Hack Your Happiness

Nathalia Holt joins Hack Your Happiness to share her hacks to authenticity. As a Best-Selling Author of books focused on sharing the stories of women behind historical events and projects, Nathalia has first-hand experience with facing criticism and rejection. Listen in as Nathalia shares her writing journey, advice to aspiring authors, and hacks to being authentic - regardless of what others say....

In this uplifting episode, Mercedes and Anastasia sit down with 4-time Oscar winning set & costume designer Catherine Martin to delve into the art of living a happier life. Catherine's work includes countless collaborations with her husband, Baz Luhrmann, on films including Elvis, The Great Gatsby, Romeo & Juliet and more. Catherine shares her invaluable hacks on boosting confidence, m...

This week, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by renowned psychologist and bestselling author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance , Angela Duckworth. Angela shares her groundbreaking research on grit and her personal journey (and challenges) of resilience and perseverance. Angela unveils practical hacks and actionable strategies for anyone to grow their perseverance. Want more happiness!...

Dr. Kelli Harding sits down with Mercedes and Anastasia in this week's episode. Kelli is a Columbia University professor and author of The Rabbit Effect, a book explaining the impacts of kindness on our health. Kelli shares her journey to becoming a doctor, the inspiration behind her book and research, as well as hacks to being kinder to both ourselves and others. Want more happiness!? Check t...

NASCAR Driver, model, and social media icon, Toni Breidinger joins Mercedes and Anastasia on this week's episode of Hack Your Happiness. Toni shares her journey to becoming a NASCAR driver, challenges she's faced along the way, as well as with her hacks to staying calm under pressure. Want more happiness!? Check these out: Shop our Happiness Products: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://smallbitsofha...

This week Mercedes and Anastasia speak with Dr. Stephanie Hull, President and CEO of Girls Inc. Girls Inc mission is to inspire all girls to be Strong, Smart, and Bold. Throughout this episode, Stephanie shares her journey to becoming the President and CEO of a national organization, as well as her hacks to feeling empowered - and empowering others! Want more happiness!? Check these out: Shop our...

In this week's episode, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Jodi Willoughby, co-founder of Crave Cupcakes. Alongside her sister, Carolyne, the two have opened six bakeries across Canada and employ over 100 people. However, the meticulous and tasty quality of each Crave delicacy comes with a side of perfectionism. Jodi shares her and Carolyne's journey to success, how the two sisters manag...

Join Mercedes and Anastasia as they speak with 16-year-old pianist and philanthropist Rachel Wei. Rachel began playing the instrument at a young age, and is now an award-winning pianist. Rachel also started the Beacon of Music Foundation, organizing monthly concerts with donations to a local children's hospice. Despite all of her accomplishments and work, Rachel is still a teenager in high-sch...

Come along with Mercedes and Anastasia as they speak with Marine Scientist Dr. Tiara Moore. Tiara is a highly accomplished biologist, who despite her impressive education and achievements, has faced many challenges in her career. In today's episode, Dr. Moore shares her work on increasing biodiversity in nature, and diversity in her industry. She also shares how she's overcome other people...

From winning Bravo's Top Chef to working in Michelin Star restaurants, opening her own catering company and restaurant, and now, publishing her book, Chef Kelsey Barnard Clark joins us this week to share her journey. After catering her first wedding at 15-years-old and moving to NYC, Kelsey struggled to find support from her family and friends back home. In this episode, she shares how she fou...

Today, Holly Singer, founder and CEO of Milk Jar joins Mercedes and Anastasia on Hack Your Happiness. Holly is dedicated to creating an inclusive workspace, and job opportunities for individuals with - and without - disabilities. After realizing that working in the medical field was not meant for her, Holly started Milk Jar, making each candle by hand and selling out at local farmers markets. Now,...

This week, Mercedes and Anastasia speak with jazz singer, Stacey Kent. Stacey is a grammy-nominated, award winning, chart topping singer. She works alongside Nobel Prize Winner Kazuo Ishiguro, and her husband, in composing and creating her music. Today, Stacey Kent shares how she began as a singer, and her road to fame. Stacey also shares her hacks for how anyone can pursue their dreams, regardles...

