Bu With Declan Edwards

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, autonomy, belonging, and impact.Drawing from positive psychology, workplace culture research, and years of real-world coaching, we break down:✅ Why logic alone doesn’t create buy-in — and what actually does ✅ The crucial link between team engagement and personal meaning ✅ How to connect your business goals to what actually matters to your people ✅ Why care, trust, and authenticity beat strategy decks every time ✅ What not to do if you want people to rally behind a vision (spoiler: don’t just rebrand a boring task) ✅ Tangible ways to inspire intrinsic motivation and lead with purposeThis one’s for leaders, emerging leader

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 to reconnect with yourself after years of being a “human chameleon” (something I know all too well), and why true happiness starts with self-awareness, not just surface-level self-help.We’ll cover:✅ Why self-understanding is essential before self-confidence, self-worth, or self-care ✅ The danger of outsourcing your answers, and why no one else can define a happy life for you ✅ How introspection can reconnect you to your values, your voice, and your vision ✅ Practical tools to start understanding yourself, including journaling prompts, mindfulness practices, and coaching/therapy support ✅ Why the best expert on your life…

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 explore:The top drivers of employee engagement in 2025Why flexibility and autonomy are non-negotiables in thriving workplacesThe tenure and retention crisis facing many organisations today, especially within gen Z employeesWhere most companies fall short when it comes to future-ready leadershipWhat truly forward-thinking businesses are doing differentlyWhether you're a leader, HR professional, or culture champion, this episode offers practical insights and inspiring examples to help you build a workplace that attracts, retains, and empowers great people.✨ Don't miss this data-driven and heart-led conversation abou

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 is honest, relatable, and a powerful reminder that happiness isn’t something we find, it’s something we build.If you’ve ever felt burnt out, stuck on autopilot, or unsure how to prioritise yourself again, this episode will speak straight to your heart.Join the happiness ripple effect by:Following Declan on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-edwards-bu-happiness-college⁠⁠⁠- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/declanedwards_bu⁠⁠⁠- TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@that.happiness.guyFollowing BU Happiness College on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/bu-happiness-college⁠⁠⁠- Instagram: ⁠⁠

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 real reasons we avoid difficult conversations (spoiler: fear, discomfort, and people-pleasing play a big role), and share evidence-based tools to help you show up with clarity and compassion. We’ll dive into:✅ Why Brene Brown says "clear is kind", and how vagueness erodes trust✅ Kim Scott’s Radical Candor model, and how to challenge directly while still caring personally✅ The psychology behind our avoidance, including fear of rejection and the nervous system response✅ The dangers of the dreaded “sh*t sandwich” feedback method (and what to do instead)✅ Prompts, prep tips, and real-life examples to help you navig

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 the 12-stage burnout model, I’ll walk you through what recovery can look like at different stages, why it often takes months (not days), and how to rebuild your energy and sense of self from the inside out.We’ll also explore:✅ Why burnout is often the result of neglecting yourself, your needs, and your values✅ The role of guilt, people-pleasing, and over-identification with work in slowing down recovery✅ How to process burnout in your body, not just your brain✅ Tools to refill your cup and how to get the courage to leave unsustainable environments ✅ The long game: sustainable strategies to protect your energy going for

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, and what it actually takes to build a healthy, high-performance culture from the inside out.We talk about:* The difference between values, behaviours, and true culture* Why trust and psychological safety are non-negotiable for the future of work* How to diagnose cultural issues before they become costly* What the most adaptive and successful organisations are doing differently post-pandemic* Karl’s insights from decades of working with government, education, healthcare, and global brandsWhether you're in HR, leadership, or just someone who wants to influence your team in a more meaningful way; this conversation is

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, people-pleasing, lack of boundaries, and the deeper drive for validation.You’ll learn:Why great intentions often still lead to burnoutHow to create environments (at work and in life) that support energy, not just effortThe critical difference between sustainable self-care and reactive self-soothingWhy saying "yes" too often is costing you more than you realiseThis one’s not just about tips and tools, it’s about shifting the whole way you think about work, worth, and wellbeing.

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 resilience is the fifth and final pillar of workplace happiness and why it won’t stick unless your wellbeing, engagement, culture, and leadership foundations are strong.We’ll also talk about:How to spot and prevent burnout before it spreadsWhy trying to retain everyone isn’t the goal (and how healthy turnover can actually help)A practical framework for guiding your team through changeWhy false urgency and lack of clarity quietly drain your team’s energyWhat we can learn from companies like Netflix and Atlassian about bouncing forward, not just backWhether you lead a team, shape culture, or just want to make your workplace

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 your wellbeing, work, and relationships.You’ll learn:Why burnout is a spectrum, not a switchThe early warning signs almost everyone overlooksWhy high performers are especially at riskWhat you can do today to pre-empt burnout in yourself and your teamHow to begin shifting from survival mode back into sustainabilityThis episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stretched, stressed, or simply not themselves.

