Positively Happier

Hey!We wanted to let you all know that we are taking a page out of our own book, and taking a brief winter break from the podcast. Our plan is to be back shortly after Easter with new interviews, minisodes and a fresh outlook!Thank you all, as always, for listening and we can't wait to connect with you all again soon!Alayna and Jessie xoxo

Have you ever wondered why nature sounds are so relaxing?Birds singing, rain falling on a tin roof, ocean waves crashing against the shore...All of these natural soundscapes help to reduce anxiety and increase clear-minded focus, and there is scientific research to prove it! So next time you head out on your daily walk, ditch the earphones and let the soothing sounds of nature take over. Check out this website to read more about the scientific link between natural sounds and relaxation. Happy listening!

Are the simplest tasks triggers for intense meltdowns from your kids? Is getting them dressed in the morning a recipe for disaster? Like us, it sounds like you may have a spirited kiddo on your hands.Looking for a way to channel that intensity for good? In this episode, we chatted with Carolyn McGuire, a teacher with over 30 years of experience and a passionate advocate for student success. She was a recipient of Canada's Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence and was recognized for her ability to bring about transformative changes in children with academic, social, and behavioural challenges. Carolyn is a Nurtured Heart Approach advanced trainer, Classroom Wellness and Certified Mind Rebel Coach, and has led and supported Nurtured Heart classrooms and schools. Her mission is to enable parents and teachers to transform their relationships with intense, spirited, or challenging children and create empathetic and caring kids.We left this conversation actually looking forward to the next meltdown so we could try out some of the great tips and techniques Carolyn shared with us. Check out Heart Lifting Solutions here. Happy listening!

A fresh new year is right around the corner, and everyone had such high hopes and big plans for 2022. With the ongoing curveballs of COVID and lots of uncertainty about what is to come, we decided to chat about getting in the right mindset for whatever 2022 has in store. @QKate on Twitter recently discussed the idea of making a mental health plan, and in this current season of life, we thought it was ever so fitting.When our brains are tired, the executive function used for assessing, planning, and deciding operates poorly. The best course of action with poor executive brain function is to write things down. If you detail strategies now, even things as simple as "be sure to hydrate", ensures that you can successfully fly on autopilot later.Wishing everyone a safe and healthy 2022, and as always, thanks for tuning in.A & J xo

How long do you think you could run? 1 mile? 10 miles? How about 100 miles?Or better yet, 100 miles through the mountains in one race? We were absolutely thrilled to have endurance athlete, Niki Hurst, on our show. Niki is an ultrarunner, mother and entrepreneur living in beautiful Squamish, British Columbia. In the last few years Niki has run a number of ultra marathons and has trained rigorously throughout the BC mountains. She and her running partner also successfully ran both the West Coast Trail and the North Coast Train each in a single day. Most notably, Niki completed the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc which is a 100 mile course through the French Alps. All of this is impressive for the average person, but not only is Niki thriving as an endurance athlete, but she is also thriving as an endurance athlete with Crohn's disease. We were so excited to chat with Niki about perseverance, maintaining a positive mindset and managing stress in high elevation and high stress environments.Happy Listening!

Happy Anniversary to Positively Happier! Our podcast baby is ONE!We wanted to send out a huge thank you to all of our listeners for joining us on this amazing ride. We absolutely love connecting and sharing tidbits of happiness and positivity with you all. We've had the absolute pleasure of interviewing some incredible guests, and we are looking forward to another great year full of deep, meaningful conversations.As always, happy listening!

Have you ever thought of starting a brand new life somewhere new? We were so excited to chat with Canadian-born creative director Xanthe Appleyard - the co-founder of Oh Sierra, a Los Angeles and Tulum-based creative agency with worldwide influence.In 2020, Xanthe and her partner in life and business, Frank, packed their bags and moved to Tulum, Mexico — a bold leap to expand their global perspective. Just months later they introduced a thoughtfully curated rental property, The Oh Sierra Swim Club, providing guests with a space built to live, play, and work. A huge dream - come to life. Pop in those ear pods and take a listen to our conversation with Xanthe about making the leap into leadership, pursuing exciting possibilities, and breaking out of the struggle to fit in when what you envision is anything but ordinary.Enjoy!