On today's episode, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by marine biologist, Melissa Márquez. Melissa is passionate about preserving the oceans, and her work has been featured countless times on Forbes, National Geographic, her TED Talk, and more. In this episode, Melissa Márquez shares her hacks and advice on how teens can find and follow their interests, as well as pursue a variety of passions...

Join Mercedes and Anastasia as they speak with eating disorder expert and physician, Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani. Dr. Gaudiani is the founder of the Gaudiani Clinic, an eating disorders clinic. She completed her undergraduate degree at Harvard University, and chief residency at Yale. In this episode, Dr. Gaudiani shares her hacks and advice on how teens can have a healthy relationship and outlook on foo...

In this episode Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by PhD candidate Rafael Lazar as he shares how light affects sleep (particularly in teenagers), and how we can get more, better sleep! Rafael has a Masters degree with a focus on educational psychology, and is researching how light at different times throughout a day affects the sleep of teenagers. Want more happiness!? Check these out: Shop our Ha...

Today, Mercedes and Anastasia speak with Neil Corbould, two-time Oscar winning Special Effects Supervisor. Neil's work includes Napoleon, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Saving Private Ryan, Gladiator, Ready Player One, and countless other iconic movies. He's been nominated for a multitude of awards over 59 times, with 27 wins. Additionally, Neil's company, Neil Corbould Special Effects...

Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia take-on the podcast themselves. They break down what they've learned about balancing running a company, Small Bits of Happiness, as teenagers, along with school, family life, chores, friendships, and self-care time. Their hacks include easy yet extremely effective ways to maximize and get the most out of your time and energy. Want more happ...

Today, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Deloitte's first Chief Well-Being Officer, Jen Fisher. After her journey of overcoming breast cancer and burnout, Jen is passionate about sharing her story, and helping others prevent burnout. She's a TEDx speaker, host of the WorkWell podcast series, coauthor of Work Better Together: How to Cultivate Strong Relationships to Maximize Well-Being a...

Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia host a solo episode, talking about what helps them, as teenagers, feel better about their bodies. Their hacks include fantastic reminders for the next time you're feeling bad about your appearance, things to do to shift your mindset, as well as simple activities for when you don't love how you look. The sisters also share their hacks fo...

On today's episode of Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by 5-time Emmy award-winning, and 2023 Oscar nominated, composer Laura Karpman. Laura has composed music for Marvel, Disneyland, and a number movies and video games. She also founded the Alliance of Women Film Composers, and has made massive progress towards more diversity within the film-making and composing industry...

Today, on Hack Your Happiness, hosts Mercedes and Anastasia take on their second Happiness Around The World episode. Join them as they recount their recent trip to Los Angeles, California, and share what they learned from interviewing locals, observing the culture of L.A., and researching statistics. Discover what brings happiness to people from Los Angeles, and how we can incorporate their happin...

On today's episode of Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Marissa Meyer. She's written The Renegades Trilogy, The Lunar Chronicles series, the Wires and Nerve graphic novels, and more. Beyond writing, Marissa is also the podcast host of The Happy Writer, and homeschools her two twin daughters. In this episode, Marissa shares her jo...

Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by F1 Academy Driver, Jessica Edgar. Jessica began her journey at 4-years-old, and since then has ranked very high in championships, and traveled around the world for competitions. Jessica is also a huge advocate for more gender diversity within the sport of race car driving. In this episode, Jessica shares her thoughts on the import...

Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by photographer and life coach, Sue Bryce. Sue has been a Professional Photographer for 34 years, and after coaching 28K start-up business owners, Sue realize that the most powerful transformation occurs when we shift our self value. Recently, she launched SelfValue.com, where Sue teaches others how to better value themselves. In thi...

Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by real estate agent, author, and reality star from Million Dollar Listing, Tracy Tutor. Tracy is a top real estate agent at Douglas Elliman Beverly Hills, author of the book "Fear Is Just A Four-Letter Word", star on the real estate show Million Dollar Listing, and loving mom to two teenage daughters. Tracy is very hardworking, but...