Action for Happiness

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, accept what life brings, and take action to face fears. The episode includes practical tips for nighttime rumination, neurodiverse minds, and supporting loved ones with compassion.

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 radical curiosity in familiar relationships, and join shared activities or volunteering - to build a more meaningful, happier life at any age.

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 implementation plans, helpful defaults, social support and breaking big goals into bite-sized daily actions.

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 critic.

Listeners will learn how to separate from unhelpful thoughts, respond constructively to setbacks, and cultivate realistic optimism and gratitude to improve wellbeing for themselves and others.

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 connection and hope — clear, actionable steps you can use today to improve your mental wellbeing.