Daily Happy

We talk a lot about productivity, performance, and burnout — but we don’t talk enough about laughter. Laughter isn’t just a break from work. It’s science. It boosts serotonin and dopamine, lowers stress hormones, and helps our brains reset. That’s why comfort shows like Friends still matter. They’re familiar, predictable, and emotionally safe — which is exactly what overwhelmed nervous systems nee...

Happiness doesn’t always come from big wins or perfect performance. Sometimes, it comes from simple activities that get us moving, connecting, and laughing—like bowling. Research consistently shows that moderate physical activity, social connection, and low-pressure play improve mood, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being. Bowling checks all three boxes. You move your body, interact with oth...

Science keeps confirming what yoga has said all along: slowing down actually helps us function better. Recent studies show yoga can reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, support heart health, and ease chronic pain. A 2023 meta-analysis in Frontiers in Psychiatry linked yoga to reduced anxiety and depression, while a 2022 randomized trial in the International Journal of Yoga found improvements...

Today’s Daily Happy comes from Elf — a movie that’s loud, silly, heartfelt, and surprisingly meaningful. On the surface, it’s a holiday comedy about Buddy, a human raised by elves who travels from the North Pole to New York City in search of his dad. It’s colorful, goofy, and full of laughs. But underneath all that sugar and syrup, Elf is really about choosing joy in a world that doesn’t always ma...

Ever notice how life sometimes feels less like a thrilling rollercoaster and more like you accidentally boarded the “Taxes & Traffic Jams” ride? That’s exactly why I’ve been thinking a lot about wonder —yes, the thing kids are pros at and adults forget exists somewhere between email 47 and 48. But here’s the twist: wonder isn’t childish. It’s a leadership superpower. When we pause long enough...

On The Daily Happy , I explored the practice of forest bathing—a mindful, restorative way to reconnect with nature and ease stress. What I love about it is how simple and accessible it is. Originating in Japan as shinrin-yoku , forest bathing is less about exercise and more about presence. No goals, no pace, no pressure. Just slowing down enough to let the natural world calm your mind. Research ha...

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Today is a powerful reminder of how much good we can create when we give — whether it’s donating, volunteering, or sharing a cause that matters. Many organizations offer matching gifts today, meaning your support can go even further. If you have a favorite nonprofit, today is the perfect day to donate. And if you can, consider supporting more than one cause — even small gifts make a big collective...

Leadership lessons, brought to you by… patience (and my dog, who insists on supervising everything). I’ve been practicing patience lately, and honestly? It’s making me happier than I expected. When I slow down and let things unfold, I notice more: the small wins at work, a thoughtful email instead of a rushed reply, even the way sunlight hits my desk in the afternoon. Life feels richer, less stres...

Leadership lessons, brought to you by hiking… and my dog, who thinks he’s the COO of the forest. I’ve recently taken up hiking, which is surprising because historically I only walk uphill when snacks are involved. But it turns out hiking is amazing for your mind—and your leadership skills. Hiking gives you perspective. Literally. You climb a hill, look around, and suddenly the problems you were st...

Hey hey, rockstars! I had an absolute blast interviewing Megan Caponiti and Kristin Hocker, the powerhouse hosts behind the Girls Get Real podcast.  Their podcast Girls Get Real pulls back the curtain on real, raw, and refreshing conversations that bring us closer to our daughters, our friends, and women across all generations. It’s bold, it’s heartfelt, and it’s exactly the kind of energy the wor...

Today’s Productivity Hack: Touch Things. Seriously. Yes, you read that right. Science says soft tactile experiences make us happier, calmer, and more focused. And no, I’m not talking about your keyboard (though a mechanical one does feel nice). Here’s what works: Weighted blankets – like a personal hug that doesn’t judge your life choices. Fuzzy socks – because apparently your feet deserve a promo...

Hey hey Rockstars, Ever realize most of life runs on one big unspoken group project — and nobody gave us the manual? That’s what I unpack in the latest episode of The Daily Happy , inspired by Steven Pinker’s new book When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows…: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life. Pinker dives into the fascinating idea that so much of society runs o...

