Carousel of Happiness Podcast
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast! It all starts with Scott Harrison, a Vietnam veteran, who channelled his grief into art by hand-carving and restoring a 1910 Charles Looff-designed carousel that actively spins today. On the podcast, you'll hear stories about how the carousel came to be and how it found an unusual home 8,000 feet above sea level in the quirky mountain town of Nederland, Colorado. The Carousel of Happiness Podcast is your weekly hub of positivity where we'll spin yarns and tell tales about the carousel itself, the people who keep it spinning, and the over 1 million visitors who a...
Painting & Spinning with CB Miller | Ep. 63
Not only is CB Miller tied as the youngest paid operator of the Carousel of Happiness... they also hosted our first Paint & Spin.
CB and I discussed what it was like to grow up alongside the carousel, how it has impacted their art, the mining history of Nederland, and how it all connects to animals, the environment, and AI.Â
Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!
Support the show
The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to o...
Songwriting & Catharsis | Ep. 62
Today, we’ll talk to Sarah Bishop, the carousel’s assistant director and my sometimes collaborator – about how the process of writing and playing songs has helped us both get through challenging passages in our life.
You can find more of Sarah's music at https://sarahbankermusic.com/
You can find some of Nick and Josh's music at https://wearenewborn.bandcamp.com/ and https://lamplightlamplight.bandcamp.com/
We would be honored if you would share a personal story of songwriting and catharsis with us (or any other art form, for that matter). So if that c...
The Music Box with Scott Harrison | Ep. 61
Scott Harrison, the carver and founder of The Carousel of Happiness, talk about the similarities between music boxes and carousels, how the former helped Scott to relax, reboot, and renew – and how he hopes the latter can do the same for others.
You can find Scott’s books, the “Carousel Soul” and “Haiku Poetry” at The Carousel of Happiness gift shop, or on our website, linked here: https://carouselofhappiness.org/product-category/books/
After that, Sarah and I catch up on our summers and the Carousel events closing out summer on a high note: the Paint & Spin and our...
Poetry of the Carousel with Burt Rashbaum | Ep. 60
We talk with Burt Rashbaum, who is both a poet and an operator at the Carousel of Happiness. You may remember him from this podcast’s debut episode, where we got to hear him introduce the carousel or from episode 18, titled “Lessons on Art & Grieving,” which you can find here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2423381/episodes/17025214
Today, Burt and I are talking about poetry – both his and the carousel’s. Like happiness, joy, whimsy, and other wonderful things, poetry is a difficult thing to pin down. But we try our best anyway.
If you’d like to read Burt...
George Blevins Day | Ep. 59
George Blevins isn’t just Nederland’s favorite cartoonist. He’s also played a role in the design of the Carousel of Happiness, apparent at the center of our logo. But that’s only part of the reason we’re celebrating the first annual George Blevins Day on August 1st and 2nd this year at the Carousel.Â
George will tell us the real reason, along with his life story: how he achieved his ultimate childhood dream, met Walt Disney, collaborated with Scott Harrison on the carousel animals, and which one is his favorite.Â
If you want to cele...
All Soldiers in All Wars | Ep. 58
We talk to two Ukrainian service members, Illia and Kostya about their journey from the front lines of the War in Ukraine to the Carousel of Happiness. We learn about how two Colorado nonprofits, Warriors on Cataract Canyon and Limbs for Liberty, have invited them to work on healing their PTSD through travel, nature, and connection with other veterans.Â
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Ukrainian_war
https://www.csis.org/analysis/russia-ukraine-war-10-charts
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/the-conflict-in-ukraine/
Whimsy Maxxing | Ep. 57
Why is 2026 being called The Year of Whimsy Maxxing? Hosts Nick Alexander and Sarah Bishop talk all about whimsy, where it comes from, and how we can cultivate in our lives.Â
Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!
Support the show
The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.
Check out the carousel on the CBS national news! https://www.cbsnews.com/news/carousel-daydream-helped-marine-get-through-vietnam-war-he-then-made-that-carousel-a-reality/
If you enjoy the podcast, please c...
Memorial Day | Ep. 56
We try to transport you to the Memorial Day celebration at the Carousel of Happiness -- and explain why the holiday is so important to us and to the many people who joined us on May 25, 2026.
