Hosted by Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut, teen co-founders of Small Bits of Happiness. The duo interviews celebrities, Olympians and more iconic individuals. Together, they share what brings them happiness + life hacks.
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Gain Confidence From Rejection & Criticism: Wakanda's Oscar-Winning Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter
Season 1 · Episode 87
Thursday, July 3, 2025 • Duration 01:00:38
She made history as the first Black woman to win an Oscar Award for costume design — and she did it twice. Ruth E. Carter is the visionary behind the unforgettable costumes of Black Panther, Malcolm X, and Do the Right Thing. This week, she’s joining Mercedes and Anastasia for an inspiring conversation about changing your path (initially, Ruth wanted to be a teacher!), resilience, and telling powerful stories through design.
Ruth gets deep about:
How she got started in costume design and found the courage to change her career path.
The skills every great costume designer needs + how she blends history, fantasy, and modern trends into her work.
Her top tips for collaboration, handling criticism, and staying inspired on big projects.
Behind-the-scenes stories from Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!
Advice for getting your creativity back.
Whether you dream of a creative career or simply want to hear from one of Hollywood’s most trailblazing artists, this episode will leave you feeling braver, bolder, and ready to design your own path.
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with 4x Oscar-winning Costume Designer, Catherine Martin. In this episode, Catherine unveils her hacks for a happy lifestyle, work-life balance, and her guide to feeling more confident: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0U5IjZZnu6KzYSVbkWP9Vw?si=hnzcLPFOTZy5M4mpL9la-g
(00:00) Intro
(02:42) How Ruth Got Started
(05:56) How Ruth Switched Life Trajectories
(09:22) Want To Make A Life Change? Do THIS First!
(10:15) What Are The Most Important Skills In Costume Design?
(13:00) Ruth On Mentorship
(16:25) The Lesson Ruth Wished She Had Learned Earlier
(20:46) How Does Ruth Blend History & Trends In Her Designs?
(27:48) Ruth's Top Tips For Collaboration
(31:55) How Can I Handle Criticism?
(37:18) Looking To The FUTURE Of Costume Design (AI, 3D Printing, And Beyond)
(42:30) How Can I Get Out of A Creative Slump?
(45:39) Behind The Scenes: Ruth's Most Challenging Costume
(48:17) Ruth's Most Memorable/Crazy Moment On SET!
(52:50) Ruth To Her Teen Self
(54:40) What Brings Ruth A Small Bit of Happiness?
(56:20) Ruth's Motivational Quote
(58:40) Key Takeaways
Stay Authentic When Everyone Wants You To Fit A Mold: Down With Webster
Season 1 · Episode 86
Thursday, June 26, 2025 • Duration 50:54
They were just teens when they started making music. Soon, they were on stage at the JUNOs. Tyler Armes and Cameron Hunter are two of members of the Canadian genre-blending band Down With Webster. Today, they’re joining Mercedes and Anastasia for a real talk about creativity, courage, and carving your own path.
Tyler and Cam dive into:
How Down With Webster got started, and how they balanced music with being teens in school.
What gave them the courage to go all in on music — even when it wasn’t the "safe" or conventional career path.
How they’ve stayed authentic, energized, and joyful after two decades in the music industry.
How to stay calm during creative stress, and their advice for navigating change.
Tyler and Cameron also share the music they love listening to, next steps for DWW, and more! Whether you're dreaming of a creative career or just want to hear from two wildly talented, down-to-earth artists, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to go for it.
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Country Music Star, Chris Lane. In this episode, Chris opens up about his journey, from chart-topping hits to life on the road, top tips for public speaking, and hacks for being more creative.
The Surprising Science of Giving (and Why It’s Good for You): Asha Curran
Season 1 · Episode 77
Thursday, April 24, 2025 • Duration 33:45
Asha Curran turned a simple idea into a global movement. The GivingTuesday founder joins Mercedes and Anastasia to share the backstory behind this global organization, and the benefits of generosity. Asha explains how anyone can give, in ways aside from financial, shares her thoughts on how technology will impact the future of philanthropy, and recalls some of the most memorable GivingTuesday donations. Listen in to learn how you can make a difference, tips to becoming more generous, and the vast personal benefits of helping others.
