The Happier Life Project

Content warning: This episode contains potentially distressing content on the subject of sexual consent and blurred boundaries. Although this has been handled sensitively and compassionately, listeners who feel triggered by this content may wish to skip this episode or listen at a time when they feel ready. In this episode of The Happier Life Project, Gabby sits down with Dr. Nina Burrowes;  psych...

In this bonus episode of The Happier Life Project, Gabby Sanderson talks with Chlo Hodgkinson from My Possible Self about something we all need, but often neglect: self-care. Just like the year moves through spring, summer, autumn, and winter, our emotions move in seasons too. Some phases energise us, others slow us down. Some feel expansive, others like shedding old layers. And too often, we judg...

Headaches and migraine are often dismissed as minor annoyances, but for millions of people, they are debilitating conditions that affect every aspect of life. In this episode of The Happier Life Project, Gabby Sanderson sits down with Dr Katy Munro, Senior Headache Specialist at the National Migraine Centre, to explore the complex world of headaches and migraine. Dr Munro explains what headaches a...

This bonus edition of The Happier Life Project shines a spotlight on a remarkable collaboration bringing yoga, education, and empowerment to children in India. Host Gabby Sanderson welcomes Gopala Amir Yaffa, the visionary behind Rainbow Yoga, whose journey from Hindu monk to father and global yoga educator has inspired communities across more than 40 countries. Gopala’s approach to yoga is playfu...

This powerful episode of The Happier Life Project explores the healing potential of creativity and self-expression with artist, educator, and mental health advocate Liz Atkin — a woman who has transformed her experience of Compulsive Skin Picking and anxiety into extraordinary works of art, compassion, and connection. Liz’s story is one of resilience and reinvention. Once a dancer, she discovered...

This episode features a calming guided meditation led by the lovely Ria from Perfect Pose Yoga, as featured on the My Possible Self App. This session is designed to help you gently transition from the busyness of the day into a peaceful night’s rest. Whether you're winding down before bed or already tucked in, this meditation invites you to lie down, breathe deeply, and let go. Ria is a seasoned y...

This episode dives into the concept of detachment, learning how to let go, stop overthinking, and stop settling for less in relationships. Sabrina Bendory, author of 'Detached: How to Let Go, Heal, and Become Irresistible,' joins Gabby to share her approach to reclaiming self-worth and embracing emotional freedom. Sabrina’s work as a relationship coach, writer, and influencer focuses on helping pe...

In this bonus episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson welcomes back Dr Anna Colton, a leading clinical psychologist specialising in adolescence and eating disorders, to explore her book How To Talk To Kids About Food. With over 20 years of experience - from Great Ormond Street Hospital and The Tavistock Clinic to her thriving private practice - Dr Anna brings deep expertise and c...

What if the way you see yourself; your worth, your relationships, your fears, even your achievements, was being quietly directed by a story you didn’t even write? Life scripts are unconscious, childhood-rooted narratives that shape how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world. Formed through early interactions with caregivers, these internal “stories” often emerge as coping mechanisms in respo...

October 24th marks United Nations Day; a celebration of global cooperation, peace, and human rights. But beyond politics and policy, what can an international organization built to unite nations teach us about creating peace within ourselves? In this special bonus episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson welcomes Aliza Ayaz an international climate activist, business and sustainab...

Ever wondered why you're instantly drawn to some colours and completely turned off by others? Why certain shades can lift your mood, calm your nerves, give you confidence, or even make you feel uneasy? Colour is far more than decoration. It is a powerful and universal language that speaks directly to our emotions, often without us even realising it. In this episode, host Gabby is joined by Karen H...

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson dives into the icy depths of cold water immersion. Is it really as good for our health as it’s made out to be? From ice baths to open-water swims, cold water therapy has become a wellness trend, but what does the science actually say? To find out, Gabby speaks with one of the world’s leading experts in extreme physiology: Professor...

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, we dive into the hidden power of our senses with world-renowned experimental psychologist Professor Charles Spence, an expert in multisensory perception and experience design, and founder of Oxford’s Crossmodal Research Laboratory. From working with global brands and celebrity chefs to decoding how we taste, touch, hear, and smell, Charles reveals the s...

