Live Happy Now

The Power of Playful Parenting With Kira Willey

In this joyful episode of Live Happy Now, host Paula Felps sits down with bestselling author, musician, and kids’ mindfulness expert Kira Willey to explore how parents can transform everyday chaos into meaningful moments of connection. Drawing from her new book The Joyful Child, Kira shares simple, playful practices that help families navigate transitions, reduce stress, and build stronger bonds — without adding more to the to‑do list.
In this episode, you'll learn:
How to turn stressful daily transitions into joyful, cooperative moments.
Why children struggle with structure — and how movement, music, and imagination help them thrive.
Simple one‑minute practices that calm your child’s nervous system (and yours).

Why Play Is the Antidote to Serious Times With Piera Gelardi

When times get tough, it’s time to play! This week, creativity expert Piera Gelardi — author of the new book, The Playful Way —   joins host Paula Felps to talk about why play is not a luxury; it’s a lifeline. Drawing from her own burnout, creative journey, and even profound grief, Piera explains how shutting down our playful selves limits resilience, narrows thinking, and fuels anxiety. Find out how everyday play can help us navigate heavy times with more creativity, connection, and joy.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why play deprivation leads to burnout, rigidity, and increased anxiety.
How play can coexist with serious times — and even help you move through grief.
Simple ways to build a daily play practice, even if you think you're “not playful.”

How Humor Makes You Happier (and Healthier!) With Chris Duffy

April is National Humor Month, so it’s time to dig into the amazing power of humor and laughter. This week, host Paula Felps sits down with comedian, TV writer, and podcast host Chris Duffy, author of the new book, Humor Me, to explore why laughter is more than a mere distraction. Drawing from personal experience, clinical research, and years of teaching and performing, Chris explains how humor strengthens connection, boosts resilience, improves well‑being, and even helps us navigate difficult moments.
In this episode, you'll learn:
Why humor is essential for emotional and physical well‑being.
How self‑deprecating humor increases likability and perceived competence.
Simple ways to rebuild your “humor muscle.”

How the Dignity Index Can Heal Our Divides With Tom Rosshirt

What if we could get to the root of our divides and start bridging them? In this powerful episode of Live Happy Now, Paula Felps sits down with Tom Rosshirt, co‑creator of the Dignity Index, to explore why our public conversations feel so fractured — and how dignity offers a practical path back to connection. Tom explains how contempt, not disagreement, is what drives our divisions, and he shares the ways that dignity can heal what contempt has damaged.
Three things you’ll learn:
Why contempt is the real source of division — and how to recognize it.
How dignity strengthens trust, communication, and problem‑solving.
How small, everyday choices can shift the culture around you toward connection.

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.