Hack Your Happiness

Small Bits of Happiness

Hosted by Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut, co-founders of Small Bits of Happiness. The duo interviews celebrities, Olympians and more iconic individuals. Together, they share what brings them happiness + life hacks. Hack Your Happiness is about making happiness—and life in general—practical, personal, and achievable, through simple hacks built from small habits and shifts. Don't miss an episode! Follow on Instagram for updates + daily happiness: https://www.instagram.com/small.bits.of.happiness/ Join our Happiness Family: https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/newsletter-sign-up/

  1. 4d ago

    The Behavior Coach: How to Break Old Patterns & Change Your Life - Eric Zimmer

    You know what you want to change. So why is it still so hard to actually do it? Maybe you want to break a habit, get out of a relationship that isn’t good for you, become more consistent, or finally stop falling back into the same patterns. You’ve probably told yourself you need more discipline. More motivation. More willpower. But what if that’s not actually the problem? In today’s conversation, we sit down with author, coach, and host of The One You Feed podcast, Eric Zimmer, to unpack why lasting change is a skill you can learn, and why struggling to change doesn’t mean you’re lazy, weak, or incapable. Eric knows this firsthand. At 24, he was homeless, addicted to heroin, and facing the possibility of decades in prison. He got sober, relapsed eight years later when everything in his life looked successful from the outside, and has now been completely clean for 18 years. And what he’s learned about change completely challenges the way most of us approach it. You’re going to learn: - How to get back on track without turning one setback into a spiral - How to stop forcing goals that don’t fit your life - Why smaller goals can actually create bigger, longer-lasting change - How to make a change before your life hits rock bottom - When you should push toward a goal and when you should let it go - How to stop letting self-doubt talk you out of doing what you know you need to do - Signs that a relationship is holding you back If there’s something in your life you’ve been trying to change, this conversation will help you understand what’s actually getting in the way and what to do next. Explore our website⁠ Shop The 'I Swear It's Easy' Cookbook Visit Eric's website Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Dr. Ellen Langer: ⁠watch + listen now! ⁠ (00:00) Why This Episode Matters For You (01:12) Stop Using Discipline, Use Skills (02:43) A Quick Ask! (03:29) What Skills Do I Need? (06:28) Second-Guessing Your Change (11:51) Lessons From Eric's Relapse (16:44) Making A Change Before You Hit 'Rock Bottom' (20:42) What Should I Do After A Setback? (23:32) Small Steps vs Major Boundaries (28:33) Most Common Excuses! (34:53) Follow The Season of Your Life (35:41) How Can I Spot Toxic vs Positive People? (42:24) The 'I Swear It's Easy' Cookbook (43:06) Healthy Coping Mechanisms (50:17) How Can I Stop Feeling Ashamed About An Old Version of Myself? (53:07) What Has Eric Learned From The One You Feed Podcast? (55:57) Find Eric Here (56:26) Hacks For More Happiness, Overcome The Scarcity Mindset, and Your Guide To Mindfulness

    The Behavior Coach: How to Break Old Patterns & Change Your Life - Eric Zimmer
  2. Aug 26

    Rebecca Rusch on Mental Toughness: How to Keep Going When Life Gets Hard

    What if trying to give 100% is actually holding you back? Rebecca Rusch has spent decades doing things most people would consider impossible. But one of the biggest lessons she has learned is surprisingly simple: you do not need to be perfect to do extraordinary things. In this Happiness Rewind episode, you'll learn how to stop putting so much pressure on yourself, stay consistent when things get hard, and keep moving forward even when you do not feel ready. In this episode: - Learn the 80% rule Rebecca used throughout a seven-world-championship career - Why consistency can take you further than constantly chasing perfection - Scripts for what to tell yourself when you want to quit- How joy and play can actually make you more resilient - Learn how to push outside your comfort zone without pushing yourself into burnout - Why being bad at something new may be the exact reason you should keep going Rebecca Rusch is a seven-time world champion endurance athlete, Emmy Award winner, entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. Known for years as the "Queen of Pain," she is now focused on bringing more play, curiosity, and joy into the way we approach hard things.⁠ Explore our website ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Mission: Small Bits of Happiness⁠⁠ Check out Rebecca's website⁠⁠⁠ Sign Up For Waking Up & Save $30! Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Robyn Benincasa: watch + listen now! (00:00) Intro (02:12) Rebecca's Journey (Up To This Point) (03:03) The 'Queen of Pain' - What Drives Rebecca To NOT Quit? (08:12) Mercedes & Anastasia's Experience With Sports (09:50) Rebecca's Top Three Tips (13:27) Purposeful Play (14:05) How Can I 'Play' More In Daily Life? (15:20) How Can I Find More Adventure? (19:37) The Importance of Giving Yourself Grace (20:53) Rebecca On Changing Sports (27:30) Advice For Taking Opportunities As They Come (29:16) Rebecca's Latest Adventure... (33:08) How Can I Step Outside of My Comfort Zone? (37:54) Here's WHY You Should Step Outside of Your Comfort Zone (42:21) A Memorable (& Unexpected!) Story From Rebecca's Adventures! (49:28) Stepping Away From A Persona + Stepping Into Vulnerability (55:54) Rebecca To Her Teen Self (58:00) What Brings Rebecca A Small Bit of Happiness? (59:02) Find Rebecca Here! (59:50) Key Takeaways

    Rebecca Rusch on Mental Toughness: How to Keep Going When Life Gets Hard
  3. Aug 19

    The Exact Episode You Need to Hear If You’re Waiting to Feel Ready: Chef JJ Johnson

    You are not waiting for the right time. You are waiting for someone to say you are ready. Chef JJ Johnson is here because you're ready. You're ready to go after your goals, change your habits, end that relationship, or step into a new and different version of yourself. He joins Mercedes and Anastasia to show you why feeling unready is not a stop sign. You’ll learn how to start without permission, use criticism without letting it control you, and protect the joy behind your work as your responsibilities grow. In this episode: - Why waiting to feel ready can keep you stuck - Learn how to separate useful feedback from noise - Hacks to carve your own way after rejection - Protect the joy in your passion when it becomes your job- Redefine success without relying on awards - The one hour a day JJ believes you should protect Chef JJ Johnson is an award-winning and globally recognized chef, restaurant founder, television host, and cookbook author. His work includes Field Trip, the cooking show Just Eats, and the cookbooks The Simple Art of Rice and Between Harlem and Heaven. Explore our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop the Be Canada Crewneck Follow Chef JJ on Instagram Visit Chef JJ's website Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Will Guidara. We know you'll love it: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠listen + watch now!⁠ (00:00) Why This Conversation Matters For You (02:11) Discovering Food (03:47) Lessons From Chef JJ's Grandma (05:36) How Did Ghana Change Chef JJ's Life? (08:48) Hacks For Staying Calm Under Pressure (12:29) A New Way To View Success (14:24) Successful Career vs Successful Life (16:55) Why Rice? (20:15) A Quick Pause (20:59) Hacks For Facing Judgement (27:22) Pursue Your Passion & Protect It (31:28) Chef JJ Had To Unlearn THIS (34:13) Storytime: I Wanted To Quit, Here's How I Kept Going (41:18) Our Personal FAVOURITE! (42:09) Chaotic & Memorable Moments In Chef JJ's Restaurant (45:02) Chef JJ's Advice For YOU (46:41) Lessons From Fatherhood (47:27) How Does Chef JJ Connect With His Family? (49:39) The Most Important Lesson From This Conversation (52:16) Rapid Fire (54:02) Find Chef JJ Here (54:44) Life Lessons From The World's Top Restaurant

    The Exact Episode You Need to Hear If You’re Waiting to Feel Ready: Chef JJ Johnson
  4. Aug 12

    Happiness Researcher: Do These 5 Things to Feel Happier Every Day! Dr. Elizabeth Dunn

