Best The Mind Of Zest Podcasts (2025)

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The Power of Traditional Naturopathy 36:59

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14h ago36:59

36:59

Amanda Conta Steencken is a classically trained musician and neuroanatomist originally from Argentina who has a fascinating story about her journey into health and wellness education. Amanda was training in classical piano when she began having problems with her hands. Her health problems became too severe for her to continue in her music training.…

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#200 The Alphabet of Happiness” 26 Day Boost: Wrap Up 6:41

1d ago6:41

6:41

In this special 200th episode and final wrap-up of the “Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day challenge,” Klaudia Mitura celebrates the completion of the 26-day happiness boost and thanks listeners for joining the journey. Whether you tuned in for one episode or all twenty-six, Klaudia hopes you feel inspired and empowered to bring more happiness into you…

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#199 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: Z for Zest 3:59

3d ago3:59

3:59

In the final episode of “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day Boost,” Klaudia Mitura explores Z for Zest—how to kickstart your feel-good chemicals and recharge through rest. Klaudia explains how dopamine fuels joy, motivation, and positive habits, and why good sleep and a healthy gut are essential for happiness. Today’s tip: boost your zest by buildi…

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#198 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: Y for Yes 5:43

4d ago5:43

5:43

Today’s episode of “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day Boost” features Y for Yes, all about making good enough decisions for a happier life. Klaudia Mitura dives into the daily decision-making process and the common traps that can lead to regret. She explains the difference between “cold” and “hot” regret, and how reflecting on your regrets can hel…

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#197 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: X for Xfactor 5:38

5d ago5:38

5:38

Welcome back to “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day challenge,” celebrating Klaudia Mitura’s new book and counting down to the big launch party! Today’s letter is X for X Factor, all about building self-belief and embracing what makes you unique. Discover why recognising your distinctive strengths and believing in your own value is essential for ha…

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#196 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: W for Wonder 4:20

6d ago4:20

4:20

With just a few days left in “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day Boost,” Klaudia Mitura brings you W for Wonder—inviting you to stay curious and keep learning. Klaudia shares how experiencing amazement at the world around you expands your perspective, boosts empathy, lowers stress, and increases life satisfaction. She offers practical tips for cult…

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#195 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: V for Values 4:42

7d ago4:42

4:42

It’s Day 22 of “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day Boost,” and Klaudia Mitura spotlights V for Values—your inner compass for making choices and finding fulfillment. Klaudia explains how living true to your core values like kindness, growth, or integrity leads to greater happiness and wellbeing. She shares a practical framework to help you identify …

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#194 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: U for Uncertainty 4:58

8d ago4:58

4:58

We’re nearly at the finish line of “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-Boost”—it’s Day 21, and Klaudia Mitura is celebrating your support as the big book launch approaches! Today’s letter is U for Uncertainty, a topic everyone faces. Klaudia discusses why uncertainty can be even more stressful than predictable setbacks, but also how embracing the unkno…

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#193 The Alphabet of Happiness 26 Boost: T for Time 5:13

9d ago5:13

5:13

Welcome back to “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day challenge,” celebrating Klaudia Mitura’s new book and counting down to the big launch party! Today’s letter is T for Time—how to spend it wisely for a more balanced, fulfilling life. Klaudia discusses how our focus on the past, present, or future shapes our happiness and why finding balance betwee…

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#192 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: S for Self-Image 5:55

10d ago5:55

5:55

Today’s episode of “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day Boost” spotlights S for Self-Image, focusing on being mindful of social comparison and social media use. Klaudia Mitura discusses how comparing ourselves to others—especially online—can harm our self-esteem and happiness, but also how we can turn comparison into inspiration and use social media…

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#191 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: R for Resilience 5:44

11d ago5:44

5:44

It’s Day 18 of “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day Boost,” where Klaudia Mitura shares daily, science-backed happiness tips as we count down to her book launch at the Science Museum in London. Today’s letter is R for Resilience—how to endure, recover, and ask for help. Klaudia challenges the idea that resilience is just about pushing through, and i…

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#190 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: Q for Questions 4:06

12d ago4:06

4:06

It’s Day 17 of “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day Boost,” where Klaudia Mitura shares daily, science-backed tips for boosting happiness—one for every letter, as we count down to her book launch at the Science Museum in London. Today’s letter is Q for Questions, focusing on the power of self-reflection. Klaudia explains how asking thoughtful questi…

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#189 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: P for Play 5:30

13d ago5:30

5:30

In today’s episode of “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day Boost,” Klaudia Mitura explores P for Play and why fun isn’t just for kids! Discover how play, rooted deep in our evolution, is essential for adult happiness—reducing stress, boosting creativity, and strengthening social bonds. Klaudia shares practical ways to bring playful moments into your…

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"Cooking Your Way to a Calm Mind" 34:12

15d ago34:12

34:12

Psychotherapist and author Julie Ohana combines two of my loves–psychotherapy and cooking. In fact I just pulled 2 sourdough boules out of the oven. Who bakes in summer? I do! Cooking has been a passion of Julie's since childhood. It started while baking family recipes with her grandmother, working as a prep cook while in high school and as the kit…

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#188 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: O for Ordinary 4:45

15d ago4:45

4:45

Join Klaudia Mitura, work psychologist and Chief Happiness Officer, as she celebrates the launch of her new book, “The Alphabet of Happiness,” with a 26-day boost—one letter at a time! Today Klaudia highlights O for Ordinary, encouraging listeners to appreciate simple, everyday joys. While society often celebrates the extraordinary, Klaudia explain…

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#187 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: N for Nature 4:50

16d ago4:50

4:50

It’s Day 13 of the 26-day boost for Klaudia Mitura’s new book, “The Alphabet of Happiness”! In today’s episode, Klaudia explores N for Nature, highlighting the powerful impact of reconnecting with the natural world. She shares research on how spending time in nature lowers stress, boosts mood, and even strengthens the immune system. Today’s simple …

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#186 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: Interlude 26:27

17d ago26:27

26:27

Celebrate the release of “The Alphabet of Happiness” with Klaudia Mitura’s 26-day challenge—one happiness-boosting habit for every letter from A to Z. We have officially reached the halfway mark! Today's episode is a special interlude, as Klaudia is sharing something a little bit different with you. Recently she had the pleasure of joining Paula …

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#185 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: M for Meaning 5:24

18d ago5:24

5:24

Celebrate the release of “The Alphabet of Happiness” with Klaudia Mitura’s 26-day challenge—one happiness-boosting habit for every letter from A to Z! In today’s episode, Klaudia explores M for Meaning. She explains that a sense of meaning is key to happiness, resilience, and even better health, but finding purpose isn’t always a grand, one-time di…

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#184 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: L for Luck 4:45

19d ago4:45

4:45

Welcome back to “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day challenge,” where Klaudia Mitura shares daily, science-backed happiness tips in celebration of her new book. In today’s episode, Klaudia explores L for Luck. Klaudia reveals how believing you’re lucky actually shapes your behaviour and increases positive opportunities in life, as shown by research…

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#183 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: K for Kindness 4:43

20d ago4:43

4:43

Welcome back to “The Alphabet of Happiness – 26-day challenge,” celebrating Klaudia Mitura’s new book and counting down to the big launch party! Today’s letter is K for Kindness. Klaudia explains how small acts of kindness can ripple out, boosting happiness for others—even people you don’t know. She also highlights the importance of being kind to y…

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#182 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: J for Jokes 3:50

22d ago3:50

3:50

Celebrate the release of “The Alphabet of Happiness” with Klaudia Mitura’s 26-day challenge—one happiness-boosting habit for every letter from A to Z! In today’s episode, Klaudia explores letter is J for Jokes—celebrating the healing power of laughter. Klaudia explores why laughter is instinctive and how it boosts happiness, reduces stress, and str…

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#181 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: I for Innovation 4:33

23d ago4:33

4:33

It’s Day 9 of the 26-day boost for Klaudia Mitura’s new book, “The Alphabet of Happiness”! Today’s letter is I for Innovation. Klaudia, with insights from Dr. Girija Kaimal, explains that creativity is innate and essential for happiness and growth. Engaging in creative activities—even just 15–20 minutes—can spark positive emotions, reduce stress, a…

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#180 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: H for Habits 3:27

24d ago3:27

3:27

It’s Day 8 of the 26-day boost for Klaudia Mitura’s new book, “The Alphabet of Happiness”! Today’s letter is H for Habits. Klaudia highlights research showing that 40% of our happiness comes from the habits we practice every day—meaning we have real power to shape our wellbeing. She encourages listeners to pick one happiness-boosting habit and make…

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#179 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: G for Gratitude 5:37

25d ago5:37

5:37

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#178 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: F for Freedom 4:19

26d ago4:19

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#177 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: E for Empathy 4:48

27d ago4:48

4:48

This is episode five of The Alphabet of Happiness 26-Day Boost, celebrating Klaudia Mitura’s new book: The Alphabet of Happiness. Each day, Klaudia brings you a simple, uplifting tip you can use in under five minutes. Today’s focus is E for Empathy. Klaudia explores why understanding and feeling with others is essential for happiness and building s…

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Does Cannabis Have a Role to Play in Healthy Aging? 36:46

29d ago36:46

36:46

Who else is confused about the use of cannabis, or pot, as we used to call it? And what's with all of the dispensaries opening up? Does cannabis have a place in a healthy lifestyle? Today we're going to speak with Dr. Dana Lillestol, a retired nurse practitioner whose passion is educating the modern elder on using cannabis to help with age related …