Visit the Small Bits of Happiness Website + Join The Happiness Family! https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with psychiatrist and professor, Dr. Kelli Harding. In this episode you'll discover the health benefits of kindness, what Dr. Harding learned while writing her bestselling book, and hacks to being kinder to both ourselves and others: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4gSvEhSCdKqchh9BQ4uTXq?si=LIX_KXmbRs6qNB9ehDFDBg
(00:00) Intro
(02:20) How Asha Got Started
(03:23) The Problem With Plans
(03:50) Asha's Greatest Challenge
(05:22) What Inspired GivingTuesday?
S’well Founder: “What If You Let Yourself Dream Bigger?”
Season 1 · Episode 76
Thursday, April 17, 2025 • Duration 55:03
Bold moves built S'well, one of the world's most recognized water bottles! Join Mercedes and Anastasia as they speak with the founder of S'well, Sarah Kauss. Sarah walks through her journey (from teenage-hood to exiting a multi-million dollar company), and the lessons she learned along the way. From leaving her stable accounting job, to pitching the CEO of Starbucks, Sarah recounts how being bold has shifted her journey. Listen in for advice to teens who feel stuck, hacks to being bold, and how anyone — with or without a business — can make a meaningful social impact.
Visit the Small Bits of Happiness Website + Join The Happiness Family! https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with the founder of Flytographer, Nicole Smith. In this episode you'll discover Nicole's journey to studying a travel-photographer company, how we can believe in ourselves, and hacks to resilience: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uUOITu7Hlarju1nswEbTy?si=uNTGFUnqRaWD7pWP3WT7Ow
(00:00) Intro
(02:00) How Sarah Got Started
(05:35) If You Feel Stuck In Life, Listen To This
(06:29) Sarah's Passion For Water
The Girl Who Climbed Everest: “This Is What the Mountain Taught Me About Myself”
Season 1 · Episode 75
Thursday, April 10, 2025 • Duration 47:08
Ever wondered what it takes to reach the top of the world? This week, Mercedes and Anastasia speak with Bonita Norris, the youngest person to summit both Mount Everest and reach the North Pole. Bonita started with no climbing experience, but she defied the odds and achieved her dreams by conquering some of the world’s tallest peaks. In this conversation, she shares how she overcame the challenges of securing a sponsor, and the ins & outs of preparing for her climb up Everest. Bonita describes her most memorable moments as a mountaineer, and shares how anyone can apply her learnings as a climber into their daily life. Tune in for hacks to perseverance, goal-setting, and staying motivated!
Visit the Small Bits of Happiness Website + Join The Happiness Family! https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Peloton instructor, Marcel Dinkins. In this episode you'll discover Marcel's journey from studying fashion - to working in the army - and now being a famous fitness instructor. She shares her advice for pivoting and learning, and her hacks to self-growth: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1hG2eZxQdcVL2BD9v0MWZx?si=dTOK3Gd3SQm0qrH9iCwd1Q
(00:00) Intro
(01:42) How Bonita Got Started
How a Navy SEAL Stays Calm Under Pressure! Rorke Denver
Season 1 · Episode 74
Thursday, April 3, 2025 • Duration 01:01:15
Adversity doesn’t break you – it builds you! Mercedes and Anastasia sit with Commander Rorke Denver, a former Navy SEAL, and current speaker and bestselling author. Rorke dives into his story of overcoming rejection after initially being denied entry to the Navy SEAL program, and his experiences in the forces. Rorke shares how he views motivation vs discipline (and how we can apply these principles into our lives), the power of a team, how to stay calm under pressure, as well as his hacks to overcome adversity - no matter the situation.
