Harvesting Happiness Podcasts

Plenty of information exists about how exercise can boost our immune system and add years to our lives. Emerging research shows that physical movement can also ward off dementia, increase creativity, and help us manage stress. To work out how movement and exercise may be the wonder drug to heal our brains and reduce the need for pharmaceuticals, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen, speaks with two authors whose work focuses on the connection between how moving the body can heal the brain. Dr. Jennifer Heisz describes the research that inspired her book, Move The Body, Heal The Mind: Overcome Anxiety, Depression, and Dementia and Improve Focus, Creativity, and Sleep. During the conversation, she shares the physiology behind why the brain makes it hard for some of us to get moving and how moving more improves our mental health. Journalist Caroline Williams details the evidence behind the findings included in her book, Move: How the New Science Can Set Your Mind Free, and shares t

A cancer or other life-threatening disease diagnosis is a difficult blow to the patient receiving the news. The next steps for the patient include sharing the weight of the news with friends and loved ones. For some, certain expectations of support accompany the disclosure. A response can be difficult because the right thing to say differs from person to person. Is it better in some cases not to say anything and just listen? Our individual personality traits make it difficult to apply a one-size-fits-all communication style to all situations. But, to explore how we can show up for loved ones as better humans, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen, speaks with two doctors who research the human condition and communication. Dr. Adam Stern shares his journey of seeing the doctor-patient relationship change when he received his cancer diagnosis as detailed in his book, Committed: Dispatches from a Psychiatrist in Training. Dr. Colter Ray studies how human beings support each other during difficult t

The term retirement planning is often used by financial institutions to describe the means necessary to sustain a quality of life after a person’s primary career has ended. This antiquated way of thinking worked for a while, but times are changing. Longer life spans afford people new opportunities to recreate their lives and careers to be more aligned with their authentic selves and to nurture their desires. Healthy 50-year-olds often live into their 90s, so why would one career be enough if there are 40 more productive years in store? To find out more about opportunities available during a second or third phase of life, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen, speaks with two authors who embrace new possibilities to reignite purpose and meaning in life. Darrin Tulley left his CPA practice to practice connecting with people to help them find their joy. Darrin describes the pillars of his book, Live Your Possible: Ignite Your Happy Authentic Self and Live a Fulfilling Life Rooted in Joy, Inclusion,

Research shows that most people believe themselves to be above average when it comes to most things. And, for some, being right has become less of a virtue and more of a defensive stance. Standing our ground on trivial issues may damage our relationships and make us more susceptible to disinformation campaigns. To discover the strategies that help us to increase our critical thinking skills and our intellectual humility, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen, speaks with two experts about their work in what motivates humans to think critically. Mark Leary, a professor emeritus at Duke, describes the three benefits to being intellectually humble, the history of the study of intellectual humility, and strategies to increase connection and creativity by increasing intellectual humility. Author and Research Fellow, Lee McIntyre, shares excerpts from his book, How to Talk to a Science Denier: Conversations with Flat Earthers, Climate Deniers, and Others Who Defy Reason and describes how to practice i

If the cells that make up our bodies regenerate completely every seven to ten years why is it that we hold on to and perpetuate trauma? And, if in every moment of our lives we have a choice about how to feel and how to react, why do some choose to be a victim? Suffering based on someone else’s actions is living amid that person's karmic drama. It disempowers us and eliminates our agency. To discover the transformational practice of spirituality and how we are able to consciously create our lives, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with returning guest Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati. Sadhvi shares her story that is the basis of her book, Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation. She reminds us that we have the choice to create our reality, and that forgiveness and compassion for others empower us to have compassion for ourselves.

Have you given any thought to your problem-solving abilities? When discord arises in personal relationships or business affairs, what strategies do you employ to bring about amicable resolutions? Communication issues can be overcome and in many cases, the resolution can solve problems and reward those involved by building deeper, more intimate relationships. To deconstruct how to build better relationships through effective communication, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors about the fine points of solving problems and discord in relationships. Amy Herman discusses some structural strategies for solving communications problems through the lens of fine art taken from her book, Fixed: How to Perfect the Fine Art of Problem Solving, and shares examples of how she assists her highly-sensitive clientele. Ed Tronick is a developmental and clinical psychologist who explains the essential elements of the book he co-authored, The Power of Discord: Why the Ups and Downs of Relatio

