The Happier Life Project

Ever wondered why you're instantly drawn to some colours and completely turned off by others? Why certain shades can lift your mood, calm your nerves, give you confidence, or even make you feel uneasy? Colour is far more than decoration. It is a powerful and universal language that speaks directly to our emotions, often without us even realising it.

In this episode, host Gabby is joined by Karen Haller, the world’s leading expert i...

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson dives into the icy depths of cold water immersion. Is it really as good for our health as it’s made out to be? From ice baths to open-water swims, cold water therapy has become a wellness trend, but what does the science actually say?

To find out, Gabby speaks with one of the world’s leading experts in extreme physiology: Professor Mike Tipton. During their conversat...

In this episode of The Happier Life Project, we dive into the hidden power of our senses with world-renowned experimental psychologist Professor Charles Spence, an expert in multisensory perception and experience design, and founder of Oxford’s Crossmodal Research Laboratory. From working with global brands and celebrity chefs to decoding how we taste, touch, hear, and smell, Charles reveals the surprising ways our senses shape dai...

In this very special bonus episode of The Happier Life Project, airing on World Mental Health Day and marking the podcast’s four-year anniversary, Gabby Sanderson sits down with singer-songwriter Adam Taylor, better known as ADMT, to explore the powerful intersection of music and mental health.

ADMT is an artist unafraid to de-stigmatise conversations about mental health through his music. Known for writing from the heart, his song...

In a culture obsessed with transformation, women are facing new pressures to constantly “optimize” their bodies. From the resurgence of fuller-bodied celebrities to the sudden wave of Ozempic-fueled weight loss, the body image landscape is shifting, and not always for the better. We're witnessing a new wave of beauty standards that is confusing, exhausting, and often harmful.

Gabby Sanderson is joined by body image therapist Lucie ...

In this bonus episode of The Happier Life Project, we’re sharing extra insights from Gabby’s conversation with Nahid de Belgeonne, author of our October Book of the Month, 'Soothe: The Book Your Nervous System Has Been Longing For'. (If you haven’t listened to the full episode yet, now’s a great time to catch up!) 'Soothe', is a fantastic read filled with easy to follow exercises to release held stress, restore calm, and bring the ...

Ever felt wired, restless, or unable to switch off; yet not sure how to calm yourself down? In this episode of The Happier Life Project, we explore what it really means to self-soothe and support the nervous system with guest Nahid de Belgeonne; somatic movement coach, breath and yoga teacher, and widely known as “the nervous system whisperer.”

With over two decades of experience, Nahid has developed 'The Human Method' and 'The Soo...

Welcome to this bonus episode of The Happier Life Project with host Gabby Sanderson. We’re following on from Tuesday’s main episode with Dr. Aimie Apigian, and today we’re diving even deeper. This bonus conversation explores the powerful connection between relationships and trauma; how to support someone close to us who is struggling, and the vital inner work we need to do when their trauma responses trigger our own.

Dr. Aimie is a...

Trauma isn’t one-size-fits-all; it exists on a spectrum, from quiet emotional wounds to experiences that reshape an entire life. Living through it is hard enough, but revisiting or reliving it can feel even more overwhelming. Joining host Gabby Sanderson is Dr. Aimie Apigian, double board-certified physician in Preventive and Addiction Medicine, founder of The Mind-Body-Biology Institute, and author of the groundbreaking new book T...

Welcome to the very first bonus episode of The Happier Life Project! From now on, alongside our regular Tuesday deep-dive episodes with expert guests, we’ll be dropping shorter, lighter episodes every Friday. These bonus episodes will explore a wider range of topics, share extra content from the main shows, introduce meditations we’re loving, or even offer a behind-the-scenes peek into the world of My Possible Self.

The idea? To he...

Welcome to a brand-new season of The Happier Life Project! Gabby Sanderson is back with fresh conversations designed to bring you practical tools, insights, and inspiration for living a happier life.

To kick things off, our The Happier Life Project host is joined by friend of the show Britt Frank; author, speaker, and licensed neuropsychotherapist. Britt’s the author of The Science of Stuck, The Getting Unstuck Workbook, and her la...

Let’s get curious about our drinking habits! In this episode of The Happier Life Project we are looking at the role alcohol plays in our life; as a comforter, socializing tool, way to relax, blow off steam, or avoid uncomfortable emotions.

Guest Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist and the creator of the popular Instagram account @therapyforwomen Amanda also hosts the podcast “Recovered-ish” and is author of the book “Not Drinki...

None of us had a perfect childhood; we are all carrying around wounds and behaviours that don’t serve us. But what if we could break free from unhealthy family patterns to liberate the way we live and love? 

As children we observe and absorb everything around us. And we teach ourselves to behave in a way that helps to make us feel safe. But at what cost? Have we developed coping mechanisms and strategies to try to feel more worthy,...

Emotions play a crucial role in our overall mental health, acting as both messengers and influencers of our psychological well-being. Positive emotions like joy, gratitude, and love can enhance mental resilience, foster strong social connections, and improve our ability to cope with stress. But on the flip side, the more challenging emotions such as sadness, anger, jealousy or anxiety, if persistent and unaddressed, can contribute ...

"What if I die before I have the chance to exist?" An existential crisis, or existential dread, can be described as persistent negative feelings and emotions linked to questioning the value of your life and how you are spending it. An existential crisis may result from intense feelings of despair as you consider questions like, "What is the point?” or “Why does any of this matter?” And these strong emotions can increase when your q...

Breakups can shake your world; emotionally, mentally, and even physically. In the final episode of our romantic relationships mini-series, we’re diving into the pain of separation, the grief that follows, and how to take care of your mental health in the aftermath of heartbreak.

When it comes to our mental wellbeing, the ending of a relationship or the loss of someone we love can leave a profound impact. Going through a breakup oft...

When we explore the link between sex and mental health, it becomes clear that many complex factors are at play. A satisfying and healthy sex life can support emotional wellbeing and boost our mental health. But on the flip side, unenjoyable or painful sex can contribute to anxiety, low mood, and emotional distress. Despite how central sex is to many of our lives, it remains a deeply stigmatised topic. That silence can leave many of...

Continuing The Happier Life Project’s ‘relationship month’ series, this week’s episode takes a powerful look at narcissists, narcissistic abuse, and toxic relationships with Dr. Jaime Zuckerman, licensed clinical psychologist, media contributor, and global expert in narcissistic abuse.

Dr. Z is a three-time published author and host of the podcast Next Up: Narcissism. A leading relationship coach for those experiencing narcissistic...

Dating and communication, whether with a partner or potential partner, can feel overwhelming and confusing. But with the right tools, it can actually be empowering… and even fun! In this episode of The Happier Life Project, we continue our mini-series on romantic relationships and mental health by focusing on one of the most important skills in love: communication.

Criticism, defensiveness, silence, or feeling misunderstood are all...