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#176 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: D for Dreams 3:45

29d ago3:45

3:45

This is the fourth episode of The Alphabet of Happiness 26-Day Boost, celebrating the launch of Klaudia Mitura’s new book: The Alphabet of Happiness. Today’s letter is D for Dreams. Klaudia explores how having ambitions and long-term goals can inspire more meaning, motivation, and happiness in your life. Discover why thinking big (but planning in 9…

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#175 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: C for Courage 4:11

30d ago4:11

4:11

Today’s episode is all about C for Courage and is part of The Alphabet of Happiness Boost—a special series celebrating Klaudia Mitura’s new book: The Alphabet of Happiness. Klaudia unpacks what real courage means—embracing fear, not being free from it. Discover how you can retrain your brain to manage fear, take more positive risks, and live a full…

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#174 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: B for Boundaries 3:45

1M ago3:45

3:45

Today’s episode is all about B for Boundaries! Klaudia Mitura shares why setting healthy boundaries is essential for joyful relationships and true self-respect. Discover the science behind boundaries, how to avoid being too rigid or too lenient, and try Klaudia’s practical tip: write three “permission slips” for yourself to help strengthen your bou…

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#173 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: A for Acceptance 4:09

1M ago4:09

4:09

In today’s episode, we kick off The Alphabet of Happiness Boost with the letter A for Acceptance. Klaudia Mitura explores how being at peace with all our emotions, even the tough ones, is key to happiness. Discover why fighting unpleasant feelings only makes them linger, and learn the science-backed practice of emotional granularity. Tune in for a …

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#172 The Alphabet of Happiness Boost: The Kick off 4:58

1M ago4:58

4:58

Kick off The Alphabet of Happiness Boost with Klaudia Mitura! To celebrate her new book, The Alphabet of Happiness, Klaudia is launching a 26-day boost—sharing a science-backed happiness principle each day, from A to Z. Each episode is under five minutes, packed with practical tips to boost your mood and wellbeing. Listen to this episode to get int…

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#171 Back to Work: AI as Your Career Coach: Smart Prompts for Learning & Growth 9:16

1M ago9:16

9:16

In this episode of The Happiness Challenge – September Back to Work Series, work psychologist Klaudia Mitura explores how AI tools can become your personal career coach. Tune in for practical, science-backed prompts to boost your professional growth and happiness, plus a bonus tip on setting healthy boundaries with tech so you stay in control of yo…

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#170 Back to Work: Mental Clarity: How to Find Headspace in a Chaotic Workday and Refocus on What’s Important 9:55

1M ago9:55

9:55

In this episode of The Happiness Challenge – September Back to Work Series, work psychologist Klaudia Mitura explores how to find headspace and regain clarity during even the most chaotic workdays. Discover why mental space is essential for creativity, focus, and wellbeing, and learn practical, science-backed strategies to help you cut through the …

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From Candy Striper to Helping People Live and Die with Purpose 40:46

1M ago40:46

40:46

Part executive director, part death doula, Karisha Solomon has been helping people live—and die—with purpose. With over two decades of experience, Karisha's journey has taken her from candy-striper to nursing aide, caregiver coordinator, nursing home administrator-in-training, adjunct professor, nonprofit executive director—and now, certified death…

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#169 Back to Work: Facing Imposter Syndrome: Thriving When Everything Feels New 10:13

2M ago10:13

10:13

In this episode of The Happiness Challenge – September Back to Work Series, work psychologist Klaudia Mitura dives into the realities of imposter syndrome—those moments of self-doubt that creep in when you’re tackling something new or stepping out of your comfort zone. Discover why feeling like an imposter is actually a sign of growth, and learn fo…

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#168 Back to Work: Nurturing Joy at Work: Small Habits for Big Happiness Gains 9:01

2M ago9:01

9:01

In this episode of The Happiness Challenge – September Back to Work Series, Klaudia Mitura, work psychologist and learning development specialist, explores why joy at work isn’t just a perk but a key to wellbeing and performance. Discover five simple, science-backed habits to spark more joy in your workday.…

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The First Indigenous Fashion Designer to be Invited to New York City Fashion Week 45:25

2M ago45:25

45:25

I had the honor of speaking with Mary Homer of Oneida Nation's Wolf Clan in Upstate NY. Mary spent 10 years dreaming of designing clothes. She wants her clothes to express "class, not trash." She loves working with velvet, although it's a difficult fabric As a fourth-generation bead worker, she began showcasing her beadingwolves brand at local Nati…

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#167 Back to Work: Finding Flow: Getting Back Into a Productive Rhythm after Holidays 9:47

