Choosing Happiness: Recent Episodes
Choosing Happiness
Podcast by Choosing Happiness. Host is Kaitlynn Olivas. Music done by Brandon Merrill (@ohheybrandon_). Instagram @choosinghappiness.podcast
Welcome! This week I interviewed Corey Fink. One of my longest friends. She is someone I know I can go to whenever I need it. I have been wanting to interview her for sometime now and she finally agreed! Hope you all enjoy!
This week we get to hear from one of my favorite people on this planet, Kate Ashman. We lived in the same apartment building and were in the same YSA Ward while at BYU. I always admired her and looked up to her from afar and I finally told her I had a friend crush on her. She felt the same way, and we have been friends ever since. I can always count on her for a Chick-fil-A run and a good chat. I truly admire Kate so much, and I'm so happy she agreed to be interviewed!
This week I have Courtney Rich, aka Cake by Courtney, on the podcast. Courtney is a self taught baker, and has been helping people for the past 5 years feel comfortable baking in their home. She teaches baking basics and uses her instagram as a platform for these lessons. She also uses her instagram as a platform for mental health awareness. Dealing with depression herself, she shares her experiences with others to help them feel less alone. I for one feel very blessed to have had Courtney on the podcast, and I am very grateful for her and the life experience she shared. We laugh and cry and share stories. You don't want to miss this episode!
This week we have Kayla Clark on the podcast. She talks about her divorce, her move to New York City, what inspires her, and the aspects of life she needs to be happy. I love Kayla, from the day I met her I felt loved by her. She is a light to everyone around and this episode was a blast to do!
Happy December! This week we are joined by Alexa Norton. A couple of years ago Alexa and her family suddenly lost their father. While this is a hardship that no one should have to go through, it is one that many people face; losing a loved one. Alexa talks and shares her experience with grief and the stages of grief and losing her father. She gives advice for those that want to support their friends going through this experience and also talks about her Instagram account that she runs called @griefshine. She uses this account as a space to share her experiences and to create a community that understands the pain of losing a loved one.
This week is probably one of my favorite episodes I have ever released. I asked all of my friends to send in responses for what they are grateful for as well as audio clips of them saying what they are grateful for. I share some research for how gratitude can help us in life as well as some bits and pieces of discourses from church leaders for the importance of gratitude. Make sure to listen to the whole episode to get the full experience of talking to all of these wonderful people! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that despite everything right now, we can find things to be grateful for. I know that gratitude will help our happiness!
This week I was able to interview Olivia DeMordaunt. I met her while I was at BYU. We had a class together for a year while she was my TA in Model United Nations. And then the next year we were in the same ward for church. I have always loved being able to talk to Liv about life and get her perspective on things. So it was wonderful being able to chat with her about happiness, being kind to ourselves, the little things that make us happy (literally), and many more.
This week we cover the topic of eating disorders, heartbreak, being our own influence of happiness, and SO. MUCH. MORE. Christine has such a wonderful way with words and is honestly so eloquent with her thoughts. She runs an instagram account (@ed__stories) dedicated to sharing personal stories on eating disorders and body image to open up the dialogue, break down the shame, and help even one person feel less alone. If you or a loved one suffer with an eating disorder there are resources out there to get help. If you attend BYU you can contact the Nutrition and Wellness center at the Women's Center. You can also contact the National Eating Disorder Helpline.
Mallory Stevens is this week's guest. She and her husband are the co-founders and owners of Taft, a shoe company for men (taftclothing.com). She is a mother, a wife, and a mental health advocate. I love Mallory and her vulnerability and honesty when it comes to dealing with mental illness in the family. She is someone I admire greatly and talking to her was just what I needed. She gives wonderful words of comfort to those that feel like a burden and she is a great example of finding joy in the midst of our trials.
I dare you to say that ice cream name 10 times fast. Maryn is a ball of light and someone I have always inspired to be more like! She is so wonderful and it was a great time during this interview!
This week I was able to interview Jessica. We had a wonderful conversation talking about creativity and using creativity to our advantage during hard traumatic times. Jessica is the owner and founder of J. Noelle Design, a custom wedding dress company, you can find her at https://www.jnoelledesign.com/ or on instagram @jnoelle.design. She is an incredible human I loved interviewing her.