Given that “Hallmark” season, and the cold, dark winter months are now upon us, we wanted to re-share this interview with actress, mama, and self care advocate Chelsea Hobbs Neate! This Canadian actress is best known for her role in the hit gymnastics drama Make It Or Break It, but if you're anything like Jessie and live for Hallmark christmas movies, you'll also recognize Chelsea from starring in a few favourites!  Chelsea opened up on social media about her anxiety surrounding parenting in the pandemic, which has really resonated with a lot of her followers. We asked Chelsea on the pod to talk about self care, nurturing a supportive online community, and balancing motherhood and creativity during this uncertain time.It's a conversation full of honesty, laughs and real parenting moments.You can find Chelsea on Instagram @chelseaxhobbs and on Twitter @chelseahobbsHappy listening!

So thrilled to be re-sharing our interview with Amy Bowker. One of our first interviews, and we thought it would be great to share in light of back to school season in full swing.Amy is an incredible teacher here in Ottawa. She runs a blog called AmyEBowker.com documenting her experiences as a teacher, and co-runs EdCamp Ottawa - a professional development conference for teachers She has written and self-published the "Be Your Best Self Now" journal for pre-teens and teens. We chatted with her about how she uses this journal to not only set the tone for her daily lessons, but also to help parents assist their children through this rollercoaster of a world we are in.Let's listen in on our interview! Hope you enjoy.Purchase the “Be Your Best Self Now” journalFollow Amy on Instagram @amyebowkerRead more of Amy's journey as a teacher at amyebowker.com 

With Thanksgiving just around the corner here in Canada, there is no better time to talk about gratitude.You've heard us talk about how gratitude can be a key to happiness. However, with the heaviness going on in the world right now expressing what we're thankful for can sometimes feel impossible or quickly overlooked.This Thanksgiving, more than ever, we wanted to take the opportunity to express our feelings of gratitude with all of you. Tune in to hear all about what we are thankful for.Happy listening!

Unlocking your greatest potential can be daunting and a somewhat difficult thing to do when life gets in the way. Our guest, Taryn Watts, founder of the Mind Rebel Academy, has dedicated her life to doing just that. Time and time again, she has assisted individuals in tapping into their strongest abilities and passions, allowing them to live a life of purpose and greater happiness. Taryn and her coaching methodology has transformed the coaching industry by helping people around the globe to lead, parent and connect on a higher level. The Mind Rebel Academy focuses on the power of one's mind, and helps people reach into their soul in order to align with who they really are. Happy listening!

As the summer comes to a close and we say goodbye to that hot weather, summer holidays, and schedule free days, some of us begin to feel a sense of unease wash over them. What we like to refer to as September Scaries or September anxiety is actually more common than you think. For some, this is the start of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and for others that "back to school" feeling September brings has them feeling a bit on edge. In this episode, we chat about some simple ways to shoo away those September Scaries and get back to loving the cooler weather, cozy sweaters, and fall colours that are just around the corner. To read the article that inspired this minisode, click here. Happy listening!

Have you ever thought about trying to improve your health, but didn't know where to start? Did the thought of working out and making dietary changes overwhelm you so much that you just decide to forget those plans?Team Fluffy Girl was assembled to bring women together, support, and empower each other on our often challenging journey of self-love, self-discovery and for becoming the BEST version of ourselves.Pam and Mel from Team Fluffy Girls chatted with us about their own personal health journeys and how they managed to get started, stay dedicated and guide people just like them to achieve their health goals too! We were drawn to their story after hearing their mission to help women love themselves on a deeper level and enjoy all the benefits that physical and mental health can bring to your life. We were so excited to chat with these amazing ladies! Happy listening!Follow along on Instagram!Join their community on Facebook!

Do you have a Pinterest board full of yet-to-be-tried kids activities? Does an unstructured afternoon with the kids fill you with dread?Have all the desire to encourage your kids to play creatively, but just don't know where to start?We're really excited to chat today with Lauren DeMarco, a super creative, anti-perfectionist mama of 2. This Creative Play Mentor is joining us today to talk about how to get more intentional about raising confident, creative kids.She believes that time spent creating with our children fosters the deepest, most authentic connections and provides us with opportunities to repair relationships when we make mistakes.  Most importantly, she says it teaches our children how to confidently solve their own problems!After a year of non-stop screen time thanks to virtual schooling and lockdowns, we can't wait to chat about how we can get back to some hands-on, unstructured, and mind-expanding play with our kids.Let's get messy, have fun, and dive into the world of creative play.

