Happiness Happens Simona Costantini

In this episode of Happiness Happens, I sit down with Shanel and Ashley, the duo behind the transformative podcast "Soothing H.E.R." Our conversation sheds light on the internal healing journey necessary for finding joy and resilience in life's most tumultuous time. 
The Power of Resilience
Shanel and Ashley's stories are nothing short of inspiring. We uncover the raw and often painful process of healing from life's inevitable heartbreaks. Ashley shares her harrowing experience of dealing with betrayal just a week before her wedding, finding the courage to call off the marriage despite societal pressures and personal agony. Shanel, on the other hand, speaks about her divorce after a seven-year marriage, describing the isolation and struggle of starting anew in a foreign land. Their stories, though unique, converge on a powerful theme - the incredible strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
The Catalyst for Change
The conversation takes a deeper dive into the catalyst moments that propelled Shanel and Ashley to start their podcast. Ashley's traumatic heartbreak served as a profound wake-up call, pushing her towards intense therapy and self-reflection. Shanel, having gone through a similar journey of a painful divorce, became an unwavering source of support for Ashley, eventually leading them both to create "Soothing H.E.R" as an outlet for their healing and as a platform to support others going through similar challenges.
Life on the Other Side
They emphasize the beauty and liberation found in choosing oneself and walking away from toxic situations. Despite the fear and uncertainty that accompany such decisions, they assure listeners that liberation, strength, and happiness await on the other side. It's a message of hope for anyone feeling trapped or uncertain - that courage and self-love can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life.
The episode closes with a poignant reminder about the importance of giving oneself grace and setting positive intentions for each day. For anyone navigating their own healing journey, their stories serve as a reminder that, despite the pain and challenges, happiness is attainable and often found in the most unexpected places.
 
We’ll touch on:
00:00 Intro
02:07 What does happiness mean to Shanel and Ashley
04:32 Is inner peace always accessible to everyone
07:09 Catalyst moment that made them realize they needed to make their podcast to bring women together
14:55 How to separate the action of the other person in your relationship and your own self worth
19:49 The catch of finding yourself disappearing further into a relationship and feeling muted
23:43 Life on the other side of choosing you
25:48 Advice for women who are hearing from others that they're making the wrong decision even though they know it is the right one for themselves
30:19 How to create more happiness in your day, every day, starting today


Resources:
Podcast Resources: https://www.simonacostantini.com/resources 
Apply to be a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/
Happiness Guide: https://simonacostantini.ck.page/happinesshub 
 
Connect with Shanel and Ashley
www.instagram.com/soothingh.e.r
www.twitter.com/soothingher 
Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sl1qOgvDZ6W0QiKs1o3Tr?si=4oCe3I6yQqimdnpMlqB3sw 
 
Connect with Simona
www.instagram.com/simona__costantini 
www.instagram.com/costantiniproductions 
www.instagram.com/happinesshappenspodcast 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXtOxOAuXxW7c5cYKdAEfWg 
https://www.facebook.com/costantiniproductions 
https://www.facebook.com/happinesshappenspodcast/ 
www.simonacostantini.com 
 

Embarking on an entrepreneurial journey presents its own set of challenges and rewards. When you factor in individual personality traits such as introversion, the experience becomes uniquely complex and intriguing. In a candid conversation on the "Happiness Happens" podcast, Simona, the host, delves deep into this subject with guest Lisa Ann, a digital marketing expert, podcaster, and self-described introvert thriving in the entrepreneurial world.
The Introverted Entrepreneur
We first talk about the often overlooked perspective of introverted entrepreneurs. Unlike their extroverted counterparts, who may thrive on networking and visibility, introverts like Lisa navigate the entrepreneurial landscape differently. Lisa shares her journey from a 'clueless entrepreneur' to a successful businesswoman, emphasizing the power of persistence, learning, and strategic investment. Her story is one of transformation, proving that introversion is not a barrier to success but rather a unique advantage when harnessed correctly.
Authenticity in Business and Life
A significant focus of their conversation revolves around authenticity, both in personal and professional realms. Lisa opens up about the misconceptions surrounding introverted entrepreneurs, particularly the erroneous stereotype that they can't be successful leaders or networkers. By sharing her achievements and the strategies she adopted to overcome her challenges, Lisa dismantles these myths, showcasing the strength that lies in authenticity and genuine connection.
Finding Happiness in Structure
Both Simona and Lisa touch on the concept of happiness, particularly its meaning and manifestation in an entrepreneur's life. Lisa candidly shares her definition of happiness as waking up without stress, looking forward to the day, and doing what one loves. This definition resonates with many, underscoring the importance of finding joy in the everyday and the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment.

