After 5+ years and 180+ conversations exploring happiness, Stella Stephanopoulos turns the mic on herself for the first live recording of Everyday Endorphins.

In conversation with health & wellness reporter Alexa Mikhail [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexamikhail/], Stella reflects on the evolution of the podcast, the tension between achievement and fulfillment, and the life experiences that challenged her understanding of joy.

Together, they explore what actually makes people happier, and why the answers are often far less glamorous (and far more human) than we’ve been taught to believe.

Thank you to Spring Place [https://www.instagram.com/springplace/], Korres [https://www.instagram.com/korres/], Gainful [https://www.instagram.com/gainful/], and Happy Being [https://www.instagram.com/happybeing.co/] for helping to make this episode and event possible!

LIVE PODCAST: What Actually Makes Us Happier?

This week I sat down with Sanibel Lazar [https://www.instagram.com/sanibel.ink/], author and cultural commentator, to talk about something we’re all experiencing but rarely unpack — the blurred line between online and real-life relationships.

From parasocial connections to evolving friendships in adulthood, we explore how social media shapes the way we connect, communicate, and even see ourselves. We also dive into the ethics of turning real-life experiences into content, why making new friends as an adult matters more than we think, and how meaningful conversation — not small talk — is what actually builds connection.

At the core of it all is a bigger question: what does it really mean to feel close to someone in today’s world?

EP #180: The Truth About Parasocial Relationships & Modern Friendship with Sanibel Lazar, Author

This month I sat down with Ana Cordera [https://www.instagram.com/anabuildshabits/], who has researched the habits of some of the highest performers across business, sports, and culture, to talk about what it actually takes to build habits that reflect who you want to become.

We explore the shift from rigid planning to intentional design — and why so many of us mistake control for progress. Ana shares how her own experience with perfectionism and burnout led her to rethink productivity, moving away from structure for the sake of structure and toward habits rooted in identity and values.

We get into the psychology of habit formation, why identity carries more weight than goals, and how small daily actions become “votes” for the person you’re becoming. We also talk about time blocking, Parkinson’s Law, and how to create structure in your life without sacrificing spontaneity or joy.

Throughout the conversation, we come back to a core idea: happiness isn’t something you arrive at — it’s something you practice. And the way you spend your time is one of the clearest reflections of what you value.

Whether you’re feeling stuck in perfectionism, struggling to stay consistent with your habits, or simply looking to live more intentionally, this episode will give you both the mindset shifts and practical tools to start designing a life that actually feels good.

EP #179: How to Create Habits That Reflect Who You Want to Become with Ana Cordera, Content Creator

Life doesn’t slow down just because we feel overwhelmed — and yet so many of us are quietly waiting for the next milestone to finally feel happy.

In round two with Dr. Rachel Goldman [https://www.instagram.com/drrachelnyc/], we talk about her upcoming book When Life Happens [https://www.amazon.com/When-Life-Happens-Mindset-Confidence/dp/1394358563/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=34B86KGXJ3DG2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8hNKdqwTsYAazshtNB0mDJLVOFuQvRK9kwLUCZNgma5G0YYKxmIxnwLJThNqRfq5nXpLF4DKRuawajqdxWLAo8364q6lioZZZMQNZE8Oc7Zv3FuXaHiOIG02MQaUZhpPLVZawyGUpfd6tMFn6G_-pDKY5eRJ7e-Fu4dLYLqGcLewYuc5yGP5XbJlkthh0elOCGsAxuoSs5d-80yUbpD8eQ.roCpzZ3U-DfqxTNifUxW0afDw0m73RVGADgjzMBTaJo&dib_tag=se&keywords=when+life+happens&qid=1758761353&sprefix=when+life+happens%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1] (out April 7) and what it actually means to reclaim your joy in the middle of uncertainty — not after you move cities, land the job, find the partner, or “figure it all out.”

We unpack decision fatigue, the pressure to have life mapped out by a certain age, and the trap of “I’ll be happy when…” Dr. Rachel shares the CBT tools she uses with clients to help them get unstuck — starting with acceptance, coming back to your why, and making small, intentional tweaks that build momentum. Because becoming happier isn’t about a dramatic life overhaul — it’s about learning how to work with your thoughts instead of against them.

We also dive into one of my favorite questions: how to tell the difference between anxiety and intuition — and how slowing down might be the most radical act of self-trust.

If you’ve been craving clarity, feeling restless, or wondering whether you need to change everything to feel better — this conversation is your reminder that joy is something you can practice, not just achieve.

You can also check out our previous episode here [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sndlItK5inkKsGaPDpEOP?si=FHna_hPRTOOuGpa99Lzalg]

EP #178: Getting Unstuck When Life Happens with Dr. Rachel Goldman

Professional kitesurfer Jett Bradshaw [https://www.instagram.com/jettbradshaw_/] grew up in South Africa surrounded by ocean and freedom—but for years he was chasing a different kind of high: adrenaline, partying, and instant gratification.

In this episode, Jett opens up about living with ADHD and depression, the pressure to be “tough” in extreme sports culture, and the wake-up-call moment that made him decide he was done living in chaos.

