How To Be Happy

BU Happiness College and Ripple Podcasting
  • 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. The $10 Trillion Wake-Up Call: Lessons from the 2026 Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report

    6d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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
  5. The Connection Crisis: Lessons from the 2026 World Happiness Report

    May 12

    The Connection Crisis: Lessons from the 2026 World Happiness Report

    For decades, Australia has been known as the "lucky country," but the latest data suggests that the luck might be running out when it comes to our collective wellbeing. In this month's episode of The Ripple Effect, Declan Edwards and Ami Rankin dive deep into the newly released 2026 World Happiness Report to uncover a startling trend: despite our economic stability and high life expectancy, Australia has been on a decade-long slide in the global happiness rankings. The culprit isn't just one factor, but a growing crisis of disconnection. We are living through a massive, 20-year social experiment where our attention is the primary currency for some of the world's wealthiest companies. Declan and Ami explore why the youth in developed nations—particularly young girls—are seeing their mental health plummet in an era where we are "more connected" than ever, yet feel increasingly alone. This conversation is a wake-up call for anyone feeling the "stolen focus" of the attention economy. It’s a raw look at how we’ve lost the restorative power of boredom and how reclaiming our time from algorithm-driven feeds is the first step toward rebuilding the tight-knit social bonds that make countries like Costa Rica the new leaders in global thriving. In this episode, we explore: The Youth Happiness Gap: Why life satisfaction is falling for those under 25 in Australia, the US, and the UK, and the specific toll it's taking on young women. The Social Media "Product Trap": Why an entire generation wishes social media didn't exist, but feels socially held hostage by it. Lessons from Costa Rica: How Latin American communities are outperforming economic expectations by prioritising deep, in-person social connection over digital noise. Ready to reclaim your focus and reconnect with your community? The Happiness Headline: Join our monthly email community to receive the latest evidence-based tips and tools directly in your inbox, away from the noise of social algorithms. The 2026 World Happiness Report: Click through to read the full 2026 findings and see where your country ranks and what the data says about our global future.

    43 min
  6. The Antidote to Micromanagement: Why Autonomy is a Business Requirement

    Apr 28

    The Antidote to Micromanagement: Why Autonomy is a Business Requirement

    "People don’t leave workplaces; they leave managers." In this episode, Declan Edwards tackles one of the biggest pain points in the modern office: micromanagement. We often hire capable, functional adults because we trust their skills, only to accidentally treat them like children the moment they start the job. Declan explains why this impulse stifles innovation, erodes trust, and ultimately kills performance. Continuing the 7 Cs of Workplace Happiness series, we dive into the third C: Control (or Autonomy). Drawing on Self-Determination Theory, Declan shares how providing a sense of agency isn't just a "nice-to-have" perk—it is a core psychological human need. In this episode, we explore: The Adult-to-Child Trap: Why well-meaning leaders accidentally smother their team's initiative by over-prescribing the "how". The Science of Self-Determination: A look at the three basic needs—Autonomy, Competence, and Relatedness—that fuel human motivation and wellbeing. Autonomy vs. Anarchy: Why giving people control requires more clarity and structure, not less. Real-World Innovation: Lessons from Google’s "20% time" and Atlassian’s "Ship It" days on how autonomy drives global products like Gmail. The Hybrid Work Choice: Why the secret to successful flexible work isn't where people work, but whether they have a voice in the decision. The Leader-as-Coach: Four practical shifts to help you move from an "inspector" to a high-impact mentor. Ready to stop managing and start leading? Use the resources below to help your team take ownership of their work. Action Steps & Resources: The Executive Diploma of Happiness Leadership (LAUNCHING LATE 2026): Explore our evidence-based program designed to help leaders build cultures rooted in trust and autonomy. https://www.buhappinesscollege.com/excecutive-diploma Share the Ripple: Forward this episode to a fellow manager who wants to humanise their workplace and boost team engagement. What is one area of your workflow where you could invite more team input this week? Start the shift today by asking, "How do you think we should approach this?"

    16 min

  7. Apr 21

    The Science of Motivation: What Actually Drives Us?