Visit the Small Bits of Happiness Website + Join The Happiness Family! https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with professor and NYT bestselling author, Angela Duckworth. In this episode you'll discover Angela's advice for how to have grit, her groundbreaking research, and hacks for becoming more perseverant: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2sNZ5KquzlAvzwbTDngjOD?si=10DC2QLYS9KC5gjZPVRrUg
(00:00) Intro
(01:35) How Rorke Got Started
(05:40) Life Doesn't Happen By Design
(06:48) Rorke's Greatest Challenge
(09:00) Look At Challenges Through This Lens
How to Reinvent Yourself - From the White House to Walking Away: Laura Gassner Otting
Season 1 · Episode 73
Thursday, March 27, 2025 • Duration 01:09:10
Change is inevitable - let's conquer it together! Today, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Laura Gassner Otting. A WSJ Bestselling author, TEDx Speaker, and renowned keynote speaker; Laura is everyone's favorite hype-woman. Laura takes us through the twists and turns of her journey; from working at the White House, to quitting her job, and where she's at, today. Additionally, Laura breaks down how we can exit the victim mentality, practical tips for thriving through life's toughest moments, and hacks for embracing change. Plus, she shares her secrets to mastering public speaking.
Visit the Small Bits of Happiness Website + Join The Happiness Family! https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with celebrity life coach, Tim Storey. In this episode you'll discover Tim's advice for turning setbacks into comebacks, the key to approaching failures, and hacks for goal-setting: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4VE28XWHGTMYBsuDZiGfzm?si=IeleftRaSeS1ptb_KfOupw
(00:00) Intro
(01:41) How Laura Got Started
(05:05) Don't Have It All Figured Out
(06:58) How Can I Stop Worrying About What Others Think?
How to Turn Setbacks Into Comebacks — From a World Champion Racer: Robyn Benincasa
Season 1 · Episode 72
Thursday, March 20, 2025 • Duration 01:03:43
Ready for a masterclass in resilience? Robyn Benincasa is a two-time World Champion Adventure Racer, and a top keynote speaker. This week, Robyn shares some of her most extreme stories as an adventure racer, how she shapes her mindset to favor her outcomes, and how to work well with others - especially under pressure. Next, Robyn opens up about how anyone can persevere through challenges, and tells us more about her non-profit, Project Athena: helping others achieve their adventurous dreams & turn setbacks into comebacks!
Visit the Small Bits of Happiness Website + Join The Happiness Family! https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/
(00:00) Intro
(01:28) How Robyn Got Started
(05:28) The Intersection
(06:43) Follow Your Inclinations
(09:37) Robyn's Greatest Challenge
(15:26) The Impact of Our Community
(18:15) Robyn's Top Three Tips
Body Language Hacks from One of the World’s Top Experts: Traci Brown
Season 1 · Episode 71
Thursday, March 13, 2025 • Duration 55:01
Your body speaks louder than words—Traci Brown reveals how to understand it like a pro! In this episode of Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia sit with Traci Brown. One of the top three body language experts worldwide, TIME Magazine has named Traci one of the nation’s top deception detection experts. She’s trained alongside top law enforcement, and is a bestselling author. Traci walks us through how body language impacts confidence and mindset (and how to use body language to boost both!), explains how to understand what is revealed through the body language of others, and shares tangible case studies from her own forensic work.
Visit the Small Bits of Happiness Website + Join The Happiness Family! https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/
(00:00) Intro
(01:31) How Traci Got Started
(04:46) Predicting Winners Based On Body Language
(06:09) Traci's Greatest Challenge
(08:24) How Can I Bet On Myself?
(10:32) How Do Business & Body Language Go Hand-In-Hand?
(17:24) Must-Know Body Language Cues
(23:23) Using Body Language To Help Others
How Curiosity Changed Malcolm Gladwell's Life, And Can Change Yours!
Season 1 · Episode 70
Thursday, March 6, 2025 • Duration 55:40
Want to know the key to lifelong learning and happiness? Malcolm Gladwell joins Mercedes and Anastasia in this weeks episode of Hack Your Happiness. The bestselling author and podcaster shares how he came to be one of the most influential authors of our time, and small moments that have made a large impact in his life. Malcolm describes why we should all be more curious, and how to seek curiosity daily. Even more, listen to learn what a monoculture is, and how to avoid this social pitfall!
