Harvesting Happiness

Media Literacy: Finding Truth in Journalism in the 24/7 News Cycle with Nolan Higdon PhD & John O’Connor

The current 24-hour ‘news’ cycle was created to sell products and push agendas. It does not matter which media outlet you subscribe to, they all have a message to send with hopes of manipulating the mind. And, with the discouragement of critical thinking, deciphering fake news from real news becomes harder and harder with every headline we read. For tips on how to delve deeper to find the truth in the news stories we ingest, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who dissect the way news, past and current, is presented. Nolan Higdon shares tips for identifying fake news and discusses key elements from his current book, The Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education. John O’Connor details best practices for reconciliation in a hostile political climate and shares information about his book, Postgate: How the Washington Post Betrayed Deep Throat, Covered Up Watergate, and Began Today’s Partisan Advocacy Journalism.

Embracing Dissonance and Fear to Find Peace and Fulfillment with Panache Desai & Humble the Poet

Our modern society throws many expectations at us that we can
never catch. We have moved so far from the ancient knowings of
our ancestors that we have difficulty accepting who we
authentically are and looking outside of ourselves for validation or
to feed our egos is futile. With all the noise and distractions
surrounding us today, how do we attain a greater quality of life?
To gain a greater understanding of the actions we can take to
better identify with our true nature and to learn to focus on what
is in our control, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers
Kamen speaks with two enlightened authors about bringing calm
into the things we can control. Panache Desai discusses
revelations and commitments from his book, You Are Enough:
Revealing the Soul to Discover Your Power, Potential, and
Possibility. And, Kanwer Singh aka Humble The Poet describes
how his journey from elementary school teacher to entertainer
and author was filled with learnings and reads gems from his
newest book, Things No One Else Can Teach Us.

Simple and Delicious: The Science of Nutrition Rich Eating for Better Physical and Mental Health with Dr. Joel Fuhrman & Andrea Hanneman aka Earthy An...

The average American’s diet includes highly-caloric foods that
start with a base of white flour or sugar. This dangerous
combination is a nightmare for the body’s natural defenses and
immune system. It is the primary cause of chronic disease and
ailments. Pharmaceuticals are often used to treat the symptoms
of an illness but rarely get to the root cause, which is improper
nutrition from consuming highly-processed food products. To
discover how we can enhance our physical and emotional health
and well-being through the food we put into our bodies, Positive
Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two
authors who whole-heartedly believe in consuming a holistically
plant-based diet for better health. Dr. Joel Fuhrman shares key
takeaways from his book,
Eat for Life: The Breakthrough Nutrient-
Rich Program for Longevity, Disease Reversal, and Sustained
Weight Loss,
and important statistics from his work in nutritional
science that proves the connection between proper nutrition and
living a disease-free life. Andrea Hanneman, aka Earthy Andy,
describes her health journey from chronically ill to perfectly
healthy. Recipes from her entirely plant-based adopted diet are
featured in her book,
Plant Over Process: 75 Delicious and Simple
Plant-Based Recipes for Nourishing Your Body and Eating from the
Earth.

Listener Favorite Returns: Redefining Wealth: Intelligent Financial Planning and Purposeful Life Design with Jean Chatzky & Ida Abbott, J.D.

It may seem frivolous to discuss finances during the ‘Great Pause’ the human race
is experiencing now due to the COVID-19 pandemic but what if this downtime is a
glimpse into our retirement years? What other opportunity will we have to create
our own schedules and follow our body’s circadian rhythm with no fear of missing
out? Now seems to be the perfect time for us, women in particular, to redefine
what wealth means and evaluate whether meaning and purpose have more value
than material gains. Are we able to adopt a mindset that goes far beyond feeling
financially secure? To investigate the ways we can prepare ourselves the future
we want, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with the
Financial Editor of NBC’s Today show, Jean Chatsky about her new financial
guide, Women with Money, the HerMoney podcast, and simple ways women can
clean up their money life. And, the author of Retirement by Design, Ida Abbott who
shares how design thinking principles can play a role in creating a retirement life
that brings purpose and meaning to the golden years.

Cultivating the Courage to Change and Breaking Destructive Cycles that Bind Us with Ken D. Foster, Dr. Seth Kadish, & Teri Jensen MFT

Challenges are a fact of life and some of us face the same challenges time and time again. And even though we may not recognize it, many of our deep-seated patterns have their origins in our early childhoods. Becoming cognizant of our patterns is the first step in overcoming the fear and shame that resides at the base of our unconscious actions. It is only after we recognize our fears for what they are that we can lift the veil that created our blind spots and move forward toward courage. To better understand the processes and strategies that breakthrough destructive cycles, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with Ken Foster, an author and expert in business development and marketing about how to take the necessary steps to embody courage and transform your vision into reality. And, Dr. Seth Kadish and Teri Jensen MFT, the duo behind the Pop Your Pattern Youtube channel, speak about the process of becoming aware of the patterns that perpetuate recurring challenges in our lives.

