Live Happy Now

Are you thriving in life, or merely surviving? This week, host Paula Felps talks with leadership coach Jon Rosemberg, author of A Guide to Thriving, to explore what it truly means to thrive. Jon shares how connection and purpose shape our capacity to flourish, and introduces his AIR framework (Awareness, Inquiry, Reframing) to provide practical, compassionate guidance for building habits that supp...

To kick off the new year, host Paula Felps sits down with Jodi Wellman, author of You Only Die Once: How to Make It to the End with No Regrets, to explore how to make the most of the new year. Jodi explains how embracing life’s ultimate deadline can spark astonishing aliveness and help us break free from our comfort zones, rediscover what lights us up, and consciously reprioritize what truly matte...

As we look toward the new year, it’s the perfect time to look at how to make lasting change. In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with Madi Murphy — author of In the Cosmic Zone and host of the CosmicRX Podcast — to explore how astrology, neuroscience, spirituality, and practical tools can help us ignite our purpose as we step into a new year. Madi shares her personal journey of transformat...

This is the season for giving back, which makes it the perfect time to talk to a Holiday Happy Activist! In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with Lindsay Morehead-Oates, a Dallas-based graphic designer who has turned her passion for giving into meaningful action. Lindsay shares how her early experiences with volunteering shaped her values, why she continues to dedicate time to both people and...

The holidays are a time for togetherness — so why do so many people feel lonely during this time of year? This week, host Paula Felps sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Jody Carrington to talk about why loneliness feels worse during the holiday season, the role modern technology plays in increasing loneliness, and how we can navigate holiday loneliness and rediscover joy through authentic...

As the holidays approach and everyone gets busier than ever, feelings of goodwill can give way to stress and anxiety. This week, host Paula Felps sits down with licensed mental health counselor Travis McNulty, clinical director and founder of McNulty Counseling and Wellness, to explore how we can reduce holiday stress and emotional overwhelm. Travis explains why the season often triggers old famil...

As the holidays approach, it’s time to plan family gatherings — and that can often mean stress and conflict. In this episode, host Paula Felps welcomes mother-daughter duo Leslie and Lindsey Glass, authors of the Mother Daughter Relationship Makeover Workbook to explore the emotional complexities of family dynamics during the holidays. Drawing from their personal journey and professional work in r...

Unhappiness at work is a growing problem, but reconnecting with purpose can change everything. Join host Paula Felps as she sits down with WorkHappy founder Greg Kettner to explore why so many people feel unfulfilled at work and what steps they can take to discover their passion and use purpose to fuel resilience — even on the hardest of days.   In this episode, you'll learn: Why lack of communica...

November is National Gratitude Month, and that makes it a great time to talk about what new research says about gratitude. Host Paula Felps welcomes social media manager Michelle Palmer Jones for a heartfelt conversation about the power of gratitude in everyday life: From personal stories of resilience to emerging research on how gratitude supports mental and physical health, this episode explores...

We’ve heard a lot about the dangers of loneliness, but how is loneliness different from solitude? In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Robert Coplan to discuss his new book, The Joy of Solitude. Rob shares insights from decades of research on how intentional alone time can foster emotional clarity, creativity, and well-being — and how it differs profoundly f...

We’re getting ready to turn back our clocks this weekend, and for some people, the shorter days can spark mental health challenges. In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with Dr. Hannah Nearney, a clinical psychiatrist and medical director at Flow Neuroscience, about the mental health challenges that arise during seasonal changes — particularly the onset of winter. Dr. Hannah explains how sh...

Halloween might be all about ghosts, costumes, and candy—but science says it’s also a powerful happiness booster. In this episode of Live Happy Now, host Paula Felps and social media manager Michelle Palmer Jones explore the surprising research behind why the spooky season lifts our spirits. From the nostalgia of childhood traditions to the thrill of a safe scare, Halloween taps into the emotions...

If you’re dealing with feelings of stress and anxiety, you’re not alone! But this week, host Paula Felps sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Seth J. Gillihan to explore his latest book, Your Daily Reset: 366 Practical Exercises to Reduce Anxiety and Manage Stress Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Designed as a daily companion, the book offers bite-sized, actionable practices rooted in CBT...

