SHIT HAPPY with Toni Powell

Toni Powell
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The Art Of Stirring Shit Shows Into Gold.  AKA Shitstirring Real stories of pain, grief and the full catastrophe of being human and how our guests turned their shitshow into something useful. Shit Happy™️ – a new word meaning 'stirring shitshows into gold.' And a podcast that proves it's possible. Each week guests share true stories along with the hard-won wisdom that got them through it. Topics include mental health, grief, fear, relationships, addiction, creativity, spirituality, identity, forgiveness and finding purpose when life falls apart.  Hosted by Toni Powell — author, speaker and recovering misery addict turned happiness hacker whose storytelling and science-backed tools have helped millions shift their mindset and find joy, even in disaster. Episodes drop Tuesdays. If you want a wellbeing podcast that's down-to-earth, honest and full of real-life resilience (with a few laughs), this is it.

  1. 5d ago

    Shot In The Face, Survived. Then Everything Got Worse | Cameron McKay | Ep 104

    This is the fan mail link! Cam was a special ops officer in the middle of the Ferguson protests when a bullet tore through his face. Most people would call it over, but for Cam, the fight was just getting started.  This isn't just about the shooting; it's about what happens when your body heals but your mind refuses to. We talk about the nightmare of PTSD, a drug-induced coma that brought him to the brink of death, and the hard, unglamorous work of untangling decades of buried trauma. This is a conversation about pulling yourself out of the darkest possible place. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 in the US and Canada, call 116 123 in the UK, or call 13 11 14 in Australia. Bio & Trnscript: https://shithappy.com/shot-in-the-face-survived-then-everything-got-worse-cameron-mckay-ep-104/ Key Moments 00:00 - Cam describes the moment he realized he was shot in the face.00:20 - Background on being a police officer in 2015 and his experiences in Ferguson.03:00 - The shooting incident and the immediate aftermath.04:00 - His quick prayer and attempt to move to safety.05:00 - Calling his sergeant and then his mother from the ambulance.06:46 - His mother's calming words and the impact of the call.07:20 - Arriving at the hospital and the doctors' assessment of his injury (bullet near carotid artery and jugular).08:40 - The onset of PTSD and his initial denial due to a sergeant's comments.10:00 - Hiding at home and increased alcohol consumption.11:05 - Being off work and classified as disabled.11:40 - His department's ultimatum regarding his return to work.12:40 - Entering a "super dark place" and thoughts of suicide.13:30 - The year anniversary of the shooting, a seizure, and the police intervention.14:50 - Diagnosis of Press Syndrome due to alcohol abuse and stress.16:00 - Alcohol withdrawal, pneumonia, and being placed in a drug-induced coma for five weeks.17:00 - Experiencing PTSD dreams and immense pain during the coma.18:00 - His near-death experience during the coma, encountering figures, and a "game" in a cavern.21:00 - Realizing he couldn't escape by harming others and a moment of spiritual awakening.22:00 - Finding himself in a bright light, free of pain, with his grandmother.23:00 - Waking up from the coma and the return of his pain and anger.24:00 - His defiant recovery from the coma and return to drinking.26:00 - A pivotal moment on the highway leading to a breakthrough in therapy.28:00 - Starting Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and his initial resistance to the concept of a higher power.30:00 - Arguing with God and the subsequent shift in his desire to drink.31:00 - His comprehensive recovery approach: sobriety, therapy, medication, exercise, and meditation.32:00 - Reaching a year of sobriety but still struggling, leading to a plan for suicide.33:00 - Revealing a 30-year-old childhood trauma to his therapist.35:00 - The therapist's explanation of "tangled strings" connecting childhood and adult trauma.36:00 - The difficult process of addressing childhood trauma and understanding shame vs. guilt.37:00 - How his deepest wound became his greatest weapon, leading to sharing his story.38:00 - The healing power of articulating feelings and the benefits of therapy.39:32 - Discussion about his grandmother's role in his near-death experience.40:04 - The significance of how he turned his head during the shooting.40:40 - His wife's unwavering support and her role in his recovery.#shithappypodcast #resilience #realstories #survivalstory #mentalhealthawareness Support the show  Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

