Everyday Better with Leah Smart

Dr. Casey Means, a physician passionate about metabolic health, discusses the interconnectedness of symptoms and diseases stemming from metabolic dysfunction, offers strategies for optimizing metabolism through sleep, movement, stress management, toxin reduction, and light exposure. She emphasizes the importance of adopting a metabolic framework for cellular health to live happier, healthier lives.

In part II of our conversation with Stephanie Harrison, author of New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That's Got It Wrong, we explore what it looks like to apply Stephanie’s New Happy philosophy to personal and work areas of our lives. We discuss strategies for setting and achieving your big goals, what the research suggests about the role of helping others in the context of happiness and how privilege and oppression shift our approach to and experience of happiness. We also contemplate the notion of the “best self” and take a hard look at wellness culture to better understand how mainstream ideas of happiness and well-being hold us back from achieving true contentment. Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn.Follow Stephanie Harrison on LinkedIn.To learn more about Stephanie’s philosophy on happiness, check out her book, New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That's Got It Wrong.

Stephanie Harrison is an expert on the science of happiness. Her first book, New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That's Got It Wrong, explores the structural forces that prevent us from achieving true happiness and teaches us how to find it by looking outside ourselves. Stephanie joins Leah to discuss why so many of us are unhappy (despite trying our very best to be), and what we can do to experience more joy and contentment in our everyday lives. Helping others, Stephanie argues, is the key to improving our mental and emotional well-being. She also shares research-backed strategies for connecting with our true selves and quieting down the voice in our heads that tells us we’re not good enough.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedIn.Follow Stephanie Harrison on LinkedIn.To learn more about Stephanie’s philosophy on happiness, check out her book, New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That's Got It Wrong.

Dr. Barry Kudrowitz, a Professor at the University of Minnesota, dives into the fascinating link between humor, play, and creativity. He argues that incorporating fun elements at work boosts innovation and productivity. Listeners will discover how playfulness can transform problem-solving and enhance collaboration among teams. Dr. Kudrowitz shares practical strategies to integrate humor into daily life, emphasizing its importance not just for kids but for adults in professional settings as well. Tune in for insights that could revolutionize your work environment!

Ellen Langer is a renowned Harvard professor and psychologist who has been studying mindfulness for over 40 years. She is the first woman to be tenured in psychology at Harvard and has conducted extensive research in her lab. She is also known as the “Mother of Positive Psychology.” Langer is the author of numerous books, including The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health.Langer joins Leah Smart to discuss the power of mindfulness for improving our health and well-being. By being mindful, we can enliven our brains, improve our physical health, and live longer. Langer's research has shown that simply noticing and being present can reverse signs of aging, enhance healing, and improve our overall well-being. She also encourages us to embrace uncertainty, as it opens us up to new and interesting possibilities. Follow Leah Smart on LinkedInFollow Ellen Langer on LinkedIn

JP Crimi, a renowned breathwork teacher, shares insights on how conscious breathing can transform mental well-being. He discusses the healing power of breathwork in alleviating anxiety and stress, highlighting personal journeys of emotional release and joy. The conversation also delves into the connection between breathing patterns and emotional awareness, and how childhood experiences shape our coping mechanisms. Listeners will discover practical breathing techniques to foster resilience and spark personal growth.

Dacher Keltner, founding director of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and author of "Awe: The Nature of Awe and the Power to Transform Your Life”, joins Leah Smart to discuss the transformative power of awe and its impact on our minds and bodies. They explore the profound effects of awe on personal growth, well-being, and social connection, and offer practical strategies for cultivating awe in everyday life to lead a more fulfilling and meaningful existence. Follow Leah Smart on LinkedInFollow Dacher Keltner on LinkedIn 

Renowned writer, speaker Lynne Twist discusses reframing money mindset to sufficiency. She emphasizes connecting finances to soul's commitments for purpose. The podcast explores personal transformations, societal wealth constructs, and embracing human values for fulfillment.

Michelle Thaller serves as the Assistant Director for Science Communication at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, where she has dedicated over two decades to sharing the wonders of science with audiences worldwide.Michelle’s journey is marked by resilience, as she shares stories of grief after losing her husband. As a scientist, she goes beyond facts and theories, seeking connections that infuse our existence with deeper meaning. Michelle joins Leah Smart to emphasize the importance of intentionality in our lives, and why being in awe is the key to everyday life. According to her, the universe grants us just one chance to see the world through our own eyes, urging us to live purposefully and consciously.Follow Leah on LinkedInLearn More about Michelle Thaller

Bonnie Wan is a globally-renowned career brand strategist and the author of "The Life Brief: A Playbook for No Regrets Living." She is passionate about helping people uncover their true desires and show up authentically, and believes deeply in the power of intention to propel personal and professional growth.Bonnie joins Leah Smart to explain the concept of a life brief, which is a tool for getting clear on what you want and how you want to show up in various areas of your life. She highlights the importance of wanting in driving personal growth and creativity, the value of self-reflection, and the role privilege plays in shaping our desires.Follow Leah Smart on LinkedInFollow Bonnie Wan on LinkedInRead More on The Life Brief