In this special Mental Health Awareness Week episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson is joined by Chlo Hodgkinson for an honest and relatable conversation about mental health, burnout, motherhood, and the small actions that can create meaningful change in our wellbeing.

To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/

To follow Chlo Hodgkinson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chlohodgkinson/

For more on Mental Health Awareness Week: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week

Understanding your body isn’t a luxury; it’s foundational to living a happier, healthier life. And that’s what this podcast is all about. If you’ve been feeling unlike yourself and can’t quite explain why, especially when your tests say everything is “normal”, this episode is for you.

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/

Dr Amina’s website: https://www.draminadavison.com/

To follow Dr Amina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draminadavison/

Gabby Sanderson returns with a thought-provoking solo episode of The Happier Life Project, unpacking the cultural narratives we’ve long associated with happiness, and why many of them don’t hold up under psychological scrutiny.

To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/

Many people move through life feeling as though their own habits are steering the ship. Patterns they never consciously chose, routines that don’t feel good, and behaviours that seem to operate on autopilot. Whether it’s emotional eating, numbing out with endless scrolling, drinking more than intended, or repeating the same relationship cycles, it can start to feel like our habits hold more authority than we do.This episode challenges that belief head‑on. It unpacks how real change unfolds, why sheer willpower rarely works, and how compassion, rather than self‑punishment, can interrupt long‑standing patterns and help us reclaim a sense of agency.

​​To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/

For more on Shahroo and her books: https://www.shahrooizadi.co.uk/

To follow Shahroo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shahroo_izadi/

In this gentle and deeply grounding episode, Gabby talks to psychiatrist, psychotherapist, and bestselling author Sue Stuart‑Smith to explore the profound connection between gardening, nature, and our mental wellbeing. Drawing on her acclaimed book "The Well Gardened Mind", Sue reflects on her journey from clinical psychiatry into the therapeutic world of gardening, sharing powerful stories of people who have found healing, resilience, and renewed purpose through tending to plants.

Together, Gabby and Sue delve into the emotional and psychological benefits of reconnecting with the natural world. They discuss how gardening can soothe the nervous system, why sensory experiences in nature offer such deep comfort, and how even the smallest moments of green space can help us feel more regulated and grounded. Sue explains the symbolism and emotional power of flowers, the importance of community gardens in fostering connection, and the impact that modern screen culture and urban living have on our mental health.

This conversation isn’t about being a “good” gardener or having a perfect green thumb. It’s about remembering our innate relationship with nature and recognising that nurturing something living - even a single plant on a windowsill - can quietly nurture us in return. As Sue beautifully says, “When we work with nature outside us, we work with nature inside us.”

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or someone who has never planted a seed, this episode offers a calming reminder that nature is always available to support us. It’s a conversation about what it means to be human, to be rooted, and to rediscover the grounding power of the natural world.

Sue Stuart‑Smith is a psychiatrist, psychotherapist and the author of The Well Gardened Mind, a Sunday Times Bestseller that was named one of The Times’ 37 best books of 2020 and awarded Gardening Book of the Year by The Sunday Times. She originally studied English Literature at the University of Cambridge before qualifying as a doctor and spending many years working in the National Health Service, where she became the lead clinician for psychotherapy in Hertfordshire. Sue now teaches at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust in London and works as a consultant at DocHealth, a not‑for‑profit psychotherapeutic consultation service for doctors.

​​To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/

For more on Sue, her projects and book: https://www.suestuartsmith.com/

To follow Sue on Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/suestuartsmith

What do King Charles III, David Beckham, Paul McCartney, Emma Watson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jamie Laing and Stacey Dooley have in common with The Happier Life Project host Gabby Sanderson?

Homeopathy is an alternative approach to wellbeing that considers the whole person; emotional, mental, and physical, rather than focusing solely on symptoms. It’s based on the idea that the body has an innate ability to rebalance itself, and that highly diluted natural substances may help stimulate that process. 

Gabby brings this conversation to the podcast following her own profoundly positive personal experience. Over recent months, she has noticed significant shifts in her mental and emotional wellbeing while working with homeopathy. Aware that the topic can spark both curiosity and scepticism, she invites listeners to stay open, to listen with curiosity rather than conclusions, especially if the practice is new or unfamiliar.

Gabby is joined by two guests with deep expertise and lived experience in the field. Helen Johnson is an osteopath, naturopath, cranial osteopath, and homeopath with decades of experience in holistic medicine. She now leads professional training programmes, including The River School of Homeopathy, where students qualify to practise as homeopaths. Alongside her is Katrina “Trina” McLaren, who transitioned from a successful global marketing career — including over six years at ASOS — into the world of healing. After training in Reiki Levels I and II, Trina went on to study homeopathy under Helen and now practises professionally. She is also Gabby’s personal homeopath.

In this episode, Gabby, Helen, and Trina explore what homeopathy is, how it works, who it may support, and what the healing process can feel like, particularly in relation to emotional and mental wellbeing. They also discuss the history of homeopathy, its widespread use in India, and its growing resurgence in the Western world.

Helen and Trina share real-life examples from their work, offering insight into how homeopathy has been used to support individuals through deep emotional challenges. For Gabby, hearing these stories, alongside her own experience, has opened her eyes to the potential depth of this approach.

