Afleveringen
-
As we close out our Summer Reading Program, host Paula Felps sits down with cognitive and behavioral neuroscientist Dr. Sydney Ceruto to walk through her book, The Dopamine Code: How to Rewire Your Brain for Happiness and Productivity, which explores one of the most misunderstood forces shaping our motivation, mood, and modern wellbeing. Sydney explains why today’s overstimulated world leaves so many of us feeling restless, stuck, or burned out — and how understanding the true role of dopamine can help us reclaim clarity, satisfaction, and forward momentum.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why dopamine isn’t the “pleasure chemical” but is the “molecule of motivation” that shapes everything from restlessness to burnout.How modern life overstimulates your reward system, making everyday joys feel flat and pushing you toward unhealthy dopamine defaults.How to build your own “dopamine menu” to help you shift from cheap dopamine spikes to meaningful, sustaining rewards. -
In this week’s episode of Live Happy Now, Paula Felps sits down with author Angelica Glass to explore her remarkable book, Scavenging Beauty: A Memoir in Walks, which chronicles her decision to walk every street in Santa Cruz County. What began as a stress‑relief habit unfolded into a profound journey of awe, healing, forgiveness, and rediscovery. Angelica shares how intentionally seeking beauty — one photograph, one street, one quiet moment at a time — opened the door to long‑buried memories, deeper self‑understanding, and renewed connection with her siblings. Through nature, silence, and curiosity, she learned to reframe her past with tenderness and compassion, ultimately transforming her internal landscape and her relationships.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How awe, silence, and slow travel can unlock emotional healing and neuroplasticity.Why seeking beauty — even in life’s “wreckage” — reshapes how we see ourselves and our past.How sharing personal stories with loved ones can strengthen connection, change perspectives, and open new conversations. -
Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
-
This week, as part of the Live Happy Summer Reading Program, host Paula Felps sits down with Elizabeth Margulis, a professor of music at Princeton University and director of the Music Cognition Lab, to talk about her book, Transported: The Everyday Magic of Musical Daydreams. Elizabeth explains why our minds naturally wander when we listen to music, how those imaginative journeys shape our sense of self, and why these experiences are far more meaningful — and scientifically important — than we realize. Listen as she reveals how reconnecting with this simple, often overlooked way of listening can deepen our relationships, boost our mental health, and bring us back to the joy that first made us fall in love with music.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why unfamiliar songs can trigger similar imagery across listeners.How music helps us process memories.Why daydreaming to music may be essential for creativity and emotional well‑being. -
The Live Happy Summer Reading Program continues this week as host Paula Felps sits down with author and activist Deborah Santana to talk about Loving the Fire: Choosing Me, Finding Freedom, her powerful memoir about identity, courage, reinvention, and choosing a life aligned with your spirit. In this episode, Deborah candidly shares how she found the strength to leave a life that no longer reflected who she was, the spiritual practices that guided her, and the generational resilience that shaped her path. Listen as Deborah shares how stepping into your truth can transform not only your life, but the lives of those around you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Deborah found the courage to leave a life that no longer aligned with her spirit.The role generational strength, family history, and activism built her identity — and continue guiding her work today.What it means to “walk through the fire” in your own life, and how to recognize misalignment, reclaim your voice, and choose a path rooted in integrity and self‑reflection. -
For Week 2 of the Live Happy Summer Reading Program, award‑winning journalist and author Donna Jackson Nakazawa sits down with host Paula Felps to discuss her groundbreaking new book, Mind Drama: The Science of Rumination and How to Outwit Your Inner Defeatist. Donna explains that rumination is an evolution‑wired survival response that has gone rogue in modern life, trapping us in negative “mental movie reels” fueled by the brain’s default mode network. Using neuroscience, personal insight, and research‑backed tools, she shares how we can transform rumination into clarity, creativity, and a renewed sense of belonging.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why rumination happens and how the brain creates vivid “movie reels” of old stories, future fears, and intense emotional and physical reactions.How the MIST framework works — and how to use it to interrupt rumination and reduce stress chemistry.How to turn rumination into insight, using neuroscience‑based strategies that help you rewrite outdated beliefs, reclaim your voice, and use your mental energy for more meaningful, joyful pursuits. -
This week on Live Happy Now, we launch our Summer Reading Program with Jodi Wellman, whose book You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets invites us to rethink how we spend our days and start living with fewer regrets. Jodi joins host Paula Felps to explain how embracing the reality of our limited time can actually make life feel richer, more vibrant, and more meaningful. Drawing from personal experience, positive psychology research, and her signature humor, she explains why we’re so prone to postponing our lives — and how small, intentional choices can help us feel more “astonishingly alive” every day.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why the concept of memento mori can be a powerful motivator for living more fully.How Jodi’s personal wake‑up call shaped her mission to help others stop postponing their lives.Simple, accessible ways to feel more alive — without a dramatic life overhaul. -
