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PODCAST

Carousel of Happiness Podcast

Carousel of Happiness

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

society & culture documentary

All Episodes

34:50

Mountain Strong Families with Betsy Epp

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/09/26

Fall is in the air and we’re going back to school. Instead of numbers and ABCs, we’re learning about emotions, empathy, about the transformative power of parenting, and how the Carousel of Happiness has an important role to play as "third space" in our community. Our guest is Betsy Epp, my colleague, friend, and parenting mentor. Betsy is the Social Emotional Learning Coordinator at New Explorers Learning Center, Nederland Elementary School, and across our community. You can learn more about ...

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32:10

Painting & Spinning with CB Miller

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/09/12

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. 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 inspirin...

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38:02

Songwriting & Catharsis | Ep. 62

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/08/29

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 w...

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28:38

The Music Box & Scott Harrison

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/08/14

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 ...

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35:13

Poetry of the Carousel with Burt Rashbaum | Ep. 60

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/08/01

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 ...

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28:57

George Blevins Day | Ep. 59

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/07/18

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. 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 w...

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19:48

All Soldiers in All Wars | Ep. 58

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/07/04

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. Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Ukrainian_war https://www.csis.org/analysis/russia-ukraine-war-10-charts https://commonsl...

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38:19

Whimsy Maxxing | Ep. 57

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/06/20

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. 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/new...

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27:04

Memorial Day

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/06/06

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: https://www.seanapplebeeandbeyond.com/ You can read Christopher Kelley's article about our Memorial Day celebration in the Mountain Ear here: https://themtnear.com/stories/veterans-lives-carousel-happiness-...

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23:31

Episode 55: Beginnings & Endings

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/05/23

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. 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 Substack, Instagram, or TikTok. You can find Sarah’s mu...

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22:03

Episode 54: Goodbyes, Transitions, and "Making Sense...

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/01/13

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. The podcast will be going silent until we find another host. Be sure to subscribe to to make sure you're the first t...

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23:24

Episode 53: Celebrating the Carousel of Happiness...

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2026/01/06

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. 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 caro...

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18:37

Episode 52: Why You Shouldn't Delay Joy, But Why You...

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2025/12/30

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 ca...

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5:56

Episode 51: The Simplicity of Power Outages and...

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2025/12/23

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. Happy 56th Wedding Anniversary, Larry and Jane!! After unplanned and planned power outages left over 100,000 ho...

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29:15

Episode 50: The Secret Party at the Carousel No One...

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2025/12/15

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. **** Want to participate in this year's Theme of Giving? Make a donation anytime between now and December 22nd in honor of ...

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51:57

Episode 49: Connecting with the Other Side: A...

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2025/12/09

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...

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30:29

Episode 48: On Stories, Creativity, and Other Lessons...

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2025/12/02

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. In Part I of this two-part episode, you'll learn more about the wall, what it represents, and Allie will...

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25:09

Episode 47: Remembering the Businesses of the Caribou...

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2025/11/25

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. 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 y...

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16:23

Episode 46: Lessons From a Full Life: Celebrating the...

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2025/11/18

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 journali...

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36:23

Episode 45: How to Protect Your Energy and Live Your...

Carousel of Happiness Podcast ·

2025/11/04

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...

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