#happydaysproject

“Weird is the key to happiness.” Glastonbury. Relationships. Routine. Unemployment. This was recorded in 2017 but in some ways it feels straight out of 2021 – funny how even though we think things change a lot, somehow they also don't. Strap in friends, it's another one recorded outdoors – embrace the soundscape and go for a walk yourself, while on your journey with Nina and I. Please subscribe to the #happydaysproject on whichever app you use to listen to it, and review #happydaysproject on Apple podcasts: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-leave-a-review-on-apple-podcasts?op=1&r=US&IR=T --- Housekeeping: www.happydaysprojectpodcast.com– sign up to receive the newsletter, be on the podcast (!) or read excellent blogs. @happydaysprojectpodcast – on Instagram! I'm looking for artists to respond to episodes: please get in touch via DMs if you're interested or you know someone. Thanks!

“Imagine just being in a festival...surrounded by people…flat gin and tonic…there's a faint smell of sun cream…” Community, “moon worship woo-woo”, mind chatter, finishing projects, men in good jumpers: today, Olivia and I run through all the important topics. A delicious episode to smile along to – forgive the tech quality (big thanks to Olivia for dealing with it!). Enjoy enjoy enjoy – maybe on your way to the pub? Follow the miraculous Liv: Instagram: @oliviabromley_ Twitter: @OliviaBromley Lizzie's poetry business: www.inyourownwords.org.uk --- Housekeeping: www.happydaysprojectpodcast.com– sign up to receive the newsletter, be on the podcast (!) or read excellent blogs. @happydaysprojectpodcast – on Instagram! I'm looking for artists to respond to episodes: please get in touch via DMs if you're interested or you know someone. Thanks!

“Some kids talk about sunshine in their stomachs.” We're back in the Surrey countryside, this time out for a walk with Chloe and chatting about manic family parties, food, and climbing Sugarloaf mountain (with me!). Will we get a reprise of the sheep's foot from Season 1, episode 4 with Tom? Only one way to find out. Chloe mentions hygge – here's some info: https://www.visitdenmark.com/denmark/highlights/hygge/what-hygge And autism: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/autism/what-is-autism/ --- Housekeeping: www.happydaysprojectpodcast.com– sign up to receive the newsletter, be on the podcast (!) or read excellent blogs. @happydaysprojectpodcast – on Instagram! I'm looking for artists to respond to episodes: please get in touch via DMs if you're interested or you know someone. Thanks!

“Nothing makes me happy.” It's not what you think. Enjoy listening to Phelim riff generously on babies, bad holidays and his naturally sanguine temperament. You're in for a wonderful time. Phelim refers to some concepts that were new to me – if they are new to you too, here are some links to get us started: https://sites.google.com/site/psychologyofpersonalityperiod8/home/type-and-trait-theories/galen-s-personality-theory https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-a-matrilocal-and-a-patrilocal-residence.html --- Housekeeping: www.happydaysprojectpodcast.com– sign up to receive the newsletter, be on the podcast (!) or read excellent blogs. @happydaysprojectpodcast – on Instagram! I'm looking for artists to respond to episodes: please get in touch via DMs if you're interested or you know someone. Thanks!

“Happiness is something that you choose, over and over again.” One for the artists, one for those who want to act with intention, and one of my favourites. Ana speaks beautifully about Turner paintings, bringing up those around you, and happiness as a choice. This was recorded on my living room sofa in London in 2017. --- Housekeeping: www.happydaysprojectpodcast.com– sign up to receive the newsletter, be on the podcast (!) or read blogs, like the one about the happiest countries that I posted yesterday in anticipation of Ana's episode. @happydaysprojectpodcast – on Instagram! I'm looking for artists to respond to episodes: please get in touch via DMs if you're interested or you know someone. Thanks!

“A smile's always gonna make you happy – doesn't matter who it comes from.” Yoga and fitness wonderwoman Hannah P talks about belonging in her clan, the importance of a good sock drawer, and why being a workaholic makes her happy. We met on my porch the minute we were allowed, and my cat and Dad came along for the ride… Hannah's companies: www.studentstretch.com & www.oyogo.co.uk --- Housekeeping: www.happydaysprojectpodcast.com – sign up to receive the newsletter or be on the podcast (!), and check out some of our blog posts while you're there. @happydaysprojectpodcast – on Instagram! I'm looking for artists to respond to episodes: please get in touch via DMs if you're interested or you know someone. Thanks!

“To have worked hard at something, and to be glad that I worked hard at something.” Hello! In this lovely little episode, Colm talks about writing, road tripping solo across America, and how hard it is to actually give our energy to the things that we know will make us happy after we've done them (mainly, for him, writing!). --- Housekeeping: www.happydaysprojectpodcast.com– sign up to receive the newsletter, be on the podcast (!) or read blogs (coming soon)! @happydaysprojectpodcast – on Instagram! I'm looking for artists to respond to episodes: please get in touch via DMs if you're interested or you know someone. Thanks!

“We have everything inside of us. You, the world – we have everything inside first.” This is another one for the actors, for the artists, and for everyone who gets a kick out of imitation and humanity. Jabaal tells us why other people's artistic talent makes him happy – as well as food, freedom, passion and his cat Panda. He goes deep while staying light (“nothing is serious, really nothing”) and it's lovely to hear him go. Take him out for a walk down some different streets. --- Housekeeping: www.happydaysprojectpodcast.com– sign up to receive the newsletter, be on the podcast (!) or read blogs (first one went up last week)! @happydaysprojectpodcast – on Instagram! I'm looking for artists to respond to episodes: please get in touch via DMs if you're interested or you know someone. Thank you.

“It's fascinating to note that just as I'm talking to you about these things I am feeling...quite content!” This week we've landed in 2020, with Jeanna – and her houseplants. Around 50 of them (which is nothing to her Brooklyn-based sister's 100…)! Definitely listen to this episode if you're into houseplants but if you ain't, there's laughter, family, connection and the satisfaction of being successful. --- Housekeeping: www.happydaysprojectpodcast.com– sign up to receive the newsletter, be on the podcast (!) or read blogs (coming soon)! @happydaysprojectpodcast – on Instagram! I'm looking for artists to respond to episodes: please get in touch via DMs if you're interested or you know someone. Thanks!

“I think you just have to put yourself out there and do it, and not be embarrassed.” Season 2! Why not eh?! Welcome back to the #happydaysproject podcast, and Tash talking about water. Basically this episode is about water. Also sun, also podcasts (conveniently) - but mainly water! Tash's enthusiasm and the spring vibe going on here makes me full of yearning for all the joy we've got ahead of us. Also, Happy International Women's Day! Here are three ideas for #choosetochallenge : Challenge yourself to pay compliments: tell a woman in your life that you appreciate them and why, every day, between now and next week's #happydaysproject episode Challenge the media: https://www.instagram.com/jameelajamilofficial/- watch Jameela's Gaslighting story archive on the media's manipulation of women, shiver in your boots, and then stop reading clickbait. Forever. Namaste. Challenge mental health stigmas: https://thelovelandfoundation.org/- sponsor accessible therapy for black women and girls -- Housekeeping: www.happydaysprojectpodcast.com– sign up to receive the newsletter, be on the podcast (!) or read blogs (coming soon)! @happydaysprojectpodcast – on Instagram! I'm looking for artists to respond to episodes: please get in touch via DMs if you're interested or you know someone. Thanks!

“I wanna be the one to walk in the sun.” Yep, I'm quoting Bex quoting Cyndi, and oooh but you can just FEEL the sun in today's episode! It was recorded as London celebrated Gay Pride in the summer of 2017, with Bex and I taking a moment to chill in Hyde Park and discuss what makes us happy. I weigh in a decent amount here, chatting about “togetherness on the street” and fresh bedding (wonder who I stole that one from…mmm Sofie Hagen, #happydaysproject – Sofie). While, apart from sun, Bex talks balance, the Myers Briggs test, and what heaven feels like. Yes. This is the final episode of Season 1 – I'll be back with Season 2 in 2021! To sign up to be a participant, receive the laughably infrequent #happydaysproject newsletter, or take the 2 minute feedback survey (thank you so much!) - it's all here.

