Bu With Declan Edwards

Are your people busy, but not productive?In this episode of How to Be Happy at Work, we explore why focus is becoming the ultimate competitive advantage in today’s workplaces. From the rise of “bullshit jobs” to the epidemic of false urgency, Declan unpacks how modern work culture is sabotaging performance, purpose, and wellbeing: and what leaders can do to turn it around.You’ll learn:✅ Why constant multitasking and responsiveness kill productivity✅ How “if everything’s a priority, nothing is” plays out in teams✅ The neuroscience of focus and deep work (and how to reclaim it)✅ How to prioritise meaningful work over performative busyness✅ 6 evidence-backed ways to boost focus, performance, and wellbeing at work✅ How to shift from fire-fighting to clarity, purpose, and progressThis episode is packed with real-world examples, science-backed insights, and practical tools you can implement with your team today; whether you're a team leader, people & culture professional, or executive looking to create a hi

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 stress (chronic, acute, and eustress), and why not all stress is badThe shocking Gallup statistic showing that 47% of people report stress as their dominant workplace emotionWhy stress is considered a “silent killer” and how it impacts your physical and mental healthThe Top 5 evidence-based ways to reduce stress; including simple breathing techniques, emotional literacy, movement, connection, and mindset shiftsHow most episodes of this podcast double as stress-reducing tools (and how to revisit them)This is one of the most actionable episodes we’ve released: blending neuroscience, storytelling, and real-world strategies to

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 stickHow stories and metaphors build trustWhy emotional intelligence is essential in modern leadershipChris’s background is one of the most fascinating I’ve come across, and his insights into clarity, empathy, and influence are timeless.

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 with The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer), and discover practical tools to help you release the need for control and find peace, purpose, and focus in your day-to-day life.We’ll unpack:Why control is often an illusion (and how it backfires)How to work with your circle of control, influence, and surrenderWhy surrender isn’t weak, it’s a powerful happiness skillHow the “raft and river” metaphor can transform your stressThe surprising link between trust, faith, and wellbeingResearch-backed tools to help you let go and flow with lifeThis is a must-listen if you’re tired of micromanaging life, struggling with anxie

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 leaders and organisations can do to foster a culture of connection, trust, and shared success.

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.

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, and fellow new dads! But back in 2021, we explored:Why burnout isn’t just a personal failure, it’s a cultural signalHow toxic leadership breeds disengagement and distressWhat hopeful, human-centric workplaces could look likeThis is one of those episodes I keep coming back to and I’m thrilled to bring it back for you here.

Dec Update

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) ✅ The neuroscience behind why we forget 70% of what we learn ✅ How to co-design learning experiences that your team will value ✅ Why soft skills are the new hard skills:  and how to teach them effectively ✅ Practical frameworks to embed learning into culture, not just calendarsIf you’re a leader, manager, or HR professional who wants to build a team that grows and thrives this episode is for you.

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 powerful.We dive into the science-backed VIA Character Strengths framework, unpack how to identify your signature strengths, and explain how to apply them across key areas of life; including work, parenting, and love.Inside this episode:✅ Why most people scroll straight to the bottom of their strengths report (and why that’s a mistake)✅ How to use your top five character strengths to become more of your best self — not someone else’s version of you✅ Why using your strengths daily can boost happiness, productivity, and wellbeing✅ How to access your free VIA Character Strengths profile✅ Examples of strengths in action; fro

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 doesn’t) in the modern workplace.We explore:What workplace happiness actually meansWhy mental health and performance are inseparablePractical strategies leaders and employees can apply todayThis conversation was originally recorded as part of our 2021 podcast Working Well, and it’s packed with timeless insights that still resonate in today’s working world.

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 them, let alone live in alignment with them.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ The difference between core values and contextual values, and why both matter✅ How to stop living on autopilot and start living on purpose✅ The “Values Tree” method to identify your personal guiding principles✅ Simple tools to reflect on your values across different life areas (like work, relationships, health, money)✅ Why knowing your values boosts self-awareness, confidence, and happiness✅ How values help you navigate tough decisions and avoid the “chameleon effect” of people-pleasingIf you're ready to feel more grounded in who you are, and

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.