Happy You Asked: The Podcast That Explores Joy, One Awkward Conversation at a Time

In this episode I am joined by the Deputy Director of the Division of Genome Sciences at the National Human Genome Research Institute, Dr. Lisa Helbling Chadwick. We talk about the power of cultivating a solution-focused life and how weird it is to grow older. (How old do YOU feel inside? I feel 15, and that might reveal a lot about me.) 

Professor of Sociology Dr. Julie Mikles-Schluterman joins me in this episode to discuss how to navigate the demands on our lives and still experience happiness, especially when Pinterest tries to convince us that having fun is an exhausting enterprise.

Dr. Lynnette Gilbert, an associate professor of art, joins me in this episode to talk about the importance of family in shaping our lives and how the practice of finding just five things can help get us through difficult times.

In this episode, Dr. Christina Hinton, who leads research on education and parenting at Harvard University's Human Flourishing Program, joins me by phone. Christina is one of the leading world experts on flourishing and happiness. She shares with us her research on the key components children need to grow into happy adults and how we can craft a life that helps us flourish.

Dr. Catherine Pierce, former poet laureate of Mississippi, joins me in this episode to explore the connection between daily time spent in nature and our capacity for joy, wonder, and creativity.

In this episode I am joined by the Episcopal Bishop of Idaho, Fr. Jos Tharakan. We talk about who or what God is, whether the Christian church is dying, if hell exists, reincarnation, and if Mother Theresa was happy. Honestly, this conversation may have changed my life. 

This episode features Dr. Wayne Powell, President Emeritus of Lenoir-Rhyne University. We chat about what led him to serve in several interim positions after retirement and discuss how both good leadership and happiness arise from helping others. 

I am joined in this episode by Cora Wilson, two-time women's amateur IKF bantamweight world champion and co-owner of Força Martial Arts & Fitness in Russellville, Arkansas, to discuss the relationship between violence and happiness. Can knowing how to protect ourselves and our communities allow for greater peace? Can fighting not be about violence at all, but about art? It’s fascinating st...

Dr. Constance Bailey, a professor of African American Literature and Folklore, joins me on this episode to talk about Black humor, the multidimensional lives of academics, and why we need to aggressively pursue the things that bring us joy. 

Dr. Rob Stevens, a professor of rehabilitation science, joins me to talk about his work training students for careers that help disabled people live independent, happy lives. Find your joy, friends.

In this episode, I chat with yoga therapist Kelly Gardner about the mind-body connection when it comes to experiencing emotions, and the key practices one should do to help bring the mind and body closer together. 

In this episode, I am joined by Mary Grimm, author of three books of fiction, to talk about how the process of writing can become a practice to cultivate happiness. It's all about the journey and not the destination.

In this episode I chat with Dr. Emily C. Friedman, a scholar and critic of tabletop role-playing games, never-published manuscripts, and the language of smell. I know pretty much nothing about role-playing games, yet this was one of the most fascinating conversations I have ever had.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Jeff Woods, Vice President for Member Engagement at the Council of Independent Colleges. We chat about the relationship between leadership, happiness, and power, and together we invent the future of higher education under AI. Just solving world problems over here: no biggie.

I am joined by Professor of Psychology Dr. Jason Warnick, who specializes in psychopharmaceuticals (which I discovered I cannot say quickly) and in barriers to meditation. Did you know it freaks some people out to sit quietly? Yep. 

In this episode, I chat with composer and professor of music Dr. Matthew Kennedy about how the tension and dissonance of music mirrors life, and why we should be wary of giant carrots.

Dr. Emily Issacson—a professor of English at Heidelberg University—joins me to chat about how to bloom in the community you’re planted in…from the importance of carrying a book with you to the reasons why you should wait in the long line at the tamale truck. (Because you know a line means those tamales are banging!)  

This episode features Dr. Kristen Lee, who is a best-selling author of four books on psychological resilience and risk-taking. We chat about how "deliciously awkward" it is to be human, and how a key to happiness is embracing the messy awkwardness of life.

Dr. Caleb Lack, professor of psychology and a leader in the field of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders, chats with Erin about how our modern world can make us feel like we're constantly in danger. He gives some tips for navigating our seemingly scary "village." For example, naming your pig Ham Solo can certainly help.