We talk about what it means to feel truly seen, why fewer friends can mean deeper bonds, and how Jett is learning to find calm off the water through running, family, simple rituals, and a new definition of happiness: waking up tomorrow.

EP #177: Finding Calm in Chaos with Jett Bradshaw, Professional Kite Surfer

In this episode I sit down with Shira Lazar [https://www.instagram.com/shiralazar/] — media entrepreneur, founder of What’s Trending, and a pioneer of the creator economy — to explore what life really looks like behind the screen.

We talk about Shira’s journey from traditional media to building a career online before “personal brand” was even part of the conversation, and how the creator economy has evolved into a space filled with both opportunity and pressure. Together, we unpack why creator mental health is struggling, how burnout, comparison culture, and unclear boundaries take a toll, and what creators need to protect their well-being while building something meaningful.

This conversation is about redefining success beyond metrics, learning to set boundaries with platforms and brands, and finding joy, presence, and endorphins in the midst of creating online.

EP #176: Shira Lazar on Creativity, Mental Health, and Life Inside the Creator Economy

In this episode, I sit down with Two Moons [https://www.instagram.com/twomoonshealth] co-founders Terry Chang and Dr. Uli Kaunzner [https://twomoonshealth.co/pages/founder-bios] to explore how hormonal health and cyclical productivity are reshaping the way women work and feel.

We break down the science behind seed cycling, why four simple seeds can support PMS, PCOS, mood, sleep, and overall hormonal balance, and what early research is revealing. Terry also shares the emotional reality of navigating women’s health — the loneliness, the stigma, and the lack of education so many of us grow up with. We also discuss the concept of cyclical work and how syncing your cycle can improve energy, creativity, and well-being.

You can use the code 'Endorphins' [https://twomoonshealth.co/]for $40 off your first order (either subscription or one-time use)!

EP #175: Balancing Your Cycle, Redesigning Your Work: The Future of Female Productivity with Terry Chang and Dr. Uli Kaunzner, Co-Founders of Two Moons

In this episode, I sit down with trainer and Aligned Movement [https://www.alignedmovement.co/] founder Aubree Mitchell [https://www.instagram.com/alignedbyaubree/], whose story is a powerful reminder that your past doesn’t get to decide your future.

We met as strangers sharing a cabin in the woods at Jesse Itzler's RunningMan [https://www.instagram.com/p/DPKqniUjF_4/] Festival — and within hours, we were talking about grief, trauma, and the messy, beautiful work of choosing a different life.

In this conversation, Aubree opens up about growing up in a chaotic home, losing loved ones as a teenager, coping through blackout drinking, and surviving multiple instances of sexual assault. She shares candidly how years of numbing eventually led her to a breaking point — and how prayer, discipline, and movement became the anchors that helped her rebuild from the inside out.

We also get into the practical side: the methodology behind her Align Movement app, why she believes the “secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine,” and how functional, 30-minute workouts can support longevity, self-trust, and joy.

EP #174: The Secret of Your Future Is Hidden in Your Routine: Aubree Mitchell's Story of Redefining Health & Healing

In this episode, I sit down with 19-year-old Norwegian actor Isak Macody Falck [https://www.instagram.com/isakmacodyfalck/] to unpack how culture shapes our relationship to happiness. We talk about the more reserved nature of Scandinavian social life, the pressure of Norway’s infamous “party buses,” and why solitude feels more normalized—and even valued—across the region. Isak shares how acting, humor, and intentional alone time help him stay centered, while I reflect on hustle culture, FOMO, and the challenge of slowing down in New York. Together, we explore what the happiest countries get right about solitude and how different environments influence our emotional well-being.

EP #173: What the Happiest Countries Get Right About Solitude with Isak Macody Falck

Elles Ottens [https://www.instagram.com/ellesottens/], Amsterdam-based fashion model and clinical hypnotherapist, joins us this week to explore how redefining your inner narrative can completely change how you experience life.

After over a decade in the modeling industry — working with brands like Vogue, Dolce & Gabbana, and Elle Magazine — Elles realized that external success didn’t equate to inner fulfillment. Her journey of self-discovery led her back to her roots in psychology, eventually becoming a Rapid Transformational Therapist [https://ellesottens.com/] helping others heal through the subconscious mind.

Together, we unpack what it means to detach self-worth from achievements, navigate uncertainty with grace, and build a sense of inner safety in an often chaotic world. We also discuss the science and spirituality behind hypnotherapy, the fear of rejection, and why belonging begins with truly knowing yourself.

EP #172: How to Change the Stories We Tell Ourselves with Elles Ottens, International Model & Clinical Hypnotherapist

Everyday Endorphins is a podcast hosted by Stella Stephanopoulos that discusses
topics related to health and wellbeing, with an emphasis on uncovering the
mind-body connection and finding ways to spark happiness in day-to-day life.
Throughout the episodes, listeners will gain practice wellness advice, learn
about scientific research that supports certain wellness practices, and hear
from industry experts on the intersection between health and business. Support
this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stella-stephanopoulos/support

Stella Stephanopoulos

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