S4 · E47
February 25 · 42 min
TI
This is Stuart
Stuart Mackey
One of the worst kept secrets in the world is; To have a better "life" you have to be "happy"... But how does one be truly Happy? Let's figure that out together.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 20 episodes
- Avg 43 min
- English
- TIS4 · E51February 18 · 23 min
Can Anxiety be an Advantage
TIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frozen, or caught in the spiral, this is your invitation to reframe fear, move with intention, and breathe your way back to yourself. Whether you’re navigating uncertainty, healing from burnout, or simply wanting to live more grounded and awake this episode is here to hold you gently and guide you forward. The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal Emotional Agility by Susan David, PhD The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris How to Make Stress Your Friend” – TED Talk by Kelly McGonigal Mel Robbins on Turning Anxiety into Excitement Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E46January 14 · 39 min
Mind-Body Mastery: Deepak Chopra
As part of our People of Interest Series we dive into: Deepak Chopra who's profound teachings on the mind body connection and what it means to live a life of balance, clarity, and conscious presence. TThe science on neuroplasticity merge with meditation, and holistic wellbeing on a journey into self awareness, emotional healing, and gratitude. Reference: Quantum Healing Deepak Chopra The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success Deepak Chopra Deepak Chopra TEDx The Future of Wellbeing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E45January 7 · 37 min
Adriene Mishler: Yoga for Everyone
As part of our People of Interest Series we dive into: Adriene Mishler, the beloved teacher behind Yoga With Adriene. Known for her mantra “find what feels good”, Adriene has built a global community by making yoga accessible, playful, and profoundly human. Why Adriene’s philosophy resonates with millions across the world. The science-backed benefits of mindful movement for stress, mood, and sleep. How you can begin (or deepen) a yoga practice that’s built on compassion, not perfection. Whether you’re brand new to yoga, returning after time away, or simply curious about weaving more mindfulness into daily life, this episode is here to remind you that you don’t need fancy poses or long hours to find balance just a willingness to show up. https://www.youtube.com/yogawithadriene Reference: The Body Keeps the Score Bessel van der Kolk Radical Acceptance Tara Brach Self-Compassion Kristin Neff Atomic Habits James Clear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E44Dec 31, 2025 · 40 min
Mark Manson: A Subtle F* Off
Happy New Year!!! This episode marks the beginning of our new Persons of Interest series. A spotlight on thinkers, practitioners, scientists, wellness leaders, and creators from around the world whose voices help us grow. We focus on Mark Manson, the bestselling author whose blunt, honest approach to self development has challenged millions of people to rethink what truly matters. Manson reminds us that happiness isn’t found in constant positivity, but in choosing meaningful struggles, aligning with our values, and letting go of the trivial. Reference: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* Mark Manson Everything is Fcked: A Book About Hope* Mark Manson Will Will Smith & Mark Manson The Denial of Death Ernest Becker Man’s Search for Meaning Viktor Frankl Meditations Marcus Aurelius Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E41Dec 20, 2025 · 51 min
The Richest Lessons from Babylon: Ancient & Modern Freedom
A thousand year journey written a century ago. George S. Clason gave us one of the most timeless books on money and mindset ever written: More than just a book about gold and ancient parables, but how Babylon’s wisdom saving first fuels our wellbeing and mental health which is just as relevant in 2025 as it was thousands of years ago. Why the simple 10% saving rule is more powerful than any modern money hack. How overspending and lifestyle inflation quietly trap us in cycles of stress. The hidden link between money, mental health, and overall wellness. Why gratitude and vision are as vital to wealth as savings and investments. Reference: The Richest Man in Babylon George S. Clason Your Money or Your Life Vicki Robin The Total Money Makeover Dave Ramsey Atomic Habits James Clear Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E39Dec 10, 2025 · 44 min
Your Anam Cara
