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  • Laughing Your Way to Happiness – Cathy Nesbitt

    Laughing Your Way to Happiness – Cathy Nesbitt
    2026/10/13
    October 13, 2026 Laughing Your Way to Happiness – Cathy Nesbitt Find AcceptancePractice GratitudeTrust Life YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Listen to the Audio Version Show Notes Can you really laugh your way to happiness? Cathy Nesbitt says yes, and she should know. Every morning her laughter buddy calls, and instead of saying hello, they just start laughing. She’s done it every day for over four years. Jim sat down to chat with Cathy, the Laughing Bean Queen, a certified Laughter Yoga teacher, worm composting pioneer, and someone who hasn’t gone a single day without sprouts since 2002. In this episode of the Happiness Hacks Podcast they talk about all things laughter and joy, from why your body can’t tell a fake laugh from a real one, to how one laughter session helped a woman sleep through the night for the first time in eight weeks. They even discuss why the heavier the world feels, the more we need to laugh. As Cathy states, joy isn’t something you save for weekends and vacations. It’s your birthright. Time to let it in. In This Episode How Cathy turned a garbage crisis into a 24-year worm composting missionWhat Laughter Yoga really is (hint: no yoga mat required)Why your brain releases your daily D.O.S.E. of dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins when you laughRemarkable stories of laughter helping people sleep, heal and reconnectWhy managing stress is the key to clear thinking and a happier, more vibrant lifeGrowing sprouts: nature’s original fast foodCathy’s free weekly online laughter club, the Global Giggle Gang Resources & Links The Happiness Collection on AmazonCathy’s Crawly CompostersCathy’s Chuckle Club Featured Guest Cathy Nesbitt Guest Cathy Nesbitt, known to many as the “Laughing Bean Queen,” is a Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher, speaker, and health and wellness advocate based just north of Toronto, Canada. A self-described philomath and lifelong learner, Cathy earned her degree in psychology after 15 years of night school, and her fascination with why people do what they do runs through everything she shares. Her mission is simple: help people feel good, because when we feel good, we do good. Cathy discovered Laughter Yoga in 2012, trained as a leader in 2015, and became a teacher in 2016. Today she trains new laughter leaders and brings the practice to seniors, people with special needs, adult day programs, and cancer support communities. Since June 2020, she has hosted the Global Giggle Gang, a free online laughter club every Tuesday morning, which she now co-leads with her husband, Rick. She also starts every day with a laughter buddy, a practice she’s kept up since December 2021. Laughter isn’t Cathy’s only passion. In 2002, after watching her region begin shipping its garbage across the border, she founded Cathy’s Crawly Composters to help families turn food waste into rich soil with red wiggler worms. That same year, she began eating sprouts every day, and she now teaches others to grow their own as “nature’s original fast food.” With a goal of living vibrantly to 111, Cathy is living proof that joy, curiosity, and a good belly laugh are some of the best medicine there is. Ready to Raise Your Baseline of Happiness? Take the free quiz to discover where you are today and get a personalized plan for where to go next. Take the FREE Happiness Quiz
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    1 時間 12 分
  • The Happiness of Acceptance – Kristen Renee Appleby