Are you one of the many people who stray away from talking about your death? If so, you may be making the grieving process more difficult for those you love. From the minutiae of notifying friends and extended family to logging off your myriad of internet accounts the people managing your affairs and assets after you die, have a big responsibility. To put to rest which details are necessary for the death process and what information benefits the overseers of your estate most, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with four people in the estate planning space. Abbey Schneiderman, Gene Newman, and Adam Seifer co-authored, In Case You Get Hit by a Bus: How to Organize Your Life Now. They discuss key information from the book and share personal stories of what can happen to the living after a death. The Host of the Dying Kindness podcast, Cianna Stewart talks about trends in the industry of death, the emergence of death doulas, and the compounded grief little or no death planning can cause aft

The research of women’s health issues is an underserved area of study. Many women resort to becoming citizen scientists to sort out their symptoms in an effort to put the puzzle pieces together to achieve wellness. Conventional medicine rarely uses natural methods or plants to help women achieve proper wellness, opting instead for pharmaceuticals, which normally only serve to hide symptoms. To get to the root of women’s wellness, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two women authors who prescribe a natural form of health outside of conventional medicine. Aviva Romm has been a healthcare practitioner for over 30 years. She shares key takeaways from her book, Hormone Intelligence: The Complete Guide to Calming Hormone Chaos and Restoring Your Body's Natural Blueprint for Well-Being, and details her unique journey through medical school. Clinical Herbalist, Dina Falconi describes how she treats patients with whole foods and herbs she has collected in the wild and incorporated into ever

Losing people we love is a universal human experience. Yet, how we deal with the loss, and grieving comes in different forms for each individual and often it is an extension of the love we felt for the departed. Some may take solace in the company of others to help them cope while others grieve for years in solitude. There is no right or wrong way to grieve and there is no specific length of time it takes for grief to wane. Neuroscience shows that our brains change during grief and after certain treatments for complicated grief, post-traumatic growth can be achieved. To discover ways to restore a meaningful life after a loss, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who have books that focus on loss and grief. Mary-Frances O’Connor explains the findings from her book, The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss and Daniel Shapiro recounts his experience with loss and the lessons he extracted from his grief.

The best things in life may be free, but they are not necessarily easy. The value a thing has for us increases, to some degree, based on how difficult it was for us to pursue and acquire. The more we suffer, willingly or unwillingly, sets us apart from other animals and can even enhance our social status. Why? Because being ‘happy’ all the time is boring. Voicing our grievances and in more extreme cases, self-harm solicits acknowledgment from our fellow human beings. If we are always content with what we have, what role would innovation and imagination have in our lives? To discover the ‘sweet spot’ between distress and eustress, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two experts of human behavior about the suffering that gives life purpose and meaning. Paul Bloom discusses key elements of his book, The Sweet Spot: The Pleasures of Suffering and the Search for Meaning, and @sitwithwhit creator, Whitney Goodman details the sobering information from her book, Toxic Positivity: Keeping it

Eliminating disease and healing ourselves with positive thoughts sounds like a science-fiction movie to some but to those who are seeking enlightenment, peace, love, and happiness are the next medical frontier. Beyond the world of fad diets, supplements, and fear-based incentives there is a holistic approach to wellness, which many believe is too simple to be true. Whether it is a short prayer of gratitude, a mindful breath in the morning, or a Reiki session with an energy healer, mind over matter is real. To bring to light a transformational approach to overall well-being, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two women who practice an elevated state of consciousness. Lisa’s long-time friend, Agapi Stassinopoulos discusses her book, Speaking with Spirit: 52 Prayers to Guide, Inspire, and Uplift You, and her conversations with spirit and the beauty of relishing each moment. And, a pioneer of quantum integrative medicine and family doctor, Valentina Onisor shares the hea

There are approximately 6,500 languages spoken in the world. In each of those, there are multiple dialects, meanings, and expressions. While some Cincinnatians may say ‘Jeezle Petes’ when they are confused by someone’s behavior. Our friends across the pond say ‘for Pete’s sake’ with a similar connotation, even though both groups are both speaking English. Consider some of your favorite words and expressions. Where do they originate? Did your grandparents create it out of thin air or is it a turn of phrase rooted deep into linguistic history? To investigate all the joy this human communication tool can offer, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two wordsmiths about the origin story of age-old expressions and how language is ever-evolving. Martha Barnette is the host of A Way with Words, a radio show that investigates the connection between dialects and linguistic diversity in languages as well as the origin of widely-used phrases. Beth Kobliner recounts her parents' journey of collec

On today’s inaugural Season two episode, Lauren is inviting on psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, Lori Gottlieb! The two dive in right away as Lauren asks Lori if she always envisioned being a counsellor and how to create incredible connection with others through storytelling and music. The pair also chat about: what Lori believes drives the narrative of isolation, Lauren’s personal story with counselling and mental health, how to identify what ‘wise compassion’ is, the difference between productive anxiety vs unproductive anxiety and exactly where to start to breed more compassion. If you’re ready to understand a little more about yourself, and those around you, to ultimately cultivate deeper relationships - this episode is for you. In addition to her clinical practice, Lori writes The Atlantic’s weekly “Dear Therapist” advice column and is co-host of the popular “Dear Therapists” podcast produced by Katie Couric. Listen here: http://wondery.fm/Happines

