Simple Happiness: An Interview with Amy Newmark

Just in time for the holidays, I am so happy to share a new Featured Truthteller conversation with Amy Newmark, the author, editor-in-chief, and publisher of the beloved 23-year old Chicken Soup for the Soul book series.

Amy talked to me about moving from Wall Street to her current passion, which allows her to connect with hundreds of thousands of fans and readers on everything from love and marriage to gratitude to the power of positive thinking. Amazingly, she has edited and published 132 books in the Chicken Soup series and continues to publish up to a dozen new books per year featuring relevant subjects that resonate with and inspire international audience.

We also talked about Amy’s first solo title in the series, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Simply Happy. She offers deep insight on what it means to cultivate joy, especially in a world that is full of divisions and distractions, and where “happiness” can seem elusive. The book—which offers tips that take just seconds to implement—distills everything she has learned over her life and work with the Chicken Soup series.

Amy and I bonded over our shared passion for collective powerful stories, often from ordinary people who’ve had extraordinary experiences. We also discussed the importance of gratitude (which she calls “the gateway to happiness”) and the beauty of embracing the messiness in our lives.

Be sure to read Amy’s book and connect with her by visiting her website, www.amynewmark.com. And enjoy the interview!

2:20 Amy’s beginnings on Wall Street and her passion for telling stories and “doing the right thing”

7:45 Shifting into a fuller way of exploring her passion with the Chicken Soup for the Soul series

11:00 The gift of seeing the silver lining in every situation

13:00 The upcoming Chicken Soup Christmas book and the power of community

18:00 The staying power of Chicken Soup for the Soul

19:00 Amy’s book, Simply Happy, and the importance of easy tweaks

25:20 Practical tips for making your life easier

28:00 Women’s role in spreading everyday wisdom

30:30 Freeing ourselves of the need for perfection, especially during the holidays