Action for Happiness

Mark Williamson chats with behavioural change specialist Shahroo Izadi about using self-compassion to support lasting habit change. Drawing on her work in addiction treatment and her book The Kindness Method, Shahroo shares practical exercises—like the snapshot letter and the "Someone I Love" practice—to help listeners speak to themselves more kindly and find the next best step.

The episode explains why harsh self-criticism often backfires, how small acts of self-care make change easier, and offers simple, actionable tips for turning kinder self-talk into sustainable behaviour change.

Mark speaks with Dr. Sian Williams, a broadcaster and chartered counselling psychologist, about understanding anxiety as a protective signal and practical ways to live well with it. They explore how anxiety shows up in the body, simple grounding and breathing techniques (like 5-4-3-2-1 grounding and box breathing), and the importance of naming feelings with kindness.

The episode offers actionable tools—the worry tree for deciding what you can control, daily practices to soothe the nervous system, and a values-based approach to guide responses—along with compassionate insights for anyone learning to manage anxiety.

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.

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 listeners grow inner strengths, seek support when needed, and contribute to a kinder, more resilient world.

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 actionable tips for creating and sharing joy, balancing grief and care for others, and using tiny practices to reset stress and strengthen wellbeing. Resources mentioned include a free "50 Ways to Create Joy" guide and joyful conversation starters for home and work.