Happiness for Cynics: Recent Episodes
Happiness for Cynics
Don't worry. Be happy! There's a new episode every Monday!
Do you struggle with stress and trying to find balance in today’s world? Have you ever wondered whether this is it? Or maybe there are other ways to live…?
Or maybe you have a healthy amount of cynicism when it comes to all these positive affirmations and new age solutions to the age old question of what makes us happy, and you just want to know the facts.
Join us on the Happiness for Cynics podcast as we present the latest research on happiness, with a heavy dose of cynicism and a lot of laughs.
Each week, we’ll cover hot topics like exercise, finding awe and practicing gratitude. We’ll look at the research and facts and provide some practical tips to help you to bring more balance, happiness and satisfaction into your life.
Join Marie (the cynic) and the always happy Pete on their journey to discover what makes people happy.
Join Marie and Pete this episode as they discuss choice overload, decision paralysis and what happens when we have too much choice.
Join Marie and Pete this episode as they discuss questions you should be asking yourself to get to know the true you better.
Join Marie and Pete this episode as they discuss eccentrics and find out why they’re happier, healthier and live longer and more fulfilling lives.
Join Marie and Pete this episode as they discuss positive and negative stresses and why it’s important to express your feelings.
Join Marie and Pete this week as the discuss wellbeing in our schools and find out which model is best for your school.
Join Marie and Pete as they discuss a new twist on work/life balance and how people have had enough and are looking for more life in their lives.
Join Marie and Pete this week as they discuss creativity in all its forms and how it can improve your happiness.
Join Marie and Pete this week as they discuss Davos 2022, the foremost gathering of leaders from business, government and civil society.
Join Marie and Pete this episode as they discuss the science of volunteering and why we should all get out there and volunteer.
Join Marie and Pete this week as they discuss why we should be striving for the creation of policies for everyone’s happiness.
Join Marie and Pete this week as they discuss Mental Health Month and share three tips on how to improve mental health in the workplace.
Join Marie this week as she interviews special guest Diana Stobo and finds out why we all need to incorporate some wellbeing into our lives.
Join Marie and Pete this week as they discuss embodied awareness, how to achieve it and how it affects your physical and mental health.
Join Marie and Pete as they discuss the power of nature and its great benefits. So, what are you waiting for? Get out now!
Join Marie this week as she interviews special guest speaker Dr Suzy Green, and get some inspiration for more positivity and happiness in your life.
Join Marie and Pete this week as they discuss the World Happiness report for 2022. Find out if you live in one of the happiest nations.
Join Marie and Pete this week as they discuss how to avoid the great attrition with research backed resilience activities for the workplace.
Join Marie and Pete as the discuss the passion paradigm and how it could be contributing to the great resignation we are currently experiencing around the world.
Join Marie this week as she interviews happiness advocate Tal Ben-Shahar who shares his insights on happiness and the wholebeing approach.
Join Marie and Pete this week as they discuss 9 ways to improve your mindset and live a longer, happier, and more productive life.
Join Marie and Pete this week as they discuss a recent scientific article on how to remain youthful and resilient despite stress.
This week Marie interviews Victor Perton the founder of The Centre for Optimism, who asks the question, "what makes you optimistic?"
Join Marie and Pete this week as they discuss a recent study that shows the scientifically proven best ways to improve your wellbeing and happiness.
Join Marie and Pete as they celebrate Happiness for Cynics' 100th episode by exploring wellbeing hubs and explain why every neighbourhood needs one.
This week, Join Marie and Pete as they discuss ‘Toxic Positivity’ and the importance of living with negative emotions.
Join Marie and Pete as they discuss how to be your best possible self and the exercise that may be your key to happiness.
On today's episode Marie and Pete discuss talking to strangers and the surprising mental health benefits of sharing a deep and meaningful conversation.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about arts on prescription and how it might be part of the solution to your happiness needs.
International Volunteer Day takes place every year on 5 December and it's a great opportunity to remind you that volunteering can have a huge impact on your happiness levels!
This week, Marie and Pete talk about fighting the loneliness epidemic and discuss 12 things you should be doing to avoid loneliness.
This week Marie and Pete talk about finding your flow and the wonderful benefits it can give you on your journey to true happiness.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about Covid burnout, how to identify it and why you need a holiday pronto.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about a global phenomenon known as ‘The Great Resignation’ and how society at large is looking for a better work-life balance.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about self-awareness and “To Be” lists, what they are and why you need to create one.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss what it means to be living a psychologically rich life and how to find out if you’re reaching your potential.
Happy World Mental Health Day 2021. This week, Marie and Pete talk about inequality and equity and how it impacts our mental health.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about how to reinforce your happiness by making a positive portfolio highlighting positive emotions.