    The Happiness of Acceptance – Kristen Renee Appleby
    2026/10/07
    October 7, 2026 The Happiness of Acceptance – Kristen Renee Appleby Find AcceptanceTrust LifeLive in the Present YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Listen to the Audio Version Show Notes What happens when the life you’ve built starts working against you? Kristen Renee Appleby spent years caught in the hustle, trying to keep everything together while living for other people’s expectations. Then an autoimmune diagnosis, panic attacks, and years of physical symptoms forced her to look more deeply at the connection between her body, emotions, mindset, and the way she was living. Kristen shares how she eventually decided to blow up her life, leave her career, move to a new place, slow down, and begin rebuilding from the inside out. We cover everything from childhood patterns, people-pleasing, self-acceptance, emotional trauma, therapy, meditation, gratitude, authenticity, purpose, and the beliefs we carry around money. Kristen also explains why she believes healing requires looking at the whole picture, from your mindset and environment to your daily habits, relationships, your body, and what you’re putting into it. And we talk about why you don’t have to quit your job and move into the wilderness to start making meaningful changes. At the heart of the conversation is a simple message: wherever you are right now is okay, and change is possible. Because sometimes finding your way forward starts with accepting exactly where you are. In This Episode Kristen’s journey from the corporate rat race to rebuilding her life from the ground upHow an autoimmune diagnosis and panic attacks changed the way she saw her lifeThe connection between our mind, body, emotions, and environmentWhy self-acceptance is an important part of creating HappinessHow meditation, presence, and gratitude can shift the way we experience lifeKristen’s journey with money, purpose, and finding a healthier, happier way to liveWhy she believes that no matter where you are, you can rebuild Resources & Links The Happiness Collection on AmazonThe Baseline of Happiness QuizKristen Renee Appleby Website Featured Guest Kristen Renee Appleby Guest Kristen Renee Appleby is a transformation coach, speaker, and wellness author whose work helps people rebuild what she calls a “Healthy Foundation” across body, finances, and career. Drawing on a long corporate career and her own healing journeys through chronic inflammation, mystery symptoms, panic attacks, and burnout, she teaches that our symptoms aren’t separate problems but signals from a body that is guiding us toward balance. Her approach blends the spiritual with the practical, helping clients release limiting beliefs, shift their energy, and step into a more confident, connected, and authentic life without sacrificing health for success. She is the author of Healing the Money Wound, The Elements of Healing, and The Purpose Workbook. She also writes The Rebuild Collective on Substack, sharing insights on rebuilding foundations for your body, business, and bank account. Become the Happiest Person You Know Every episode is a step closer to a happier, more intentional life. Subscribe and we’ll send you new episodes, happiness hacks, and insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
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    1 時間 7 分
  • The Happiness of Play – Zander Phelps

    The Happiness of Play – Zander Phelps
    2026/09/25
    September 25, 2026 The Happiness of Play – Zander Phelps Explore CreativityMove the Body YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Listen to the Audio Version Show Notes Play isn’t a break from a happy life, rather, it’s one of the best ways to build one. In this episode of the Podcast, Jim talks with Zander Phelps, the zPlayCoach, about footbags, juggling, origami, and why play is one of the simplest ways to raise your Baseline of Happiness. Zander shares how burning out at a 100-hour-a-week job led him to sell everything and travel the world with a backpack and a footbag in his pocket. A three-hour game in an airport terminal became the start of a lifelong mission to spread play around the world, one hand-sewn HackiDo at a time. Throughout the conversation, Zander explains why he calls juggling the ultimate brain exercise, how play lowers stress and shifts the brain into what he calls the Play Flow State, and how simple tools like the HackiDo and Craniogami can keep the mind and body active at any age. He and Jim also talk about the four play archetypes (the Warrior, the Wizard, the Bard, and the Druid) and why putting down the phone to connect with the people around us matters now more than ever. You don’t have to be a juggler or a footbag player to benefit from Zander’s wisdom. Happiness can come from just remembering that we were born to play. In This Episode Zander defines Happiness as a state of being and a higher vibrationThe HackiDo: why he hand-sews them from hemp and gives them awayWhy juggling is the ultimate brain exercise and a fast way to de-stressCraniogami: folding your brain into shape with dollar bill origamiPhones, disconnection, and why play is fundamentally humanWhy play fuels productivity and creativity at work Resources & Links The Happiness Collection on AmazonThe Baseline of Happiness QuizzPlayCoach Featured Guest Zander Phelps Guest Alexander “Zander” Phelps, known as the zPlayCoach, is a PlayFlowState coach and the founder of HACKiDO and the Path of Play. For more than 30 years he has traveled the world sharing juggling, footbag, and creative movement as tools for joy, connection, and a healthier brain. Based in Ventura, California, Zander blends evidence-based behavior change with playful movement to help people overcome burnout, reconnect with their inner child, and rediscover the power of play. His new book is The Path of Play. Become the Happiest Person You Know Every episode is a step closer to a happier, more intentional life. Subscribe and we’ll send you new episodes, happiness hacks, and insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
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    59 分
  • The Happiness of Creating – Jordan & Jillian

