Holiday Happiness: How to Plan Ahead and Find Joy Without the Stress EP#117

Holiday Happiness: How to Plan Ahead and Find Joy Without the Stress EP#117

Podcast
Episode Title: Holiday Happiness - How to Plan Ahead and Find Joy Without the Stress The holidays are just around the corner—are you ready? Whether you’re the type to have your Christmas shopping done in September or you prefer to wing it, this episode is for you! Today, we’re diving into how planning ahead can transform your holiday season from chaotic to calm. With practical tips and personal stories, you’ll learn how to set boundaries, create new traditions, and design a holiday season that brings more joy and less stress. Tips for Simplifying Your Holiday Plans Inspired by Brené Brown’s approach to family vacations and my own happiness journey, I’ll show you how asking the right questions—of yourself and others—can lead to more meaningful holidays. This episode will help you…
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Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones: How to See Failures as Growth Opportunities EP#116

Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones: How to See Failures as Growth Opportunities EP#116

Podcast
Turning Setbacks into Stepping Stones: How to See Failures as Growth Opportunities Episode Summary:In this episode of The Happier You, I’m exploring how a shift in perspective can help us turn our setbacks into stepping stones for personal growth. Drawing from my own experiences in the military, I’ll share how I transformed my biggest failures into valuable lessons. If you’ve ever felt like a victim of your circumstances, this episode offers practical steps to help you reclaim your power. I’ll guide you through a five-step process designed to help you reframe setbacks, build resilience, and recognize the support you need along the way. By the end of the episode, I hope you’ll feel empowered to view challenges not as barriers but as opportunities for growth. Key Takeaways: How to shift…
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The Secret to Healthier Relationships: Demystifying Boundaries with Diane Sorensen EP#115

The Secret to Healthier Relationships: Demystifying Boundaries with Diane Sorensen EP#115

Podcast
The Secret to Healthier Relationships: Demystifying Boundaries with Diane Sorensen Are you ready to improve your relationships and create a happier, more authentic life? In this powerful episode of The Happier You podcast, I sit down with relationship expert Diane Sorensen to discuss one of the most crucial elements of personal growth—setting boundaries. Why are boundaries so important? Whether you're navigating a relationship with your partner, children, friends, or even coworkers, boundaries are the key to healthy, respectful connections. But for many of us, setting boundaries feels uncomfortable or even impossible. Sound familiar? During this episode, Diane shares her personal experience of going from living without boundaries to discovering their life-changing impact. We explore why boundaries matter, how they foster more authentic relationships, and the steps you can take to…
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What You Offer to Others, You Give to Yourself: Happiness Tools for Real Life EP#114

What You Offer to Others, You Give to Yourself: Happiness Tools for Real Life EP#114

Podcast
Episode Title: What You Offer to Others, You Give to Yourself: Happiness Tools for Real Life Welcome back to season five of The Happier You podcast! In this episode, Bona shares a powerful interview with Teri Murray, who participated in one of the early 21 Day Happiness Challenges. Together, they explore key happiness tools, including “What You Offer to Others, You Give to Yourself” and the importance of self-compassion. Teri opens up about how she used these tools in her life, including helping her son navigate anxiety during the pandemic. Her journey reminds us that when we offer acceptance, kindness, and understanding to others, we are also working on giving those things to ourselves. Bona also reflects on the struggle we all face when learning new skills like self-compassion, sharing…
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Embrace Your Strengths – Discover & Own Your Unique Abilities EP#113

Embrace Your Strengths – Discover & Own Your Unique Abilities EP#113

Podcast
Embrace Your Strengths - Discovering & Owning Your Unique Abilities In this episode I’m talking about something that’s been a game-changer in my own happiness journey: acknowledging and embracing your strengths. It’s easy to get caught up in what we think we’re doing wrong—trust me, I’ve been there. But how often do we take a step back and actually celebrate what we’re doing right? In this episode, I want to remind you to focus on your strengths and stop being so hard on yourself. Here’s what I’m sharing with you: My own experiences with learning to honor my strengths instead of fixating on my weaknesses Why it’s so important to stop comparing yourself to others, especially on social media The power of self-awareness and how it can lead to a…
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Rediscovering Joy: Why Creativity and Play Matter (Part 2)