Hey everyone! Never thought a solo episode would be so hard, but for some reason I was struggling being able to piece together my thoughts. I talk about suicide prevention month, which was September. I mention signs someone might not being doing well mentally, myths vs facts of suicide, how to end the stigma of suicide.
I then talk about the events going on around the world today, such as the election (I hop on a little soapbox for a moment), BLM, the pandemic, and the documentary, The Social Dilemma.
Below are some resources for suicide prevention and awareness:
https://www.facebook.com/RealDepressionProject/
https://projectsemicolon.com/suicide-prevention/
https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/suicide-prevention-awareness-month
Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig:
https://www.amazon.com/Reasons-Stay-Alive-Matt-Haig/dp/1782115080
Whytli Roger's Organization:
https://endthestigma.org/
LDS Resources:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2018-01-0150-suicide-prevention-choose-to-stay?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/get-help/suicide?lang=eng
Check Voter Registration:
https://www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/
The Social Dilemma:
https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/
This week I was able to chat with a former mission companion of mine, Hannah. I have known her for about 5 years, since the first day in our mission. We clicked right away and have been best friends ever since. I've been wanting to interview her for some time now but have been worried to ask her haha. It was such a good time talking to her.
We do briefly discuss a suicide that has happened to someone in her life, and I want to give a warning about that. I will be discussing suicide awareness and prevention next week in a solo episode where I give some resources for how to help those around you.
Sweet Emily was the last interview I did in Provo before I left and listening to this while editing was so fun. Emily is so insightful and I know everyone will learn how happiness can be found, even in the simplest of things.
I met Christopher at a going away party for our mutual friend Paige, who was my second interview! I immediately thought he was so cool and I knew I wanted to be his friend. Thank goodness Instagram is how that works now a days. Interviewing Christopher was such a delight and I loved being able to get to know him better! He shares the cutest story at the end of his grandpa, so make sure to stick around to listen to that!
Have you ever wanted to listen to an episode of mine where we stop the interview multiple times because we are so popular in our apartment? Well you're in luck because that is EXACTLY what happens in this episode with Taylor haha. Luckily Taylor is such a wonderful sport and shared some awesome insights. I love this girl and you all will too!
Maddie is the guest this week. I met Maddie almost 3 years ago when I first moved to Provo. We were in the same YSA ward and immediately bonded over our love for hedgehogs. Sitting down and talking to her made me realize how much more we have in common. Maddie has a heart of gold and really was such a gem to have on the podcast.
Brandon Merrill is this week's guest. He is the music man behind the podcast and also one of my best friends. He is super into photography and philosophy and has such a great outlook on life. He also helped edit this episode a little bit so you can hear him better because I do not work well with technology, so thank you Brandon. You can find him on Instagram @musicbylank.
Enjoy!!
My lovely friend Robby was my most recent guest on the podcast! Robby is a cool dude that loves music and wants you all to know that you should play guitar when you want. And I agree, or any instrument for that matter! Hope you enjoy this week's episode!
Make sure to check out our instagram @choosinghappiness.podcast
Don't speak Swedish? Don't worry, this episode is in English but Nicole wanted the title to be Swedish. It means "feel ALL the emotions" and I LOVE that!
Nicole and I met in Henderson, NV where we both went to high school. She is a super great person and I loved this interview! Hope you all do as well!
I had the most wonderful time sitting with Lydia and interviewing her. She is such a rad woman and I am grateful that she was able to share some of her life experiences with me. This is just a warning that sexual assault is discussed briefly.
This week we get to hear from Lizzie Sigler. I met Lizzie through a high school friend of mine, and upon meeting her I just knew that I wanted her to be in my life. This episode we talk about a harder topic for many, miscarriage, just to give a fair warning. Lizzie also runs the instagram account @thefaithcollective, an instagram page connecting stories of individuals to allow hearts to be connected and to help others love more fully! I highly recommend checking it out!
Kelsey Eyre is our newest guest on the Choosing Happiness podcast! I am so grateful that I was able to chat with Kelsey on the phone and that we were able to record this episode. Hope you all enjoy!
Tessa is an incredible human being! I loved being able to sit down with her and talk about her experiences in life. I first met Tessa back on our missions, and have loved her since then! I hope this episode will leave you feeling inspired and uplifted!
