How To Be Happy

Feeling overwhelmed, tense, or stuck in constant overdrive? This episode is your reset button. In this science-backed deep dive, happiness researcher Declan Edwards unpacks the psychology of stress, explores why Australia and New Zealand rank among the top 3 most stressed populations globally, and shares practical tools to reduce chronic stress in your daily life. You’ll learn: The 3 types of stre...

Can better communication transform workplace culture? In this episode from the archives, I interview Chris Huet; a former fighter pilot , award-winning poet , and master of leadership communication . Chris combines military precision with poetic insight to help leaders cut through noise and truly connect with their teams. We unpack: What makes communication stick How stories and metaphors build tr...

Ever feel like you're constantly fighting against life? Trying to control people, outcomes, or the future and it's exhausting you? In this episode of How to Be Happy, we're diving into why trying to control everything is making you less happy; and how to finally let go without giving up. Learn about the Locus of Control model, explore the power of surrender (including my personal story...

Struggling with silos, miscommunication, and a lack of cross-team connection? You’re not alone, collaboration breakdown is one of the biggest barriers to productivity, performance, and wellbeing in today’s workplace. In this episode of How to Be Happy at Work , happiness researcher and workplace consultant Declan Edwards explores why effective collaboration is a competitive advantage and what lead...

Feel like a fraud? You’re not alone. In this episode of How to Be Happy , we’re unpacking the truth about imposter syndrome, and why that uncomfortable voice in your head might actually be a sign that you're on the right track.🎙 Join Declan Edwards, happiness researcher and founder of BU Happiness College, as he shares a powerful reframe of imposter syndrome, blending science, storytelling, an...

What causes burnout, and how do we fix it at a systemic level? In this powerful conversation from our Working Well podcast archive, I sat down with Hamza Khan : award-winning keynote speaker, best-selling author of Leadership Reinvented , and globally recognised expert on burnout prevention , toxic leadership , and human-centred work . Since this interview, Hamza and I have become great friends, a...

What happens when you decide to make your happiness a priority, even when life feels impossible? In this deeply inspiring conversation, Declan Edwards sits down with Laura Frahm, one of BU Happiness College’s very first scholarship graduates. After a tragic accident left her unable to work and living with chronic pain, Laura joined BU Happiness College to learn mindfulness and meditation technique...

Let’s face it; most workplace training feels like a chore. It’s too often a box to tick, not a meaningful experience. But what if training could actually boost engagement, performance, and retention? In this episode of How to Be Happy at Work , we explore what separates forgettable training from transformational learning. You’ll learn: ✅ Why most corporate training fails (and how to fix it) ✅ Th...

What if the key to being happier wasn’t fixing what’s “wrong” with you but doubling down on what’s right with you? In this episode, we explore how discovering and using your character strengths can transform your happiness, performance, and relationships. You'll learn how to shift away from the self-help trap of endless self-improvement and instead recognise what already makes you uniquely pow...

What really makes us happy at work, and why do so many people struggle to find it? In this special archived episode, we sit down with Dr. Tim Sharp (aka Dr. Happy); one of Australia's leading voices in positive psychology, and a true pioneer of the science of happiness. Founder of The Happiness Institute and Adjunct Professor at UTS, Tim shares his insights into how happiness shows up (or does...

Ever feel like you’re drifting through life without a clear direction? You’re not alone. In this episode, we explore a popular but underutilised happiness skill; uncovering your values. Values aren’t just words you put on a wall. They’re your internal compass; shaping your decisions, your relationships, your habits, and your sense of fulfilment. But most of us were never taught how to identify the...

It’s one thing to communicate your organisation’s goals it’s another to make your team care about them. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to gain genuine buy-in from your people. Not through cheesy gimmicks or corporate jargon, but by making meaning matter. Because let’s be honest, most teams don’t wake up excited about "quarterly KPIs"… but they do care about purpose, aut...