Visit the Small Bits of Happiness Website + Join The Happiness Family! https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/
Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with professor, neuroscientist, and bestselling author, Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett. In this episode you'll discover Dr. Feldman Barrett's advice for managing your emotions, her most surprising research discoveries, and how she came to be one of the most influential figures in understanding emotions: https://open.spotify.com/episode/06kryg38VZ1cDONvr7zoQp?si=KidDAlBuSW-hKkrSDOVhMA
(03:18) Balancing DWW With School, Friends, & Being A Teen
(06:42) How Can I Be More Perseverant?
(10:30) Navigating The Friend vs Coworker Boundary
(12:19) Advice For Pursuing A Less Conventional Career
(15:47) What Gave Tyler & Camm Courage To Pursue An Unconventional Career?
(18:30) Hacks To Finding Fun In Daily Life
(22:10) How Do Tyler & Camm Manage Stress?
(24:06) Tyler & Camm On Their DWW Hiatus
(30:10) Must-Hear Analogy For LIFE
(31:46) Facing Pressure To Fit Into A Mold + Tips For Staying Authentic
(35:08) Navigating Industry & Personal Change
(37:40) Why Release 'Love Is Not Enough'?
(40:25) How Can I Be A Better Collaborator?
(42:33) Tyler & Camm's Favorite Music
(44:04) Advice To Aspiring/Starting Musicians
(45:37) Tyler & Camm To Their Teen Selves
(46:42) What Brings Tyler & Camm A Small Bit of Happiness?
(47:42) Find Tyler & Camm Here
(48:53) Key Takeaways
(09:02) The World Is A Better Place Than It Seems
(12:06) Asha's Top Three Tips
(16:34) The Most Surprising & Meaningful GivingTuesday Contributions
(19:50) What Role Does Tech & Social Media Play In Philanthropy?
(23:36) How Can I Give Back/Support My Community?
(25:16) GivingTuesday Spark
(28:16) What Brings Asha A Small Bit of Happiness?
(29:40) Asha To Her Teen Self
(30:46) Asha's Motivational Quote
(32:02) Key Takeaways
(08:15) Sarah's Greatest Challenge
(10:58) Pursuing Rather Than Conforming
(14:13) How Can I Avoid Feeling Stuck
(16:45) Learn What You Dislike
(18:12) Starting S'well
(19:21) Sarah's Greatest Learning From Harvard Business School
(21:37) How Can I Attain A Healthy Confidence?
(24:53) A Note On Relationships
(25:20) Business vs Social Impact
(30:58) How Can I Find A Supportive Community?
(32:48) How Can I Make A Positive Impact?
(35:25) Sarah's Top Three Tips
(40:53) Working Smarter, Not Harder
(44:00) Behind The Scenes of Building S'well
(46:16) Sarah's Greatest Thanks Goes To...
(47:20) Life Post S'well Exit
(49:35) Sarah To Her Teen Self
(50:48) What Brings Sarah A Small Bit of Happiness?
(51:57) Sarah's Motivational Quote
(53:29) Key Takeaways
(03:39) Bonita's Greatest Challenge
(06:14) Success and Failure Existing Side-By-Side
(08:51) Bonita's Top Three Tips
(12:27) Bonita As A Teenager
(15:12) The 'Mountain' of Gaining A Sponsor
(18:47) Here's Why You Should Not Give Up
(19:53) How Can I Manage External Doubt?
(24:45) How Can I Believe In Myself?
(28:14) Training For Everest: Physical vs Mental Prep
(30:56) Release What You Cannot Control
(31:54) Bonita's Craziest + Best Memory From Mt. Everest
(35:33) What Is Bonita's Greatest Learning From Mountaineering?
(36:17) The Importance of A Team
(39:42) Adventure's Impact On Our Happiness
(43:31) What Brings Bonita A Small Bit of Happiness?
