Episodes

  • E116: The Science of Play

    E116: The Science of Play
    Jun 11 2026
    In this episode, co-host and National Board-Certified Positive Psychology & Mindfulness Coach Danielle Palli shares why playfulness, curiosity, and wonder aren't just "nice-to-haves" but essential components of a happy, healthy, and thriving life. She explores the science-backed benefits of play, and she and Dr. Roger Landry, MD, MPH, guide the audience through several play-inspired activities. Learn about metaphorical games, micro-moments of connection, an exercise in time travel, and how to create a play bank.


    Resources:

    Secrets of a Happy Person: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/e114-the-secrets-of-a-happy-person--69846227

    Mindfulness: More Than Just Meditating: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/e80-mindfulness-more-than-just-meditating--51103682

    Enhancing Relationships Throughout Life: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/e106-enhancing-relationships-throughout-life--64475740

    The Power of Storytelling: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/e100-the-power-of-storytelling--60075696

    Building Better Relationships and Being Other Centered: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/e86-building-better-relationships-and-being-other-centered--52960360
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    37 mins
  • E115: Forever Young (An Interview with Filmmaker David Donnelly)

    E115: Forever Young (An Interview with Filmmaker David Donnelly)
    Mar 20 2026
    The real fear behind longevity isn’t aging or death, but the possibility of living longer without meaning, connection or purpose. As longevity science accelerates, many people feel more anxiety than hope, driven less by fear of death than by fear of isolation, irrelevance, and dying alone. Today’s guest is award-winning filmmaker David Donnelly. His newest documentary is Forever Young. In the film, Donnelly frames longevity and biohacking as a cultural and human story, not an optimization project: Forever Young pairs scientific breakthroughs with questions about relationships, mortality, and social connection, arguing that death still gives life urgency and value and that extending lifespan without strengthening human bonds risks longer lives that feel emptier, not richer. In this view, longevity is not only a biological challenge, but a social one.

    About David: David Donnelly is an American documentary filmmaker whose work spans classical music, culture, and technology. His award-winning debut feature, Maestro, profiled leading artists including Paavo Järvi, Joshua Bell, Hilary Hahn, and Lang Lang, and was broadcast internationally. He later directed Nordic Pulse and Forte, completing a trilogy that offers an inside view of the classical music world, including stories tied to Estonia’s Singing Revolution. Donnelly’s films have screened at venues including the Whitney Museum and the Kennedy Center. In 2021, he co-founded CultureNet and began a documentary trilogy exploring technology’s cultural impact, including The Cost of Convenience and Forever Young. He is also a sought-after speaker who has interviewed global thought leaders across more than 30 countries.

    RESOURCES:


    • Website — https://www.foreveryoung.film/
    • Substack — https://foreveryoungfilm.substack.com/
    • Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/foreveryoungdoc
    • X — https://x.com/theagingdoc
    • FB — https://www.facebook.com/people/Forever-Young-Film/61572955294447/
    • YT — https://www.youtube.com/@ForeverYoung-Film
    • Film Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT2V-USKm6g
    • Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/forever-young/umc.cmc.4t1561uviumw4ofcri0ufql7v?ctx_at=6
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    43 mins
  • E114: The Secrets of a Happy Person

    E114: The Secrets of a Happy Person
    Feb 10 2026
    Are you truly happy—or just chasing moments of pleasure? In The Secrets of a Happy Person, Dr. Roger Landry, MD, MPH, and Danielle Palli, National Board Certified Positive Psychology and Mindfulness Coach, unpack why happiness can feel so elusive—and why it matters more than ever. Blending neuroscience, psychology, and real-life tools, they explore the difference between pleasure and joy, the brain’s reward system, and the powerful role of positive emotions like gratitude, hope, love, and awe. From longevity and resilience to better relationships and clearer thinking, the science is clear: happiness isn’t fluff—it’s foundational.

