Happy & Free Podcast

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 out on the track and what takes place in life. That's the focus of this episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan. What do you have to learn from karts zooming around a road course? Listen up.

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 we watched, there was some much that mirrored everyday life. On this episode of our podcast Happy & Free with Val and Dan, learn how running can improve your life without strapping on tennis shoes.

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 cities and scattered across the countryside, B&B's still beckon travelers from near and far. We met one innkeeper in the suburbs of Boston who makes the beds, pours the tea, and serves up a healthy dose of conversation.  You'll hear her stories on this edition of Happy & Free with Val and Dan.

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 life? That is what we're talking about on this edition of our podcast, Happy & Free with Val and Dan. There is so much to distract us, but if we learn to focus in the right direction and zoom in on the positive, it could make a big difference.

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 how to treat your life like a plant and see how it grows in spectacular ways.  

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 talking about on this edition of our podcast, Happy &  Free with Val and Dan. We'll walk you through a checklist on what you should examine as you make your plans for the future – from your passions and needs to your legacy. You don't want to miss it. Listen, learn, and share.

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 & Free with Val and Dan, we'll tackle the old art of lying. Did you know that 60% of us can't go 10 minutes without telling a lie? Listen, learn, and stop lying.

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 episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan, follow an interesting story about a shopping spree at a bargain store, an expensive pair of shoes, and lessons that may help to strengthen your relationship or make sure you go into your next one with eyes wide open.

  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. The sooner you file, the sooner you'll get paid. But before you mentally spend your check, listen to this episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan as we unpack some tips that could help you use your refund to put your financial house in order.

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 breaths with a little rhythm and feel the remarkable difference. Listen to this episode of our podcast Happy & Free with Val and Dan, and breathe along with us as we test some methods that instantly made us feel a little better.

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. We don’t typically dip our toes into political waters, but on this edition of Happy & Free with Val and Dan, we wade out just a bit to find some answers and dish out some advice.

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 countries, naps are built into the day. Why should we be on board too? On this edition of our podcast, we’re talking about the power of a power nap. Tips from experts say it may reduce stress and lower the risk of heart disease.

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 Mondays so much of a downer? That’s what we’ll kick around on this episode of our podcast Happy & Free with Val and Dan. Maybe our discussion will help pick you up on your next Monday morning.

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 in a timely manner or at all. While some may put their foot down, others make a habit of it. How can you learn to say no? That’s what we’re talking about on this episode of Happy & Free with Val and Dan. We’ll share some of our personal experiences and how we were able to put the brakes on repeat offenders.

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 have inspired with courage and proved that no matter where you come from anything is possible. In this episode of our podcast, we interview Jim Lumley. He’s a pilot who has a healthy obsession with presidential history and believes every child should be given the opportunity to fall in love with history too.

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 in 2016. Maybe it was a bad relationship, a job, or a move. You can keep stressing about those mistakes or you can focus on the road ahead. Which will it be for you? Listen to our podcast and hear what one woman is doing to turn past mistakes into ashes.

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 all kinds of goals. Some succeed, but often others come up short, Just because it may not have worked out in the past doesn't mean you should stop trying. On our podcast this week, hear how we've done on our resolutions, why we like making them, and what our goals are for this year.

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 the magnet that draws all of these differences into one room. How can the noise of the past be muted? One way is with food around the dinner table. On this podcast, Amanda Varnell, owner of Dish T’Pass Cooking School, Catering Company and Café, takes us into the kitchen of conversation. Relax, eat and then push talk.

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 focus on Thanksgiving. It does get a bit commercial, and turkeys have a hard time with it, but in all seriousness, being in the spirit of this holiday every day of the year can have a positive impact on your life. Listen to our podcast and hear what makes us thankful and how focusing on those things influences our outlook on life.

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 confusing and, frankly, not as interesting if you are a young person just getting started in your career. But that is exactly when you should be paying close attention. Check out our podcast this week as we try to take some of the confusion out of saving for retirement. You can start small, but in the end, it all adds up.