Summer is here, and so is our very first Live Happy Summer Reading Program. In this episode, Live Happy Now Host Paula teams up with Senior Happiness Editor Chris Libby to unveil six weeks of books designed to inspire, uplift, and spark real‑world joy. From science‑backed guides to deeply personal memoirs, they walk through each pick, explain why it made the cut, and tell you how to join the fun.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How the Live Happy Summer Reading Program works — and how to follow along each weekWhat’s on this year’s reading list and why these books were chosenThe new book‑lover goodies coming to Live Happy, including Shelf Care and Shelf Care for Kids -
This week on Live Happy Now, host Paula Felps sits down with Dr. Sherry Hamby, a leading researcher on trauma and resilience and author of Stronger Than You Think: Building Lifelong Resilience. Drawing from more than three decades of studying violence, healing, and human strengths, Dr. Hamby explains why our biggest misconception about trauma recovery is believing we must “push through” alone — and why resilience is not a trait but a multidimensional journey. She introduces her four-part resilience portfolio, shows how nature and supportive relationships can accelerate healing, and shares why even those with heavy trauma histories can still move toward thriving.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why resilience isn’t about toughness but about building a diverse portfolio of strengths.The four domains that shape your resilience — and how to use the ones you already have.How nature, meaning-making, and connection can support healing just as powerfully as regulation strategies. -
In a world where fake news and misinformation is rampant, what role does honestly play? This week, Wake Forest philosopher Christian B. Miller dives into the ideas behind his new book The Honesty Crisis, revealing why honesty is far more complex — and essential — than simply telling the truth. In this thoughtful conversation with host Paula Felps, Christian explores why honesty feels harder in today’s world and what’s at stake for our relationships, our well-being, and our society when we abandon it.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why honesty means more than just telling the truth.How modern technology makes dishonesty easier, more tempting, and harder to detect — especially in classrooms and workplaces.How honesty supports trust, reduces stress, and allows for genuine connection. -
This week on Live Happy Now, Paula sits down with Dr. Korie Leigh, an internationally recognized expert in childhood bereavement and author of When Everything Changes: Parenting Through Loss and Grief. Drawing from her work in pediatric palliative care and thanatology, Dr. Leigh explains why children grieve differently than adults and why honest, concrete communication matters when helping them navigate loss. She also shares how parents can support their children even while managing their own grief, and why resilience is a muscle families can build together.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why euphemisms around death can confuse children and increase fear or guilt.How children “puddle jump” through grief and why their processing looks so different from adults.How parents can support a grieving child even while grieving themselves — and why “good enough” parenting truly is enough. -
On this Mother’s Day episode of Live Happy Now, Paula Felps sits down once again with mother‑daughter duo Leslie and Lindsey Glass to explore how mental health patterns, coping strategies, and emotional habits are passed down through generations. Drawing from their own lived experience — including estrangement, reconciliation, and years of therapeutic work — Leslie and Lindsey share practical, compassionate tools for breaking unhealthy cycles, setting boundaries, rebuilding trust, and creating new family patterns rooted in safety and connection.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How generational patterns of anxiety, emotional suppression, and coping get passed down — and how to interrupt them.What healthy reconnection looks like, from “baby‑step conversations” to shared activities that rebuild safety and trust.How to navigate estrangement, boundaries, and forgiveness when one person is ready to heal and the other isn’t. -
This week on Live Happy Now, Paula Felps sits down with University of Virginia professor and author Leidy Klotz to explore a topic we rarely think about: how the spaces around us are quietly shaping our well-being. He explains why our homes, workplaces, and everyday environments can either nourish or drain our basic psychological needs for agency, competence, and connection. From choosing where you sit to spark creativity to reclaiming small freedoms in spaces you can’t control, Leidy shows how simple shifts in how we interact with our environments can profoundly change how we feel.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why your physical spaces influence your happiness more than you realize — and how they feed (or starve) your core psychological needs.How to use your surroundings intentionally to boost creativity, strengthen family connection, and reclaim a sense of control — even in places you can’t redesign.A simple practice for experiencing more awe in your daily life by noticing and revisiting the spaces that shift your perspective. -
In this joyful episode of Live Happy Now, host Paula Felps sits down with bestselling author, musician, and kids’ mindfulness expert Kira Willey to explore how parents can transform everyday chaos into meaningful moments of connection. Drawing from her new book The Joyful Child, Kira shares simple, playful practices that help families navigate transitions, reduce stress, and build stronger bonds — without adding more to the to‑do list.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How to turn stressful daily transitions into joyful, cooperative moments.Why children struggle with structure — and how movement, music, and imagination help them thrive.Simple one‑minute practices that calm your child’s nervous system (and yours). -