What do you get when you mix positivity, wilderness, a dash of snow, and Bhangra together?The incredibly joyful Gurdeep Pandher!If you've been on social media anytime in the past year, you've almost certainly seen one of Gurdeep's videos. From his cabin in the wilderness of the Yukon, he shares videos of himself dancing Bhangra, sharing messages of positivity and cross-cultural connection. His videos have been viewed by millions and made Canadian and international headlines.We were thrilled to have Gurdeep on the podcast to talk about sharing joy during a pandemic, building bridges across cultures, and how teaching others brings happiness.Forget “dance like no one is watching...” In Gurdeep's case, he's dancing like the whole world is watching - and spreading so much joy along the way.Check out Gurdeep's website!Connect with Gurdeep on Social Media!InstagramFacebookLinkedinYouTubeTwitter

Having a baby is the most beautiful gift, however, life postpartum may not be entirely what you expected it to be. Constant sweating, bleeding for weeks, intense anxiety and intrusive thoughts are just some of the hormonal effects we experienced after welcoming our new bundles of joy. Although this might be the happiest time in your life, it certainly comes with a truckload of difficulties. As one of us prepares for life postpartum with baby number 2, and the other prepares to end maternity leave after baby number 2, we thought that there was no better time to chat about our personal experiences, and what we did to ease the blow during that fourth trimester no one really talks about. Pop in those earphones, sit back, relax and join us for this up close and personal minisode! 

This episode is being released on the day before Canada Day. Traditionally, a day full of fireworks, food, and hot weather. However, Canada Day for Indigenous peoples specifically, and also Black and racialized people, is directly connected to trauma and cultural genocide. As many people are going into this day with a newfound awareness of the extent of racism, colonialism, and white supremacy that has taken place throughout history and is present in the daily lived experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour, it's important to dismantle the idealism that we may feel around Canada Day and unlearn our understanding of Canadian history on this stolen land.The discovery of the bodies of Indigenous children at multiple Residential School sites, alongside the Black Lives Matter protests, and a rise in Muslim and Asian hate crimes, has many white Canadians re-examining their understanding of Canadian history and their relationship with race and privilege.Given this recent news and the broader conversation about racism, we think there is no better time to hear from someone working within this field. We are so thrilled to be chatting today with Selam Debs - the creator of the Antiracism course, an antiracism and anti-oppression educator, and yoga studio owner. Her Antiracism Course looks at ways to dismantle unconscious bias, address white privilege, uncover systemic racism, and learn how to centre the experience of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour individuals. We started this podcast with the goal to listen - and especially - to learn from others. We love chatting with diverse voices and hearing unique perspectives about their lived experiences and knowledge. We know we still have a lot to learn on this subject, so we were very excited to chat with Selam.In this episode, we dug in to unlearn, unravel, and dismantle systems of privilege, have a discussion about the concept of happiness, and what it means to be truly antiracist. As always, thank you for listening.

Are you guilty of working through your lunch hour?With so many people working from home it's even easier to to skip your breaks or work after hours. In today's minisode, we wanted to chat about the huge scientific benefits that come from simply taking breaks.Microsoft's Human Factors Lab did some experiments testing out this theory. They found that allowing yourself to reset actually lowers stress levels and improves your ability to focus! Both huge contributors to daily happiness!Firstly - we wanted to talk about this important topic in relation to both personal and work life.But secondly - We have a bit of an announcement! We will be walking the talk of taking a break - and giving ourselves a bit of grace and taking a slower pace this summer. With a baby arriving (very soon!) for Jessie, and a return to work for Alayna in September, we thought it would be a good idea to take a little break.But don't worry! You'll still be hearing from us. We're just switching to a new episode every second week. So, starting June 30th, look out for new episodes every two weeks - and be sure to tune in - we have some VERY exciting interviews coming your way. To read more about the Microsoft Human Factors Lab experiment, please visit this link.The Habit Society newsletter is what first inspired us to talk about this topic, and you can read about it here.Happy listening!

Two long time friends embarking on a new journey, searching for greater overall wellness and quality of life, and sharing what they find along the way... Sound familiar? You may be thinking we're talking about ourselves and this podcast… but think again! We have found our kindred spirits in the Habit Society!Nikki and Ashley are the dynamic duo behind the Habit Society - a weekly three minute newsletter dedicated to mastering healthy and sustainable habits. Their newsletter is a one-stop-shop of research from credible experts to bring people practical information and realistic implementation methods.Their mission is to provide people with the best approach to habit formation in order to create lasting change. They're out to prove that creating lasting habits is easier than you think. We are so excited to chat with this Montreal-based duo about friendship based projects, the importance of accountability partners, and developing (and keeping) effective habits.Happy listening!

Have you ever looked at your sink full of dishes and felt a pang of anxiety? Decluttering your home, and ridding yourself of unnecessary items can feel like a full body cleanse and can bring about a sense of peace like no other. However, to some, the thought of parting with certain items actually causes them pain. In this episode we chat about all of the positives and some negatives around this "Marie Kondo" trend, and how it personally affects our lives. Happy listening!