Dec

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 about boundaries, self-compassion, and rest.How investing in her own happiness has not only changed her life; it's also made her a better support for the people around her.This episode is a gentle reminder for anyone who pours energy into caring for others: your happiness matters too.Hit play, feel inspired, and remember: you deserve to put yourself on your own priority list.Join the happiness ripple effect by:Following Declan on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-edwards-bu-happiness-college⁠⁠⁠⁠- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/declanedwards_bu⁠⁠⁠⁠- TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@that.ha

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 skills) and unpack how each one contributes to a thriving, human-first workplace. If you’re a leader, an aspiring leader, or someone passionate about creating better workplaces, this episode is a must-listen.Join the happiness ripple effect by:Following Declan on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-edwards-bu-happiness-college⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/declanedwards_bu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@that.happiness.guy⁠⁠Following BU Happiness College on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/bu-happiness-college⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Instagram: ⁠

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 differentlyTry a three-step journaling method that goes deeper than just listing things you’re thankful forDiscover how to turn gratitude into a felt experience, not just a mental exerciseExplore the ripple effect of sharing your appreciation and how it can boost not only your happiness, but the happiness of those around youIf you’re ready to reconnect with the good in your life and start feeling it more fully, this episode is a beautiful place to begin.Listen now and learn how to build a gratitude practice that truly makes a difference.Join the happiness ripple effect by:Following Declan on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linked

In this episode of How to Be Happy (At Work), we’re joined by Sarah Queenan, Founder and Managing Director of Humanify HR Consulting. With over two decades of experience across the public and private sectors, Sarah brings a powerful message to the modern workplace: when we bring humanity back into leadership and HR, everyone benefits.We unpack what it really means to build people-first cultures, how to prevent burnout amongst leaders, and we debate whether the 4 day work week or work from home are the silver bullet solutions that will solve all of our workplace woes.Whether you’re in HR, leadership, or simply someone who believes work can be done better this conversation will leave you hopeful, challenged, and inspired.Join the happiness ripple effect by:Following Declan on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-edwards-bu-happiness-college⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/declanedwards_bu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@that.happiness.guyFollowing BU Happiness

If your mind feels like it’s stuck on a loop of overthinking, self-doubt or worst-case scenarios, you’re not broken — you’re human. Our brains are wired with a natural negativity bias that helped our ancestors survive, but today it can leave us feeling anxious, drained and emotionally heavy.This episode is all about breaking that cycle. We’re not trying to silence the inner critic — we’re learning how to work with it.Understand why your brain is wired to focus on the negative (and how to gently interrupt the spiral)Learn a powerful tool to balance worst-case thinking with perspective and calmDiscover how to train your brain to notice and hold onto the good more oftenExplore the science of gratitude, and how simple practices can help shift your mindsetIf you’re ready to feel a little lighter, a little clearer, and a lot more in charge of your thoughts, this one’s for you.Tune in now and start reducing negative thinking, one small shift at a time.Join the happiness ripple effect by:Following Declan on:- LinkedI

Everyone is talking about workplace culture, but very few people can define it, measure it, or meaningfully build it. In this episode, we cut through the buzzwords and explore what workplace culture actually is, why it matters, and how to shape it with intention.You’ll discover the five key elements of culture we assess in BU Happiness College’s Workplace Happiness Diagnostic, including psychosocial safety, trust and transparency, and self-determination. Each element plays a vital role in creating a thriving and human-first workplace.Whether you work in HR, lead a team, or simply care about making work better, this episode will give you clarity and a practical framework to begin improving culture today.Join the happiness ripple effect by:Following Declan on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-edwards-bu-happiness-college⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/declanedwards_bu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@that.happiness.guy⁠Following BU Happiness College

A lot of our stress and frustration comes from trying to control things that were never ours to control. From relationships to outcomes to the pace of life itself, the more we resist, the more stuck we tend to feel.In this episode, we explore what it really means to let go, without giving up. You’ll learn how to shift from survival mode into a more empowered and peaceful state by focusing your energy where it counts most.Discover the power of the Locus of Control and how it can reshape your daily mindsetLearn the Raft and the River analogy that has become a favourite among BU Happiness College graduatesGain practical tools to feel more grounded, present and in charge of your own experienceIf you’re ready to feel calmer, clearer and more aligned with life as it unfolds, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Listen now to start flowing, not forcing.Join the happiness ripple effect by:Following Declan on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-edwards-bu-happiness-college⁠⁠⁠⁠- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠h

In this episode of How to Be Happy (At Work), we’re joined by Tahnee McWhirter, founder of HumanX HR—a business that’s been recognised as an Accredited Happy Workplace three years in a row.Tahnee shares what it actually takes to build and maintain a thriving workplace culture, the mindset shifts that made the biggest difference, and why happiness has become a core part of how HumanX does business.Whether you’re a small business owner, team leader, or HR professional, this episode is packed with practical insights on how to build a culture your team will genuinely love being part of.Join the happiness ripple effect by:Following Declan on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/declan-edwards-bu-happiness-college⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/declanedwards_bu⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@that.happiness.guyFollowing BU Happiness College on:- LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/bu-happiness-college⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/bu_happiness_co

In this episode of How to Be Happy, we sit down with Mitch Sharpe—BU Happiness College Class of 2024 graduate, father, and someone who has wholeheartedly committed to his personal growth and happiness.Mitch’s journey is a powerful example of what can happen when you make the decision to prioritise your mental and emotional wellbeing. During his time at BU Happiness College, Mitch fully embraced the skills and science of happiness, becoming an active member of the community, joining live events, and even summiting Mt Kosciuszko at our 2023 Expedition Happiness retreat.In this conversation, Mitch opens up about his experience learning to be happier, the challenges he faced along the way, and how developing these skills has helped him show up as a better version of himself—at home, at work, and in life.If you’re ready to be inspired by what’s possible when you take ownership of your happiness, this episode is for you.Listen now to uncover how Mitch Sharpe became happier—and how you can too.Join the happiness rip