Live Happy Now – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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 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.

The relationship between mothers and daughters can be tricky, so this week, host Paula Felps sit down with co-authors and mother/daughter duo Leslie and Lindsey Glass, who’ve just released the book, The Mother-Daughter Relationship Makeover: 4 Steps to Bring Back the Love. They know all too well how fraught the mother/daughter relationship can be, and they’re here to talk about what makes this relationship so difficult for many and how to start rebuilding fractured family ties.

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• The most common areas of conflict between mothers and daughters.
• Why learning your mother’s and grandmother’s mental health history plays an important role in the mother/daughter relationship.
• Where to start reconciling a damaged relationship.

As companions for our animals, most of like to take a hands-on approach. But learning the ancient art of Jin Shin Jyutsu can take that one step further by deepening the human/animal connection and keeping everyone happy and healthy. Join host Brittany Derrenbacher as she sits down with internationally known teacher Adele Leas, the originator of Jin Shin Jyutsu for animals. Although this practice was originally designed for humans, Adele has discovered its amazing ability to balance the body, mind, and spirit in diverse species of animals and now helps others learn how to use it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What Jin Shin Jyutsu is — and how it can improve health and happiness.
• How Adele discovered its powerful healing abilities.
• How it can be transformative for rescue animals.

We’re going to celebrate Mother’s Day in just a few days, but in reality, moms should celebrate themselves every day. This week, host Paula Felps sit down with Jennifer Mulholland, a working mom, conscious leadership expert, and co-author of the book Leading with Light: Choosing Conscious Leadership When You’re Ready for More. Jennifer’s work focuses on cultivating presence and rediscovering the light within, and she’s here to talk about how we can bring that business principle into our lives as mothers and how it can change the world for us — and around us.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What it means to be a mindful mother.
• Why our presence is the greatest gift we can give our loved ones.
• Simple tips for practicing being present even in chaotic times.

As we enter May — which is Mental Health Awareness Month — it’s the perfect time to talk about recent findings about Gen Z. Multiple recent studies show that Gen Z has unprecedented levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.  In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with Live Happy CEO and co-founder Deborah Heisz to talk about what’s causing this mental health crisis among young people and what we all can do about it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What recent research shows us about Gen Z’s mental health.
• How social media and traditional media are contributing to the problem.
• Why it’s important to be aware of this mental health crisis. 

In a time when we are increasingly distracted and overwhelmed, many people are rethinking what’s important and how to achieve it.  In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with acclaimed psychologist Emma Seppälä, author of the new book, Sovereign, who explains how our we can overcome the chaos around us and take steps to live a more vibrant, courageous life that aligns with our true desires and potential.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The danger of self-criticism and how to overcome it.
• The importance of becoming more aware of the information you’re exposing yourself to.
• How self-care improves every area of your life — and where to start.

As we get ready to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, it’s the perfect time to talk about how we can better care for our planet. In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with Live Happy Marketing Manager Casey Johnson, who created the Earth Day Happy Acts campaign and is a fierce advocate for the planet. She talks about the daily practices she uses to help preserve and protect Mother Earth.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why Millennials and Gen Z are so passionate about environmental issues.
• Small steps we all can take to help improve the health of the planet.
• The importance of being in nature and learning to appreciate it.

What if thinking about death could give more meaning to your life? In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with Jodi Wellman, who founded Four Thousand Mondays to help people make the most of the time they have left on this planet. Her new book, You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets furthers that mission by providing readers with a roadmap to live each day to the fullest. Find out how and why Jodi started this mission and how we all can live better by counting the Mondays we have left.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to prevent deathbed regrets.
• Why reflecting on death can help us start living the life of our dreams.
• How counting down the Mondays you have left can make them more valuable.