BULLYING Into a BOOK Empire! Become Unapologetically Yourself | Rachel & Nikki Russell
Hack Your Happiness6 Marras 2025

BULLYING Into a BOOK Empire! Become Unapologetically Yourself | Rachel & Nikki Russell

If you’ve ever felt too different, too quiet, too you - this episode will remind you that those are the best parts of you. Today's conversation will change how you see yourself, and your “dorky” side.


Rachel Renée Russell once put her writing dreams on hold after harsh criticism. Decades later, after her daughter, Nikki, underwent harsh bullying, they created Dork Diaries. This is a book series that turns middle school awkwardness into a global celebration of self-acceptance. With over 55 million copies sold, their stories have helped kids (and grown-ups!) everywhere realize that being different isn’t something to hide, it’s something to celebrate.


Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by the iconic mother–daughter duo behind Dork Diaries, Rachel and Nikki Russell, to talk about turning rejection into resilience, transforming insecurities into creativity, and finding happiness by embracing your most authentic self.


In this episode:

  • How Dork Diaries began as a family project inspired by real middle school experiences

  • Hacks for embracing who YOU are

  • The behind-the-scenes magic of their creative collaboration as a mom–daughter team

  • Tips for you to strengthen your family bond

  • Most rewarding + challenging parts of writing a hit series


  • Whether you’re chasing a dream, facing self-doubt, or just trying to embrace who you really are, Rachel and Nikki’s story will remind you that being yourself isn’t risky — and they'll give you the actionable tips that you need to truly step into your own shoes.


    Shop Mission: Small Bits of Happiness⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up For Waking Up & Get 30 Days Free!⁠

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support Us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    Pre-order the NEW Dork Diaries graphic novel

    Check out the Dork Diaries website


    Ready to Hack Your Happiness some more? Listen to our interview with bestselling author of The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot. In this episode, Meg shares her top tips for reducing distractions + focusing on your goals, advice for managing criticism, and her journey from writing The Princess Diaries to seeing it in theatres: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sV3ZAnQf5UlnoSQBAmVGu?si=pHx3mMz9RxeQaZj6EFxuIg


    (00:00) Welcome, Rachel & Nikki

    (02:49) What Inspired Dork Diaries?

    (04:08) Being Told 'You're Not a Good Writer'

    (06:23) How Can I Believe In Myself + Navigate Other People's Doubts?

    (09:10) Top Tips for Embracing Yourself

    (12:32) How Did Nikki Start Illustrating?

    (14:45) The REAL Motivation Behind Dork Diaries (lemons into lemonade)

    (17:31) A Message to Anyone Who Has Ever Been Bullied

    (23:09) A Message From Us to You

    (23:32) How Does Working Together Impact Rachel & Nikki's Relationship?

    (29:08) Do THIS for a Stronger Parent-Child/Teen Relationship

    (34:12) Mercedes and Anastasia's "Sister Bonding Nights"

    (34:53) BTS of Creating a Dork Diaries Book

    (38:32) New Dork Diaries Teaser!

    (40:22) How Do Rachel & Nikki Stay On Trend?

    (42:45) A PEEK Inside Mercedes and Anastasia's Personal Diaries

    (47:03) Sleep Better TONIGHT

    (47:29) Rachel and Nikki On External Pressure

    (50:44) Hacks For Managing External Pressure

    (53:36) Nikki's Guide to Self-Care

    (54:41) Everyone's Favorite Cheesecake

    (55:57) Criticism & How to Handle It

    (1:00:08) Dork Diaries' Parallels to Rachel & Nikki's Life

    (1:03:04) Bullying As An Adult vs Teenager

    (1:03:49) Rachel & Nikki To Their Teenage Selves

    (1:04:51) What Brings Rachel & Nikki A Small Bit of Happiness?

    (1:06:41) Rachel & Nikki's Motivational Quote

    (1:08:04) Find Rachel and Nikki Here

    (1:09:07) Key Takeaways

  • Jaksot(126)

    #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Marissa Meyer's Hacks For Overwhelm

    #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Marissa Meyer's Hacks For Overwhelm

    On today's episode of Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Marissa Meyer. She's written The Renegades Trilogy, The Lunar Chronicles series, th...

    11 Tammi 202435min

    F1 Academy Driver Jessica Edgar's Hacks On Finding A Supportive Community

    F1 Academy Driver Jessica Edgar's Hacks On Finding A Supportive Community

    Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by F1 Academy Driver, Jessica Edgar. Jessica began her journey at 4-years-old, and since then has ranked very high in championships, an...

    7 Joulu 202314min

    Top Photographer Sue Bryce's Hacks On How To Value Yourself

    Top Photographer Sue Bryce's Hacks On How To Value Yourself

    Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by photographer and life coach, Sue Bryce. Sue has been a Professional Photographer for 34 years, and after coaching 28K start-up busin...

    2 Joulu 20231h

    How This Million Dollar Listing Star Balances EVERYTHING & YOU Can Too: Tracy Tutor

    How This Million Dollar Listing Star Balances EVERYTHING & YOU Can Too: Tracy Tutor

    Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by real estate agent, author, and reality star from Million Dollar Listing, Tracy Tutor. Tracy is a top real estate agent at Douglas El...

    23 Marras 202341min

    Olympic Swimmer Penny Oleksiak's Hacks On Accepting What We Can't Control

    Olympic Swimmer Penny Oleksiak's Hacks On Accepting What We Can't Control

    Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Canada's most decorated Olympic Athlete - Swimmer Penny Oleksiak. Penny made her debut in 2016 at the summer Olympics in Rio de Jane...

    16 Marras 202325min

    Our Confidence Hacks

    Our Confidence Hacks

    Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia take on a solo episode to break down how they, as two teenagers, have become more confident. Not only is it important to be confident in your phys...

    9 Marras 202314min

    Dr. Victoria Waller's Hacks On Using Passion To Overcome Challenges

    Dr. Victoria Waller's Hacks On Using Passion To Overcome Challenges

    Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by Dr. Victoria Waller. Dr. Waller is an award-winning educational therapist based in California. She helps children with learning diff...

    2 Marras 202345min

    Author S.G. Prince's Hacks For Finding + Following Your Passion

    Author S.G. Prince's Hacks For Finding + Following Your Passion

    Today, on Hack Your Happiness, Mercedes and Anastasia are joined by author S.G. Prince, author of The Elvish Trilogy, The Heirs of Isla, and The Rivers of Reversal. S.G. wasn't always an author - in f...

    26 Loka 202325min

    Suosittua kategoriassa Terveys ja hyvinvointi

    unicast
    tiedenaiset-podcast
    psykopodiaa-podcast
    voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
    rss-pitaisko-erota
    vakeva-elama-viisaampi-mieli-vahvempi-keho
    rss-kyykkya-ja-kuoharia
    meditaatiot-suomeksi
    fitnessvastaanotto
    rss-kuumilla-aalloilla
    puhu-muru
    rss-pt-paahtio
    terapiassa
    rss-uplevel-by-sonja-hannus
    paaasia-podcast
    paritellen
    rss-rakas-mielenterveyteni
    onnen-kuplia
    selviytyjat-tarinoita-elamasta
    junnut-pelissa