The Role of Discipline and Mindset
Throughout the podcast, the theme of discipline emerges as a cornerstone of both happiness and success. Lisa discusses the critical role of time management, structure, and setting boundaries in her day-to-day life to ensure she remains productive while balancing work and family. Moreover, Lisa's approach to overcoming obstacles and self-doubt through a disciplined mindset and scheduled self-care highlights the importance of taking intentional steps towards one's goals, regardless of the size.

The Power of Listening and Leadership
Towards the end of their conversation, Simona and Lisa explore the misconceptions around leadership, particularly the effectiveness of introverted leaders. Lisa emphasizes the strengths introverts bring to leadership roles, such as the ability to listen actively and create spaces for others to excel. By valuing and utilizing these traits, introverted entrepreneurs like Lisa can lead successfully, proving that leadership is not reserved for the loudest voice in the room.

Our conversation highlights the diverse paths to success in entrepreneurship and the pursuit of happiness. Lisa’s journey exemplifies how introverted entrepreneurs can navigate the challenges of the business world by leaning into their authentic selves, embracing discipline, and fostering genuine connections. Through her insights and experiences, Lisa encourages all entrepreneurs, particularly introverts, to find their unique strengths and paths to happiness and success in the competitive arena of business.
We’ll touch on:
00:00 Intro
03:39 What Happiness means to Lisa
05:15 How to wake up in a less stressed state of mind
06:39 How to fit yourself into your life without guilt
08:27 Restructuring your days to fit the lifestyle you want versus letting all of your to do's run you
13:20 Advice to tap into a goal and realize what you need to make it your reality
15:57 The differentiating factor between different people in

In a world where judgments seem to lurk around every corner, it's crucial to stay true to yourself and prioritize your happiness above all else. In this episode, I open up about my journey lately and share insights on living authentically, embracing individuality, and navigating the pressures of societal expectations.
Word of the Year: Embracing Authenticity
I talk about the concept of a "Word of the Year." Rather than choosing a conventional term, I selected "fuck off" as my guiding phrase for this year. Embracing this mantra, I emphasize the importance of setting boundaries and letting go of anything that does not align with one's inner peace and authenticity.
Living Your Life Authentically
We also get into the challenges of social judgments and the pressure to conform to predetermined timelines and expectations. I reflect on my personal journey as a 32-year-old woman navigating divorce, unconventional life choices, and the constant scrutiny of others. Through my experiences, I talk about the significance of following your heart, staying true to your values, and embracing the unique path that feels right for you.
Navigating External Opinions
We also talk about the value of seeking guidance and support from loved ones while emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between constructive advice and unwarranted judgment. I highlight the fine line between offering guidance and imposing expectations on others, advocating for self-validation and empowerment in decision-making.
Finding Inner Peace
I encourage you to prioritize your inner peace and happiness above external validations. I stress the significance of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and intentional decision-making in shaping a fulfilling life. By acknowledging the impermanence of external judgments and focusing on personal growth and authenticity, we inspire a mindset shift towards self-compassion and self-empowerment.
Embracing Your Truth
Embrace your truth, live authentically, and prioritize your happiness unapologetically. Through these reflections, I invite you to challenge societal norms, embrace your unique identity, and cultivate a life that resonates with your deepest values and aspirations.
 
In a world brimming with opinions and expectations, this episode serves as a poignant reminder to prioritize self-love, authenticity, and personal fulfillment. By embracing our true selves, navigating societal judgments with resilience, and honoring our individual journeys, we can embark on a path of self-discovery and genuine happiness. Remember, happiness truly happens when we embrace our authenticity and live in alignment with our deepest truths.
 
We’ll touch on:
00:00 Intro
00:47 The other side of ‘word of the year’
01:53 Living your life the most authentic way possible, reflecting on the judginess of people
04:01 Knowing what’s best for you
04:36 Where I sit as a 32 year old woman now with society's ideas
05:49 Compassion and love for people
07:22 Why are we so judgemental toward each other
08:45 The internal complex I have noticed I have
15:38 Happiness download
 
Resources:
Podcast Resources: https://www.simonacostantini.com/resources 
Apply to be a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/
Happiness Guide: https://simonacostantini.ck.page/happinesshub 
 
Connect with Simona
www.instagram.com/simona__costantini 
www.instagram.com/costantiniproductions 
www.instagram.com/happinesshappenspodcast 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXtOxOAuXxW7c5cYKdAEfWg 
https://www.facebook.com/costantiniproductions 
https://www.facebook.com/happinesshappenspodcast/ 
www.simonacostantini.com 
 

In a world where the pursuit of happiness seems to be the ultimate goal, have you ever stopped to consider what happiness truly means to you? How can we find joy amidst the struggles and challenges of everyday life? These are the questions that Mark Congdon and I dive into in this episode.
 