Everyone wants higher self-esteem, stronger self-worth, better self-care... but all of those begin with the same word for a reason: self . And yet, so many of us are moving through life disconnected from who we truly are. In this episode of How to Be Happy , we explore why understanding yourself is the foundation of a fulfilling life; and how to actually begin that journey. I share what it means t...

What actually makes a workplace a great place to work, not just in theory, but in the eyes of the people who show up every day? In this episode of How to Be Happy at Work , host Declan Edwards sits down with Rebecca Moulynox, CEO of Great Place to Work Australia & New Zealand, to unpack the most important trends emerging from surveying over 20,000 employees across the region . Together, they e...

In this episode of How to Be Happy , we sit down with Brianna Cumming , a BU Happiness College graduate who made the courageous decision to put her wellbeing first and completely redefine what success and happiness look like in her life. Brianna shares her journey of learning to slow down, set boundaries, and reconnect with herself after years of chasing achievement and people-pleasing. Her story...

We all know those conversations; the ones you put off, rehearse in your head, and hope magically resolve themselves. Whether it’s giving feedback, setting a boundary, or addressing tension with a teammate or boss, tough conversations are a non-negotiable part of working well with others. But most of us were never taught how to have them. In this episode of How to Be Happy at Work , I unpack the re...

Burnout isn’t just stress, it’s what happens when stress goes unaddressed for too long. And recovering from it isn’t something you can fast-track with a weekend off or a quick fix. Real recovery takes time, intention, and support. In the final part of our burnout series on How to Be Happy , we dive into what it actually takes to heal from burnout; emotionally, mentally, and physically. Drawing on...

What really drives culture in the workplace? And how do we evolve it in the face of uncertainty, hybrid work, and shifting employee expectations? In this episode, I’m joined by Karl Treacher — Group CEO of The Culture Institute of Australia and one of the leading voices in culture, leadership, and brand alignment. Together, we explore the real-world challenges that organisations are facing today,...

If you're tired of constantly flirting with burnout and wondering why the same patterns keep showing up, this episode is for you. In part two of our burnout series, we move beyond early warning signs and dive into the heart of why burnout keeps happening even when we think we’re doing everything “right.” We explore the systemic and psychological traps that fuel burnout, including perfectionism...

Resilience at work isn’t about pushing through at all costs; it’s about learning to adapt and grow through change. In this episode, we’re diving into what real resilience looks like in a modern workplace. Spoiler alert: it’s not about being the toughest person in the room. It’s about building a culture that bends without breaking, that learns and evolves when the pressure is on. We explore why res...

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t always look like total exhaustion or quitting your job. It builds slowly. Quietly. And if we’re not careful, we miss the early signs until it’s too late. In this first episode of our 3-part burnout series, we're exploring the burnout spectrum — including the 12 stages of burnout — and revealing how to recognise and address it before it derails y...

What if the secret to a more connected, productive, and happier workplace wasn’t just about systems or strategy—but emotional intelligence ? In this energising episode, we sit down with emotional intelligence specialist and author Amy Jacobson to explore why EQ is one of the most valuable skills in today’s evolving work environment. Together, we unpack: Why emotional intelligence matters more now...

As a Mental Health Social Worker, Arna Kerklaan has spent her career supporting others. But like so many caring professionals, she once found herself giving so much to everyone else that she left nothing for herself . In this honest and uplifting conversation, Arna shares: How she went from feeling overwhelmed and burnt out to finding balance and fulfilment. The surprising lessons she learned abou...

Leadership has the power to make or break wellbeing, engagement, and culture in the workplace. In this episode, we explore why poor leadership is so common, how outdated systems and promotion models are holding people back, and what it truly takes to become a great leader today. We introduce the four essential skill sets of modern leadership (relational, communication, competence, and humanistic s...

Gratitude is one of the most widely recommended happiness habits, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. If you’ve ever tried gratitude journaling and thought, “This doesn’t work for me,” you’re not alone. In this episode, we unpack how to practise gratitude in a way that actually feels genuine, effective and impactful. Learn why most people struggle with gratitude and how to do it different...