Scott Harrison, the carver and founder of The Carousel of Happiness, talk about the similarities between music boxes and carousels, how the former helped Scott to relax, reboot, and renew – and how he hopes the latter can do the same for others.

You can find Scott’s books, the “Carousel Soul” and “Haiku Poetry” at The Carousel of Happiness gift shop, or on our website, linked here: https://carouselofhappiness.org/product-category/books/

After that, Sarah and I catch up on our summers and the Carousel events closing out summer on a high note: the Paint & Spin and our Carnival of Happiness at the Nederland Farmers Market. Sarah herself headlining the live music at the one this Sunday, August 16th.

Farmer's Market:
https://www.nederlandfarmersmarket.org/

Paint & Spin (already sold out, I'm sorry to report): https://carouselofhappiness.org/carousel-paint-and-spin/

Mountain Strong Families, Parenting Sessions with Betsy Epp:
https://teensinc.org/msf/

Stay tuned afterwards to hear what’s next for the podcast – including upcoming episodes with CB Miller and Betsy Epp. 

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.

Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider visiting the Carousel of Happiness online (https://carouselofhappiness.org/), on social media (https://www.facebook.com/carouselofhappiness), or in real life. Or consider donating (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate/) to keep the carousel and its message alive and spinning 'round and 'round.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Nick and Sarah at [email protected]

Special thanks to songwriter, performer, and friend of the carousel, Darryl Purpose (https://darryl...

We talk with Burt Rashbaum, who is both a poet and an operator at the Carousel of Happiness. You may remember him from this podcast’s debut episode, where we got to hear him introduce the carousel or from episode 18, titled “Lessons on Art & Grieving,” which you can find here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2423381/episodes/17025214

Today, Burt and I are talking about poetry – both his and the carousel’s. Like happiness, joy, whimsy, and other wonderful things, poetry is a difficult thing to pin down. But we try our best anyway.

If you’d like to read Burt’s books, the “Poetry of the Carousel” and “From Where We Came,” you can find them prominently featured at The Carousel of Happiness gift shop, or on our website:  

https://carouselofhappiness.org/product-category/books/

You can listen to Burt’s band, The CBDs, at their upcoming shows, or by visiting their website: 

http://www.thecbds.com/

Learn More about our upcoming Paint & Spin here: 

https://carouselofhappiness.org/carousel-paint-and-spin/

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.

Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider visiting the Carousel of Happiness online (https://carouselofhappiness.org/), on social media (https://www.facebook.com/carouselofhappiness), or in real life. Or consider donating (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate/) to keep the carousel and its message alive and spinning 'round and 'round.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Nick and Sarah at [email protected]

Special thanks to songwriter, performer, and friend of the carousel, Darryl Purpose (https://darryl...

George Blevins isn’t just Nederland’s favorite cartoonist. He’s also played a role in the design of the Carousel of Happiness, apparent at the center of our logo. But that’s only part of the reason we’re celebrating the first annual George Blevins Day on August 1st and 2nd this year at the Carousel. 

George will tell us the real reason, along with his life story: how he achieved his ultimate childhood dream, met Walt Disney, collaborated with Scott Harrison on the carousel animals, and which one is his favorite. 

If you want to celebrate George Blevins Day early this year, I encourage you to read some of the excellent work on his website: https://georgesefforts.com

You can learn more about George Blevins Day festivities on the Carousel of Happiness website:  https://carouselofhappiness.org/george-blevins-days-free-books/

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.

Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider visiting the Carousel of Happiness online (https://carouselofhappiness.org/), on social media (https://www.facebook.com/carouselofhappiness), or in real life. Or consider donating (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate/) to keep the carousel and its message alive and spinning 'round and 'round.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Nick and Sarah at [email protected]

Special thanks to songwriter, performer, and friend of the carousel, Darryl Purpose (https://darryl...

We talk to two Ukrainian service members, Illia and Kostya about their journey from the front lines of the War in Ukraine to the Carousel of Happiness. We learn about how two Colorado nonprofits, Warriors on Cataract Canyon and Limbs for Liberty, have invited them to work on healing their PTSD through travel, nature, and connection with other veterans. 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Ukrainian_war

https://www.csis.org/analysis/russia-ukraine-war-10-charts

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-conflict-in-ukraine/

Limbs for Liberty:  

https://www.facebook.com/groups/500164755091199/

https://www.instagram.com/limbs_for_liberty/

Warriors on Cataract Canyon:

https://warriorsoncataract.org/

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.

Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider visiting the Carousel of Happiness online (https://carouselofhappiness.org/), on social media (https://www.facebook.com/carouselofhappiness), or in real life. Or consider donating (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate/) to keep the carousel and its message alive and spinning 'round and 'round.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Nick and Sarah at [email protected]

Special thanks to songwriter, performer, and friend of the carousel, Darryl Purpose (https://darryl...

Why is 2026 being called The Year of Whimsy Maxxing? Hosts Nick Alexander and Sarah Bishop talk all about whimsy, where it comes from, and how we can cultivate in our lives. 