    The Happiness of Creating – Jordan & Jillian
    2026/09/12
    September 12, 2026 The Happiness of Creating – Jordan Truster & Jillian Reece Explore CreativityLive in the Present YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Listen to the Audio Version Show Notes What happens when we stop consuming and start creating? In this episode of the Happiness Hacks Podcast, Jim talks with twin sisters Jordan Truster and Jillian Reece, the founders of Loveleigh Loops, about calligraphy, creativity, and the surprising ways making something with your hands can bring more Happiness into your life. Jordan and Jillian share how a childhood interest in calligraphy eventually led them to leave their careers in engineering and business analytics and build a business teaching calligraphy to more than 65,000 students around the world. Throughout the conversation they explore the connection between creativity and being in the ‘flow’. The sisters discuss why slowing down can be so rewarding, and why the process of creating can matter more than the finished product. They also talk about teaching as a way to deepen your own learning, the value of creative hobbies, and the growing challenge of spending our free time scrolling and consuming rather than making something ourselves. You don’t have to be an artist or learn calligraphy to benefit from the wisdom of these talented sisters. Sometimes Happiness comes from simply putting down the phone, picking up a pen, and just creating. In This Episode How a childhood interest in calligraphy became a full-time businessLeaving careers in engineering and business analytics to teach calligraphyBuilding Loveleigh Loops and teaching more than 65,000 students worldwideThe connection between creativity and being in a state of flowWhy slowing down can be so rewardingWhy the process of creating can matter more than the finished productTeaching as a way to deepen your own learningThe value of creative hobbies in everyday lifeThe growing challenge of scrolling and consuming instead of makingWhy you don’t have to be an artist to benefit from creating something with your hands Resources & Links The Happiness Collection on AmazonThe Baseline of Happiness QuizCalligraphy TogetherCalligraphy Together on Skool Featured Guests Jordan Truster & Jillian Reece Guests Jordan Truster and Jillian Reece are twin sisters, calligraphy artists, and the founders of Loveleigh Loops. What began as a childhood interest in calligraphy eventually became a creative business that has taught tens of thousands of students around the world. Today, they share their passion for calligraphy through online courses, workshops, and a growing creative community, helping people discover the joy of making beautiful things by hand. Become the Happiest Person You Know Every episode is a step closer to a happier, more intentional life. Subscribe and we’ll send you new episodes, happiness hacks, and insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
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    1 時間 2 分
  • You Can’t Fake Happiness – Atilia Haron

    You Can’t Fake Happiness – Atilia Haron
    2026/08/27
    August 27, 2026 You Can’t Fake Happiness – Atilia Heron Explore CreativityMove the Body YouTube Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music Listen to the Audio Version Show Notes Can you fake being happy? You can smile. You can perform. You can tell everyone, “I’m fine.” But when the noise fades and you’re alone with yourself, you know the truth. In Episode 3 of the Happiness Hacks Podcast, Jim and Janrace sit down with Malaysian jazz and R&B singer, performer, yoga teacher, and wellness advocate Atilia Haron for a deeply personal and joy-filled conversation about what it really means to be happy. From growing up surrounded by music, with a singer mother and a wildly creative grandmother, to building a life that includes singing, performing, teaching yoga, connecting with others, and embracing every creative impulse she can, Atilia has learned that happiness isn’t something you can put on like a costume. Together, they explore creativity, yoga, family, connection, menopause, following your many passions, and the sometimes uncomfortable question at the heart of it all: Are you truly happy, or are you just really good at pretending? If you love Atilia, music, yoga, creativity, wellness, or simply want to become a little more honest about what happiness looks like in your own life, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Because at the end of the day—you can’t fake happiness. In This Episode Why you cannot fake true happinessWhat really makes Atilia Haron happyGrowing up in a family surrounded by music and creativityThe influence of Atilia’s mother and grandmother on her life and careerFinding your own voice while following in the footsteps of talented family membersWhy Atilia refuses to limit herself to just one passionThe journey from singer and performer to yoga and wellness teacherWhat yoga really means beyond the physical posesCreativity, music, movement, and the connection between themHow Atilia brings her personality and creativity into her yoga classesWhy connection with other people is such an important part of happinessCan yoga and religion coexist?What menopause taught Atilia about happiness and taking care of herselfWhy men need yoga tooHow to find happiness when life gets difficultThe difference between performing happiness and actually feeling itWhy, at the end of the day, you always know whether your happiness is real Resources & Links The Happiness Collection on AmazonThe Baseline of Happiness QuizAtilia Haron InstagramPrahara Studios Instagram Featured Guest Atilia Haron Guest Raja Putri Atilia Raja Haron is a Malaysian singer, songwriter, actress and performer whose career has spanned music, television and live performance. Known for her distinctive voice, warmth and expressive stage presence, she has performed on major international stages and remains an active recording and performing artist. Alongside music, Atilia has built a second calling as a yoga teacher and wellness advocate. She began practicing yoga in her 30s after struggling with breathing during performances, eventually discovering how deeply the practice could transform not only her physical strength and breath, but also her mental balance and sense of self. She went on to become a certified yoga teacher and founded yoga communities and studios in Malaysia. Today, Atilia brings the worlds of music, movement, breath and mindfulness together. For her, yoga isn’t just exercise; it is a practice of awareness, balance and connection; principles that continue to shape both the way she performs and the way she lives. Become the Happiest Person You Know Every episode is a step closer to a happier, more intentional life. Subscribe and we’ll send you new episodes, happiness hacks, and insights straight to your inbox. Subscribe No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.
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    50 分
  • The Happiness You Don’t Have to Chase – Amitha Khema

