Live Happy Now

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.

During chaotic times, our ability to adapt is more important than ever. In this episode, resilience expert and author Anne Grady sits down with host Paula Felps to share how to stay grounded in a world that’s changing faster than our nervous systems can keep up. Drawing on personal experiences and insights from her new book EvolvAbility, Anne explains why adaptability is not a soft skill but a critical survival skill. In this episode, you’ll learn: Anne’s EVOLVE framework and how emotions shape our reactions. How to reduce overwhelm and navigate uncertainty with intention. How simple, science-backed practices — like gratitude, humor, and setting boundaries — build adaptability over time.

Hope isn’t a soft emotion; it’s a powerful, science‑backed strategy for navigating stress, uncertainty, and the challenges of modern life. In this episode, resiliency expert Dr. Robyne Hanley‑Dafoe joins host Paula Felps to discuss strategies from her new book, I Hope So: How to Choose Hope Even When It’s Hard. Dr. Robyne explains how cultivating a hope practice can calm the nervous system, strengthen resilience, deepen connection, and help us show up more fully for ourselves and others, even in difficult times. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why hope is different from optimism — and why it’s a more sustainable tool for resilience. How hope physiologically shifts your brain and body, helping you think more clearly and make better decisions under stress. Simple daily practices to build a “hope habit,” from morning rituals to community‑building conversations that elevate your emotional well‑being.

We know we need friends, but finding “our people” can be hard! In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with therapist and author Anna Runkle about why so many of us struggle to build meaningful friendships, how covert avoidance keeps us from true connection, and what practical steps help us identify the relationships that genuinely support who we’re becoming. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why finding your people matters more than simply having people. How to recognize red flags, energy drains, and covert avoidance. Practical steps and mindset shifts that make adult friendship easier and more authentic.

As we kick off International Friendship Month, it’s the perfect time to talk about what it means to be a friend in a world that often feels disconnected. Join host Paula Felps as she sits down with award‑winning filmmaker and author Barnet Bain to explore the surprising origins of his fascination with friendship, the “bubble” we all live inside, and why genuine connection requires presence, curiosity, and courage. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why friendship is a skill — not something we simply “fall into.” How to create safety, consistency, and presence in your closest relationships. A simple 24‑hour practice that can transform how you see and respond to others.

We all have a deep desire to matter, but do we know why? In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with philosopher and author Rebecca Newberger Goldstein to explore the “mattering instinct” and why it shapes everything from our personal fulfillment to our political divides. She explains our longing to feel significant influences our choices, our relationships, and even our conflicts — and how reframing our own mattering projects can lead to a more meaningful, connected life. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the need to matter often drives us more powerfully than the need to be happy. How different “mattering projects” shape our behavior and our relationships. What we can do — individually and collectively — to create a world where everyone feels they count.

If you’ve been hearing everyone talk about the vagus nerve but aren’t totally sure what the buzz is about, this episode is your shortcut to understanding it. Trauma therapist, author, and polyvagal expert Rebecca Kase joins host Paula Felps to break down what the vagus nerve actually does, why it affects everything from your stress levels to your relationships, and how simple daily practices can help you feel calmer, more connected, and more resilient. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why the vagus nerve plays such a central role in both physical and emotional well-being. How breathwork and other everyday practices can strengthen vagal tone. What your nervous system has to do with connection, compassion, and healthier relationships.

Are you thriving in life, or merely surviving? This week, host Paula Felps talks with leadership coach Jon Rosemberg, author of A Guide to Thriving, to explore what it truly means to thrive. Jon shares how connection and purpose shape our capacity to flourish, and introduces his AIR framework (Awareness, Inquiry, Reframing) to provide practical, compassionate guidance for building habits that support long‑term thriving. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why thriving is not the same as succeeding. How to recognize when you’re stuck in survival mode. A simple, science‑based formula for increasing your sense of agency.

