Redefining Happiness

Karen Castillo l Happiness Coach

Redefining Happiness challenges common myths about happiness and explores what really creates lasting fulfillment—combining research, personal insights, and practical strategies you can use in your own life. No quick fixes, just real, meaningful change. To connect visit me at www.KarenCastillo.org

  1. 09/01/2025

    19. The Truth About Why Nothing Feels Like Enough

    Ever feel like no matter what you achieve, it's never quite enough? You land the promotion, buy the dream house, or reach that goal weight, but the excitement fades faster than you expected, leaving you wondering "what's next?" If this sounds familiar, you're experiencing something psychologists call hedonic adaptation, and you're definitely not alone. In this episode of Redefining Happiness, we break down the science behind why our biggest achievements often leave us feeling empty and searching for the next milestone. You'll discover the two-part psychological process that keeps us stuck in an endless cycle of wanting more, and why happiness always seems just out of reach. What You'll Learn: ·       The psychology of hedonic adaptation and why your brain is wired to reset to baseline happiness ·       How the "adapt and level up" cycle keeps you chasing the next achievement ·       Why thinking of happiness as a destination sets you up for disappointment ·       Practical strategies to find satisfaction and contentment in your current life ·       How to pursue goals without depending on them for your happiness This episode offers real solutions for breaking free from the "never enough" mindset. Whether you're struggling with career satisfaction, relationship fulfillment, or general life contentment, you'll walk away with actionable insights for creating sustainable happiness. Stop chasing happiness and start redefining it. Your journey to lasting satisfaction starts here. And be sure to check out the FREE Podcast Resources Hub, your go-to library for exercises, templates, and exclusive content to help you apply what you’re learning each week. Use THIS LINK to get started or head to karencastillo.org and click on “Podcast.” If you haven’t signed up yet, this is the perfect time to join. It’s free, and once you’re in, you’ll get access to every episode’s tools, including bonus downloads I don’t share anywhere else.   Connect With Me: Instagram | Website | Facebook Music: "Be Happy" by danamusic

    9 min
  2. 08/06/2025

    17. Presence: The Happiness of Right Now

    You looked forward to a dinner out with friends, made the plans, counted the days, and then spent the night half-distracted, checking your phone and thinking of other things. Sound familiar? In Part 2 of our three-part series on “Stretching Happiness Across Time,” we’re talking about presence and how to feel the good in the moment. You’ll learn why being mentally checked out is so common (especially in our phone-addicted world), how it affects your happiness, and why even small moments of awareness can shift how connected and content you feel in your life. We’ll explore: The science behind presence and happinessHow mindless scrolling hijacks your attention and your joyWhat it means to “savor” a moment, and why it mattersA simple daily practice to bring your mind back to nowHappiness isn’t hiding in the next big thing. It’s often already here, you just have to be present enough to feel it. And be sure to check out the FREE Podcast Resources Hub, your go-to library for exercises, templates, and exclusive content to help you apply what you’re learning each week. Use THIS LINK to get started or head to karencastillo.org and click on “Podcast.” If you haven’t signed up yet, this is the perfect time to join—it’s free, and once you’re in, you’ll get access to every episode’s tools, including bonus downloads I don’t share anywhere else.   Connect With Me: Instagram | Website | Facebook Music: "Be Happy" by danamusic

    9 min
  3. 07/21/2025

    16. Anticipation: The Happiness of Looking Forward

    This week on Redefining Happiness, we’re kicking off a three-part series on stretching happiness across time, starting with anticipation. Have you ever noticed how looking forward to something, big or small, can boost your mood days in advance? In this episode, I’ll explain how anticipation works in the brain, why it matters more than we realize, and how you can intentionally build more of it into your everyday life. We’ll talk about why daydreaming isn’t a waste of time, how small rituals can spark big joy, and what stops us from letting ourselves feel excited. Plus, I’ll share five simple ways to bring anticipation into your week, no vacation or big event required. Your Happiness Challenge this week will help you start practicing this right away, so you can stop rushing through your days and start enjoying what’s ahead. If you’re ready to feel more joy now, not just when the good thing finally happens, this one’s for you. And be sure to check out the FREE Podcast Resources Hub, your go-to library for exercises, templates, and exclusive content to help you apply what you’re learning each week. Use THIS LINK to get started or head to karencastillo.org and click on “Podcast.” If you haven’t signed up yet, this is the perfect time to join—it’s free, and once you’re in, you’ll get access to every episode’s tools, including bonus downloads I don’t share anywhere else. Connect With Me: Instagram | Website | Facebook Music: "Be Happy" by danamusic

    9 min
  4. 06/23/2025

    13. The Role of Habits in Happiness

    The Role of Habits in Happiness: How small, consistent actions shape our identity and well-being When we think about what creates happiness, we often imagine big events or major life changes. But research shows that the real foundation of happiness is built through small, everyday habits. In this episode, we explore how habits influence our emotional well-being, how they’re formed in the brain, and why repetition and environment, not willpower, is the key to change. You’ll learn: ·       Why up to 40% of your daily actions are habitual ·       How direct context cuing shapes your behavior automatically ·       What neuroscience reveals about the effort habits require ·       How to replace draining habits with ones that support happiness ·       Why even one-minute habits can make a lasting difference This week’s Happiness Challenge: The Tiny Habit Practice Your challenge this week is to create a 1-minute happiness habit. Choose one small action that feels good to you, and remember, start tiny. It could be: Lighting a candle and taking three deep breathsStepping outside for a minute and really noticing your environmentWriting one thing you are grateful for and feeling that gratitudeTexting someone just to say you’re thinking of themCommit to doing it every day for one week. Same time, same place if possible. That’s it. Start that habit for one week. Forget the outcome, just do it. Then next week you can decide if you want to continue. I have created a worksheet in the FREE Podcast Resources Hub to help you log your habit and plan for ways to slowly increase it for more impact. The use THIS LINK or go to karencastillo.org. Resources Mentioned: [Free Download] The Tiny Habit Practice–available now inside the Podcast Resources HubHabits—A Repeat Performance By: David T. Neal, Wendy Wood, and Jeffrey M. Quinn Connect With Me: Instagram | Website | Facebook Music: "Be Happy" by danamusic

    9 min
5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Redefining Happiness challenges common myths about happiness and explores what really creates lasting fulfillment—combining research, personal insights, and practical strategies you can use in your own life. No quick fixes, just real, meaningful change. To connect visit me at www.KarenCastillo.org