Mark R. Congdon is the Forbes Books author of The Ideal Life: 7 Steps To Harness Your Stress, Discover Your Purpose, And Achieve Your Goals. He is the founder and CEO of Into the Ideal, an organization helping individuals find their purpose, joy, and the career they deserve. He earned a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the Harvard Extension School and spent 10 years leading operations, sales, and strategic leadership in the transportation logistics industry. 
 
Mark shared his insightful perspective on happiness, drawing from the wisdom of ancient philosophers like Aristotle. He discussed how happiness is not just about feeling good all the time but finding a balance between pleasure and pain while pursuing a meaningful life. He emphasized the importance of embracing the struggle and challenges as essential components of true joy.
 
The conversation then shifted towards the concept of control and how our perception of control can impact our well-being. Mark highlighted the significance of having an internal locus of control, where we focus on what we can control within ourselves rather than external factors. He shared personal anecdotes, including his mother's inspiring journey of taking control of her health in the face of a dire diagnosis.
 
One of the key takeaways from the discussion was the discussion around the dopamine trap, where the pursuit of rewards and goal achievement can lead to addiction. Mark explained how finding a balance between pushing oneself towards goals and experiencing flow states is essential for sustainable happiness. He introduced the concept of "dose 180," a practice that combines positive visualization with a realistic assessment of challenges to better prepare for achieving goals.
 
Mark also shared insights from his recently launched book, "The Ideal Life," which explores his framework for deliberate flow and intentional stress management. The book offers practical tools and exercises to help readers align their long-term ideals with achievable goals, objectives, and tasks, thereby fostering a sense of purpose and joy in daily life.
 
In essence, the path to joy lies in embracing stress, finding a balance between pleasure and pain, and intentionally pursuing goals that align with our ideals. By harnessing the power of deliberate practice and flow states, we can cultivate lasting happiness in our lives.
 
We’ll touch on:
00:00 Intro
01:11 What happiness means to Mark
02:55 The realization that a happy life includes learning how to coexist with stress, fear, worry, etc.
05:09 Why can some people find the purpose in a hard situation versus those who get consumed by it
10:31 How much does our need for control and our stress contributes to our dopamine trap
13:01 How do we get stuck in a dopamine trap, and what is the effect it has on us
16:42 Intentionally pursuing your goals ang pushing yourself out of your comfort zone
17:41 The problem with an emphasis on rewards for goal achievement
21:20 What would you say to someone stuck in the mindset of feeling they just keep facing down impossibility and is exhausted
24:33 What he hopes readers gain from his book
27:50 How to create a little more happiness in your day, every day, starting today
 
Resources:
Podcast Resources: https://www.simonacostantini.com/resources 
Apply to be a podcast guest: https://forms.gle/
Happiness Guide: https://simonacostantini.ck.page/happinesshub 


Connect with Mark
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theideallifeco
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ideal-life/
Courses: https://www.theideallife.mykajabi.com 
In