To kick off the new year, host Paula Felps sits down with Jodi Wellman, author of You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets, to explore how to make the most of the new year. Jodi explains how embracing life’s ultimate deadline can spark astonishing aliveness and help us break free from our comfort zones, rediscover what lights us up, and consciously reprioritize what truly matters. Listen as Jodi tells us how to stop postponing joy and start living like we mean it. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why acknowledging life’s “deadline” can motivate us to live more fully. How to recognize signs of feeling “dead inside” and reignite vitality. Practical ways to say yes to experiences that create meaning and aliveness.

As we look toward the new year, it’s the perfect time to look at how to make lasting change. In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with Madi Murphy — author of In the Cosmic Zone and host of the CosmicRX Podcast — to explore how astrology, neuroscience, spirituality, and practical tools can help us ignite our purpose as we step into a new year. Madi shares her personal journey of transformation, the lessons she’s learned from leaving her comfort zone, and how we can all activate our purpose rather than simply search for it. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why leaving your comfort zone is essential for growth — and how to recognize when it’s time. How to activate your purpose through alignment, rather than waiting to “discover” it. Practical tools and mindset practices to overcome blocks and live in flow more often.

This is the season for giving back, which makes it the perfect time to talk to a Holiday Happy Activist! In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with Lindsay Morehead-Oates, a Dallas-based graphic designer who has turned her passion for giving into meaningful action. Lindsay shares how her early experiences with volunteering shaped her values, why she continues to dedicate time to both people and animals, and how she recently fulfilled a long-time dream by cooking and delivering Thanksgiving meals to those in need. In this episode, you’ll learn: How childhood traditions like the Angel Tree inspired Lindsay’s lifelong commitment to giving. Why volunteering at a wildlife refuge and serving her community bring her joy and perspective. How she and her best friend turned a simple idea into a Thanksgiving feast for 50 people, proving that generosity can be both affordable and transformative

The holidays are a time for togetherness — so why do so many people feel lonely during this time of year? This week, host Paula Felps sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Jody Carrington to talk about why loneliness feels worse during the holiday season, the role modern technology plays in increasing loneliness, and how we can navigate holiday loneliness and rediscover joy through authentic connection. You’ll also learn about the Live Happy Holiday Loneliness Toolkit, filled with resources to support anyone who is navigating feelings of isolation during the holiday season. In this episode, you'll learn: Why loneliness is not just a mental health issue but a human epidemic shaped by modern life. How emotional regulation practices — like simple body cues — can help restore connection and reduce stress. Practical ways to build depth in relationships, embrace chosen family, and find community during the holidays.

As the holidays approach and everyone gets busier than ever, feelings of goodwill can give way to stress and anxiety. This week, host Paula Felps sits down with licensed mental health counselor Travis McNulty, clinical director and founder of McNulty Counseling and Wellness, to explore how we can reduce holiday stress and emotional overwhelm. Travis explains why the season often triggers old family roles and patterns, how expectations can set us up for disappointment, and what practical tools we can use to stay grounded. From breathing techniques to boundary-setting, he shares strategies to help us move through the holidays with more calm, intention, and joy. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why holiday environments can trigger old emotional roles and stress responses. Simple tools like exercise and diaphragmatic breathing to calm the nervous system. How setting boundaries and redefining expectations can make the holidays more enjoyable.

As the holidays approach, it’s time to plan family gatherings — and that can often mean stress and conflict. In this episode, host Paula Felps welcomes mother-daughter duo Leslie and Lindsey Glass, authors of the Mother Daughter Relationship Makeover Workbook to explore the emotional complexities of family dynamics during the holidays. Drawing from their personal journey and professional work in recovery and relational healing, they unpack why the season often amplifies unresolved tensions — and how to navigate them with compassion, boundaries, and grace. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to set loving boundaries before holiday gatherings to reduce conflict and anxiety. Why childhood memories can distort present-day interactions — and how to reframe them. Tips for navigating grief, crisis, or estrangement during the holiday season.