The Happier Life Project

My Possible Self
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

The Happier Life Project is the official podcast from My Possible Self, the award-winning, free mental health and wellness app partnered with The Priory Group, supporting hundreds of thousands of users worldwide. Life comes with stress, setbacks, and overwhelming pressures. Each week, journalist and broadcaster Gabby Sanderson sits down with world-leading psychologists, bestselling authors, and inspiring voices in wellness to unpack the challenges we all face. Together, they share simple, science-backed tools and actionable strategies to help you feel calmer, stronger, and more resilient. Expect powerful, thought-provoking conversations on everything from managing anxiety and perfectionism, to setting boundaries, finding balance, and rediscovering joy. 🎙️ Main episodes drop every Tuesday, with bonus episodes every Friday. If you’re ready for practical advice, honest stories, and expert guidance to help you live a happier, healthier life; hit play and join us.

  1. Mindfulness Without Meditation: Waking Up to What's Possible with Ellen J. Langer

    Jun 2

    Mindfulness Without Meditation: Waking Up to What's Possible with Ellen J. Langer

    Mindfulness isn’t limited to sitting cross‑legged, breathing deeply, or slowly savouring a raisin. According to Harvard psychologist Ellen J. Langer, the world’s leading expert on mindfulness, it’s something far more powerful, and far more accessible. Most of us drift through life on autopilot, reacting out of habit, trapped by assumptions, and believing limits that aren’t actually real. As Ellen puts it, “Most of us are mindless, most of the time.” But what if simply waking up to the present moment could change your health, your happiness, and even your body? Ellen’s work shows that the boundaries we accept; about aging, ability, intelligence, even physical strength, are often nothing more than stories we’ve absorbed without question. When we stop assuming, stop predicting, and stop treating our thoughts as facts, we begin to see how much possibility we’ve been overlooking. Ellen’s research reveals that our expectations don’t just colour our experience; they can shape our biology in ways that challenge everything we think we know about the mind and body. In this conversation, Ellen explains how paying attention to the subtle shifts in context can free us from rigid thinking, and why noticing variability - in our moods, our symptoms, our abilities - opens the door to change. The Harvard Professor believes mindlessness keeps us stuck in patterns that feel inevitable, whilst promoting how a simple shift in awareness can alter the way we age, heal, and move through the world. The moment we stop assuming that “this is just how things are,” we begin to see how much of our suffering comes from conclusions we’ve drawn too quickly. Ellen J. Langer is a distinguished professor of psychology at Harvard University. In 1981, she made history as the first woman to receive tenure in psychology at Harvard. Ellen’s lifetime of expertise and trailblazing research in the field of mindfulness focuses on the psychology of control, decision making, ageing, and mindfulness theory; which has led to numerous academic honours. Ellen J. Langer is the author of eleven books, including the international bestseller 'Mindfulness', which has been translated into fifteen languages, 'Counterclockwise: Mindful Health and the Power of Possibility' and 'The Mindful Body: Thinking Our Way to Chronic Health' which delves into the transformative potential of mindfulness for improving health.  This episode invites you to question the rules you’ve been living by, to notice where you’ve been on autopilot, and to consider the possibility that your mind may be far more powerful than you’ve ever been taught to believe. *The Happier Life Project is taking a short break next week. We'll be back on 16th June with a brand-new episode. Until then, take care and thank you for being part of our community. To download the My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself For more information on Ellen J. Langer and her work: https://www.ellenlanger.me/ To follow Dr. Ellen Langer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenjlanger/

    1 hr
  2. Be Your Own Therapist: Tools to Boost Mood & Reduce Anxiety with Owen O’Kane

