Hack Your Happiness

If you’ve ever felt like giving up on a dream - even one you’ve loved for years - you are not alone. This episode will show you how one of the world’s most beloved authors nearly walked away from her biggest idea more than once… and how trusting her gut changed everything. Shannon Messenger is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, a global fantasy phenom...

If you’ve ever felt unhappy for reasons you couldn’t name, your room COULD be part of the problem! This episode will show you why your space may be quietly influencing your happiness more than you think, and reveals exactly how to reverse engineer your space for more happiness. Michelle Ogundehin is one of the most trusted voices in design. She is the former ELLE Decoration editor-in-chief, head j...

Paige Adams-Geller has redefined how women feel in denim, but the real story is how she rebuilt confidence from the inside out. Paige Adams-Geller went from teenage model in NYC to the founder of a global fashion empire, PAIGE. Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Paige as she shares how moving from Alaska to NYC at 16 shaped her identity, what it took to heal from toxic environments in the modeli...

She became a bestseller before graduation. Today, we’re asking: what does joy look like after the dream comes true? Chloe Gong started writing at 13, turned a love of stories into a #1 New York Times–bestselling career by 21, and built a global community by simply being herself. Mercedes and Anastasia sit down with Chloe to talk about turning early doubt into momentum, lessons from her New Zealand...

If you’ve ever felt too different, too quiet, too you - this episode will remind you that those are the best parts of you. Today's conversation will change how you see yourself, and your “dorky” side. Rachel Renée Russell once put her writing dreams on hold after harsh criticism. Decades later, after her daughter, Nikki, underwent harsh bullying, they created Dork Diaries. This is a book series th...

If you’ve ever felt unseen, stuck in your head, or unsure how to truly accept yourself, this episode will change the way you see yourself and others. Dr. Caroline Fleck has coached CEOs and taught at Stanford. She has made it her life’s work to help people turn pain into purpose. But her insights come from more than research - they come from living it. After battling depression, multiple sclerosis...

At 75, she’s proof it’s never too late to transform your life. No matter who you are or what you’ve been through. Chef Babette Davis is a chef, entrepreneur, and fitness powerhouse who started over at 40, and built a life that radiates health, happiness, and self-love. In this inspiring and deeply motivating conversation, Chef Babette joins Mercedes and Anastasia to share how she went from hairsty...

He studies memory for a living, but the real twist is what we should forget. Dr. Charan Ranganath is one of the world’s leading memory scientists, and his groundbreaking research reveals how the key to happiness isn’t holding on — it’s letting go. In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Ranganath joins Mercedes and Anastasia to break down the science of memory, the connection between re...

She’s won four Olympic golds, made hockey history, and earned her M.D., but Hayley Wickenheiser will tell you the real victory isn’t on the scoreboard. From the rink to the ER to the Toronto Maple Leafs office, Hayley has mastered performing under pressure, and learned how to thrive in it. In this raw and inspiring conversation, she joins Mercedes and Anastasia top open up about her biggest pivots...

He turned a New York brewery into the best restaurant in the world, but the real story is how 'unreasonable hospitality' can change your life and happiness. Will Guidara is a renowned restaurateur, bestselling author, and Emmy-winning producer of The Bear , whose philosophy of giving people more than they expect can be applied to any aspect of life - including happiness. This week, Will joins Merc...

From college kitchen to global brand, Monique Volz's story began with healing. But, how did she turn pain into purpose? Monique was a college student, trying to find peace with food and herself. She turned her kitchen into therapy and transformed her life and mindset. What started as a creative outlet became Ambitious Kitchen , a recipe blog that has since grown into a beloved brand, a bestselling...

Most people think stress is something we just have to live with. Dr. Aditi Nerurkar knows that’s not true. A Harvard physician, stress expert, and bestselling author, Dr. Aditi has dedicated her career to showing how we can reset our brains and bodies for resilience, using both cutting-edge science and timeless wisdom. She sits with Mercedes and Anastasia for a fascinating and practical conversati...

As the Editor in Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, Jason Feifer has a front-row seat to the minds shaping our world. Many people define themselves by their title or role. Jason refuses to. In this episode, Jason sits down with Mercedes and Anastasia for an exciting and insightful conversation on optimism, resilience, identity, and the future of work. From his teenage years as a pessimistic kid to be...

Most people wait for permission to chase their dreams. Lauren Roberts didn’t, and it changed her life. At just 18, she self-published her debut fantasy novel Powerless, which went on to become a New York Times bestseller and a global phenomenon. Now at 23, Lauren has built a loyal online community of millions, navigated both self-publishing and traditional publishing, and continues to inspire a ge...

The first woman on Million Dollar Listing New York didn’t just sell apartments, she changed the game. With over half a billion in sales, a thriving brand, and a career in one of the most competitive markets in the world, Kirsten has proven that confidence, connection, and self-belief are just as important as closing the next big deal. She joins Mercedes and Anastasia for a raw and inspiring conver...

Actress Sara Canning has played unforgettable roles on screen, but her real story is even more powerful. The Vampire Diaries actress who moved cities at a young age to chase her dream, Sara has built a career as an incredible storyteller, while learning how to navigate change, pressure, and what it truly means to create your own joy. This week, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Sara for an hone...

Most people think happiness comes from achieving more, but Chade-Meng Tan has proven it can be cultivated from within. Former early Google engineer, known as Google’s “Jolly Good Fellow”, and the creator of the groundbreaking Search Inside Yourself program, Meng has dedicated his life to making mindfulness, compassion, and emotional intelligence accessible to everyone. He joins Mercedes and Anasta...

We’ve been told that food is just fuel, but the truth is, it’s one of the most powerful tools we have for happiness. Dr. Emily Leeming went from cooking on luxury yachts to decoding the science of gut health, and now, she’s here to help us all feel better from the inside out. In this episode, Mercedes and Anastasia sit down with chef-turned-researcher and author of Genius Gut for a fascinating con...

Rebecca Rusch is an Emmy-winning athlete, known around the world as “The Queen of Pain”, not because she seeks struggle, but because she refuses to let it stop her. This week, Mercedes and Anastasia sit down with Rebecca Rusch for a powerful conversation on resilience, reinvention, and the beauty of pushing past your limits. From racing through jungles and deserts to healing after a brain injury,...

She went from fighting for her life as a child to flying into space as the youngest American astronaut. In this episode, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Hayley Arceneaux. Hayley talks us through her experiences as a child with cancer, getting her dream job, and her unexpected opportunity to go to space! From her seat on the Inspiration4 mission (literally called “Hope”) to her daily habits of...

She’s the musical powerhouse behind some of Broadway’s most unforgettable shows! Andrea Grody has shaped productions like Suffs , The Band’s Visit , and more. This week, she's sitting with Mercedes and Anastasia for an honest and heartfelt conversation about following an unconventional career path, being a leader, and navigating chaos + uncertainty. Listen to learn about: How Andrea first fell in...

If you've ever said "I can't do this" or "I'm not smart enough" this conversation is for you! This week, Duncan Wardle sits with Mercedes and Anastasia. Duncan spent decades creating magic as the Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, leading teams at Imagineering, Pixar, Marvel, and more. Today, Duncan is a global speaker and author, helping people of all ages rediscover their creativity an...

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 powe...

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 musi...

He created one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time, Everybody Loves Raymond. Now, Phil Rosenthal travels the world, tasting food and learning about joy, in his Netflix series, Somebody Feed Phil. Today, Phil is joining Mercedes and Anastasia for a feel-good conversation about his journey into show business, and what he's learned from traveling the world! Phil dives into: What his travels have...