The No Bullsh*t Guide to a Happier Life

Welcome to episode 124. How often do you stay quiet about what you need because you don't want to inconvenience anyone? In this episode, I explore the power of self-advocacy and why so many of us struggle to speak up for ourselves. We look at the stories we've been taught about being "nice", the fear of being seen as selfish, and why getting our needs met doesn't have to come at someone else's exp...

Welcome to episode 123. Do you think of yourself as someone with influence? In this episode, I explore the power we all hold in our everyday lives — whether as parents, friends, colleagues, voters, customers, teachers, or simply people moving through the world. We look at why it can feel uncomfortable to acknowledge our influence, and why recognising it is an essential part of stepping into our po...

Welcome to episode 122. How clear are you on what truly matters to you — and are the loudest voices in your life helping you move towards it or pulling you away from yourself? In this episode, I explore the connection between values, boundaries, and desires, and why understanding all three is essential if we want to step into our power. We talk about recognising what genuinely matters to us, prote...

Welcome to bonus episode 121. Today, I'm sharing something deeply personal: why you'll start seeing and hearing my name change from Helen to GG. Over the past few months, I've realised that Helen was the version of me the world expected, but GG is who I truly am — passionate, autistic, joyful, loud, and fully myself. This episode is about identity, authenticity, and the power that comes from choos...

Welcome to episode 120. Who's living in your head rent free — and how much power are they really holding over your choices, confidence, and sense of self? In this episode, I explore the many voices and influences shaping our lives, from parents and teachers to partners, colleagues, social media, and cultural expectations. We look at how these influences quietly affect the way we think, behave, and...

Welcome to episode 119. Have you ever noticed resentment creeping in, even when you're trying to be kind or helpful? In this episode, I explore how resentment is often a sign that we're giving away more of our capacity than we actually have, saying yes when we really should say no. We look at why it can feel so hard to set these boundaries — from the need to belong to the fear of being seen as sel...

Welcome to episode 118. Have you ever wondered why things you can do suddenly feel impossible? In this episode, I explore the difference between ability and capacity — and how the world around us is constantly draining the energy we need to function well. We dig into the guilt and pressure of not doing "enough," and question whether the problem is really you, or just a symptom of an impossibly dra...

Welcome to episode 117. What are you focusing your energy on right now — and is it actually what matters most to you? In this episode, I explore how choosing your focus is a powerful act in itself, helping you cut through the noise and make more meaningful, aligned choices. We also talk about the reality of disruption, and why being kind and flexible with yourself when things don't go to plan is e...

Welcome to episode 116. What does your personal power actually look like in everyday life? In this episode, I invite you to think about your best days — the moments when you feel energised, confident, and fully yourself — and what they reveal about the strengths you already have. We also explore how shame can quietly dampen our sense of power, and why learning to believe the positive things others...

 Welcome to episode 115. Invisible expectations, outdated norms, and the pressure to follow someone else's rules can keep us stuck and disconnected from ourselves. The truth is those rules were never yours to begin with! This is your invitation to take a fresh look at the beliefs and behaviours that are keeping you small. Question everything, reconnect with who you really are, and reclaim your pow...

Welcome to episode 114. Today I'm joined by Stephanie Ward from The Spicy Brain Collective, our headline sponsor for series six, for a heartfelt conversation about what stepping into your power means to her. After a challenging year spent rebuilding joy and confidence after some big life events, Stephanie shares what real power looks like for her now she's out the other side — full autonomy, authe...

Welcome to episode 113, and the start of season six! This episode is all about stepping into your power — not in a loud, forceful way, but through self-knowledge, emotional intelligence, and calm confidence. I reflect on themes from previous seasons, and share my own experiences of navigating life and work as an autistic, queer life coach. This season is an invitation to live more authentically, s...

As series five comes to a close, I'm taking a moment to reflect on what I've shared this year and how my experience as an autistic person has shaped my work and direction. It hasn't been easy — navigating and recovering from autistic burnout, dealing with financial pressures, and managing mental health challenges — but I'm so grateful you've been here along the way. Series six returns in the new y...

