Harvesting Happiness Podcasts

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

Navigating the bureaucracy of the US healthcare system for patients and their families can be a trauma over and above the adverse medical event. Over 100,000 Americans are waiting for an organ transplant and many of them may not have enough insurance coverage to cover the cost of the operation and the required post-op pharmaceuticals during recovery. To determine what can be done to repair our failing healthcare system and what it will take to have a nation of healthy people, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two medical doctors who wrote books about their respective fields of care. Dr. Deane Waldman is on a mission to cure the US healthcare system. He describes how the system is ill and the key takeaways from his book, Curing the Cancer in U. S. Healthcare: StatesCare and Market-Based Medicine. Dr. David Weill details the stories of the organ transplant process in his book, Exhale: Hope, Healing, and a Life in Transplant. He shares information about the donors, the

‘Tis the season for spending most of the next few months indoors. Many of us will be breathing recycled air while we do our best to avoid COVID, prevent colds, and the flu. But, with the holidays approaching people will be out en masse. So, what can we do to decrease our chance of infection and keep ourselves and the people we care about healthy? To discover a remedy for a possible health crisis, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen asks doctors who promote preventative medicine to their patients. Dr. Aaron Hartman, founder of the Virginia Research Center and is board certified in Integrative and Functional Medicine, shares a plethora of foundational lifestyle basics and supplements to boost the immune system when it is needed the most. And, Dr. Neil Schacther, author of The Doctor’s Guide to Colds and Flu: How to Prevent Strep Throat, Pneumonia, and COVID at Any Age offers tips and tricks that help keep bodily systems running smoothly and help stave off infection.

Parenting in the digital age is a journey none of our ancestors had to traverse. And, until now, there were very few guidebooks for parents who are negotiating this new territory. Questions such as — How involved should parents be in their young adults’ digital life? Can a child’s developmental journey be disrupted by excess social media usage? Or, Do well-known parenting rules of the past, such as modeling the behavior you want your child to exhibit, apply to technology? were only recently studied. To reveal the data, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen asks two educators to discuss their parental guidebooks and provide their expert insights on this newly charted subject matter. Award-winning author, Dr. Alex Packer describes the key takeaways from his newest book, Slaying Digital Dragons: Tips and tools for protecting your body, brain, psyche, and thumbs from the digital dark side. And, therapist Neil Brown LCSW shares actionable strategies from his work Ending the Parent-Teen Co

Many of us are searching for a more simplified approach to life as we tackle everyday living during these complicated times. Some philosophies and religious traditions may seem antiquated when addressing modern conscious thought. To discover a better life practice to help us find conscious solutions and simplify life’s tough challenges, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who share their contemporary philosophies about how to transform life through consciousness. Leonard Perlmutter shares the practice of parenting our subconscious mind and details practices from his latest book, Your Conscience: The Key to Unlock Limitless Wisdom and Creativity and Solve All of Life's Challenges. Dr. Eric Maisel shares his transformational practices of identifying and creating life purpose choices to create a guide for living the life we desire from his book, Lighting the Way: How Kirism Answers Life’s Toughest Questions.

The last few years have been topsy-turvy as far as human moral evolution is concerned. The global pandemic and civil unrest in many countries around the world have given rise to more questions than answers. Society’s moral fabric was torn politically and at the same time mended philosophically as we came to understand our interdependence. In the US, we took to our tribes, during the worst and the best of times. To discover the positives and negatives of our going tribal and how we might gain a better understanding of our place in the world, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two Philosophy professors and authors. Allen Buchanan recounts key chapters from his book, Our Moral Fate: Evolution and the Escape from Tribalism and discusses the shaky ground on which democracy sits. Simon Critchley shares philosophical takeaways from his book, Bald: 35 Philosophical Short Cuts, and what he thinks humans gained and lost during the pandemic, philosophically speaking.

We all have stories we acquire based on what happens to us as we live our lives. Some of us identify as mothers, fathers, artists, hustlers, hard-workers, and the list goes on. But, are those identities who we truly are? When we sit with ourselves in the present moment, is our identity our true essence, or simply an amalgamation of what happened to us in the past? To discern how we can perceive our true nature and commence on a spiritual journey, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who have studied meditation and philosophy in India. Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati exchanged her Western culture for eastern philosophy. She discusses the transformational journey that came from shedding her identities and embracing forgiveness from her book, Hollywood to the Himalayas: A Journey of Healing and Transformation. Peter Russell reveals the lessons in his book, Letting Go of Nothing: Relax Your Mind and Discover the Wonder of Your True Nature and unpacks the mantra let it go and let i

Becoming a caregiver for aging parents or someone you love can be a reversal of roles for you and the person you care for. Plus, if the person you care for has any form of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, you will need to look at things differently. There will, most likely, be challenges and opportunities in relationships that may have never been addressed before. To gain a better understanding of the mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual demands managing dementia can present, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors about their in-depth knowledge and personal experiences. Professor of Neurology, Andrew Budson discusses his latest book, Six Steps to Managing Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia: A Guide for Families. His straightforward research and clinical information serves to keep those in the caregiver role healthy. He also shares basic strategies to help stave off memory loss and dementia for all of us. Patti Davis is the author of Floating in the Deep End: How Caregiv

Secure, loving relationships are the cornerstone of happiness. The deeper and more intimate our relationships the less we have to resent and regret as we age. Many consider becoming an adult to be a number we grow into, but our chronological age differs vastly from what it means to mature. To explore processes that assist us in overcoming our childhood triggers and unconscious shadows, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two adults who examine what creates a purposeful life as we live and age. Dr. Connie Zweig is a retired therapist and Elder who explains the key processes from her book, The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from Role to Soul. Ira Israel is a Coach, Counselor, and Therapist who discusses what it means to be a successful adult and the goal of his book, How to Survive Your Childhood Now That You Are an Adult.

Who benefits from making Americans fat, tired, and sick? Big food and big pharma that’s who. Grocery stores are brimming with ultra-processed, sugar-laden alternatives to real food, and doctors benefit monetarily from dolling out pharmaceuticals that only treat symptoms, not illnesses. To determine what individuals can do to live a healthy life and make more nutritious food choices, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two doctors who have researched the effects of processed foods and sugar consumption. Dr. Robert Lustig uses six simple words as a golden rule when it comes to nutrition and health. He dispels common food myths and chronic diseases as detailed in his book, Metabolical. And, Dr. Robert Barrett discusses the dark sides of social media, smartphone use, and the real drug problem in the U.S., all from his latest book, Hardwired.