We talk a lot about how trauma affects our mental health, but have you thought about what it does to your body? In this episode, host Paula Felps sits down with Dr. Aimie Apigian, author of The Biology of Trauma, to explore how trauma is stored not just in our minds but in our bodies — and how that impacts our physical health, relationships, and overall well-being. Drawing from her experience as a physician and foster parent, Dr. Aimie shares how traditional talk therapy often misses the mark, and why understanding trauma as a biological process opens the door to more effective healing.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How trauma differs from stress — and why trauma, not stress, is what makes us sick.
• Why stored trauma shows up in physical symptoms, emotional patterns, and relationship dynamics.
• How somatic self-practices can help shift your nervous system and begin healing —even when energy is low.

Labor Day is behind us, so that means we’re putting the lid on summer and getting ready to roll into fall. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take our lighthearted summer vibe with us. This week, on the heels of our Summer of Fun campaign with Mike Rucker, PhD, we’re telling you how to start planning now to use what we’ve learned from this campaign to make it a fun-filled fall.

What you’ll learn:

• Why it’s so important to commit to fun during the fall and winter.
• Tips for incorporating more fun into life’s busy seasons.
• How scheduling fun adds joy to more areas of our life.

In this episode, host Paula Felps talks with psychotherapist and author John Tsilimparis about his transformative approach to grief. John shares insights from his new book, Magic in the Tragic: Rewriting the Script on Grief and Discovering Happiness in our Darkest Days, offering a that blends emotional healing with beauty, purpose, and resilience. Drawing from personal loss and clinical experience, John introduces powerful concepts like “constructive aching” and “painful joy,” encouraging listeners to move toward their grief rather than away from it. He also shows how grief can become a gateway to growth, meaning, and even happiness.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to use “inspiration exposure” to activate healing and emotional resilience.
• Why pairing grief with beauty can transform your experience of loss.
• Practical tools to reframe painful memories and foster personal growth.

This week, meet Happy Activist Gabri Blankson, who is using film to illuminate teen mental health. Her award-winning short film MIME, created through the Black Girls Film Camp, explores the emotional impact of pandemic isolation through a fantasy lens, using mimes as metaphors for internal struggles. Drawing from personal experience and inspired by Inside Out, Gabri crafted a visually expressive story that resonates deeply with young audiences. She also developed a downloadable viewers guide to help audiences interpret emotional cues and access mental health resources — proving that storytelling can be both healing and transformative.

What you'll learn:

• How Gabri used metaphor and fantasy to express complex emotional experiences.
• What led her to focus on the challenges of mental health and isolation during the pandemic.
• How she developed her viewers’ guide — and how it enhances emotional awareness and encourages open dialogue.

If you’re looking to lose the stress in your life, this week’s guest has a spoiler alert: The only people without stress are dead. But the good news is, you can learn to turn that stress into a powerful ally for change and growth. This week, host Paula Felps talks with stress physiologist Dr. Rebecca Heiss, whose new book, Springboard: Transform Stress to Work For You, explains how to make the most of it. She offers tips on how to harness stress and look at it in a whole new way to help you change your relationship with it.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why self-help practices often fall short in managing stress and what to do instead.
• How transforming your physiology allows stress to serve you rather than causing you to spiral into fear.
• What the FEAR(less) Stress Formula is and how it can help you manage stress effectively.

Many people today feel unfocused or overwhelmed, and that’s not just a challenge for our heads; it could be harming our hearts. Join us as host Paula Felps talks with cardiologist and health psychologist Dr. Alan Rozanski, who offers a groundbreaking look at how our mindset influences our heart and overall well-being. He explains how chronic stress, emotional negativity, and mental clutter can physically impact your heart function and increase disease risk. Then, he shares how to shift your thinking and cultivate energy, optimism, and a sense of purpose to thrive in today’s distracted world.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How mental clutter and chronic stress trigger harmful physical effects like inflammation and heart dysfunction.
• Why focusing with intention and nurturing emotional vitality are key to sustained well-being.
• How the Six Domains of Health can guide you toward a more balanced, purpose-driven, and heart-friendly lifestyle.

Are you struggling to find hope these days? You’re not alone. But this week, resiliency expert Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe returns to share what hope can do for you and, importantly, where to find it. With her signature blend of science and soul, Dr. Robyne explains how hope calms the brain, strengthens resilience, and helps us navigate uncertainty. If you’re managing stress, feeling world-weary, or just need a reset, this conversation reminds us that hope is something we can build into our everyday lives.

What you'll learn when you listen:

• Why hope is biologically and psychologically beneficial (hello, “hope molecules”!).
• How to design your day to support resilience and emotional well-being.
• The difference between hope and optimism — and why it matters.

Summer vacations aren't just fun; they’re essential for your mental well-being. In this episode, host Paula Felps and Live Happy CEO Deborah Heisz share how unplugging from daily stress can spark creativity and emotional clarity, and why even a staycation (if done right!) can deliver major mood boosts. Whether you're heading to Hawaii or hanging out in your backyard, this episode is your permission slip to reset, reflect, and reconnect.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why taking a vacation can make you a better parent, partner, and employee.
• The best ways to prepare for a vacation to make it more refreshing.
• How to make the “reset” of a vacation last longer.