Sometimes, it is your circus... and those wild, rampaging monkeys? Yep, they’re yours too.

We’re talking about what happens when your emotions go haywire—grief, rage, anxiety, overwhelm—and all the "positive thinking" in the world just isn't cutting it. Kerry shares how our brains and bodies get hijacked in fight-or-flight mode, why it's not your fault, and what to do when you can't think your way into feeling better.

✨ You'll learn:

• Why trying to control your thoughts sometimes backfires

• How calming your body can unlock emotional peace

• Simple tools to regulate your nervous system (no toxic positivity required!)

• What a hot bath, a deep breath, and a gentle stroll all have in common

• The magic of breathing, walking meditations, and honoring your emotions + more.

If you’ve ever felt like a tornado of feelings has taken over your brain, this episode is your permission slip to stop fighting the storm—and start grounding yourself in something that actually works.

Links to the resources we mentioned:

The Tapping Solution

Dr. Sue Morter's Body Awake Yoga

What if you could reconnect with old friends—and see the past in a whole new light—just by sharing one memory at a time? In this heartwarming episode, Maddie, Kerry, and Jennifer explore how shared memories can bring unexpectedhealing, laughter, and even re-energize long lost friendships.

Maddie tells the touching story of reconnecting with her childhood best friend—not by catching up on the present, but by exchanging one memory at a time from their shared history. What began as a simple email experiment turned into a rediscovery of happiness long forgotten. Her story sparks a richconversation between the hosts about how our memories can be colored by time, loss, and pain—and how sharing them with others can bring surprising perspective and warmth.

You’ll leave this episode feeling inspired to shine a new light on your own memories—and maybe even reconnect with someone who once helped you feel like your best self.

What was the first book that made you fall in love with reading? In this nostalgic episode of The One Happy Thing Podcast, hosts Jennifer Moorman, Kerry Schafer, and Maddie Dawson share the childhood books that opened theirhearts, shaped their imaginations, and set them on the path to becoming authors themselves.

From flashlight-under-the-covers adventures to the life-changing gift of A Wrinkle in Time, the authors reflect on the stories that made them feel seen, sparked a lifelong love of reading, and still speak to them today. Along the way, they explore how early reading tastes echo in the books they now write—and how certain characters, like Jo March or Meg Murray—became lifelong companions.

Whether you were a fantasy lover, a realist, or a reader who came to books a little later, this episode will warm your heart and probably have you reaching for an old favorite.

☕ So grab something cozy (unless you’re driving!) and join us for a joy-filled conversation about the books that shaped us.