    May 26

    Be Your Own Therapist: Tools to Boost Mood & Reduce Anxiety with Owen O’Kane

    In this episode of The Happier Life Project, psychotherapist and best-selling author Owen O'Kane, explores with host Gabby how to better understand and manage the mind in everyday life. Known for his transformative books, including Ten to Zen, Ten Times Happier, How to Be Your Own Therapist and Addicted to Anxiety, Owen shares practical strategies for managing anxiety, stress, and other common mental health challenges. With over 25 years of experience, including his work as a former NHS Mental Health Clinical Lead, Owen brings a wealth of clinical insight and grounded, accessible advice to this conversation. Drawing on his book How to Be Your Own Therapist: Boost Your Mood and Reduce Your Anxiety in 10 Minutes a Day, Owen offers simple, practical tools designed to help reduce overthinking, ease emotional overwhelm, and build a healthier relationship with your thoughts. Rather than positioning therapy as something out of reach, this episode explores how small, consistent every day practices can bring therapeutic tools into everyday life - helping listeners respond to themselves with more clarity, calm, and self-understanding. Tune in to learn how to unlock better mental health and continue your journey toward a calmer, healthier, and more balanced life. To download the My Possible Self app: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/ For all things Owen O’Kane: https://www.owenokane.com/ To follow Owen O’Kane on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/owenokaneten/

    53 min
  3. Face Yoga for Skin, Stress & Emotional Wellbeing with Danielle Collins

    May 19

    Face Yoga for Skin, Stress & Emotional Wellbeing with Danielle Collins

    What if the secret to a calmer mind, lifted skin, and a brighter mood has been sitting right under your nose - literally?! This week on The Happier Life Project, Gabby is joined by Danielle Collins, the world‑leading Face Yoga Expert, bestselling author, and pioneer of the globally recognised Danielle Collins Face Yoga Method. Face yoga is a gentle yet powerful form of strength training for the 57 muscles in the face, head, neck, and shoulders. Its benefits go far beyond glowing skin: better circulation, firmer facial tone, softened fine lines, reduced tension, fewer headaches, and a calmer, more regulated nervous system. In a world where cosmetic injections have become the norm, face yoga offers a natural, free, and accessible alternative that supports both appearance and emotional wellbeing. With over 20 years of experience and millions of followers worldwide, Danielle breaks down the five pillars of her method; facial exercise, facial massage, acupressure, facial relaxation, and overall wellbeing, and explains how each one works to lift the face and soothe the mind. She shares her favourite exercises for releasing jaw and brow tension, improving symmetry, and creating daily moments of grounding and self‑connection. Danielle also opens up about her own healing journey, the ancient roots of face yoga, and how she built a global movement long before “face fitness” became a social‑media trend. Plus, Gabby and Danielle dive into the science behind why our emotions show up in our facial muscles, why nurturing touch is so important, and how small daily rituals can transform both how we look and how we feel. Whether you’re curious about natural beauty, looking for tools to ease stress, or simply wanting a new self‑care ritual that fits into your day, this episode is packed with practical wisdom. And men, this is absolutely for all of you too. The benefits are universal. To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/ To follow Danielle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faceyogaexpert/ Danielle’s website: https://www.faceyogaexpert.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DanielleCollins-TheFaceYogaExpert

    35 min
  4. Mental Health in Action: Turning Awareness into Change with Chlo Hodgkinson

    May 12

    Mental Health in Action: Turning Awareness into Change with Chlo Hodgkinson

    In this special Mental Health Awareness Week episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson is joined by Chlo Hodgkinson for an honest and relatable conversation about mental health, burnout, motherhood, and the small actions that can create meaningful change in our wellbeing. With this year’s theme focused on Action, Gabby and Chlo explore the gap between understanding what supports our mental health and actually implementing those changes in everyday life. From balancing self-employment and motherhood to navigating burnout and setting healthier boundaries, the conversation highlights how easy it is to slip into survival mode - and how important it is to listen when the mind and body begin asking for something different. Chlo opens up about her own journey after becoming a mother, including being diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, struggling with burnout, and learning to prioritise her wellbeing in a more intentional and realistic way. Together, Gabby and Chlo discuss self-care beyond the buzzwords, the importance of inner work and personal growth, and why progress isn’t always outwardly visible. The episode also features a playful quick-fire round inspired by Mental Health Awareness Week, encouraging listeners to pause, reflect, and consider the small everyday habits that help support emotional wellbeing. Chlo Hodgkinson is a self-employed professional, fitness and health entrepreneur, mother, and key member of the My Possible Self team. This episode invites listeners to reflect on one simple but important question: what action have you taken recently to support your mental health? To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/ To follow Chlo Hodgkinson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chlohodgkinson/ For more on Mental Health Awareness Week: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week

    33 min
  5. Functional Medicine for Real Life: How to Feel Like Yourself Again with Dr Amina Davison

