Feel-Good Friday: A Queer Dance Revolution, Dog-Friendly Hotels, and What Actually Makes You Happy
Unpacked by Afar | Travel Smarter, More ResponsiblyShow Notes
Welcome back to Feel-Good Fridays. This week, host Aislyn Greene and producer Nikki Galteland are joined by Afar executive editor Kathrine LaGrave—and the three of them are ready to carry you into the weekend a little lighter, with stories about line dancing, travel with your dog, and the surprisingly simple science of being happy.
The happy news
Country line dancing is having a queer renaissance. Kathrine shares the story of Stud Country, a New York–based group offering country dancing parties and classes rooted in queer cowboy culture—open to everyone, from regulars to curious first-timers.
It’s getting a whole lot easier to travel with your dog. Nikki reports that searches for pet-friendly travel are up year-over-year, and a new wave of hotels isn’t just tolerating four-legged guests—they’re actively celebrating them, with welcome treats, room amenities, dog spas, and yes, an official Director of Pet Relations.
Aislyn brings us back to Yale happiness researcher Laurie Santos, who went viral for teaching the most popular course in the university’s history—and whose 2026 take on happiness comes down to one thing: more friction, more connection, less optimization. Travel, she argues, is one of the best tools we still have for getting out of our own way.
Plus: a spirited debate about cowboy boot colors, a Yappy Hour proposal, and a vision for the ultimate Feel-Good Friday field trip—all dogs welcome.
CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Welcome to Feel-Good Friday
00:01:00 Boots, Belonging, and Stud Country
00:05:45 The Great Boot Color Debate
00:06:00 The Happiness Researcher You Need to Hear
00:10:00 Dogs Welcome: The New Pet-Friendly Hotel Era
00:14:30 Yappy Hour and Other Good Ideas
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