  2. Jul 14

    He Pulled A Truck With His Bare Hands | Vanessa Gorman | Ep 103

    This is the fan mail link! Vanessa Gorman has spent decades producing some of the most intimate, life-changing television ever made. She's sat across from a towering former police officer who hauled semi-trailers and carried a secret that nearly ended him. She's watched an artist who couldn't read the alphabet discover his brain was extraordinary, not broken. She knows exactly how to hold space for someone else's vulnerability—when the spotlight is on them. But when the camera turns around, the rules change. This conversation peels back the layers of what it actually takes to draw a human being's deepest truth to the surface. Vanessa unpacks the quiet, often unglamorous power of saying yes to the invitation you desperately want to decline, and why the stories we're most terrified to tell are often the ones that end up saving someone else's life. It's about grief that doesn't just sit there, grit that doesn't announce itself, and the transformative impact of vulnerability on the lives of ordinary people who have been through the extraordinary.  Explore the art of authentic connection and how these stories foster understanding in a world that often demands perfection. Guest Page: https://shithappy.com/he-pulled-a-truck-with-his-bare-hands-vanessa-gorman-ep-103/  Links To Love: https://shithappy.com/resources/  For laughs check out our other Youtube @inbedwithphil 0:00 The Power of Vulnerability: Grant Edwards' Story 0:42 Vanessa Gorman on Producing Australian Story 1:12 Telling Stories of Ordinary People Through Adversity 2:28 Grant Edwards: A Strong Man's Battle with PTSD 4:40 The Strength in Admitting Vulnerability 6:00 Impact of Grant Edwards' Story: Preventing Suicide 7:44 Vulnerability in Leadership and Personal Growth 10:20 Vanessa Gorman's Long Career with Australian Story 10:59 Learning from Stories: Vincent Fantauzzo's Dyslexia 13:48 Vincent Fantauzzo: The Gift of Dyslexia 16:50 A Memorable Episode: The Poo Transplant Story 18:50 Australian Story's Role in Driving Change 20:44 The Impact of Being on Australian Story 21:56 The Filming Process: Living with the Subjects 23:40 When Filming Overstays Its Welcome #shithappypodcast #vulnerability #storytelling #resilience #transformation Support the show  Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

  3. Jul 7

    They Said "You Need A Psych Ward" I Laughed. | Julie Goodwin | Ep 102

    This is the fan mail link! Winning MasterChef was meant to be the start of a dream life, but instead, it became the precursor to a quiet, devastating undoing. Julie Goodwin, the show’s first-ever winner, takes us behind the curtain of reality TV fame to share the raw, unfiltered reality of what happens when the cameras stop rolling and the isolation truly sets in. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 in the US and Canada, call 116 123 in the UK, or call 13 11 14 in Australia. This conversation isn't just about the pressure of the spotlight; it’s a deeply honest look at the path to a mental health collapse and the long, non-linear journey of recovery that followed. Julie speaks candidly about multiple hospitalizations, the danger of mistaking "being busy" for "being okay," and the vital importance of removing the stigma surrounding treatment for severe depression and anxiety. We explore why she rejects prescriptive self-help and instead urges listeners to cultivate genuine self-awareness, pay attention to the early warning signs their bodies are screaming, and recognize that mental well-being requires consistent maintenance, not just a one-time fix. From the foundational necessity of sleep to the power of surrendering to professional care, Julie’s story is a powerful reminder that our value isn’t tied to our output, and seeking help is not a failure—it is the ultimate act of courage. GUEST link:  https://shithappy.com/they-said-you-need-the-psych-ward-i-laughed-julie-goodwin-ep-102/ Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/ For laughs check out our other Youtube @inbedwithphil 00:00 [MasterChef Expectations vs. Reality] 01:39 [The Reality of Isolation] 08:57 [Post-Show Whirlwind & Burnout] 11:58 [The Collapse] 14:52 [The Decision to Seek Hospitalization] 16:01 [Dispelling Myths About Mental Hospitals] 22:34 [Challenging Mental Health Stigma] 25:15 [The Perfectionism Trap in Recovery] 28:21 [The Non-Linear Path of Healing] 34:30 [The Vital Importance of Sleep] #shithappypodcast #mentalhealthawareness #masterchefau #juliegoodwin #recoveryjourney Support the show  Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

  4. Jul 1

    The Trip She Took With Her Dead Daughter | Becky Livingston | Ep 101

    This is the fan mail link! Becky Livingston didn't just survive the loss of her daughter Rachel, she took her on one last trip.  For 26 months, Becky traveled the globe with Rachel’s ashes in her suitcase, scattering them in the places Rachel had always dreamed of visiting—from the Taj Mahal to the peaks of the Andes. This is the visceral, logistics-heavy, and deeply moving account of that journey. Becky shares the reality of carrying an urn through airport security, the ritual of "leaving a piece of her" in every country, and how a 26-month trip designed for a dead daughter ended up saving the mother who was left behind. If you’ve ever wondered how to move forward when the person you love is gone, this is the roadmap. Missed The first part? https://youtu.be/DSr7dQdJ3UY  Guest Page: https://shithappy.com/the-trip-she-took-with-her-dead-daughter-becky-livingstone-ep-101/  Links To Love: https://shithappy.com/resources/  For laughs check out our other Youtube @inbedwithphil 0:00 Introduction 1:01 Becky Leaves for Europe 4:38 Leaving Ashes Around the World 6:41 The Airport Incident in Melbourne 10:15 Talking to Rachel 12:21 The Journey Comes to a Close 14:24 Writing the Book and Finding Healing #grief #travel #lifeafterloss #childloss #shithappypodcast Support the show  Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