This week I was able to sit down and chat with the lovely Kimberly. She has OCD and anxiety and talks more about her experience with both and helps us better understand what OCD actually is rather than what media tells us it is. Kimberly is a gem, joy, and a light, and I know you will all enjoy this week's episode!
This week we get to hear from Kadey! She is full of love and sunshine and pure joy! It was so wonderful being able to sit down with her and chat over the phone! Hope you all enjoy this episode!
Well I think the title says it all ;) just kidding! Honestly this interview with Max was wonderful! He has some great insight on his experience and time about learning optimism and how we can all be a little better at it!
I was able to call up the sweet and beautiful Lauren for this episode. Once again this is a phone recorded interview so I apologize for the audio quality, or lack there of sometimes, just crank up the volume and things will work out! Lauren gave a few book suggestions and these are the titles of them:
The Moth Presents: All These Wonders
The Last Lecture
I know I will definitely be looking into those books! I hope you all enjoy this episode, it truly was such a wonderful and uplifting experience for me!
Hello beautiful friends! This episode is VERY unique, first it is not an in-person interview due to COVID-19, but second it is also a video interview I did with my friend Tanner. He created some visuals for his explanations. We did a screen recording of the video chat but I am having technical difficulties with uploading it to YouTube. So the audio from the video is this podcast episode, and Tanner does a WONDERFUL job explaining everything without needing the visuals. But if you want to see them, you can go to our Instagram account to view them! Hope you enjoy this episode! Stay safe and healthy everyone!
I was FINALLY able to interview my friend Rachel Allen. This episode has been talked about for months now and the interviews just never seemed to work out haha. But we were finally able to sit down on a phone call and chat. I hope the audio works out for yall and that you are able to enjoy this episode, I know I enjoyed the interview!!
Hola mis amigos!! I hope you enjoy this episode with my dear amigo Elias! He is a wonderful human being and shares such beautiful insight.
Today we get to hear from sweet Devin as she shares her experiences of when choosing happiness has become important to her! Enjoy!
I adored my interview with Naomi. I hope you all did as well!
The book about refugees and their stories is called "Let Me Tell You My Story." Another book mentioned about understanding happiness and well being was "Flourish" by Martin E.P. Seligman.
I am back everyone!!! Amid the crazy school year and COVID-19 I am going to still try to release episodes for all of you. This week I was able to interview Katelynn and I just adore her! I hope you all enjoy this episode! Stay safe and healthy
This week we get to listen to Autumn Gowdy and her experiences she has had in life. Autumn is a light and it was wonderful being able to interview her.
This episode advocates for the consumption of ice cream at all times!! So if you need some convincing of that, give it a listen.
Hellooooooo!! This week I sat down with Elizabeth Trommlitz and it was a joy. I am so grateful for her and the example she is to me! I hope you all enjoy this episode!!
Happy New Year everyone!! Welcome to the Choosing Happiness Podcast! This week I was able to sit down with the beautiful Whytli Rogers and interview her and share her story of finding peace throughout this crazy journey called life. Whytli has her own podcast called "In the Wake with Whytli" and you can find that on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all other podcast platforms. You can also find her and her organization on Instagram with the handles @whytli and @endthestigmaorg. Hope you all enjoy this episode! Thanks for stopping by!
Hello friends and family and loved ones! In this episode, it is just a solo episode where I explain what I have been up to and what is in store for the podcast. I get vulnerable and open up about ways to help your loved ones who are suffering with depression and anxiety. I also talk about what I really want to portray when I say "choosing happiness." This episode is kinda all over the place, but I hope you all enjoy it. And I am glad to be back!
Here is a link to the episode of Tal Ben Shahar with Dax Shepard: https://armchairexpertpod.com/pods/tal-ben-shahar
Here is a link to Whytli's website which talks about her podcast and her being a life coach: https://whytli.com/in-the-wake-podcast/
Everyone go check out Holly's blog at thebestyouu.com and go get inspired! Holly is all about self love and helping others gain that for themselves! I loved sitting down with her and having this interview!
I just want to share the quote from Jake's episode because it is so beautiful. "The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen." -Elisabeth Kubler Ross
This episode is a little different than others, it is mainly Abby and Kemper telling you all their story. Of the trials they have gone through during their first year of marriage, and how they got through it. This episode does discuss pornography, addiction recovery, miscarriage, and suicide. But there is a positive ending, and I hope you all enjoy this episode!
This week I got to sit down with recent college graduate, Alex Swapp, and we were able to reflect on how family and fitness are HUGE aspects of our lives and how they can help us get through the hard times!
If you can't tell from the title, this week we really focused in on how we can chose the little things in life that can bring us happiness and how we can create a happy life for ourselves!
This week we have the special treat of not one, not two, but THREE guests! I was able to sit down with the Deighton sisters and talk to them about passions and traveling and the differences between Europe and America and how we can learn from one another about happiness and trials!
This week I sat down with Karissa Molen and talked about how not only can we choose happiness, and how we sometimes have to, but how we CAN have happiness in our journey called life. She is wonderful and I know you all will enjoy this episode!
Maddison Dillon is truly a saint of a person. She sat down with me this week and we talked about philosophical theories of happiness and also how we can have happiness despite the changes we may go through in life. Enjoy!
This week come and listen to Tessa. I ADORE Tessa. We met at missionaries for our church during our training period, and after a chain of events our paths crossed again and we are now roommates. I loved being able to sit down with her and talk about education and letting our emotions be felt. Enjoy this episode!
Brent and Julia are the goals of all goals when it comes to a loving relationship. I LOVED sitting down with them and chatting about happiness and being cheerful in our trials. It is really hard to do so but I loved that they were able to talk about these experiences with such openness and candor.
Sorry this came a week late! I was on a school trip and I didn't have time or the privacy to record the introduction and conclusion. BUT it is here! I hope you all enjoy this episode with Sarah. She truly is such a gem and a real light to all she crosses paths with. I hope by the end of the episode that you too can recognize that life is dynamic, but that is what makes it oh so wonderful!
I think the title says it all folks. I got to sit down with THE Manly Baker and talk to him and he said stuff. A lot of good stuff about happiness. Also it is Matt's birthday today. So thats special.
All you need to know about Madeline and Evan, they love Chick Fil A and believe that it can bring happiness. The end. Oh and we like to laugh and we like jokes.
This week we get to hear from Megan. I met her through a mutual friend in one of our classes and I was immediately drawn to her energy and story. I hope you all get to love and appreciate her as much as I do!
Hannah is one of the sweetest girls I know and I am so glad that I was able to sit down with her and chat about happiness. We even talked about our favorite, Harry Potter, for a bit and I guess you'll just have to see how it relates to happiness
First interview episode featuring Michael Bleazard. A deaf friend of my sister's talks about what it was like to grow up deaf in a hearing world and how he has overcome the trials and depression of feeling different from the rest of the world.
Warning, it is harder to hear this episode, I am still working on the technology behind these episodes! Bear with me until then!
Today's episode is featuring Paige Montague (@paigee.leanne). She is a great person and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with her about life experiences and how they have grown and shaped her into the person she is today.
I switched domains as to where the podcast would be published from, so that is why episodes are out of order! BUT don't worry they are all still there!
Pilot episode for a new podcast focusing on how we all choose happiness during our trials.
This week I met up with my sweet cousin, Ashley. And we talked about using social media as a positive influence, when it is normally used for toxic purposes. We also discussed influences people have on us, and how we can be an influence for good, and how we can all "see the bigger picture."
Where do I even begin with this episode? You NEED to listen to it. Can I just say that? Cause I feel like that is all I need to say. This episode will touch your heart and allow you to see that you are not alone, and you really don't need to over complicate your happiness
Additional podcasts/talks you need to listen to: QMore Podcast- Being A Latter-day Saint Ally Eric D. Huntsman- Hard Sayings and Safe Spaces: Making room for Struggle as Well as Faith
When I asked Emily what she wanted the title of the episode to be, she quickly responded with "homegrown optimism!" And I LOVE that! Those two words truly describe the attitude Emily has for life and how we should all treat our circumstances and trials.
Laura is living the dream by interning in D.C. right now but she took the time to let me interview her before she headed off on her grand adventure! I love Laura and I hope that this episode allows you to get to know some of her personality and how many great insights and thoughts she shares.
I was able to sit down and chat with Cydney, a mom of a cute one year old boy. She talked about how deciding to have a kid became part of her plan as it was always supposed to be.