Happy & Free Podcast

Each stage of raising a child can present its own set of challenges, but the dreaded teen years can be especially difficult. There are so many changes going on inside and so many pressures on the outside. On our podcast, this week we'll help parents navigate these trying waters and have some fun along the way.

There is a lot of evil in the world, and children often see the worst of it. Is it possible to push back against the trials our children face in just a single day? It may sound like a tired phrase: “kids are our future.” But it’s true, and in too many places in this country and around the world, they aren’t being treated with the respect they deserve. Some are being discarded and abused. Others are raised in poverty with very little chance of getting a good education. There are small signs of hope on the horizon and we want to celebrate that as well as invite you to be part of the solution by joining Heart Beings, the emotional intelligence organization Six Seconds, and Crowdrise in a fundraising campaign. Listen to our podcast and learn about great organizations that are making a difference in the lives of children everywhere.  Universal Children’s Day – November 20th “By resolution 836(IX) of 14 December 1954, the General Assembly recommended that all countries institute a Universal Children's Day, to be ob

Here are a few personalized and unconventional tips for success.    There are plenty of books, online resources, and seminars that offer up a buffet of keys to success. Some promise an overnight rocket ride to the top, while others offer shortcuts to make the climb easier.   There are no perfect answers because we are all bit different, but on this week’s podcast, we explore a few steps that have worked for us and others.   It never hurts to dream big.

Couples don’t always get along – but are you doing something small that’s ruining your relationship? Find out what it is, and what you can do about it.     There are little things that can grind away at relationships. It could just end up being an accepted annoyance, or it could fester and grow into something significant.   What is it that you do that drives your significant other crazy? Are you aware of its impact? Do you care? Let’s assume that you answered ‘YES’ to the last question; the next step is figuring out what to do about it.   That’s the focus of our podcast as we share some experiences and tips to snuff out those little things that drive your partner crazy.

Are you one of those people who shows up late to everything? If so, why? Does it have to do with power, risk, or organization? Whatever bucket you fall into, you’ve got to listen to this week’s podcast. It’s admission time as we bare our souls to make a point. We also come up with some solutions that will not only help you, but help get us back in line. Better late than never is NOT better.

The recent breakup of Hollywood super couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie stirred up talk yet AGAIN about celebrities and commitment. Why do we care?  What puts many of these high profile unions at risk? And are there any good examples of lasting love in Hollywood? On our podcast this week, we’re joined by our Heart Beings Hollywood contributor Deborah Zara Kobylt to talk about relationships, commitment, and what all couples should know before taking the plunge.

Can you lose fat without diet or exercise, but just by changing your actions? That statement may not sound politically correct, but it’s the way one entrepreneur has drawn attention to a problem he has been fighting – obesity. “Stop Acting Fat” is the name of his organization and it screams from the front of his T-shirt. Obesity is a major health problem despite countless diets, a sea of fitness centers, and a general health craze sweeping the US. So what is this campaign offering that others aren’t? Check out our podcast this week as we interview Duke Richman. “We have abandoned the purpose of food and eating for the pleasure of food and eating. This action has severely compromised our health and is the primary cause of overweight and obesity.” — Duke D.R.S. Richman

Things from the past should stay in the past, right? But how can inviting your past into your future help your life and actions now?  We hear so much about forgetting the past. “Put the past behind you” a coach once said after a tough loss. We like – or frankly need – to forget pain, loss, and disappointment. However, there are times when looking back can help us move forward. It has a way of motivating or clarifying things. Listen to our podcast this week, and then look in the rearview mirror.

Being positive is hard; but here’s a roadmap that makes it second nature. It isn’t easy to be a constant state of happiness, but some amazing things can happen if you spend more time working on being positive than looking at what is going wrong. Positivity in the workplace has proven to be a key factor in a successful employee. And guess what? Positivity has been linked to longevity. That should be enough to get you to click and listen to our podcast this week. We aren’t making any promises, but you may get the roadmap that will put you on the right path to being a little more positive.

