agena—are for you. Keiko, best known as Lane Kim on the TV show Gilmore Girls, wrote and illustrated No Mistakes: A Perfect Workbook for Imperfect Artists, for anyone looking to nurture their “wild, wacky” and more spirited side. In No Mistakes, interspersed with coloring pages and her original artwork, Keiko guides you through simple exercises based on one of the founding ideas of improv: Any misstep is an opportunity for growth and creativity. In this episode, you'll learn: What most adults get wrong about creativity How to dial down your critical inner voice to try new things Keiko’s “no mistakes” philosophy and how to apply it to your life How to carve out time for creativity Also in this episode, Science Editor Paula Felps talks to Live Happy CEO Deborah K. Heisz about her new Find the Good blog on livehappy.com. Links and Resources For more go to mskeikoagena.com    Twitter: @KeikoAgena Facebook: Keiko-Agena Instagram: @keikoagena

Rick Hanson is one of the foremost experts on neural networks and a New York Times best-selling author. With his latest book, Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength and Happiness, Rick gives us the tools to develop our inner strengths and stay strong—no matter what life throws at you. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to use your positive experiences to grow your inner strengths The meaning of “positive neuroplasticity” and how it can rewire your brain to be more resilient The role of resilience in our overall happiness and well-being Also in this episode, Chris Libby tells us what we need to know about Finding Happiness at Work. Links and Resources: Facebook - facebook.com/rickhansonphd YouTube - youtube.com/drrhanson Website - rickhanson.net Download “A Free Guide to Taking in the Good.” Learn about Rick’s yearlong Foundations of Well-Being Program. Subscribe to Rick’s free Just One Thing.

Have you ever wondered if you are having a midlife crisis or can’t figure out why you’re more worried or down than you were just a few years ago? Journalist Jonathan Rauch explains why that disheartened feeling in your 40s and 50s is not a crisis but instead a normal part of the aging process. His book, The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50, delivers hope for plenty of happiness in midlife and beyond. While we can’t always skip over the low points, Jonathan provides great tips and guidance to help fend off and triumph over those negative feelings. Things you’ll learn in this episode: All other things equal, aging makes you happier, not sadder. A midlife downturn can be literally about nothing. The difference between intellect and wisdom, and why the latter makes you happier. Tips for coping with a midlife slump. Also in this episode, Science Editor Paula Felps talks to Rebekah Rinehart, co-founder of The Kind Way, who talks about The Kind Mural. Links and resources: For more, go to Jonathan’s website at jonathanrauch.com Or, follow him on Twitter: @jon_rauch

What does it take to be happy at home? Interior designer Rebecca West has a few ideas that might surprise you. The author of the book, Happy Starts at Home: Getting the Life You Want By Changing the Space You’ve Got and founder of the company Seriously.Happy.Homes joins us this week to talk about how you can make any space your happy place. Rebecca, who believes life should be fun and your home should make you happy, will teach us: How a happy home supports a happy life How to avoid common decorating mistakes Why your space (and the things in it) matter to your happiness In addition, this episode includes special guest Deborah K. Heisz, CEO of Live Happy, who previews the new Live Happy bookazine that’s coming September 18 to a newsstand near you! Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Download this free guided meditation from Rebecca to help you connect with a space that’s right for you! For more, go to Rebecca's website: https://www.happystartsathome.com

It’s hard to imagine our little ones dealing with stress and anxiety, but they do suffer more than we think. Nick Ortner, New York Times best-selling author of The Tapping Solution, joins the Live Happy Now podcast to discuss his latest book about mindful breathing for young children. My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing is a colorful and interactive story designed to teach the basic principles of calming breathing techniques. The book is also a great conversation starter for teachers and parent to encourage children to talk about their feelings. Also in this episode, you’ll hear from Daphne Willis, a Nashville-based singer who is using music as a way to discuss mental health issues and let others know they’re not alone. Find out more about Daphne by visiting her website. What you'll learn in this episode: Even the youngest of us can experience stress and anxiety. How parents and teachers can help children cope. Why mindfulness is needed in the classroom. Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Learn more by going to Nick's website. Buy his latest book My Magic Breath: Finding Calm Through Mindful Breathing.

Scott Crabtree, founder of the company Happy Brain Science, has spent years studying positive psychology and what makes us happy. But when Scott combined his love of game design with his passion for positive psychology, he blazed an entirely new trail by creating the game, Choose Happiness @ Work. Today, Scott tells us how the very things that make us happy when playing games are the same things that make us happy at work — and then he explains how we can all gamify our lives to create greater happiness at work. What you'll learn in this episode: What "gamification" means and how it can be used in daily life The four components of games (and work) that make you happy The science of why games engage us, and what we can learn from them Also in this episode, Web Editor Chris Libby drops by to talk about the latest and greatest new Happy Facts! Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Follow Scott on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. Learn more about his company Happy Brain Science here. Enter code LIVEHAPPY25 at happybrainscience.com for 25% off Choose Happiness @ Work. Text HAPPYGAME to 345345 to get a free e-book on gamification!

Dr. Joe Bates wants to make your brain hum. The award-winning double board-certified psychiatrist and pediatrician is spending his “retirement” working with veterans at the Tyler VA Clinic in Tyler, Texas. He has been recognized by Mensa for his work with cognitive remediation training, and now he’s created a way for people of all ages to make their brains work smarter, not harder. His new book, Making Your Brain Hum: 12 Weeks to A Smarter You, uses a technique he developed called braincardio™, which is designed to use “brain workouts” to build confidence, hope, well-being and energy. What you'll learn in this episode: How the things we do every day can make a difference in how we think How brain exercises can help us live with less regret and more joy Why it’s important to exercise our brains every day Also in this episode, we talk with dog trainer John Miller, who tells us how to make back-to-school time easier on everyone in the house—including our canine family members. Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Follow Dr. Joe Bates on Facebook. Learn more about braincardio™ on his website. Live Happy listeners have the exclusive opportunity for a 50% discount to the best-selling book Making Your Brain Hum: 12 Weeks to a Smarter You, along with the e-book Tips for a Brain- Healthy Lifestyle that includes sample puzzles. Follow this link for your special offer, just for being a Live Happy Now listener: www.braincardio.org/livehappy