Happiness Happens

In this episode of Happiness Happens, I pop in after a brief hiatus to share a few personal updates and big changes. I open up about her journey of living alone for the first time, creating a dog sitting business, and Airbnb-ing my house, which has finally taken a toll on my creativity.

I share with you the direction of my content and a mini rebrand of the podcast set for the fall. Please stay connected with us on here (don't unsubscribe!!), via Instagram and through our free guide called the Happiness Hub. I promise to return with even more meaningful conversations and helpful notes about impactful life transitions.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:20 Life Changes and Challenges

02:01 Creative Struggles and Hiatus

02:48 Rebranding and Future Plans

03:28 Stay Connected and Conclusion

Connect with Me

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Alysson Bourque, a former teacher and lawyer turned full-time author. We get into Alysson’s children's book series, The Alycat Series, specifically focusing on the latest release, 'Alycat and the Sunday Scaries.' 

This series aims to help children navigate life's challenges, with actionable tips that are also beneficial for adults. She shares her personal journey of transitioning from law to writing, overcoming numerous rejections, and the importance of finding small, attainable goals to foster happiness. Our discussion also highlights the significance of gratitude, flexibility, and the creation of personal happiness, even in less-than-ideal circumstances. Alysson offers advice for combating the Sunday Scaries and emphasizes the value of bravery in the face of fear. 

We’ll touch on:

• 00:00 Intro

• 02:11 What does happiness mean to you

• 03:21 Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

• 04:22 Why we get the Sunday Scaries

• 05:48 Her routine change to help her fear

• 09:31 Why was it important to write this for kids

• 10:27 Where she drew inspiration from

• 12:19 How have these books influenced her children

• 14:06 A lesson in standing out and being different, and receiving rejection while continuing on

• 17:19 Pivots in life and stepping into the next thing

• 18:32 Sneak Peek into next book

• 20:01 How to create a little more happiness in your day, every day, starting today

Resources:

How do we age differently? In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Yvonne Marchese, podcaster and creator of Late Bloomer Living, to discuss the different perspectives on aging. 

Together, we challenge societal norms that emphasize the need to stay perpetually young and reflect on Yvonne's personal journey through her 30s and 40s, including career changes, motherhood, and self-discovery. 

Yvonne shares insights on finding happiness through curiosity, embracing playfulness, and letting go of ageist mindsets. They also touch upon the impact of social media on beauty standards and the importance of maintaining a hopeful outlook towards the future. Our episode concludes with practical advice for integrating more joy and personal fulfillment into daily life.

We’ll touch on:

• 00:00 Intro

• 01:50 Diving Into the Conversation: Yvonne's Journey

• 03:03 The Shift in Perspective: Aging and Identity

• 04:52 Exploring Happiness and Curiosity

• 08:50 Finding Joy in the Mundane and Making Time for Play

• 09:35 Late Bloomer Living: The Podcast and Its Mission

• 09:44 Confronting Societal Views on Aging

• 12:07 Personal Reflections on Aging and Beauty Standards

• 13:59 Embracing Change and Overcoming Ageism

• 19:41 Advice for Living a Joyful, Ageless Life

• 26:19 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Yvonne

Resources:

Today I’m thrilled to talk about a topic that’s particularly close to my heart: the correlation between happiness and travel. Over the past year, I've had the opportunity to travel to SO many places, and through this, I’ve uncovered some profound insights. In this episode, I'll share what I’ve learned in hopes that it can inspire and help you on your journey, wherever you are.

Travel is more than just a change of scenery; it's a powerful tool for personal growth and happiness. Stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing new places can provide numerous benefits, including meeting new people, gaining new perspectives, and learning more about yourself and the world.

Travel exposes us to a plethora of new experiences, whether it's tasting exotic foods, exploring unique cultures, or trying new activities. These novel experiences activate our brain’s reward system, sparking joy and expanding our awareness. From my own travels, I've tried various foods and engaged in different cultural practices, which has made me more empathetic and appreciative of diversity.

One of the most significant outcomes of travel is personal growth. I recently heard a quote: "You can't heal in the environment that hurt you," which resonated deeply with me. Travel pushes you out of your comfort zone, allowing you to establish new routines and develop a deeper understanding of yourself. As someone who has recently gone through a separation, travel has been instrumental in my healing and growth journey.

It’s essential to acknowledge that the ability to travel, especially internationally, comes with a level of privilege. However, travel doesn’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful. It could be a short trip to a neighboring city or a brief getaway. The critical thing is to break the monotony of daily life and experience something new.

Travel, in any form, can significantly enhance your happiness and quality of life. It offers unique opportunities for personal growth, broadens your perspective, and allows you to form connections that you otherwise wouldn’t have. As someone who has traveled extensively, I can attest to its profound impact on my happiness and overall well-being.

We’ll touch on:

• 00:00 Intro

• 02:02 Planning stage

• 03:59 New experiences

• 05:23 Personal growth

• 08:15 Connection to self and others

• 11:52 Post travel

Resources:

Have you ever pondered the immense power your mind holds? The thoughts you entertain and the stories you tell yourself can significantly shape your life. In today's episode, we dive into an inspiring conversation with Jayna Swan, an NLP practitioner, who shares her insights on the mind, creativity, and the stories we live by.

If you’re unsure of what NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) is, Jayna defines it and shares how it rewires our thought patterns. Jayna breaks down the concept, emphasizing that our thoughts and words create our reality. She explains how NLP can shift our identity, beliefs, and values to get better results in life by changing the stories we tell ourselves.

Jayna introduces the concept of maintaining emotional neutrality as a form of true power. She discusses how the ability to remain neutral in both successes and failures can lead to a more balanced and powerful life. This segment provides valuable insights into handling emotions and maintaining control over our perspectives.

We also talk about different tools and techniques for self-healing, such as Internal Family Systems (IFS) and other modalities. She provides practical tips for tapping into the subconscious mind to gain better insights and make decisions that align with our true selves.

We’ll touch on:

• 00:00 Intro

• 02:03 What does Happiness Mean to Jayna

• 02:56 Creativity and Constraints: Navigating the Corporate World

• 03:20 The Creative Struggle: Finding Freedom to Express

• 07:22 Exploring NLP: A Gateway to Personal Transformation

• 08:20 The Power of Language: Shaping Our Reality

• 14:51 Understanding Listening Styles: Enhancing Communication

• 18:33 The Power of Neutrality in Business and Life

• 19:19 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Decision Making

• 19:41 Building Rapport and Overcoming Resistance

• 20:17 Navigating Life's Resistance and Finding Your Path

• 21:27 Understanding and Managing Anxiety and Guilt

• 22:07 Exploring Different Modalities for Self-Healing

• 28:39 Introducing the Connection Equation Podcast and Her Embodiment App

Resources: