Happy & Free Podcast: Recent Episodes
Valerie Mosley and Dan Lothian | Heartbeings.com
Tune in and be Happy and Free! Come along with Val and Dan for strategies and inspiration for your daily walk through life. Let the smiles and laughter draw you in while you educate and empower your mind.
I wrote recently about how I was able to help my son - who races go-karts - overcome a physical and mental slump. He dug deep and went on to win a championship. This whole episode got us thinking about some parallels between what was happening out on the track and what takes place in life.
That's the focus of this episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan.
What do you have to learn from karts zooming around a road course? Listen up.
We recently took in the Boston Marathon. It’s an amazing thing to watch elite runners slice through miles like a knife in hot butter without breaking a sweat. However, the majority of the runners seemed to be grinding out every single step.
As we watched, there was some much that mirrored everyday life.
On this episode of our podcast Happy & Free with Val and Dan, learn how running can improve your life without strapping on tennis shoes.
A Bed & Breakfast still conjures up warm feelings of the past, long before chain hotels, when people checked in for more than a room. They wanted something that felt a bit like home and local tales and treats from the innkeeper. Tucked in big cities and scattered across the countryside, B&B's still beckon travelers from near and far.
We met one innkeeper in the suburbs of Boston who makes the beds, pours the tea, and serves up a healthy dose of conversation.
You'll hear her stories on this edition of Happy & Free with Val and Dan.
Your mind is a powerful thing. You can imagine great things and make them happen. You can also worry about things and end up going down a dark hole. What if you were to spend more time focusing on the positive? How would it revolutionize your life?
That is what we're talking about on this edition of our podcast, Happy & Free with Val and Dan.
There is so much to distract us, but if we learn to focus in the right direction and zoom in on the positive, it could make a big difference.
Plants are great for the environment. They produce oxygen and can even purify the air in your home. Beyond those benefits, there are plenty of similarities between plants and your life.
On this episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan, learn how to treat your life like a plant and see how it grows in spectacular ways.
We plan for our financial future by putting aside money in a 401k or an IRA. Maybe it's a pension or equity in your big house that you plan to one day cash out. But have you taken a moment to plan for your overall future?
That's what we're talking about on this edition of our podcast, Happy & Free with Val and Dan. We'll walk you through a checklist on what you should examine as you make your plans for the future – from your passions and needs to your legacy.
You don't want to miss it. Listen, learn, and share.
Some people excuse a little white lie; others boldly tell untruths. In some cases, it's about brushing off a nuisance, but others take to lying as a way to deceive, to polish an image, or to move ahead in careers.
On this episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan, we'll tackle the old art of lying. Did you know that 60% of us can't go 10 minutes without telling a lie?
Listen, learn, and stop lying.
Falling in love is easy. Living in love is much more difficult. We all make quick and emotional decisions, and then wake up in a relationship that doesn’t quite fit. It’s like a pair of really nice shoes that are a half size off.
In this episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan, follow an interesting story about a shopping spree at a bargain store, an expensive pair of shoes, and lessons that may help to strengthen your relationship or make sure you go into your next one with eyes wide open.
This is the time of year when we start getting all those tax related forms, so we can begin getting our papers in order. April is still a ways off, but it's never too early to start planning for what to do when the check arrives in the mail.
The sooner you file, the sooner you'll get paid.
But before you mentally spend your check, listen to this episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan as we unpack some tips that could help you use your refund to put your financial house in order.
We all breathe without thinking about it, but there’s a special kind of breathing that can help you deal with some of life’s everyday problems. For example: stress. You can let it tear you apart from the inside out or you can take some deep breaths with a little rhythm and feel the remarkable difference.
Listen to this episode of our podcast Happy & Free with Val and Dan, and breathe along with us as we test some methods that instantly made us feel a little better.
Everywhere we turn, someone is talking about what they don’t like. Politics and government are at the top of the list.
The shift in Washington has led to a lot of uncertainty and some people have taken to the streets in an effort to be heard.
We don’t typically dip our toes into political waters, but on this edition of Happy & Free with Val and Dan, we wade out just a bit to find some answers and dish out some advice.
It works for young kids. Why shouldn’t it do the same for adults? We’re talking about taking a power nap.
Kids don’t like sitting still and aren’t fond of being forced to take a nap in the middle of the day. But there are benefits. In some countries, naps are built into the day. Why should we be on board too?
On this edition of our podcast, we’re talking about the power of a power nap.
Tips from experts say it may reduce stress and lower the risk of heart disease.
It’s the one day of the week that always seems to get a bad rap. Monday! While everyone seems to celebrate Friday and the beginning of a nice weekend, the other end of getting back to work and the real world is often met with a grunt.
Why are Mondays so much of a downer?
That’s what we’ll kick around on this episode of our podcast Happy & Free with Val and Dan.
Maybe our discussion will help pick you up on your next Monday morning.
At one time or another, someone in your family will ask for a loan. It may be just a few dollars or a lot more. Giving loans to family members or close friends can be tricky. First of all, it can lead to odd moments when the loan isn’t repaid in a timely manner or at all.
While some may put their foot down, others make a habit of it.
How can you learn to say no?
That’s what we’re talking about on this episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan. We’ll share some of our personal experiences and how we were able to put the brakes on repeat offenders.
The presidential inauguration takes place this week and Washington will be all abuzz as President Donald Trump officially takes over 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
We thought it would be a good time to go down memory lane to see how past presidents have inspired with courage and proved that no matter where you come from anything is possible.
In this episode of our podcast, we interview Jim Lumley. He’s a pilot who has a healthy obsession with presidential history and believes every child should be given the opportunity to fall in love with history too.
We did a podcast last year about the benefits of looking in the rearview mirror. You can learn from mistakes and make course corrections.
But in this episode, we're looking at burying the past. Forgetting about those things that didn't go right in 2016. Maybe it was a bad relationship, a job, or a move. You can keep stressing about those mistakes or you can focus on the road ahead.
Which will it be for you?
Listen to our podcast and hear what one woman is doing to turn past mistakes into ashes.
Did you do it yet? Are you thinking about it? Have you given up trying? What we're talking about is making and of course keeping New Year’s resolutions. They typically have something to do with fitness, relationships, or work, but people set all kinds of goals. Some succeed, but often others come up short,
Just because it may not have worked out in the past doesn't mean you should stop trying.
On our podcast this week, hear how we've done on our resolutions, why we like making them, and what our goals are for this year.
It’s the end of a year that saw friends and families divided over politics. There used to be a civil discussion, but 2016 was different.
People hit the “unfriend” button and brothers and sisters stopped talking to each other. The holidays is the magnet that draws all of these differences into one room.
How can the noise of the past be muted? One way is with food around the dinner table.
On this podcast, Amanda Varnell, owner of Dish T’Pass Cooking School, Catering Company and Café, takes us into the kitchen of conversation.
Relax, eat and then push talk.
How can you put the real spirit of Thanksgiving back into the holiday?
Take a moment to jot down some things that you are thankful for. It doesn’t have to be long. It’s a good exercise around this time of year as the calendar forces us all to focus on Thanksgiving. It does get a bit commercial, and turkeys have a hard time with it, but in all seriousness, being in the spirit of this holiday every day of the year can have a positive impact on your life.
Listen to our podcast and hear what makes us thankful and how focusing on those things influences our outlook on life.
Preparing for retirement is scary – but it doesn’t have to be. Here is saving for retirement made simple.
When you think about saving for retirement, what comes to mind? Is it a piggy bank? A 401k? A great pension plan? It can all seem so confusing and, frankly, not as interesting if you are a young person just getting started in your career. But that is exactly when you should be paying close attention.
Check out our podcast this week as we try to take some of the confusion out of saving for retirement. You can start small, but in the end, it all adds up.
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 observed as a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children. It recommended that the Day was to be observed also as a day of activity devoted to promoting the ideals and objectives of the Charter and the welfare of the children of the world.” -United Nations
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.
A child being diagnosed with cancer does not inspire hope – not for themselves, and not for others. But this family is flipping the script, and turning a tragic situation into a tool for hope.
No parent ever wants to hear the diagnosis that their child has cancer. It was shocking for the Garcia family. At first they shut down, but it wasn’t long before they decided to not only fight for themselves, but for kids and parents all around the world.
The result? The Richi Foundation.
On this podcast, we sit down with the president and co-founder of the organization, Ricardo Garcia. He opens up about his most vulnerable moments and why he’s on a mission to create smiles and bright futures for young patients.
The Mission: To ensure that all children who suffer from cancer have the best prognosis and quality of life.
The Richi Childhood Cancer Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. The Richi Childhood Cancer Foundation funds various childhood cancer research initiatives through the Richi Research Project and the Richi House Project, which funds programs to help alleviate the physical, emotional, and social strain that childhood cancer puts on patients and their families. We have international projects too: The Richi Fellows and the Richi Foundation Brain Tumor Clinic.
http://www.richifoundation.org/eng#home
You know which ones we’re talking about… Hearing “most embarrassing moments ever” probably conjures up a few horrible memories for you, but what if there was a way to forget about them? What if there was a way to make them a good memory?
There’s no way to adequately describe the feeling of sticking your foot in your mouth or making a big, embarrassing blunder. It has happened to all of us. When it does, the immediate reaction is to crawl into a very deep hole and never see daylight again.
These moments can be humbling. Think of some A-list celebrities who have been brought back to earth, if only for a moment, by either clothing malfunctions on stage or the wrong words uttered from their lips.
Every time we think about our most embarrassing moments, we cringe. Did we really do that?
On our podcast this week, hear what we did, how it sometimes still haunts us, and what we are doing to deal with those embarrassing moments of yesteryear.
What no doubt comes immediately to mind is the flood of refugees coming from countries like Syria.
That is certainly part of issue, but seeking and giving refuge can happen all around us.
On our podcast this week, we sit down with Heart Beings friend Joshua Freedman, CEO and co-founder of 6 Seconds – The Emotional Intelligence Network.
What is EQ? We’ll educate you on harnessing your emotions, and with World Refugee Day this week, we’ll also focus on how people around the world and right next door are finding ways to give refuge in small and significant ways.
Six Seconds
Six Seconds is a global network supporting people to create positive change - everywhere, all the time. We teach the skills of emotional intelligence to fill the "missing link" needed for people to become more aware, intentional, and purposeful so individuals, teams, organizations, families, schools, and communities flourish.
A low-wage job doesn’t mean a low-level future, especially not for your children. This man has proven that it’s not the paycheck that makes the difference.
Fred Vautour never attended college; neither did his wife. He has worked for years as a janitor. But all five of his children now have degrees from elite Boston College. They got in, succeeded, and graduated one after the other. That education is worth about $700,000 and Vautour paid for it all.
Well, sort of.
As we celebrate Father’s day on our podcast, hear the story of this remarkable man who cleans things for a living with a smile on his face and pride in his heart.
Don’t ever say “no, I can’t” again.
Do you know what “zen” really is? “Zen” is making a revival, and in the modern age, it’s taking on more dimensions than its hippie origins.
The urban dictionary describes Zen as a: “total state of focus that incorporates a total togetherness of body and mind.” It goes on to say that: “Zen is a way of being. It also is a state of mind. Zen involves dropping illusion and seeing things without distortion created by your own thoughts.”
What can zen do for you? In this podcast, we’ll help you feel a little “zenny” (a word we invented) as we discuss a wonderful book: Zen and the Art of Happiness.
The author’s experiences will lead to some good insights. In one example, he discusses how zen most likely saved his life.
Book Review:
In Zen and the Art of Happiness, you will learn how to think and feel, so that what you think and feel creates happiness and vibrancy in your life, rather than gloominess or depression. You'll learn how to adapt to life's inevitable changes, how to deal with stress in a healthy way, and how to nurture a mindful happiness in your daily life.
Every day we are bombarded with a hefty dose of negative news. Plane crashes, terrorist attacks, and murders rule the headlines.
Consuming so much negative news is not good for your health. In fact, some studies prove that there’s great power in positive, uplifting stories.
Don’t agree? Listen to our podcast as we break it all down and give you plenty of reasons to spend more time on Heart Beings- erm, we mean, watching or reading things that will either make you feel good or result in personal growth.
What is R-E-S-P-E-C-T? It is spelled out, belted out, by the great Aretha Franklin in that old but still fresh hit.
We throw that word around a lot, but often times don’t treat each other with much respect especially in the workplace.
On our podcast, we put respect in the spotlight. What can you do as a boss or a co-worker to show respect on the job?
We’ll give you some tips to answer the question: “What is respect?" And as a bonus, give you a reason to add an old tune to your playlist.
Who needs complicated guidebooks when you could change your life for the better with five steps? Learn how today.
If you’ve been making excuses or struggling to figure out the best way to live longer and healthier, then search no more. This podcast could change your life for good.
It’s as simple as The Big Five.
Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, our friend and partner, realized that a complicated formula often scared people away from making progress, so he has broken it down to Five Simple Things You Can Do to Live a Longer, Healthier Life.
In this podcast, we sat down with Dr. Chopra to discuss and digest his new book. Grab your coffee, some vitamin D and nuts, then play and share our show.
“The Big Five could very well change your life for the better with very little effort.” - Deepak Chopra
How many times have you felt like throwing in the towel? It may be a difficult relationship or a job – one that was once great, but has quickly gone south. Whatever the challenge, it’s human nature to give up.
What if you were to take a step back, put together a checklist, and think before you jump?
That’s what we’ll help you do in this week’s podcast.
We’ll share our experiences of regrets and what helped to motivate us to plow on.
We’re not saying this is easy, but it might be worth a try.
Also check out this poem:
Never Give Up!
Reach inside! Give it all you got!
As long as you’re alive you can keep on trying!
Never give up! Discover how strong you are!
Don’t let anyone or anything bring you down!
Instead be someone who lifts others up by not
giving up, and inspiring others with all you’ve achieved!
NEVER GIVE UP!
-Karen Salmansohn-
Nobody wants to hear a doctor say the C-word. Cancer. Evenhighly curable forms of the disease can instill fear ina patient. There's so much uncertainty and so manyquestions.
People handle adversity in so many different ways. What would beyour reaction?
On this podcast, we interview a man who faced the medical giantswith courage. His response will help you deal with adversity oreven a scary diagnosis.
Listen, be inspired, and share this podcast.
Not everybody can run a marathon. After all, it takes grit and months of training to survive 26.2 miles.
But at the very least, we should all try to be like a marathon runner; setting a high goal and accomplishing it.
That's what we're talking about on our podcast this week.
One of us has been in a couple of marathons so this advice comes from a place of experience.
They’re useful tips that you can start trying right now; and who knows, you just might be inspired to strap on some shoes and test your limits.
Did you know where the bucket list term came from? Well, that’s just a little pinch of what you’ll take home after listening to our podcast this week. However, the real focus is something much more important.
Most of us have a bucket list. It has all those wonderful places we want to visit and great things we want to do.
But as you scroll down your list, do you see something there that you would like to do for others? In other words: is doing good on your bucket list?
We hope it will be after listening to our podcast.
The matchmaking business has becoming a billion dollar industry. It seems everyone is looking for love, but for some, it can be frustratingly elusive.
Dr. Wendy Walsh has been helping couples and offering up advice as “America’s relationship expert.” She joins us on the podcast as we try to unravel the secret behind finding and keeping a great relationship.
Also, hear what turns off women and attracts men early in relationships.
WHO IS DR. WENDY WALSH?
Host of The Dr. Wendy Walsh Show on iHeartMedia’s KFI•AM 640 Los Angeles, Dr. Wendy Walsh is a Doctor of Psychology and media commentator who is obsessed with the science of love. Walsh’s TV career began in Los Angeles at UPN 13 News where she worked as an anchor/reporter and later as correspondent on Telepictures Nationally Syndicated show, EXTRA. After a break from television to earn a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and raise two children, Walsh returned to TV as a news commentator on CNN and Fox New’s The O’Reilly Factor. In 2012, she co-hosted the Dr. Phil spinoff, The Doctors and was nominated for an Emmy Award. Other television credits include Investigation Discovery Network’s “Happily NEVER After,” and Dr. Drew on HLN. Dr. Wendy is an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at California State University, Channel Islands. She holds a B.A. in Journalism, a Masters degree in Psychology, a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and is the author of three books about relationships. (-From her online bio)
One meal, a bit of courage, and a few knocks on the door are all it takes; this simple action is revolutionizing communities.
Look around your neighborhood, and figure, how many people you know by name? With our 21st century lives, a lot of us dash in and out with only a second for a quick wave.
There can be a richness to a vibrant community. It’s not just something that old timers did. People who get to know each other and spent time together can celebrate great moments and lean on each other during tough challenges.
There’s a growing movement to push many of us out of our comfort zone and build a stronger community by knocking on a door with some food in hand.
On this week’s podcast, Amanda Varnell, co-owner of Dish T’ Pass, a cooking school and catering company, offers some practical tips to help you reach out to those neighbors or co-workers and perhaps enrich your life in the process.
When you rolled out of bed this morning, what was the temperature of your mood? Were you excited to get your day started or worried about work? Were you cranky and ready to snap at your kids or calm and welcoming of the days challenges?
Your mood and your mind matter.
We recently posted an article by one of our contributing authors and this got people talking about the contagious nature of your mood.
On this week’s podcast, we go a little deeper by exploring ways in which you can measure and change how your mood may be affecting complete strangers.
Learning is hard, and the college experience can be even harder. But it doesn’t have to be. You can be on the Upswing and both get your degree and enjoy the experience.
Getting into college is only half the problem. Making the grade and staying enrolled after the second year seems to be a monumental challenge for many millennials.
There’s just so much going on and, often, not enough of a support structure to keep students focused and able to do the coursework.
That’s where Upswing is filling the gap.
Whether you are in college, getting ready to head out, or a parent, this podcast will provide useful information that could make the college journey much more rewarding.
What is Upswing?
Online tutoring. Academic advising. Student mentoring.
We're on a mission to end attrition.
It’s an uncomfortable topic to talk about, especially for men, but there’s more to prostate cancer than you think – and women should know about it too. With a little education and forethought, you could be saving your life or the life of your loved one.
It doesn’t come out of nowhere. Experts say prostate cancer builds over decades, then strikes men in their 40s, 50s, or older.
It’s a highly curable disease, but often men tend to drag their feet until their wives or girlfriends nudge them to go and get checked out, or when they are forced by symptoms.
On our podcast this week: What you should know that could save your life. We interview Atlanta urologist Dr. James Bennett. He’s working to raise awareness, with an emphasis on detection and prevention.
Who Is He?
James K. Bennett, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Dr. Bennett is a Georgia native whose enthusiasm for medicine began at Clark College in 1976 where he graduated summa cum laude. After receiving his medical degree from Duke University in 1979, Dr. Bennett attended Emory University, where he completed an internship in surgery and a residency in urology. His enthusiasm continues today through the establishment of a urology practice providing quality health care.
Honored as the National Medical Association Practitioner of the Year in 1999 and recipient of the Nash-Carter award in 2014, Dr. Bennett is an activist in the treatment and education of prostate cancer. He was the first Georgia urologist to perform cryosurgical ablation of the prostate. He also created an educational film featuring Dr. Louis Sullivan entitled “Prostate Cancer in Black Men,” which has been used nationwide by the American Cancer Society. Dr. Bennett’s video credits include “The Next River to Cross,” narrated by Les Brown, as well as, “Prostate Cancer,” which was narrated by Sydney Poitier.
The next time someone tells you “no, you can’t do that, it’s impossible,” think about the people we feature in this week’s podcast. It should challenge us all to push our boundaries, shatter hurdles, and shame our doubters.
It’s difficult enough for anyone to climb a tall mountain; now consider scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro without some of your limbs. That’s exactly what The Cloud Walkers did.
It wasn’t easy, but with the help of a woman who lost a leg to a drunk driver, they conquered the mountaintop.
Their story will inspire you.
WHO THEY ARE-IN THEIR OWN WORDS
" For those willing to overcome, we will show the world you can walk among the clouds"
~ Kevin Robinson, below-knee amputee and fellow Cloud Walker
Thirteen amputees embarked on a monumental once-in-a-lifetime journey. On December 26th, 2015, they left San Antonio, Texas, and travelled to Tanzania, Africa, to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world, standing at 19,341 feet. Accompanied by a medical support team and a film crew, they made it to the top and back.
This is about resilience, perseverance, and the strength of human spirit.
You’ve probably read recent stories about the benefits of drinking coffee. It’s touted by experts as helping to prevent liver disease and diabetes.
That’s good news for a coffee company that is doing more than just producing your morning pick-me-up. THRIVE Farmershas a new model that gives growers overseas a chance to have a stable and profitable business. The result?
Changing families and communities.
On our podcast this week, we interview the founder of Thrive from his farm in Costa Rica, Central America.
WHO THEY ARE - IN THEIR OWN WORDS THRIVE Farmers is changing the coffee industry by supplying farmer-direct specialty grade coffee to retailers, wholesalers, and consumers through an innovative revenue-sharing model that eliminates the toxic volatility of the commodity market. THRIVE Farmers’ unique approach to the value chain allows farmers to maintain ownership of their crop and participate more fully in the market value of their coffee as it moves through the supply chain.
Lovin' Spoonfuls - Why We Do It: Alleviate hunger The face of hunger in America has changed. Food insecurity affects a rising number of families in communities across the nation. Here, one in five Bostonians are classified as food insecure, and the number of residents participating in federal meal assistance programs is at an all-time high. At the same time, the influx of cheap, processed food items over the past four decades has contributed to the alarming spike in obesity rates and diet-related health risks, especially among low-income populations. Traditional models of hunger relief rely on the convenience of non-perishable pantry staples typically laden with high levels of sodium, sugar, and chemical preservatives. But why should we stop at non-perishables when there is so much fresh food already available?
Reduce food waste In the United States, we produce 430 billion pounds of food, enough to feed far more than our population, and as much as 40% of it goes to waste. Even though there are over 700,000 food insecure residents, in Massachusetts, there is no lack of food available. Our work connects people in need to the bounty of unused food that exists in our community. We’re working to address the problem of food insecurity locally while simultaneously minimizing the astounding amount of food that ends up in landfills nationally. Food waste in the US is estimated at over 70 billion pounds each year, 95% of which went directly into landfills in 2012.
We’re also wasting precious natural resources in the production and subsequent trashing of this food. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, the production of food that ultimately goes to waste in America accounts for 25% of the nation’s total freshwater use and over 300 million barrels of oil every year.
Additionally, $750 million in tax dollars are spent annually to incinerate discarded food, and the value of that food is over $165 billion. While the numbers are shocking, the message is clear: there is enough food out there to feed those in need, and Lovin’ Spoonfuls is here to help.
Change the conversation In addition to our direct distribution services, we work to foster increased awareness of the ongoing issues of food waste and food insecurity in our local community by educating the public and serving as a local platform for Boston to join the national conversation on food waste. We have an extremely strong and dedicated community of advocates in the Boston area that support us by participating in our program, attending events, helping us raise awareness, and donating their time, money, and resources to our cause.
What’s on your grocery list? Some shoppers give very little care to what they put into their bodies. The test is often: if it tastes good, then it ends up in the cart and on the table.
But Dr. Gerald Cooke can give your list a make-over. On this week’s podcast, he follows up on Sleeping Your Way to a Healthier Life, beginning with a rainbow and ending with your sweet tooth. Have we peaked your interest?
Follow Dr. Cooke’s advice and it could lead to healthy dishes and a healthier life.
WHO IS HE? Dr. Gerald Cooke sees maintenance of good health as a collaboration between the doctor and patient, and that the two are not mutually exclusive. Since graduating from Emory University School of Medicine in 1996, Dr. Cooke has focused on treating disease with an emphasis on early detection and management of conditions to prevent advanced disease. In his off time, Dr. Cooke is a lover of outdoor sports like skiing, tennis, boating, and golf. Dr. Cooke is also a Lieutenant Commander and medical officer United States Navy.
When you get sick or experience troubling symptoms, getting to the doctor is often at the top of your to-do list. You want to feel better and receive a peace of mind. But long before you get to that point, Dr. Gerald Cooke is offering treatment of a different kind; his prescription is lifestyle medicine.
WHO IS HE? Dr. Gerald Cooke sees maintenance of good health as a collaboration between the doctor and patient, and that the two are not mutually exclusive. Since graduating from Emory University School of Medicine in 1996, Dr. Cooke has focused on treating disease with an emphasis on early detection and management of conditions to prevent advanced disease. In his off time, Dr. Cooke is a lover of outdoor sports like skiing, tennis, boating, and golf. Dr. Cooke is also a Lieutenant Commander and medical officer United States Navy.
On this week’s podcast, hear what steps you can take that could lead to a healthier life. It doesn’t mean traditional approaches are thrown out the window, but be prepared to exercise, sleep, and de-stress.
How many times have you heard someone say “everyone deserves a second chance?” It can become a flip response, until something happens to you and it’s what you need to get back on your feet. The story of Divine - "The 4th Letter" (http://the4thletter.com) didn’t start out with a need for anything; after all, it was a comfortable middle-class upbringing in the suburbs. But then life took a very sharp U-turn and the young boy watched as life crumbled around him.
His mom became an addict, and he started selling drugs to support the family. It went from bad to worse and he ended up in prison.
That could have been it, but as you’ll hear in this weeks’ podcast, after a few stumbles, divine intervention put him on a much different track. Now he’s rubbing shoulders with tech titans and building a new kind of business.
How much are you willing to reveal about your true self? It’s easier for some than others. There’s of course the risk of rejection, or maybe fear of an embarrassing exchange. Some chose to hide behind alcohol. They see binge drinking as more than just a youthful ritual; it’s a mask.
On this podcast, we invent a new word: Drunking. People who drink with the sole purpose of getting drunk.
Hear the story of one young man who masked his true self with “just one more” drink, and hear solutions that could be helpful if you’re guilty of Drunking.
We think it’s pretty safe to say that most people want to live longer. Maybe even living to 100. Quality of life is important, but being around to watch your kids grow up or being able to see your grandchildren and great grandchildren build their own lives would satisfy many.
We aren’t there yet; in fact we’re not even close. But check out our podcast this week to hear how some of our relatives have made it to – or close to – 100. You might even learn something to help you live a longer, healthier life.
“More and more people are living longer. In fact, people over 85 make up the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population. But living to extreme old age is unusual. NIA researchers have found that exceptional longevity tends to run in some families and is supporting studies to learn more about the secrets to long, healthy life.”
-National Institute on Aging
Medical experts have spent a lot of years and plenty of money trying to get closer to solving the secret of longevity. There are plenty of obvious clues that seem to help – like maintaining a healthy lifestyle or managing stress – but there’s a lot we don’t quite know.
“If you ask, 'What is the single most important key to longevity?' I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress, and tension. And if you didn't ask me, I'd still have to say it.”
-George Burns
Is where you live and your genes the ultimate key for living to 100? We’ll explore that on this week’s podcast, taking a look at some of the top places in the world with the largest number of people making it to the century mark.
One place that’s not on the list is where one of our grandparents lived, on an island she never left. Hear her story and much more on Happy & Free with Val and Dan.
How’s your workout routine going so far? We’re not just referring to getting your body in shape, but also your mind and spirit.
There’s an amazing trainer who can help you do both. His name is Erik Hajer. He’s a thought leader and disrupter in the fitness and wellness space, as well as a motivational speaker, an entrepreneur, and the author of Live Fit and Be Well – a personal transformation workbook.
You can find him at his website (CoachErik.com) or listen to him right here on our podcast.
Are you ready to get in shape?
Listen and share.
Okay, so it's early in the new year and the “new car smell” of New Year's resolutions is still in the air. That is, if you even made them this year!
Once again, we have a clean slate to start building some good habits; but making resolutions stick is easier said than done.
In this podcast, we’ll give you some facts, tips, and share what’s on our respective lists in 2016.
Hit play, click share, and let us know – what are YOUR resolutions this year?
Do you want to live a more optimistic, generous, purposeful life? Well, stop what you’re doing and listen to our podcast this week.
We’re excited to welcome thought leader and renowned doctor Sanjiv Chopra as our new Heart Beings expert partner. Dr. Chopra walks us through five steps to a better life in the new year.
Sanjiv Chopra, M.D. is a best-selling author and sought-after motivational speaker throughout the United States and abroad.
Dr. Chopra is professor of medicine and former faculty dean for Continuing Medical Education at Harvard Medical School. He’s also the James Tullis Firm Chief, Department of Medicine, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. For 12 years, he led the most robust academic continuing medical education enterprise in the world, reaching out to 80,000 clinicians in 150 countries each year. Dr. Chopra is also editor-in-chief of the hepatology section of UpToDate, an online resource used by more than 600,000 physicians worldwide for clinical decision-making at point of care.
There are so many great people doing incredible things, and this year we introduced you to some of them on our podcast.
They inspired young girls to consider high tech, dreamed of outer space and got there, tapped into the power of music, and silenced doubters on a journey from fixing airplanes to Wall Street.
How do you plan to change the world?
Listen to our podcast as we rewind a year of inspiration. And share it with your family and friends.
Do you have your holiday list and are you checking it twice? There’s so much to do and so many parties to attend, not to mention all of the packing for trips to visit relatives.
As the lights twinkle and as the carols play around the clock, the mad holiday rush is hitting its peak.
Tis' the season for reflection, for giving and for receiving, yet it can also be a time of big stress.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Listen to our podcast this week and it just may help you celebrate the holidays without falling apart.
It’s not every holiday that the hostess decides to skip out on her guests in order to invest in herself. But that’s exactly what happened recently.
Some may call what I did selfish, but maybe that’s not such a bad thing after all, especially when you consider the benefits of this unusual decision.
Listen to this podcast to hear what happened next.
Edrizio De La Cruz made a habit of proving his detractors wrong. An immigrant from the Dominican Republic, he held down full-time jobs while going to a community college, got into an Ivy League university, then took off from a career as an aircraft mechanic to a big job on Wall Street.
On this podcast, hear the interview that may inspire you to dream big, especially when you hear what he's up to now.
There are tens of thousands of thoughts that travel through our minds each day. Sometimes they are positive, other times they are dark.
What we think can make a big difference in how we act and how people around us feel.
Too many negative thoughts . . . you get the picture. Or do you?
On this podcast, see what happens when you start treating your thoughts like a portfolio manager. There are parallels, and all you have to do is listen closely.
Click on our podcast and share it with a friend.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
Women and significant others can attest to the fact that some men have a difficult time talking about their feelings. It could stem from the example set by their fathers or a natural inclination to appear tough and in control.
What if there was a place that men could go and share, cry, talk about their faith and family, and open up about their deepest challenges?
Well, there is.
In this podcast, go inside the weekly meeting that feeds the souls and minds of a group of professional men.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
Neetal Parekh was practicing law, but her heart was in a different place. She was frustrated with the slow pace of progress in ongoing initiatives and the lack of enthusiasm. She wanted to make an impact and lead others to do the same. As Parekh was weighing her next steps, her mother, who was battling cancer, gave her the gift that would cement her passion for making an impact.
On this podcast, get to know the founder of Inno8social. It’s a company that offers tools and resources to help people achieve their impact potential. It all started with a blog in 2011 and has grown into a platform that also includes podcasts and a book, 51 Questions on Social Entrepreneurship. We hope you’ll enjoy this podcast and share it with your friends.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
We are fairly sure that in the not-too-distant future the world will instantly recognize the name Dr. Fuddle.
It was all hatched in the mind of musicologist and classical pianist Warren Woodruff who wrote a small play that led to a successful book, Dr. Fuddle and the Gold Baton, that is now a screenplay.
There’s a big Hollywood deal and lots of exciting possibilities, but at the heart of this story is a group of young kids on a perilous adventure and an exploration of the magic of music.
On this podcast, we sit down with Woodruff to learn more about his project and how music transforms kids and has the power to give people hope and strength.
If you like this podcast, share it.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
We all move through our daily lives trying to put a smile on our faces, trying to display confidence and success. But some are masking turmoil deep inside. We’re not just talking about financial or relationship issues—we’re referring to depression. It can be dark and paralyzing. For a family member, knowing how to deal with this and understand depression can be difficult.
On this podcast, we’ll share a lesson learned during a walk on the beach. It might help you or someone you know.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
Raising young boys to become respected and honest men doesn’t happen by remote control. It requires a lot of hard work. It comes down to good parenting. That’s why a father-son relationship is so vital. The elder can lead with advice and by example.
We ran across one such dad in Atlanta who is trying to avoid some of the challenges of his own childhood.
On this week’s podcast, we introduce you to Aaron Faulkner. His strategy is pretty simple: give his son daily affirmations to help him overcome doubt, fear, and negative influences.
You just might find something here to start doing with your child, boy or girl.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
When was the last time that you went out on a date? I don’t mean with someone else. I mean alone. Right about now you’re probably scratching your head, but there’s a point here.
In this noisy world with its ringing cellphones and crowded schedules, some people are finding that going out with yourself, if only for a few moments, can do wonders.
Check out our podcast this week and hear what inspired Val Mosley to take her alone time to the beach and how it recharged her life.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
Things have changed since the days when girls were encouraged to stay home, teach, or become nurses.
The sky's the limit, but what about careers in math and science?
Some would argue it's still mostly a boys’ world.
Now, one doctor is using her pen along with a scalpel to help close the gap.
In this week's podcast, blast off into space with Harvard-educated surgeon Dr. Oneeka Williams. She's the creator and author of the Dr. Dee Dee Dynamo book series, and wait until you hear what she's up to.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
It was mostly a perfect life. Her husband had a big job with plenty of tag-along international travel. Her kids were growing up well and entering wonderful careers. And a brand-new house had just been furnished.
That’s when the other shoe dropped.
Jackie unexpectedly turned around as she was walking out of her husband’s office and what she saw shattered her wonderful suburban life forever.
On this week’s podcast, we confront the pain of deception and learn about the power of recovery in our interview with a woman who is now helping others deal with the nightmare of a cheating spouse.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
I hope we don’t date ourselves by humming that classic R.E.M. song, “Losing My Religion.” It was a major hit by the alternative rock band in the early ’90s that was less about faith and more about romance. But what happens when the title of that song becomes literal in your own family?
On this week’s podcast, we share a deeply personal real-time experience and the search for answers.
This is a podcast you don’t want to miss.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
This Hank Williams may not be a singer-songwriter, but he has a platform, a microphone, and a star-studded lineup that’s helping to put underrepresented innovators in the spotlight.
On this week’s podcast is our interview with Hank Williams, the Founder and CEO of Platform, a nonprofit organization that’s like TED Talks with a focus on African Americans, Latinos, and women. (For more on Platform, visit their website at www.platform.org.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
“I just hate my job.” “Why do they always serve the same food?” “This weather is just awful!” That’s just a sample of what we’ve heard recently from people who make it a habit of complaining. It doesn’t matter how great things are, they seem to find a way to work in a complaint.
Complainers don’t see the glass as half full, they are fixated with the glass as half empty.
In this week’s podcast, we’ll attempt to help you focus on the bright side of life. Listen and hear why one of us slipped up even before we got started.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
What is mindfulness and why should you care? What if we told you that most of us spend 50% of our waking hours either worrying about what might happen in the future or about something that happened in the past? That’s the reality. But what gets left out in this equation is the present.
Spending more time focused on the now could help to move your life in a better direction.
On this week’s podcast, we’ll help you refocus with the art of mindfulness.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
Commercials and billboards will often make you think that you need a flashy new car or an expensive gadget to make your day. But, if you take the time to look around, you might be surprised to find little moments that add great value to your life and leave lasting memories.
On this week’s podcast, we’ll attempt to put a smile on your face with tales of rainbows and emails from old friends.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
There’s no easy formula for getting ahead in your career. It can be a function of your experience, where you went to school, or your personality. But there’s evidence that shows moms, mentors, and learning to negotiate can be big differences when it comes to women advancing in the workplace and in life.
Negotiating at work can sometimes be intimidating. You don't want to ask for too much or not enough. But learning some important skills could help you advance and get a bigger paycheck.
What if you took the same approach in your life? Good negotiating skills could help you handle some thorny issues in your family.
On this week’s podcast, we wrap up our series with Harvard Business School professor Kathleen McGinn.
Her insights could be useful as you assemble your negotiation toolkit.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
There’s no easy formula for getting ahead in your career. It can be a function of your experience, where you went to school, or your personality. But there’s evidence that shows moms, mentors, and learning to negotiate can be the big difference when it comes to women advancing in the workplace and in life.
Not all role models are created equal. Some may be sensitive to your background or wowed by your skills, but there's good evidence that shows a role model who looks like you could be the perfect mentorship to help you advance in your career.
