Have you ever wondered if what you think you know could actually be hindering your happiness? In our enlightening conversation, we discover the dangers of intellectual arrogance and how an obsession with being right can stifle personal growth and joy. We dive into why embracing a broader spectrum of understanding, particularly in the realm of human…

Join happiness explorers Sam Powell and Denise Russo as they embark on an enlightening expedition, guided by Mo Godat's wisdom from "Solve for Happy." Together, they dissect the 'grand illusions' that often veil our true selves and how our thoughts, ego, and physical form can deceive us. Discover with them how assessments like DISC can strip away t…

Discover the keys to unlocking true happiness Denise and co-host Samantha Powell, delve into Mo Gawdat's enlightening perspective from "Solve for Happy." Our minds are intricate labyrinths, and it's easy to confuse the tools of our thoughts for the essence of who we are. In a candid chat, Denise and Sam explore this distinctive notion, offering you…

Have you ever felt like happiness is a puzzle you just can't solve? Join Denise Russo and co-host, Sam Powell, as they journey through Mo Gawdat's enlightening book "Solve for Happy," dissecting the roots of our emotional states from confusion to joy. In our latest episode, we compare thoughts to seeds—each one capable of growing into a strong, res…

Can happiness truly be solved like a mathematical equation? That's the tantalizing promise of our latest discussion on "What's On Your Bookshelf," where Denise Russo and Sam Powell dissect the happiness equation from "Solve for Happy." We challenge the myths that cloud our understanding of joy, suggesting that contentment isn't just a fortunate coi…

Embark on a transformative journey with Denise Russo and Sam Powell, as they unravel the secrets of living a joy-filled life in our latest podcast episode discussing Mo Gawdat's "Solve for Happy." They're merging heart and science to dissect Gawdat's engineering approach to happiness, sharing how this method is revolutionizing our own lives. Gawdat…

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a happiness rut, where even your favorite activities start to feel like a chore? Join Denise Russo and Samantha Powell, as we share the results of our deep dive into "The How of Happiness," and discuss the power of self-experimentation in keeping the joy alive in our daily routines. In this episode, we explore …

Have you ever considered that the secret to lasting happiness might be hiding in plain sight, awaiting your discovery? That's exactly what Denise Russo and Samantha Powell help you uncover in our latest podcast episode. We bid farewell to our enlightening series on Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky's "The How of Happiness," where we've unraveled the intricacie…

Embarking on a spiritual journey often leaves one awash with a sense of contentment; it's an experience I've come to cherish through my personal morning devotion rituals. This week, we invite you into a realm where happiness intertwines with religion and spirituality, exploring the profound impact these elements have on our well-being. Inspired by …

Discover the secret to a joyous life that doesn't just hinge on reaching goals, but on the exhilarating process of pursuing them. Our engaging discussion peels back the layers on how goal-setting can magnify your happiness. We share candid insights from "The How of Happiness," where personal anecdotes converge with expert advice, revealing that the…

As Denise and Sam meander through the tapestry of life's simple pleasures, we invite you to step into a space where each moment is a treasure waiting to be cherished. Our latest podcast conversation is a heart-to-heart on the art of savoring—the subtle, yet profound practice of being fully present. Through intimate stories, like my own tryst with t…

When the weight of the world feels like it's on our shoulders, happiness can seem like a distant dream. That's why Samantha Powell and I open our hearts to you, sharing our personal struggles with stress and the pursuit of joy amidst life's tumultuous waves. We don't just talk about the dark times; we shine a light on how to navigate through them, …

Join us in this episode for heartfelt discussion, laughter, and a shared commitment to consciously cherish and enrich the relationships that bring happiness to our lives. Recall the last time you initiated a heartfelt connection with someone who crossed your mind and the joy that a simple act brought into your life. Today, Denise and Sam unwrap the…

Unlock the secrets to a happier life with our exploration of "The How of Happiness," where we dissect the potent influence of playing to your strengths. Denise and Sam share personal insights and stories on how honing in on the activities that resonate with us can elevate not just our mood but also our professional endeavors. We're joined by insigh…

What if the key to a gratifying life was right within you, nestled in your perspective and thought patterns? Buckle up, listeners, as we, your hosts Denise Russo and Samantha Powell, navigate you through the stimulating realm of optimism, debunking myths, and highlighting the joy in little things. We'll guide you through the labyrinth of big and li…

Ready for a deep dive into gratitude and its transformative power? Join us, Denise Russo and Sam Powell, as we kick off our series about cultivating happiness, with a special focus on the art of expressing gratitude. We share our own journeys, exploring how we've unlocked the joy of acknowledging and appreciating the present moment. Discover the li…