The widely-used adage ‘you can’t pick your family’ generally translates in to making the best of what you have when you have no choice in the matter. People rarely have the option to choose who provides their mental and physical nourishment, especially children. How we handle relationships with relatives once we reach adulthood is up to us. But, if we have been subject to years of gaslighting or mental manipulation, it can be difficult to discern between what we believe is good for us and what we truly need to thrive. To dissect the cycle of both gaslighting and estrangement, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with a therapist and a researcher about the complex relationships we engage in and disconnect from. Doctor of Psychology, Deborah Vinall offers an in-depth look at gaslighting, describes the key takeaways from her book, Gaslighting: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide to Heal from Emotional Abuse and Build Healthy Relationships, and shares the steps people can take to set self-honoring

What do you think about when you pass a homeless encampment or homeless shelter? Do you assume most of the people living there have substance abuse or mental health issues? It is a common myth. The truth is the age at which people are most likely to find themselves in a homeless shelter in the US is in infancy. To shine a light on important initiatives and programs currently available to reduce homelessness in the US and how we all can make a positive impact, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two educators about solutions proven to work to alleviate homelessness. Coauthor of In the Midst of Plenty: Homelessness and What to Do About It, Marybeth Shinn dispels common myths about homelessness and shares how we all can be part of the solution. Associate Director of Rural Studio at Auburn University, Rusty Smith, describes how reducing homelessness strengthens communities, especially in persistently impoverished communities and the innovative approaches of Rural Studio and Front Porch

Being sleep-deprived leaves us vulnerable to sickness and disease, both physical and mental. Plus, during the pandemic protecting our immune system is of the utmost importance as it is the surest way to stave off a sometimes deadly, long-haul virus. Most of us know the benefits of getting more and better sleep but few of us know how we can achieve it. To uncover the key components of how to sleep more solidly and become more rested, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two sleep experts about the main factors that prohibit us from sleeping and how we can increase well-being through better sleep. The host of the Talking Sleep podcast, Dr. Seema Kholsa describes the effects of COVID on sleep patterns and sleep apnea and ways to fall asleep more quickly. And, author of The Natural Sleeper: A Bedside Guide to Complementary and Alternative Solutions to Better Sleep, Julie Wright, describes which natural substances aid the body when falling asleep and alternative therapies tha

When we are children, unbeknownst to us, neural pathways are being wired together in our brains. This neural-biological wiring colors all our future decisions, how we deal with stress and trauma, and our level of contentment. If we experienced trauma as children, shifting how we interact with the world is not always easy. To discover strategies and concepts that help us heal, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who have their own personal, transformational journeys. Dr. Elizabeth Stanley studies the neural biological wiring in our brain as it relates to stress and trauma. She shares concepts and strategies from her book, Widen the Window. And, Blake D. Bauer found his way out of addiction through meditation and mindfulness which he describes in his book, You Were Not Born to Suffer.

For most people, finding happiness and meaning isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when they think of work. But what if it was? What if individuals funneled their creativity and a little of their personal magic into designing a new work-life that was meaningful and fulfilling? To extract advice about designing a life of meaningful work, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who have channeled their creativity into new careers and serve others through their books. Dr. Katharine Brooks revamped the famous career guide, What Color is Your Parachute? for 2021 and wrote two additional books during the pandemic. And, Forensic Psychiatrist, Dr. Amber Fossey found herself with a substantial Instagram and Etsy following when she tapped into her creative inner child. Her sense of childlike wonder is accompanied by her poetry and illustrations in the book, Be Wild Be Free.

According to Pew Research, about one-quarter of Americans identify as spiritual, but not religious. It is becoming apparent that communicating with the divine need not be done in a church or a place that identifies with one religion, as many have done in the past. As universal consciousness awakens, how will our relationship with God transform? Will we be able to embrace stillness and quiet moments to allow God, the Divine, Source, or the Universe to speak to us in a way that lights the way toward compassion and love? To seek out guidance on how we can redefine our spiritual practice, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two theologists who have contemplated ethics, evolution, and the divine. Rabbi Wayne Dosick is the host of Spirit Talk Live!, a visiting professor at the University of San Diego, and the author of many books including Radical Loving: One God, One World, and One People, which he discusses during the conversation. Jan Phillips is a speaker and award-winning author. She