Lately, I’ve been experimenting with something wild…  Curiosity. Turns out, it’s not just for cats or toddlers who ask “why?” 400 times a day. Science says curiosity actually makes us happier and smarter. (UC Davis researchers found that when we’re curious, our brains light up like a disco ball — releasing dopamine and improving memory.) Personally, it’s made my days more joyful and full. Yesterda...

Ever notice how the best leaders usually have the best laughs? Turns out, it’s not just charm — it’s science. Research from Stanford and Harvard shows that humor boosts creativity, trust, and resilience in teams. Translation: your next great idea might be hiding in your next laugh. I’ve seen it firsthand — a well-timed joke can melt tension faster than a PowerPoint full of KPIs. Leadership isn’t j...

Hey hey rockstars, Daily Happy here! Just finished It Doesn’t Have to Hurt by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and let me tell you — this one hit me right in the L3 and L4. Literally. As someone who has spent too much time negotiating with my lower back like it’s a difficult client, this book has been a revelation. Dr. Gupta mixes science, storytelling, and humor to explain that pain isn’t just a body problem —...

Ever feel like your leadership energy is… stuck behind your office chair? 🪑💥 Turns out, it might literally be your office chair. Feng shui isn’t just about where you put your couch — it’s leadership training disguised as interior design. When your space flows, your ideas do too. 🧠✨ A clear desk = clear decisions.  A well-placed plant = instant calm.  Facing a window instead of a wall = leaders...

Hey hey, rockstars! Today on The Daily Happy we’re serving up a marketing masterclass with a side of joy. Meet Dr. Engels — Associate Professor, marketing guru, and living proof that data can sparkle if you love it enough. From ad campaigns for Kraft and P&G to launching systems in Latin America to Snapple-level success, she’s basically the Beyoncé of branding. Tune in to hear how she finds ha...

The Daily Happy podcast is all about something we could all use a little more of — listening. Yep, that ancient skill that seems to be on the endangered list right next to handwritten thank-you notes and phone calls that don’t start with “Can you hear me now?” In our fast-talking, Slack-pinging, Zoom-juggling world, listening might just be the ultimate leadership superpower. It builds trust, creat...

Today’s Daily Happy podcast episode is going to the dogs — literally. We’re talking about how pets bring happiness, lower stress, and occasionally steal your sandwich when you’re not looking. Science says pets boost oxytocin and reduce cortisol, but honestly, my rescue dog Peanut just boosts my mood by existing… and following me everywhere like a furry personal assistant. He’s living proof that lo...

Some days life feels less like climbing a ladder and more like trying to fold a fitted sheet in public. That’s why this week’s Daily Happy podcast is all about grit —that magical mix of passion and perseverance that gets you through the tough stuff (and yes, even through a kale salad). Psychologist Angela Duckworth calls grit the “secret sauce of success.” I like to think of it as the Wi-Fi signal...

Hey hey rockstars, what if forgiveness was the ultimate productivity hack? Holding a grudge is basically like keeping 37 browser tabs open in your brain—draining energy and slowing everything down. Science shows forgiveness lowers stress, blood pressure, and even those headaches that sneak in halfway through your Zoom call. It’s like an instant system reboot—no IT ticket required. And imagine if o...

What’s making me happy is the movie Mamma Mia! This lighthearted romp through ABBA’s greatest hits never fails to lift my spirits. It’s especially close to my heart because when our daughter was a senior in high school, she starred as Donna in her school’s production. When she sang Dancing Queen, there were tears in my eyes—one of those moments you never forget. Beyond the fun, science shows that...

I’ve always admired Matthew McConaughey as an actor, but his book Poems and Prayers shows a whole new side of him—thoughtful, vulnerable, and deeply reflective. He explores the difference between being a “good person” and simply being a “nice person,” the importance of questioning our true north star, and how prayer can be a daily choice to calm our busy minds. For me, it’s a reminder that poetry...

This podcast conversation is about something close to my heart: remembering where you’re from. Our roots shape us, ground us, and give us strength—and science proves it. A 2025 study in Cognition & Emotion found that nostalgia helps us build stronger friendships and deeper connections. The Global Flourishing Study (2022–2023), with over 200,000 people in 22 countries, showed that positive chil...