What if the secret to a more connected, productive, and happier workplace wasn’t just about systems or strategy—but emotional intelligence?

In this energising episode, we sit down with emotional intelligence specialist and author Amy Jacobson to explore why EQ is one of the most valuable skills in today’s evolving work environment. Together, we unpack:

• Why emotional intelligence matters more now than ever

• How leaders can create emotionally intelligent cultures

• Practical tools for building self-awareness, empathy, and better communication

• And brand new highlights from Amy’s latest book, The Emotional Intelligence Advantage

Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your career, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to grow their EQ and help others thrive at work.

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.guy⁠

Following 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.com/bu.happiness.college/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting your workplace happiness development journey at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buhappinesscollege.com/workplace-happiness-solutions/⁠⁠

💡 Connect with Amy Jacobson:
🌐 Website: https://amyjacobson.com.au/about/
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-jacobson-emotional-intelligence

📘 Check out her new book: The Emotional Intelligence Advantage – now available wherever you get your books and via this link: https://amyjacobson.com.au/books/

As a Mental Health Social Worker, Arna Kerklaan has spent her career supporting others. But like so many caring professionals, she once found herself giving so much to everyone else that she left nothing for herself.

In this honest and uplifting conversation, Arna shares:

• How she went from feeling overwhelmed and burnt out to finding balance and fulfilment.

• The surprising lessons she learned about boundaries, self-compassion, and rest.

• How investing in her own happiness has not only changed her life; it's also made her a better support for the people around her.

This episode is a gentle reminder for anyone who pours energy into caring for others: your happiness matters too.

Hit play, feel inspired, and remember: you deserve to put yourself on your own priority list.

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.guy

Following 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.com/bu.happiness.college/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting your personal happiness development journey at: https://buhappinesscollege.com/individual-happiness/

Leadership has the power to make or break wellbeing, engagement, and culture in the workplace. In this episode, we explore why poor leadership is so common, how outdated systems and promotion models are holding people back, and what it truly takes to become a great leader today.

We introduce the four essential skill sets of modern leadership (relational, communication, competence, and humanistic skills) and unpack how each one contributes to a thriving, human-first workplace. If you’re a leader, an aspiring leader, or someone passionate about creating better workplaces, this episode is a must-listen.

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.guy⁠⁠

Following 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.com/bu.happiness.college/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting your workplace happiness development journey at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buhappinesscollege.com/workplace-happiness-solutions/⁠⁠⁠

Complete the FREE Workplace Happiness Self Diagnostic: ⁠https://buhappinesscollege.com/workplace-happiness-self-diagnostic/

Gratitude is one of the most widely recommended happiness habits, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. If you’ve ever tried gratitude journaling and thought, “This doesn’t work for me,” you’re not alone.

In this episode, we unpack how to practise gratitude in a way that actually feels genuine, effective and impactful.

• Learn why most people struggle with gratitude and how to do it differently

• Try a three-step journaling method that goes deeper than just listing things you’re thankful for

• Discover how to turn gratitude into a felt experience, not just a mental exercise

• Explore the ripple effect of sharing your appreciation and how it can boost not only your happiness, but the happiness of those around you

If you’re ready to reconnect with the good in your life and start feeling it more fully, this episode is a beautiful place to begin.

Listen now and learn how to build a gratitude practice that truly makes a difference.

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.guy⁠⁠

Following 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.com/bu.happiness.college/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting your personal happiness development journey at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.buhappinesscollege.com⁠⁠⁠

Complete your FREE Personal Happiness Scorecard: ⁠⁠https://buhappinesscollege.com/scorecard/⁠

In this episode of How to Be Happy (At Work), we’re joined by Sarah Queenan, Founder and Managing Director of Humanify HR Consulting. With over two decades of experience across the public and private sectors, Sarah brings a powerful message to the modern workplace: when we bring humanity back into leadership and HR, everyone benefits.

We unpack what it really means to build people-first cultures, how to prevent burnout amongst leaders, and we debate whether the 4 day work week or work from home are the silver bullet solutions that will solve all of our workplace woes.

Whether you’re in HR, leadership, or simply someone who believes work can be done better this conversation will leave you hopeful, challenged, and inspired.

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.guy

Following 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.com/bu.happiness.college/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting your workplace happiness development journey at: ⁠⁠⁠https://buhappinesscollege.com/workplace-happiness-solutions/⁠⁠

Connect Further with Sarah via:

- LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-queenan-gaicd-fcphr-a560a622/

- Website: ⁠https://www.humanifyhr.com.au/

- Burnout Prevention & Awareness Resource: https://www.humanifyhr.com.au/hr-resources/p/a-guide-burnout-awareness-prevention

If your mind feels like it’s stuck on a loop of overthinking, self-doubt or worst-case scenarios, you’re not broken — you’re human.

Our brains are wired with a natural negativity bias that helped our ancestors survive, but today it can leave us feeling anxious, drained and emotionally heavy.

This episode is all about breaking that cycle. We’re not trying to silence the inner critic — we’re learning how to work with it.

• Understand why your brain is wired to focus on the negative (and how to gently interrupt the spiral)

• Learn a powerful tool to balance worst-case thinking with perspective and calm

• Discover how to train your brain to notice and hold onto the good more often

• Explore the science of gratitude, and how simple practices can help shift your mindset

If you’re ready to feel a little lighter, a little clearer, and a lot more in charge of your thoughts, this one’s for you.

Tune in now and start reducing negative thinking, one small shift at a time.

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.guy⁠

Following 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.com/bu.happiness.college/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting your personal happiness development journey at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.buhappinesscollege.com⁠⁠

Complete your FREE Personal Happiness Scorecard: ⁠https://buhappinesscollege.com/scorecard/⁠

Everyone is talking about workplace culture, but very few people can define it, measure it, or meaningfully build it. In this episode, we cut through the buzzwords and explore what workplace culture actually is, why it matters, and how to shape it with intention.

You’ll discover the five key elements of culture we assess in BU Happiness College’s Workplace Happiness Diagnostic, including psychosocial safety, trust and transparency, and self-determination. Each element plays a vital role in creating a thriving and human-first workplace.

Whether you work in HR, lead a team, or simply care about making work better, this episode will give you clarity and a practical framework to begin improving culture today.

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.guy⁠

Following 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.com/bu.happiness.college/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting your workplace happiness development journey at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buhappinesscollege.com/workplace-happiness-solutions/⁠⁠

Complete the FREE Workplace Happiness Self Diagnostic: https://buhappinesscollege.com/workplace-happiness-self-diagnostic/

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 mindset

• Learn the Raft and the River analogy that has become a favourite among BU Happiness College graduates

• Gain practical tools to feel more grounded, present and in charge of your own experience

If 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/declanedwards_bu⁠⁠⁠⁠

- TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@that.happiness.guy

Following 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.com/bu.happiness.college/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting your personal happiness development journey at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.buhappinesscollege.com⁠

Complete your FREE Personal Happiness Scorecard: https://buhappinesscollege.com/scorecard/

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.guy

Following 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.com/bu.happiness.college/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Starting your workplace happiness development journey at: ⁠⁠https://buhappinesscollege.com/workplace-happiness-solutions/⁠

Connect Further with Tahnee via:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tahneemcwhirter

- Website: https://www.humanxhr.com.au/

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 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.guy

Following 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.com/bu.happiness.college/⁠⁠⁠

Starting your personal happiness development journey at: ⁠⁠⁠www.buhappinesscollege.com⁠⁠

Connecting with our guest via:

- https://www.facebook.com/mitchell.sharpe.12