You can hear the music of Sean Applebee, who so elegantly performed Taps for us, here:Â https://www.seanapplebeeandbeyond.com/
You can read Christopher Kelley's article about our Memorial Day celebration in the Mountain Ear here:Â https://themtnear.com/stories/veterans-lives-carousel-happiness-honored-memorial-day,95117
Learn more about Limbs for Liberty here:Â https://limbsforliberty.com/
Do you hav...
Beginnings & Endings | Ep. 55
On today's episode, hosts Nick Alexander and Sarah Bishop talk about their new roles at the Carousel of Happiness and the big shoes that they’re filling. They discuss why we delay joy and what’s next for the carousel, including our Memorial Day celebration.Â
Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!
Support the show
If you'd like to keep in touch with our original host, Allie Wagner, on her new journey, you can follow her on Sub...
Episode 54: Goodbyes, Transitions, and "Making Sense of the Chaos"
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today's episode, host Allie Wagner says goodbye. We talk about honoring the past while looking to the future, how our filters shape our stories and our lives, and how we can look to art to help us make sense and order out of the chaos of life. All while using this special little carousel as our guide one last time together.Â
The podcast will be going silent until we find another host. Be sure to subscribe to to make sure you're the first to know when we're b...
Episode 53: Celebrating the Carousel of Happiness Podcast's 1 Year Anniversary!
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, we’re going to celebrate the podcast’s one-year anniversary with a little bit of gratitude. That’s right, exactly one year ago this week we started this journey together and it’s perfect timing to reflect on how far we’ve come and talk a little bit about where we’re going.Â
On today’s episode, I’m going to share how being at the carousel, specifically hosting the podcast, has changed my life for the better and how the carousel’s magic has wriggled its way...
Episode 52: Why You Shouldn't Delay Joy, But Why You Might Delay it Anyway
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, we’re going to talk about joy. Specifically why you shouldn’t delay it, and why, despite your best efforts, you might delay it anyway. We’ll learn about what joy does to our bodies physiologically, why a Harvard researcher thinks joy is the deepest reason for us to exist at all, and what research shows about why human beings protect themselves from joy, despite it being good for us. Plus, I’ll share some simple practices you can start to incorporate now into your daily life as a...
Episode 51: The Simplicity of Power Outages and Accepting What Is
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
Today is the last day to enjoy a donation match to celebrate the wedding anniversary of friends of the carousel, Larry and Jane McGrath. Go to our website here and make a donation "In Honor of..." or "In Memory of..." in order to get the match. You and your honoree will even receive a personalized thank you from Lady Mayor herself.Â
Happy 56th Wedding Anniversary, Larry and Jane!!
After unplanned and planned power outages left over 100,000 homes in Colorado without power, we are doing o...
Episode 50: The Secret Party at the Carousel No One Ever Told You About...
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
There’s a holiday tradition at the carousel that very few people know about. It's a party so exclusive that it's been hidden from the general public until now. But, for the first time in carousel history, we've been given permission to share the story of this tradition with all of you, and invite you to participate this year.
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Want to participate in this year's Theme of Giving? Make a donation anytime between now and December 22nd in honor of someone else and your donation will be...
Episode 49: Connecting with the Other Side: A Conversation with Evidential Medium Travis Holp
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, you’ll hear Allie's conversation with author, speaker, and evidential medium, Travis Holp. The two sat down at the Awkwardly Zen 11:11 Metaphysical Fair in Lakewood on November 8th to talk about mediumship, how we can connect with our loved ones on the other side, signs and synchronicities, and what death can teach us about life.
Awkwardly Zen is a safe place to explore and question spirituality in a community setting. If you'd like to learn more about Awkwardly Zen, please check out their website. http...
Episode 48: On Stories, Creativity, and Other Lessons from "Somewhere Else"
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, we’re going to talk about a feature of the carousel called the Somewhere Else Wall. A stuccoed wall between the carousel and the gift shop that Scott designed in 2011. We’ll talk about how it was intended to represent a portal, so to speak, between those of us who are here. And those of us who are somewhere else.Â
In Part I of this two-part episode, you'll learn more about the wall, what it represents, and Allie will share her own personal experience with con...