Rediscovering Joy: Why Creativity and Play Matter (Part 2)

Podcast
In today's special rerun episode, we delve into the transformative power of play. Following up on our exploration of creativity in the first part of this two-part series, we now turn our focus to how play can rejuvenate our lives, reduce stress, and spark joy. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply in need of a little fun, this episode is for you! Why Play Matters Discover why play isn't just for kids—it's essential for adults too! Play has profound benefits for our mental well-being and personal growth. Drawing on insights from play researcher Stuart Brown, we explore how play helps us unwind, reconnect with our creative selves, and find balance in our hectic lives. Whether it's structured activities like building Lego sets or spontaneous fun like flying a…
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Rediscovering Joy: Why Creativity and Play Matter (Part 1)

Rediscovering Joy: Why Creativity and Play Matter (Part 1)

Podcast
Episode Summary: Rediscovering Joy: Why Creativity and Play Matter. In this week's episode, I delve into the transformative power of creativity and play. This is the first part of a two-part series exploring how these elements can rejuvenate our lives. Do you feel uninspired or stuck? Are you feeling claustrophobic in your life or burdened by your current situation? If there's a lack of fun in your life, this episode is for you! In my research, I discovered that creativity and play are essential, not just frivolous pursuits. Drawing on insights from experts like Stuart Brown and Brené Brown, I look at why we need to embrace these elements more fully. Creativity and play can overlap, but they're not the same for everyone, and that's what makes this exploration so…
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Don’t Wait for a Crisis: Life Lessons from a Plane Crash Survivor EP#110

Don’t Wait for a Crisis: Life Lessons from a Plane Crash Survivor EP#110

Podcast
Episode Title: Don’t Wait for a Crisis: Life Lessons from a Plane Crash SurvivorOriginal Air Date: August 9, 2020 (Don't Postpone Your Life)Hosts: Bona Normandeau & Dany Normandeau Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode, we revisit our conversation inspired by Ric Elias' impactful 2011 TED talk, "3 Things I Learned While My Plane Crashed." Ric Elias was one of the passengers aboard the flight that made a miraculous crash-landing in the Hudson River in 2009. His reflections on this life-altering experience offer thoughtful insights into living fully and intentionally. Join us as we delve into the lessons we took away from Ric's talk and discuss how they reshaped our perspectives on life. We explore the importance of not waiting for a crisis to prioritize what truly matters, the significance of eliminating negative energy,…
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Bona’s Summer Reading List 2024 EP#109

Bona’s Summer Reading List 2024 EP#109

Podcast
Welcome to Bona's Summer Reading List, the 2024 version. I haven't done a summer reading list recommendation since 2021! In today's podcast I remedy that as I share a few of my recent reads. In this episode I’m reminiscing about summer reading programs from my childhood. Whether you're traveling, relaxing by the lake, or diving into a good book, summer can be a time for fun and personal growth. Join me as I share  some fantastic book recommendations to inspire your summer reading list. Book Recommendations: Here are the books I am recommending for this summer! Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden The Happiness Equation by Neil Pasricha Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown Resources: Neil Pasricha's blog: 1000 Awesome Things If you want more reading ideas, you can check…
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Easy Wins: Transforming Your Day with Simple Habits for Happiness EP#108

Easy Wins: Transforming Your Day with Simple Habits for Happiness EP#108

Podcast
In today's episode, I'm diving into the concept of "Easy Wins" and how simple habits can transform your day and boost your happiness. We all have positive habits we want to adopt, or perhaps we had them but fell off track. Life happens, and sometimes we lose sight of these beneficial routines. James Clear tells us that when starting a new habit, it's crucial to identify with someone who already practices that habit. Starting small is essential, as we discovered in our Discover & Thrive coaching group. That's where the idea of the "easy win" comes in! By identifying an "easy win" – a small, manageable task you can achieve even on the busiest or toughest days – you can keep moving towards your goals. It's all about trial and…
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