Um, you'll need to bookmark this one. “Checking your phone to see if he texted, and he has.” “Sun – but sun when you don't have to do anything, so the sweat doesn't matter.” “When you remember that you matter, even if that means you have to make a ‘selfish' choice…in order to be happy, the only thing you have to do is be kind to yourself...no matter what they've told you.” I'm in love with this interview and this person: witty, honest and funny Sofie Hagen. Sit back and relax as they riff on fresh bedding, life realisations, Danish stuff in London, their friend Ed, and ice cream for breakfast. I don't usually full name guests but Sofie is a magical comedian and if you don't know them, oh how you will adore them. Start by following them on Twitter: @SofieHagen and then listen to their podcast, support their various recorded comedy shows, and buy their book ‘Happy Fat'. Last episode of this #happydayproject season out next Monday 7 December! #happydaysproject links incl website: https://linktr.ee/happydaysproject

“I'm happy to accept a democratic vote even when I lose. I have to accept it, because that's what democracy is.” “Being able to do what you want to do, and not have someone tell you you can't do it. That would make you unhappy.” Did Mike, in 2017, see the future and know how timely these quotes, and so much more of what he says here, would be? All my interviewees are honest and refreshing but I especially enjoyed listening to Mike and I know you will too. Aside from freewill and Brexit (never thought I'd say this but it was good to hear that being talked about again, specifically by Mike), he riffs on coastal walking, contentment vs euphoria, and football. I've interviewed many British people and it was starting to get really suspicious that, in interviews about happiness, nobody had yet mentioned football. I was about to corner my brother for a chat (in fact also called Mike). Also I so deliberately left in the moment at the start when I move closer to Mike…remember when we moved closer to each other, rather than backed away?! Oh for those heady days. There are two more episodes in this season of the #happydaysproject podcast, which will then return in 2021. If you've enjoyed the journey so far, please send the link to your friends so they can listen too! Thank you.

This interview made me smile a lot, and I know you will too. Greg dreams of life on other planets, living forever, and summer days playing baseball with his friends. I dare you not to be transported. Oh and at the end I bang on about making a cup of tea, because apparently I can barely let a single episode go by without someone doing that. Would you like the #happydaysproject newsletter, or to tell Lizzie what makes you happy? Go here. Thank you and sending love!

It's hard, sometimes, to stop the outside creeping in…come cosy up with Hannah and I, as we reflect on roast dinners and daffodils. Also in this episode, a special update about your guide to better disagreements… Would you like the #happydaysproject newsletter, or to tell Lizzie what makes you happy? Go here. Thank you and sending love.

“When you're laughing in distance…a whole bunch of people who will echo your laugh; you know you're not alone.” There's nothing better than a walk in beautiful Battersea Park in London with a friend who makes you laugh. Neila is an effervescent interviewee who has lit up my life today with her reflections on "hilarious happiness", doctoring her friend's selfies, believing "it will come" and discovering the Battersea pagoda, pictured. Make a cup of tea (I'm obsessed I guess) and let her raise your spirits. Useful link to tryptophan, the amino acid Neila mentions in this episode: https://www.healthline.com/health/tryptophan#takeaway

Welcome back friends, and welcome to a snippet of the world of Tom. Between dogs, sheep, and russet leaves, as well as money, back to back marathons and the right attitude, you're going to get more than you bargained for in this episode. Also, I wanted to give you a quick update on Jay, from episode 3, who has, in the years since his interview, WON the 24 hour solo cycle race he participates in every year. Plus, he and his family are doing very well :-) congratulations Jay!

Today Jay brings us back to basics: family, quality time, and exercise. Except that there's nothing basic about surprise pregnancies, 24 hour solo bike racing, a broken back and a hot temper! Asking, “What makes you happy?” is a bit like, Jay points out, asking, “What's important in life?” I largely agree. With his great stories of adventure and love, it was fantastic to explore Jay's most important things. I hope you enjoy hearing them too.

“I love Mondays.” Today we'll hear from Ayo, who loves Mondays. Just like you, now that this podcast comes out on Mondays! But seriously, Ayo didn't just wake up loving the first day of the traditional working week - listen to this episode to hear about her cultivation of happiness via routine, companionship, pride, and the ocean.

"Some people close the door in your face; some people hold it open for you." Listen to Helena for thoughts on cups of tea, the value of politeness, the joy of watching others succeed and “body flow”! The #happydaysproject will hear from 100 people on what makes them happy. Focusing on joy, we are interested in exploring both what unites us and what makes us distinct from each other. I hope you find something in this episode to make you smile - and I hope you reach out to me if you want to tell me what makes YOU happy! For a little more on the happy days project, please peruse this page filled with bananas.