Episode 47: Remembering the Businesses of the Caribou Village Shopping Center, Featuring Claudia Schauffler & The Shop
Welcome to a SPECIAL EDITION of the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. Join Guest Host, Sidse Powell, as she sits down with business owners from the Caribou Village Shopping Center to share their stories.Â
On today’s episode, Sisde sits down with Claudia Schauffler. Owner of The Shop. A clothing store specializing in new and used mountain fashion. You'll learn how The Shop was Claudia's plan for retirement, and how she made the jump from health care career to clothing boutique owner.
Thank you for listening. If you'd like to donate to Claudia's rebuilding efforts, please go...
Episode 46: Lessons From a Full Life: Celebrating the Life of Doug Cosper
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today's episode, we celebrate the life and legacy of one of the carousel's most ardent supporters and ambassadors, Doug Cosper. Doug passed away from cancer this past July.
In addition to being a lifelong journalist and educator, Doug was a close friend of Scott’s and one of the carousel’s earliest supporters. You’ll hear how Doug crammed multiple lifetimes into one, traveling the world, speaking truth to power as a reporter, mentoring journalists in young democracies abroad, and building multiple family homes. All while supporting his fr...
Episode 45: How to Protect Your Energy and Live Your Best Life: Lessons from the Boulder Psychic Institute
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today's episode, you'll hear about host Allie Wagner's experience taking self-healing and manifestation classes at the Boulder Psychic Institute. Over the course of a couple of months, she enrolled in their three introductory classes and joined students online from all over the world in learning how to ground, protect, and heal our own energy. On today’s episode, you'll learn what it was like to take the classes and why Allie thinks these classes should be mandatory for every human being.
If you're interested in learning more abou...
Episode 44: The Story of Sarah & Matt and their Perfect Colorado Elopement
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, you’ll hear the story of Sarah and Matt. A young couple from Louisville, Kentucky who decided to make the carousel part of their elopement earlier this month. You’ll learn why they eloped, how the carousel became part of their special day, and what elopement can teach us about listening to our hearts.Â
Want to elope in Colorado? Be sure to reach out to Colorado elopement photographer, Kimberly Crist (www.KimberlyCrist.com and IG @Kimberlycrist) for any support. She and fellow photographer, Natalie Moore...
Episode 43: The "Awkwardness" of Growth After the Nederland Fire
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. As the carousel and the community recover from the shopping center fire, today's episode is about the awkwardness of the "in between" stage of growth. How uncomfortable it can be to be half "here" and half "there" and what you can do to help ease the transition. If you feel like everything is "crazy" these days and "nothing is making sense," be sure to give it a listen. You are not alone.
Don't forget - our annual, Animals After Dark gala is on November 11. Get your tickets today! (https://carouselofhappiness...
Episode 42: What We Know About the Nederland Fire
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today's episode, I want to share some information about last week’s fire in Nederland. Last Thursday, October 9th, the Caribou Village Shopping Center, where the Carousel of Happiness is located, burned in the early morning hours. The carousel itself only suffered minor exterior damage, but the main shopping center building, home to 18 local small businesses, was completely lost.Â
On today’s episode, I’ll share with you what we know, how the community is responding, and what the carousel is doing to support its neighbors. I’ll also l...
Episode 41: What the Carousel Wants You to Know
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today's episode, host Allie Wagner tells you about a mysterious note she found lying on her desk. The outside of the envelope read, “What the Carousel Wants You to Know.” She was curious, so she opened it. And you wouldn’t believe what it said. Listen to all the juicy details on today’s episode of the podcast.Â
Join us for our annual fundraiser, Animals After Dark, on November 11th. We'll have delicious food from Audrey Gebhardt of Decent Bagel, drinks, a silent auction, and a carousel-themed scavenger...
Episode 40: How Humans and Animals Help Each Other: A Conversation with Genie Joseph, PhD
Welcome to the Carouse of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, we’ll talk about our healing relationships with animals. What can we learn from animals to make us better humans? How can we support the healing of animals in our lives? I’ll share a conversation I had with Genie Joseph, founder of the Tucson-based nonprofit organization, the Human-Animal Connection. Genie is a dog trainer, animal communicator, and an animal chaplain. Her organization is dedicated to bringing people and animals together for the healing of both.Â
Genie is a recipient of President Obama’s Silver Vo...