  5. Jun 30

    They Both Died. I Cannot Believe This Is Now My Life | Becky Livingston | Ep 100

    This is the fan mail link! Becky Livingston's world imploded twice. First, her partner Bob was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and died six months later. Then, 18 months after that, her daughter Rachel's brain tumour returned. Most people would have stayed on the floor. Becky got up, packed her daughter's ashes, and spent 26 months scattering them across the places Rachel had dreamed of visiting.This is a conversation about the most devastating thing that can happen to a person, and the extraordinary decision to find gold in the wreckage. Becky shares Bob's life lessons (including the one that stopped me cold), how gratitude actually works when you have every reason to be bitter, and why changing your outer view can change your inner one. Her book is called Joyful Mourning, and after you hear this, you'll understand why that title isn't a contradiction. 0:00 — When Life Hits You With Back-to-Back Tragedy 2:11 — Falling in Love Again as a Single Mum (and Losing Him Too) 6:04 — "To Be Constantly Strong Is a Weakness" — Bob's Wisest Lesson 7:51 — The Day Her Daughter's Brain Tumor Came Back 8:33 — How She Survived Losing a Partner to Brain Cancer 8:32 — Falling Apart After Loss — What Actually Helped Her Heal 10:33 — How to Care for Yourself While Watching Someone Die 13:49 — Remembering Rachel — A Daughter Who Loved to Laugh and Travel 16:02 — The Travel Journey That Started With a Book of Stars 16:44 — Why She Turned Her Grief Into a Book (and Why Only She Could Write It) 19:54 — How Grief and Gratitude Can Coexist 22:37 — How a Terminal Diagnosis Changes the Way You Live 26:57 — Reinventing Your Life After 50 — It's Never Too Late 30:54 — Using Travel to Navigate Life's Biggest Transitions 32:17 — How to Find Yourself Again After Everything Changes 35:19 — Closing — Part Two Coming Thursday Guest Page: (link) Links To Love (newsletter etc): https://shithappy.com/resources/ Watch On Youtube:@shithappypodcast For laughs check out our other Youtube @inbedwithphil If you or someone you know is navigating grief, reach out to a bereavement counsellor or grief support service in your area. You don't have to do this alone #grief #lifeafterloss #dealingwithloss #bereavement #SHITHAPPYPODCAST Support the show  Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

  6. Jun 22

    RERUN: Guests Share Their Favourite Books

    This is the fan mail link! #ShitHappyPodcast, #InspiringPodcast, #PodcastInterview  Shownotes: Guests Share Their Favourite Books - rerun of ep 62  Books can shape lives, shift perspectives, and sometimes even spark laughter in the bedroom. In this Sh!t Happy holiday special, guests reveal the books that most changed or uplifted them—from Jack Canfield’s Success Principles to Louise Hay, from Ram Dass’s Be Here Now to Johann Hari’s Lost Connections, and even Fifty Shades of Grey. You’ll hear stories of healing, meditation, resilience, forgiveness, and joy, with recommendations that may just inspire your own reading list. Perfect holiday listening for anyone curious about wellbeing, mental health, and the power of words to transform. Topics The books that shaped our guests’ livesHow reading influences resilience and wellbeingSurprising answers to “most uplifting book”Meditation, forgiveness, and spiritual awakeningsThe role of connection in mental healthChoosing happiness and living without regretEpisode Specific Links Transcript  https://shithappy.com/guests-share-the…ay-special-ep-62/The Success Principles – Jack Canfield: https://amzn.to/3IOFtOmYou Can Heal Your Life – Louise Hay: https://amzn.to/4nZmakgBe Here Now – Ram Dass: https://amzn.to/3IQOnuCLost Connections – Johann Hari: https://amzn.to/3Kuhc0AThe Happiest Man on Earth – Eddie Jaku: https://amzn.to/46z0GVMTop Five Regrets of the Dying – Bronnie Ware: https://amzn.to/4gRO2Vj Find Related Episodes on Apple Podcasts:   # 2 Bombs Betrayal and Badassery with Heidi Denning # 23 Hip Hop For Healing with Winitha Bonney  # 17 Sex, Drugs & Meditation with Mary-Lou Stephens # 26 Finding Inner Peace with Fred Luskin # 20 Blindsided By Benzos with Deke Ludwig #books, #reading, #Wellbeing, #Mindfulness, #Motivation Support the show Support the show  Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

