Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio

What actions do you take to keep your brain healthy? Is it stepping away from your desk for a few minutes to clear your head? Do you take a walk when posed with what seems like an impossible task? If you do, you are actively giving your brain time to process the issue. It can lead to increased productivity and overall happiness in your work. To gather information about the heart and soul of how and why we work, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two women who have harnessed the power of their productivity. Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett is a neuroscientist, psychologist, and author who dispels some popular brain myths and discusses the content of her newest book, Seven and A Half Lessons About the Brain. Carson Tate works with international organizations to help employees attain contentment and joy in their work. Her book, Own It, Love It, Make It Work: How to Make Any Job Your Dream Job, can be used as a guidebook for the new world of work.

Not that long ago elders in our families and tribes were held in high esteem. They were given platforms to tell their stories and share life experiences that enriched and entertained the younger members of the clan. Regrettably, in the modern age, sage advice from the elderly goes mostly unheard. Why, now, is there less interest in those of us with the most knowledge? Why does growing older carry a stigma? To gather unique insights and experienced perspectives, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two engaging authors who have lived their long lives with purpose and curiosity. At 89, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas is an avid traveler and has written 14 books. She shares takeaways from her newest book, Growing Old: Notes on Aging with Something Like Grace, and her opinions as to why some have a prejudice about aging. And at 80 years young, Elaine Mays has written 7 novels that stem from her real-life travels. She shares nuggets from her book, Borneo Experience, and explains why she is a champion for the natural world.

Do you ever take time to consider the synchronicities and connections you may not notice because you are too busy? Humans are subtly, nuanced creatures who are part of the heavens and the earth, but our new, highly-stimulated environments leave little time for magic or deep thought. Our minds are continuously bombarded with branded messages designed to make us take action in a direction we may not want to go. To discover how we can regain personal agency and reduce the amount of control industry-focused cultures have over us, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two changemakers who encourage humans to discover their personal truth and carry it proudly throughout the day. Dr. Paul Napper works with individuals and companies to foster behavioral changes that promote better decision making through strengthening personal agency and reducing stimuli. And, Aaron Dignan guides notable Fortune 500 companies through leadership techniques that encourage heart-nourishing, human-focused decisions.

Are you an entrepreneur ready to follow your dreams and do something you love? Are you prepared to build your business from scratch? Will you employ the same strategies the CIA uses to persuade and recruit spies? Are you willing to record digital interviews to promote your business to a global community of remote viewers? If you haven’t considered these options in your action plan, maybe you should. To discover how to become an agent of influence, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two entrepreneurs who created businesses by doing something they love. Jason Hanson utilizes his CIA experience to train others about using the power of persuasion to grow their business and protect themselves at his Spy, Escape, and Evasion Ranch. And, Mario Arabov promotes entrepreneurs and businesses by creating community connections with his digital interview app, LAMA

Aging is a right of passage we can and should embrace. As our systems shift and our hormones dwindle it is up to us to stay fit and healthy in our minds and bodies. But, it is not always easy when faced with a lack of motivation, forgetfulness, or a little weight gain. What should we be worrying about and what things should we accept without issue? To find out the best ways to live a long healthy, joyful life even through menopause, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who reveal how we can stay mentally and physically healthy. Jackie Lynch shares information from her book, The Happy Menopause, and educates us on better ways to care for ourselves and how to manage stress through lifestyle and nutritional choices. And, at 85, Chris Crowley, shares the keys to getting Younger Next Year, including his recommendations for exercise, proper nutrition, and keeping the brain healthy.  

If you are a parent of a young adult, you might hear discussions about gender identity, sexual orientation or sexual identity in your household. Or, maybe there is radio silence in that department but as a person who works in substance abuse and trauma recovery, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen hears challenges with young adults daily. During this podcast, she speaks with two experts in equal rights and equal opportunities for LGBT and transgender communities. Dr. Perry Halkitis is the Founder and Director of the Center for Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention Studies. He shares how people can support loved ones who are exploring their identity and orientation. And, Don Haider-Markel is Professor and Chair of political science at the University of Kansas. He explains how public policies affect LGBT and transgender communities and the progress the U.S. has made in these areas since the 1990s.

Where does power reside within your business? Is your company stuck in a trickle-down corporate leadership model where decision-making is only conducted by a few? Does the leadership team know or care about the level of employee engagement or employee satisfaction? Now may be the best time to reinvent the leadership strategy of an organization. In this episode, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two change agents who have turned traditional leadership roles into inspiring social experiments. Rob Dube implements meditation and community strategies from his book, do nothing at his business ImageOne and organizes do nothing silent retreats for other business leaders. And, Kevin Hancock cares for his business, Hancock Lumber, based on the principles of his book, The Seventh Power, a book that documents the leadership epiphanies he experienced after losing his voice.

Along with the tragedies of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been challenges that force businesses to change the way they operate and serve their clients. Many of these major pivots have included a completely mobile workforce, virtual sales calls, and a shift in brand marketing. Organizations are attributing increased employee productivity to a better home/work balance afforded to them by this ‘great pause’. But, what conditions will move forward to become part of the new normal business landscape? To uncover the possible upsides of a more holistic work environment, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with three people who assist some of the top companies to evaluate the way they do business and integrate company values into their marketing. Husband and wife storytelling team, Scott Cullather and Kristina McCoobery discuss their latest book for entrepreneurs, Challenge Everything, and Todd Davis, Chief People Officer of Franklin Covey, discusses the 30th-anniversary edition of The Seven Habits of Highly-Effective People by Stephen Covey.

One surprisingly good thing about the COVID pandemic is that parents who work from home have had more time to spend with their children. And it is scientifically proven that children benefit in mind, body, and spirit when they have more positive connections with their parents. Fathers, in particular, have embraced the opportunity to spend time with their children during these current events. The wholesome, loving energy between a father and a child has been linked to more flexible thinking and increased tolerance of others. To better understand the many ways rituals can nourish children, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two experts whose work reflects the benefits of family gatherings, Armin Brott and Dr. Anne Fishel. Armin Brott delves into why the role of a father is important in a child’s development and Dr. Fishel describes the significance of family dinners in helping children thrive.

Taking time away from our digital devices is not easy. Each bell and ding of app notifications was designed to hook us and keep us engaged. Many people don’t realize that the more attention they pay to their devices the less time they are engaged in the present moment. But, putting our devices down, even for a minute can cause anxiety and depression. To find out how we can take back our time and focus our attention on the important parts of the human experience, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who share their work about digital detox. Nir Eyal details his four strategies for becoming indistractable from his book, Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. And, returning guest Jordan Reid, shares excerpts from her family life that enticed her to write The Big Activity Book for Digital Detox.