Episode 39: What a Psychic Can Teach Us About the Carousel of Happiness
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today's episode, we wrap up our conversation with intuitive healer and teacher, Deborah Keys. Deborah is a psychic who specializes in a modality called House Healing. On today’s episode, I’ll take you behind the scenes of Deborah’s visit to the carousel. She stopped by the last week and used her house healing and reading skills to give us some specific insights into what is going on inside the carousel from an energetic perspective. Plus, she connected to a special figure in the carousel, a specific angel who is...
Episode 38: From Barbie Dream Houses to House Healing: Exploring the Healing Power of Place with Psychic Deborah Keys
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today's episode, you’ll meet Boulder-based intuitive healer and teacher, Deborah Keys. Deborah is a psychic who specializes in a modality called House Healing. You’ll learn what house healing is and how to know if your space needs a healing. Deborah also gives her professional opinion on what’s going on psychically at the carousel. Plus, next week, I'll share the outcome of a reading and healing she gave the carousel on a recent visit.
If you're interested in more information about Deborah's Psychic Horizon's colleagues, check...
Episode 37: Channeling Anger into Art: A Conversation with Filmmaker, Shane Matthews
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast
On today's episode, host Allie Wagner introduces you to filmmaker Shane Matthews. Shane and his co-director, Joe Ventura, made a short film about Scott in 2020 called “Carving Joy.” You’ll hear how Shane got the idea for the project, how it was influenced by his own personal challenges, and how the film festival, Mountainfilm, inspired it all.Â
Help us find the Council of Kindness a home! Want to learn more about the Council of Kindness? Check out its website - https://www.councilofkindness.org/ -Â for more inf...
Episode 36: The Council of Kindness and Neville Goddard's "Wish Fulfilled"
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today's episode, you'll learn more about Scott Harrison's work, the Council of Kindness, and how it transforms visitors through quiet contemplation and meditation. Join host Allie Wagner as she explores the Council and how it relates to Neville Goddard's idea of "the wish fulfilled." Plus, you'll get some tips for how you can turn your own dreams into reality. Fast.
Help us find the Council of Kindness a home! Want to learn more about the Council of Kindness? Check out its website - https://www.c...
Episode 35: A Secret Visit to the Council of Kindness
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
Join host Allie Wagner as she takes you on a tour of a special wing of the Carousel of Happiness. A secret spot very few people know about. One that is so close to the carousel, yet so far away. A place tucked away from the din of the ordinary world, an oasis insulated from responsibility. A solitary space where nothing is required, nothing is expected, and nothing needs to be done. Where you’re never missing out, you’re never too late, and you’re never left out. We'll tell y...
Episode 34: Beatles, Tarot Cards, & Crystal Balls: How Divination Tools Can Help Us Access Our Intuition
What does a Beatle have in common with tarot cards and crystal balls? On today’s episode, you’ll find out. Host Allie Wagner will tell you one of her favorite stories about her favorite Beatle and how we can use what’s called a divination tool to tap into our intuitive guidance. Plus, we’ll do a little carousel-inspired intuitive reading together.Â
Want to learn more about the koala? Check out the Atlas Obscura documentary here: https://www.atlasobscura.com/videos/video-carousel-of-happiness
Do you have a story to share? Leave us a mess...
Episode 33: How Small Change Can Create Big Impact – the Story of Mary Quinlan Wingate
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, we’ll introduce you to lifelong Nederland summer resident, Mary Quinlan Wingate. You’ll learn how a mother of three changed Nederland for the better and how her legacy lives on to this day. Think you need millions of social media followers or millions of dollars to make a difference? Not true. And we'll explain why on today's show.
Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!
Support the show
T...
Episode 32: "If Not Me, Then Who?" – A Lesson about Personal Passion & Leadership from the Travis Manion Foundation
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, we share a story of a group of veterans and their families who visited the carousel from the Travis Manion Foundation a couple of weeks ago. You’ll learn about the mission of the organization, its leadership philosophy, and the meaning of the organization’s motto – “If not me, then who.”
