Cass is joined by Alexis Fernandez-Preiksa, a neuroscientist, best-selling author and host of the incredibly popular "Do You F*cking Mind?" podcast.

The conversation explores how Alexis discovered her love for cognitive neuroscience and how she uses her knowledge to optimise her own health, happiness and success. She urges listeners to conduct an inventory of what they identify with to foster flexibility and resilience in their lives. She argues that rigid identities can limit personal growth. Through her tough-love approach, Alexis encourages individuals to embrace their evolving selves and to question the labels they assign to their personas.

She discusses the concept of self-critique versus self-criticism, advocating for a more constructive approach to personal evaluation. This shift allows you to recognise self-limiting behaviours without engaging in harmful negative self-talk.

Cass & Alexis discuss the importance of agency in mental health, encouraging listeners to take control of their thoughts and actions, thereby transforming their experiences of discomfort into opportunities for growth.

Alexis offers practical advice on setting realistic goals, stressing that everyone has the capacity to change and grow, regardless of their starting point, and that recognising one’s ability to influence their own thoughts and behaviours is crucial for fostering a positive relationship with yourself.

This episode is a treasure trove of insights for anyone looking to understand the dynamics of their mind better and to cultivate a happier, more fulfilling life.

Takeaways:

• Alexis discusses how her journey from aspiring actress to neuroscientist shaped her perspective on personal growth.
• The importance of setting realistic goals and starting small to build self-trust.
• Identifying with too many labels can limit personal growth; flexibility in identity is crucial.
• Self-critique should focus on behaviours rather than personal attacks to foster improvement.
• A healthy relationship with yourself is foundational to engaging in fulfilling romantic relationships.
• Embracing discomfort is necessary for growth; it’s about choosing the right kind of discomfort.

Connect with Alexis:

www.dyfmpod.com

https://www.instagram.com/doyoufckingmind/

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

Watch this episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CrappytoHappy

As the new year unfolds, it brings a fresh opportunity to reflect on what will truly make you happy. This episode of Crappy to Happy offers a guiding light for anyone looking to set meaningful goals in 2025 and give yourself the best chance of achieving them.

Cass shares how her personal experience with ADHD has prompted a shift in her goal-setting strategies. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to frame her identity, she embraces it as a catalyst for change, using it to inform her approach to planning and productivity. This refreshing outlook encourages listeners to view their own challenges as potential stepping stones towards personal growth.

The episode dives deep into the art of goal-setting, urging you to move beyond generic aspirations to create specific, meaningful objectives. Cass emphasises the critical importance of understanding the emotional underpinnings of goals—why they matter and how they impact overall well-being. This insight not only enhances motivation but also fosters a deeper connection to your aspirations.

Cass highlights the value of accountability, suggesting that your goals should be tangible and regularly revisited to ensure that you stay on track and avoid being derailed by unproductive busyness.

She shares practical tips for breaking down yearly objectives into quarterly targets, making the journey feel less overwhelming and more achievable. This episode is your invitation to reflect, plan, and take proactive steps towards having your best year ever, knowing you have the power to shape your path in 2025.

Takeaways:

• January is a great time for reflection and planning, setting clear and specific goals.
• Consider what you truly want to achieve in the next 12 months and write it down.
• Regularly review your progress and adjust your goals based on feedback and experience.
• Break your 12-month goals down into 90-day milestones to maintain focus and urgency.
• Identify measurable metrics to track your progress toward your goals effectively.
• Create a system or habit that supports your goals, ensuring you prioritise what matters.

This is an encore episode: Throwing back to 2019 when Cass interviewed Ariel Garten, the founder of the Muse Brain Sensing Headband.

Meditation is a thousand year old practice but Ariel has found a way to bring that practice into the 21st century with her breakthrough technology Muse: The Brain Sensing Headband. Her mission is to help you do a deep dive in understanding your brain, getting real time feedback on your brain activity, breath, movement and heartbeat, as well as monitoring the quality of your sleep.

Cass and Ariel discuss the things wearables can teach us about ourselves, how this technology can be reconciled with principles of mindfulness such as 'non-striving', and the benefits of getting real time feedback during your meditation.

Take 20% off the Muse Brain Sensing Headband:

https://www.choosemuse.com/cassdunn

(or use code CASSDUNN to take 20% off at checkout if the discount is not automatically applied.

