Explore every episode of the podcast The Pursuit of Happywell
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep. 16 Socially Acceptable Addictions: How “Good” Habits Can Secretly Harm You | 30 Jun 2025 | 00:46:16 | |
What if your morning iced coffee, non-stop productivity, or daily scroll sessions were less about comfort and more about quiet compulsion? In this thought-provoking episode, Kristen and Scott Boss dive into the sneaky world of socially acceptable addictions—the habits we justify, celebrate, and even admire… but may be slowly sabotaging us. They unpack how culture often applauds behaviors like workaholism, exercise obsession, caffeine dependence, people-pleasing, and overcommitting—all while ignoring their deeper roots in stress, avoidance, and unmet emotional needs. This episode isn’t about shame—it’s about self-awareness. Tune in for practical questions to reflect on your own habits, real talk about coping vs. thriving, and gentle reframes to help you build a life that nourishes rather than numbs. What You'll Learn:
Your Happywell Homework: Pick one “harmless” habit this week. Pause it for a day or two. Notice what comes up. Reflect with curiosity, not criticism. Links & Mentions:
Loved the episode? Tag us on social (@pursuitofhappywell)and share your favorite aha moment! Subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Pursuit of Happywell. Take the Free Quiz: Discover your unique stress response and how it may be holding you back here: sonderalife.com/podquiz Timestamps:
We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at | |||
| Ep. 15 Why Success Scares Us More Than Failure | 23 Jun 2025 | 00:45:58 | |
Episode Summary: What if it’s not failure you’re afraid of—but success? In this deep-dive episode, Scott and Kristen unpack one of the most overlooked mindset blocks: the fear of success. Whether it’s the pressure to maintain, fear of visibility, or anxiety around losing relationships, success can stir up just as much fear as failure—and sometimes more. Drawing from personal stories, coaching experiences, and the latest psychology research (including insights from the Harvard Grant Study), Scott and Kristen break down the subconscious behaviors that show up when success feels unsafe. Think procrastination, underdelivering, quitting early, or constantly shifting goals. Sound familiar? You’ll learn:
Plus, get a peek into Kristen’s emotional journey from hairstylist to online educator—and the identity shifts that came with it. Take the Free Quiz: Discover your unique stress response and how it may be holding you back here: sonderalife.com/podquiz Timestamps: 0:00 - What if everything you’ve been told about happiness is wrong? 1:42 - Introducing the fear of success 4:26 - Why success can feel destabilizing 8:47 - Loss aversion and identity shifts 13:35 - Three hidden fears behind fear of success 18:33 - Subconscious behaviors and stress responses 27:20 - Under-delivering to protect your ego 32:31 - Signs you might fear finishing 39:36 - Happywell Homework: How to move forward We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com | |||
| Ep. 14 Compassionate Boundaries: How to Set Limits Without Guilt | 16 Jun 2025 | 00:53:13 | |
Do you break out in hives at the thought of setting a boundary? You’re not alone—and this week’s episode of The Pursuit of Happywell is a must-listen. Scott and Kristen dive deep into the emotional minefield of boundary-setting and reframe it as an act of kindness, connection, and self-respect—not cruelty. Building on last week’s episode on conflict resolution, this conversation explores:
With personal stories, powerful analogies (like dogs testing invisible fences), and practical takeaways, this episode is both soul-nourishing and eye-opening. If you're ready to stop abandoning yourself for the sake of “keeping the peace,” this one’s for you. Key Takeaways:
If this episode resonated with you, don’t keep it to yourself! Share it with a friend, leave a review, and hit that subscribe button. Have a boundary breakthrough? Comment on YouTube or tag @thehappywell on social media and tell us about it. And take the free Stress Type Quiz to discover your go-to stress response and learn how to manage it better. sonderalife.com/podquiz We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com Timestamps:
Guest/Host Info: Hosted by Kristen and Scott Boss, founders of The Happywell Podcast, this power duo brings both personal insight and practical wisdom to the table, blending emotional health, neuroscience, and relational wellness for a more grounded life. | |||
| Ep. 13 The 3 Words That Can Diffuse Almost Any Argument | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:45:02 | |
The 3 Words That Can Diffuse Almost Any ArgumentEpisode Overview: What if three simple words could change the entire trajectory of a conflict? In this powerful and vulnerable episode, Scott and Kristen Boss unpack the surprising phrase that has the potential to de-escalate tension, regulate your nervous system, and build stronger connections — whether you're in a romantic relationship, navigating friendships, or managing tough conversations at work. Drawing from personal experience and psychological insight, they explore why conflict escalates, how our stress responses shape our reactions, and what it takes to “fight clean.” Whether you tend to fight, flee, freeze, or fawn, this conversation will help you recognize your own patterns and give you practical tools to stay connected — even in the messiest moments. What You'll Learn:
Real-Life Moments & Relatable Humor: Expect heartfelt storytelling, moments of laughter (yes, including “spirit fingers”), and honest reflections from Scott and Kristen’s marriage and parenting experiences. You’ll walk away with a new lens on conflict and feel equipped with language that fosters deeper understanding. Happy Well Homework:
Resources Mentioned:
We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com Timestamps:
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| Ep. 12 “Why Am I Like This?” — Understanding Your Hidden Stress Response | 02 Jun 2025 | 00:44:01 | |
Episode Summary: Ever find yourself asking, "Why am I like this?"—especially when old habits creep in, despite your best efforts to change? This episode dives into the hidden patterns driving your behavior, especially in moments of stress. In this lively and relatable conversation, the hosts break down the four core nervous system stress responses—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and how they manifest in everyday life, from procrastination and perfectionism to people-pleasing and overworking. You’ll learn how these instinctive reactions influence everything from your personal goals to your relationships and leadership at work. This isn’t about fixing who you are—it’s about understanding how you respond to stress so you can pause, regulate, and make more aligned choices. The hosts also introduce a powerful new tool: the free APT (Adaptive Personality Type) quiz to help you identify your stress response and learn practical, personalized tools to regulate it. What You'll Learn:
Key Takeaways:
Resources & Links:
00:00 – Cold Open: Why do I keep doing things I don’t want to do? The relatable start to the episode. 00:27 – Welcome & Vibes: The hosts set the tone for a “short, sweet, and punchy” episode—and yes, Oreos and treadmills are back again. 01:30 – Personal Habits We Can't Break: Real-life confessions about staying up too late and tinkering with tasks—what avoidance really looks like. 03:00 – The Real Topic: Understanding why we repeat patterns that don’t serve us—and how short-term relief keeps us stuck long-term. 04:45 – When Plans Meet Reality: How stress derails habit-building and why our big goals often collapse under pressure. 05:45 – The Frustrated Question: Why we should shift from “Why am I like this?” to curious self-inquiry. 06:30 – What Is a Stress Response? Redefining stress—not just deadlines, but anything that feels like strain on the nervous system. 08:00 – The Four Stress Types Overview: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn—what they look like and why your body reacts this... | |||
| Ep. 11 Toxic Productivity: When Getting Things Done Becomes Self-Harm | 26 May 2025 | 00:41:23 | |
In this powerful and introspective episode of The Pursuit of Happywell, hosts Kristen and Scott dive into the culturally normalized trap of toxic productivity—the relentless drive to produce at the cost of your wellbeing. They explore how productivity becomes harmful when it's used to outrun shame, anxiety, or a fear of stillness, and why rest isn't laziness, it's necessary. Through candid storytelling and relatable insights, they unpack how hustle culture is subtly rewarded and how society often praises the very behaviors that are emotionally and physically depleting us. Kristin shares vulnerable reflections on her personal journey with burnout, shame-driven work habits, and the process of redefining success through rest, restoration, and presence. If you’ve ever felt guilty for taking a break, equated your worth with your output, or struggled to slow down without spiraling into self-criticism, this episode will resonate deeply. What You’ll Learn:
Key Takeaways:
We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com Timestamps:
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| Ep. 10 Dream or Drain? The Rise of the Intrapreneur | 19 May 2025 | 00:52:00 | |
Episode Summary: In this powerful and truth-packed episode, Kristen and Scott Boss challenge the glorified narrative of entrepreneurship that’s been sold to so many—especially in the age of hustle culture and Instagram highlight reels. Not everyone is made to be an entrepreneur, and that’s not a flaw. In fact, it could be your biggest strength. If you've ever felt burned out by building a business, questioned whether you're "wired for this," or wondered if there's a better way to do fulfilling work without the crushing pressure of being your own boss, this episode is your sigh of relief. They break down the common myths that sell a glamorized version of entrepreneurship—like "be your own boss," "work when you want," and "do what you love"—and expose the real stressors that come with the entrepreneurial life, including decision fatigue, emotional isolation, identity fusion, and uncertainty overload. Then, they introduce a refreshing and empowering alternative: the intrapreneur—the visionary team player who thrives within someone else's mission. You’ll discover the signs that you might be one and explore a list of exciting, flexible, high-impact roles you might have overlooked. This episode is your permission slip to pursue meaningful work that energizes you—instead of draining you. What You’ll Learn:
Key Takeaways:
We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com Timestamps:0:00 – Why not everyone should be an entrepreneur 2:30 – Debunking the “be your own boss” myth 6:00 – The illusion of time freedom 9:30 – Doing what you love vs. doing everything 13:00 – The money myth: Stability vs. unpredictability 15:30 – Are you really wired for this? 17:00 – The stressors that drain entrepreneurs 29:00 – Entrepreneur vs. Intrapreneur 33:00 – Signs you might be an intrapreneur 41:00 – 10 energizing intrapreneur career ideas 50:00 – Homework: Is your dream actually a drain? | |||
| Ep. 9 Money, Marriage & Meltdowns: Healing Financial Fights with Connection | 12 May 2025 | 00:52:26 | |
What happens when the “money talk” in marriage goes sideways—like, full-on flop-to-the-floor dramatic? In this candid and often hilarious episode, your favorite husband-wife duo unpacks the deep emotional layers tied to money in relationships. From childhood money stories to budgeting meltdowns (yes, there was floor-throwing), they get real about how financial conversations became less contentious and more connective over the years. This isn’t a budget spreadsheet how-to—this is the emotional psychology of how couples navigate money, power, autonomy, and values. You’ll hear about their first budgeting disaster, secret spending (ahem, Kohl's card), revenge buying, and ultimately how they found peace through shared vision, regular money dates, and understanding each other’s financial triggers. What You’ll Learn:
Key Takeaways: Money isn’t just about dollars—it's about emotional safety and autonomy Consistent, low-stress money check-ins can be intimacy-building Sharing a financial vision helps couples stop fighting and start dreaming Timestamps: 00:01 – Why money is the #2 reason for divorce 03:00 – The first budgeting fight (feat. a dramatic floor dive) 10:00 – How childhood shaped their views on money and control 16:30 – Spending vs. saving vs. shared vision 25:00 – Secret spending, autonomy, and “beauty budgets” 34:00 – Revenge spending (and how they caught themselves) 39:00 – Using the green-yellow-red light system for decisions 44:00 – How they made budgeting fun with sushi and values alignment 49:00 – This week’s Happy Well Homework challenge Thanks for listening! Reminder: there are still tickets available for the Breakthrough Live Summit happening this Friday, May 16th. Kristen and Scott will guide participants through exercises designed to create breakthrough, clarity, and forward momentum. Find out more and grab your ticket here. | |||
| Ep. 8 Behind the Scenes: The Raw Truth About Starting Over | 05 May 2025 | 00:59:24 | |
In this raw and candid behind-the-scenes episode, Kristen and Scott peel back the curtain on what it’s really like to start something new — together. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, changing careers, or simply stepping into a new life chapter, this conversation is for you. They dive into the high hopes, uncertainties, and unexpected lessons that come when you're building from scratch — all while doing life alongside your spouse. With very little prep and a whole lot of heart, they share stories about startup challenges, unexpected arguments (like co-working chaos and company names!), imposter syndrome, hiring a team, and staying grounded when the doubts creep in. This episode will inspire you to embrace uncertainty, trust the messy middle, and stay true to yourself even when reinvention feels scary. In This Episode, You'll Hear:
Key Takeaways:
Episode Timestamps:
If you're navigating a new beginning right now or looking to get inspired in your current season of life, Kristen and Scott would like to invite you to join their upcoming Breakthrough Live Summit. While the in-person event is sold out, virtual tickets are available for the May 16th intensive, where they'll guide participants through exercises designed to create breakthrough, clarity, and forward momentum. Find out more and grab your ticket here. | |||
| Ep. 7 Millennials and the Midlife Crisis: A Generational Shift | 28 Apr 2025 | 00:40:48 | |
Did you know millennials are experiencing midlife crises between 30-45, much earlier than previous generations? In this illuminating episode, Scott and Kristen reframe what we've been calling a "crisis" and reveal why it might actually be your greatest opportunity for growth. What you'll discover:
"Midlife is not about you going crazy. It's about you waking up to yourself and realizing what actually matters." - Kristen Tune in to discover how shifting from "crisis" to "breakthrough" can transform this challenging transition into the most meaningful chapter of your life. Share this episode with anyone wondering "is this it?" or contemplating a major life change without understanding the deeper shift happening underneath. We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com | |||
