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

In this episode of How to Be Happy (At Work), we’re unpacking what true employee engagement looks like—and why so many organisations are getting it wrong.

Spoiler: it’s not just about satisfaction scores or surface-level perks.

We explore how to take a more strategic, holistic approach to engagement that actually improves wellbeing, performance, and retention.

Whether you’re in HR, leadership, or just curious about how to create a workplace people love being part of—this episode is packed with practical insights to help you do just that.

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/⁠

Sometimes the harshest voice in our lives is the one in our own head.

In this episode, Declan explores the power of self-compassion—a skill that’s been proven to boost resilience, reduce anxiety, and improve emotional wellbeing. With insights from Dr. Kristin Neff and Brené Brown, you’ll learn:

• Why self-compassion is not the same as self-esteem

• How to stop being your own worst critic

• Tangible practices to become a little kinder to yourself every day

This one’s for anyone who holds themselves to impossibly high standards—and is ready to breathe a little easier.

🗓️ Reminder: We’re now releasing one new episode every Wednesday, alternating between How to Be Happy and How to Be Happy 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 personal happiness development journey at: ⁠⁠⁠www.buhappinesscollege.com⁠

In this episode of How to Be Happy (At Work), we’re joined by Stacie Shaw, Partner at PKF Newcastle, business advisor, and early adopter of the Workplace Happiness Diagnostic.

Stacie brings a unique perspective to the conversation—combining the logic and practicality of accounting and advisory work with a deep belief in the power of happiness to drive business performance.

This episode is a refreshing, real-world look at why happiness isn’t just a “nice-to-have” for organisations—it’s a smart, strategic move that impacts your people and your bottom line.

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 Stacie via:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacie-shaw-50719632

We’ve officially hit our podcast groove! From this week forward, we’ll be releasing one new episode every Wednesday, alternating between How to Be Happy and How to Be Happy at Work—so you get your weekly dose of personal and professional happiness without feeling overwhelmed.

Now… let’s talk about self-care.

In this episode, Declan breaks down why real self-care is more than bubble baths and Netflix. You’ll learn:

• The difference between self-care and self-indulgence

• The three essential types of self-care: physical, up-regulating, and down-regulating

• The Three Fs model (Flat, Flow, Frazzled) and how to use it to meet your needs in the moment

• How to balance small sips and big gulps of self-care for consistent, sustainable wellbeing

This is your guide to building a self-care plan that actually works—and lasts.

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