Three people hugging the earth.

How Happiness is Changing in the U.S. With Dr. Lara Aknin

Each year, the release of the World Happiness Report gives new insight into global well-being. On this episode, host Paula Felps talks with Dr. Lara Aknin, a distinguished professor of psychology at Simon Fraser University and one of the editors of the report. Lara explains why the U.S. fell out of the top 20 happiest countries for the first time in the report’s history, which age group is thriving in the U.S., and shares some encouraging findings about how benevolence is changing worldwide. In this episode, you'll learn: What age group is happiest around the world — and how it differs in the U.S. What is driving unhappiness among America’s young people. Good news about well-being and dementia. Links and Resources: Download the World Happiness Report here. Read more about the disparity between happiness for young people and older people in the U.S. Follow Lara Aknin at @lbaknin Follow the World Happiness Report on LinkedIn and X. Follow along with the 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 dog visiting a patient in a hospital bed.

Healing Paws With Heather Stohr

 Plenty of research shows that pets can help us heal, and now even hospitals are warming up to the idea. On this episode, host Brittany Derrenbacher sits down with Heather Stohr, a certified child life specialist at Norton Children’s in Louisville, KY.  Heather manages the facility dog program at Norton Healthcare, which allows animals to play a very important role in the healing process for patients, families, and caregivers. Find out how they are changing lives one hospital bed at a time. In this episode, you'll learn: What a facility dog does in a hospital — and how it changes the way patients heal. How dogs are trained to become facility dogs. How dogs are also changing the lives of prisoners as they are being trained. Links and Resources Learn more about the Facility Dog Program at Norton Healthcare here. Learn more about Paws with Purpose here. Follow Juno the Facility Dog at @juno_bringsjoy Follow Brittany on social media: Website: https://www.sunshinehealingky.com/ Instagram: @lunabells_moonbows Instagram: @sunshinehealingky Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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A man reading literature

Meet Happy Activist Will Thomas and Celebrate the International Day of Happiness

March 20 is the International Day of Happiness, and that makes it the perfect time to meet Will Thomas, a Happy Activist who founded Good News magazine during the pandemic to give people a break from the steady stream of negative news. What was supposed to be a one-off publication has grown into a thriving media brand with magazines in eight communities. In this episode, Will joins host Paula Felps to explain how it evolved and why it’s so important to spread positivity in your own community. Then, Live Happy’s Casey Johnson and Laura Coppedge talk about how you can celebrate the International Day of Happiness and share some of their favorite ways to make the most of the day. In this episode, you'll learn: How sharing positive stories can change the way people see their community. Why it’s important to celebrate the International Day of Happiness. How to spread happiness on Live Happy’s Digital Happiness Wall. Links and Resources: Website: https://goodnewsmags.com/ Visit the Live Happy Digital Happiness Wall here. Download our month-long #HappyActs calendar here. Discover the history of #HappyActs here. Listen to Live Happy CEO Deborah Heisz explain the importance of happiness in the workplace on the Built to Win podcast. Follow along with the 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 woman flourishing from water her own plant.

Move From Surviving to Thriving With Brandi Sellerz-Jackson

If you feel like you’re stuck in survival mode, this week’s episode is just what the doula ordered! Host Paula Felps sits down with life doula and author Brandi Sellerz-Jackson to talk about her new book, On Thriving: Harnessing Joy Through Life’s Great Labors, which is part memoir, part roadmap to leading a happier, healthier life. She’s here to offer tips on how each of us can go from surviving to thriving and discovering true joy. In this episode, you'll learn: Why we should treat ourselves like a houseplant. The four labors of life that everyone experiences. Brandi’s three tips for cultivating joy. Links and Resources: Website: https://notsoprivateparts.life/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bstereo/ Follow along with this episode's transcript. 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 women high fiving each other

Celebrate International Women’s Day With Amber Olson Rourke

This week, we celebrate International Women’s Day, which makes it the perfect time to talk about how women can help empower and support each other. In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with Amber Olson Rourke, an award-winning marketing executive, mom, co-founder of the direct sales company Neora, and co-host of the Built to Win podcast. Amber is passionate about empowering women to step into their full potential and reach for more than they think is possible, and she’s here to talk about how we can look for opportunities to support one another — and how that can change the world. In this episode, you'll learn: The importance and value of women supporting each other. How raising girls to support one another can change their future. How to create your own community of supportive women. Links and Resources: Listen to Amber on the Built to Win podcast. Follow Amber on Instagram: @theamberrourke 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 group of people celebrating