| Ep. 6 The Myth of Busyness: Are We Really Productive? | 21 Apr 2025 | 00:46:39 | |
Your calendar is packed. You're constantly checking items off your to-do list. So why does it feel like you're not getting anywhere? In this eye-opening episode, Scott and Kristen reveal how busyness has become our newest form of procrastination. What you'll discover:
"Being effective isn't about doing more. It's about doing what matters." - Scott Tune in to break free from the cycle of constant motion and learn how to create meaningful progress in your life and work. This episode is for every busy professional, entrepreneur, and caregiver who's ever wondered why all their effort isn't translating to the results they want. We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com | |||
| Ep. 5 Why Motivation Sets You Up for Failure (And What to Do Instead) | 14 Apr 2025 | 00:43:53 | |
Struggling to stick with your goals? In this eye-opening episode, Scott and Kristen challenge the common belief that all you need is motivation and willpower to create lasting change in your life. What you'll discover:
"Motivation might get you going, but systems will keep you growing." - Scott Tune in to discover why those bursts of inspiration keep fizzling out and learn the practical framework that actually creates lasting change in your life. We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com | |||
| Ep. 4 The Invisible Load: Why You’re So Exhausted | 07 Apr 2025 | 01:00:37 | |
Feel constantly drained but can't figure out why? In this eye-opening episode, Scott and Kristen dive into "the invisible load" – the unseen mental and emotional labor that's silently draining your energy. What you'll discover:
"The invisible load is the constant internal chatter and noise of running your day-to-day life... and I believe that is where a lot of strain, stress, burnout, and exhaustion really comes from." - Kristen Tune in to understand why you're so tired, learn to communicate your needs, and discover how to create systems that support rather than overwhelm you. We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell! Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com. | |||
| Ep. 3 Decoding Self-Sabotage | 31 Mar 2025 | 00:58:08 | |
Ever wonder why you reach for the cookies when you're on a diet? Or why you scroll through social media instead of tackling that important project? In this episode, Scott and Kristen reveal the surprising truth about self-sabotage: it's not what you think. What you'll discover:
"It's not your fault that you self-sabotage, but it is your responsibility to do something about it." - Kristen Tune in to transform your relationship with change and finally stop getting in your own way. We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell! Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com | |||
| Ep. 2 The Surprising Science to Happiness | 24 Mar 2025 | 00:47:53 | |
What if the secret to happiness isn't the bigger house, higher salary, or more Instagram followers? In this illuminating episode, Scott and Kristen dive into Harvard's groundbreaking 75-year happiness study that challenges everything we've been taught about success and fulfillment. What you'll discover:
"Your money doesn't get you through hard times. I believe your people do." - Scott Tune in to discover what truly creates a happy, well-lived life — and why it might be simpler than you think. Don't wait for a crisis to build community. As Kristen warns: "The next time you think about canceling those plans because you're too tired, cool. Then grab 15 cigarettes, because that's what you just did." We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com | |||
| Ep. 1 The Pursuit that Really Matters | 17 Mar 2025 | 00:32:35 | |
In this debut episode of The Pursuit of Happy Well, hosts Scott and Kristen introduce themselves and their vision for the show. After building a successful business that generated over $20 million in sales and served 8,000 students, they realized they needed to pivot toward something more aligned with what truly lit them up - helping people create fulfilled, balanced lives beyond just business success. Episode Highlights:
Join us on this journey of discovering what truly matters in creating a happy, well-lived life tailored to your unique values and goals. We also have an active community for listeners of The Pursuit of Happywell. Join our community on facebook: The Pursuit of Happywell Community or find the website at LiveHappywell.com | |||
| The Pursuit of Happywell OFFICIAL TRAILER!!! | 12 Mar 2025 | 00:02:44 | |
The secret is out! Kristen and Scott Boss are partnering up for a brand new podcast, "The Pursuit of Happywell." New episodes will be dropping every Monday (episode 1 is coming to you on March 17, 2025!). Come get your weekly Monday Mindset Drop with Kristen and Scott and be sure to join our podcast community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pursuitofhappywell | |||