Anyone with kids can tell you some funny stories about working from home during this pandemic. But have you ever had to do a live broadcast for a national radio show hidden in your furnace room?Kristy Kirkup is a political reporter in Canada, who currently works for the Globe and Mail. In 2017, she was part of a Canadian Press team that won the Canadian Journalism Foundation Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism for a series about sexual trauma in Indigenous communities. She is passionate about using the power of journalism to shine a light in dark places and to lift up the voices of the silenced and forgotten.Throughout the pandemic, she has been sharing snippets of her real life moments managing a toddler and reporting for national broadcasts. Her Twitter feed has also become a source of positivity and lightness.We're so excited to talk to Kristy about managing mental health while reporting on some heavy topics, pandemic work from home realities, and social media's impact on journalism.Happy listening! 

Is your home office a pain in the neck (literally?).So many of us started the pandemic with makeshift home offices - squished in at the dining room table or sharing a small desk with our partners. Our sore backs, tight shoulders, and headaches are all speaking volumes about the importance of an ergonomic and healthy workspace.Rather than sticking it out at the uncomfortable dining room table, why not make your home office a place that brings your joy?On this week's minisode, Jessie and Alayna chat about ideas of how to enhance your work from home setup.From ergonomic equipment, to virtual coffee chats, to bringing a bit of the outdoors inside, we discuss all sorts of ideas to improve the physical and mental sides of working from home.Happy listening!

Who knew that flowers could be such a powerful medium for positive change?For conscious consumers looking to give back to the community, City Love Flowers donates flowers to charities using donations and profits generated through its social enterprise initiative, The Flower Fund. Kate Punnett uses flowers as a medium to create change and educate the public on the beauty of locally and sustainably grown flowers. Over the last year, her Elderflower project has brought flower bouquets to seniors isolated due to COVID.We're so thrilled to chat with Kate about the power of social enterprise, giving back to the community, and lifting spirits during lockdown.Check out City Love Flowers websiteLearn more about The Flower FundFollow City Love Flowers on InstagramHappy listening! 

Do you worry about the what-ifs? Need help snapping out of spiralling thoughts? Looking to calm your nerves?This pandemic has certainly caused a ton of stress and anxiety. Although there is a light at the end of the tunnel, we could all probably use a few more helpful tips to get through these last challenging months.In this episode, Alayna and Jessie chat about the concept of grounding yourself and the simple techniques that can refocus your thoughts from the spiralling what-ifs back to the present moment.Getting grounded (and we mean, literally in the dirt in some cases) may just be the thing you're looking for.Happy listening!

Just in time for Mental Health Week, we're thrilled to be featuring an organisation that is setting off a chain reaction to send waves of good throughout our communities.Causeway is a not-for-profit agency that helps people with mental illness and other challenges find meaningful rewarding work and live more independently. They have been active in the Ottawa area since 1977. Today we are chatting with the Executive Director of Causeway, Hailey Hechtman, about giving back to the community, pivoting to serve clients in a pandemic world, and how she went through a personal wellness journey that allowed her to truly serve her community from a place of compassion and authenticity.Learn more about Causeway on their website.Find out about hiring your next employee from CausewayFollow Causeway on Instagram, and Facebook.Happy listening!

Are you feeling ‘blah' right now?You're DEFINITELY not alone.Recently described in viral New York Times article called “There's a Name for the Blah You're Feeling: It's Called Languishing” by Adam Grant, languishing is a term that has been described as the absence of well-being. You're not depressed, but you're not thriving either. You're somewhere in the middle - experiencing a dullness of motivation and focus in your daily life.This on-going pandemic has a lot of people feeling this way. On this week's minisode, we chat about ways to combat languishing, fight the blahs and spark some joy again.If you're feeling unmotivated, uninspired, or kinda “meh” this episode is for you!

Ready to take a quantum leap?Today we are chatting with Kimilu, a Life and Corporate Coach based in the Philippines who is dedicated to helping individuals, teams and companies in their journey towards more positivity and confidence. Kimi has a wide range of expertise - she is a licensed Certified Master Neuro-Linguistic Hypnotherapy Life Coach, Reiki Master Practitioner, and certified NIA instructor.Kimi is also a corporate coach who helps companies create a progressive culture by equipping employees and business owners with essential skills that make them feel good about themselves, their work and their teams through these healing modalities.Since the COVID pandemic has thrown everyone into an unfamiliar work from home situation, we were really excited to chat with Kimi about her best advice for managing personal relationships and focusing on career happiness in this new work environment.Check out Kimilu's websiteFollow @KimiluLifeCoach on InstagramHappy listening!