To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/

Helen Johnson website: https://www.helenjohnson.org/

Katrina McLaren website: www.katrinamclaren.com

River School of Homeopathy: https://www.riverschoolofhomeopathy.org/who-we-are/ River School of Homeopathy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riverschoolofhomeopathy/

For more information on research into homeopathic medicine, visit the Homeopathic Research Institute: https://www.hri-research.org/resources/homeopathy-faqs/

The short YouTube video Helen refers to when discussing the memory of water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZmYcJ0DNBc

The longer YouTube video Helen refers to when discussing the memory of water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8VyUsVOic0

What if relief from stress, anxiety, and self-doubt was quite literally at your fingertips?

Together, Gabby and Brad explore how this simple yet powerful mind-body technique works, from its roots in acupuncture and the stimulation of meridian points to its ability to calm the nervous system and reduce stress in real time. The conversation delves into how unresolved emotions can become stored in the body, and how tapping offers a gentle, accessible way to process and release them.

Brad explains what tapping each point means, how different emotions are connected to specific organs and areas of the body, and how EFT can be used to reprogram limiting beliefs; helping listeners shift long-held patterns and cultivate greater emotional freedom. The episode also explores the subconscious beliefs and internal programming that can limit happiness, as well as the resistance that often arises when individuals begin to move towards a more positive state.

Through this conversation, listeners are invited to reflect on patterns of self-sabotage, comfort zones, and the fear of change, while gaining practical tools to begin shifting their mindset. The episode concludes with a guided tapping session led by Brad, offering a chance to experience EFT firsthand and take a meaningful step towards a calmer, more balanced, and happier life.

Brad is also the author of the best-selling children's book "The Wizard's Wish," the co-author of the best-seller "Freedom at Your Fingertips," and a featured expert in the film “The Tapping Solution.”

To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/

To follow Brad on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tapwithbrad/

Learn more about Brad Yates and EFT at: https://www.tapwithbrad.com/

Brad’s Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tapwithbrad

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in cycles of anxiety, low mood, or emotional patterns you just can’t seem to shake, today’s episode might be the perspective shift you’ve been waiting for.

Gabby Sanderson is joined by Dana Carretta‑Stein, a licensed mental health counselor, certified EMDR therapist, and author whose work focuses on helping people process unresolved experiences that continue to shape their emotional lives. Dana specialises in trauma‑informed EMDR practice and has guided countless clients through the process of reprocessing memories that the body continues to hold onto long after the mind believes it has moved on. Her ability to explain EMDR in a relatable, accessible way makes her the perfect guide for anyone curious about the science and structure behind this powerful therapeutic approach.

In this episode, Dana breaks down the ABC’s of EMDR - what it is, why it works, and what actually happens in a session. Dana demystifies the method, explains the role of bilateral stimulation, and offers insight into why EMDR can be so effective for people who feel stuck; despite years of talking, analysing, or trying to “think their way” out of old patterns. Gabby also asks Dana about the surge of celebrity interest in EMDR, from Lady Gaga to Sandra Bullock and Prince Harry, and why Dana welcomes their openness and feedback. Throughout the episode, Dana addresses common misconceptions and provides a realistic, compassionate overview of what EMDR can genuinely help with.

This episode offers a clear, human explanation of a therapy that helps people heal not just by understanding their past, but by finally processing it. It’s an essential listen for anyone curious about EMDR and ready to learn what really makes it such a transformative tool.

To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/

To follow Dana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_emdr_coach/

Learn more about Dana Carretta‑Stein and EMDR at: https://www.danacarretta.com/

To purchase book: https://www.danacarretta.com/product-page/the-emdr-therapy-progress-journal-ebook

Welcome to this extremely special episode of The Happier Life Project, to kick off the new series. Host Gabby Sanderson takes listeners inside Dau Dayal School for Girls in Firozabad, India, just 50 minutes from the Taj Mahal, where she spent a month living on campus and teaching yoga and mindfulness six days a week to more than 400 students.

What began as a volunteer placement soon became something much deeper: a powerful reminder of the connection between giving back, perspective, and wellbeing. Through moments of joy, challenge, and unexpected connection, the experience revealed how acts of service can profoundly impact both those who give and those who receive.

Listeners are brought into the classrooms and playgrounds of the school, meeting the girls whose laughter and resilience shine through even the toughest realities. Alongside fellow kids’ yoga teacher Mimi Sinfield and school president Mala Rastogi, Gabby shares moving conversations about hope, community, and the impact of simple wellbeing practices.

This episode explores the power of yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness as tools for emotional support and resilience, and the extraordinary spirit of the young people who embraced them.

If you’d like to support the Dau Dayal English Medium School, you can donate through the GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/educate-her-today-transform-her-future

Contributions go directly towards building and equipping a new school campus providing classrooms, resources, and opportunities that will transform not only the lives of the girls, but also their families and communities. 

This episode is dedicated to Chanchal and Chaya, and to all the incredible girls at Dau Dayal School, whose courage, warmth, and spirit made Gabby’s experience unforgettable.

To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/

Dau Dayal School website: https://ddgic.org/

Dau Dayal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dau_dayal_school/

Donate and support: https://www.gofundme.com/f/educate-her-today-transform-her-future

Rainbow Kids on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainbowkidsyoga/

Rainbow Kids website: https://www.rainbowyogatraining.com/

Yoga Gives Back Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yogagivesback/

Yoga Gives Back website: https://yogagivesback.org/

EDU Girls Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edugirls/

EDU Girls website: https://edugirls.org/

The Happier Life Project's Self-Love Sessions

Valentine’s Day often tells us love comes from someone else. But over these 14 days, you’ve been practising a love that starts with you.

In the final day of 14 Days of Self-Love, we celebrate becoming a safe place for yourself, not perfect, but present.

You’ll explore:

You don’t have to wait for love.

To download the free My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast

To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself/