Laird Hamilton plays a lot of roles in his life: surfing legend, fitness and nutrition expert, entrepreneur, TV host, model, stuntman, husband and father, just to name a few. No matter what he's doing, Laird uses five key pillars to guide his actions and improve his life. His new book, Liferider: Heart, Body, Soul and Life Beyond the Ocean, explains those five pillars and how each of us can use them. Laird joins us on the Live Happy Now podcast to explain how he developed his inward-looking viewpoint and why he values his connection to nature.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why death and fear can be our greatest teachers
• The importance of connecting with nature
• Why we need to understand that everything is connected

Her groundbreaking book, Reviving Ophelia, psychologist Mary Pipher changed the way we looked at girls and adolescence. Now, with her 10th book, she is doing for aging what she did for adolescence, providing a wise and heartfelt guide to happiness in later life. Women Rowing North: Navigating Life’s Currents and Flourishing As We Age provides an engaging and uplifting examination of how to thrive in life’s later stages and how the struggles we face can help us become the people we’ve always wanted to be. 

In this episode you’ll learn:

• How the end years of life can be the happiest time
• The role of humor and gratitude in later life
• Why mercy is a valuable quality to develop

For many people, Valentine’s Day can be fraught with danger. If you’re in a relationship, you might be worried that it won’t meet your expectations; if you’re single, it might make you feel lonely. This week, relationship expert Stacy Kaiser, author of the popular Ask Stacy column for Live Happy, takes on some of the questions that are common around this time of year and offers her gives insight on how to get what you need from this Valentine’s Day – and how to make that last all year long.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why we put so much emphasis on this day – and how to put it into perspective
• How to communicate your expectations before Valentine’s Day arrives
• Great ways for singles to celebrate Valentine’s Day

Have you ever wondered what happened to your playful side? If so, you’re not alone! Anthony DeBenedet, M.D., is author of the book, Playful Intelligence: The Power of Living Lightly in a Serious World. As a medical doctor and behavioral science enthusiast, Anthony explains how playfulness help us counteract some of the seriousness of our everyday life.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The link between humor and resilience.
• How playfulness can help us be nicer to one another.
• The power of wonder in our daily lives.