How To Be Happy

BU Happiness College
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

There's no goal more universally desired than living a happy life. But these days, happiness can seem pretty hard to reach. That's why this podcast exists. To serve as a compass in your pursuit of happiness. Built on over 10 years of studying the science of happiness and 7+ years of coaching people across 5 countries, join your host & Happiness Researcher - Declan Edwards as he brings you: - evidence-based strategies for mastering your mind and emotions. - inspiring interviews with individuals who have transformed their lives - and practical tips and techniques to help you do the same.

  1. 3d ago

    How Annelise McCarthy Became Her Happiest Self

    Have you ever ticked every single box of success—earned the degrees, smashed your goals, and worked yourself to the bone—only to realise you’ve completely forgotten how to relax? It is incredibly easy to fall into a cycle of perfectionism, chronic people-pleasing, and hustle culture, running your health straight into the ground just to prove your worth. In this episode of How to Be Happy, I’m sitting down with the absolutely electric Annelise McCarthy; a women's communication expert, speaker, Coach, and proud graduated of BU Happiness College. Annelise spent 3 full years studying the skills and science of happiness at BU Happiness College, and she is the ultimate case study of what happens when you take radical responsibility for your life. We take a trip down memory lane to map her massive personal transformation from a high-strung, boundary-less overachiever to a woman who is now completely thriving. Annelise lifts the lid on her personal toolkit, sharing how tools like fierce self-compassion, firm boundaries, and the feelings wheel protect her mental health and wellbeing. We also explore the deep connection between positive psychology and confident communication, proving why public speaking is actually a game of self-trust, emotional vulnerability, and learning how to truly face yourself. In this episode: The "How to Be" Shift: What happens when you stop studying how to do more and start learning the baseline emotional skills required to actually live in the present.Redefining Self-Compassion: Why treating yourself with kindness isn't a lazy cop-out, but a form of discipline that gives your body what it needs instead of just what it wants.Internal vs. External Boundaries: How to build a healthier relationship with your phone and social media to protect your time and energy.The Real Secret to Public Speaking: Why consuming endless books and videos is useless if you lack the internal self-trust to back yourself in a boardroom or on a stage. The Fear of Being Seen: Why the universal dread of speaking is deeply tied to our fear of visibility, and how connecting with yourself unlocks your ability to connect with an audience. Links & Next Steps: Connect with Annelise: Ready to master communication and learn how to own any room you walk into? Check out her expert coaching and resources at AnneliseMcCarthy.com or find her on social media @theannelisemccarthyClaim Your Free Happiness Connection Call: Inspired by Annelise's journey to stop surviving and start prioritising your development? Let's chat! For a limited time, I am opening up my personal calendar for a free, 15-minute connection call to map out your next steps. Click hereGrab Your Copy of 'How to Be Happy': Want to master the exact tools Annelise and I discussed today? Emotional intelligence and literacy are the very first skills I explore in my brand-new book, featuring a comprehensive breakdown of the feelings wheel. Pick up your copy at all good bookstores, online via Amazon or Booktopia, or download it immediately on Audible.

  2. Jul 21

    What 250 Million Data Points Reveal About Happiness at Work - Interview with Matt Phelan; co-founder of The Happiness Index

    We spend a massive chunk of our waking hours at our jobs, yet millions of people drag themselves through the week feeling completely unseen, disconnected, and burnt out. As organizations, we pour millions of dollars into flashy HR software, task-tracking apps, and corporate wellness initiatives. But according to the raw data, most companies are aggressively over-investing in operational systems that have zero impact on human fulfilment, while completely ignoring what actually makes us thrive. In this special workplace edition of How to Be Happy, I’m joined by Matt Phelan, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of The Happiness Index. Matt and his team have analyzed an incredible 250 million data points from over 170 countries to map out the psychological reality of the modern employee experience. We dive straight into the findings of their 2026 Global Workplace Happiness Report, crunching the numbers on what happens to our performance when our basic human needs are ignored. Matt opens up about why he spent 11 years trapped in the "perfectionism loop" before finally declaring this "Year Zero" and getting the data out into the world. We challenge the standard corporate approach to return-to-office mandates, break down why 100% virtual environments are backfiring for younger workers, and expose why the executive suite is often a far lonelier, less happy place to be than middle management. In this episode we explore: The Flywheel Effect: How Matt utilised a basic efficiency workflow to bridge data and technology, and why it completely cleared the "cognitive debt" out of his business. The "Snickers Bar" Exception: A look at why the basic foundations of human motivation haven't evolved in thousands of years, proving that happiness at work costs absolutely nothing. Treating People How They Want to Be Treated: Why generic corporate recognition system defaults fail, and how to customise appreciation to fit introverts, extroverts, and everyone in betweenThe Autonomy vs. Proximity Debate: A real-world breakdown of why location autonomy outscores office proximity for creative problem-solving and focus.Ignorance vs. Incompetence: A hard call-out to modern executive boards on why ignoring workplace culture metrics is no longer just a HR issue—it’s a commercial performance failure. Links & Next Steps: Download the Full Report: Ready to see how your own team or organisation stacks up against tens of millions of cultural insights? Click here to sign up for and download the complete Global Workplace Happiness Report for free! Connect with Matt: Follow Matt Phelan’s world-class thought leadership and research directly on Linkedin or check out his personal website at https://mattphelan.co.uk/Subscribe to the Show: If this conversation helped you find a fresh perspective on your own work life today, please hit Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! For every single person who follows the show we pay to protect one square meter of threatened rainforest