What if you had the power to build your own roadmap to happiness? Let's embark on this journey together! Hosts, Denise Russo and Samantha Powell dissect "The How of Happiness", offering you an incredible spectrum of twelve happiness strategies to personalize your joy journey. A crucial insight from our discussion is the connection between these hap…

Get ready for an enlightening journey through the realm of happiness, as we, your hosts, Denise Russo and Samantha Powell, dissect the insightful guide, "The How of Happiness". We promise that by the end of this episode, you'll have a clearer understanding of your happiness set points and the power you possess to enhance them. We delve into the sci…

Is happiness a puzzle you've been trying to solve? Let's unravel the mystery together. On today's episode of What's On Your Bookshelf, Denise and Sam dive headfirst into the science of happiness, dissecting the fascinating research that goes beyond the surface of joy and positivity. Uncover the secrets of the art of well-being and see how understan…

By Denise Russo, Andy Hughes, Scott Miller, and Samantha Powell

In this episode, Denise and Sam wrap up the final chapters of Atomic Habits by james Clear. To increase your chances of success, it's crucial to choose the right field of competition. Your genes cannot be easily altered, which means they can give you a significant advantage in favorable circumstances and a severe disadvantage in unfavorable ones. Y…

In this episode, Denise and Sam discuss Chapter 17: How an Accountability Partner Can Change Everything from the book, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Avoidance of certain behaviors can occur if the experience of those behaviors is unpleasant or unsatisfying. Pain is an effective teacher, and the more immediate the pain is, the less likely the behavi…

This week Denise and Sam discuss Chapter 16: How to Stick with Good Habits Every Day from the book, Atomic Habits by James Clear. Tracking progress is one of the most rewarding experiences in life. One easy way to achieve this is by using a habit tracker, which could be as simple as marking an X on a calendar. By doing so, you can keep track of you…

What if you could unravel the secrets of leadership from the movie Braveheart, or learn profound life lessons from King Solomon’s wisdom? Join Denise Russo and Scott Miller as we cap off our 12 Days series. We journey through cherished narratives, revealing the transformative power of music via the Pied Piper, and decode the allegoric final verse o…

Behavior is repeated when the experience is satisfying. For habits to stick, you need to feel immediately successful – even if it’s in a small way. Habits produce outcomes across time that often need to be more aligned. The costs of your good habits are in the present. The costs of your bad habits are in the future. The Cardinal Rule of Behavior Ch…

In this episode of What's on Your Bookshelf, Denise and Scott talk about Chapters 9 and 10, Nine Ladies Dancing and Ten Lords a-Leaping. If you would like to download the 12 Days playlist from Spotify, the link is available here. If you would like to purchase your copy of 12 Days, use this link to order for your Kindle, soft cover, or hard cover. C…

On this episode of What's on Your Bookshelf, Denise and Sam discuss Chapter 14: How to Make Good Habits Inevitable and Bad Habits Impossible from James Clear's book, Atomic Habits. Success can depend on more than just making good habits easy. It can also rely on making bad habits harder to maintain. Commitment Devices are choices made in the presen…

In this episode of What's on Your Bookshelf, Denise and Scott talk about Chapters 7 and 8, Seven Swans a-Swimming and Eight Maids a-Milking. If you would like to download the 12 Days playlist from Spotify, the link is available here. If you would like to purchase your copy of 12 Days, use this link to order for your Kindle, soft cover, or hard cove…

In this episode, Denise and Sam discuss Chapter 13, How to Stop Procrastinating by Using the Two-Minute Rule. Your goal might be to run a marathon, but your gateway habit is to put on your running shoes. The point is to master the habit of showing up. You can’t improve a habit that doesn’t exist. Make it easy to start and the rest will follow. The …

In this episode of What's on Your Bookshelf, Denise and Scott talk about Chapters 5 and 6, Five Gold Rings and Six Geese a-Laying. If you would like to download the 12 Days playlist from Spotify, the link is available here. If you would like to purchase your copy of 12 Days, use this link to order for your Kindle, soft cover, or hard cover. Connect…

It's a fact that the Law of Least Effort governs human behavior. Our natural tendency is to choose the option that requires the minimum amount of work. Therefore, one should make their habits so easy that they can be carried out even when they don't feel it's essential. It's important to create an environment that makes doing the right thing as eas…

In this episode of What's on Your Bookshelf, Denise and Scott talk about Chapters 3 and 4, Three French Hens and Four Calling Birds from her book, 12 Days. If you would like to download the 12 Days playlist from Spotify, the link is available here. If you would like to purchase your copy of 12 Days, use this link to order for your Kindle, soft cove…

In this episode, Denise and Sam explore Chapter 11 of Atomic Habits by James Clear: Walk Slowly, but Never Backward We are so focused on figuring out the best approach that we always need to take action. For example: Motion: outlining twenty ideas for articles. Action: sitting down and writing an article Motion: search for a better diet plan and re…

