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Action for Happiness

Dr Mark Williamson hosts inspiring conversations with leading experts, sharing new ideas for a happier and kinder world.

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The Power of Beliefs with Shawn Achor

Shawn Achor explores how conscious and unconscious beliefs shape experience, health and success, showing that our mindset can alter outcomes - from healing to happiness. This episode offers practical practices (memory re-encoding, the ‘‘disaster elevator,’’ qualifiers and warrants) to shift beliefs, build connection, and reclaim agency in a changing world.

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Resilient Wellbeing - with Dr. Rick Hanson

In this episode Mark Williamson speaks with Dr. Rick Hanson about building resilient wellbeing through mindfulness, compassion, and positive neuroplasticity. They explore short centering practices, how to befriend yourself, and ways to respond to stress without getting stuck in the “red zone.” Rick also outlines real‑world actions and resources — including the Global Compassion Coalition — to help…

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Everyday Joy with Ingrid Fetell Lee

Designer and author Ingrid Fettel-Lee joins Mark to explore how our surroundings shape emotions and how small, repeatable moments of joy build resilience. Drawing on design, psychology and practical exercises, Ingrid guides listeners through "joy spotting," micro-rituals and simple environment changes—color, light, plants and shapes—that make daily life more uplifting. The episode offers…

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How To Find Meaning with Professor Michael Steger

In this episode Mark Williamson speaks with Dr. Michael Steger, founder of the Center for Meaning and Purpose, about reclaiming meaning and purpose amid modern life’s chaos. They explore three pathways to meaning—significance (mattering), coherence (making sense of life), and purpose (motivated action)—and offer practical tips for cultivating each, including savoring, storytelling, community…

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Make Life Happier - with Dr Mark Williamson

Dr. Sian Williams interviews Dr. Mark Williamson, CEO of Action for Happiness, about his new book Make Life Happier: 23 Practical Ways to Feel Better, Find Meaning and Make a Difference. They explore practical happiness experiments - mindful breathing, self‑compassion, social fitness, listening skills, and realistic optimism - to discover what works for each person. The episode also covers how to…

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How To Stop Overthinking with Dr. Jessamy Hibberd

Mark Williamson interviews Dr. Jessamy Hibberd, chartered clinical psychologist and author of The Overthinking Cure, about how overthinking can spiral into low mood and anxiety and why it often feels like control when it isn’t. Jessamy outlines a simple five-step approach: notice your overthinking, shift your mood (mindfulness, body-based strategies, distraction), challenge unhelpful thoughts,…

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How Relationships Shape Health & Happiness with Prof Bob Waldinger

In this episode Mark speaks with Professor Bob Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, about what 85 years of research reveal about happiness. They explore how close relationships, generosity, attention, and purpose strongly influence both emotional well‑being and physical health. Bob offers practical tips - reach out to someone you miss, practice “social fitness,” cultivate…

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How To Change with Prof. Katy Milkman

In this episode Mark speaks with Katy Milkman of Wharton about how to use the "fresh start" effect and behavioural science to make real, lasting changes. They cover why change is hard and practical tactics to overcome impulsivity, procrastination, forgetfulness and low motivation. Key strategies include temptation bundling (pairing chores with treats), commitment devices and penalties, concrete…

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Happier Thinking with Mo Gawdat

In this episode Mark Williamson speaks with Mo Gawdat, former Google X exec and author of Solve for Happy, about how to retrain the brain, beat negative self‑talk, and find calm, contented happiness even after loss. Mo shares his personal story, the 1 Billion Happy mission, and practical tools including a three‑question flowchart, reframing techniques, and a simple exercise to quiet the inner…

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Be Your Own Therapist with Owen O'Kane

Join Mark and psychotherapist Owen O'Kane as they explore evidence-based, practical ways to manage stress, unhelpful thoughts, and emotional overwhelm. Owen shares simple body-based techniques, storytelling tools, and daily habits to help you respond more effectively to life’s challenges. Learn how to locate emotions in the body, reframe your inner critic, build small daily rituals, and strengthen…

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