    What 250 Million Data Points Reveal About Happiness at Work - Interview with Matt Phelan; co-founder of The Happiness Index

  3. Jul 14

    Hygge: The Danish Secret to Wintering Well

    How many times over the last few weeks have you looked out the window at a grey, freezing morning and felt your mood instantly take a nosedive? As human beings, we have a bad habit of becoming "weather hostages"—holding our happiness ransom until the sun graciously decides to return . We treat winter like an adversary to survive rather than a natural season to enjoy . In this solo episode of How to Be Happy, Declan Edwards shares a perspective shift . Year after year, the World Happiness Report is dominated by Nordic countries like Denmark and Finland . If happiness required blue skies, they would be at the bottom of the list . Instead, they thrive by practicing Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah); the deliberate curation of intimacy, presence, and sanctuary . Declan breaks down the cognitive psychology behind our "cultural scripts" about the cold and shares the hard science of how shifting your physical environment can soothe your nervous system . In this episode, we explore: The Scandi Contrast: Why populations dealing with sub-zero temperatures and under four hours of daylight report the highest life satisfaction on earth . The Psychological Impact of Low Light: How changing your environmental cues shifts your body out of "fight or flight" and directly into the parasympathetic nervous system . Cultural Schema: The difference between viewing winter as a negative cancellation of your plans versus an opportunity for cozy curation . Recommended Resources: Grab the Book: If your favourite way to practice Hygge is curling up under a heavy blanket with a hot drink and a great book, Declan’s brand-new book, How to Be Happy, is officially out now! Pick up a copy at all good bookstores, Amazon, Booktopia, or on Audible . Subscribe & Protect: Click subscribe on your podcast platform to support our independent show . For every single subscriber who joins the family, we pay to protect one square meter of threatened rainforest .

  4. Jul 7

    Special Episode: Inside How to Be Happy (Ami Rankin Interviews Declan Edwards About His New Book)

    If you opened up Google right now and typed in “how to be happy,” you would be hit with over eight billion different results. That is roughly one opinion for every single person alive on the planet today. In a world flooded with that much noise, it is completely normal to feel confused, overwhelmed, and stuck trying to figure out what actually works. In this special edition episode of How to Be Happy, I am stepping completely out of the interviewer's seat. For a change, I am sitting in the hot seat to be interviewed by our incredible Head of Personal Happiness Coaching at BU Happiness College, Ami Rankin. Ami has been diving into my brand-new book, How to Be Happy, and she has questions! In Part 1 of this multi-part series, we are focusing on the introduction and the first few chapters of the book. We call total time-out on modern "optimisation culture"—the exhausting checklist trap of 5 AM wake-ups, ice baths, and extreme routines that high-achievers use to score their worth. We look at why so many of us accidentally become "human doings" rather than "human beings," and break down the exact emotional stages our minds move through when trying to navigate our feelings. In this episode we explore: The Noise of 8 Billion Results: Why happiness feels so confusing when everyone on the planet has a different opinion, and what it means to be a "happiness translator".The Primary Color Trap: How limiting your language to standard "blanket emotions" like basic anger or sadness cripples your actual capacity for rich joy.Global Wellbeing Budgets: A look into how countries like Bhutan and New Zealand link economic frameworks to human quality of life, and where Australia has dropped the ball. The 100 "I Am" Lines: A powerful, direct practice to instantly build a three-dimensional identity so your worth isn't swallowed up by just your career or your parenting role. The 5 Stages of Emotional Intelligence: A deep dive into my signature framework—ranging from "The Rock" of total emotional numbness to "The Monk" of real-time emotional awareness. Grab a Copy of the Book & Support the Show Grab the Book or Audiobook: Ready to dive into the exact tools, reflection questions, and worksheets Ami and I discussed today? My brand-new book, How to Be Happy, is out on bookshelves everywhere! Grab your physical copy online via Amazon or Booktopia, or listen to me read it directly into your ears by downloading the audiobook on Audible. Subscribe to the Show: If this conversation brought a wave of relief or a helpful reminder to your day, please hit Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! For every new subscriber we pay to protect one square meter of threatened rainforest.