Connect with Cass

https://cassdunn.com/

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

In this final solo episode of 2024, Cass reflects on the importance of recognising personal achievements over the past year, emphasising the need to focus on gains rather than gaps. She shares plans for a new subscriber version of the podcast launching in 2025, aimed at fostering community and providing more exclusive content.

Cass also shares her recent ADHD diagnosis, discussing the personal challenges associated with it, why you might question whether you have it or not, and concludes with a hopeful outlook for the upcoming year, encouraging listeners to embrace change and growth.

Subscribe to Cass' newsletter at her website: www.cassdunn.com

Connect on Instagram:

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

This week, Cass talks with author and social researcher, Rebecca Huntley, who shares her experience of childhood trauma, traditional therapy, and how she ultimately found herself seeking MDMA therapy from an underground healer. The conversation delves into her experiences with MDMA therapy, the profound emotional shift she experienced and how as a result, for the first time, she felt safe in her body. Cass and Rebecca discuss the future of MDMA therapy in Australia as it is now an authorised treatment for PTSD, emphasising the need for proper support and preparation for those considering this therapeutic approach.

Rebecca's book, "Sassafras" is out now.

Order it HERE from Booktopia, Australia.

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Cass discusses the challenges of people pleasing, especially during the holiday season. She explores the roots of this behaviour, including childhood experiences, personality traits, and societal expectations. Cass emphasises the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and recognising when helping others compromises your own well-being. She encourages listeners to prioritise their needs and to be honest in their relationships, asserting that saying no is not selfish but rather a necessary step towards authenticity and emotional health.

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

Email: [email protected]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Cass is joined by Lisa Messenger and Sarah Megginson, two colleagues and friends whose lives were changed forever when Sarah offered to be a gestational surrogate for Lisa. In this episode, we discuss Lisa's gruelling six-years and 16 rounds of IVF, and the significant financial, physical, and emotional toll of infertility. The episode delves into the legal and emotional complexities of surrogacy in Australia, the vital role of hope and resilience, and the deepening of Lisa and Sarah's friendship through this profound experience. Both women stress the importance of asking for help, the power of connection, and the broader applicability of their story to anyone facing adversity.

Connect with Sarah & Lisa:

The Power of Two book at Booktopia

www.instagram.com/lisamessenger

www.instagram.com/sarahmegginsonmoney

Connect with Cass

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imogen shares her experience of losing her mum in tragic circumstances, and the profound impact it had on her, and how co-creating the 'Good Mourning' podcast and community with her friend, Sally Douglas quite literally saved her life. In this conversation, Imogen shares what she has learned about grief from her own experience, including all the things no-one tells you, and how to support someone who has lost someone they love.

Find out more about Imogen, Sal and Good Mourning:

www.goodmourning.com.au

The breathwork healer Imogen mentioned, Rebecca Jax

Get a month's free trial of the Pause Breathwork app

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cass responds to a listener question about how to live with uncertainty. She discusses the psychological concept of 'Intolerance of Uncertainty', its impact on mental health, particularly anxiety and worry, and explains how worry serves as a mental behaviour that provides an illusion of control but ultimately detracts from present joy. Cass emphasises the importance of understanding the physiological aspects of anxiety and offers practical strategies for managing uncertainty and worry, including mindfulness, breathing techniques, and cognitive tools.

Take the IU Scale here: https://www.phenxtoolkit.org/protocols/view/650701

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Cass and Dr Anastasia Hronis delve into the complexities of dopamine, its role in pleasure and motivation, and how modern conveniences can lead to excessive dopamine activation. Anastasia is the author of 'The Dopamine Brain' and she's here to assure you that you do not need a "Dopamine Detox". Instead, she discusses the importance of finding balance between hedonic and eudaimonic pleasures, the significance of identifying personal values, and practical strategies for managing dopamine-driven behaviours. The conversation emphasises the need for meaningful alternatives to quick dopamine hits and highlights the benefits of music, movement, and social connections in enhancing well-being.

Connect with Dr Anastasia Hronis:

www.linkedin.com/in/anastasiahronis

www.instagram.com/anastasia.hronis

Connect with Cass:

www.cassdunn.com

www.instagram.com/cassdunn_xo

www.instagram.com/crappytohappypod

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.