We've all heard of the importance of taking time for self care… But what does self care even look like during a pandemic?In this episode, we chat about the importance of self care and the different options we have right now as we head into another lockdown (in Ontario at least!).- An extra long shower with sprigs of eucalyptus from a local florist- A spa kit pickup from a local spa- Call your besties and play virtual games while enjoying takeout from your favourite restaurantThere might be a bit of a trend here…keep safe AND support local! These are just some of the ways you can invest a little extra in yourself during a time where we are all feeling a little burnt out, and a lot overwhelmed.Interested in hearing more, check out our episode below!Happy listening!

Down dog, Warrior One, Shavasana…. laugh?Laughter and yoga may seem like an unconventional fit when you think of traditional stretching and meditation type yoga - but laughter yoga is something totally different. This simple form of exercise is a surefire way to put a smile on your face.Breath work is the core of both yoga and laughter and when you combine the two, you get the totally unique practice of laughter yoga. During these challenging times, finding ways to release that bring us joy are not only helpful, but necessary.On this week's episode of Positively Happier, Jessie and Alayna chat with Sylvie Dagenais-Douville, a Certified Laughter Yoga Master Trainer. She stumbled upon this unique career, and has since dedicated her time to helping people heal through laughter.Happy listening!

Do you ever find yourself in a bad mood and you just can't shake it?Sometimes it certainly feels easier to hang on tight to that bad mood relationship, but we wanted to find ways to break up with that crummy feeling and move on to brighter days ahead.From simple tricks to feel productive and organized, to moving your body, to helping other people, Alayna and Jessie chat about all the best bad mood busters in this minisode. Happy listening!

Do you have big dreams waiting to be pursued?Are you held back by a landslide of guilt? Worried those goals might pull you away from your partner, kids, friends, or other duties?In our most recent episode of Positively Happier, we chat with Emily Harrington, the brains behind the blog and coaching biz emilyharrington.ca, and as she calls herself, a no BS-business mom of two young kiddos.Emily is a big advocate for pursuing your goals no matter what. Helping other women push the envelope and turn those dreams into reality is her passion. To fuel your fire and tap into your big dreams, listen on!Follow Emily on Instagram @emilyharrington.caVisit her website https://www.emilyharrington.ca/Snag her Affirmation Cards!Happy listening!

Nothing can change your mood like music, and a lot of songs can instantly transport you back to happy memories.  The first dance at your wedding, that song playing on the radio on your epic friends road trip, that song your parents used to play in the house while doing their weekend chores when you were a kid.  In our most recent episode, we chatted about making a playlist of happy memories. Each song tied to a specific memory that can instantly turn a frown upside down. Back in the day we made mixtapes and burned CDs, but now with the help of our digital world you can easily and quickly make yourself a mood boosting playlist to enjoy.What would you add to your playlist? Nothing can change your mood like music, and a lot of songs can instantly transport you back to happy memories.  The first dance at your wedding, that song playing on the radio on your epic friends road trip, that song your parents used to play in the house while doing their weekend chores when you were a kid.  In our most recent episode, we chatted about making a playlist of happy memories. Each song tied to a specific memory that can instantly turn a frown upside down. Back in the day we made mixtapes and burned CDs, but now with the help of our digital world you can easily and quickly make yourself a mood boosting playlist to enjoy.What would you add to your playlist?

Understatement of the century… working as a teacher over the last year has been incredibly challenging.Dealing with large groups of young children is a feat on a good day. Now throw in a global pandemic, a ton of uncertainty, and switching back and forth from virtual learning to in-class sessions - now you've really got your hands full.Our guest this week is Stéphanie Douville, a fantastic kindergarten teacher in Ontario, Canada. During these remarkably difficult times, she has focused on the mental health of the little ones in her classroom. From wellness check-ins, to getting kids active, to providing advice to parents - Stéphanie has adapted her teaching style and is helping her kids thrive.In this episode of Positively Happier, we chat with Stéph about mental health, how she has pivoted her teaching style for this year, and her best advice for parents trying to help their kids navigate this new school environment.Find Steph on Instagram @madamestephaniedHappy listening!

Getting a good night sleep can be the difference between a good day and a bad day. Does the slogan, Good Nights Mean Good Mornings, pop into your head when thinking about it? Well, it did for us, and it definitely doesn't only refer to babies!We came across countless tips and tricks on how to get the most solid snooze, and wanted to share some of the best nighttime remedies with you! In this episode we discuss these slumber rituals, as well as how strongly linked sleep is to overall happiness, and how a crummy sleep is a major contributor to a crummy mindset.Happy Listening!

