Live Happy Now

Shame is one of the most misunderstood emotions we carry, and Dr. Frank Spinelli wants us to see it not as an enemy but as information that can guide us toward healing. In this episode, Frank shares how childhood trauma shaped his relationship with shame, how it resurfaced decades later, and how learning “shame literacy” helped him reclaim his identity and well-being. He explains why shame is so deeply rooted, how it affects our relationships and self‑worth, and how the COMPASS framework from his new book, The Shame Compass, can help us confront, understand, and integrate shame so we can live more authentically.

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Halloween isn’t just costumes and candy — it’s a well-being booster! In this episode, Paula Felps and Live Happy social media manager Michelle Jones dig into new research showing how Halloween decorations, traditions, and playful rituals can lift our mood, strengthen community connection, and even help regulate our nervous system. From the joy‑evoking color orange to the science of anticipatory savoring and permission to play, Paula and Michelle explore why this holiday is such a powerful emotional anchor as we head into fall.

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Confidence isn’t something you’re born with — it’s something you practice. And this week’s guest is here to walk us through how we all can build this skill. In this episode, Dr. Cindra Kamphoff shares the powerful message behind her bestselling book The Confidence Habit: 7 Core Practices to Transform Self-Doubt to Self-Belief and opens up about a TEDx moment that reshaped her understanding of self‑belief. She explains why women and Gen Z are struggling most with confidence today, and teaches practical tools to silence the inner critic and bounce back from setbacks. Her insights are warm, actionable, and perfect for anyone ready to build confidence as a daily habit.

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What if feeling calmer, kinder, and more grounded didn’t require long meditation sessions or major lifestyle changes? This week, psychologist Eli Susman joins us to share the science behind micropractices — tiny, 30‑second well-being tools that can make a real difference. He shares research from his new book that shows how just 20 seconds of self‑compassionate touch can improve stress and emotional wellbeing. Eli also explains how movement, breath, touch, and everyday awareness can help you build habits that actually stick. If you’ve ever felt “time poor,” this episode is your new favorite shortcut to feeling better.

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Examining our beliefs can transform the way we see the world — and even change how we relate to the people we care about. This week, bestselling author Nir Eyal talks about his new book, Beyond Belief, and explains how our beliefs quietly shape our behavior, our happiness, and our ability to persist through life’s challenges. He explains how beliefs influence our motivation, our emotional responses, and the suffering we unintentionally create for ourselves. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated by your own patterns, this episode offers a fresh, science‑backed way forward.

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Teen girls today are navigating a world that’s full of therapy‑speak, social media diagnoses, and labels that often replace real emotional language — and it’s leaving many parents unsure how to truly understand what their daughters are feeling. This week, Dr. Suzanne Garfinkle‑Crowell joins us to break down what’s really going on, why these patterns are showing up, and how simple “small acts of translation” can help families connect beneath all the jargon.

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What if sensitivity was actually your greatest strength? In this episode, psychiatrist and author Dr. Sasha Hamdani explains the often‑misunderstood world of sensitivity — what it is, why it shows up the way it does, and how it can become one of our greatest strengths. Listen as she breaks down the science behind deep feeling and offers a fresh perspective on why sensitive people often thrive once they understand their wiring.

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Back‑to‑school season isn’t just a transition for kids; it’s a major emotional and logistical shift for parents and other caregivers, too. In this episode, therapist Robin Hamilton talks about the invisible mental load caregivers carry, why this time of year feels so overwhelming, and how to create calmer, more intentional routines for yourself and your family. Whether you’re juggling schedules, managing stress, or navigating school‑related challenges, this conversation offers grounded, compassionate guidance to help you breathe easier and feel more supported.

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Back‑to‑school season looks fun in commercials, but for many kids and teens it brings anxiety, uncertainty, and emotional strain. In this episode, Dr. Bonnie Mitchell, clinical director of the Mental Health Treatment and Stabilization Center of Sacramento, explains why the transition is so challenging and what families can do to help children feel grounded and supported. From clinginess and sleep disruptions in younger kids to academic pressure and social fears in teens, she breaks down the signs parents should watch for and offers practical ways to make the shift into a new school year calmer and more connected.

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This week, Live Happy Now visits the mountains — not to climb them, but to learn from them. Alpinist and award-winning author Michael Schauch joins us to explore how nature, intuition, and the practice of “non‑self” can help us navigate a world that feels increasingly fast, loud, and divided. His stories from the Himalaya and his new book Anatta: Heart of Wisdom offer a grounded, hopeful way to move through troubled times with more clarity and compassion.

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