The Happiest Lives Podcast

In this podcast episode, I introduce a new series focused on making everyday life productive and fun. When you can find meaning and joy in your routines, you become more engaged and excited about life.  Seeing your life as a partnership rather than a series of busyness shifts our energy.  Practical tips are provided for incorporating productivity and fun into daily life, If you want to take this w...

Today, we wrap up the series Path To Aliveness as we explore courage in everyday life. We discuss how courageous individuals acknowledge and confront their fears, take risks in relationships even though they could be rejected,  and remain authentic to their values despite adversity. When the Holy Spirit lives inside us we are emboldened to take life-giving action despite unwanted feelings.  If you...

This is part 4 in the series Path To Aliveness . If God promises to give us the desires of our hearts, why don't we get everything we want? Is it okay to want things, or should I relinquish my desire to be a selfless person? How can I make all my longings and wants work for the greatest good?  We consider all these questions and more on today's podcast; as you forge the path of life, let...

This is part 3 in the series Path To Alive-ness . If you are thirsty, come! If you have exhausted all your resources, COME. Isaiah 55 shows us a new way contrary to our logic and ways of doing things. Here, we are promised peace and joy that does not depend on our circumstances.  If you want to take this work and apply it, visit myhappyvault.com . That’s where I share free resources and ways to st...

This is part 2 in the series Path To Alive-ness . If you have been trying to change outwardly by adhering to or imposing a rule list/script on others, you will be constantly in despair. Beating yourself up, blaming others, or defending your tender heart through self-protective strategies won't improve things. There is only one way to create change; thank goodness, it does not all depend on yo...

Welcome to part one of the series Path To Alive-ness . In response to life's hardships, we either move toward contempt, numbness, and detachment or fight to keep our hearts tender and alive. In every situation, we choose a path of life or death. In this episode, I lay out the two options and show you what it looks like to choose alive-ness. If you want to take this work and apply it, visit my...

This is part four of the series Thinking About What You Are Thinking About.  In this episode, we will reverse-engineer a new result to discover a new way to think about our circumstances. If you want to take this work and apply it, visit myhappyvault.com . That’s where I share free resources and ways to stay connected. Discover ways to work with me at www.thehappiestlives.com or www.myhappyvault.c...

This is part 3 of the series Thinking About What You Are Thinking About.  Your mind creates feelings that direct your behavior, which creates results. Therefore, you have to look at your mind to get new results. When we focus on creating change by changing our actions without looking at our minds- the cause of our actions-  we can’t create sustainable change. Pressing on despite unwanted emotions...

This is part 2 of the series Thinking About What You Are Thinking About.   Every feeling you have can be traced back to a thought. When we get curious about our feelings and thoughts, we can't start picking them on purpose. In this episode, I show you four common misconceptions about emotions. I then walk you through four steps to FEEL better and I introduce you to the 4 P's that will he...

This begins a brand new series, Thinking About What You Are Thinking About. You can let your mind run on default or you can take your brain out of the box and consider what thoughts are running your life. When you take your thoughts captive, beginning with awareness, you change your life.  In this episode, I walk you through the process of living your life with intention, whether it's managin...

This is part nine of the series How To Get Your Relationship Back On Track . In this finale, we talk about creating shared meaning in your relationship, which Gottman refers to as the roof of our relationship house. I show you how to find a 'want match" and highlight the importance of small, consistent changes in positively impacting the fabric of your relationship.  If you want to take...

This is part 8 of the series How To Get Your Relationship Back On Track.   Today's episode discusses creating regular connection points in your relationship.  As you are intentional with a few things, this helps foster shared meaning in your marriage and increases the likelihood of spontaneous connections. If you want to take this work and apply it, visit myhappyvault.com . That’s where I sha...

Welcome to part 7 of the series How To Get Your Relationship Back On Track.   In this episode, we explore making requests in your relationship in a way that increases your influence and leaves you feeling better about yourself.  Generating feelings of calm and openness before asking for help will serve you better than asking from a place of hurt, frustration, or resentment, which only leads to mor...

This is part six of the series How To Get Your Relationship Back On Track . In this episode, I explore what it means to show up as yourself.  You want to be in a relationship with someone because they value YOU, not you being who you think they want you to be.    Awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and desires is crucial to express yourself and feel close and connected to others.  We consider ob...

This is part 5 of the series How To Get Your Relationship Back On Track .  Recall the last time you felt truly curious and understanding as someone shared their thoughts and feelings.  This week, we unfold the layers of becoming an adept listener, from fostering a nurturing space for heartfelt dialogues to recognizing the unspoken dreams woven into our conflicts. .Listening isn't just about p...

This is part four of the series How To Get Your Relationship Back On Track . Have you ever felt like your relationship is stuck in a cycle of the same old arguments? In today's episode, we dive into the heart of recurring conflicts, revealing how behind every gridlock issue is a hidden dream.   This isn't just about finding common ground—it's about fostering a deeper understanding a...

This is part three of the series How To Get Your Relationship Back On Track .   When you nurture positive sentiments and good feelings in your marriage, you are making deposits in your love bank.  These emotional investments become valuable resources that you will withdraw from when you face conflict in your relationship.  Join me to learn three ways you can make deposits in your love bank today. ...

This is part two of the series  How To Get Your Relationship Back On Track. Learn the importance of being emotionally aware and regulating your emotions in your relationship. You can validate and make your emotions work for you as you deepen intimacy in your relationship. Let me show you how in today's episode.  If you want to take this work and apply it, visit myhappyvault.com . That’s where...

This is part 1 of the series, How To Get Your Relationship Back On Track .   A foundational step to building a healthy relationship is creating a healing separation. The goal of a healing separation is always healthier connections. Creating a healing separation does not mean you are living separate lives and dealing with things independently.  Instead, it means you are able to view yourself and th...

In the Western World, we tend to indulge the view of self as we focus on personal development, self-actualization, and becoming the best version of ourselves.  Eastern religions lean toward renouncing self and suppressing wants and desires to move to a place of spiritual enlightenment.   Neither of these perspectives seems to fall in line with Biblical truth. Rather than losing ourselves as we die...

Can you trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even when the road seems rough?  What does it look like to let go of how you think things should be without giving up hope? The pathway to surrender often involves suffering.  We must be willing to feel our pain and gently move to a place of trust.   The alternative is powering our way through which leads us to greater self-reliance, exhaustion...

Ever wondered how to go about accomplishing the impossible? This episode illuminates the four stages of achieving just that, from the despair of being unable to achieve your goals to the joy of leaning on God's strength. We delve into Apostle Paul's passionate journey of faith, where he learned to rely on Christ's atonement, not his self-will. We take a step towards surrender by acc...

Join me for this podcast series, The Surrendered Self.   To understand the concepts of surrender and self, we must plug them into the story of mankind's relationship with God, which is a story of redemption.  In this episode, I remind you of the ongoing battle between the flesh and the spirit. I encourage you as a believer to find your identity and worth in Jesus rather than define yourself b...

Have you set an intention for the year?  Is Jesus in the center of your pursuits? Why is a surrendered life the best life to pursue? In this episode, I remind you how obstacles and problems can become opportunities to deepen our faith. Sharing tangible ways to let go and trust God, from having daily quiet moments with Jesus to sharing our journey with others and making declarative actions, we&apos...

You'll be moved by the powerful testimony of our guest, Holly Snell, who turned to faith in her darkest hour. As Holly shares how seeking God's presence saw her through the loss of her husband in a tragic accident, you'll discover how harnessing the strength found in faith can transform your hardships.  If you want to take this work and apply it, visit myhappyvault.com . That’s wher...