    May 5

    Functional Medicine for Real Life: How to Feel Like Yourself Again with Dr Amina Davison

    Understanding your body isn’t a luxury; it’s foundational to living a happier, healthier life. And that’s what this podcast is all about. If you’ve been feeling unlike yourself and can’t quite explain why, especially when your tests say everything is “normal”, this episode is for you. Host Gabby Sanderson is joined by Dr Amina Davison; GP, Functional Medicine doctor, and Founder of Integrative Health, to explore what it really means to take a root‑cause approach to health and wellbeing. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr Amina blends the best of conventional medicine with advanced functional and lifestyle approaches to deliver truly personalised, doctor‑led care. Her work focuses on hormonal health, metabolic wellbeing, and longevity, helping patients not just manage symptoms but understand their bodies, restore balance, and build long‑term resilience. Dr Amina breaks down how functional medicine bridges conventional and lifestyle approaches, and why looking at the full picture - hormones, stress, nutrition, gut health, environment, and genetics - is essential to understanding how we feel day to day. The conversation covers nutrition and gut health, fertility and hormonal balance, and how these systems influence energy, mood, and emotional wellbeing. Dr Amina explains why so many people feel tired, wired, and “not quite themselves,” even when their test results come back in the “normal” range. She also shares guidance on navigating perimenopause, supporting mental health through hormonal shifts, and the often‑overlooked role of nutrition in emotional resilience. Gabby also asks Dr Amina to set the record straight on popular biohacking trends such as fasting and electrolytes, and the dangers of over‑optimisation in the wellness space. Dr Amina offers grounded, practical advice for long‑term health, focusing on balance, consistency, and supporting the body rather than pushing it to extremes. If you’re curious about functional medicine, hormone health, or sustainable ways to feel better in your body, this episode offers clear, compassionate insight to help you reconnect with your wellbeing in a more informed and empowered way. To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/ Dr Amina’s website: https://www.draminadavison.com/ To follow Dr Amina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draminadavison/

    57 min
  6. 10 Biggest Happiness Myths: Debunked, Reframed & Made Useful with Gabby

    Apr 28

    10 Biggest Happiness Myths: Debunked, Reframed & Made Useful with Gabby

    Gabby Sanderson returns with a thought-provoking solo episode of The Happier Life Project, unpacking the cultural narratives we’ve long associated with happiness, and why many of them don’t hold up under psychological scrutiny. In this episode, Gabby explores ten of the most common happiness myths that shape how we live, love, and measure success. From the belief that achievement guarantees fulfilment to the idea that happiness is a constant emotional state, she gently challenges these assumptions and replaces them with insights grounded in behavioural science and real-life experience. Listeners are guided through familiar thought patterns; “I’ll be happy when…”, “Being busy means I’m doing well”, “A relationship will complete me”, and are invited to reconsider what actually contributes to a meaningful, sustainable sense of wellbeing. Rather than offering quick fixes, this episode reframes happiness as something more nuanced, personal, and attainable. It’s a conversation about unlearning, self-awareness, and building a life that feels good from the inside out - not just one that looks good on paper. A reflective and reassuring listen for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re doing everything “right” but still not quite feeling how they expected. To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/

    20 min
  7. When Your Habits Hijack You: Why You Want to Change But Can’t with Shahroo Izadi