When times get tough, it’s time to play! This week, creativity expert Piera Gelardi — author of the new book, The Playful Way — joins host Paula Felps to talk about why play is not a luxury; it’s a lifeline. Drawing from her own burnout, creative journey, and even profound grief, Piera explains how shutting down our playful selves limits resilience, narrows thinking, and fuels anxiety. Find out how everyday play can help us navigate heavy times with more creativity, connection, and joy.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why play deprivation leads to burnout, rigidity, and increased anxiety.How play can coexist with serious times — and even help you move through grief.Simple ways to build a daily play practice, even if you think you're “not playful.” -
April is National Humor Month, so it’s time to dig into the amazing power of humor and laughter. This week, host Paula Felps sits down with comedian, TV writer, and podcast host Chris Duffy, author of the new book, Humor Me, to explore why laughter is more than a mere distraction. Drawing from personal experience, clinical research, and years of teaching and performing, Chris explains how humor strengthens connection, boosts resilience, improves well‑being, and even helps us navigate difficult moments.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why humor is essential for emotional and physical well‑being.How self‑deprecating humor increases likability and perceived competence.Simple ways to rebuild your “humor muscle.” -
What if we could get to the root of our divides and start bridging them? In this powerful episode of Live Happy Now, Paula Felps sits down with Tom Rosshirt, co‑creator of the Dignity Index, to explore why our public conversations feel so fractured — and how dignity offers a practical path back to connection. Tom explains how contempt, not disagreement, is what drives our divisions, and he shares the ways that dignity can heal what contempt has damaged.
Three things you’ll learn:
Why contempt is the real source of division — and how to recognize it.How dignity strengthens trust, communication, and problem‑solving.How small, everyday choices can shift the culture around you toward connection. -
The latest edition of the World Happiness Report focuses on the effects of social media on well-being. In this episode of Live Happy Now, host Paula Felps sits down with Dr. Zeynep Özkök and Dr. Jonathan Rosborough, co-authors of one of the report’s chapters, to unpack their research on internet use, trust, social connections, and emotional well‑being. They reveal why social media affects Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers in dramatically different ways, and how online environments are reshaping foundational elements of happiness such as trust, safety, and real‑world social ties.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why the impact of social media on well‑being varies sharply across generations.How Internet use is linked to declining trust, social comparison, and reduced in‑person connection.What researchers believe this means for the future — especially for Gen Z and the emerging Generation Alpha. -
In this episode of Live Happy Now, host Paula Felps sits down with Dr. John La Puma — physician, chef, and author of Indoor Epidemic — to explore how our increasingly indoor lifestyles are quietly harming our sleep, mood, focus, and long‑term health. Dr. John explains why spending 93% of our time inside has become a “biological emergency” and reveals how simple, intentional practices like morning light exposure, green exercise, and reconnecting with nature can dramatically improve our well‑being.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why missing morning light can leave you “wired but tired” and shorten your longevity by up to five years.How green exercise lowers stress hormones, reduces rumination, and boosts immune function.What simple daily habits can counteract indoor toxins and restore your natural biological rhythms. -
In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Deepika Chopra to explore what real optimism looks like in a world filled with uncertainty. Drawing from her new book, The Power of Real Optimism, Dr. Deepika explains why optimism isn’t about rose‑colored glasses or pretending everything is fine; it’s a trainable psychological skill rooted in authenticity, resilience, and the belief that challenges are temporary and navigable.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why optimism is a skill — not a personality trait — and how to strengthen it.How your brain processes uncertainty and the small, science‑backed practices that help restore safety and regulation.How tools like visualization, evidence‑collecting, and scheduled “worry time” can shift your mindset and build real resilience. -
A new Gallup poll says that Americans are feeling unusually pessimistic about the future, with optimism hitting its lowest point in two decades. This week, host Paula Felps and social media manager Michelle Jones dig into the poll results and explore why so many people are struggling emotionally, and — more importantly — what practical, evidence‑based habits can help us stay grounded, hopeful, and connected during difficult times. They also share what’s ahead for Happiness Month and how listeners can participate in this year’s community‑driven #HappyActs initiative.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why Americans are reporting historically low levels of optimism.How negativity bias and nonstop news consumption intensify feelings of gloom.Why balancing heaviness with humor or uplifting content can help regulate emotions. - Laat meer zien
