Happiness in Progress

Have you ever stopped to think about how much power your words have? Not just the words you say to the people around you, but the words you say to yourself?

The way we speak can build someone up or tear them down. It can give someone confidence or make them question their worth. And sometimes, the harshest words we hear are the ones coming from our own minds.

Today on Happiness in Progress, we're talking about how something as simple as the words we choose can change everything.

I'm joined by Dr. Harry Cohen, author of Be the Sun, Not the Salt. Learn what it means to choose to be the sun, rather than the salt.

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Resources:

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Will Anderson published his late wife's poetry and went on tour with not only her poetry, but music he made in her memory.

Six months after his wife Courtney Kampa's tragic passing in November 2022, Will (formerly the lead vocalist of Platinum pop group Parachute) began to write music again.

Crafting this album entirely alone in Nashville over the course of a year as a eulogy to Courtney, he captures the brutality of loss alongside the joy of getting to love her at all.

The album, How Little Love Is / How Worth Everything is named for one of Courtney's poems and spans the genres she loved – from heartbreaking orchestral piano ballads to quiet acoustic musings to funky earworm pop songs. Anderson's evocative writing transforms the specificity of his cherished memories of his and Kampa's time together into a sweeping, cosmic, and deeply affecting universal testament to love and loss.

In this episode: - Hear about Will and Courtney's love story - How will made it through the early days after Courtney's tragic passing - Remembering Courtney through her poetry, and what she taught us about love and life - Will's experience touring and sharing his music and Courtney's poetry

Don't miss:

WIll's album

A Bright and Borrowed Light

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Do you trust yourself?

In this episode of Happiness in Progress, we dive into the core of self trust and how it impacts our lives. Many of us wait for self confidence.

Discover insights into personal development and personal growth that challenge the idea of waiting for the 'right time' or 'being ready'.

In this episode of Happiness in Progress, you're going to hear from Shadé Zahrai about her new book Big Trust. This conversation reframes how we think about confidence, self-belief and personal power. Shadé breaks down why self-trust is built through focus on these four pillars: acceptance, agency, autonomy and adaptability. Find out how you can figure out your weak spot and build confidence in that area.

Buy Big Trust *Connect with Danielle Connect with Dr. Zahrai

Dr Shadé Zahrai is a globally recognized behavioral strategist, scholar-practitioner, and award-winning peak performance educator to Fortune 500s. She is also the author of the new book Big Trust. She as more than 7 million students on LinkedIn Learning, viral educational content that has been viewed over 500 million times, and TEDx talks that have resonated worldwide. You may have seen her in The New York Times, Yahoo Finance, and Fast Company.

*This is an affiliate link. Using this link doesn't cost you more money, but it does allow me to earn a small portion from the sale. Thank you for your support.

Isn't it cute how we have to respond to an email, but our nervous sytem thinks it's a bear?

In this episode, I sit down with Marina Wright, author of The Cortisol Reset Plan, to talk about what's actually happening inside our stressed-out, overworked bodies.

In this conversation, you're going to learn what exactly cortisol is and why modern life is asking ancient systems to do impossible things.

Marina explains that we often try to go right to psychological fixes when we are stressed out. But in her reset plan, she offers several physical focuses that can cut our stress.

In this conversation, you'll learn:

• What the two causes of stress are (psychological and physical)
• Why there's a mismatch between what our nervous system is meant to do and what it's being asked to do
• Five steps to reset your cortisol
• Easy tools to implement into your life today

Get the book*

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Marina Wright is a functional nutrition practitioner, health coach, and author of The Cortisol Reset Plan. She helps people build resilience to both physical and psychological stress, supporting lasting physical, mental, and emotional well‑being. Marina earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Navarra in Spain and holds certifications from Functional Diagnostic Nutrition and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She has also trained in Nutritional Psychiatry through Deakin University's Food and Mood Academy and in Somatic Stress Release with The Embody Lab. Bridging the gap between science and holistic healing, Marina translates complex concepts in nutrition, stress management, and lifestyle medicine into simple, practical habits. Her mission is to empower people to take charge of their health, cultivate resilience, and thrive in body, mind, and spirit.

*This is an affiliate link. I make a small commission when you buy. Thank you for using my link.

It has been a long five years since the pandemic, and I completely understand if your growth feels invisible. Before you rush into new goals, routines, or resolutions for 2026, this is your permission to pause, reflect, and move forward with clarity instead of pressure.

In this episode of Happiness in Progress, I walk you through how to intentionally close the Year of the Snake (2025) and step into the Year of the Horse (2026). I love the idea that the Year of the Snake set up the Year of the Horse. We're not starting over. We are continuing the work. New year, same you.

What You'll Learn:

• Why slow growth isn't a waste

• How the Year of the Snake prepared you for visible growth

• What the Year of the Horse invites you to embody in 2026

• Reflection questions to release what no longer fits

• How to set intentions without burnout or overwhelm

Here are the questions you can revisit when you're next to your journal:

Releasing 2025 What did I outgrow in 2025?