In a world filled with challenges and uncertainties, one topic that often gets overlooked is the impact of safety on our well-being. Safety, whether it's physical, emotional, or mental, plays a crucial role in shaping our lives and how we interact with the world around us. This theme of safety and its profound effects were explored in a recent enlightening conversation on the "Happiness Happens" podcast with special guest Manny Nsien.
Manny Nsien began his career working as an Operations Consultant within several Emergency Rooms across the United States. Manny's passion and goal for the Behavioral Health industry is to support Behavioral Health operators by reducing the stigma towards treatment and improving patient equity and knowledge on the different modalities of treatment. Through his work at Ripple Ranch, focusing on inpatient and outpatient care related to the opioid crisis and substance abuse, Manny emphasized the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals facing mental health challenges and addiction.
Our conversation got into various aspects of how safety influences our daily lives, how we navigate trauma, and the significance of cultivating positive coping mechanisms. Manny highlighted the need for introspection and self-reflection, emphasizing the importance of striving to be just 1% better every day. This approach to personal growth fosters resilience and a deeper sense of connection with oneself and others.
One of the key takeaways from the discussion was the critical role of support and understanding in helping individuals struggling with substance abuse. By creating a non-judgmental and supportive environment, we can empower our loved ones to seek help and embark on a journey towards healing and recovery. Manny underscored the importance of being present for those in need, guiding them towards resources and assistance tailored to their specific challenges.
In a world where the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction persists, conversations like this one shed light on the transformative power of empathy, acceptance, and proactive support. By addressing the root causes of addiction, such as underlying mental health issues and unmet needs for safety and connection, we can pave the way for holistic healing and positive change.
As we navigate the complexities of life, it is essential to prioritize self-care, reflection, and growth. Taking small steps each day towards personal betterment can have a significant impact on our overall well-being and relationships. By fostering a culture of openness, empathy, and self-improvement, we can create a more supportive and nurturing environment for ourselves and those around us.
In conclusion, Manny Nsien's insights on safety, trauma, and healing serve as a reminder of the power of compassion, understanding, and resilience in overcoming life's challenges. By embracing a mindset of continual growth and self-discovery, we can embark on a journey towards greater happiness, fulfillment, and well-being.
Remember, happiness happens when we prioritize our mental and emotional well-being, connect with others authentically, and approach each day as an opportunity for growth and positive change. Let's continue to support one another on this journey towards a happier and healthier life.
We’ll touch on:
0:00 Intro
2:10 What does Happiness mean to you
4:07 What called him to invest in Ripple Ranch
7:20 The current opioid crisis and why it's happening
9:20 The underlying condition of the crisis is loneliness/need for safety
11:22 How safety could change a person's life
14:14 Raising kids with your lived experiences and the pressure that can leave on kids to act a certain way or perform at a certain level and what that pressure can cause kids turn to
17:21 Evaluating the way you were raised and how that could have impacted your substance abuse
19:38 The perspective of people going through something hard, from the out

We’re all on a unique journey in life, striving to become the best version of ourselves. One of the key catalysts in that journey is truly understanding who we are and embodying our most authentic self. In this week’s episode of the Happiness Happens podcast, I’m joined by Randi Halaway, a Self love and Business Coach for women who are READY to step into their highest level of mastery and claim more freedom, abundance, and fulfillment in their lives. Our talk revolves around the importance of self-love, mastering a heart-centered life, and reconnecting with our true selves. 
The conversation opened with Randi emphasizing the power of feeling inspired, aligned, and tuned in to your unique purpose and potential on this earth. As she explained, self-love plays a vital role in self-discovery and personal growth. By loving and accepting ourselves, we can break through limiting beliefs and blocks that prevent us from expressing our true nature.
Randi also shared her personal journey, including her shift from a 17-year career as a hairstylist to becoming a champion for women, empowering them to step into their highest level of mastery and claim more freedom, abundance, and fulfillment in their lives.
Our interaction with others can often lead us to stray from our path, particularly when we start absorbing their emotions or problems. Sharing her insights, Randi emphasized the need for balance between having an open heart and not taking on more than what is meant for us. Whether it's someone else's emotion or issues, recognizing it and if it's not for us, releasing it with love can help us reclaim our power.
We also touched on the importance of remaining connected with our inner peace, especially in a world that can often be chaotic and overpowering. Randi’s words about everything happening in our outer world ultimately being a reflection of our inner world resonated strongly. By nourishing our inner peace, we can reduce the impact of external factors on our happiness.
Navigating the interplay between ego and our past traumas can be challenging, but it is crucial in fostering self-love and understanding. Randi delved into how our egos, which are designed to protect us, can sometimes lead us to create illusions of control and safety.
By recognizing these patterns and leaning into our intuition, we can free ourselves from these constraints and open up to a more heart-based and authentic understanding of ourselves. This shift in perspective can lead to experiencing a deeper connection to our true selves.
To embrace a heart-centered life, Randi stresses the need for making ourselves a priority and grounding our intentions in our hearts rather than our minds. By releasing the need for external validation and focusing on providing it for ourselves, we can manifest a life that aligns with our true selves.
The journey towards a heart-centered and authentic life is a continuous one, filled with moments of self-discovery, growth, and transformation. As Randi poignantly stated, "The idea is learning how to navigate the uncomfort of being out of control, the uncomfort of the unknown all those types of things.”
We’ll touch on:
0:00 Intro
2:34 What does happiness mean to you
3:45 How to balance living with an open heart while not taking on what isn’t meant for you
7:13 Learning to release something without having to go through extensive practices
11:10 Our need for control
13:47 What does it feel like when you have a deep connection to self
17:32 Wanting people's acceptance of your choices and how they understand from the lens of their past experiences
20:59 The idea of being who you truly are
23:47 Are Ego and Trauma cohabitants, the more trauma the higher the ego?
26:40 Where do you go from the place of feeling like you're doing the wrong thing because of someone else's reaction
32:46 How to create a little more happiness in your day, every day, starting today
 
Resources:
Podcast