Celebrating 10 Years of #HappyActs With Deborah K. Heisz

Throughout March, Live Happy celebrates Happiness Month with 31 days of happy actions that we call #HappyActs. This week, host Paula Felps talks with Live Happy CEO and co-founder Deborah Heisz about how we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary of #HappyActs and how you can share happiness with our new digital wall on the International Day of Happiness on March 20. In this episode, you'll learn: Why practicing happiness with intention is so good for you. What a #HappyAct is — and how you can practice them. New ways to celebrate the International Day of Happiness. Links and Resources: Learn more about #HappyActs here. Download your free calendar with 31 ideas for #HappyActs Follow along with this episode’s transcript by clicking here. Follow Live Hapy 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! Don't miss an episode! Live Happy Now is available at the following places:           
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Musicians on Call With Katy Epley

Musicians on Call with Katy Epley

 Music has the power to help us heal, and that’s why one Musicians on Call delivers music where it might be needed most: the hospital. This volunteer organization connects musicians with hospitals to provide live and recorded music to patients. In this episode, host Paula Felps is joined by Katy Epley, executive vice president at Musicians on Call, to learn how this program came about and how it has changed the lives of both patients and the musicians who perform for them. In this episode, you'll learn: The physical, emotional, and mental benefits of experiencing live music in a hospital setting. How this program has changed the landscape for accessing live music in the hospital. How to get involved with Musicians on Call. Links and Resources Visit their website. Sign up as a volunteer here. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musiciansoncall Twitter: https://twitter.com/musiciansoncall Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musiciansoncall TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@musiciansoncallorg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/musiciansoncall/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@musiciansoncall 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 sad woman in a puddle of her hair

Enduring the Loss of Love With Clare Mackintosh

Grief and loss are an inevitable aspect of love, and this week, best-selling author Clare Mackintosh sits down with host Paula Felps to discuss her new book, I Promise It Won’t Always Hurt Like This. Written years after the death of her son, it’s filled with important insights about love, loss, and the journey to healing — and shares hope for those who are walking through a painful time. In this episode, you'll learn: Why grief and love are two sides of the same coin. The importance of understanding grief before losing someone. How writing about grief can help with healing. Links and Resources: Website: https://us.claremackintosh.com/ Facebook: facebook.com/ClareMackWrites Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ClareMackint0sh 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 woman hugging herself

Embracing Self-Love with Brittany & Sarah

 This week, we celebrate Valentine’s Day, so today, we want to talk about the greatest love of your life — yourself. In this episode, host Paula Felps is joined by Brittany Derrenbacher and Sarah Pavey of The Healing Collective in Louisville, Kentucky. In their practices, Brittany and Sarah teach clients how to discover a deep lasting love for themselves, and they also hold workshops on creating self-love vision boards. Today, they’re sharing some insights on how self-love improves our lives and our relationships and offer some tips for starting your own self-love practice. In this episode, you'll learn: Why self-love is the foundation of all our relationships. How practicing self-love changes the way you interact with others. Simple ways to begin practicing self-love. Links and Resources: Visit The Healing Collective here. Download a printable poster of self-love affirmations here. Follow along with this episode's transcript by clicking here. Follow The Healing Collective on Social Media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healingcollectiveky/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/healingcollectiveky Learn how to make your own self-love vision board 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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One hand holding a brain and another hand holding a heart.

Rethinking Your Relationship with Dr. Julia DiGangi

It’s February, which means the message of love and Valentine’s Day is all around us. But did you know this is the make-or-break time for many couples? This week, host Paula Felps welcomes Dr. Julia DiGangi, a neuropsychologist and author of Energy Rising: The Neuroscience of Leading with Emotional Power. She’s here to discuss some common mistakes we make in our relationships and how we can improve those relationships by learning more about what our brains – not our hearts – are doing to complicate things. In this episode, you'll learn: The three styles of attachment and how they affect your relationships. How the patterns in your brain affect how you respond to your partner. Why self-love is a vital part of every relationship. Links and Resources Website: https://drjuliadigangi.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliadigangi/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjuliadigangi/ X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/drjuliadigangi Check out her live and on-demand courses 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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