How To Be Happy

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 H...

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 s...

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", meaningl...

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 reas...

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...

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 graduat...

"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-p...

"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 wellb...

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 exp...

"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 ultim...

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. Dec...

"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 tha...

This episode of How to Be Happy is a deep dive into the "human" side of the science of happiness. I’m joined by my long-time friend and BU Happiness College graduate, James Tanner , to explore how his approach to fulfilment has shifted over a fifty-year journey; from chasing external "wins" to finding a much deeper sense of internal peace. James opens up about the pressure of a "win-lose" mentalit...

This episode of How to Be Happy: At Work tackles one of the most significant, yet overlooked, challenges in the modern office: the "silent crisis" of workplace loneliness. While we often think of loneliness as a personal issue, research shows it is a deeply embedded workplace experience that predicts everything from reduced commitment to a drop in overall performance. Building on our pre...

"Structure gives our life a sense of rhythm, but freedom gives our life a sense of soul." We’ve all had those "free" days that look great on paper but end with us feeling drained, aimless, and stuck in a Netflix scroll. In this episode, I want to challenge the idea that structure and freedom are opposites. The truth is, without a bit of a "frame" for your day, freedom...

What does it look like to practice the science of happiness when life feels heavy and uncertain? In this special "Ripple Effect" edition of How to Be Happy , Declan Edwards is joined by Ami Rankin, Head of Personal Happiness Coaching at BU Happiness College, for an honest look at the reality of navigating major life transitions. Ami opens up about a significant "change of chapter" for her family a...

In this episode of How to Be Happy , host Declan Edwards sits down with the legendary Osher Günsberg for a conversation that moves past the media scripts to look at the daily practice of living well. While many know Osher from the screen, this chat focuses on the philosophies and "micro-actions" that keep him grounded when life gets heavy. They explore the idea that happiness isn't a destination,...

"Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind." In this episode of How to Be Happy , I’m diving deep into the first of the 7 Cs of Happy Employees : Clarity . Through my work at BU Happiness College , I’ve seen that the biggest barrier to a thriving team isn't usually a lack of talent; it’s a lack of clear expectations. When priorities are fuzzy, it creates a "low-level hum of anxiety"...

"Willpower is like a phone battery; it drains over the course of the day, and once it’s flat, it’s flat." If you’ve ever started a new habit with high hopes only to watch it fizzle out two weeks later, this episode is for you. In this second instalment of our goal-setting series on How to Be Happy , I’m pulling back the curtain on why "trying harder" is actually a terrible stra...

Important announcement: The ‘How To Be Happy’ book is coming and preorders are now open! PRE-ORDER THE BOOK: Get your copy of How to Be Happy here: https://amzn.to/3OieywQ What does it look like to practice happiness skills in the middle of life’s biggest transitions? Join me and Amy Rankin (Head of Personal Happiness Coaching at BU Happiness College) for a deep dive into emotional regulation, par...

Parenting is one of life’s biggest adventures and its biggest challenges. In this conversation with Australia’s trusted parenting expert Dr. Justin Coulson, we explore what it really takes to raise happy, resilient children while also looking after yourself as a parent and partner. Dr. Justin draws on decades of experience, research, and his own journey raising six daughters to share approachable,...

What actually makes people happy at work? And what keeps great people engaged, energised, and performing at their best? In this episode, Declan introduces the seven core ingredients of happy employees. This framework is grounded in wellbeing science, real workplace experience, and years of research into what helps people thrive at work. It sets the foundation for the How to Be Happy at Work series...

Not all goals are created equal. Some leave us stressed, stuck, or chasing someone else’s idea of success. In this episode, we explore how to set goals that genuinely boost your wellbeing. You’ll learn what the research says about goal setting and happiness, the common traps to avoid, and how to create goals that feel energising, not exhausting. If you’ve ever set a goal and wondered why it didn’t...

As the year comes to a close, Declan Edwards and Ami Rankin are sitting down together to reflect, reset and celebrate everything we’ve learned on the How To Be Happy journey. In this special end-of-year wrap-up, we look back at the biggest lessons, the most powerful moments, and the standout conversations that shaped our community this year. From mindset shifts to practical wellbeing strategies, D...

Are your people busy, but not productive? In this episode of How to Be Happy at Work, we explore why focus is becoming the ultimate competitive advantage in today’s workplaces. From the rise of “bullshit jobs” to the epidemic of false urgency, Declan unpacks how modern work culture is sabotaging performance, purpose, and wellbeing: and what leaders can do to turn it around. You’ll learn: ✅ Why co...