Hey There Happiness

Eco-therapy is the prescribed time in nature that reaps incredible rewards for our health.  In this chat we discover and discuss all the ways that nature heals!

Internationally recognised visual artist Jet James uses his art to bring meaning and understanding to a childhood that was filled with domestic violence in an environment of drug abuse and neglect.  His art, he says, allows him to design a future based around hope, and using art as therapy is something that anyone can do! www.jetjames.com.au  

We set goals for work and holidays, but have you ever thought about setting a goal to improve your family life?  In this chat we talk about how we approach conflict, how we try to avoid it, and how we plan for our families to thrive.

Charlotte Simmons is a Psychologist with 17 years experience working in the area of Domestic and Family Violence.  As May is Domestic and Family Violence Month in Australia, we're taking the chance to delve into the topic so that each of us can learn to recognise it... and change it! Helplines: DV Connect 1800 811 811 Lifeline 13 11 14

Brittany Lauga is the State Member for Keppel and she's also a mum of 5 month old Odette.  Brittany talks openly about how she faces the stresses of both politics and parenthood.

All eyes are beautiful, as Louise says, and they also tell us who we are, what experiences we've had, and which parts of us need the most nurturing. www.discoverthepoweroftouch.com

Patricia Marsh was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia at the age of 15.  She's in a wheelchair and as she explains, her nervous system is affected, but not her mind.  And it's a fiercly positive mind at that!  

Sally Faulkner lives on a farm surrounded by animals of all kinds.  She talks about her love of horses and dogs brings depth and meaning to her life.

Hayley Holt is a mother of 5 with a full time job and she used to be addicted to ice.  This is her story of how she got into the drug and also how the love of her family helped her get out and start to build a meaningful life again.  

It turns out that being part of your community is one of the major factors in a long and happy life.  So how connected are you?  Martin Elms is from CQUniversity's Village Festival and he talks us through how he finds and helps to create that community connection. http://thevillagefestival.org.au

66 years ago Brigid Holmes was Australia's youngest female pilot, and today at age 83, she is quite possibly Australia's oldest Volunteer Coast Guard, on a crew that goes out on ocean rescues regularly.  She is an adventurer... be inspired!

Stacey Curcio is a Naturopath and the owner of Cultivating Wellness and she talks us through what her pillars for wellness are and gives some simple tips on making big changes in our health and wellbeing. www.cultivatingwellness.com.au

Science is telling us to get into the sun & the ocean for all kinds of benefits including happiness.  Hayley Ohl is the owner of Jump Start Fitness and she's also a Surf Life Saver.  She talks about why having a life in the surf and the sun makes people happy!

If you've ever had to step onto the stage and present or perform infront of people you will know the overwhelming feeling that is stagefright.  Amanda Hock from Lock and Hock Productions has some fantastic tips for getting through and enjoying the moment!  

Katie McCray is a Wellbeing Teacher focusing on helping children to build skills like confidence and resilience.  Hear how you can help support a child to be all of those things and more!

Have you ever been stressed about Christmas?  Maybe it's time to sit down and consider what's actually important to you at Christmas time?  It's your celebration... let's make it one that you actually enjoy!

In order to grow sometimes we need to step outside our comfort zone, and even fail.  And it's how we look at failure that will determine whether or not we grow!  Adventurer John McGrath talks us through how he handles adversity to become even stronger!

Leo Honek is the Director of electronic music festival Tropical Bloom which aims to create the ideal culture for happiness.   www.tropicalbloom.com.au

Following your passion and going against the societal norm takes courage!  John Lever established Koorana Crocodile Farm, and courage is something he's got plenty of!  This is his story of falling in love with crocodiles, and taking risks to follow his joy! www.koorana.com.au

There is a growing bank of research showing that practicing Gratitude improves our lives in almost every way imaginable!  Let me talk you through the research and convince you to give Gratitude a go!

Practicing Gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to bring more positivity into your life.  We discuss here how it's done! And celebrating Gratitude we're launching our project 'thank you, you rock!' painting stones with the words 'thank you' and placing them in public places to inspire others. If you're in the Livingstone area, there are free workshops: Nov 18 Byfield Cafe 10 - 2pm Nov 25 Emu Park main beach 10 - 2pm Dec 3 Yeppoon main beach 10 - 2pm And if you live somewhere else, do it in your town!  Take a photo and tag us!  #thankyouyourock @heytherehappiness

If you've ever 'avoided' meditation, this podcast is for you!  I discuss methods from Eckhart Tolle and Anthony William.  It turns out there are a million different ways to get the same benefits as meditation, and you don't need to sit still for them!

According to the speakers of the Inner Peace Conference in Amsterdam, inner peace can be found through practicing things like forgiveness, love, compassion and presence.  So how do we do that?  I discuss it all with my friend and fellow peace apprentice Jessica Morriss.

Country music artist Brad Butcher shares his story of life in the music industry and finding the courage to follow his dreams.  www.bradbutcher.com

Country music Legend Sara Storer talks about her life in music and how she conquered her fear of performing.  She also shares her songwriting techniques and gives some industry advice for music hopefuls! www.sarastorer.com.au

Holistic nutritionalist Anita Rossiter tells her story of turning her family's health around with the help of simple real food.  If you're suffering from any kind of health issue or auto-immune disease, this is a must! www.eatand3veg.com.au

Explore our connection with nature through the eyes of a true nature lover.  John McGrath shares why his life revolves around all things wild!  Time in nature equals happiness! Instagram: Wollemiwanderer

Organic farmer Ken Mason talks us through why eating foods sprayed with pesticides and other chemicals causes major health issues.  He shares his story of healing his own issues with organic foods and gives some tips on how you can start to grow your own!

Ross draws on his vast life time experience to explain why visualising a life that we want is so important!

Discussing the concept of happiness in challenging times.  We talk about our own processes for coming out the other side stronger!

Katie talks us through identifying how we've become disconnected from our joy, in order to reconnect and blossom.

Psychologist Janet Quaife Ryan talks us through why she thinks Australians are not doing so well when it comes to happiness and she gives some simple tips for turning things around!

Hughi Simmons decided to become a professional film maker when he was in his late 50s. Get inspired to start something new no matter what age you are! https://www.facebook.com/simmonscreativefilms/

Lee-Ann talks us through building a connection with self and creating the lives we want, by choosing to take responsibility. www.facebook.com/LLTHP 

Will talks about why it's important to make music for ourselves instead of others, and he gives some tips on managing your stage fright!

Daniel explains how sound can be used to heal and bring more joy into our lives. www.suntaramusic.com

How much time do you set aside for things like doodling, painting, woodwork or some other form of art or craft?  I know on the list of priorities it probably isn’t at the top, but taking time to sit and create connects us to that channel of self expression... and self expression is vital for happiness! Anni Simmons is an artist who specializes in felt work and textiles.  She talks us through why craft brings so much joy to her life. Our simple steps for getting started with craft include: Decide what interests you Find other people who like to do the same thing Just do it! And don’t put pressure on yourself to even finish it. As Anni says, it’s all about the process!  Find Anni on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theartycraft

The world is made of energy... a complex combination of vibrations.  And for us, the vibrations in our bodies has a direct link with our happiness. Every single interaction we have affects us, so can we manage our happiness through managing our energy? Specialised kinesiologist Marie Howard explains how.