42: Join Ariel, Stef, and their distinguished guests, Julia and Eric Lewald—writers and showrunners of the X-Men Animated Series. This episode explores the legacy of the original X-Men series, its cultural impact, and the exciting revival with X-Men 97. The Lewalds share the challenges and joys of bringing their beloved characters to life through personal […]

This episode focuses on 'Turning Red' and the film's profound themes of family, identity, mental health, and cultural nuances, celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Ariel and Stef explore Star Wars’ influence in therapy and education, share personal experiences from Disneyland’s Star Wars Nite, and discuss its cultural impact and community engagements.

It's Halfway to Halloween! How can you celebrate? Tune into our latest episode with Dan Connor as we discuss 'The Battle for Pumpkin King'. Discover how Jack’s adventures from friendship to rivalry offer lessons on life’s transitions. Don’t miss this enchanting conversation!

Ariel and Stef unpack the continuation of a beloved series with X-Men 97, exploring its impact from therapy to education. They discuss nostalgia's role in healing trauma and connecting with students, the nuances of characters like Rogue and Storm, and how X-Men's diversity and inclusion themes resonate today. Tune in for a journey through the past, present, and future of one of the most iconic superhero teams.

Embark on a journey through Disney’s culinary delights, from the treats at the Food and Wine Festival at California Adventure, unexpected finds at Disney Channel Nite, to the surprising food merchandise. They navigate the rising prices, sustainability efforts, and the art of indulging at Disney parks. This episode invites listeners to a broader conversation on food and fandom.

Ariel and Stef navigate Disney's groundbreaking move into developing a gaming metaverse. This episode explores the fusion of iconic Disney storytelling with the interactive world of gaming, highlighting the potential for new adventures and connections.

Unlock the healing powers of play with a Disney twist, revealing how childhood stories can foster adult healing, empathy through villains, and the importance of nurturing our inner child.

The hosts recount their enchanting evening at the Disney Animation Studios The Concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Discover the magic of Disneybounding, the joy of a picnic under the stars, and the emotional resonance of live Disney music. An episode filled with nostalgia, insights, and reflections on creating inclusive and engaging experiences for all.

Explore the unique roles of Disney sidekicks as they dissect how these beloved characters from classics like 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Cinderella,' and 'The Lion King' relate to mental wellness. Engaging discussions reveal how these animated companions, could don the titles of emotional support animal or service animal. Unravel the therapeutic significance of these animal sidekicks, blending childhood nostalgia with a deeper understanding of mental health support.

Join cohosts Ariel and Stefanie on their journey for Dapper Day outfits. Immerse yourself in the world of Dapper Day at Disneyland as they explore everything from dressing tips and theme ideas to personal experiences and the pursuit of the perfect outfit pieces. Dive into discussions on vintage fashion, body acceptance, and privilege as they talk about stepping out in style. Read the blog post for this episode for additional references and resources.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed Subscribe: Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | RSS | More #31: In this episode of Happiest Pod, join Ariel and Stef as they recount their magical evening at Disneyland’s After Dark event, Princess Nite. Held for the first time at Disneyland Park on March 7th and 9th from 9 PM to 1 AM, this special event transported guests into […]

#30: Pop culture conventions, where fans and geeks gather to celebrate their fandoms, are often the most anticipated experiences of the year. This year, Stef and Ariel were blessed with the opportunity to speak as panelists at both WonderCon and the mega San Diego Comic-Con. In this episode, they share the ups and downs of […]

#29: Ariel and Stef had the honor of interviewing the terrifying and regal Jessica who played Lady Tremaine at Walt Disney World. In this episode, we learn the joys, the frustrations, and the horrors of being a face character at the happiest place on earth. Read the blog post for this episode for additional references […]

#28: Ariel, Stef, and past host Josué team up for a second time to do a deeper dive into Disney’s Encanto. In this episode, themes of dysfunctional family roles, inner child archetypes, and how to inspire students and clients to discover their own inner talents. Episode 26 is part one of this two-part Encanto deep […]

#27: Lunar New Year is a holiday that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. The year 2022 is the year of the Tiger, and tiger energy is exactly what Ariel and Stef want to take into the New Year. In this episode, they share the various cultures that […]

#26: Ariel, Stef, and special guest and past host Josué welcome listeners to the family Madrigal! In this episode, they highlight the themes of visual symbolism and color schemes to generational trauma and family roles that can be found in Disney’s Encanto. Read the blog post for this episode for additional references and resources. Become […]

#25: Disneyland added a new night event over the holiday season, titled “Merriest Nites.” This special event featured six distinct parties that have unique music, food, and character interactions. Even the infamous Muppet did a holiday show filled with their classic antics. Host Stef attended with her family, sharing with Ariel the tips, tricks, ups, […]

#24: What is it about villains that we are attracted to? They have become popular, if not more popular, than Disney heroes. More and more Disney movies and shows are highlighting their villains, even going so far as creating live-action adaptations of these principal characters. Ariel, Stef, and special guest Chance, dive deep into this […]

#23: Hocus Pocus, a film released in 1993, continues to embody the Halloween Spirit and capture the hearts of Disney fans, including those of Stef, Ariel, and Special Guest Travis Hayward. Together they take a personality quiz to learn which character they are, share fun facts from the movie, and what it was like watching […]

#22: Happiest Pod celebrates the Asian representation in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings by highlighting “Asian Easter Eggs.” Learn Asian American history, the symbolism of death, and how Shan-Chi integrates his different heritages when he learns to wield the rings. Questions? Comments? Discuss this episode on the GT Forum. —  Website: happy.geektherapy.com | […]

#21: Stef shares what it’s like to take an infant to the park for the first time. A first for her son and a first for her husband and her. She shares the infant-friendly rides, navigating virtual queues, and responding to the needs of her family. Read the blog post for this episode for additional […]

#20: With Special Guest Billy Madden, better known as “The Movie Grader,” Happiest Pod jumps into his experience returning to Disneyland, sharing details about Webslinger. Stef, Ariel, and Billy analyze the changes happening in Disneyland parks, and how these developments are setting a precedent for other theme parks. Read the blog post for this episode […]

#19: After seeing a meme that questioned if Disney Karaoke existed, Stef and Ariel decided to set the record straight. In this episode, they highlight the cultural significance of participating in karaoke or noraebang experiences. Together, they share their favorite Disney songs to sing along to and how this activity can be used in a […]