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Life Habits Podcast

Life Habits Podcast

Karel Vredenburg, Mandy Kloppers, MJ Shaar, & Suzanne Joy Clark. 166 Episodes Apr 22, 2026

The Life Habits Podcast explores evidence-based habits for thriving in work, health, and life. Four experts—Karel Vredenburg, Mandy Kloppers, MJ Shaar, and Suzanne Joy Clark—serve as personal mentors and get real about what actually works. They do not chase wellness trends or offer empty platitudes; instead, they examine the messy intersection of research and everyday life. The hosts challenge one another, change their minds, and sometimes discover they have been doing things wrong all along.

Episodes

LH166—Don’t be Yourself - Dark Personalities, Incivility, and Perfectionism
LH166—Don’t be Yourself - Dark Personalities, Incivility, and Perfectionism Apr 22, 2026 01:23:22 "Just be yourself" might be the worst advice you've ever been given.In this episode of the Life Habits Podcast, we're taking apart the myths running modern life — and the research that actually helps you navigate it.Suzanne makes the case for why "being yourself" has become a shield for bad behavior and what to do instead. MJ unpacks the quiet rise of incivility, it’s causes, and what we can do ab
LH165—Relationships & is AI now more human than us
LH165—Relationships & is AI now more human than us Mar 4, 2026 01:10:30 This episode of the Life Habits Podcast explores the intersection of human psychology, well-being, and emerging technology. The team discusses the concept of "body budgeting," where social connections directly impact our energy levels and performance. They also examine a 2025 study suggesting that wellness is a prerequisite for self-control, highlighting kindness as a powerful tool for boosting mo
LH164—Why Many People Are Unhappy & How to Fix It
LH164—Why Many People Are Unhappy & How to Fix It Feb 2, 2026 01:15:39 Are you just "existing" at work, or are you actually thriving? In this episode of the Life Habits Podcast, host Karel Vredenburg is joined by co-hosts Mandy Kloppers, MJ Shaar, and Suzanne Joy Clark to explore the "messy reality" of modern work life. Using evidence-based research, the team dives into why global happiness is on the decline and provides actionable, science-backed strategies to recla
LH163—Changing Minds in a Post-Truth World
LH163—Changing Minds in a Post-Truth World Dec 16, 2025 00:57:53 The world feels more divided than ever and facts alone aren’t closing the gap. In this episode of The Life Habits Podcast, we explore why intelligent, well-meaning people can look at the same information and come to completely different conclusions. Drawing on psychology, neuroscience, and global research, we unpack how misinformation spreads, how our brains are wired for bias, and why trying to
LH162—Your Brain on AI
LH162—Your Brain on AI Nov 29, 2025 00:50:07 Many people are is talking about the latest MIT research on AI, but are we missing the bigger picture? In this episode, we strip away the hype and conduct a critical reappraisal of the findings that the popular press describe as "AI is rotting your brain".IN THIS EPISODE: We dig into the actual study behind the headlines to separate evidence-based and generalizable fact from media over interpretat
LH161—Mentorship Reimagined (New Co-hosts)
LH161—Mentorship Reimagined (New Co-hosts) Nov 11, 2025 00:34:48 Life Habits returns from hiatus with fresh energy, new voices, and a new format—now also in video on YouTube. Karel is joined by three remarkable permanent co-hosts: psychologist Mandy Kloppers, kindness and wellness architect MJ Shaar, and leadership strategist Suzanne Joy Clark. Together, they explore how mentorship—and life itself—can evolve when “science meets the messy reality of life.” Expec
LH160—Unlocking Collective Genius for Leaders and Team Members
LH160—Unlocking Collective Genius for Leaders and Team Members Dec 31, 2024 00:28:27 In this episode, Karel and Paige continue their insightful conversation with Jeff Wetzler, a human potential and learning expert and co-founder of Transcend. They explore the power of fostering curiosity in leadership, organizations, and personal relationships. Drawing from his book, Ask: Tap into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You, Jeff shares practical frameworks for leveraging feedback, bre
LH159 — The One Question That Will Change the Way You Lead, Learn, and Live
LH159 — The One Question That Will Change the Way You Lead, Learn, and Live Dec 25, 2024 00:31:23 In this transformative episode, we have Jeff Wetzler, the author of "Ask: Tap Into the Hidden Wisdom of People Around You for Unexpected Breakthroughs In Leadership and Life" unpack the profound power of curiosity and the art of asking the right questions. Drawing from personal experiences, groundbreaking research, and insights from thought leaders, Jeff reveals why most of us fail to tap into the
LH158 — Embracing Change and Finding Your Nxt
LH158 — Embracing Change and Finding Your Nxt Dec 4, 2024 00:33:50 Cindy Carrillo, author of Finding Your Nxt, discusses the importance of embracing change and finding your next phase in life. She shares quotes that inspire her and emphasizes the need to be intentional about setting goals and making changes. Cindy also addresses common blockers to change, such as fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and the willingness to settle. She encourages people to break f
LH157— Love in Practice: Creating Safe Spaces For Deeper Connections
LH157— Love in Practice: Creating Safe Spaces For Deeper Connections Nov 27, 2024 00:28:43 In this powerful conclusion to our three-part series with Topaz Adizes, we explore his conversation-transforming new book, The 12 Questions for Love. Drawing from over 1,200 filmed conversations for {THE AND} project, Topaz distills years of insights into a practical guide for cultivating meaningful, well-constructed dialogues. This book serves as a blueprint for creating safe spaces that encourag
LH156 — Reconnecting in a Polarized World: Better Questions for Fostering Our Shared Humanity
LH156 — Reconnecting in a Polarized World: Better Questions for Fostering Our Shared Humanity Nov 20, 2024 00:45:33 In this continuation of last week’s conversation, Karel and Paige welcome back Topaz Adizes to the Life Habits Podcast. Together, they delve into themes of shared humanity, the profound impact of social media on communication, and the vital role of empathy in meaningful conversations. They explore strategies for navigating vulnerability in relationships, crafting thought-provoking questions, and c
LH155 — From Questions to Answers: Enhancing Human Connection
LH155 — From Questions to Answers: Enhancing Human Connection Nov 13, 2024 00:56:30 In this episode, Karel and Paige interview Emmy award-winning writer, director, and experience design architect, Topaz Adizes, founder of The Skin Deep. This is the first part of a two-part series where they explore Topaz’s journey, the powerful role of questions in fostering vulnerable and authentic conversations, and the creation of meaningful human connections. Topaz shares insights on the impo

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