You want a break from life, but do you even know how? Here is the secret for truly taking a breather. Summer is now in the rearview mirror, but if you were like us, you had the chance to escape for a vacation or took time off for a staycation. Either way, jumping off the daily treadmill of life has countless benefit. Take that a step further: what if you were able to completely unplug? What if you could leave your phone and emails behind? Well, one of us did that this summer, and in this podcast, we’ll break down the secrets of unplugging and how it may help you have a less stressful life now that you are back to work.

Should movies go in a different direction, and should celebrities help fight diseases and the stigma surrounding them? Charlie Sheen told the world that he is HIV positive. Now he wants other stars who are also infected to step forward. His goal is to get rid of the stigma around the disease. On our podcast this week, we talk about the facts behind his big push, plus turn our attention to another issue in Hollywood: violence on the big screen.  With all the bad stuff happening across the country and around the world, is it time again for producers to dial it back just a bit? Should they pay more attention to the current mood of fear and anxiety?

What’s the last concert you attended? Do you attend musical events frequently? Well listen up; dancing around at a concert will not just lead to sweat and perhaps ringing ears, but it could make you much happier in life. What about the performers? And what are we to make of this positive information? We’ll answer all of those question in podcast this week. “The findings revealed that engaging with music by dancing or attending musical events was associated with higher Subjective Wellbeing (SWB) than for those who did not engage with music in these forms.” – Psychology of Music Journals

TV supposedly isn’t good for you – but there’s a lot to be learned from the Tiny House concept that can change your daily living. How many of you can’t get enough of those Tiny House shows on cable television and online? It’s all the rage. Couples and families are shedding the spacious comforts of a large house and choosing to live in much smaller square footage. We’re talking 200 to 300 square feet! As people get caught up in the designs, this simpler way of life is stirring debate about our needs vs. our wants. On our podcast this week, hear how Tiny House-ing your life could free you up to follow your passions or live a stress-free life. Are you tired of chasing a bigger and better everything? Then this podcast is for you.

Whether it’s a painful break or just a bump in the road, sometimes you need to hit reset on a relationship. How can you do it successfully, and healthily?   Isn’t the honeymoon period such a sweet time in a relationship?  You date, you fall in love, and everything is so special. Flowers arrive at unexpected moments. Weekends are filled with candlelight dinners.   However, both time and changes in life often throw a wrench in every love story.   What happens when you are forced to hit the reset button?   On our podcast this week, get some healthy advice that comes straight out of our personal journals.

Are you ready to fight back against the fear that world events bring?   It seems no place is safe. Violent acts are happening all around the world, and in this ever connected society, we find out about it with great detail immediately.   This is all fueling a lot of fear. Are you one of those people afraid of what could happen next in your neighborhood or on your next trip overseas?   Listen to our podcast this week as we offer up some ways to overcome your biggest fears and live Happy and Free.

We give to the children of the world to make their lives better – but these children are giving back.   It turns out everyone in the world is not selfish. People with very little income and those with billions in the bank are donating their time and money to make sure that great causes are funded.   Philanthropy is a big word that is often linked to the wealthy or to something that grown-ups do.   But, in fact, kids are big givers too. It has moved well beyond the lemonade stand.   On our podcast this week, we focus on a company that is making it easy for kids to launch campaigns with t-shirts, and not only raise awareness but also tens of thousands of dollars.   We interview Andrew Moss, the president of Booster.com.   T-shirts have been his life.  Now the business has become his passion for the cause.

Who says you need a gym to get in shape or make yourself feel better? With these techniques, the world is your exercise machine. This is the season where the things that are covered up in winter are exposed in the summer sun. No sweaters or long sleeve shirts to help you fib that you’re still on that exercise routine. Some people can’t afford gym memberships or, if they can, have a difficult time just showing up. We want to give you a helping hand. On our podcast this week, we’ll reveal some tips that might help you stay in shape by making the world your gym.

Hate is a powerful word. We throw it around when talking about a movie that bombed or a restaurant that served up an unpleasant meal. But look around the world or right down the street and the more troubling meaning of hate is taking lives and destroying communities. It almost seems as if people and groups are seeking out reasons to hate or nurturing long held beliefs that divide us. On this podcast we’ll dig deep to the heart of hatred and talk about what we can do to get rid of it.