Joy as a Practice: Happiness as Radical Resistance with Erica Brown

Kamen works as a lifestyle management consultant who explores the art and science of happiness as a speaker, author, and positive psychology expert. Through her globally syndicated podcast, books, media appearances, and documentary film, Lisa has impacted millions of people around the world.

LISA CYPERS KAMEN

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Joy as a Practice: Happiness as Radical Resistance with Erica Brown

Conscious Joy Activism invites us to reframe our emotional lives, reminding us that joy as an active, intentional practice is a verb. In a world fraught with systemic challenges, happiness as resistance is a radical act. The privilege of being able to protest underscores our mutual responsibility. This intersection of positive psychology politics proves that our profound interconnectedness was never a “woo-woo” concept, but a tangible tool for collective survival. Ultimately, embracing this mindset serves as a powerful form of political anxiety relief, transforming personal well-being into a catalyst for societal change.

To discuss the current state of affairs at a grassroots level, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen welcomes Erica Brown, the Community Engagement Coordinator at Radio Kingston and a positive-change advocate.

Erica describes the joy that occurs when we come together in community to transform outrage into positive action. She shares strategies for mobilizing those who haven’t yet been activated, creating a bottom-up solution to the top-down issues affecting our communities.

Original Air Date Wednesday, June 03, 2026

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Meet Our Guest:

Erica Brown is a native of Kingston, New York, and the Community Engagement Coordinator at Radio Kingston. She is passionate about access, inclusion, and diversity. She works closely with non-profits to support services and programs that empower individuals and strengthen the city as a whole. She is grateful every day to do the work that reflects her belief that it takes a village to create lasting community change.

Erica Brown—Conscious Joy Activism:

Happiness as resistance. {4:37}
Positive psychology politics is a privilege to revel in. {7:37}
Joy is a revolutionary act. {20:43}
Now is the time for conscious joy activism. {30:40}

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Check out the Harvesting Happiness podcast episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

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Shareables:

“Joy is a revolutionary act, and the more we co-create joy with those we care about, it is the best survival plan humanity has.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Our interconnectedness was never a woo-woo thing.” @ericalbrown on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “There is an activation button somewhere in all of us, and once it gets flipped, there is no going back.” @ericalbrown on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “Empathy and compassion are totally different things. Those are two things we are missing right now as a culture in our country.” @ericalbrown on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

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? Explore lifelong relationships as part of your journey to happiness.

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. Our lifelong relationships have a big influence on this journey.