    Special Episode: Inside How to Be Happy (Ami Rankin Interviews Declan Edwards About His New Book)

  5. Jun 30

    Movement is Life: How Rod & Jeni Cooper Blend Psychological & Personal Growth with Physical Fitness

    Have you ever found yourself trapped in the frustrating "yo-yo" cycle of starting a strict new fitness routine, burning out after six weeks, and completely stagnating? We often look at physical health as a clinical chore; a prescribed block of time where we force ourselves to "exercise" to fix a lazy lifestyle. But what if true physical well-being isn't about isolated gym sessions, but about changing your entire mental relationship with your body? In this episode of How to Be Happy, I am joined by dear friends and local legends Rod and Jeni Cooper, the owners of The Movement Collective (TMC). We challenge the traditional fitness narrative by exploring why true, deep-seated transformation requires moving away from rigid expectations and stepping into a mindset of play, experimentation, and extreme curiosity. Rod and Jeni break down how the time and grit you invest into mastering a complex physical skill shapes your actual character and confidence. We also map out the exact blueprint they use to create an unshakeable sense of community and human connection. In this episode we explore: The Drivers of True Progression: Why long-term consistency is experienced by the people who walk into a space with total openness, an appetite for feedback, and a willingness to feel awkward. The "Short Wins" vs. "Long Wins" Data: Why hitting a quick, easy goal leaves you feeling completely empty, and how committing to a multi-year physical craft builds happiness skills that ripple into your marriage, parenting, and business. Social Fitness Integration: How to actively fight the modern loneliness epidemic by blending movement with group games, physical touch, and shared vulnerability.  Links From This Episode: Connect with Rod & Jeni: Ready to break away from standard exercise and bring real movement into your life? Check out TMC's online training resources and content at The Movement Collective website or follow them on Instagram. Subscribe to the Show: Please hit Subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts! It takes less than a second, and for every single subscriber we pay to protect one square meter of threatened rainforest. Grab Your Copy of 'How to Be Happy': Want to unpack the exact skills of introspection and self-awareness we discussed in today's interview? My brand-new book is officially out now in stores everywhere, on Amazon, Booktopia, and as an Audible audiobook.

  6. Jun 23

    Beyond the Paycheck: Why Top Talent Needs to Feel Valuable, Not Just Valued

    This episode of How to Be Happy: At Work explores the fourth of the 7 Cs of Workplace Happiness: Contribution. Declan Edwards dives into why "top talent" needs more than just a fair paycheck and recognition; they need to know that their work actually matters to another human being. Declan breaks down the "silent killer" of engagement: the rise of "BS Jobs", meaningless roles that leave employees feeling like cogs in a machine. By shifting from merely making employees feel valued to ensuring they feel valuable, leaders can unlock a level of discretionary effort and loyalty that traditional management styles simply can't reach. In this episode, we explore: Valuable vs. Valued: The critical difference between receiving praise and knowing your work makes a tangible, positive impact. The 5 Types of "BS Jobs": A look at David Graeber’s research into flunkies, goons, duct tapers, box tickers, and taskmasters; and why these roles destroy wellbeing. The Startup Edge: Why small teams often win on engagement because the "ripple effect" of an employee's work is immediately visible. The "3 Cs" of Meaningful Work: How clustering your team’s tasks around community, contribution, and challenge creates a core psychological sense of purpose. Job Crafting for Purpose: How to give employees the autonomy to shape their roles around the tasks they find most meaningful. Social Enterprise in Action: Declan shares how BU Happiness College uses its partnership with B1G1 to link everyday tasks—like subscribing to this podcast—to global impacts like planting trees and funding education. Meaningful work isn't a "nice-to-have" luxury; it is a core psychological experience that defines whether your best people stay or go. Use the resources below to start making contribution visible in your workplace. Action Steps & Resources: Check out B1G1 (Buy 1, Give 1): See how your organisation can embed real-world giving into your daily business activities. Use Declan’s referral code BUHAPPINESS to get started with impact tokens for your team. https://b1g1.com/ Book a B1G1 Strategy Call: If you want to bring this to your team, email Declan at declan@buhappinesscollege.com with the subject line "B1G1 in my workplace" for a complimentary 20-minute call to discuss the business benefits. The Executive Diploma of Happiness Leadership: Learn the evidence-based strategies to lead with purpose and build a high-performance culture. https://www.buhappinesscollege.com/excecutive-diploma