Welcome to episode 111. Today I share my own journey through first-time parenthood - the vulnerable postnatal period before my autism diagnosis, when sensory overload, exhaustion, and unmet needs made everything feel completely overwhelming. This is an honest exploration of how the demands of parenting can intensify existing mental health challenges, and how navigating the experience with honesty,...

Welcome to episode 110. Today I'm sharing practical, energy-sensitive strategies that help neurodivergent business owners simplify their marketing. From embracing short marketing bursts to focusing on genuine human connection, I want to offer realistic ways to work with your brain rather than against it. Let's challenge the pressure of perfection and consistency and reframe marketing as a straight...

Welcome to episode 109. In this episode, we explore how networking can be empowering and inclusive when approached in ways that work for you. We discuss the importance of finding a tribe that truly supports you, and giving yourself permission to leave environments that don't. We also dive into how meaningful connections grow over time and how creative approaches - like online networking, "net-walk...

Welcome to episode 108. If you've ever felt like the 9–5 world just isn't for you, you're not alone. This episode shines a light on why traditional jobs can feel overwhelming for those who are neurodivergent - think unclear expectations, social pressures, and sensory overload - and the opportunities that present themselves in self-employment. Starting your own business can bring freedom, fulfilmen...

Bonus episode! Today I'm reaching out to you - whether you've been here from the start or just found the podcast - to celebrate and grow our amazing community. Where are you listening from? If you're in the UK and up for connecting in person, drop me a message and let's make it happen!   If virtual is more your style, I've got a treat: The Happier Life Hub is open for just £1 until the end of Octo...

Welcome to episode 106. In this episode, we explore the connection between trauma and neurodivergence, looking at why neurodivergent people are often more vulnerable—even to experiences others might not view as traumatic. Living in a world that isn't designed for our brains can add to that sense of overwhelm, so this episode is a gentle reminder of the power of self-forgiveness, self-kindness, and...

Welcome to episode 105. Have you ever felt like the traditional idea of friendship doesn't fit well for you? In this episode, I share my personal take on friendship as a neurodivergent person and why I've moved away from the usual "friends" label. Instead, I focus on finding "safe people"—those who truly accept me and let me be myself. I talk about the confusion and pressure tied to friendship, an...

Welcome to episode 104. Today I explore the pros and cons of labelling, particularly when it comes to autism and neurodivergence. Is a diagnosis empowering or limiting? I share how understanding my own and my children's neurotype has brought clarity, self-compassion, and real-life support. Labels can feel restricting to some—but for me it has allowed a deeper level of self-acceptance. We talk iden...

Welcome to episode 103. In this episode, I'm exploring why for neurodivergent people - especially those who are autistic - the simple question "How are you?" can feel overwhelmingly complicated. We'll look at what actually goes on in our brains during moments like this, and why even well-meaning questions can lead to overwhelm or shutdown. I also talk about ways I prefer to be checked in with—and...

Welcome to episode 102. Exploring autistic shutdown—what it is, why it happens, and how it feels from the autistic perspective. Often misunderstood as rudeness or disconnection, shutdown is actually a natural autistic response to emotional or sensory overwhelm. In today's episode I share personal insights into the experience, along with thoughtful advice on how to support someone with calm, care,...

Welcome to episode 101. In this episode, I explore the many types of neurodivergence beyond just autism and ADHD (dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, and more), and challenge the media's portrayal of neurodiversity as some kind of "new trend." It's not. These differences have always existed—and people now have the language and support to truly understand themselves. This episode is all about shiftin...

Welcome to episode 100 ! Today, we will be discussing Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria—its prevalence among neurodivergent individuals and how it has manifested in my own experience as an autistic person. Often, it is the accumulation of seemingly minor rejections that leads to burnout, particularly when navigating ambiguous social norms and the challenge of belonging. If you can relate to this exp...