This is the fan mail link!

Shownotes: The Resilience Baseline ep #12

Big-wave legend Mark Matthews joins me for a punchy masterclass in resilience and wellbeing: a simple gratitude-text ritual, why genetics don’t have to script your fear, the perspective shift that boosts calm (and may help your body), and the often-missed bedrock of resilience—daily forward motion toward something meaningful. Real stories, practical mindset tools, and a candid chat about parenting, partnership, and risk.

Topics

• Gratitude texts as a grounding habit
• Fear: genes vs choice and conditioning
• Perspective shifts, stress, and immunity
• The bedrock of resilience: meaningful goals + action
• Parenting anxiety and partnership under risk
• “Miracle” moments vs mindset in big-wave surfing

 Episode Specific Links:

• Mark Mathews keynote/work (speaker/ surfer): https://www.markmathews.com/
• Transcript and guest bio: https://shithappy.com/the-resilience-baseline/ ‎

 Related Episodes: 

 #11:  Big Wave Wipeout https://youtu.be/RTKVUI4JHus

 #13:A Dog Named Fear: https://youtu.be/y1w1oEdSkGs

 #Feelgood, #Lifestories, #gratitudepractice, #resiliencebuilding, #fearmanagement, #perspectiveshift, #bigwavesurfing

Support the show

 Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

This is the fan mail link!

Shownotes: Big Wave Wipeout  EP #11

Former world-class big wave surfer Mark Matthews reveals how he turned a career-shattering injury into a masterclass on overcoming fear, building resilience, and finding joy again. From battling pain and self-pity to redefining success, Mark shares practical strategies for facing fear—whether in sport, work, or life. This is an inspiring listen for anyone navigating setbacks, mental health struggles, or the courage to start again.

Topics

• Overcoming fear through gradual exposure and skill-building
• Turning pain and adversity into motivation
• The danger of self-pity and how to break free from it
• Applying lessons from sport to everyday fears
• Finding joy in smaller wins after loss
• Building resilience in the face of career-ending setbacks

Links

• Mark Matthews Website: https://www.markmathews.com/
• Red Bull film: The Other Side of Fear: https://www.redbull.com/au-en/films/the-other-side-of-fear
• Transcript & Guest Bio:  https://shithappy.com/big-wave-wipeout/

Related Episodes:

# 12 – The Resilience Baseline with Mark Matthews

 #Relationshipgoals, #Feelgood, #Lifestories, #bigwavesurfing, #overcomingfear, #comebackstory, #extremesports

Support the show

 Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

This is the fan mail link!

SHOWNOTES: Our Own Funeral, In Bed With Phil EP #10

In this episode of Sh!t Happy, Toni and Phil share a heartwarming (and hilarious) story about attending their own funeral, organized by their son as a surprising birthday gift. Inspired by a concept in Toni’s Happiness Adventure program, the “funeral for a friend” idea gave Toni and Phil the chance to hear what loved ones really think of them before it’s too late. Expect laughter, love, and powerful life lessons about the importance of expressing appreciation and letting people know their value.

Topics

• Healing through unexpected surprises
• The power of words and connection
• Family dynamics and bonding
• Fun with funeral humor
• Creating meaningful memories

Links

• Happiness Adventure program: https://www.tonipowell.com/happiness-adventure-e-course/
• Episode transcript:  https://shithappy.com/in-bed-with-phil…toni-our-funeral/ ‎

Related Episodes: 

#8 A joyful Death with Cathy Henkel

#9 Her Pre Death Funeral with Cathy Henkel

#wellbeing, #resilience, #mentalhealth, #happiness, #selfcare, #motivation,  #funeralforafriend, #lifeaftergrief, 

Support the show

 Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

This is the fan mail link!

SHOWNOTES: Her Pre-Death Funeral EP #9

When Cathy Henkel’s mother Laura chose a legal death in Switzerland, she didn’t want a traditional funeral—she wanted a pre-death party. In this moving and magical episode, Toni hears how Laura farewelled her friends in full Mad Hatter style, and the miraculous moments that followed her death—including astral travel, a singing cassette tape, and a swan ballet no one could have orchestrated. A deep dive into grief, love, legacy, and the surprising ways people show up after they're gone.