In this episode, Marie and Pete discuss breathing your way to happiness, the science behind it and teach some simple breathing techniques.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about the silver lining of COVID-19, what it has taught us and how it has made us stronger.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about coping with stress through music and the surprising effects it has on our mental well-being.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about the powerful new strategy for wish and goal fulfilment, devised by a German-American psychologist and former Princess, called WOOP.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss the latest research on different types of rest, and pose the question are you getting the rest you need?
This week, Marie and Pete talk about emotional reframing and happiness – it's not about what happens, but how you frame it.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about your level of Happiness Literacy – how happy aware are you?
This week, Marie and Pete talk about how our environment and where we live impacts our health and happiness levels.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about the thrill of Roller Coasters, good stress and when it’s time to put up your hands and just let go!
This week Marie and Pete talk about your sphere of control and chaos, and how to focus on things you can control, influence or should just let go.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about the many roads to happiness in positive psychology models and how to use them to bring more joy into your life.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about how self-care has become a buzzword with bad repercussions and ask the question, are you doing it right?
This week, Marie and Pete talk about neuroplasticity, the importance of practice and how to make your happiness a habit.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about how to start your day in a happier, healthier and more energetic mood with five helpful and easy to do tips.
This week, Marie and Pete talk how nature affects your loneliness and why nature is so important for your mental health.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about getting to know your strengths and why it’s so beneficial to your overall happiness.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about how to go from languishing to flourishing in our super busy, stressful and covid ravaged world.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about random acts of kindness, how they will make you happier, and challenge you to get involved.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about happiness set points and the hedonic treadmill and ask the question, are you blindly riding it?
This week, Marie and Pete talk about why hobbies can not only improve your mental health but they can also boost your social skills and general well-being.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about the importance of finding your purpose – and it doesn’t have to have anything to do with your day job.
This week, Marie and Pete talk aboutrecognising emotional trauma and how to apply some emotional first aid to your psychological cuts and bruises.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about why laughter is the best medicine and try out a laughter yoga exercise you can do at home.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about how happiness leads to better health, but does being healthier make you happier?
This week, Marie and Pete discuss and agree to disagree on whether working one day a week will bring you happiness.
This week, Pete and Marie talk about Love Maps, building intimacy and trust and staying emotionally connected to the people you love.
This week Marie and Pete discuss how COVID has impacted our happiness levels, and has taught us how to be happy in spite of adversity.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about the smell of happiness and how researchers are bottling it to help treat nervous disorders.
This week, Marie and Pete talk aboutTV watching, and whether it is good or bad for your happiness levels. They might surprise you.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about the science behind planning holidays, and why you need to always have your next holiday planned.
This week Marie and Pete discuss Toxic Positivity, what the latest research shows, and how you can retrain your brain for happiness.
This week Marie surprises Pete with a discussion about optimism and lessons about happiness that we could all learn from Helen Keller.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about how sleep affects your happiness. So, are you getting enough sleep?
Are you lonely, sad, or anxious? If so, you might need moretouch in your life. This week, Marie and Pete talk about why we need to bring back touch.
This week, Marie and Pete talk about happy words and concepts from countries all around the world and why they are so important for us all.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss the myths behind swear words and how swearing can make you happier. No, really, it can!
In this week's episode Marie and Pete discuss the Happiness Paradox and why so many of us struggle in the pursuit of happiness.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss the how the mind affects the body and look at a study by Harvard psychologist Ellen Langer.
This week Marie and Pete discuss the year that was – From the crappiness of 2020 to how Positive Psychology Interventions changed their year.
This week Marie and Pete discuss how to make the most of a socially isolated Christmas.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss the power of forgiveness and how it can rewire your brain to be more positive.
Marie and Pete discuss getting in touch with your feelings and why it's so important that you express them.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss why workers around the world no longer have job security, how that can impact happiness levels and what you can do about it.
In this extended episode, Marie interviews best selling author and founder of The Resilience Project, Hugh Van Cuylenberg, about resilience. Laugh with them as they delve into why Australians are such cynics and learn how Hugh get's his vital message through to some of the worlds biggest cynics, from the meanest footie players to corporate hotshots.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss Emotional literacy and how it’s a critical life skill for kids to allow them to grow into resilient well-balanced, emotionally intelligent adults.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss the global rise in loneliness levels, what is contributing to the increase and what we can all do to build stronger relationships.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss research about the importance of friendships and the controversial idea that friends are better than family.
This week, Pete and Marie talk about why we need to stop structuring all our time and start playing more.