(45:24) Key Takeaways
(09:21) Not Getting Accepting Into The Navy SEALs
(12:27) How Can I Deal With Rejection?
(13:20) Motivation vs Discipline
(14:42) How Can I Be More Disciplined?(18:48) The Bond of Navy SEAL Teams
(22:32) Top Tip For Being A Good Team Member
(27:04) Rorke's Top Three Tips
(32:32) How Can I Stay Calm Under Pressure?
(35:58) Rorke's Advice For Going Into Difficult Situations
(42:14) How Rorke Spends Family Time
(43:52) Rorke's TOP Lesson From Being A Navy SEAL
(45:19) How Can I Know When To Quit?
(47:10) Rorke On Change + What's Next For Him
(51:35) The First Person To Believe In Rorke
(54:27) What Brings Rorke A Small Bit of Happiness?
(56:26) Rorke's Motivational Quote
(58:57) Key Takeaways
(07:38) Laura's Top Hack For Public Speaking
(09:00) Laura's Greatest Challenge
(11:50) You Need This Mindset Hack
(13:57) What Laura Learned From Interviewing TOP Individuals
(17:27) How Can I Figure Out What Matters To Me?
(20:45) Laura's Top Three Tips
(24:37) Be SUPER Careful With This Choice
(31:14) Advice To Overcome Imposter Syndrome
(36:25) Laura On The Victim Mentality
(40:00) Go To School On What You Did Right
(41:49) How Can I Focus On The Process, Rather Than The Destination?
(46:41) Don't Box Yourself
(48:40) This Is Why You Can Have It All
(51:00) Does My College Major Affect The Rest of My Future?
(51:57) More Public Speaking Hacks
(58:59) Laura's Unexpected Struggle
(01:01:21) How To Tap Into Your Strengths
(01:02:29) Laura To Her Teen Self
(01:03:40) What Brings Laura A Small Bit of Happiness?
(01:06:43) Key Takeaways
(25:29) What Are Traits of A Good Team Member?
(30:10) How To Exit The Victim Mindset
(32:47) What Is Project Athena?(38:04) Find New Forms of Control
(40:13) What Is Robyn's GRIT?
(45:22) Set Goals Without Getting Overwhelmed(51:46) Robyn To Her Teen Self
(55:35) What Brings Robyn A Small Bit of Happiness?
(58:37) Robyn's Motivational Quote
(1:02:28) Key Takeaways
(28:18) Do THIS With Your Body Language To Feel Happier
(33:41) What's The Spotlight Effect?
(34:50) Traci's Top Three Tips
(36:36) Body Language In Friendship
(40:49) Do THIS With Your Body Language For Confidence
(42:54) Forensic Problem-Solving
(45:09) Traci To Her Teen Self
(46:34) What Brings Traci A Small Bit of Happiness?
(48:26) Traci's Motivational Quote
(50:03) Give Yourself 100%
(53:44) Key Takeaways
(03:00) Malcolm's Greatest Challenge
(04:46) What Drew Malcolm To This Book Genre?
(07:11) The Moment That Made A BIG Impact
(11:00) Malcolm's View of Happiness
(13:41) What Malcolm Learned From His Dad
(15:42) How Can I Have More Positive Interactions?
(16:33) Does Empathy Play A Role In Happiness?
(19:03) Malcolm's Top Three Tips
(20:16) How Malcolm Furthers His Learning
(24:27) Malcolm On Starting A Production Company
(25:40) How Malcolm Curates A New Book
(29:32) Which Case Study Stands Out To Malcolm?
(31:53) Monoculture - What It Is + How To Avoid It
(35:00) How Can I Embrace My Unique Traits?
(37:36) Accessing Your Subconscious Thoughts
(42:47) How To Confront Your Mistakes
(47:48) A Personal Legacy
(49:35) Malcolm To His Teen Self
(51:20) What Brings Malcolm A Small Bit of Happiness?
(52:06) Malcolm's Motivational Quote
(53:31) Key Takeaways
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