Want to learn more about the Travis Manion Foundation? Check out their website here. (https://www.travismanion.org/)
In case you missed it – watch the Carousel of Happiness on the CBS national news...
Episode 31: Peace, Love, Moto: A Conversation with Ron Francis
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, I’m going to share an interview I did last week with Ron Francis. Ron is the host of the Peace, Love, Moto Podcast, a podcast based in Loveland, Colorado that explores the intersection between mindfulness and motorcycling.Â
While Ron lives in Loveland, he regularly rides through Nederland. He and Scott have been friends for a while now, and Scott put us in touch because he thought we might have a lot to talk about.
Which was indeed the case. So, I thoug...
Episode 30: What to Do When the World's On Fire?
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, we explore what to do when it feels like the world is on fire. Join host Allie Wagner as she shares a TedTalk by writer and creative coach, Amie McNee, who makes the argument that creativity is not a selfish act, but rather the solution to our world’s current problems.Â
On today's episode, we'll explore her argument by actually trying it out together. In real time. If the world has left you feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, and disconnected these days, this episode is for you!<...
Ep. 29: Full Moon Fever: How 7 Animals Escaped the Carousel
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, host Allie Wagner shares a story about how she arrived at the carousel last Friday morning to discover seven carousel animals missing. Who left? Where are they? Did they get back in time?Â
Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!
Support the show
The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and service to others through stories and experiences.
Check out the carousel on the CBS national new...
Episode 28: Sunshine, Soul Retrieval, and Rainbows: A Conversation with Cypress Willett
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, we wrap up our two-part conversation with Seer, Healer, and Artist, Cypress Willet. (Check out Episode 27 to listen to the first part of our conversation.) Join host Allie Wagner as she shares with you what it was like to experience firsthand the shamanic practice of “soul retrieval” with Cypress in Longmont. In what she describes as the single most life-changing experience of her life, she'll take you step-by-step through the process, and you'll learn how to identify the symptoms of soul loss in your own experience. Plus...
Episode 27: Helping Spirits, Ritual, and "Nurse Energy:" A Conversation with Cypress Willett
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today’s episode, we meet Seer, Healer, and Artist, Cypress Willett. You might remember I met Cypress on my visit to the Warrior Storyfield in Longmont. And, if you’ve been to the carousel recently, you’ve seen Cypress’s work. High above the carousel, surrounding the ceiling, you’ll find a series of brightly colored stained glass windows made just for us by her.Â
On the first part of this two-part episode, I sit down with Cypress to talk about her journey from ER nurse to full-time he...
Episode 26: Meditation, Happy Grandpas, and the Power of Awe – A Conversation with COH Board President Charles Wood
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today's episode, you'll meet Carousel of Happiness Board President, Charles Wood. Charles has been involved with the carousel for 12 years now, and has had pretty much every single job in this place. In addition to serving on the board, Charles has been a volunteer, he’s worked the front desk, he’s been an operator, and briefly he served as the interim Executive Director. Charles tells me about what it was like growing up in Houston, how meditation brought him back to his path, and how he loves watching adul...
Episode 25: Presence, Creativity, and a Wonder Box Meditation
Welcome to the Carousel of Happiness Podcast.
On today's episode, host Allie Wagner guides you through a carousel-themed meditation. Find a cozy spot, quiet your mind, and see what's possible when you are present with questions from the Wonder Box!
Did you get a great idea? Follow up on an exciting impulse? Click the link below to send a quick text message to Allie.Â
Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!
Support the show
The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated t...
Episode 24: Presence, Peace, and the Joy of "Riding the Wave"
Welcome the Carousel of Happiness Podcast. On today's episode, we talk about what happened on the podcast last week, how it relates to the carousel, and how we’re going to move forward together on the podcast. Host Allie Wagner tells you about a text she got from a friend, as well as one she got from Scott about last week’s episode.
Do you have a story to share? Leave us a message!
Support the show
The Carousel of Happiness is a nonprofit arts & culture organization dedicated to inspiring happiness, well-being, and servi...