    This episode dives into the core pillars of lasting happiness—gratitude, social connection, mindfulness, and purpose—while offering practical tools you can start using today. Learn how micro-moments of connection build emotional wealth, how mindfulness helps you master your thoughts instead of reacting to them, and why your purpose goes far beyond your job title. With actionable strategies, eye-opening research, and a reminder that happiness requires intention and continued practice, this conversation will leave you empowered to build a more meaningful, joyful life—one choice at a time.
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    52 mins
  • E113: Describing What It Means to Be ‘Human’ (The link between stem cells, adaptability, and lifestyle on healthy longevity) - PART 2

    E113: Describing What It Means to Be ‘Human’ (The link between stem cells, adaptability, and lifestyle on healthy longevity) - PART 2
    Dec 23 2025
    Dr. Dan Pardi is the Chief Health Officer at Qualia Life Sciences, where he leads education initiatives that advance healthspan and peak performance. He’s also the founder of humanOS.me and host of humanOS Radio, the official podcast of the Sleep Research Society. Through his consultancy, Vivendi Health, Dan has advised elite military units, Fortune 500 companies, and startups. He holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Leiden University and Stanford and speaks regularly at events such as TEDx, major VC firms, and the Institute for Human Machine Cognition.

    Today’s topic: Describing What It Means to Be ‘Human’—exploring the link between stem cells, adaptability, lifestyle, and healthy longevity.

    .This is Part 2 of a 2-part conversation where we discuss:

    • What it truly means to be human
    • Our hunter-gatherer relationship to light and the natural world
    • How stem cells influence healthy longevity
    • The lifestyle factors that support us as we age
    • And much more

    TUNE IN: PART 1

    Resources:
    Qualia Life: https://www.qualialife.com
    humanOS Radio: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoATGFzAJlZFVbZRE9jQX-i82TOLTx1WQ
    Dr. Dan Pardi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danpardi/
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    35 mins
  • E112: Describing What It Means to Be ‘Human’ (The link between stem cells, adaptability, and lifestyle on healthy longevity) - PART 1

    E112: Describing What It Means to Be ‘Human’ (The link between stem cells, adaptability, and lifestyle on healthy longevity) - PART 1
    Dec 13 2025
    Dr. Dan Pardi is the Chief Health Officer at Qualia Life Sciences, where he leads education initiatives that advance healthspan and peak performance. He’s also the founder of humanOS.me and host of humanOS Radio, the official podcast of the Sleep Research Society. Through his consultancy, Vivendi Health, Dan has advised elite military units, Fortune 500 companies, and startups. He holds a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience from Leiden University and Stanford and speaks regularly at events such as TEDx, major VC firms, and the Institute for Human Machine Cognition.

    Today’s topic: Describing What It Means to Be ‘Human’—exploring the link between stem cells, adaptability, lifestyle, and healthy longevity.

    This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation where we discuss:

    • What it truly means to be human
    • Our hunter-gatherer relationship to light and the natural world
    • How stem cells influence healthy longevity
    • The lifestyle factors that support us as we age
    • And much more

    Resources:
    Qualia Life: https://www.qualialife.com
    humanOS Radio: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoATGFzAJlZFVbZRE9jQX-i82TOLTx1WQ
    Dr. Dan Pardi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danpardi/
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    37 mins
  • E111: Financial Planning as We Age with Chris Boyd

    E111: Financial Planning as We Age with Chris Boyd
    Oct 14 2025
    Chris Boyd, CFP®, Financial Planner & Investment Advisor, has worked in financial services since 1990, helping clients pursue lasting financial security through comprehensive financial planning, portfolio management, and sound advice. He is passionate about providing education and counsel that empower individuals and families—especially those intent on a secure retirement.

    As host and creator of Something More with Chris Boyd, a personal finance podcast, Chris discusses investments, retirement planning, taxes, insurance, philanthropy, and other topics that highlight “what makes the money matters matter.” He is also the past co-host and co-creator of the Wicked Pissah Podcast, a program dedicated to advancing the profession of financial planning.

    Chris has been an active and committed member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) since 1998. He has served on several FPA committees, including the OneFPA Advisory Council, and is a past chapter president. His leadership and volunteerism in the association date back to 2007.Beyond his professional work, Chris is a husband and father, living on Cape Cod with his wife, Kristen, where they raised their three children. Outside the office, he enjoys pickleball, movies, and supporting philanthropic organizations in his community.For more information about Chris and his team, visit Wealth Enhancement Group.

