Live Happy Now

Gen Z to Boomers: Why Social Media Affects Us So Differently with Dr. Zeynep Özkök and Dr. Jonathan Rosborough

The latest edition of the World Happiness Report focuses on the effects of social media on well-being. In this episode of Live Happy Now, host Paula Felps sits down with Dr. Zeynep Özkök and Dr. Jonathan Rosborough, co-authors of one of the report’s chapters, to unpack their research on internet use, trust, social connections, and emotional well‑being. They reveal why social media affects Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers in dramatically different ways, and how online environments are reshaping foundational elements of happiness such as trust, safety, and real‑world social ties.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why the impact of social media on well‑being varies sharply across generations.
How Internet use is linked to declining trust, social comparison, and reduced in‑person connection.
What researchers believe this means for the future — especially for Gen Z and the emerging Generation Alpha.

Escaping the Indoor Health Crisis With Dr. John La Puma

In this episode of Live Happy Now, host Paula Felps sits down with Dr. John La Puma — physician, chef, and author of Indoor Epidemic — to explore how our increasingly indoor lifestyles are quietly harming our sleep, mood, focus, and long‑term health. Dr. John explains why spending 93% of our time inside has become a “biological emergency” and reveals how simple, intentional practices like morning light exposure, green exercise, and reconnecting with nature can dramatically improve our well‑being.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why missing morning light can leave you “wired but tired” and shorten your longevity by up to five years.
How green exercise lowers stress hormones, reduces rumination, and boosts immune function.
What simple daily habits can counteract indoor toxins and restore your natural biological rhythms.

Discover The Power of Real Optimism With Dr. Deepika Chopra

In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with psychologist and author Dr. Deepika Chopra to explore what real optimism looks like in a world filled with uncertainty. Drawing from her new book, The Power of Real Optimism, Dr. Deepika explains why optimism isn’t about rose‑colored glasses or pretending everything is fine; it’s a trainable psychological skill rooted in authenticity, resilience, and the belief that challenges are temporary and navigable.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why optimism is a skill — not a personality trait — and how to strengthen it.
How your brain processes uncertainty and the small, science‑backed practices that help restore safety and regulation.
How tools like visualization, evidence‑collecting, and scheduled “worry time” can shift your mindset and build real resilience.

Small Practices for Brighter Days With Paula Felps and Michelle Jones

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. They also share what’s ahead for Happiness Month and how listeners can participate in this year’s community‑driven #HappyActs initiative.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why Americans are reporting historically low levels of optimism.
How negativity bias and nonstop news consumption intensify feelings of gloom.
Why balancing heaviness with humor or uplifting content can help regulate emotions.

Adapting to a Chaotic World With Anne Grady

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 episode, you’ll learn:
Anne’s EVOLVE framework and how emotions shape our reactions.
How to reduce overwhelm and navigate uncertainty with intention.
How simple, science-backed practices — like gratitude, humor, and setting boundaries — build adaptability over time.

Choosing Hope (Even When It’s Hard) With Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe

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, and help us show up more fully for ourselves and others, even in difficult times.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why hope is different from optimism — and why it’s a more sustainable tool for resilience.
How hope physiologically shifts your brain and body, helping you think more clearly and make better decisions under stress.
Simple daily practices to build a “hope habit,” from morning rituals to community‑building conversations that elevate your emotional well‑being.

The Art of Adult Friendships With Anna Runkle

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 than simply having people.
How to recognize red flags, energy drains, and covert avoidance.
Practical steps and mindset shifts that make adult friendship easier and more authentic.

Becoming a Better Friend With Barnet Bain

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, you’ll learn:
Why friendship is a skill — not something we simply “fall into.”
How to create safety, consistency, and presence in your closest relationships.
A simple 24‑hour practice that can transform how you see and respond to others.

Why Mattering Matters With Rebecca Newberger Goldstein

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 can lead to a more meaningful, connected life.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why the need to matter often drives us more powerfully than the need to be happy.
How different “mattering projects” shape our behavior and our relationships.
What we can do — individually and collectively — to create a world where everyone feels they count.

What Happens in Vagus With Rebecca Kase

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, and more resilient.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why the vagus nerve plays such a central role in both physical and emotional well-being.
How breathwork and other everyday practices can strengthen vagal tone.
What your nervous system has to do with connection, compassion, and healthier relationships.