Topics

• Pre-death funeral celebration
• Grief rituals and legacy
• Miracles and signs after death
• Astral travel and afterlife
• Symbolic connections with animals (swans)
• Dying with dignity
• Parent-child relationships
• Life after death experiences
• The Bolshoi Ballet coincidence
• Making peace before goodbye

Links

• Laura's Choice on ABC: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/laura-s-choice
• Cathy's website: https://www.virgoproductions.com.au/
• Transcript and Guest Bio:  https://shithappy.com/her-pre-death-fu…ith-cathy-henkel/

Related Episodes

# 8 A Joyful Death: 

# 10 Our Fabulous Funeral - In Bed With Phil

 #deathwithdignity, #predeathfuneral, #miraclestories, #griefsupport, 

Support the show

 Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

This is the fan mail link!

SHOWNOTES:  A Joyful Death with Cathy Henkel – Ep 8 (archived)

 What if dying could be joyful? Filmmaker Cathy Henkel shares the extraordinary story of her mother’s choice to end life on her own terms. This beautiful, moving, and unexpectedly uplifting conversation reframes how we think about aging, elder care, mental health, and what a good death can look like.

Topics

• Voluntary assisted dying and legal challenges
• Filming a parent's death as a legacy and conversation starter
• How aged care often strips dignity from the elderly
• How to reframe death as a celebration, not a tragedy
• The emotional and spiritual preparation for death
• Multigenerational storytelling and emotional healing
• How Cathy’s mum Laura became an unlikely posthumous star
• Family dynamics, independence, and elder care
• Laura’s Choice documentary (available on ABC iView)
• The power of a completed life

Links

• Laura’s Choice on ABC iView: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/laura-s-choice
• Cathy's website: https://www.virgoproductions.com.au
• Transcript and Guest bio:  https://shithappy.com/a-joyful-death/

Related Episodes:

    #9 A Fabulous Funeral With Cathy Henkel

#dignifieddeath, #voluntarydying, #lauraschoice, #endoflifechoices, 

Support the show

 Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

This is the fan mail link!

Shownotes: Trusting The Camino EP #6

In this deeply honest and sometimes hilarious episode, we follow Stéphanie on her second Camino pilgrimage—one she embarks on to heal from severe PTSD after working in remote Indigenous communities in the Arctic.

This journey isn’t just about blisters and bunk beds (though those definitely make an appearance). It’s about rebuilding trust in people, overcoming fear, and learning how to walk through life—literally and metaphorically—with your heart leading the way.

From dog attacks to dodgy beds, from deep pain to personal peace, Stéphanie’s Camino offers powerful takeaways on mental health, resilience, and the slow magic of putting one foot in front of the other.

Topics covered include:

• PTSD and post-trauma healing
• How walking the Camino affects mental health
• Relationship transformations during pilgrimage
• Practical blister treatment tips
• Cultural differences between the French and Spanish Camino routes
• Sleeping with 120 strangers (and snorers)
• Finding peace through trust and presence
• When to throw away your stick and let go of fear

Episode-specific links:

• Contact Stéphanie: [email protected]
• Transcript and Guest bio: https://shithappy.com/trusting-the-camino/ 

Related Episodes:

• Ep #5 A Camino Miracle

 #CaminoPilgrimage, #traumahealing, #trustjourney, #walkingtherapy, #traveltransformation

Support the show

 Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

This is the fan mail link!

SHOWNOTES: In Bed With Phil EP #7

What happens when you launch a podcast in your late sixties with your husband of nearly 48 years? This warm, funny episode explores marriage longevity, creative dreams, the power of story, and what it feels like to finally do the job you’ve always admired—interviewing incredible humans. Toni shares the joy of editing powerful conversations, the behind-the-scenes journey of launching the show, and why laughter is the glue that keeps their relationship thriving. This one’s for anyone needing inspiration to start something new, no matter when.

Topics Covered:

• The secret to nearly 48 years of marriage
• Why laughter really is the glue
• Starting something creative in later life
• Overcoming jealousy and self-doubt
• Toni’s podcasting dream finally realised
• The power of story, wisdom and perspective
• Interviewing experts across psychology and neuroscience
• Why podcasting is like being “bathed in wisdom”
• Reflections on their US documentary trip
• How familiar people can still surprise you

Episode Specific Links:

• Transcript and Guest bio: https://shithappy.com/in-bed-with-phil-about-us/

Related Episodes of Shit Happy:

• EP #5 A Camino Miracle: 
• EP# 6 Trusting The Camino:

 #creativecouple, #marriagematters

Support the show

 Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

This is the fan mail link!