    The Happiness You Don’t Have to Chase – Amitha Khema
    2026/07/10

    July 10, 2026 The Happiness You Don’t Have to Chase – Rev. Amitha Khema

    Quiet the MindLive in the Present


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    Show Notes

    What if the happiness we’ve been searching for isn’t something we find, but something we stop chasing?

    In this conversation, Amitha Khema shares the Buddhist perspective on happiness, mindfulness, and the causes of suffering. We discuss why external achievements can never provide lasting fulfillment, how meditation and mindfulness help us respond rather than react, and what it means to develop a deeper sense of peace regardless of life’s ups and downs. If you’re looking for practical ways to live with more awareness, this conversation offers timeless insights that anyone can apply.

    In This Episode
    • The difference between external pleasure and inner happiness
    • Why chasing happiness often leaves us feeling empty
    • How mindfulness helps us respond instead of react
    • The Four Noble Truths and what they mean in everyday life
    • Why attachment is at the root of suffering
    • Growing up Buddhist in Sri Lanka and attending a Catholic school
    • The value of questioning your own beliefs
    • Meditation as a practical skill, not an escape
    • Finding contentment regardless of circumstances
    • What it really means to live with awareness

    Resources & Links
    • The Happiness Collection on Amazon
    • Buddhist Meditation Center

    Featured Guest Venerable Amitha Khema Guest Amitha Khema is a Sri Lankan Buddhist monk, mindfulness teacher, and Buddhist chaplain who is dedicated to making the timeless wisdom of Buddhism accessible to modern life. Drawing on the Theravāda tradition, he teaches practical mindfulness, compassion, and meditation to help people cultivate greater peace, resilience, and inner happiness. His work bridges ancient teachings with the challenges of everyday living, showing that lasting fulfillment comes not from changing our circumstances, but from transforming the mind.

    Ready to Raise Your Baseline of Happiness?

    Take the free quiz to discover where you are today and get a personalized plan for where to go next.

    Take the FREE Happiness Quiz

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    1 時間 16 分
  • The Happiness Baseline: Why Happiness Doesn’t Last – Janrace Prudent

    The Happiness Baseline: Why Happiness Doesn’t Last – Janrace Prudent
    2026/06/28

    June 25, 2026 The Happiness Baseline: Why Happiness Doesn’t Last

    General Happiness


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    Show Notes

    This first episode introduces the heart of Happiness Hacks. Janrace Prudent and Jim Wills come together to share the story behind the project and the idea that drives it forward: Happiness isn’t something we chase, it’s something we practice. Through small, intentional daily choices, we can shift our baseline experience of life.

    This opening conversation lays the foundation for the journey ahead, simple, honest, and rooted in lived experience.

    In This Episode
    • The story behind the Happiness Hacks book and journal
    • What the “Happiness Baseline” is and why it matters
    • Why happiness isn’t a destination but rather a daily practice
    • How small, intentional choices shift your baseline experience of life
    • What listeners can expect from the Happiness Hacks Podcast going forward

    Resources & Links
    • The Happiness Collection on Amazon
    • Take the Happiness Baseline Quiz

    Become the Happiest Person You Know

    Every episode is a step closer to a happier, more intentional life. Subscribe and we’ll send you new episodes, happiness hacks, and insights straight to your inbox.



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    28 分