Carousel of Happiness Podcast

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today’s episode, we’ll introduce you to lifelong Nederland summer resident, Mary Quinlan Wingate. You’ll learn how a mother of three changed Nederland for the better and how her legacy lives on to this day. Think you need millions of social media followers or millions of dollars to make a difference? Not true. And we'll explain why on today&apo...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today’s episode, we share a story of a group of veterans and their families who visited the carousel from the Travis Manion Foundation a couple of weeks ago. You’ll learn about the mission of the organization, its leadership philosophy, and the meaning of the organization’s motto – “If not me, then who.” Want to learn more about the Travis Manion Fo...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today’s episode, I’m going to share an interview I did last week with Ron Francis. Ron is the host of the Peace, Love, Moto Podcast, a podcast based in Loveland, Colorado that explores the intersection between mindfulness and motorcycling.  While Ron lives in Loveland, he regularly rides through Nederland. He and Scott have been friends for a while...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today’s episode, we explore what to do when it feels like the world is on fire. Join host Allie Wagner as she shares a TedTalk by writer and creative coach, Amie McNee, who makes the argument that creativity is not a selfish act, but rather the solution to our world’s current problems.  On today's episode, we'll explore her argument by act...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today’s episode, host Allie Wagner shares a story about how she arrived at the carousel last Friday morning to discover seven carousel animals missing. Who left? Where are they? Did they get back in time?  Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message! Support the show The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedic...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today’s episode, we wrap up our two-part conversation with Seer, Healer, and Artist, Cypress Willet. (Check out Episode 27 to listen to the first part of our conversation.) Join host Allie Wagner as she shares with you what it was like to experience firsthand the shamanic practice of “soul retrieval” with Cypress in Longmont. In what she describes a...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today’s episode, we meet Seer, Healer, and Artist, Cypress Willett. You might remember I met Cypress on my visit to the Warrior Storyfield in Longmont. And, if you’ve been to the carousel recently, you’ve seen Cypress’s work. High above the carousel, surrounding the ceiling, you’ll find  a series of brightly colored stained glass windows made just f...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, you'll meet Carousel of Happiness Board President, Charles Wood. Charles has been involved with the carousel for 12 years now, and has had pretty much every single job in this place. In addition to serving on the board, Charles has been a volunteer, he’s worked the front desk, he’s been an operator, and briefly he served a...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, host Allie Wagner guides you through a carousel-themed meditation. Find a cozy spot, quiet your mind, and see what's possible when you are present with questions from the Wonder Box! Did you get a great idea? Follow up on an exciting impulse? Click the link below to send a quick text message to Allie.  Do you have a story...

Welcome the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, we talk about  what happened on the podcast last week, how it relates to the carousel, and how we’re going to move forward together on the podcast. Host Allie Wagner tells you about a text she got from a friend, as well as one she got from Scott about last week’s episode. Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message! Support t...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.  On today's episode, we see what happens when we throw the playbook out the window. Join host Allie Wagner as we rumble (and ramble) off the rails slightly in this improvisational episode about creativity, compassionate empathy, and the power of the present moment.   Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message! Support the show The Carousel o...

Welcome the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, we celebrate a peaceful transition of power at the Carousel of Happiness. Madam Piglet Eunice Stardust becomes the 2025 Mayor of the Carousel. We hear details about the election, Allie shares an idea in a book she read on vacation, and we'll explore the power of asking the question "what if?" Want to hear more about...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today’s episode we’re going to hear the story of Pat Craig and the Wild Animal Sanctuary. Did you know over 30,000 acres in the state of Colorado is home to over 950 lions, tigers, bears, and other exotic animals? We’ll find out how this came to be, what the captive wildlife crisis is, and how compassionate empathy can change the world. Check out th...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today’s episode, we’re taking a quick break to celebrate and reflect on how far we’ve come together on the podcast. Host, Allie Wagner, tells you about a camping trip she's planning, and we’ll explore why it makes sense to celebrate “what is” on your way to accomplishing "what's next." Don't forget to vote for Mayor of the C...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.  On today’s episode, we continue the conversation about the creative process by focusing on the Muse. How do Muses inspire creativity? Who was Scott’s Muse? Host, Allie Wagner, introduces you to the Twirling Girl and the other “hitchhikers” of the carousel – animals who’ve hitch a ride on the carousel in the wooden sweeps and metal supports above. Don&...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today’s episode, you'll meet Carousel Operator, Burt Rashbaum. He’s one of only a handful of people who have the distinct privilege of operating the carousel, something he has done since September 2010. In addition to operating a carousel, Burt is a multi-hyphenate artist who has spent his entire life soaking up the details of his life, and pro...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. As many of you know, Elephant was reported missing in the local Mountain Ear newspaper a couple of weeks ago. But, we at the Carousel of Happiness, need to set the record straight on a few things. Turns out they got some details wrong. On today’s episode, you’ll hear the true story of Elephant’s disappearance and what actually happened that night. Don&...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, host, Allie Wagner sits down with JoLee Wingerson, a Boulder-based animal communicator with almost 25 years of experience. For more than two decades, JoLee has communicated with animals on behalf of humans, and vice versa, and has some powerful things to say about our spiritual relationship with animals. You’ll learn what anima...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, you'll meet gift shop manager and social media maven, Pat Hagberg. Pat was the original “girl boss” before that was even a term, and upon retirement, she found her way to the carousel in 2012. Chances are, whether you are young or old, if you’ve walked through the carousel doors, you’ve had the opportunity to experience Pa...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's show, you'll meet Boulder County Open Space Ranger, Kevin Grady, and his "Miracle Dog," Dottie. You'll learn about how they started working together, and how a mysterious accident caused them to deepen their bond and connection to one another. Take a listen for your daily dose of miracles, and for a story about the h...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, we learn more about the Warrior Storyfield project in Longmont, and how a veterans are being healed and shaped by a 16 ft. dragon, an 18 ft. phoenix, and the space in between. Join us for an exploration of the healing power of working with metal and fire. Today's episode is sponsored by the fire-breathing folks over in the...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, host Allie Wagner shares a recent visit she took to the local Tail of Two Cities animal sanctuary just outside Nederland. You’ll hear stories of sassy pigs, baby yaks, and sneaky dogs, and we’ll talk about the power of radical love and acceptance of all. This episode is sponsored by the Porcine Party to Elect Pig for Mayor. Don...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, we are beginning our Mayoral Election Coverage for 2025. For the next 7 weeks, we will join together to strengthen our love and compassion muscles, all while raising money for the carousel in the process. You'll be inundated with warm, fuzzy, uplifting stories, adorable animals, and lots and lots of puns.  Each week, there...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, host Allie Wagner answers some of your carousel-related questions from the Wonder Box. Like “why is the fish so small?” and “how fast is the cheetah?” You'll also learn how many riders we see each day, as well as how the music in the carousel works. Plus, we’ll explore what the fish and cheetah can teach us about how to ac...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, host Allie Wagner digs into the Wonder Box, and fishes out some of your questions and musings about life, love, joy, and peace. We’ll discuss the healing power of wonder and awe – how it connects us to one another, the world around us, and something larger than ourselves. We’ll learn how awe improves our physiology, our communi...