2M ago9:47

9:47

Returning to work after a holiday can feel overwhelming, but in this episode of The Happiness Challenge – September Back to Work Series, Klaudia Mitura shares science-backed tips to help you regain your productive rhythm, set meaningful weekly goals, celebrate your progress, and boost your motivation with practical strategies like micro-breaks and …

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Who Needs a Nervous System Reset? 43:54

2M ago43:54

43:54

Today's episode is with Meg Tobin, a Mental Health Counselor and the owner of Breathing Space Psychotherapy. Meg is an expert in mind body approaches to help regulate the nervous system. She uses EFT (Tapping), Brainspotting, Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy, and several somatic techniques to cut through the defenses we use to protect ourselves, but…

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#166 Summer Break: Back from Holiday but Feel Worse? Here’s Why (and What to Do) 5:41

3M ago5:41

5:41

In this Summer Break episode of The Happiness Challenge, Klaudia unpacks the psychology of post-holiday blues and shares science-backed strategies to keep your happiness going after a great trip. Discover why returning to routine can feel tough, and learn practical tips like savouring holiday memories, planning small joys to look forward to, bringi…

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What it Takes to Write a Humor Novel in Your 60's? 34:51

3M ago34:51

34:51

This episode features a long time friend I met while dog walking. He definitely looked out of place in the Syracuse winter, with his shiny new cross country ski equipment, fancy tech coat and dog who looked a bit like Al Capone. My dog walking companion and I speculated that he was enrolled in the federal witness protection program and his dog, Nat…

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#165 Summer Break: Can’t Switch Off? Try These 5 Research-Backed Tricks for Real Rest During Holidays 9:49

3M ago9:49

9:49

In this Summer Break episode of The Happiness Challenge, Klaudia explores why it can be so difficult to truly switch off and relax during holidays, even when we crave rest. Drawing on the science of happiness, she explains how lingering stress hormones and our brain’s “gears” make unwinding a challenge, and shares practical, research-backed strateg…

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What Can I Do to Help the Environment? 35:35

3M ago35:35

35:35

One of the many joys of being a podcaster is that whenever I run across a zestful ager, which is often, I can invite them on the Show. It's a great way to meet people that look interesting. Recently I was at an Earth Day celebration and I noticed a group of unmistakably zestful agers. I just knew I wanted to introduce myself and get to know them. T…

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#164 Summer Break: Traveling Soon? Here’s How to Actually Feel Happy While You’re Away 7:37

3M ago7:37

7:37

In this Summer Break episode of The Happiness Challenge, Klaudia explores how practicing mindfulness can help you truly enjoy your summer travels—whether near or far—by tuning into new experiences and connecting more deeply with others. 7 Drawing on scientific research, she shares simple mindfulness techniques like pausing to notice your surroundin…

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#163 Summer Break: 7 Micro-Adventures That Can Change Your Whole Summer 7:33

4M ago7:33

7:33

In this Summer Break episode of The Happiness Challenge, Klaudia explores the science of micro-adventures—small, local experiences that bring novelty, boost dopamine, and enhance wellbeing without the need for big trips. Research shows that trying new things, even on a small scale, not only reduces stress and improves memory but also helps slow dow…

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Would You Sell Everything and Live in an RV? 43:28

4M ago43:28

43:28

What if you had a major life transition in middle age, decided to sell your worldly belongings and buy a RV and travel around the country solo? Would you be that brave? I don't know if I would. I had the opportunity to speak with full time RVer, Kathy Macdonald, on the Nelson swamp trail, just having been introduced by our mutual friend, Sue Parker…

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#162 Summer Break: Is Your Brain Tired? The 5-Minute Daily Habits That Make Your Brain Feel Like It’s on Holiday 9:14

4M ago9:14

9:14

The Summer Break series is a short, practical series of episodes inspired by the science of happiness, designed to help you rest, reset, and rediscover happiness throughout July and August. In this bite-sized Summer Break episode, discover how constant phone use impacts happiness—and learn five quick, science-backed micro-rest moments to help you r…

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Caregiving: What You Need to Know 41:14

4M ago41:14

41:14

You may have noticed that the caregiving crisis is finally receiving its due. Our conversation today is part of promoting the film "Caregiving", the documentary created with executive producer Bradley Cooper highlighting the challenges and triumphs of caregiving in America. Caregiving will premiere Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 9 p.m ET on PBS (check l…

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#161 How to Be Kind Without Burning Out 9:07

4M ago9:07

9:07

In this final episode of our kindness series on The Happiness Challenge, Klaudia Mitura explores an often-overlooked side of kindness: how giving too much can sometimes leave us feeling depleted. While kindness is a powerful force for happiness and positive change, it’s important to balance caring for others with caring for yourself. Klaudia dives …