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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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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A woman balancing stress

How to Stress Wisely with Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe

If you’re feeling more stressed than usual these days, you aren’t alone. But this week, host Paula Felps is joined by author, psychology instructor, and resiliency expert Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe to find out why that is and what you can do about it. Dr. Robyne’s latest book, Stress Wisely: How to Be Well in an Unwell World, looks at why the stress of today’s fast-paced world is having such a devastating effect on us, both physically and mentally, and how we can learn to manage it better. In this episode, you'll learn: Why our bodies aren’t designed for today’s always-on world and what to do about it. How to prepare for stress before it happens. How to learn to treat stress as an ally — and how that helps us. Check out Dr. Robyne’s courses on resilience here. Listen to Dr. Robyne’s podcast In Time with musician Peter Katz here. Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Follow Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe 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 Are you looking for more ways to manage your stress 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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A woman relaxed in a hammock

Why Your Brain Needs a Summer Vacation With Dr. Henry Mahncke

It’s summertime, and if your body feels like it needs a vacation, it’s not alone – so does your brain!  This week, join host Paula Felps as she talks with Dr. Henry Mahncke, CEO of Posit Science and Brain HQ, who explains why vacations are so good for your brain. As you’re about to find out, when you go on vacation, you’re giving your brain all kinds of ways to stay healthy and happy. Listen in to learn how that works, how to make the most of your vacation, and how to keep those benefits going once you get home. In this episode, you'll learn: What your brain needs to keep itself healthy. Why vacations are so good for your brain. How to get the same benefits of a vacation when you “staycation.” Get 20% off BrainHQ brain training programs here. Follow BrainHQ on Social Media: X: https://x.com/BrainHQ Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Are you looking for more ways to give your brain a break 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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A map highlighting the state of Tennessee

Happy Activists: Wilson County Kind Makes Kindness Cool

We know that kindness is crucial, but sometimes it seems to be in short supply these days. That’s why Randall Hutto, mayor of Wilson County in Tennessee, has made his office the starting point for spreading kindness. This week, Mayor Hutto and project administrator Susan Shaw explain why they created the initiative known as Wilson County Kind and how it is helping create a happier, kinder place to live. In this episode, you'll learn: What inspired Mayor Hutto to create a kindness initiative. Why it’s important for local governments to get behind initiatives like this. How others can start their own kindness initiative. Links and Resources: Learn more about Wilson County Kind here. Instagram: @MayorHutto Follow along with the transcript by clicking here. Want to 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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Summer of Fun icon graphic

Commit to a Summer of Fun with Mike Rucker, PhD

Summer officially begins on June 20, and that’s the perfect time to launch Live Happy’s Summer of Fun! We’ve teamed up with organizational psychologist Mike Rucker, PhD, to offer a free eight-week email course based on the principles of his book, The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life. In this episode, he explains how this course will help you learn to program your life for fun this summer — and beyond. In this episode, you'll learn: Why making a commitment to have fun is so important to your mental health. How to make room for more fun in your life. What to expect when you commit to having a Summer of Fun. Links and Resources: X: https://x.com/performbetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrucker/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mike.rucker.phd/ Sign up for Live Happy’s Summer of Fun with Mike Rucker, PhD here. Visit Mike’s website here. Follow along with this episode's 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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Two people painting a mural together

Overcoming Loneliness With Dr. Jeremy Nobel

Loneliness is one of the major challenges facing our society today, and since this is Loneliness Awareness Week, it’s a great time to look at what’s behind this loneliness epidemic. This week, host Paula Felps sits down with physician, teacher, innovator, and author Dr. Jeremy Nobel, founder of The Foundation for Art & Healing and the Project UnLonely initiative. Jeremy, who is also on the faculty of the Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, has published the book Project UnLonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection, and he’s here to talk about what loneliness is doing to us – and what we should be doing about it. In this episode, you'll learn: The three types of loneliness — and what to do about each one. How chronic loneliness affects both physical and mental health. How engaging in creative expression can help navigate loneliness. Links and Resources: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundationforArtandHealing/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unlonelyproject X: https://twitter.com/unlonelyproject LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/artandhealing/ Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Read an excerpt from Project UnLonely: Healing Our Crisis of Disconnection. 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 young adult in distress

What’s Driving Gen Z’s Anxiety (and What to Do About It) With Dr. Lauren Cook

Younger generations are experiencing stress and anxiety differently than previous generations, and that’s something we’re making part of the ongoing conversation at Live Happy. For this episode, host Paula Felps is joined by author and clinical psychologist Dr Lauren Cook. Her latest book, Generation Anxiety: A Millennial and Gen Z Guide for Staying Afloat in Uncertain Times, looks at why millennials and Gen Z are so anxious and how that is affecting them. She shares some of the things that are driving that anxiety and, importantly, offers insight into what we can do to help change this downward spiral – and what that will mean for future generations. In this episode, you'll learn: Why it’s so important to talk about anxiety and mental health. Signs that someone is struggling with anxiety. Steps to take to better manage our own anxiety or help someone else. Links and Resources: Website: http://www.drlaurencook.com/ Instagram: @dr.laurencook TikTok: @dr.laurencook Discover Dr. Lauren’s Name Your Story mental health training curriculum here. Follow along with this episode's 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 person happily using social media

Create a Healthy Relationship with Social Media With Giselle Ugarte

As we wrap up Mental Health Awareness month, it’s a great time to talk about how social media affects mental health — and how you can use it to support a happier, more meaningful life. Host Paula Felps is joined by coach, speaker and influencer Giselle Ugarte, who helps people learn how to build their confidence, reframe their relationship with social media, and show up more authentically at work and in their relationships. In this episode, you'll learn: How to use social media for positive interactions and deepening your relationships. Signs that social media may be having a negative effect on you and what to do about it. How to curate your social media feed so it will have a positive impact on your self-esteem and self-confidence. Links and Resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giselleugarte/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giselleugarte Twitter: https://twitter.com/giselleugarte?lang=en Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Giselle.Ugarte Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@giselle.ugarte Website: https://www.giselleugarte.com/ Follow along with this episode's 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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