  7. Jun 15

    RERUN: Guests Share About Romance

    This is the fan mail link! #ShitHappyPodcast, #InspiringPodcast, #PodcastInterview  Shownotes: Guests Share About Romance - rerun of ep 66  From handwritten Italian love notes to a surprise donkey with a red bow, this holiday special brims with the most romantic gestures our guests have ever experienced. You’ll hear about unexpected kindness, deep devotion, sparkling Vegas vows, and even a partner who wasn’t afraid to tackle a messy kitchen. Whether you’re craving inspiration for your own love life or just want to smile, these true stories will lift your heart and remind you of the many forms romance can take. Perfect holiday listening for anyone seeking joy, wellbeing, and a dash of fun. Topics Romance in everyday and extraordinary gesturesLove letters and the power of the written wordSelfless acts in relationshipsDonkeys, Elvis, and unconventional surprisesHow kindness can feel deeply romanticEpisode Specific Links Transcript: https://shithappy.com/guests-share-about-romance-holiday-special-ep-66/ Toni’s course: https://www.tonipowell.com/product/lets-get-shit-happy-self-paced/USE THIS 30% OFF CODE : shithappyRelated Episode Links Ep 17: with Mary Lou Stevens Ep 41: with Mae DaEp 48 & 49  with  Nikki Beaumont Ep 38 & 39  with Tammy van Wisse Ep: 23 & 24 with  Fred Luskin – BOTH#romance, #loveletters, #Wellbeing, #Mindfulness, #Motivation Support the show Support the show  Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

  8. Jun 8

    RERUN: Guests Share Childhood Dreams & Also Kindness

    This is the fan mail link! #ShitHappyPodcast, #InspiringPodcast, #PodcastInterview  *note this rerun episode has two smaller episodes together.   One on Childhood dreams and one on Kindness. Sep shownotes for both below:  Shownotes: Guests Share Their Childhood Dreams -  reryb ep 64  Ever wonder what your childhood dreams said about you? In this fun holiday special, guests share the quirky, heartfelt, and hilarious careers they once imagined for themselves. From teaching without realizing it meant kids, to becoming the Bionic Woman, to designing a backhoe, these stories are equal parts funny and revealing. A feel-good dose of nostalgia and insight into how dreams shift and strengths emerge—perfect for a wellbeing boost this holiday season. Episode Specific Links Transcript: https://shithappy.com/guests-share-their-childhood-dreams-holiday-special-ep-64/Find Related Episodes on Apple Podcasts:   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shit-happy-with-toni-powell/id1829230570 ep 39 & 39 with Tammy van Wisse: ep 20 with Deke Ludwig ep 47 & 48 with Nikki Beaumont #Wellbeing, #Mindfulness, #Motivation, #childhooddreams, #careerjourney, #nostalgia Shownotes: Guests Tell Stories of  Great Kindness - rerun ep 67 Kindness is contagious—and sometimes it comes from the most unexpected places. In this holiday special, four Sh!t Happy guests share unforgettable moments when kindness changed everything. From strangers guarding luggage and chiropractors offering healing on the beach, to a surprise champagne celebration and the power of one encouraging word, these stories remind us how mental health, resilience, and wellbeing grow when people choose kindness. Episode Transcript:  https://shithappy.com/guests-share-abo…ay-special-ep-66/ Find Related Episodes on Apple Podcasts:   https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shit-happy-with-toni-powell/id1829230570 # 5 Miracle On The Camino with Stephanie Bergeron# 38  She Did The Impossible With Tammy Van Wisse# 44 The Sky Is Not The Limit with Cran Middlecoat #Wellbeing, #Mindfulness, #Motivation, #kindness, #randomactsofkindness, Support the show Support the show  Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

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About

The Art Of Stirring Shit Shows Into Gold.  AKA Shitstirring Real stories of pain, grief and the full catastrophe of being human and how our guests turned their shitshow into something useful. Shit Happy™️ – a new word meaning 'stirring shitshows into gold.' And a podcast that proves it's possible. Each week guests share true stories along with the hard-won wisdom that got them through it. Topics include mental health, grief, fear, relationships, addiction, creativity, spirituality, identity, forgiveness and finding purpose when life falls apart.  Hosted by Toni Powell — author, speaker and recovering misery addict turned happiness hacker whose storytelling and science-backed tools have helped millions shift their mindset and find joy, even in disaster. Episodes drop Tuesdays. If you want a wellbeing podcast that's down-to-earth, honest and full of real-life resilience (with a few laughs), this is it.

Information

  • Creator
    Toni Powell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    109
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 SHIT HAPPY with Toni Powell
  • Show Website
    SHIT HAPPY with Toni Powell

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