Bu With Declan Edwards

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

In this episode of How to Be Happy (At Work), we’re unpacking what true employee engagement looks like—and why so many organisations are getting it wrong.Spoiler: it’s not just about satisfaction scores or surface-level perks.We explore how to take a more strategic, holistic approach to engagement that actually improves wellbeing, performance, and retention.Whether you’re in HR, leadership, or just curious about how to create a workplace people love being part of—this episode is packed with practical insights to help you do just that.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_college⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.c

Sometimes the harshest voice in our lives is the one in our own head.In this episode, Declan explores the power of self-compassion—a skill that’s been proven to boost resilience, reduce anxiety, and improve emotional wellbeing. With insights from Dr. Kristin Neff and Brené Brown, you’ll learn:Why self-compassion is not the same as self-esteemHow to stop being your own worst criticTangible practices to become a little kinder to yourself every dayThis one’s for anyone who holds themselves to impossibly high standards—and is ready to breathe a little easier.

In this episode of How to Be Happy (At Work), we’re joined by Stacie Shaw, Partner at PKF Newcastle, business advisor, and early adopter of the Workplace Happiness Diagnostic.Stacie brings a unique perspective to the conversation—combining the logic and practicality of accounting and advisory work with a deep belief in the power of happiness to drive business performance.This episode is a refreshing, real-world look at why happiness isn’t just a “nice-to-have” for organisations—it’s a smart, strategic move that impacts your people and your bottom line.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_college⁠⁠⁠⁠- Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fac

We’ve officially hit our podcast groove! From this week forward, we’ll be releasing one new episode every Wednesday, alternating between How to Be Happy and How to Be Happy at Work—so you get your weekly dose of personal and professional happiness without feeling overwhelmed.Now… let’s talk about self-care.In this episode, Declan breaks down why real self-care is more than bubble baths and Netflix. You’ll learn:The difference between self-care and self-indulgenceThe three essential types of self-care: physical, up-regulating, and down-regulatingThe Three Fs model (Flat, Flow, Frazzled) and how to use it to meet your needs in the momentHow to balance small sips and big gulps of self-care for consistent, sustainable wellbeingThis is your guide to building a self-care plan that actually works—and lasts.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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Workplace wellbeing isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. But too many organisations take a one-size-fits-all approach that misses the mark.In this episode of How to Be Happy at Work, Declan unpacks the 7 types of workplace wellbeing every business should be measuring and supporting: emotional, physical, intellectual, social, environmental, spiritual, and financial. You'll hear why nuance matters, how to avoid rolling out the wrong initiatives, and what truly makes a difference in helping your team thrive.

What if the key to living a more fulfilling life was simply learning how to step outside your comfort zone—and stay there?In this episode of How to Be Happy, Declan Edwards dives into the four stages of personal growth, unpacking how we move from comfort, through fear, into learning, and finally into true growth. You’ll learn why fear and excitement often go hand in hand, why personal growth is essential for long-term happiness, and how to navigate the messy middle when you’re learning something new.If you’ve ever felt stuck, stagnant, or ready to stretch yourself, this episode is for you.Listen now and discover how to grow as a person—on purpose.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: ⁠⁠ht

In this episode of How to Be Happy (At Work), we’re joined by Lisa Young—an experienced HR consultant, founder of Your HR HQ, and someone who’s passionate about helping HR Professionals become their best selves.If you’ve ever wondered about HR’s role in creating a culture of happiness (without burning themselves out in the process), this conversation is a must-listen. Lisa shares her practical experience working with organisations to move beyond policies and tick-the-box wellbeing initiatives to something far more meaningful—and impactful.We explore the realities HR professionals face, and how they can lead the way in making workplace happiness a priority that benefits everyone.Here are just a few things we cover in this episode:✔️ Why HR often gets stuck between compliance and culture—and how to find balance✔️ Ways HR professionals can use to champion happiness without adding to their workload✔️ How to get leaders on board with building a happier, healthier workplace✔️ Lisa’s personal insights from years of

