I wrote recently about how I was able to help my son - who races go-karts - overcome a physical and mental slump. He dug deep and went on to win a championship. This whole episode got us thinking about some parallels between what was happening

Running Away With Life

Apr 25th, 2017 35m 56s

We recently took in the Boston Marathon. It’s an amazing thing to watch elite runners slice through miles like a knife in hot butter without breaking a sweat. However, the majority of the runners seemed to be grinding out every single step. As

This B & B is More Than A Place to Stay

Apr 10th, 2017 17m 3s

A Bed & Breakfast still conjures up warm feelings of the past, long before chain hotels, when people checked in for more than a room. They wanted something that felt a bit like home and local tales and treats from the innkeeper. Tucked in big c

Is Your Glass Half Empty or Half Full?

Apr 3rd, 2017 14m 24s

Your mind is a powerful thing. You can imagine great things and make them happen. You can also worry about things and end up going down a dark hole. What if you were to spend more time focusing on the positive? How would it revolutionize your l

Plant Life and You

Mar 27th, 2017 19m 38s

Plants are great for the environment. They produce oxygen and can even purify the air in your home. Beyond those benefits, there are plenty of similarities between plants and your life. On this episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan, learn ho

What Are You Doing for Your Future?

Mar 20th, 2017 16m

We plan for our financial future by putting aside money in a 401k or an IRA. Maybe it's a pension or equity in your big house that you plan to one day cash out. But have you taken a moment to plan for your overall future? That's what we're talk

Liar, Liar

Mar 14th, 2017 17m 36s

Some people excuse a little white lie; others boldly tell untruths. In some cases, it's about brushing off a nuisance, but others take to lying as a way to deceive, to polish an image, or to move ahead in careers. On this episode of Happy & Fre

What a Pair of Expensive Shoes Can Teach Us About Relationships

Mar 6th, 2017 27m 32s

Falling in love is easy. Living in love is much more difficult. We all make quick and emotional decisions, and then wake up in a relationship that doesn’t quite fit. It’s like a pair of really nice shoes that are a half size off. In this episod

Start Planning Now for Your Tax Refund

Feb 27th, 2017 24m 47s

This is the time of year when we start getting all those tax related forms, so we can begin getting our papers in order. April is still a ways off, but it's never too early to start planning for what to do when the check arrives in the mail.

Time for a Breathing Break

Feb 20th, 2017 19m 30s

We all breathe without thinking about it, but there’s a special kind of breathing that can help you deal with some of life’s everyday problems. For example: stress. You can let it tear you apart from the inside out or you can take some deep bre

How to Survive in a Topsy Turvy World

Feb 13th, 2017 16m 52s

Everywhere we turn, someone is talking about what they don’t like. Politics and government are at the top of the list. The shift in Washington has led to a lot of uncertainty and some people have taken to the streets in an effort to be heard. W

The Power Behind a Power Nap

Feb 6th, 2017 19m 30s

It works for young kids. Why shouldn’t it do the same for adults? We’re talking about taking a power nap. Kids don’t like sitting still and aren’t fond of being forced to take a nap in the middle of the day. But there are benefits. In some coun

Overcoming the Monday Blues

Jan 30th, 2017 22m 21s

It’s the one day of the week that always seems to get a bad rap. Monday! While everyone seems to celebrate Friday and the beginning of a nice weekend, the other end of getting back to work and the real world is often met with a grunt. Why are M

How to Just Say No When Relatives Ask for Money

Jan 23rd, 2017 23m 22s

At one time or another, someone in your family will ask for a loan. It may be just a few dollars or a lot more. Giving loans to family members or close friends can be tricky. First of all, it can lead to odd moments when the loan isn’t repaid i

Why We Should Care About Past Presidents

Jan 17th, 2017 18m 2s

The presidential inauguration takes place this week and Washington will be all abuzz as President Donald Trump officially takes over 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. We thought it would be a good time to go down memory lane to see how past presidents

Don't Look Back: Bury Your Past

Jan 9th, 2017 22m 43s

We did a podcast last year about the benefits of looking in the rearview mirror. You can learn from mistakes and make course corrections. But in this episode, we're looking at burying the past. Forgetting about those things that didn't go right

The Resolutions Test

Jan 2nd, 2017 27m 38s

Did you do it yet? Are you thinking about it? Have you given up trying? What we're talking about is making and of course keeping New Year’s resolutions. They typically have something to do with fitness, relationships, or work, but people set al

Talk Food Not Politics

Dec 27th, 2016 21m 27s

It’s the end of a year that saw friends and families divided over politics. There used to be a civil discussion, but 2016 was different. People hit the “unfriend” button and brothers and sisters stopped talking to each other. The holidays is th

What Are You Thankful For?

Nov 21st, 2016 20m 10s

How can you put the real spirit of Thanksgiving back into the holiday? Take a moment to jot down some things that you are thankful for. It doesn’t have to be long. It’s a good exercise around this time of year as the calendar forces us all to f

Saving For Retirement

Nov 14th, 2016 23m 44s

Preparing for retirement is scary – but it doesn’t have to be. Here is saving for retirement made simple. When you think about saving for retirement, what comes to mind? Is it a piggy bank? A 401k? A great pension plan? It can all seem so conf

Raising Teenagers

Nov 7th, 2016 18m 8s

Each stage of raising a child can present its own set of challenges, but the dreaded teen years can be especially difficult. There are so many changes going on inside and so many pressures on the outside. On our podcast, this week we'll help pa

Why You Should Care About Children: Universal Children’s Day Campaign

Oct 31st, 2016 23m 8s

There is a lot of evil in the world, and children often see the worst of it. Is it possible to push back against the trials our children face in just a single day? It may sound like a tired phrase: “kids are our future.” But it’s true, and in t

Grabbing the Keys to Success

Oct 24th, 2016 19m 41s

Here are a few personalized and unconventional tips for success. There are plenty of books, online resources, and seminars that offer up a buffet of keys to success. Some promise an overnight rocket ride to the top, while others offer shortc

A Look in the Mirror: What Drives Your Partner Crazy

Oct 17th, 2016 23m 57s

Couples don’t always get along – but are you doing something small that’s ruining your relationship? Find out what it is, and what you can do about it. There are little things that can grind away at relationships. It could just end up being

Better Late Than Never is Not Better

Oct 11th, 2016 24m 50s

Are you one of those people who shows up late to everything? If so, why? Does it have to do with power, risk, or organization? Whatever bucket you fall into, you’ve got to listen to this week’s podcast. It’s admission time as we bare our souls