In this episode of What's on Your Bookshelf, Denise and Scott talk about Chapters 1 and 2, A Partridge in a Pear Tree and Two Turtle Doves from her book, 12 Days. If you would like to download the 12 Days playlist from Spotify, the link is available here. If you would like to purchase your copy of 12 Days, use this link to order for your Kindle, so…

Every behavior has both a surface-level craving and a more profound underlying motive. For instance, smoking cigarettes or checking Instagram may not be something we truly desire. Instead, at a deeper level, we may aim to reduce uncertainty, relieve anxiety, win social acceptance and approval, or achieve status. Essentially, our habits are modern-d…

In this episode, Denise and Sam discuss Chapter 9: The Role of Family and Friends in Shaping Your Habits. The culture we live in determines which behaviors are attractive to us. We tend to adopt habits that are praised and approved of by our culture because we have a strong desire to fit in and belong to the tribe. We tend to imitate the habits of …

In this episode, Denise and Sam explore Chapter 8: How to Make a Habit Irresistible The more attractive an opportunity is, the more likely it is to become habit-forming. Habits are a dopamine-driven feedback loop. Every behavior that is highly habit-forming – taking drugs, eating junk food, browsing social media – is associated with higher levels o…

On this episode, Denise and Sam discuss Chapter 6: Motivation Is Overrated; Environment Often Matters More of Atomic Habits by James Clear. Making small changes in your environment can lead to significant changes in behavior over time. Habits are context-dependent, and the cues of good habits should be obvious in your surroundings. For example, if …

On this episode, Denise and Sam continue their discussion of Chapter 5: The Best Way to Start a New Habit by James Clear. To make your habits stick, it's important to tie them to specific cues. The two most common cues are time and location. You can use implementation intention by pairing your new habit with a specific time and location. For exampl…

On this episode, Denise and Sam discuss Chapter 5: The Best Way to Start a New Habit by James Clear. To make your habits stick, it's important to tie them to specific cues. The two most common cues are time and location. You can use implementation intention by pairing your new habit with a specific time and location. For example, "I will exercise f…

In this episode, Denise and Sam discuss Chapter 4: The Man Who Didn’t Look Right from Atomic Habits by James Clear. Developing good habits requires tying them to specific cues such as time or location. The habit can also be paired with a current habit, known as habit stacking, to make it more actionable. Awareness is crucial in changing habits, and…

On this episode, Denise and Sam discuss Chapter 3: How To Build Better Habits In 4 Steps. Behavior with satisfying consequences tends to be repeated, while less pleasant behavior is less likely to be repeated. Habits are automatic behaviors formed through trial and error. Useless movements fade with practice, while valuable actions are reinforced. …

In this episode, Denise and Sam continue with Chapter 2 in the book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. If you're looking to get your life back on track, Atomic Habits offers an easy framework for improving your life. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals strategies to help you form and break bad habits. You'll als…

In this episode, Denise and Sam start a continue with Chapter 1 in the book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. If you're looking to get your life back on track, Atomic Habits offers an easy framework for improving your life. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals strategies to help you form and break bad habits. Yo…

In this episode, Denise and Sam continue with chapter 1 in the book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. If you're looking to get your life back on track, Atomic Habits offers an easy framework for improving your life. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals strategies to help you form and break bad habits. You'll als…

In this episode, Denise and Sam start a new book, Atomic Habits, by James Clear. If you're looking to get your life back on track, Atomic Habits offers an easy framework for improving your life. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals strategies to help you form and break bad habits. You'll also learn to recogniz…

On this episode, Denise and Scott talk with the author of Coach Wooden, Mr. Pat Williams. Additional Resources The Passion Planner Passion Planner discount code: RWRD.IO/EFWYE73?C Denise Russo's Website www.schoolofthoughts.net Denise Russo's Forbes Articles Forbes Article Link Samantha Powell's Website and Blog Lead The Game Connect with us on Lin…

In this episode, Denise, Andy, and Sam discuss the final principle of the book, Pray for Guidance and Count and Give Thanks for Your Blessings Every Day. Coach Wooden learned a great deal from his father, Josh Wooden on how to live his life. Coach Wooden emphasized the importance of counting your blessings each day. Listen in and get some great ide…

Coach Wooden held the conviction that it was essential to set aside resources and make arrangements for difficult times, as they were inevitable for everyone. Additionally, he advocated for seeking guidance through prayer and cultivating a daily practice of expressing gratitude for one's blessings. Additional Resources Know What You're FOR: A Growt…

Coach Wooden held the conviction that it was essential to set aside resources and make arrangements for difficult times, as they were inevitable for everyone. Additionally, he advocated for seeking guidance through prayer and cultivating a daily practice of expressing gratitude for one's blessings. Additional Resources Know What You're FOR: A Growt…