In this episode of How to Be Happy, we’re joined by our very first guest on the show—Beth Belford. Beth is a Freshman Year graduate of BU Happiness College, a neurodivergent high achiever, and a recovering perfectionist who’s spent the past year learning how to create a happier, more fulfilling life.During our conversation, Beth shares her personal journey of developing the skills and science of happiness, including how she’s learned to be kinder to herself, rest without guilt, and redefine success in a way that doesn’t lead to burnout.If you’ve ever struggled with balancing ambition and wellbeing, or if you’re curious about how happiness can be something we actively build and grow, this episode offers plenty of inspiration and insight.Listen now to uncover how Beth Belford became happier—and how you can too.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:

You believe in creating a happier workplace—but how do you get leadership on board?In this episode of How to Be Happy at Work, workplace happiness expert Declan Edwards arms you with the stats, research, and arguments you need to make happiness a business priority. You’ll learn:✅ How workplace happiness boosts productivity, engagement, and retention✅ The financial benefits of investing in employee well-being—including ROI figures leaders can’t ignore✅ Why happier workplaces outperform their competitors and even outperform the stock marketPlus, we’ll cover the ethical and societal case for workplace happiness and why supporting employees’ well-being is about more than just business—it’s about building a better world.If you’ve ever struggled to convince leadership that happiness is worth investing in, this episode gives you the evidence-backed case you need to make a compelling pitch.

If happiness was a recipe, what ingredients would you include?In this episode of How to Be Happy, Declan Edwards introduces the PERMA+ model, a research-backed framework for creating a happier life, and helps you:✅ Discover the six essential ingredients of happiness: Positive Affect, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Achievement, and Health✅ Reflect on your personal happiness recipe—what’s working and what’s missing?✅ Take a simple self-assessment to measure and improve different areas of your well-beingHappiness isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s a unique blend of elements that work best for you. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a personalised roadmap to living a more fulfilling life.

What if happiness isn’t just something you feel—but something you can learn?In this episode of How to Be Happy, happiness researcher Declan Edwards breaks down the science behind happiness as a skill set and reveals:✅ The two types of skills—technical skills vs. human skills—and why the latter are key to a fulfilling life✅ The 4-stage learning process that every skill (including happiness) follows✅ How to move past the frustrating “struggle phase” and build happiness skills fasterIf you’ve ever felt like happiness is out of reach, this episode will show you that it’s something you can actively develop—just like learning an instrument, a language, or a sport.

What does it truly mean to be happy at work? Is it about well-being? Engagement? Culture? Leadership?In this first episode of How to Be Happy at Work, happiness researcher and workplace consultant Declan Edwards unpacks the most critical question in workplace happiness: how do we define it?You'll discover:✅ Why happiness at work is more than just feeling good✅ The five core pillars of a thriving workplace: well-being, engagement, culture, leadership, and resilience✅ The latest research on workplace happiness and its impact on employee experience, performance, and business successBy the end of this episode, you'll have a clear framework for understanding and improving happiness in your workplace. Whether you're an HR professional, a leader, or someone passionate about workplace well-being, this episode is your foundation for building a happier, more engaged, and high-performing team.

We all want to be happier—but have you ever stopped to ask yourself, what actually is happiness?Happiness has been debated for thousands of years, from ancient philosophers to modern psychologists, and no single definition fits everyone. In this episode, happiness researcher Declan Edwards unpacks:✅ Why defining happiness on your own terms is essential✅ The difference between fleeting happiness and deeper, long-term fulfillment✅ The science-backed frameworks that help us understand happiness, including the emotional umbrella theory and the idea that happiness is a skillBy the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of what happiness means to you—and how to start building a happier life.

Welcome to the 'How to Be Happy' podcast!Are you ready to explore what it truly means to live a happier life? In this introductory episode you'll meet your host, Declan Edwards—happiness researcher, coach, and founder of BU Happiness College—as he shares why How to Be Happy exists, what you can expect from the show, and how you can become an active part of the ripple effect of happiness.You’ll discover: - The two shows within the podcast: How To Be Happy (personal happiness) and How To Be Happy (At Work) (workplace happiness). - Declan’s personal journey and mission to grow global happiness.- How you can use this podcast to learn, practice, and share proven strategies for a happier workplace and life.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.linked