Mindfully Managing Depression and Managing the Monkey Mind with Dr. Stuart Eisendrath & Mark Coleman

It may seem improbable for us to change the world but, if we can do the inner work and bring peace to ourselves we individually add to the collective good. To find inner peace we must manage our negative thoughts and quiet our overstimulated minds. While it may be easier said than done, researchers are working to create mindfulness techniques that soothe and tame our monkey brain. To find out what alternative therapies exist to treat depression and ease suffering, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who promote being in the present moment and practicing mindfulness to heal the mind. Dr. Stuart Eisendrath developed an alternative method to mindfully manage depression and Mark Coleman is a meditation teacher who founded the Mindfulness Institute where he guides students through mindfulness and meditation practices.

How Thoughts Become Things: Mastering Your Mind Through Focused Intentions and Actions with Dr. Marina Bruni & Doug Vermeeren

The average human adult thinks 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts per day. If each of our thoughts was an intention toward manifesting what we want from life, we could be in a constant state of joy. But, because of past and present programming, our subconscious thoughts lead us through our days. We rely on the ego to keep us safe. What if we could access more of our brains and master it by rewiring our synapses? To learn more about how thoughts become things, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two changemakers about the movie, and the concept of, How Thoughts Become Things. Dr. Marina Bruni shares the process of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and how we can master our brains through intentions. And, Doug Vermeeren discusses his new movie The Secret and how changing our network of people uplevels our net worth.

Constructing Connection: Why Relationships Keep Us Young and Make Us Happier with Marta Zaraska, Jenn Bane & Trin Garritano

We are all seeking out ways to stay connected to family and friends during the COVID-19 pandemic. We do so because physically, emotionally, and spiritually humans thrive in communities. Studies indicate close contact with others can have a positive effect on our health, wellbeing, and longevity. Without friendships or other relationships, we become lonely, which can cause detrimental changes in our behavior. To discover how we can live longer while enjoying the precious time of our lives, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with three female authors who value connection, friendship, and community. Marta Zaraska sheds light on how positive engagements with others can lengthen our time on earth and shares insights from her book, Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism, and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100. And, Jenn Bane and Trin Garritano discuss friendship dynamics, tips for creating friendships that endure, and excerpts from their book, Friendshipping: The Art of Finding Friends, Being Friends, and Keeping Friends.

Bloom Where You Are Rooted: What Neuroscience Can Teach Us About Harnessing Passion and Productivity with Lisa Feldman Barrett Ph.D. & Carson Tate

What actions do you take to keep your brain healthy? Is it stepping away from your desk for a few minutes to clear your head? Do you take a walk when posed with what seems like an impossible task? If you do, you are actively giving your brain time to process the issue. It can lead to increased productivity and overall happiness in your work. To gather information about the heart and soul of how and why we work, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two women who have harnessed the power of their productivity. Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett is a neuroscientist, psychologist, and author who dispels some popular brain myths and discusses the content of her newest book, Seven and A Half Lessons About the Brain. Carson Tate works with international organizations to help employees attain contentment and joy in their work. Her book, Own It, Love It, Make It Work: How to Make Any Job Your Dream Job, can be used as a guidebook for the new world of work.

Elder Wisdom: Sage Insights on Growing Old through Passionate Living with Elizabeth Marshall Thomas & Elaine Mays

Not that long ago elders in our families and tribes were held in high esteem. They were given platforms to tell their stories and share life experiences that enriched and entertained the younger members of the clan. Regrettably, in the modern age, sage advice from the elderly goes mostly unheard. Why, now, is there less interest in those of us with the most knowledge? Why does growing older carry a stigma? To gather unique insights and experienced perspectives, Positive Psychology Podcast Host, Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two engaging authors who have lived their long lives with purpose and curiosity. At 89, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas is an avid traveler and has written 14 books. She shares takeaways from her newest book, Growing Old: Notes on Aging with Something Like Grace, and her opinions as to why some have a prejudice about aging. And at 80 years young, Elaine Mays has written 7 novels that stem from her real-life travels. She shares nuggets from her book, Borneo Experience, and explains why she is a champion for the natural world.