Meet Trudy Stone! Certified Culinary Nutritionist, author, TV Guest Expert and creator of the R.I.S.E method. In this episode of Positively Happier, Alayna and Jessie chat with Trudy about how she helps busy overwhelmed women R.I.S.E above their stress and become more calm, resilient and physically fit.She shares how food and nutrition factor into stress levels, mood and overall mental health, and she goes into detail about how to turn your stress into your superpower. Something we all need to learn in 2021!And if you weren't curious enough already about this episode with Trudy, you can also listen in to find out how a simple trip to the washroom can change the trajectory of your entire life!Follow Trudy on Instagram @trudyestoneVisit her website https://trudyestone.com/Download her free ebook, Rise and StriveHappy listening!

Gratitude is a pretty amazing thing. In an instant, focusing on what your grateful for can put a smile on your face, and in the darkest of times, consistent gratitude practice through journaling and other techniques can change your entire outlook on life.In this episode, Alayna and Jessie chat about the concept of expressing what you're looking forward to. More specifically, writing down things that you're looking forward to in the very near future. With the pandemic and on-again, off-again lockdowns, it's more important than ever to focus on the little moments coming your way. After all, the best is truly yet to come.Happy Listening!

We are so thrilled to share our interview with actress, mama, and self care advocate Chelsea Hobbs Neate!  This Canadian actress is best known for her role in the hit gymnastics drama Make It Or Break It, but if you're anything like Jessie and live for Hallmark christmas movies, you'll also recognize Chelsea from starring in a few favourites!  Chelsea recently opened up on social media about her anxiety surrounding parenting in the pandemic, which has really resonated with a lot of her followers. We asked Chelsea on the pod to talk about self care, nurturing a supportive online community, and balancing motherhood and creativity during this uncertain time.It's a conversation full of honesty, laughs and real parenting moments.

Lockdown or no lockdown, it can often be tough to find a moment in the day that is just for you, or perhaps one that brings you joy. In this minisode, Alayna and Jessie discuss this concept they originally heard about in a Girls Night In newsletter, issue 204 to be exact. It read, "As to not spiral in a million different directions, my current plan is to focus on what is concrete right now, instead of dwelling on The Future. It works… sometimes.So I'm calendaring things I can definitely plan for, and using these small bursts of excitement as ways to manage my expectations until the big bursts of joy can happen. To be clear, these are not huge events. At times, I'm manufacturing something to do for the sake of having something to look forward to. But these small milestones help me stop fixating on the large and out of reach ones. Some control among the chaos. It's absolutely a coping mechanism, but one that at least has me reading good books and eating good desserts."A quick reminder to laugh more, to make time for pancakes with your kiddo on a weekday, to have a bath and read a good book, or enjoy a cocktail with your partner. Penciling the time into your calendar in advance is a way to keep a promise to yourself, and add a nice joyful surprise into your life. Happy listening!

How would you feel if you could eat freely without a worry in the world? A guilt free bowl of pasta, zero hesitation on a piece of chocolate cake…wouldn't we all benefit from a mindset where eating what we want doesn't come with a side of self doubt?In this episode Alayna and Jessie chat with dietician and co-CEO of NS Nutrition, Shayna Huang, about anti-dieting and intuitive eating. Shayna digs into the importance of trusting your body with food choices, breaking down diet culture, and why she will never turn down a bagel tour of Montreal again...Check out NS Nutrition on FacebookFollow Shayna on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTubeGrab a copy of her free webinar!Happy listening!

1000 hours outside, in one year. Seems easy, right? Orrrr….. maybe not so much. But worth a shot!In the latest episode, Jessie and Alayna chat about the latest trend that we're seeing all over our social media feeds - the 1000 Hours Outside challenge.Ginny, a mom of 5 from the States, created the challenge when she learned that kids average 1200 hours of screen time a year. She was determined to shift at least some of this time towards a more productive and healthy outcome. Walks in the forest, reading in the hammock, a card game on the porch - they all count towards the 1000 hours.We chat about how we are hoping to tackle the challenge, the difference time spent outdoors for our mental health, and the absolute best leggings.Happy listening!To learn more about the challenge check out @1000hoursoutside on Instagram!