In this episode, we revisit the popular episode that was the inspiration for our new book: Self-Care is Church For Non-Believers.
We explain how a decline in church attendance and an increase in overall scepticism mean that many of us no longer prioritise self-care activities.
Yet, we need to prioritise strong self-care habits more than ever. Around the world, we’re seeing a rise in loneliness, anxiety, stress and depression it’s a Change Storm!
Quite simply, we have to do a better job of looking after ourselves, and self-care activities like being social, service to others, and practicing gratitude are proven to help.
As the Dalai Lama said, “I believe the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in that religion or this religion, we are all seeking something better in life. So, I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness…”
This week, Marie and Pete discuss The Children’s Society "The Good Childhood Report 2020" and the troubling decline in teens' happiness levels over the past few years.
In this week's episode, Marie and Pete revisit the topic of gratitude and discuss some practical and fun ways to be more grateful in your life.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss the 2020 Good Home Report, which shows that if you are happy with your home, you are almost certainly happy in life. In fact, our homes are more important to our overall happiness than our income or jobs.
This week, Marie and Pete discuss a recent study that looks at whether positive psychology interventions work during a global pandemic. They explore whether it's even possible to be happy during a pandemic. The answer might surprise you.
Show notes and transcripts available at www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast
In this week's episode, Marie and Pete discuss some studies on stress, uncovering that stress can be both good and bad, but it's all in how you perceive it.
Find show notes, transcripts and more info at www.MarieSkelton.com
This week, Marie and Pete discuss altruism - being kind and giving to others. They also join the global kindness movement by trying to complete the tasks on the Altruistic August 2020 calendar by Action For Happiness'.
Find show notes and more info at www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast
This week, we discuss a study which shows that income and happiness are linked. Could it be true that money can buy happiness?!
Transcript and show notes available here: https://marieskelton.com/podcast-money-can-buy-happiness
This week, Marie and Pete discuss #1 New York Times bestseller Dr Gary Chapman's "5 Love Languages" and how important it is for your relationship and your happiness to understand your own personal love language and that of your partner.
Transcript and show notes available here: https://marieskelton.com/podcast-love-language/
In this week's episode, Pete tries to convince Marie about the science behind positive affirmations.
Celebrate International Day of Friendship with besties Marie and Pete, who hide under a blanket on a bed to discuss the value of friendship - from combatting the loneliness epidemic to how it can help you perceive the world differently.
For show notes and transcripts, visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast
In this week's episode, we talk to fun expert Dr Mike Rucker about the importance of having fun in your life and how it improves your overall wellbeing.
Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast for show notes, transcripts and more.
Denmark is the happiest country in the world, so this week we look at the Danish practice of Hygge (pronounced hoo-geh) to see what all the fuss is about.
In this week's episode, Marie and Pete talk about when it's OK to not be OK, and the importance of taking the time to process negative emotions. They discuss the Kubler-Ross grief curve and how people move through the stages of grief and change.
Many studies have shown that prolonged sitting is the new smoking. Yet despite it being really bad for our health, so many of us don't take lunch breaks! Join us as we discuss the importance of taking a lunch break, and how to give your brain a rest, get some sun and exercise and eat more mindfully.
Authenticity has tended to be a struggle for marginalized peoples throughout history. It's about being able to stand loud and proud and say "this is who I am" and not conform to the majority’s ideals. Today’s topic is timely and topical in light of next week’s World Pride celebrations because around the world so many LGBTIQ+ people still do not feel that they can be their authentic self. Listen to this week's episode to find out why it's important to be your authentic self and how to do it.
Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast for episode notes and transcripts
This week's episode is all about the benefits of volunteering. From living a longer and healthier life to having deeper friendships, there really is nothing volunteering can't do to make your life better!
For episode notes and transcripts, visit www.MarieSkelton.com.
This week, we interview Environmental Psychologist and Wellbeing Consultant, Lee Chambers. He helps companies increase productivity, motivation and innovation by applying the latest research from psychology, neuroscience and physiology to the workplace. His philosophy comes from his own challenges and business journey, having had mental health struggles, being made redundant, losing the ability to walk, and yet despite all the challenges he has gained more clarity and managed to harness elements of the resilience bounce.
In the second of this two-part series on happy cities, this week we explore the enablers of happy cities. We look at the research from the Global Happiness Council’s annual Global Happiness and Wellbeing Policy Report, and discuss some great examples from around the world of cities which are getting it right.
For full transcripts and episode notes, visit www.MarieSkelton.com
In the first of this two part series on happy cities, this week we explore how to design happy cities. We look at the research from the Global Happiness Council’s annual Global Happiness and Wellbeing Policy Report, and discuss some great examples from around the world of cities which are getting it right.
Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast for more information, including transcripts.
Ever wondered if there was more to life? Are you looking for more passion and purpose? Look no further than the Japanese secret to a long and happy life: Ikigai.
Ikigai comes from the people in the small Japanese community of Okinawa, a remote island with a remarkably high number of centenarians (people over 100 years old). IIkigai has also been proven to be a major factor not only in their longevity but also their happiness.
More and more people around the world do not believe in a God, and therefore do not attend church regularly. This is such a shame, as the act of going to church has so many benefits including making your happier. In this episode, we discuss the ways in which you can replace some aspects of church in your life if you're a non-believer.
Visit www.marieskelton.com/podcast for the transcript.
Psychological safety is critical to mental wellbeing. In the workplace, it's about people feeling included and safe to learn, contribute and speak up without fear, and as today's guest, Nicki Bowman, points out, it can even impact a company's bottom line. Nicki is a leadership consultant, speaker and author. She joins us today to talk about the importance of psychological safety and how limitless psychological safety can allow teams to thrive.
Find out more about Nicki and view this week's transcript at MarieSkelton.com/podcast
We discuss the reasons why you should do a social media detox, offer some tips to get you started and discuss the benefits of cutting social media out of your life (well, sometimes).
Visit www.MarieSkelton.com for the full transcript.
Human beings are social animals, which is why forced isolation is driving so many of us up the walls. We discuss the science behind why we need to be social, and how best to be social, and offer some tips to keep your sanity in today's locked down world.
In episode 13, Pete and Marie discuss the science behind why exercise makes you happy and some recent studies about the benefits of exercise. They also offer a range of tips to help with motivation and to get some exercise into your life if you're on lock-down.
Self-compassion is about being aware of your self-talk and learning to be kinder to yourself. You may be surprised at the sorts of thing you say to yourself when you're not paying attention!
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
What crazy times we're living in! Pete and Marie have a bit of a check in and a chat about their own happiness levels and what they're seeing around them.
Here's what we reference:
For a laugh: watch poor Jennifer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-tjwY9BlJA
For some purpose: see free online courses at Udemy and EdX.
To connect via video with friends and family, use Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger.
To stay fit and healthy, here’s a 20-minute workout that killed me the other day. It’s not for beginners, I swear!
We also do a call out to Glebe Point Diner, in Sydney, who are doing take-away food at the moment. Support them if you can, their food is awesome and service is amazing!
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
In our first episode, meet Marie and Pete and learn a little about what we mean by happiness and its history. Learn about why you too should be asking the question: what is happiness?
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
We spend an estimated 90,000 hours at work over our lifetime, so it’s important that we’re happy at least some of that time, right? Here’s the latest research on how to bring happiness to your workplace.
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
Who knew? Practicing gratitude can actually make you happier. We take a look at some of the latest research into why gratitude makes you happy and how you can bring more gratitude into your life.
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
Experiencing awe is about being engaged with the wonder of life. Tune in to hear why you need more awe in your life and how to find it.
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
Today we’re talking about flow, a concept made famous by one of the pioneers of positive psychology Mihály Csíkszentmihályi. Flow is about being truly engaged in the moment, and it can bring you real satisfaction and happiness.
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
International sensation Marie Kondo has helped millions of people tidy up and find joy. Today’s guest, Pilar Llorente from Neatly Awesome, is one of only eight Konmari consultants in Australia. She joins us to explain why Konmari is about so much more than your stuff.
Want to declutter your life? You can find Pilar at www.NeatlyAwesome.com
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
Research shows that being alone is good for you. Who knew that introverts’ constant search for ‘me time’ could be making them happier and more creative? Here’s your 3-step guide to being alone.
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
Did you know that happiness and laughter are both contagious? We present the research to back up that ludicrous statement and some tips on how to get you some happiness and laughter in your life. Plus we present a secret crazy study about happy sweat.
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
This week, we look at the ancient practice of meditation and its ties to happiness. Pete shares his knowledge and some research, while Marie cracks jokes and pretty much contributes nothing to the conversation.
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
There have been hundreds, probably thousands, of studies into the positive effects of regular exercise, so there’s no way we could do a podcast on happiness and not cover exercise. This week, our guest, Dade Bailey, talks about the importance of exercise to your happiness and resiliency and offers some tips for how to speak to your boss about having balance.
Want the transcript? Visit www.MarieSkelton.com/podcast to see the transcript for each episode.
Our podcast, Happiness for Cynics, will be launching on International Day of Happiness (20 March).
Listen to our trailer for a sneak peak at what to expect!