Live Happy Now

A new Gallup poll says that Americans are feeling unusually pessimistic about the future, with optimism hitting its lowest point in two decades. This week, host Paula Felps and social media manager Michelle Jones dig into the poll results and explore why so many people are struggling emotionally, and — more importantly — what practical, evidence‑based habits can help us stay grounded, hopeful, and connected during difficult times. ...

During chaotic times, our ability to adapt is more important than ever. In this episode, resilience expert and author Anne Grady sits down with host Paula Felps to share how to stay grounded in a world that’s changing faster than our nervous systems can keep up. Drawing on personal experiences and insights from her new book EvolvAbility, Anne explains why adaptability is not a soft skill but a critical survival skill.

In this episo...

Hope isn’t a soft emotion; it’s a powerful, science‑backed strategy for navigating stress, uncertainty, and the challenges of modern life. In this episode, resiliency expert Dr. Robyne Hanley‑Dafoe joins host Paula Felps to discuss strategies from her new book, I Hope So: How to Choose Hope Even When It’s Hard. Dr. Robyne explains how cultivating a hope practice can calm the nervous system, strengthen resilience, deepen connection,...

We know we need friends, but finding “our people” can be hard! In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with therapist and author Anna Runkle about why so many of us struggle to build meaningful friendships, how covert avoidance keeps us from true connection, and what practical steps help us identify the relationships that genuinely support who we’re becoming.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why finding your people matters more ...

As we kick off International Friendship Month, it’s the perfect time to talk about what it means to be a friend in a world that often feels disconnected. Join host Paula Felps as she sits down with award‑winning filmmaker and author Barnet Bain to explore the surprising origins of his fascination with friendship, the “bubble” we all live inside, and why genuine connection requires presence, curiosity, and courage.

In this episode, ...

We all have a deep desire to matter, but do we know why? In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with philosopher and author Rebecca Newberger Goldstein to explore the “mattering instinct” and why it shapes everything from our personal fulfillment to our political divides. She explains our longing to feel significant influences our choices, our relationships, and even our conflicts — and how reframing our own mattering projects...

If you’ve been hearing everyone talk about the vagus nerve but aren’t totally sure what the buzz is about, this episode is your shortcut to understanding it. Trauma therapist, author, and polyvagal expert Rebecca Kase joins host Paula Felps to break down what the vagus nerve actually does, why it affects everything from your stress levels to your relationships, and how simple daily practices can help you feel calmer, more connected...

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 support long‑term thriving.

In this epi...

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 matters. Listen as Jodi tells us how to ...

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 transformation, the lessons she’s learned from...

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 animals, and how she recently fulfi...

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 connection. You’ll also learn about...

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 family roles and patterns, how expectati...

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 recovery and relational healing, the...

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 communication — not workload — is often...

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 how intentional practices can tran...

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 from loneliness. From childhood deve...

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 shorter days and reduced sunlight can...

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 that help us feel more playful, con...