    CREDENTIALS:
    • CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)
    • Chartered Advisor for Senior Living (CASL®)
    • Certified Elder Planning Specialist (CEPS)
    • Certified Blockchain & Digital Assets (CBDA)

    RESOURCES:
    Chris Boyd’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-christopher-boyd-b932169/
    Book an appointment link: https://outlook.office.com/book/BOOKING-JChristopherBoyd@wealthenhancement.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled
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    48 mins
  • E110: The Jollytologist (Why Laughter is the Best Medicine)

    E110: The Jollytologist (Why Laughter is the Best Medicine)
    Sep 9 2025
    ✨ In this episode of Brightside, we’re joined by the one and only Allen Klein—the Jollytologist® and bestselling author—along with award-winning filmmaker and photographer Sky Bergman. We dive into Sky’s upcoming documentary, explore Allen’s powerful story of loss that led to his life-changing work, and uncover:

    • The power of laughter as a healing tool
    • How to notice everyday mini-miracles
    • Practical ways to find joy even in life’s toughest moments
    • The importance of having purpose
    Tune in for inspiring stories, uplifting wisdom, and tools you can use to bring more light into your daily life.

    LEARN MORE: https://www.thejollyfilm.com

    ALLEN KLEIN
    Born and raised in the Bronx, Allen Klein has spent a lifetime helping people find humor in life’s most difficult moments. After losing his wife when she was 34 to a rare liver disease, Allen realized that humor had been one of their most powerful coping tools—and he’s been sharing that insight with the world ever since.A former scenic designer for CBS television in New York (including the Captain Kangaroo Show), Allen swapped whimsical sets for uplifting stories. He went on to earn a master’s degree in human development with a focus on therapeutic humor, and became the world’s first and only “Jollytologist®”—yes, it’s a real title, and yes, he lives up to it.He’s authored over 30 books, including The Healing Power of Humor, The Courage to Laugh, Embracing Life After Loss and The AWE Factor. His work has been translated into 11 languages, and he’s brought his message of healing and hilarity to audiences across the globe—from corporate boardrooms to both hospitals and hospices.

    SKY BERGMAN
    Sky Bergman is Professor Emeritus of Photography and Video at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she taught for 30 years before embarking on her third act. An award-winning photographer and filmmaker, her artwork is included in prestigious museum collections, and her commercial work has been featured in renowned publications such as Smithsonian magazine.

    Her directorial debut, Lives Well Lived is an uplifting PBS documentary that celebrates the wit and wisdom of adults aged 75 to 100 as they share their secrets for a meaningful life. The film is currently available on PBS Passport, Amazon, iTunes, and Kanopy. Her companion book, Lives Well Lived — GENERATIONS, which highlights lessons from the film and innovative ways that people are bridging generational divides, is available on Amazon.

    Sky’s latest film, The Mochi Movie, features the legendary George Takei and explores the Japanese American experience through the tradition of making mochi to celebrate the New Year. Sky creates films that connect, inspire, and celebrate the richness of the human experience. At the heart of every film is a belief in the impact of shared stories to foster empathy, understanding, and a more connected world.
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    33 mins
  • E109: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of the LGBTQIA+ Community

    E109: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of the LGBTQIA+ Community
    May 16 2025
    Toni Bator is a certified Neurodiversity & Positive Psychology Coach who specializes in enhancing wellbeing and performance for professionals and leaders by addressing stress management, resilience, and burnout prevention. With a diverse client portfolio spanning global industries such as IT, healthcare, finance, and more, Toni has coached luminaries at companies including Slack, Salesforce, Amazon, and Planned Parenthood.

    As a member and speaker of the Stability Network, she champions mental health de-stigmatization and offers Positive Psychology and Well-Being Coaching. Holding certifications from the ICF and the College of Executive Coaching, and with training in neurodiversity, she provides holistic coaching that creates ripple effects across client’s lives.

    With an MS in Organizational Leadership and a BS in Psychology, her commitment to service is exemplified through affiliations like the Asperger/Autism Professional Coaching Association.

    She is also partnered Spring Health and BetterUp as a contract wellness and care coach, as well as Positive Psychology Coaching and Diversity Institute, and the Asperger/Autism Network to empower thriving.

    Today's topic is: Addressing the Mental Health Needs of the LGBTQIA+ Community

    RESOURCES:
    Website: https://www.tonibator.com
    Trevor Project Report: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024/
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    29 mins