Habit Nerd

A Simple Blueprint for Creating Good Habits (and Breaking the Bad Ones) Ever wondered why some habits stick like glue and others fall off after a week? In this episode, I’m breaking it all down the science, the psychology, and the sneaky systems that either help or sabotage our habits. We’ll talk about how nearly half of what you do every day runs on autopilot (yes, really!), and how you can final...

Feeling Anxious? Simple Habits to Reset with Anna Ferguson This week, I’m so excited to welcome Anna Ferguson, counsellor, author, and anxiety coach, to the show! We’re diving deep into the world of anxiety and, more importantly, the small but powerful habits that can help you reset when it all feels too much. Anna and I chat about why hydration is more than just a glass of water—hello, electrolyt...

Let’s be real, procrastination isn’t about laziness. Most of the time, it’s about overwhelm . The pressure. The perfectionism. The endless to-do list. 🙃 In this episode, I share the exact moment I was yelling at a podcast (true story) and what it revealed about how we talk about and deal with procrastination. If you’ve been stuck, spinning, or self-sabotaging... this is your permission slip to tr...

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Martin Stark—author, advocate, and the self-declared “Courage Champion.” And honestly? You’ll understand exactly why after hearing this conversation. Martin opens up about living with Addison’s disease and the daily choices he makes to maintain his physical and mental well-being. We dive into what it really looks like to practice courage—not in a once-off, b...

Ever feel like your brain is constantly jumping from one thing to the next—and you’re barely making progress on what actually matters? Same. That’s exactly why I recorded this episode. This week, we're getting real about focus . Why it's so hard to find it, how to protect it, and what to do when everything (including your own brain) feels like a distraction. We’ll talk about the small habi...

This week, I’m so excited to share a very special episode of Habit Nerd, one that originally aired on Ed Stott’s brilliant podcast, That’s Helpful with Ed Stott . Ed and I dive deep into the real science behind habits that actually last. I talk about the 4-part framework I use with my clients, how identity and small wins play a powerful role in habit formation, and why self-kindness—not shame—is e...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn delves into the pervasive issue of procrastination, exploring its psychological roots and offering actionable strategies to overcome it. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional triggers behind procrastination and provides practical tips such as breaking tasks into smaller steps, prioritizing effectively, and creating a...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, I sit down with Nadine Muller, life and business mentor, to explore the deeper layers of habit transformation. We talk about the power of solitude and intuition, and how real change starts with understanding the why behind our habits. Nadine shares her take on redefining hustle as purposeful, passionate work, and how creating space, mentally and emotionally, opens th...

In this episode of the Habit Nerd podcast, Dr Bree Hurn explores the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80-20 rule, which states that 20% of actions lead to 80% of results. Bree discusses the origins of this principle, its applications in various aspects of life, and how it can be utilized for effective time management and productivity. She emphasizes the importance of identifying key tasks that...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn speaks with author Kasey Edwards about the impact of criticism on personal growth and self-worth. Kasey shares her journey of overcoming societal expectations and the importance of teaching children to handle criticism. They discuss the toxic nature of female competition and the need for supportive relationships. Kasey emphasizes the power of choosing h...

In this episode, Dr Bree Hurn shares five research-backed productivity tips that can help listeners optimize their workday. She emphasizes the importance of understanding personal energy levels, setting boundaries with cutoff times, and the power of small wins to create momentum. Additionally, she discusses the significance of reflection and planning for the next day, as well as minimizing distrac...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn engages with Chelsea Pottenger, a keynote speaker and founder of EQ Minds, discussing the transformative power of gratitude practices, the importance of rest and boundaries, and the need to redefine success in a world increasingly influenced by AI. They explore how to maintain genuine human connections, prioritize mental health through sleep hygiene, an...

In this episode of the Habit Nerd Podcast, Dr. Bree Hurn explores the foundational principles of habit formation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the habit loop consisting of cue, craving, response, and reward. She discusses how our daily habits shape our lives and offers insights into breaking undesirable habits by identifying personal motivations and employing strategic changes to th...

In this episode of the Habit Nerd podcast, host Bree Hurn engages in a deep conversation with nutritionist and educator Kelly Fullerton. They explore the importance of self-reflection, the impact of language on food relationships, and the need for curiosity in both personal and educational contexts. Kelly shares her insights on creating supportive food environments for children, addressing food in...

In this episode of the Habit Nerd podcast, Dr. Bree Hurn discusses the importance of effective habits and systems in enhancing productivity, especially in the context of hybrid work. She shares insights from research on hybrid work dynamics, including the prevalence of coffee badging and the significance of trust between employees and supervisors. Bree provides practical tips for optimizing work r...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn speaks with Dr. Natalie Barre, a time management coach and former neuropsychologist, about the intersection of productivity, habits, and self-efficacy. They discuss the importance of understanding cognitive processes in habit formation, the role of yoga in maintaining physical and mental health, and strategies for overcoming barriers to establishing new...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn discusses the importance of effective calendar management for enhancing productivity and work-life balance. Drawing insights from Laura Mae Martin's book, 'Uptime', Bree emphasizes the need to identify top priorities, utilize zero-based calendaring, and strategically manage meetings. She also highlights the significance of color-coding tasks...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn engages with financial planner Canna Campbell, known as SugarMamma. They discuss the significance of habits in achieving personal and financial goals, the importance of understanding one's financial mindset, and the necessity of setting realistic and actionable goals. Canna shares her insights on breaking bad habits, the role of passive income in fi...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn shares practical strategies for families to prepare for a successful school year. She emphasizes the importance of establishing routines, from morning checklists to effective homework practices, and discusses how to streamline dinner time and create a calming wind down routine. The episode is packed with actionable tips to help parents and children thri...

In this episode of Habit Nerd , Dr. Bree Hurn engages with financial expert Mel Browne to explore the intersection of personal habits and financial literacy. They discuss the importance of protecting one's energy, understanding personal finance numbers, and the significance of self-awareness in developing effective financial habits. Mel emphasizes that financial strategies should be personalized,...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn interviews Natalie and Sebastian Khoury, authors of 'The Worst Best Year,' a memoir detailing their journey through Sebastian's battle with cancer. The conversation explores themes of growth, strength, and resilience in the face of adversity, the importance of support networks, and the unique experiences of both mother and son during this ch...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn discusses the findings from the Harvard study of adult development, which has been ongoing since 1938. The conversation highlights eight key factors that contribute to happiness, including the importance of physical health, the dangers of loneliness, the impact of social media, the limits of money, the significance of quality relationships, the potentia...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn speaks with Shane Gilchrist, a personal trainer and co-owner of 3E Fitness. They discuss the importance of gratitude, balancing emotions, and the role of mindset in fitness. Shane emphasizes the significance of community in fitness, the benefits of weight training versus cardio, and the crucial role of nutrition in achieving fitness goals. They also exp...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn reflects on the significance of New Year's resolutions and introduces the concept of choosing a single word to guide one's intentions for the year. She shares her personal journey of selecting 'slow' as her word for 2025, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and presence in daily life. Bree encourages listeners to consider their own guiding words f...

In this episode of Habit Nerd, Dr. Bree Hurn discusses the concept of anti-goals, emphasizing the importance of identifying behaviors that hinder personal growth and productivity. She explores various anti-goals such as comparison, procrastination, and choosing comfort, and offers insights on how to overcome these challenges to lead a more fulfilling life. The episode encourages listeners to refle...