In todays episode we go through John O’Donohue’s Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, a timeless work that invites us to rethink friendship, belonging, and the sacredness of human connection. Anam Cara means “soul friend,” is at the heart of Celtic spirituality. It represents a bond that transcends time, distance, and even death a friendship where two people see each other at the level of the soul. Knowing to live with clarity, presence, and intention. It’s about learning how to slow down, rediscover belonging, and honor the sacredness of ordinary life. Reference: Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom John O’Donohue Beauty: The Invisible Embrace John O’Donohue Eternal Echoe John O’Donohue Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E38Dec 3, 2025 · 21 min
Braving the Wilderness: Belonging Without Fitting In
The raw terrain of belonging, identity, and authenticity, inspired by Brené Brown’s powerful concept of “braving the wilderness.” Through personal reflection, psychological research, and spiritual wisdom, Stuart explores the difference between fitting in and truly belonging, why so many of us feel lonely in crowded rooms, and how we can build real connection without betraying who we are. Reference: Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides by Geoffrey L. Cohen The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown The Art of Belonging by Hugh Mackay The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E37Nov 26, 2025 · 1 hr
Unmasking Celebrities & Anxiety
A reflective look at the world of celebrity and fame; the breakdowns, perfectionism, and the pressures we place on ourselves in an image-obsessed culture. Why do the people we admire most celebrities, influencers, icons so often collapse under the very success we crave? And more importantly, what does their anxiety, addiction, and burnout reveal about our own silent struggles? Reference: The Myth of Normal Gabor Maté Self-Compassion Kristin Neff The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life Erving Goffman Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention Johann Hari The Gifts of Imperfection Brené Brown Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E36Nov 19, 2025 · 1 hr 23 min
The Better Self: Emotional Intelligence, Letting Go, and Learning to Live
An episode about hose moments of anxiety on a train, the sting of failure, the tenderness of grief, and the surprising freedom that came when we stopped trying to control everything. When relationships act as mirrors, how memory shapes meaning, and why small, identity-based habits often matter more than grand transformations. Massive thank you to Kelly P for this notion of how we learn to be present with ourselves and others. For anyone who’s tired of chasing the “next” and ready to practice being fully "HERE" Reference: Emotional Intelligence Daniel Goleman The Untethered Soul Michael A. Singer A New Earth Eckhart Tolle The Gifts of Imperfection Brené Brown Emotional First Aid Guy Winch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E35Nov 12, 2025 · 42 min
Staring at the Sun: Mortality & Life
Our Book Review of the Month is on how to confront the one truth we all share: we’re all going to die. Inspired by Irvin D. Yalom’s profound book "Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death", We explore what it really means to live with the awareness of our own mortality and how that awareness, far from paralyzing us, can actually set us free. Through storytelling, hard-won insights, modern psychology, and ancient philosophy, I unpack how death anxiety affects our relationships, our work, our choices—and how to transform it into courage, purpose, and deep presence. References Staring at the Sun: Overcoming the Terror of Death Irvin D. Yalom The Denial of Death Ernest Becker Man’s Search for Meaning Viktor E. Frankl Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole Susan Cain The Five Regrets of the Dying Bronnie Ware Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E34Nov 5, 2025 · 49 min
Online to Real Life: Creative Expression in the Digital Age
How are you really? What happens when the online world collides with the real one; like meeting internet friends for the first time? And what does it truly take to show up for others while staying grounded in your own healing? Reference: .The Creative Act A Way of Being by Rick Rubin Digital Relationships & Mental Health (2017). Lost Connections Johann Hari Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TI#33Oct 29, 2025 · 34 min
Are you a Worrier or Warrior: How Emotional Wiring Shapes Your Life.
