The Happiness Soundtrack

Ever wondered how to turn a simple question into 500+ heartfelt conversations? In part 1 of 2, I share 10 of the creative ways I’ve asked people to share a song that reminds them of a happy memory, with examples of each. Every story shows how the right approach, based on the setting, can spark meaningful conversations about something we all have in common. Listen for practical ways to connect with...

In this episode, we’re talking less about music and more about happiness. (Although music does come into play!) Once upon a pandemic, I was struggling with severe depression and anxiety. After losing my former job from COVID, and while in the midst of a toxic relationship, I started searching for things like “how to increase happiness” and “ways to relieve depression and anxiety.” I discovered the...

I explore five songs shown to increase dopamine levels in the brain—regardless of their emotional context (or lack thereof). These aren’t your typical party anthems; they’re all instrumental tracks that demonstrate a powerful emotional structure. You’ll learn: Why these songs reliably trigger joy and reward in the brain The science behind dopamine and musical tension The stories behind all five tu...

Start by listening to Part 1 of this story, which is Episode 9: When I Used the Question As a Pickup Line . You can give your ex a lot of things back after a breakup, but you can't give back the songs you formed memories with during the relationship. So, what will you do with them? In this continuation of Episode 9, I share how a beautiful first date slowly gave way to emotional realizations a...

When I promised myself to take more chances, my resolve was almost immediately tested. This is a story about unexpected attraction, and being #BoldDammit to make the first move. This music question doesn’t just reveal other people’s stories; it’s constantly shaping mine. 💌To get links and show notes sent straight to your inbox, Subscribe to emails 🎵For more about the project, visit HappinessSoun...

After feeling discouraged by a perceived lack of progress on the journal, I set the goal of asking at least one person a day. Here’s how that change in approach created connections with different meaning. I also share how the resulting discoveries helped me stop rushing to the destination of the finished project, and instead enjoy the process as a journey. In this episode, you’ll hear: The importa...

What started as a routine coffee stop turned into one of the boldest—and most unexpected—moments of the music project. In this episode, I come face-to-face with a lofty goal: asking a firefighter what song reminds them of a happy memory. But it didn’t unfold the way I imagined. This story is about choosing between comfort and courage, pushing through fear, and embracing awkwardness. I share how do...

What if the difference between an ordinary day and an extraordinary one is simply choosing to engage? This week, I share how a dull morning unfolded into something vivid—not because of any grand event, but because of a shift in presence. To put it like Spinal Tap, it turned this day up to 11 . In this episode, you’ll hear about: A day in the life of the project Why that day felt special, and how i...

It had been a long, exhausting day of delays and frazzled travelers—and it was only halfway over. Then, I met someone who turned it all around with a simple smile and a kind introduction. This episode tells the story of a passenger who boarded with his extended family, and how one small question about music ended up connecting three generations in a way I never expected. What started as a day wher...

While passing time between flights in San Francisco, I met a kind stranger who changed the way I think about storytelling, connection, and the courage it takes to ask someone a simple question. What began as a quiet breakfast turned into one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had on the road—and a reminder of how powerful our interactions with strangers can be. This story explores: Why it p...

Some stories knock the wind out of you—and then hand it back with a knowing smile. This week’s song came from a passenger on a long flight to Vancouver. He was warm, kind, and generous with his time. When I handed him the journal and asked for a song tied to a memory, I never expected the story that followed. This episode is about: The fragile line between chaos and calm The unexpected levity of p...

Year 38 began with silence. No familiar melodies, no comforting lyrics… Just me, a blank journal, and one rule: I wasn’t allowed to listen to anything I’d heard before. This episode picks up where my music fast began. With my entire emotional playlist wiped clean, I suddenly found myself missing not just music, but a way to process my emotions. So I tried something new. I started asking strangers—...

There’s a difference between missing a former flame and getting lost in the fantasy of what could’ve been. And what if that fantasy comes wrapped in a five-minute song—with a perfect hook—and your ex is the one who wrote it… about you? In this episode, I share the story of The Song—the one that captured all the closure I never got, and how that kept me stuck. I talk about the strange, specific for...