In this very special bonus episode of The Happier Life Project, airing on World Mental Health Day and marking the podcast’s four-year anniversary, Gabby Sanderson sits down with singer-songwriter Adam Taylor, better known as ADMT, to explore the powerful intersection of music and mental health. ADMT is an artist unafraid to de-stigmatise conversations about mental health through his music. Known f...

In a culture obsessed with transformation, women are facing new pressures to constantly “optimize” their bodies. From the resurgence of fuller-bodied celebrities to the sudden wave of Ozempic-fueled weight loss, the body image landscape is shifting, and not always for the better. We're witnessing a new wave of beauty standards that is confusing, exhausting, and often harmful. Gabby Sanderson is jo...

In this bonus episode of The Happier Life Project, we’re sharing extra insights from Gabby’s conversation with Nahid de Belgeonne, author of our October Book of the Month, 'Soothe: The Book Your Nervous System Has Been Longing For'. (If you haven’t listened to the full episode yet, now’s a great time to catch up!) 'Soothe', is a fantastic read filled with easy to follow exercises to release held s...

Ever felt wired, restless, or unable to switch off; yet not sure how to calm yourself down? In this episode of The Happier Life Project, we explore what it really means to self-soothe and support the nervous system with guest Nahid de Belgeonne; somatic movement coach, breath and yoga teacher, and widely known as “the nervous system whisperer.” With over two decades of experience, Nahid has develo...

Welcome to this bonus episode of The Happier Life Project with host Gabby Sanderson. We’re following on from Tuesday’s main episode with Dr. Aimie Apigian, and today we’re diving even deeper. This bonus conversation explores the powerful connection between relationships and trauma; how to support someone close to us who is struggling, and the vital inner work we need to do when their trauma respon...

Trauma isn’t one-size-fits-all; it exists on a spectrum, from quiet emotional wounds to experiences that reshape an entire life. Living through it is hard enough, but revisiting or reliving it can feel even more overwhelming. Joining host Gabby Sanderson is Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician in Preventive and Addiction Medicine, founder of The Mind-Body-Biology Institute, and auth...

Welcome to the very first bonus episode of The Happier Life Project! From now on, alongside our regular Tuesday deep-dive episodes with expert guests, we’ll be dropping shorter, lighter episodes every Friday. These bonus episodes will explore a wider range of topics, share extra content from the main shows, introduce meditations we’re loving, or even offer a behind-the-scenes peek into the world o...

Welcome to a brand-new season of The Happier Life Project! Gabby Sanderson is back with fresh conversations designed to bring you practical tools, insights, and inspiration for living a happier life. To kick things off, our The Happier Life Project host is joined by friend of the show Britt Frank; author, speaker, and licensed neuropsychotherapist. Britt’s the author of The Science of Stuck, The G...

Let’s get curious about our drinking habits! In this episode of The Happier Life Project we are looking at the role alcohol plays in our life; as a comforter, socializing tool, way to relax, blow off steam, or avoid uncomfortable emotions. Guest Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist and the creator of the popular Instagram account @therapyforwomen Amanda also hosts the podcast “Recovered-ish” an...

None of us had a perfect childhood; we are all carrying around wounds and behaviours that don’t serve us. But what if we could break free from unhealthy family patterns to liberate the way we live and love?  As children we observe and absorb everything around us. And we teach ourselves to behave in a way that helps to make us feel safe. But at what cost? Have we developed coping mechanisms and str...

Emotions play a crucial role in our overall mental health, acting as both messengers and influencers of our psychological well-being. Positive emotions like joy, gratitude, and love can enhance mental resilience, foster strong social connections, and improve our ability to cope with stress. But on the flip side, the more challenging emotions such as sadness, anger, jealousy or anxiety, if persiste...

"What if I die before I have the chance to exist?" An existential crisis, or existential dread, can be described as persistent negative feelings and emotions linked to questioning the value of your life and how you are spending it. An existential crisis may result from intense feelings of despair as you consider questions like, "What is the point?” or “Why does any of this matter?” And these stron...