What truth became clear?

Where did I learn to trust myself more?

What felt slow but but was actually necessary?

What am I ready to leave behind?

Entering 2026

Where am I ready to stop hiding or waiting for permission?

What decision have I already made internally that needs action?

Where do I want more space or ease this year?

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Most people think financial freedom means having more money, but that belief is exactly what keeps them stuck and unhappy.

In this episode of Happiness in Progress, I sit down with financial expert Phil Weiss to redefine what financial freedom actually is, how to prepare for retirement without fear, how to use tools like an HSA correctly, and the mindset shifts that separate stressed earners from people who feel truly secure.

In this episode, we cover:

• What financial freedom really means

• How to save for retirement without overwhelm

• How to use an HSA as a long-term wealth tool and other tangible tools

• The mindset shifts that create lasting financial freedom

Phil Weiss is the founder of Apprise Wealth Management. Phil has accumulated more than 25 years of experience in personal finance and investment management. He holds esteemed credentials as a CFA, CPA, and RLP®. Phil has established himself as a recognized authority in his field, frequently serving as a media spokesperson, market commentator, and podcast guest.

Podcast resources:

The Art of Spending Money - https://amzn.to/3L2Y0aX The Psychology of Money - https://amzn.to/3YcmOQL

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Get Phil's ebook

If you liked this, check this episode out:

The Money Mindset You Need ft. Latasha Kinnard

Getting Out of Debt Together ft. Jason and Ashleigh Mayfield

A gratitude practice is often just listing things you're thankful for, but this guided practice goes deeper. I read about creating a gratitude grid in Carol Look's recent book. And I wanted to share it with you.

Learn how this practice helps you pause, get present, and be intentional about your gratitude.

In this episode, you'll learn: - What intentional gratitude really is - How it can create real emotional change - How to use the grid practice in your own life This episode is perfect for: - Anyone wanting a quick emotional reset - Moms who feel overwhelmed or overstimulated - People working on mindset, healing, self-awareness, or emotional wellness - Anyone trying to start a daily gratitude practice - Listeners who want to feel better today Let's connect on Instagram

Read Carol Looks' book

If you like this episode, check out these on gratitude: Should I always be grateful Gratitude through infertility

On this episode of Happiness in Progress, I'm joined by author and bold decision coach Jessica Frew.

This is a powerful conversation about trusting yourself, breaking out of the boxes you were given, and finally stopping the cycle of "should-ing" on yourself. Jessica shares why so many women feel like they need a permission slip to be themselves and how to start trusting your self.

In this episode we talk about:

- Why so many women feel like they need a permission slip to be themselves - How to eliminate judgment so you can actually hear your own voice and trust your intuition again. - How to shift from proving yourself to being yourself

Let's connect on Instagram

Get Jessica's book for free Connect with Jessica on Instagram

More about Jessica: Jessica is the author of Shove Your Shoulds, a speaker and bold decision coach. She helps ambitious women unlearn the conditioning they were raised with so they can make bold, imperfect decisions without guilt, fear, or second-guessing. As a speaker, author, and coach, she blends personal experience (including navigating divorce, a mixed-orientation marriage, and blending families) with a proven decision-making framework to guide women back to trusting their intuition. Whether on stage, in coaching, or through her book, her mission is to help women stop living by everyone else's rules and start living boldly, unapologetically, and in full alignment with who they were created to be.

Are you waiting for January 1 to finally start your goals? Research shows that most New Year's resolutions fail by January 19, but there's a better way!

In this episode, I'm breaking down the power of the "winter arc."

Why starting your goals RIGHT NOW will give you the momentum you need to succeed in 2026.

You'll learn:

- Why January 1st goals work against you - Why most resolutions fail and how to structure goals that won't fail - How to use the winter arc to get ahead on your goals - Simple, actionable steps you can take today Stop waiting and and make this mindset shift to finally accomplish your goals. Timestamps: 0:00 Why New Year's resolutions fail 8:46 What is the "winter arc" 10:41 The secret sauce to making goals that stick

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More episodes about goal setting: Growth during uncertainty Try tapping to unlock your goals Goals, grace and growth

Power struggles with our kids are absolutely exhausting.

In this episode, Danielle Craig talks with Dr. Erika Bocknek to explore how to stop trying to control your child's behavior and start building a reciprocal relationship that lasts a lifetime. Dr. Bocknek, shares how shifting from behavior control to connection-based parenting helps your child build trust, confidence, and independence.

You'll learn how to guide your child's growth without power struggles, raise them to internalize your family's values, and enjoy more peace and joy at home.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why it's so important to focus on relationship building
• How to reshape power struggles into moments of connection
• Why making your family values are clear matters
• How connection builds confidence, emotional intelligence, and independence

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Meet Dr. Bocknek - Dr. Erika Bocknek is a professor, family therapist, and mom of three with advanced training in child development, couples and family therapy, and infant mental health. She hosts the Raising Souls podcast.