    More money can make you happier. But what you do with it may matter more than you think. In this episode, you’ll learn how to stop chasing the things you think will make you happy and start using your money, time, relationships, and technology in ways that actually make your life feel better. Dr. Elizabeth Dunn breaks down the science behind the everyday choices that shape your happiness, why fear and guilt aren’t always the best motivators for climate action, and how making choices that are good for the planet can also make your own life happier. In this episode:- The surprising way to spend money that can make you feel happier- Why buying more of something you love can actually make you enjoy it less- The simple change that can make everyday experiences feel better- Why introverts may need connection just as much as extroverts- What happens to your happiness when your phone is simply sitting beside you- The real impacts of using AI when you’re feeling lonely- Why the people around you may matter more to your happiness than what you’re doing- How to stop wasting money on things that won’t actually make you feel better- What happiness research says you should spend more of your time and money on Dr. Elizabeth Dunn is a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia who researches how money, time, technology, and human connection shape happiness. She is the co-author of Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending and Leave the Lights On: How Joyful Decisions Can Save Our Species. Explore our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Shop the Summer Clothing Collection⁠⁠ Explore Dr. Dunn's new book Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett. We know you'll love it: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠listen + watch now!⁠ (00:00) Why This Conversation Matters For You (03:49) The Link Between Happiness & Climate Change (05:12) Do THIS To Fight Climate Change (09:11) How Can I Use Money To Feel Happier? (10:31) Can Money Buy Happiness? (12:16) You Need THIS Much Money? (13:36) Buying This Won't Make You Happier (17:05) Behaviour is Contagious (19:30) The Question To Ask Yourself Before Buying ANYTHING! (22:07) Your Sign To Do This (22:42) Things That Feel Productive But Drain Your Happiness (24:33) I Feel Lonely But I Don't Want To Socialize... (26:27) How Much Should I Socialize? (27:44) The Truth About Doing ANYTHING, Alone (28:48) Differences Between Introverts vs Extroverts (31:16) What is The Stranger Engagement Model? (34:57) Wear Your Small Bits of Happiness (36:05) Send THIS Text Message, Today! (37:39) Should I Talk To AI ChatBots? (39:34) AI Research: ChatBots Help With THIS Part of Relationships (40:47) AI's Role in Climate Change (42:53) Do Phones Derail Socialization? (46:15) "I Don't Have Time To Be Happier" (47:43) Dr. Elizabeth Dunn's Formula For a Good Day (50:22) Climate Change, Money, Relationships, Time - Start HERE (52:10) The 'Happiest' Morning (53:32) Dr. Dunn's Most Important Takeaway (54:23) Rapid Fire (58:05) Find Dr. Elizabeth Dunn Here (58:32) Processing Emotions, Hacks For Emotional Management, and How Your Brain Shapes Your Reality

    Happiness Researcher: Do These 5 Things to Feel Happier Every Day! Dr. Elizabeth Dunn
  5. Aug 5

    Gut Health Doctor: Do These 3 Things To Feel Happier, Live Longer, & Be Healthier! Dr. Tim Spector

    The food you ate hours ago could be affecting your mood right now.Professor Tim Spector is here to explain the overlooked link between your gut, your brain, and your mood. In this conversation, we're getting deep into how everyday food choices can affect your energy within hours, what may improve in just two weeks, and how to feed your gut without counting every calorie or giving up the foods you love. In this episode: - Discover why your gut is called your second brain - Learn how food can affect your mood within hours - Understand why ultra-processed food may leave you tired or low - Try the two simple food rules Tim believes matter most - Stop treating calories as the best measure of healthy food - Build toward 30 different plants a week without overcomplicating meals Professor Tim Spector is a genetic epidemiologist at King’s College London and co-founder of the nutrition science company ZOE. He has studied twins for more than 30 years and helped lead food-response research involving over 300,000 human gut microbiomes. Explore our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Shop the Summer Clothing Collection⁠ ⁠Follow Tim on Instagram⁠ ⁠Browse ZOE's website⁠ Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Dr. Andy Galpin. We know you'll love it: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠listen + watch now!⁠ (00:00) Why This Conversation Matters For You (02:00) What is the Gut Microbiome? (05:11) NOBODY Talks About This! (09:43) Foods to Eat vs Foods to Avoid (13:04) How Long Does Food Take to Change My Mood? (18:58) What Can Food Truly Do For Mental Health? (24:01) Quick Pause (24:28) Does the Gut Remember Stress? (28:39) Everything is Linked (30:31) Overwhelmed? Start With THIS (36:08) These Food Facts Will Shock You! (39:03) Unknowns in Food Science (43:03) Lessons From 30 Years of Twin Studies (45:18) Why Do People have Different Types of Microbes? (48:15) Wear Your Happiness (49:23) All About ZOE (53:46) The Most Important Part of This Conversation (54:22) Rapid Fire (56:48) Find Tim Here (57:20) Why Performance Matters, Optimize Your Mood, and Get Better Sleep

    Gut Health Doctor: Do These 3 Things To Feel Happier, Live Longer, & Be Healthier! Dr. Tim Spector
  6. Jul 29

    How to Master Your Emotions, Stop People Pleasing, & Say No Without Guilt - Melissa Urban

