Crappy to Happy

Cass Dunn
  • 4.8 (1.2K)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join psychologist Cass Dunn, and inspiring guests from around the world, for real talk, relatable and practical ideas to help you live a happier, more meaningful life.   www.crappytohappypod.com

  1. A Wearable for Deep Sleep, Mental Strength & Cognitive Health with Ariel Garten

    14 APR

    A Wearable for Deep Sleep, Mental Strength & Cognitive Health with Ariel Garten

    If you've ever wondered whether your sleep tracker is actually accurate, or whether meditation is doing anything measurable in your brain, this episode is for you.  Ariel Garten is the co-founder of Muse, the brain-sensing headband, and she's back on the show with a significant update on how the technology has evolved. The Muse Athena contains an entirely new technology called fNIRS that tracks real-time blood flow and oxygen delivery to your prefrontal cortex. We get into why wrist-based devices like Oura and Apple Watch can only ever estimate your sleep stages - because they're guessing from heart rate and movement, not brainwave data, whereas the Muse measures deep sleep at 94% accuracy compared to a clinical sleep lab. It's Deep Sleep Boost feature uses barely-audible pink noise pulses to increase the amount of time you spend in deep, restorative slow-wave sleep. We also go into ADHD territory. Both Ariel and I are diagnosed, and we talk about what neurofeedback and meditation training can do for focus, executive function, and the near-constant urge to abandon tasks halfway through. What you'll learn Why wrist-based sleep trackers can't accurately measure deep sleep, and how EEG-based tracking changes the pictureWhat deep sleep actually does for your brain and body - and why it matters for memory, cognitive function, and reducing the risk of Alzheimer'sHow the Deep Sleep Boost feature uses tiny pink noise pulses synced to your delta waves to deepen your sleep (and why your bed partner won't even hear it)What your alpha peak frequency is, why it tends to decline with age, and how you can track and potentially maintain it through neurofeedbackWhat fNIRS technology is and why training your prefrontal cortex to demand more oxygen could be important for long-term brain healthHow Muse's neurofeedback and meditation tools can support focus, attention, and executive function - and what this means if you have ADHDThe full range of content in the Muse app, including over 500 guided sessions covering sleep, stress, relationships, focus, and moreHow the app's AI assistant, ENSO, can help you interpret your data, track trends over time, and find the right tools for your goalsResources mentioned Muse headband: www.choosemuse.com/ (enter code cassdunn at checkout for 15% off) Previous episode with Ariel Garten (2019)  https://www.crappytohappypod.com/wearable-technology-for-your-brain-with-ariel-garten/ Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers  Open for enrolment NOW. Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle. Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2 Connect with Cass: www.cassdunn.com www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo Contact Crappy to Happy: Email: hello@crappytohappypod.com www.crappytohappypod.com www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

    43 min

  2. 1 APR

    How to Deal with Difficult People

    Working title was “How to Deal with Arseholes” but I thought Apple might ban me.  After being evicted from our rental in the UK, I had to sell our house in Australia from the other side of the world. I did not expect the amount of conflict and tension I would have to manage (uncooperative tenants, RE agents not communicating and a selling agent in London applying pressure to meet an impossible deadline). Let’s just say I was not always my best self. 😐  I reacted emotionally, sent emails I shouldn’t have, and felt like I couldn’t trust anybody. Somewhere in the middle of it, while I was walking my dogs, where most of my better thinking happens, I realised there are useful lessons here, and they’ll be worth sharing once I’m through to the other side. Well, I’m through to the other side! The house is sold. And I’m sharing five things that helped me navigate a high-conflict period without losing my mind or my values in the process. These are my go-to strategies for dealing with difficult people, managing your own emotional reactivity, and staying true to who you want to be, even when other people are being complete dicks. What you’ll learn in this episode: The one question to ask yourself first when you’re angry at someone elseHow everyone -including the most difficult person in your life right now - is just trying to get their own needs met (and how understanding this can shift the whole dynamic)Why email and text are the worst ways to communicate when there’s tensionHow to hold your ground assertively and firmly without compromising your values and adding fuel to the fireThe woo woo things I do when I feel powerless and why it’s so helpful even if you don’t think it works Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers  Open for enrolment NOW. Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle. Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2 Connect with Cass: www.cassdunn.com www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo Contact Crappy to Happy: Email: hello@crappytohappypod.com www.crappytohappypod.com www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