Some of us feel everything, others not so much move through life with steadiness and calm. Psychologists call this the difference between high neuroticism and low neuroticism. The strengths and challenges of each emotional style. How worriers and warriors can connect without clashing. Tools to balance warmth and competence in communication. Personal stories of growth, friendship, and letting go of perfection. Practical, science-backed exercises you can start using today. Reference: The Highly Sensitive Person Elaine N. Aron Emotional Agility Susan David Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication Vanessa Van Edwards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E32Oct 22, 2025 · 33 min
Samhain: Ancient Ireland to the World’s Halloween
Today let's explore the Celtic festival of Samhain, the ancient New Year marking the end of summer and the thinning of the veil between worlds. The origins of today’s most beloved Halloween customs—bonfires, costumes, lanterns, divination games—and the communities that kept them alive through centuries of change. Along the way, we’ll see how Irish people have adapted their traditions without losing their essence, holding fast to the values of connection, protection, and shared storytelling. Reference: Samhain: The Roots of Halloween Luke Eastwood Archaeology Ireland Excavations at the Hill of Ward The Ritual Process Victor Turner History.com Halloween Origins & Irish Influence Derry Halloween – Festival Programme & History Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TI#31Oct 15, 2025 · 55 min
A Reflecting Martyr: Witness Over Spectacle
Spoiler Disclaimer: This episode contains detailed discussion of the plot and characters of Martyr! Our Book of the Month to reflect on is Martyr! by Kaveh Akbara. A story that forces us to confront the weight of attention, grief, and meaning in our own lives with characters that define what matters, how their choices of where to place attention shape the novel’s themes, and what lessons we can draw for wellness, identity, and connection. A very special shoutout goes to @ShawneeAtTheLake for putting this book in my hands. Martyr! landed like an immense slap in the face—demanding not passive reading but active reflection, both literary and personal. Reference: Martyr! Kaveh Akbar Man’s Search for Meaning Viktor E. Frankl In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts Gabor Maté Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E30Oct 8, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Influence: The Hidden Cost of Being Seen
key insights from books like Irresistible by Adam Alter, Influence by Robert Cialdini, and Extremely Online by Taylor Lorenz, Stuart unpacks what it really means to live for likes and what we lose in the process. The mental toll of constant performance. How social media rewires our self-worth. The difference between true influence and online popularity. Why not all visibility is valuable. Irresistible by Adam Alter Influence by Robert Cialdini Extremely Online by Taylor Lorenz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E29Oct 1, 2025 · 38 min
Stories That Heal: Feeling Through the Page
Exploration of how stories whether lived, imagined, or inherited can become powerful tools for healing. The ways fiction, memoir, and our own untold narratives help us process grief, reclaim identity, and rediscover connection. Equal parts reflective and practical, this conversation is an intimate reminder that sometimes the most courageous thing we can do… is tell the story we’ve been carrying all along. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E28Sep 24, 2025 · 41 min
To Live a Meaningful Life Without Regrets
Lessons from the Living and the Dying. Why “Don’t Wait” may be the most important life advice you’ll ever hear. How mortality can become a mirror for living with purpose. The emotional and scientific cost of distraction. Why slow, intentional mornings can reshape your mind and mood. The healing power of “I’m sorry” in relationships. And the five most common regrets at life’s end and how to avoid them now. What it means to live fully and love deeply without carrying regrets to the end. References: Frank Ostaseski’s The Five Invitations, Bronnie Ware’s The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E27Sep 17, 2025 · 44 min
Flame, Reflection & Growth through Fantasy
Fantasy, gives us the chance to rehearse being human. We can find mirrors in stories showing the rawness of human struggle. Fantasy , isn’t escape it’s a simulator for life’s hard moments. Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass has great beats and moments of this sense. Through Aelin,Chaol & Dorian we see idenity, recovery and autonomy. What makes these lessons richer is how they echo the insights of thinkers and writers who have charted their own paths through resilience and growth. Reference: Throne of Glass Series Sarah J. Mass The Hero with a Thousand Faces Joseph Campbell Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- TIS4 · E26Sep 10, 2025 · 29 min
Are We Really As Connected As We Think You Are?
Inspired by Johann Hari’s provocative book Lost Connections, this episode explores the real roots of depression — not just as a chemical imbalance, but as a symptom of a society disconnected from meaning, belonging, and community. A fresh understanding of depression, a renewed sense of hope, and small but powerful steps toward emotional healing and true connection. Lost Connections by Johann Hari http://amazon.com/Lost-Connections-Uncovering-Depression-Solutions/dp/163286830X The Social Neuroscience of Education by Louis Cozolino https://www.louiscozolino.com The Good Life by Robert Waldinger & Marc Schulz ▶ https://www.thegoodlifebook.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.