For most people, finding happiness and meaning isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when they think of work. But what if it was? What if individuals funneled their creativity and a little of their personal magic into designing a new work-life that was meaningful and fulfilling? To extract advice about designing a life of meaningful work, Positive Psychology Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with two authors who have channeled their creativity into new careers and serve others through their books. Dr. Katharine Brooks revamped the famous career guide, What Color is Your Parachute? for 2021 and wrote two additional books during the pandemic. And, Forensic Psychiatrist, Dr. Amber Fossey found herself with a substantial Instagram and Etsy following when she tapped into her creative inner child. Her sense of childlike wonder is accompanied by her poetry and illustrations in the book, Be Wild Be Free.

About Lisa’s guests:

Katharine Brooks, PhD, is an award-winning career counselor, consultant, and writer who has directed career centers at Vanderbilt University, Wake Forest University, The University of Texas at Austin, and Dickinson College. A nationally certified counselor and board-certified coach, she has worked with thousands of job seekers and writes the "Career Transitions" blog for Psychology Today.

Book: What Color is Your Parachute? 2021

Amber Fossey is the NHS-doctor-turned-artist behind @Zeppelinmoon, the hugely popular Instagram account and Etsy store with over 220k followers. As an expert in mental health, her uplifting and wickedly funny illustrated stories of weird and wonderful creatures are inspired by her experiences with all the dark & glorious facets of the human spirit and a fascination with animals.

Book: Be Wild Be Free 

This episode of Harvesting Happiness Talk Radio is sponsored by:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now? 

H-Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa's documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.