    25 min
  3. Reclaiming Sexual Pleasure in Midlife with Dr Maria Sophocles

    11 MAR

    Reclaiming Sexual Pleasure in Midlife with Dr Maria Sophocles

    If sex has slowly disappeared from your life - or started to feel like something you dread rather than look forward to - and you're not sure whether to blame your hormones, your relationship, your exhaustion, or just yourself, this episode is going to help. My guest is Dr Maria Sophocles, a board-certified OB/GYN and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner who has spent 30 years working with women on the clinical frontline of this exact problem. She's the author of the brand new book The Bedroom Gap, and the creator of a TED Talk on midlife sex that has now been watched over a million times. Maria coined the term "the bedroom gap" to describe the very real and very unspoken difference in sexual expectations and abilities between men and women in midlife. It's not just about low libido, but the physical changes happening in your body that nobody explains to you, the cultural messaging that tells women their discomfort doesn't matter, a medical system that created Viagra in 1998 but left women largely without equivalent solutions, and the shame that keeps so many of us from even raising the subject with our doctors. In this conversation, Maria breaks down the physiology of what oestrogen loss actually does to your vagina, your bladder, and your capacity for arousal . We talk about vaginal oestrogen, why it's safe for virtually every woman on the planet, and why so many women never get offered it; and what to say to your doctor when sexual symptoms aren't being addressed. In this episode, you'll learn: What "the bedroom gap" actually is and why it tends to widen so dramatically during perimenopause and menopauseWhat oestrogen loss is really doing to your body - and why pain and dryness during sex are physiological, not a personal failingWhy vaginal oestrogen is considered safe for virtually every woman but is still widely under-prescribedWhy your HRT patch or gel alone is often not enough for sexual and bladder symptoms, and what to ask for insteadHow Viagra, despite being a genuine breakthrough for some couples, also made the bedroom gap worse for a great many womenWhat the new FDA approval for female sexual desire actually means - and why it matters that it took this longThe real story on testosterone for women, why it's approved in Australia but not the US or UK, and what it can doHow porn has become the default sex educator for an entire generation,  and the resources Maria actually recommends insteadWhat to say when you want to start a conversation about sex with a long-term partner, a doctor, or your adult daughterResources mentioned: The Bedroom Gap by Dr Maria Sophocles - mariasophoclesmd.com/book/Dr Maria Sophocles' TED Talk: "What happens to sex in midlife? A look at the bedroom gap" - ted.com/speakers/maria_sophoclesOMGYES (sex education resource) - omgyes.comErica Lust TED Talk on female-forward adult content - search "Erica Lust TED Athens"Come As You Are by Emily NagoskiDr Maria Sophocles on Instagram: @MariaSophoclesMDDr Maria Sophocles on LinkedIn Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers  Open for enrolment NOW. Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle. Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2 Connect with Cass: www.cassdunn.com www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo Contact Crappy to Happy: Email: hello@crappytohappypod.com www.crappytohappypod.com www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