    Beyond the Paycheck: Why Top Talent Needs to Feel Valuable, Not Just Valued

  7. Jun 16

    Seasonal Self-Care: Why Your Routine Needs to Change with the Weather

    This episode of How to Be Happy addresses a common frustration many of us face as the temperature drops and the days get shorter: the "winter slump." If you’ve been judging yourself for losing consistency with your morning walks or feeling a dip in your motivation, Declan Edwards is here to tell you that you aren’t lazy, you’re human. Declan explores the biological and psychological reasons why our summer self-care routines often fail us in the colder months. Instead of stubbornly relying on willpower to force a fixed routine, this episode teaches you how to design a "seasonal" self-care strategy that aligns with your biology and restores your energy In this episode, we explore: The Myth of the Fixed Routine: Why treating self-care as a year-round "constant" leads to guilt and burnout. The Science of the Winter Slump: How shifting levels of melatonin and serotonin impact your sleep, mood, and motivation during the darker months. The "Farmer" Analogy: Understanding that, like nature, humans have seasons for reaping and seasons for resting and conserving energy. Adapting vs. Forcing: Practical ways to swap high-intensity outdoor habits for cozy, "hygge"-inspired indoor alternatives. Nourishment and Light: The importance of seasonal eating and "letting the light in" to regulate your mood and counteract the winter blues. Low-Effort Connection: Why you should swap "going out" for high-connection, low-energy catch-ups to avoid the trap of isolation. Don’t try to wear your summer wardrobe in a winter storm. Use the steps below to adjust your self-care strategy for the season you’re actually in. Resources: Join the Happiness Blueprint: Learn all 75 skills of happiness and get the community support you need to stay intentional year-round for as little as $50 AUD/month. https://www.buhappinesscollege.com/happiness-blueprint Subscribe & Plant a Tree: For every new subscriber to the show, we fund the planting of a tree and the protection of rainforest. Hit subscribe to help us re-green the world. Share the Ripple: Know someone struggling with the "winter blues"? Forward this episode to them to help them find a bit more compassion for themselves. What is one "summer" habit you are giving yourself permission to put on ice for the season?

  8. Jun 9

    The $10 Trillion Wake-Up Call: Lessons from the 2026 Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report

    In this second part of our deep dive into the state of the world's wellbeing, Declan Edwards and Ami Rankin shift their focus from the global happiness rankings to the frontline of our daily lives: the workplace. We spend a massive portion of our existence at work, yet the latest data from the Gallup 2026 State of the Global Workplace report reveals a cooling engine in the global economy. For the first time in recorded history, global employee engagement has dropped for two consecutive years, leaving only 20% of the world's workforce actually "checked in" to their roles. Declan and Ami unpack the "Leader’s Paradox"—the startling discovery that while leaders report higher overall life satisfaction, they are actually suffering through more daily anger, sadness, and loneliness than the teams they lead. This episode moves beyond the "bad vibes" to look at the trillion-dollar cost of disengagement and why the much-hyped AI revolution is currently stalling at the manager's desk. This conversation is an essential guide for both leaders and employees on how to reclaim autonomy and choice in a rapidly automating world. It's a raw look at why the "engagement premium" for managers is dead and how building humanistic workplaces—where people feel valuable, not just valued—is the only way to navigate the disruptions of the 21st century. In this episode, we explore: The $10 Trillion Leak: Why global disengagement is costing the world 9% of its total GDP through lost productivity. The Manager Bottleneck: Why AI is making us more productive as individuals, but failing to transform our organisations because our human leaders are burnt out. The Power of Choice: The science showing that employees who have a say in how they work are 50% more likely to be optimistic about their future. Ready to help your team take ownership and buck the trend of declining engagement? Executive Diploma of Happiness Leadership: Our 12-week program for emerging leaders and managers looking to master evidence-based skills to build high-performance, happy teams. The 2026 Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report: Click through to read the full report and learn more about the global world of work in 2026.

    The $10 Trillion Wake-Up Call: Lessons from the 2026 Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report
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out of 5
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About

There's no goal more universally desired than living a happy life. But these days, happiness can seem pretty hard to reach. That's why this podcast exists. To serve as a compass in your pursuit of happiness. Built on over 10 years of studying the science of happiness and 7+ years of coaching people across 5 countries, join your host & Happiness Researcher - Declan Edwards as he brings you: - evidence-based strategies for mastering your mind and emotions. - inspiring interviews with individuals who have transformed their lives - and practical tips and techniques to help you do the same.

Information

  • Creator
    BU Happiness College
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © BU Happiness College
  • Show Website
    How To Be Happy

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