    Apr 21

    When Your Habits Hijack You: Why You Want to Change But Can’t with Shahroo Izadi

    Many people move through life feeling as though their own habits are steering the ship. Patterns they never consciously chose, routines that don’t feel good, and behaviours that seem to operate on autopilot. Whether it’s emotional eating, numbing out with endless scrolling, drinking more than intended, or repeating the same relationship cycles, it can start to feel like our habits hold more authority than we do.This episode challenges that belief head‑on. It unpacks how real change unfolds, why sheer willpower rarely works, and how compassion, rather than self‑punishment, can interrupt long‑standing patterns and help us reclaim a sense of agency. On this episode of The Happier Life Project, Shahroo Izadi joins the conversation. Shahroo is a behavioural change specialist, psychologist, and bestselling author whose work has reshaped how thousands of people understand habits, addiction, and personal growth. With more than a decade of experience, including roles within NHS addiction services and as Relapse Prevention Lead at Amy’s Place (the Amy Winehouse Foundation’s recovery residence for young women), Shahroo has brought her practical, empathetic approach to over 175 organisations across 13 countries, from Google to Meta to Amazon. Shahroo is also the author of three books including two Amazon number-one bestsellers, and is best known for her Kindness Method, a practical, self-compassion-based framework that helps people build habits that stick, without shame or self-criticism.  This conversation explores Shahroo Izadi’s compassionate approach to behaviour change, including The Kindness Method and why shame, self‑criticism, and willpower‑only strategies keep us stuck. She breaks down the difference between wanting to change and being ready to change, the emotional payoff behind our habits, and how small, practical micro‑strategies can help us interrupt patterns and reclaim our lives. Shahroo also shares insights from her work in NHS addiction services, talks about why relapse isn’t failure, reveals how to respond to setbacks without losing progress, plus the powerful role loneliness plays in habit formation. This is a grounded, hopeful look at why change is hard, why it’s possible, and how compassion can make it stick. ​​To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/ For more on Shahroo and her books: https://www.shahrooizadi.co.uk/ To follow Shahroo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shahroo_izadi/

    52 min
  8. A Well-Gardened Mind: Nature’s Role in Mental Health with Sue Stuart-Smith

    Apr 14

    A Well-Gardened Mind: Nature’s Role in Mental Health with Sue Stuart-Smith

    In this gentle and deeply grounding episode, Gabby talks to psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and bestselling author Sue Stuart‑Smith to explore the profound connection between gardening, nature, and our mental wellbeing. Drawing on her acclaimed book "The Well Gardened Mind", Sue reflects on her journey from clinical psychiatry into the therapeutic world of gardening, sharing powerful stories of people who have found healing, resilience, and renewed purpose through tending to plants. Together, Gabby and Sue delve into the emotional and psychological benefits of reconnecting with the natural world. They discuss how gardening can soothe the nervous system, why sensory experiences in nature offer such deep comfort, and how even the smallest moments of green space can help us feel more regulated and grounded. Sue explains the symbolism and emotional power of flowers, the importance of community gardens in fostering connection, and the impact that modern screen culture and urban living have on our mental health. This conversation isn’t about being a “good” gardener or having a perfect green thumb. It’s about remembering our innate relationship with nature and recognising that nurturing something living - even a single plant on a windowsill - can quietly nurture us in return. As Sue beautifully says, “When we work with nature outside us, we work with nature inside us.” Whether you’re an experienced gardener or someone who has never planted a seed, this episode offers a calming reminder that nature is always available to support us. It’s a conversation about what it means to be human, to be rooted, and to rediscover the grounding power of the natural world. Sue Stuart‑Smith is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist and the author of The Well Gardened Mind, a Sunday Times Bestseller that was named one of The Times’ 37 best books of 2020 and awarded Gardening Book of the Year by The Sunday Times. She originally studied English Literature at the University of Cambridge before qualifying as a doctor and spending many years working in the National Health Service, where she became the lead clinician for psychotherapy in Hertfordshire. Sue now teaches at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in London and works as a consultant at DocHealth, a not‑for‑profit psychotherapeutic consultation service for doctors. ​​To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/ For more on Sue, her projects and book: https://www.suestuartsmith.com/ To follow Sue on Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/suestuartsmith

    40 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Happier Life Project is the official podcast from My Possible Self, the award-winning, free mental health and wellness app partnered with The Priory Group, supporting hundreds of thousands of users worldwide. Life comes with stress, setbacks, and overwhelming pressures. Each week, journalist and broadcaster Gabby Sanderson sits down with world-leading psychologists, bestselling authors, and inspiring voices in wellness to unpack the challenges we all face. Together, they share simple, science-backed tools and actionable strategies to help you feel calmer, stronger, and more resilient. Expect powerful, thought-provoking conversations on everything from managing anxiety and perfectionism, to setting boundaries, finding balance, and rediscovering joy. 🎙️ Main episodes drop every Tuesday, with bonus episodes every Friday. If you’re ready for practical advice, honest stories, and expert guidance to help you live a happier, healthier life; hit play and join us.

Information

  • Creator
    My Possible Self
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    265
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Happier Life Project

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