    Melissa Urban stopped being nice on purpose. Her relationships got better, not worse. You've said yes to plans you didn't want, dinners you dreaded, and favours that left you resentful. In this conversation you'll learn how to spot exactly where a boundary is missing in your life, what to say out loud when you set it, and how to hold it when the other person pushes back. You'll also stop treating the guilt that follows as proof you did something wrong. In this episode: -Spot the feelings that signal you may need a boundary -Get Melissa's homework for boundary-setting (it's easier than you think!) -How to tell a real boundary from a wall -Exact scripts for what to say in life's most uncomfortable moments -The "energy leaks" quietly emptying you (and what to do) -What saying "no" does to your "yes" -How to raise a kid who can say "no"Melissa Urban is the co-founder and CEO of Whole30 and the author of The Book of Boundaries. Known online as “the Boundary Lady,” she's the expert at teaching people how to say no clearly, kindly, and without apologizing for having needs. Explore our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop the Summer Clothing Collection Check out The Book of Boundaries Follow Melissa on Instagram Browse Melissa's website Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Michael Chernow. We know you'll love it: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠listen + watch now!⁠ (00:00) Why This Conversation Matters For You (02:19) Becoming 'That Boundary Lady' (04:15) Where Should I Add Boundaries Into My Life? (08:29) The MOST Important Boundary (10:36) Remember This When You Feel a Boundary Slipping (16:30) Are Boundaries Selfish? (19:57) Do I Need To Disappoint People? (21:58) Your Sign To Do THIS (22:32) Boundaries vs Walls (27:28) Have You Ever Set An Unhealthy Boundary? (29:50) Increase The Power of Your Yes (31:04) Discomfort In Setting Boundaries (35:33) Your Homework -- Do This TODAY! (37:33) Is Cancelling Plans Last Minute a Boundary? (39:33) Use This Boundary Script (40:49) Say YES To This! (41:57) How To Teach Boundaries (44:25) Boundary or Wall? (48:00) Give Us The Script (50:00) What Is An Energy Leak? (53:48) Melissa's First-Ever Boundary (56:54) Having a Bad Day vs Ignoring Your Boundaries (58:24) The MOST Important Part of Today's Conversation (59:37) Rapid Fire (1:02:13) Find Melissa Here (1:03:04) Rewire Your Habits, Change Your Life, and Boost Your Motivation

    How to Master Your Emotions, Stop People Pleasing, & Say No Without Guilt - Melissa Urban
  7. Jul 23

    Why Eating Disorders Happen (and Who's at Risk): Expert Psychologist

    Where's the line between healthy eating and a problem with food? This top psychologist draws it with one question. By the end of this episode, you'll have one simple question that tells you whether your relationship with food, work, or anything else has crossed a line. You'll know how to stop putting your life on hold for a body change that keeps moving out of reach. And you'll leave with a 90-second reset you can use between meetings, in the car, or at school pickup. In this episode: - The number one fear Dr. Rachel hears from clients of every age, and the reframe hack she gives them - Why the goalpost keeps moving no matter how much weight you lose - The single question psychologists use to tell healthy habits from harmful ones - How disordered eating differs from an eating disorder - Why high achievers and athletes are more likely to struggle with food - The compliment you should stop giving today - What to say when your kid asks "am I fat?" Dr. Rachel Goldman is a clinical psychologist, speaker, and author of When Life Happens. She specializes in stress management, body image, and disordered eating, and has spent over 15 years helping people separate their self-worth from their appearance. Today she is here to help us build a healthier relationship with food and our own bodies. Explore our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Shop The Be Canada Crewneck Follow Dr. Rachel on Instagram Check out When Life Happens Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Dr. Jessica Knurick. We know you'll love it: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠listen + watch now!⁠ (00:00) Why This Conversation Matters For You (02:44) Why Dr Rachel Goldman Chose This Field (04:45) Why Are MORE People Struggling? (07:34) Dr Rachel's Advice For Feeling Better About Your Body (11:11) What is Doing The MOST Damage? (14:27) Dr Rachel Says This To All Her Patients (20:23) Who Comes To Your Mind? (21:01) How Can I Tell If I'm Healthy or Unhealthy? (24:52) Eating Disorder vs Disordered Eating (26:57) Criteria For Eating Disorders (29:36) Is There A Correlation Between Success and Eating Disorders? (35:16) If You Know Someone Struggling, Do THIS (36:17) Signs That Someone is Drifting Into Disordered Eating (39:25) Where Does Negative Self Image Start? (44:40) Think About Canada (46:26) Parenting For Different Ages - How to Build a Healthy Mindset Around Food (51:55) What is Body Neutrality? (56:15) The 90 Second Stress Reset You Need! (58:14) When Life Happens (1:01:39) Rapid Fire (1:04:12) Find Dr Rachel Here (1:05:11) Do This For Better Health & Spot Misinformation Online!