Ooooh this was a fun one! We were buzzing after this interview and we are SO excited that you can finally listen to this episode.Chelsey and Jaaji are a husband and wife duo who form the band Twin Flames. Chelsey June, a Métis woman from Ottawa, and Jaaji, an Inuk and Mohawk man from Nunavik meld gorgeous harmonies, Indigenous Spirit flutes, traditional drums and western instruments to create songs in English, Inuktitut, French and Algonquin. Their new album, Omen, was recorded and released during the pandemic. We talk to them about following their musical passion, coping and pivoting during COVID and their advocacy for Indigenous causes.Stay tuned for a performance of the song “Battlefields” from their latest album at the end of the episode.Check out the Twin Flames WebsiteDownload their newest album “Omen”Follow them on YouTube, Facebook or InstagramHappy listening!

See ya never 2020… Come on in and stay a while 2021!If you're deeply excited for the year ahead join the club! Although the bad parts of 2020 didn't disappear when the clock struck twelve on January 1st, we want to think positively and look forward to the bigger, brighter things on the horizon.In this episode Alayna and Jessie chat about their biggest highlights from 2020, as well as their most prominent goals for 2021.What were the best parts of 2020 for you? Do you have any big ambitions for 2021? Send them on over to us @positivelyhappierpod on Instagram or to positivelyhappierpod@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you!

Another great interview for the books! Excited for you to tune into our latest episode with Marie-Andrée Brisson (or Mabz for short), the Ottawa-based modern calligrapher and muralist from Chalked By Mabz.Her gorgeous lettering first caught our eye on Instagram, and through her posts and stories, we've now come to know her as a left-handed, super talented artist, with a side of sass.Mabz is hilarious, kind hearted, and isn't afraid to tell it like it is. We're so excited to chat with her about following her passions, small biz life, and why community is more important than competition.Check out the Chalked By Mabz websiteFollow @ChalkedByMabz on InstagramFind out more about the Rising Tide Society - Ottawa ChapterHappy listening!

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…Brown paper packages tied up with strings are definitely some of our favourite things!Inspired by the iconic song from Sound of Music, Jessie and Alayna chat about some of their absolute favourite things in our BONUS minisode, just in time for Christmas.It was also Christmas Eve last year that Alayna came across a fantastic Twitter Thread by @PetePahides, where he tweeted a HUGE list of happiness. We try to echo his idea and come up with a few of our own ‘pleasant thoughts' to round off this crazy year. Here's how Pete introduced his thread:“Our daughters are 18 and 16 now, but when they were little, they'd sometimes find it difficult to fall asleep, & the act of willing themselves to nod off would postpone the moment. Then they'd start to fret about being sleepy at school the next day & so it would go on.When counting sheep didn't work, I tried something else. I'd start to list pleasant thoughts, numbering them as I went. By numbering them and speaking slowly, it made the whole thing a bit more hypnotic and more calming” - @PetePaphides on TwitterWe want to know - what are some of your favourite things? Leave us a comment on our Instagram @PositivelyHappierPod.Happy listening!

In this minisode, Alayna and Jessie discuss the idea of taking a moment for yourself in the morning to start your day on the right foot. Something as simple as a solo coffee or short yoga stretch can help shift your mind and body from groggy to go-getter!What is the one thing you do for yourself every morning? What could you add to your morning (or evening) routine that is just for you and your happiness? Let us know at positivelyhappierpod@gmail.com.As always, follow along with our journey to find out what makes people happy on Instagram at @PositivelyHappierPod

Today we are excited to share our chat with a City of Ottawa Police Services Constable, and the founder of Rose Academy, Chanda Rose. Chanda has been a member of the police force for 6 years. Her role is highly stressful, and both physically and emotionally draining. Her approach to remaining calm, present and happy despite her sometimes very overwhelming environment is something we were really excited to discuss into with her. She is also the founder of Rose Academy, an online English teaching service that covers everything from elementary to college level topics, English as a Second Language, special needs and tutoring. Chanda discusses how she's found that establishing personal connections with her students allows them to gain confidence and grow emotionally and academically. We talk about how she maintains a work life balance, the importance of routines for well-being, and how one sangria-filled lunch ended up with her adopting a new furry companion!Follow @rose__academy on InstagramGet in touch at rose_academy@outlook.comHappy listening!

In this minisode, Jessie and Alayna discuss the plusses and pitfalls of social media. In an environment that encourages constant comparison and negativity, how can we find more joy? The ladies chat about curating social feeds, turning your social media scroll into something constructive, and finding your focus patterns to use your time wisely. What's your strategy for social media? How do you escape the negativity? Send us your ideas to positivelyhappierpod@gmail.com.If you're looking to curate your own social feeds and add a dose of happiness in your timeline, be sure to follow us at @positivelyhappierpod. Happy listening!