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.

Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider visiting the Carousel of Happiness online (https://carouselofhappiness.org/), on social media (https://www.facebook.com/carouselofhappiness), or in real life. Or consider donating (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate/) to keep the carousel and its message alive and spinning 'round and 'round.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Nick and Sarah at [email protected]

Special thanks to songwriter, performer, and friend of the carousel, Darryl Purpose (https://darryl...

We try to transport you to the Memorial Day celebration at the Carousel of Happiness -- and explain why the holiday is so important to us and to the many people who joined us on May 25, 2026.

You can hear the music of Sean Applebee, who so elegantly performed Taps for us, here:  https://www.seanapplebeeandbeyond.com/

You can read Christopher Kelley's article about our Memorial Day celebration in the Mountain Ear here:  https://themtnear.com/stories/veterans-lives-carousel-happiness-honored-memorial-day,95117

Learn more about Limbs for Liberty here:  https://limbsforliberty.com/

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.

Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider visiting the Carousel of Happiness online (https://carouselofhappiness.org/), on social media (https://www.facebook.com/carouselofhappiness), or in real life. Or consider donating (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate/) to keep the carousel and its message alive and spinning 'round and 'round.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Nick and Sarah at [email protected]

Special thanks to songwriter, performer, and friend of the carousel, Darryl Purpose (https://darryl...

On today's episode, hosts Nick Alexander and Sarah Bishop talk about their new roles at the Carousel of Happiness and the big shoes that they’re filling. They discuss why we delay joy and what’s next for the carousel, including our Memorial Day celebration. 

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

If you'd like to keep in touch with our original host, Allie Wagner, on her new journey, you can follow her on Substack, Instagram, or TikTok. You can find Sarah’s music at her website, SarahBankerMusic.com.

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.

Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider visiting the Carousel of Happiness online (https://carouselofhappiness.org/), on social media (https://www.facebook.com/carouselofhappiness), or in real life. Or consider donating (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate/) to keep the carousel and its message alive and spinning 'round and 'round.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Nick and Sarah at [email protected]

Special thanks to songwriter, performer, and friend of the carousel, Darryl Purpose (https://darryl...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.

On today's episode, host Allie Wagner says goodbye. We talk about honoring the past while looking to the future, how our filters shape our stories and our lives, and how we can look to art to help us make sense and order out of the chaos of life. All while using this special little carousel as our guide one last time together. 

The podcast will be going silent until we find another host. Be sure to subscribe to to make sure you're the first to know when we're back up and running.

If you'd like to keep in touch with Allie on her new journey, you can follow her on Substack, Instagram, or TikTok.

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.

Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider visiting the Carousel of Happiness online (https://carouselofhappiness.org/), on social media (https://www.facebook.com/carouselofhappiness), or in real life. Or consider donating (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate/) to keep the carousel and its message alive and spinning 'round and 'round.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Nick and Sarah at [email protected]

Special thanks to songwriter, performer, and friend of the carousel, Darryl Purpose (https://darryl...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.

On today’s episode, we’re going to celebrate the podcast’s one-year anniversary with a little bit of gratitude. That’s right, exactly one year ago this week we started this journey together and it’s perfect timing to reflect on how far we’ve come and talk a little bit about where we’re going. 

On today’s episode, I’m going to share how being at the carousel, specifically hosting the podcast, has changed my life for the better and how the carousel’s magic has wriggled its way into my heart and propelled me into a life I couldn’t have previously imagined. 

This episode is my carousel story. How my evolution as a human being has changed trajectory as a result of being pulled into the carousel’s orbit. How steeping myself in the energy of this place has changed my own energy, and in turn, my life.

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.

Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider visiting the Carousel of Happiness online (https://carouselofhappiness.org/), on social media (https://www.facebook.com/carouselofhappiness), or in real life. Or consider donating (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate/) to keep the carousel and its message alive and spinning 'round and 'round.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Nick and Sarah at [email protected]

Special thanks to songwriter, performer, and friend of the carousel, Darryl Purpose (https://darryl...

Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.

On today’s episode, we’re going to talk about joy. Specifically why you shouldn’t delay it, and why, despite your best efforts, you might delay it anyway. We’ll learn about what joy does to our bodies physiologically, why a Harvard researcher thinks joy is the deepest reason for us to exist at all, and what research shows about why human beings protect themselves from joy, despite it being good for us. Plus, I’ll share some simple practices you can start to incorporate now into your daily life as a way to cultivate more joy.

Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!

Support the show

The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.

Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider visiting the Carousel of Happiness online (https://carouselofhappiness.org/), on social media (https://www.facebook.com/carouselofhappiness), or in real life. Or consider donating (https://carouselofhappiness.org/once-donate/) to keep the carousel and its message alive and spinning 'round and 'round.

If you have a story to share, please reach out to Nick and Sarah at [email protected]

Special thanks to songwriter, performer, and friend of the carousel, Darryl Purpose (https://darryl...