    This episode of How to Be Happy tackles one of the most misunderstood topics in personal growth: Motivation. We’ve all felt that spark of excitement that disappears the moment things get difficult or boring. In this deep dive, Declan Edwards moves past the "just do it" clichés to explore the actual science of what drives human action and, more importantly, what keeps it sustainable. Declan breaks down the critical difference between Motivation (the push) and Inspiration (the pull). You’ll learn why your brain is hardwired to prioritise avoiding pain over seeking pleasure, and how to harness both to stop the "yo-yo" cycle of starting and stopping your goals. In this episode, we explore: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Drive: Why internal meaning always outlasts external rewards like money or recognition. The Yo-Yo Change Cycle: Why "pain-based" motivation causes us to stop working the moment we start feeling a little bit better. The Inspired Procrastinator: How to bridge the gap between having a beautiful vision and actually taking the first step. The 4 Pillars of Sustainable Motivation: A practical framework involving emotional "Whys," systems over goals, compassionate accountability, and the power of micro-wins. The Support Problem: Why a "motivation dip" is often actually a hidden problem with clarity, energy, or community. Action Steps & Resources: [DIVE IN] Join the Happiness Blueprint Self-Study Program: Ready to take the guesswork out of your growth? Access our full curriculum of 75 happiness skills and join a supportive community for as little as $50 AUD/month. https://www.buhappinesscollege.com/happiness-blueprint [SUBSCRIBE & RE-GREEN] Help Us Plant Trees: For every new subscriber to the podcast, we fund the planting of a tree to help re-green the world. Hit that subscribe button to play your part! [SHARE THE RIPPLE] Pass it On: If this episode gave you a spark of inspiration, share it with a friend who might be struggling with their own motivation dip right now. What is one "micro-win" you can celebrate today to tell your brain that your progress is working?

    15 min
  8. The Ripple Effect - Lessons & Insights from the 2026 Happiness Immersion Retreat

    Apr 14

    The Ripple Effect - Lessons & Insights from the 2026 Happiness Immersion Retreat

    "The price of happiness is effort, and the price of genuine connection is inconvenience." In this special monthly edition of The Ripple Effect, Declan Edwards and Ami Rankin are back from the BU Happiness College Immersion Retreat in the Blue Mountains. This episode serves as a "taste test" of the retreat experience, offering a look at the tools, stories, and breakthroughs that happen when we intentionally step away from the "human doing" of daily life to simply be a "human being." Ami shares her honest experience of navigating the "excuses brain" and the anxiety that often precedes prioritising our own well-being. Together, they explore why there is never a "perfect time" to work on your happiness and why choosing to show up for yourself despite the chaos is where the real growth begins. In this episode, Declan and Ami explore: Choice Point Theory: How to move past the first-order discomfort of starting something new to reach the high-yield benefits of calmness and clarity. The Armour of Fight-or-Flight: Why we "armour up" against stress and how this protective shield accidentally blocks us from the joy and connection we crave. The Mutual Support Loop: A touching story from the retreat about the beauty of both giving and receiving support within a 24-hour window. Intuition vs. Fear: Declan’s reflection on a quiet moment watching a storm roll in, and the importance of following the "whisper" of intuition over the "yell" of judgment. Slow Body, Clear Mind: Why slowing down our physical physiology is the fastest way to settle a busy mind and reconnect with our vision. Mortality Motivation: A radical perspective shift for those who find themselves rushing: "Why rush through life when the finish line is death?" Action Steps & Resources: ENROL IN THE CERTIFICATE: The Certificate of Happiness Studies is officially open! Discover the five most foundational skills of happiness over six weeks. Use code PODCAST for 20% off. https://buhappinesscollege.thinkific.com/products/courses/certificate MEET DECLAN ON TOUR: Declan is hitting the road between April and June 2026 for a live positive psychology masterclass tour. Catch him in: - Newcastle: https://events.humanitix.com/happinessscience-newcastle - Sydney: https://events.humanitix.com/happinessscience-sydney - Perth: https://events.humanitix.com/scienceofhappiness-perth - Dubbo: https://events.humanitix.com/happinessscience-dubbo

    56 min
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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 and Ripple Podcasting
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © BU Happiness College and Ripple Podcasting
  • Show Website
    How To Be Happy