Steve and Dan’s friendship began in the hallways of their high school, where two competitive spirits recognized kindred souls in each other. Their bond was forged through a shared passion for competition that extended far beyond the classroom into athletics and every aspect of life. What started as mutual respect for each other’s drive and determination quickly blossomed into a deep friendship that would span nearly five decades. They became integral members of “Da Boyz,” a tight-knit group of friends whose collective energy and ambition would later serve as the inspiration for their collaborative work on happiness and success.
Their parallel paths continued at USC, where they chose to room together both during their college years and beyond. It was at USC that they earned the nickname “Co” while serving as co-athletic chairmen of their Sigma Nu fraternity, a role that perfectly embodied their collaborative spirit and shared leadership style. This experience of working together toward common goals laid the foundation for what would eventually become their co-authorship of “10x Happiness.” The transition from college roommates to co-authors felt natural and inevitable, given their history of partnership and their complementary perspectives on life and success.
The depth of their friendship extends well beyond their professional collaboration. Their families have become intertwined over the years, with Steve and Dan each serving as godparents to the other’s daughter, creating bonds that span generations.
For three decades, they have maintained “Plato’s Cave,” a book club with their close friend Scott that has served as an intellectual laboratory for exploring the many dimensions of success, fulfillment, and human potential. Through countless discussions and deep dives into philosophy, psychology, and personal development, they have accumulated insights that ultimately crystallized into their book. “10x Happiness” represents not just their individual perspectives but the collective wisdom gained from 45 years of friendship, competition, learning, and shared growth alongside their remarkable group of friends who have all found their own paths to significant success.
Stephen Pfahler has served as a Superior Court Judge for the State of California for the past 19 years. As a judge, he primarily handles large civil cases in Los Angeles County, the largest county court system in the nation. In 2024, Pfahler was honored as Judge of the Year for the Los Angeles Superior Court. Prior to becoming a judge, he practiced law for over sixteen years and was recognized as a Super Lawyer. He also taught public policy and the law as an adjunct professor at the nationally ranked Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California.
Combining his love for the law with his passion for helping people optimize their lives, Judge Pfahler became a certified life coach, studied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and is a frequent speaker on lawyer well-being and happiness. He also serves on the Mindfulness and Wellness Committee for the California Judges Association. His newest book, “10x Happiness,” is his second. Judge Pfahler’s first book, “The Whole Truth for Lawyers: A Complete Guide to Flourishing in Your Life and Career,” was published in 2022. Pfahler lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife, three kids, and dog.
As a husband, father of three grown children, and proud father-in-law, family remains at the center of his life—alongside the family’s loyal dog. His commitment to consistency runs deep; he has maintained a 10,000-step daily streak for over seven years without missing a single day, embodying his core philosophy of continually moving forward in all aspects of life.
Though his basketball days are behind him, he stays active through low-impact sports like softball and pickleball and practices karate three days a week. His competitive spirit now channels into community service—he is currently chairing his second major fundraiser for the LAFD and LAPD. These events have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for first responders while bringing the community together through music, games, and great food. His dedication to supporting those who serve is rooted in his father’s military service and continues through his long-standing support of Operation Gratitude.
Travel has become a passion; he and his family spent six weeks exploring Europe last year and have plans to see much more of the world. At home, he has inherited his father’s love of books, building a library focused on stoic philosophy and business, with occasional stories from World War II and the Civil War.
Professionally, as CEO of GoodSuite, he focuses on creating exceptional customer experiences, pursuing growth opportunities, and supporting valued employees through the company’s five core values.