On this episode we got to talk with Meaghan Chapin, mom of triplets, and owner of Ruby and Parcel. Meaghan openly chats with us about her struggle with infertility, and how one round of IUI resulted in a successful pregnancy with three babies. She is honest about how becoming a mother can sometimes take you away from the person you once were, and how remaining aware of that gives you the ability to not loose sight your true self. Listen in to hear about Meaghan's transition out of maternity leave, into her new venture as a small business owner during her busiest season of life yet! Check out Meaghan and her triplets on Instagram @thegreniertriplets and at www.thegreniertriplets.com .You can also shop her online store at www.rubyandparcel.com and on Instagram @rubyandparcel !As always, you can find us @postivelyhappierpod on Instagram and at www.positivelyhappierpod.com .Thanks for listening and keep on being Positively Happier!

Alayna stumbled across this concept while doom-scrolling on Twitter, and loved it immediately. Months and months into the COVID pandemic, taking a breather has become more important than ever. A quick and easy way to avoid running out of steam. The ladies discuss the ways they incorporate mini breaks into their daily lives.Read the Twitter thread from @ProfAishaAhmad that inspired this minisodeHappy listening!

So thrilled to be sharing our interview with Amy Bowker today. She's an incredible teacher here in Ottawa, currently adapting to the last minute curveball of teaching in a virtual classroom.She runs the Classroom Collective blog documenting her experiences as a teacher, and co-runs EdCamp Ottawa - a professional development conference for teachers.Most recently, she has written and self-published the "Be Your Best Self Now" journal for pre-teens and teens. We chatted with her about how she uses this journal to not only set the tone for her daily lessons, but also to help parents assist their children through this rollercoaster of a world we are living in.Really excited to have Amy join us to talk about the power of intentional journaling, how to raise resilient kids, and the craziness that is back to school 2020.Purchase the “Be Your Best Self Now” journalFollow Amy on Instagram @HappilyAmyRead more of Amy's journey as a teacher at ClassroomCollective.comHappy listening!

[J] Hi everyone, I'm Jessie [A] And I'm Alayna.[J] And we're excited to introduce our new podcast Positively Happier![J] We'll be sitting down to explore the question - what exactly makes people happy? We will be inviting guests along the way to have honest conversations about their stories and insights, chatting about the path to leading a happier life.[A] In between those chats, we'll also post some short minisodes that look at simple habits we can adopt to help look at the glass as half full a little more often.[J] In our research, we've found happiness generally comes down to 4 main keys:Close RelationshipsJob Fulfillment/Passion for hobbyHelping OthersHealth[A] Throughout our episodes, we'll be taking a closer look at the elements that make up those 4 keys to happiness. We want to share tips and tricks that others have found, experiments to test out those theories in our own lives, and inspiring stories from others who are leading happier lives.[J] You may be wondering - why us? What inspired us to get together to talk about finding joy and happier lives?[J] The answer to that question is simple, BALANCE. Throughout my entire life I've felt as though I've had a ton of happy moments, and when you string them all together you can see that I've had a very positive and happy life overall. However, for as long as I can remember the ups and downs have been what weighs on me the most, and after having my daughter, the pursuit of finding a better balance and a happier daily existence with less stress was more important than ever. Guiding her through the ebb and flow in her own life through leading by example in ours is at the top of my priority list, and what better way to do that than by learning alongside all of you![A] And I decided to jump on board to join the fun!Jessie and I have known each other for almost 30 years. We met on the schoolyard in junior kindergarten and have been best friends ever since. We've been there for each other through all the ups and downs - elementary and then high school drama, first crushes, boyfriend breakups, marriages, first babies. Great and terrible jobs. A move to the other side of the country (and then back). Late nights and early mornings. Through. It. All. [J] I would say we are both generally pretty positive people - but with really busy lives, young kids, and the balancing act of working full time and maintaining relationships - it can sometimes get tough to see the bright side in every situation.[A] That's why we're excited to get together monthly, chat with some super interesting people, and put some of these happiness theories to the test. There's always room for more joy in our lives.[J] Sound good? Hit subscribe to get a dose of happiness in your Podcast player every month. [A] And follow along with our journey to happiness and updates on new episodes on Instagram at @PositivelyHappierPod. [J] We want to hear from you! Have an idea for a topic we should cover or your best tip for staying happy? Send it on over to positivelyhappierpod@gmail.com . We'll share our favs on upcoming episodes.Chat with you soon!