    41 min
  4. Lessons I've Learned Since Being Evicted

    4 FEB

    Lessons I've Learned Since Being Evicted

    We got evicted. The subsequent upheaval has revealed a lot to me about how my own nervous system patterns show up, especially when things feel uncertain or out of control. While my situation is personal, this experience is universal so in this ep, I'm sharing why our default stress response is often to push through, people please, overwork, or avoid decisions, even if we destroy ourselves in the process. Many of the behaviours we criticise ourselves for are actually safety strategies that we learned early to protect us when we feel emotionally unsafe. I break down the different nervous system stress responses and explain how they show up in everyday life, work, and relationships. Most importantly, I share why self awareness alone isn’t enough to create change, and why working with your nervous system, rather than against it, is essential if you want to feel calmer, more grounded, and more in control of your choices. What you’ll learn: How your nervous system prioritises safety over logic and long term goalsThe four main stress responses and how they show up in daily lifeWhy pushing through discomfort often keeps you stuckHow people pleasing, overworking, avoidance, and perfectionism developWhy insight doesn’t automatically translate into behaviour changeWhat it actually takes to make decisions from a calmer, more regulated placeIf you’ve ever wondered why you keep repeating patterns you’re very aware of, this episode will help you understand what’s really driving them, and where to begin if you want something to change. Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers  Open for enrolment NOW. Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle. Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2 Connect with Cass: www.cassdunn.com www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo Contact Crappy to Happy: Email: hello@crappytohappypod.com www.crappytohappypod.com www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

    34 min
  5. Letting Go and Starting Again with Tiffiny Hall

    15 JAN

    Letting Go and Starting Again with Tiffiny Hall

    Tiff Hall has been part of Crappy to Happy since the very beginning, and she's a woman who knows reinvention better than most. She spent a decade building a powerful, values-driven fitness brand, showing up through pregnancies, injuries, illness, body changes and enormous personal pressure. And then she made a decision that surprised many people, selling TXO to 28 by Sam Wood and stepping out of her CEO role. This is an honest conversation about identity, grief, relief, and the courage it takes to choose a new chapter even when the old one has been successful. We talk about the emotional impact of walking away from something you've poured your heart into, the backlash and disappointment from a community you genuinely love, and what happens when your capacity, your body, and your priorities shift. Tiff shares how motherhood changed her, why stepping back is not giving up, and how returning to her roots as a trainer has reconnected her to what she loves most. We also talk about comparison, social media pressure, running an online business as a woman, and what it means to grow in a way that is sustainable rather than impressive. What you’ll learn: What really goes on emotionally when you sell a business you built yourselfWhy stepping back can feel like grief and freedom at the same timeHow motherhood, injury, and illness reshaped Tiff’s relationship with fitnessThe hidden pressure of running a values-led business in a highly visible industryWhy being too accessible and too generous can clash with business sustainabilityHow comparison and social media exposure affect mental healthWhy choosing less can sometimes give you moreIf you’re in a season of questioning, scaling back, or reimagining what success looks like for you, you'll want to listen to this one. Train with Tiff on 28 by Sam Wood https://28bysamwood.com/ Follow Tiff on IG www.instagram.com/tiffhall_xo Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers  Open for enrolment NOW. Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle. Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2 Connect with Cass: www.cassdunn.com www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo Contact Crappy to Happy: Email: hello@crappytohappypod.com www.crappytohappypod.com www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

    51 min
  6. Announcement for Paid Subscribers

    8 JAN

    Announcement for Paid Subscribers

    I announced at the end of November that the subscription podcast was moving to Supercast. Update: 1. The subscription podcast has now been removed from Apple. Any subscription fees paid in advance will be refunded by Apple. 2. I've made the decision to not continue with the paid podcast for now, while my focus is on building the new and expanded Beyond Confident for Entrepreneurs (super excited for that). 3. I previously shared a link for paid subscribers to be able to access "subscriber only" content (at no charge) on Supercast for a limited time during the transition. If you missed it, feel free to email me. To find out more about Beyond Confident for Entrepreneurs head to www.cassdunn.com/beyond-confident Contact: hello@crappytohappypod.com hello@cassdunn.com

