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

    3d ago

    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.

    39 min

  2. 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.

    47 min
  3. Beyond the Paycheck: Why Top Talent Needs to Feel Valuable, Not Just Valued

    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

    18 min

  4. 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?

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

    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.

    44 min

  6. Jun 2

    Paul Watkins: The Link Between Happiness and Hard Things

    We live in an era obsessively designed for comfort, convenience, and hacking our way out of effort. But what if our non-stop pursuit of ease is actually rotting our resilience and long term happiness? In this episode of How to Be Happy, Declan Edwards sits down with Paul Watkins; a man described as a split between Harry Potter and Bear Grylls. Paul is an academic, a pharmacist, and an MBA graduate who also happens to push his mind and body to the absolute limits as an extreme ultra-marathon athlete. Paul shares the raw reality of his relationship with discomfort, including his grueling experience at the 6633 Arctic Ultra—a 600+ kilometer solo, unsupported footrace inside the Arctic Circle. He takes us out onto the ice to explore what happens when you have to reframe a crushing DNF (Did Not Finish) as an invaluable "training camp" rather than a failure. If you are currently feeling stuck in a repetitive routine, running at an emotional deficit, or trying to navigate a high-stakes life transition, this episode is your blueprint for building an elite mental toolkit. Declan and Paul dismantle the myth of the "overnight success" and map out how leaning into voluntary hardships can ripple out to make you a more patient parent, a more present partner, and an antifragile human being. Action Steps & Resources: Connect with Paul Watkins: Head over to PaulWatkins.com.au or follow his regular updates on LinkedIn to learn more about his corporate speaking and resilience frameworks. You can also follow his work on Substack Remember to subscribe to the show to receive more insights about happiness, wellbeing, and living a good life. We will also pay to protect a square metre of rainforest on your behalf. If you're listening on Spotify I'd love for you to answer in the comments: What is one "hard thing" you want to pursue in your life?

    46 min

  7. May 26

    How Andy Danesi Re-Prioritised His Life for Happiness

    "We check all the standard boxes of success—the director title, the high corporate salary, the beautiful home—but what happens when you reach the top of that ladder and realise you’re still going to bed stressed and unfulfilled?" In this episode of The Ripple Effect, host Declan Edwards sits down for a raw, and deeply human interview with Andy Danesi . Three years ago, Andy was a high-performing director at a Fortune 500 company . Today, he, his partner, their six-year-old son, and their dogs live full-time on the road in a 30-foot RV . This isn't some fantasy story about quitting a job; it’s a lesson in evaluating alignment and allowing yourself to shifting chapters with grace . Andy opens up about the slow evolution of his career burnout and his personal "punch" moment—the heartbreaking evening he looked at his three-year-old son and chose his work laptop over playing together . They map out the realistic tools, deep marital communication, and profound mindsets required to willingly trade 3,000 square feet of comfort for a tiny, shared space where you are forced to process everything together 24/7 . In this episode, we explore: The Poke, Push, and Punch Framework: How to recognise the subtle warning signs life gives you that a chapter has ended before a major life event forces you into a "punch" change . The "Wasting Time Goods" of Consumerism: Why an unhappy, over-stressed lifestyle accidentally drives us to constantly buy physical possessions, and how minimalist living breaks that consumer trap . No Corners to Hide In: The realistic interpersonal and parenting skills needed to survive full-time family proximity in a 240 sq. ft. box without losing your patience . Ready to stop serving a lifestyle that isn't serving you? Use the resources below to map out your next steps. Connect with Andy Danesi: Follow Andy on LinkedIn to check out his family's updates, his perspective on road life, and his stunning nature photography . Access the Happiness Toolkit: Explore our self-guided resources and enrolment options at BUHappinessCollege.com to build the mindset and emotional skills needed to handle massive life transitions .

    56 min

  8. May 19

    Beyond Gratitude: The Secret Trio of Sustainable Fulfilment

    "Happiness isn't a solo emotion. It’s a mix. It’s a blend. It’s a cocktail." In this episode of How to Be Happy, Declan Edwards challenges the myth that we are only supposed to feel one thing at a time. He introduces the concept of emotional complexity; the science-backed ability to hold and experience multiple, even contrasting, emotions at once to build higher resilience and wellbeing. Declan breaks down his personal favourite "happiness cocktail," a specific blend of three emotions that move beyond surface-level "good vibes" to create a grounded, sustainable sense of thriving. In this episode, we explore: Emotional Paint Mixing: Why primary emotions like joy and sadness blend to create rich, complex states like nostalgia or bittersweetness. The Gratitude Foundation: Using gratitude to zoom out and recognise the "bigger picture" and the good that already exists in life. Healthy Pride vs. Arrogance: Why acknowledging your own agency and the role you played in your success is essential for earned happiness. The Secret Ingredient (Compersion): Learning to find genuine joy in other people's success as the radical antidote to jealousy. The Science of the Blend: How these three specific emotions open the heart, connect us to our agency, and expand joy beyond ourselves. Ready to move from passive listening to active practice? Use the resources below to start mixing this cocktail in your own life. Action Steps & Resources: Join the Happiness Blueprint: Access the 75 proven skills and our supportive community for as little as $50 AUD a month. https://www.buhappinesscollege.com/happiness-blueprint Enrol in a Short Course: Start with the basics and take the guesswork out of your growth at BU Happiness College. https://www.buhappinesscollege.com/certificate Share the Ripple: If this episode gave you a "pride point" or a new perspective, forward it to a friend to keep the ripple effect going. What is one thing you are genuinely proud of yourself for today?

    16 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

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
    92
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © BU Happiness College
  • Show Website
    How To Be Happy

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