Harvesting Happiness Podcasts

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.

Useful Mistakes and Smarter Choices: Becoming a Better Decision-Maker with Skip Prichard and Robert Dilenschneider. On average, we make 35-36 thousand decisions every day. When we have a clear sense of purpose, we make better, conscious decisions that attract people, ideas, and resources to help move us forward and foster our success. Major factors that promote financial, emotional, and social well being including curating the type of information we allow ourselves to take in and the people we surround ourselves with. If all we have to do is follow the rules to transform our lives, why are some of us still making mistakes?To take a closer look at why we do what we do, Positive Psychology podcast host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who write about elements of human behavior. Skip Prichard is a humanitarian who generously gives of his time and shares his insights with those who want to succeed in life. He discusses his newest book,The Book of Mistakes. And, Robert Dilenschneider is a professional counselor to corporations, consumer groups, and news organizations. He shares stories of the people included in his book, Decisions: Practical Advice from 23 Men and Women Who Shaped the World.

We have been led to believe that life doesn’t come with a manual, but what if it did? What if the small synchronicities in life were a road map to spiritual healing? What if ancient texts could be used in the modern world to help our minds make sense of the interconnectedness of everything? Maybe, it’s possible to complete our inner transformation by giving more of ourselves in the service of others. To unravel the mystery of our spiritual beings in this physical life, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two scientists and doctors who are on a quest to gain spiritual momentum by helping others find their spiritual path. Stephen G. Post is a master storyteller and doctor. He shares the personal synchronicities that have shaped his life. And, Isaac Bentwich, a scientist and yoga teacher explains why he translated the Bhagavad Gita and what the meditative guide means to him.

Have you ever been given an out-of-network medical bill you thought was covered by your healthcare plan? Did you jump through hoops to try and resolve it only to learn it wasn’t covered because you were traveling? Navigating our constantly-changing modern healthcare model takes resolve and is not for the faint of heart. To unlock the secrets and get tips right from the source, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two doctors who work to simplify the system for the public. Dr. Dennis Deruelle uses football as the overarching theme in his book, Your Healthcare Playbook: Winning the Game of Modern Medicine, to untangle the sometimes convoluted healthcare system. And, men’s health expert, Dr. Salvatore Giorgianni unpacks the confusing world of prescription medication

How often do we suppress our intrinsic desires only to follow the path laid out for us by society or religion? What if it is possible to fulfill ourselves and to feel intensely alive by simply allowing our internal guiding light to lead the way? And, what if our desire is the internal compass that leads us to our very own, precious destiny? Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who relish in subjects that border on the existential and divine. Dr. Saida Désilets describes the true nature of desire and how it guides our lives. And, Dr. Lissa Rankin explains how we all have an innate inner light that leads us to the eternal flame.

Drug overdose is the number one cause of death among people under the age of 50 in the US and Canada. Effective treatment options for those afflicted with substance abuse issues are limited  and lack government participation. But, why? All of us want to feel good and many people who become addicted are just trying to combat their depression and pain. Lisa’s guests, Dr. Daniel Lieberman, and Mike Long describe the upside of dopamine and its role in human existence. Then, Travis Lupick unpacks the story of how the city of Vancouver, Canada, defies the stigma of drug consumption and helps substance abusers get clean.

Neurodiversity refers to variations in the human brain regarding sociability, learning, attention, mood and other mental functions. As the percentage of neurodiverse children and teens rise, parents and school systems may find themselves with few resources on how to adapt to children who learn and behave differently. Many children are being prescribed psychoactive medications when proper nutrition, sleep, and exercise may be a better remedy. In addition, children are susceptible to the onslaught of chemicals and preservatives in highly-processed foods. Where can parents, family members, and those who work with children turn for guidance when non-traditional methods are no longer valid? To find out more about how we can support children and teens who are wired differently, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two women who are mothers, authors, and podcast hosts about neurodiversity and behavioral differences in children. Dr. Nicole Beurkens shares insights from her book, Life Will Get Better: Simple Solutions for Parents of Children with Attention, Anxiety, Mood and Behavior Challenges. And, Debbie Reber offers unique tilts from her book, Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World. This episode includes practical strategies and tips on nutrition, sleep, mindset, and the importance of taking care of the caretaker.

When asked about money most people in the U.S. have a negative view of the role it plays in their lives. And, while everyone says they want to be rich, many people have never read a book or taken a class on how to attract or grow wealth. With predatory lending and unprecedented debt at an all-time high, transforming your relationship with money just might be the key to finding financial success. To discover the connection between money and happiness, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks to two financial experts about the positive aspects of wealth. Ken Honda shares the Japanese concept of happy money from his book, Happy Money and Remit Sethi discusses strategies on how to grow what you already have from the second edition of his book, I Will Teach You to Be Rich.

This episode is about building sustainable, romantic relationships. The type of love we received in our childhood is imprinted in our brains. Early feelings and emotions color every single action we take in our adult life unless we rewire our neural pathways. Compassionate communication can improve the quality of our relationships and our lives. When we understand that we deserve love, we are able to be our fully vulnerable, beautiful selves with our partners to create long-lasting happy, fulfilling relationships that allow both partners to thrive. Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with three authors who have done the work toward creating better relationships for themselves and others. Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt met 42 years ago and have since created Imago Relationship Therapy and written the eternal book, Get the Love You Want. And, Gary Salyer is the author of Safe to Love and has dedicated his life to understanding how new neural pathways can be created.

This episode is about ethical buying decisions and embracing our shared humanity to create a better world. When companies focus on products, the human factor is often an afterthought. But markets are ultimately driven by consumer demand and consumers are human. When we humans make buying decisions that align with our values we can change the world, we can influence election outcomes, and we can enrich the lives of others. To uncover the potential of this new way of spending currency, Positive Psychology podcast host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors about building strong connections and how to be compassionate while spending our time and money. Guests, Jane Mosbacher-Morris assists consumers with finding companies who align with their values and Adam Waytz shares suggestions on how we can all avoid the dehumanization currently afoot in today’s culture.

How many people have gone to their deathbed wishing they would have worked more and spent less time doing things they enjoyed? It’s probably safe to assume, not many people. So, why continue to reply to questions with “I’ve been busy”, “I haven’t had the time”, or “I can’t, I have to work”? Why do we voluntarily restrict our personal freedom for our work? Host Lisa Kamen speaks with two influencers who found ways to enjoy life more by injecting mindfulness and productivity into their work. Dr. Bryan Robinson describes his time as a workaholic and how he turned his life around when he set boundaries for himself. And, Natalie Sisson tells how she created her business, The Suitcase Entrepreneur, to run efficiently without her.