SHOWNOTES: A Camino Miracle Episode #5

A life-changing story of surrender, intuition, and walking in the dark—literally and metaphorically. Canadian nomad Stéphanie Bergeron shares how a 900km Camino trek with only two pairs of underwear became a spiritual rebirth. Hear how she found clarity, peace, and power in letting go—guided not by GPS, but by her heart.

Topics Covered:

• Why people feel ‘called’ to do the Camino
• Letting your heart lead instead of your head
• The physical and emotional pain of long walking
• Lessons from blisters, backpacks, and breakdowns
• Learning presence and trust through darkness
• Walking without light: literal miracles
• A spiritual guide through arrows, poop fields & intuition
• Releasing limiting beliefs
• Why peace and joy don’t depend on location or circumstance
• Balancing the mind, body, and heart

 Links:

• Stéphanie Bergeron contact: [email protected]
• Transcript and Guest bio:   https://shithappy.com/a-camino-miracle/

Related Episodes:

EP #6:  Trusting The Camino  with Stephanie Bergeron

 #happiness, #camino

Support the show

 Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

This is the fan mail link!

SHOWNOTES: Fear, Moths and Mattresses EP #4

In this cozy, debut episode of In Bed with Phil episode, Toni and Phil dive into the beautiful, hilarious, and occasionally moth-infested terrain of their marriage.
They reveal just how opposite they are—he nearly dies doing reckless things, she’s scared of moths. From mattress mishaps to lessons on slowing down and seeing beauty, this episode explores fear, personality differences, and the secret magic of sharing a bed.

You’ll hear:

• A mattress-carrying mishap that revealed Toni’s epic fear of moths
• Why Phil used to be a danger magnet (car accidents, cliff falls, hypothermia)
• What Toni saw at 19 that made her fall for Phil
• The difference between rushing and meandering through life
• The joys (and uses) of a shared bed
• One terrible dad joke

This is a gentle, funny, and heartwarming portrait of two very different people who somehow make it all work. If you’ve ever loved someone who confuses you, you’ll feel right at home.

Episode Specific Links:

• Transcript:  https://shithappy.com/in-bed-with-phil…s-and-mattresses/

Related Episodes:

• EP #2 : Bombs, Betrayal & Badassery 
• EP #3: Anxiety, Connection & King Kong  

#couplestories, ,#relationshiphumor, #marriagebanter, #wellbeing, #resilience,  #mentalhealth, #happiness, 

Support the show

 Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/

This is the fan mail link!

SHOWNOTES: Anxiety, Connection and King Kong EP #3

A dancing gorilla, an immigration bombshell, and a marriage visa surprise. In this wild episode, Heidi Dening shares how King Kong stole Batgirl’s heart—and why human connection is her #1 de-stress tool. 

Plus: neuroscience gold from Dr. John Arden on how to reduce anxiety by doing exactly what you don’t feel like doing.
Heads up: Heidi's on a remote island without a mic, so audio quality is patchy—but worth it.

You'll learn:

•  Heidi’s favourite de-stress tip—and the neuroscience behind why connection calms anxiety
• Dr. John Arden’s brilliant explanation of how avoiding what makes us anxious actually worsens it
• Why chocolate literally tastes better when eaten with someone else
• How Heidi met her husband while he was dressed as King Kong, and how her dad (a police officer) accidentally forced a marriage
• Toni’s reflections on betrayal, loneliness, and the places we hold pain

🎧 Topics include:
Anxiety relief, neuroscience, connection, marriage stories, resilience, neuroplasticity, illegal immigration, humour, emotional healing, and mental health tools.

🔗 Links 

•  Heidi's book: https://amzn.to/3UdNz5l 
• Heidi's website: https://heididening.com/
• John's amazing book: Rewire Your Brain 2.0 - https://amzn.to/41lD3gc
• Full transcript and Bio: https://shithappy.com/anxiety-connection/

Related episodes:

• Previous episode (#2) with Heidi Dening: https://youtu.be/LadxXTlOLAw

#wellbeing, #resilience, #mentalhealth, #happiness, #selfcare, #motivation, #happinesspodcast, #Inspiringpodcast, #storytelling, #mindset, #personalgrowth, #socialanxiety, #connectionmatters, #relationshipgoals, #anxietysupport, #neuroscienceofhappiness

Support the show

 Links To Love (newsletter +++): https://shithappy.com/resources/