    6 min

  7. 6 JAN

    New Year, Same You: How to Set Goals You Actually Achieve in 2026

    How do you embrace the "new year, new start" energy without overshooting your goals and setting yourself up to fail? Every January we're bombarded with resolutions, routines, and lofty promises about who we're supposed to become; and every year, many of us quietly abandon them, feeling guilty, unmotivated, and like we've failed. In this solo ep, I'm sharing my very deliberate anti-resolution approach to 2026, not because goals don't matter, but because the way we usually set them often does more harm than good. With a background in coaching psychology and my experience of late diagnosed ADHD, this is an honest reflection on what did and did not work for me last year and the much simpler and more compassionate way I'm approaching my goals this year. The secret is not doing more. It's doing less, with intention. I explain why setting the bar lower can strengthen your self trust, why consistency matters more than intensity, and how choosing fewer priorities can help you feel calmer, more confident, and more fulfilled as the year unfolds. What you will learn: Why I'm not a fan of New Year’s resolutionsHow unrealistic goals quietly erode your self concept and confidenceWhy consistency beats intensity when it comes to habits and behaviour changeThe surprising psychological benefits of choosing just one daily habitWhat it means to go deep on one skill or area instead of skimming the surface of manyHow focusing on completion, not busyness, can change how you feel about yourselfSimple questions to help you decide what actually matters this yearHow to harness fresh start energy without setting yourself up to failIf you are craving a calmer, more grounded start to the year, and you want goals that support your wellbeing rather than undermine it, this episode will give you plenty to reflect on. For more on this topic: What to Do Instead of New Year's Resolutions Kickstart Your New Year by Setting Goals that Matter Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers  Open for enrolment NOW. Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle. Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2 Connect with Cass: www.cassdunn.com www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo Contact Crappy to Happy: Email: hello@crappytohappypod.com www.crappytohappypod.com www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

    31 min
  8. How I'm Using AI to Massively Simplify My Business

    16/12/2025

    How I'm Using AI to Massively Simplify My Business

    AI is everywhere right now and it’s moving fast, from fake online personas and voice cloning to coaches selling AI versions of themselves. The pace of change is astonishing, and if you don't keep up, you'll be left behind. So what does this mean for small business owners, therapists and coaches? In this episode, I talk through what I’ve been learning as I’ve gone all in on understanding the potential of AI and the role it can play as a complement to your expertise, not a substitute for it. When harnessed effectively AI offers a way to reduce burnout, remove administrative overload and free up hours of precious time that can be redirected to more meaningful, human centred interactions. I'm sharing how I’m personally using AI in my business, why training AI properly matters, and where I believe the hard ethical lines still need to be drawn, especially when it comes to mental health and therapy. I think for any ethical business owner, there is an exciting opportunity right now to embrace artificial intelligence in your business and use it to make a meaningful difference in your own life and the lives of people you work with, without outsourcing your judgement, your values or your humanity. What You’ll Learn Why AI feels so uncomfortable for people and why that reaction makes senseThe difference between copy and paste prompts, custom GPTs and more advanced AI agentsHow AI can genuinely reduce overwhelm for small business owners and solopreneurs (especially if you have ADHD!)Why women appear to be slower to adopt AI The ethical risks of AI being used as therapy and where things can go wrongHow you can train AI "Assistants" to sound exactly like you when they produce contentWhy the future of work may actually place more value on real human connection, not lessHow to think about using AI in a way that aligns with your values rather than eroding them Beyond Confident 2.0 for Solopreneurs & Service Providers  Open for enrolment NOW. Transform self-doubt & self-sabotage, rewire your nervous system for success, and do the inner healing work, while being supported to create a streamlined, profitable business that supports your lifestyle. Save $1000 with Founding Member Pricing. www.cassdunn.com/bc2 Connect with Cass: www.cassdunn.com www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo Contact Crappy to Happy: Email: hello@crappytohappypod.com www.crappytohappypod.com www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod This episode includes AI-generated content.

    40 min
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out of 5
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About

Join psychologist Cass Dunn, and inspiring guests from around the world, for real talk, relatable and practical ideas to help you live a happier, more meaningful life.   www.crappytohappypod.com

Information

  • Creator
    Cass Dunn
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    238
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Cass Dunn
  • Show Website
    Crappy to Happy

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