    Why Eating Disorders Happen (and Who's at Risk): Expert Psychologist
  8. Jul 16

    Do THIS the Next Time Fear Freezes You! (It Takes 2 Seconds): Pro Skier Lynsey Dyer

    Mercedes and Anastasia call today's episode one of the most powerful conversations about fear, courage, and self-worth ever to happen on the podcast. They say this is THE conversation for anyone who looks successful on the outside but feels disconnected on the inside. Today's guest, Lynsey Dyer, is one of the most decorated big mountain skiers of her generation, but her real expertise is something you may not expect. She's the filmmaker behind Pretty Faces, the groundbreaking film that changed how women are represented in ski media. She's the co-founder of the nonprofit SheJumps. And she's a breathwork and performance coach who has spent decades in the highest-pressure environments imaginable, which means she knows exactly what fear does to your body and mind, and exactly how to move through it. She's going to tell you that fear isn't the thing holding you back. It's the thing trying to tell you the truth. Today, Lynsey will teach you how to decode what your fear is really saying, and show you a few small shifts that are the secret to performing under pressure and building a life that actually feels like yours. And unlike most advice you'll hear, hers isn't theoretical. It's built on what she learned standing at the top of a 75-foot cliff no woman had ever skied, on the injury that came from ignoring her intuition, and on the moment she realized she was pouring her life energy into someone else's dream. You'll learn: - How to tell the difference between fear that protects you and fear that traps you - The one thing to do when fear freezes your body (it takes two seconds and it works every time) - A simple breathing technique to calm down or power up before any high-pressure moment - How to stop tying your self-worth to performance, appearance, or approval - What flow state is and the daily habit that trains it - How to know when you're living someone else's dream, and what it takes to walk away - The story Lynsey has never told publicly, and the lesson in it for every perfectionist If you're facing a high-pressure moment, this is how you show up for it. If you're chasing a big goal, this is how you pursue it without losing yourself. If you're stuck on the "expected" path, this will give you the courage and the road map to follow your own. This is one of the most important conversations that has been had on this podcast to date. Mercedes and Anastasia cannot wait for you, and everyone you love, to experience it. Explore our website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Shop The 'I Swear It's Easy' Cookbook Visit Lynsey's Website Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with Scott Kelly. We know you'll love it: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠listen + watch now!⁠ (00:00) Why This Episode Matters For You (02:55) Becoming a Pro Skier (04:44) Inside Lynsey's Mind During a Race (08:42) Lynsey's Advice For Anyone Facing a High-Pressure Situation (10:35) Have You Ever Been Truly Afraid? (14:39) How Can I Tell What Type of Fear I'm Experiencing? (24:41) Start Doing THIS With Your Breath, Today! (25:56) Let's Take a Quick Break (26:38) Hacks For Pushing Back on External Validation (33:36) All You Need To Know About Flow State (39:04) Walking Away From People Pleasing (48:31) The Mission of Pretty Faces (55:33) A Quick Ask (56:07) What Does Lynsey Hope to Teach Her Children? (1:07:50) Rapid Fire (1:08:48) Find Lynsey Here (1:09:32) Incredible Space Stories, Astronaut Mindset Hacks, and Perseverance Over Talent

    Do THIS the Next Time Fear Freezes You! (It Takes 2 Seconds): Pro Skier Lynsey Dyer
5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Hosted by Mercedes and Anastasia Korngut, co-founders of Small Bits of Happiness. The duo interviews celebrities, Olympians and more iconic individuals. Together, they share what brings them happiness + life hacks. Hack Your Happiness is about making happiness—and life in general—practical, personal, and achievable, through simple hacks built from small habits and shifts. Don't miss an episode! Follow on Instagram for updates + daily happiness: https://www.instagram.com/small.bits.of.happiness/ Join our Happiness Family: https://smallbitsofhappiness.com/newsletter-sign-up/

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