On this week's podcast, we continue our series with Harvard Business School professor Kathleen McGinn. Her tips may help you navigate through a competitive workplace environment.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
There's no easy formula for getting ahead in your career. It can be a function of your experience, where you went to school, or your personality. But there's evidence that shows moms, mentors, and learning to negotiate can be the big difference when it comes to women advancing in the workplace and in life. On this week's podcast, we begin a three-part series with Harvard Business School professor Kathleen McGinn. She walks us through revealing research that we hope will benefit women working outside the home and trying to climb the corporate ladder.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
How much time do you spend worrying? If you took a few moments to do the math you might be shocked at what you learn. We worry about relationships, jobs, money—the list goes on and on. You don’t need a medical expert to tell you that too much worrying could be bad for your health.
On this week’s podcast, we’ll give you some simple tips to help kick worry out of your mind.
Find out why spending some dedicated time alone worrying can be a good prescription. We know that advice sounds contrary to everything we just told you, but listen to our podcast to get the complete story.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump continues to step on his tongue even as his supporters applaud every word.
Our recent posting on how Trump can repair his bad reputation drew some strong criticism on our Facebook page. "Get a grip on reality, you bunch of boneheads," read one comment. Don't worry—we can take the heat. In this week’s podcast we try to make sense of what supporters love about Donald Trump.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
When was the last time you said thank you? We don’t mean when someone held the door open or when your waiter did a great job, although both of those examples are good. We’re talking about a meaningful action of appreciation.
It’s only two short words, but the impact can be long-lasting and could give you the edge after a job interview, for instance.
On our podcast this week, we’ll show you how to say thank you. So, grab a pen and a piece of paper and get ready to write.
Say “thank you” to someone and tell us about it via Twitter @heartbeings using the hashtag #Gotthanku?
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
At some point in life most of us will have to stand up in front of a group and speak. It might start early in school, church or later as part of a job presentation. Some people can launch into a flawless performance that leaves the audience hanging on every word. Others barely survive with a knot in their throats and beads of sweat running down their forehead.
Where do you fit in?
This week Val Mosley and Dan Lothian offer some simple tips that could help ease the anxiety and "Fear of Public Speaking." It's nothing to be ashamed of, some big Hollywood stars and well known public figures feel your pain.
Listen to our podcast and share your own tips for conquering your fears.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
The other day around the dinner table my father-in-law brought up a new reality that he described with a chuckle. “I feel like I’m the kid and you’re the adult,” he said as we talked about his need for a better diet.
You’re either in this group or one day you will be. Aging parents face new challenges and big decisions and must often rely on their children to make sense of it all.
This week in our podcast, “Parenting Your Parents,” we confront some of the challenges families face and discuss ways to help make the journey a little easier.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
What does it take to create happiness? It isn't about possessions or money. In fact, some of the happiest people around the world don't have big bank accounts.
With so many pressures in life—in the workplace or while caring for your children in the home—we wanted to spend a little time smiling, singing, and sharing what we've learned about creating happiness.
Why is this important? Because happiness is contagious, and it could make you healthier.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
It’s that time of year when fathers end up in the spotlight. They might get breakfast in bed, another colorful tie, or phone calls reminding them how special they are.
Fathers are supposed to play an important role in shaping the lives of their children, but sometimes their fast-paced life or other pressures get in the way of doing what’s expected.
What makes a good father?
Val Mosley and Dan Lothian offer tips that get men thinking about one of the most important jobs they’ll ever have.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
We are all trying to get into “swimsuit shape” so that we can go to the beach or pool with confidence this summer.
That’s easier said than done, especially if you skipped a few days or a few weeks of your workout routines. What if you could take a much simpler, less daunting approach that doesn’t require regular visits to the gym?
They aren’t exercise gurus, but in this week’s podcast, Val Mosley and Dan Lothian give you tips on how to stay in shape whether you’re at work, in the car, or in bed.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
How many of you are still hanging on to an old grudge or a slight by a former friend? We see those raised hands.
It could have started out as something small but with time it grew into a mountain. It’s so difficult to let go, to forgive and forget. That is the focus of our podcast this week.
We’ve struggled with some of those issues so this discussion is helpful for us, and we hope it will challenge you as well.
It all begins with getting rid of pride and resentment.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
War is never pretty, and sometimes those who are deployed never return home alive. The pain of such loss is great, but the sacrifice for freedom is what we honor.
It’s not just the service member who is impacted. His or her family bears a huge burden, often separated for long periods of time only to get that heart-wrenching knock on the door. Some return home alive but are never the same again.
Is there a cause that you would die for? What is your tolerance for sacrifice?
In this week’s podcast, Val and Dan celebrate those who have given it all on the front lines and encourage us to find more ways to support those on the home front.
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.
It goes without saying that a full moon on a clear night is bound to get a lot of oohs and ahhs. It’s beautiful, bright, and majestic. In offbeat corners of the world or on a country road without street lights, the moon can also be your guide.
That’s the inspiration for this week’s podcast as Val and Dan encourage us all to be a little like the full moon and endeavor to shine our light, inspire others, and practice what we preach. If none of that gets your attention, then how about our hosts singing a duet?
You don’t want to miss this podcast!
Happy & Free with Val and Dan is a weekly podcast that helps listeners tackle some of life’s challenges and aims to inspire with interesting personal stories.