One of the most universal struggles today is a feeling of disconnection, so this week host Paula Felps talks with Anna Runkle — better known as the “Crappy Childhood Fairy” — about her new book Connectability: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People and Feel (At Last) Like You Belong. Anna shares how her own journey from childhood trauma to building genuine, sustaining friendships shape...

What if everything you believe about mental health is wrong? In this episode, host Paula Felps chats with psychotherapist and author Joe Nucci about his myth-busting new book, Psychobabble: Viral Mental Health Myths & the Truths to Set You Free. Joe dives into the wild world of mental health misinformation — especially the kind that spreads like wildfire on social media. From self-diagnosis pi...

What if practicing happiness was as simple as learning your ABC’s? This week, host Paula Felps talks with work psychologist and certified Chief Happiness Officer Klaudia Mitura, author of The Alphabet of Happiness. After a series of life challenges during the pandemic, Klaudia embarked on a hands-on happiness experiment, testing evidence-based practices and transforming them into accessible, every...

We talk a lot about how trauma affects our mental health, but have you thought about what it does to your body? In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with Dr. Aimie Apigian, author of The Biology of Trauma, to explore how trauma is stored not just in our minds but in our bodies — and how that impacts our physical health, relationships, and overall well-being. Drawing from her experience as a...

Labor Day is behind us, so that means we’re putting the lid on summer and getting ready to roll into fall. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take our lighthearted summer vibe with us. This week, on the heels of our Summer of Fun campaign with Mike Rucker, PhD, we’re telling you how to start planning now to use what we’ve learned from this campaign to make it a fun-filled fall. What you’ll learn: Why...

In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with psychotherapist and author John Tsilimparis about his transformative approach to grief. John shares insights from his new book, Magic in the Tragic: Rewriting the Script on Grief and Discovering Happiness in our Darkest Days , offering a that blends emotional healing with beauty, purpose, and resilience. Drawing from personal loss and clinical experienc...

This week, meet Happy Activist Gabri Blankson, who is using film to illuminate teen mental health. Her award-winning short film MIME, created through the Black Girls Film Camp, explores the emotional impact of pandemic isolation through a fantasy lens, using mimes as metaphors for internal struggles. Drawing from personal experience and inspired by Inside Out, Gabri crafted a visually expressive s...

If you’re looking to lose the stress in your life, this week’s guest has a spoiler alert: The only people without stress are dead. But the good news is, you can learn to turn that stress into a powerful ally for change and growth. This week, host Paula Felps talks with stress physiologist Dr. Rebecca Heiss, whose new book, Springboard: Transform Stress to Work For You, explains how to make the mos...

Many people today feel unfocused or overwhelmed, and that’s not just a challenge for our heads; it could be harming our hearts. Join us as host Paula Felps talks with cardiologist and health psychologist Dr. Alan Rozanski, who offers a groundbreaking look at how our mindset influences our heart and overall well-being. He explains how chronic stress, emotional negativity, and mental clutter can phy...

Are you struggling to find hope these days? You’re not alone. But this week, resiliency expert Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe returns to share what hope can do for you and, importantly, where to find it. With her signature blend of science and soul, Dr. Robyne explains how hope calms the brain, strengthens resilience, and helps us navigate uncertainty. If you’re managing stress, feeling world-weary, or j...

Summer vacations aren't just fun; they’re essential for your mental well-being. In this episode, host Paula Felps and Live Happy CEO Deborah Heisz share how unplugging from daily stress can spark creativity and emotional clarity, and why even a staycation (if done right!) can deliver major mood boosts. Whether you're heading to Hawaii or hanging out in your backyard, this episode is your permissio...

Can you giggle your way to inner peace? In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with author Tom Rosshirt to explore the joyful — and surprisingly profound — power of silliness. Drawing from his book, Chasing Peace: A Story of Breakdowns, Breakthroughs, and the Spiritual Power of Neuroscience, Tom reveals how embracing our goofy side can be both spiritually liberating and scientifically benefic...