But Are You Happy?

Navigating family and friends you might not agree with can be… a lot. It’s the season of parties, BBQs, long lunches, and gatherings you may have been voluntold to attend, and with that often comes complicated family dynamics and people you might have very mixed feelings about seeing. In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante share practical tools for navigating difficult conversations, setting boundaries, and showing up in a way that feels better for you this season. You’ll also learn: Why family comments can hit such a big nerve Why we fall back into old family roles so easily How to avoid erupting in difficult conversations What topics are safe to talk about with someone who has different politics Watch the podcast on YouTube here. And if you’re looking for more to listen to - every Mamamia podcast is curating your summer listening right across our network from pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews, there’s something for everyone. Listen here: https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/ Subscribe to be in the running to WIN THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY: Royal Caribbean Cruise Giveaway! Click here for more information If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support. Help us understand how you're looking after your mental health. Complete our short survey here for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw! Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money, money, money. Spending on gifts, travel, food, and everything else feels almost unavoidable around the holiday periods. But what about the stress and panic that hits every time you open Apple Pay or tap your card at the checkout? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante unpack the financial pressures of the holidays. They’ll also share practical ways to shift your focus from consumption to connection, helping you enjoy the season without the overwhelm. You’ll also learn: Why we feel pressured to “keep up” with peers when it comes to generosity and gift-giving The psychology of money and how your upbringing shapes your financial mindset Real examples of how money influences attitudes and behaviour How to avoid FOMO and set healthy limits around your spending Watch the podcast on YouTube here. And if you’re looking for more to listen to - every Mamamia podcast is curating your summer listening right across our network from pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews, there’s something for everyone. Listen here: https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/ Subscribe to be in the running to WIN THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY: Royal Caribbean Cruise Giveaway! Click here for more information If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support. Help us understand how you're looking after your mental health. Complete our short survey here for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw! Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We want to have some honest conversations to support you through events where alcohol is present and maybe even invite you to consider a sober-curious 2026. In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante explore the psychology of alcohol: why social drinking becomes such a big part of the holidays, and how you can approach this time of year more mindfully. You’ll also learn: How alcohol affects the brain and the body How alcohol impacts men and women differently The social psychology of drinking and why it feels hard not to What a sober curious lifestyle looks like Watch the podcast on YouTube here. And if you’re looking for more to listen to - every Mamamia podcast is curating your summer listening right across our network from pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews, there’s something for everyone. Listen here: https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/ Subscribe to be in the running to WIN THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY: Royal Caribbean Cruise Giveaway! Click here for more information If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support. Help us understand how you're looking after your mental health. Complete our short survey here for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw! Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thought bullies would disappear after high school? Turns out, those people grow older, but don’t always grow up. Now they’re the ones causing trouble at work, in social circles, and even at events. Unfortunately, bullying in adulthood is far more common than many of us realise. In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante break down why adult bullying happens and share practical strategies for dealing with it. You’ll also learn: Why people bully, and who tends to be their targets How people who are being bullied are impacted What the bystander effect is How to reclaim your voice after experiencing bullying Watch the podcast on YouTube here. Subscribe to be in the running to WIN THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY: Royal Caribbean Cruise Giveaway! Click here for more information If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support. Help us understand how you're looking after your mental health. Complete our short survey here for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw! Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you experienced grief? Most of us have. We often think of grief as something we feel when someone passes away, and that’s true, but we also grieve friendships that fade, jobs we lose, or opportunities that slip away. So is there really a “right” or “wrong” way to grieve? We’re not so sure. What we do know is that grief brings a whole mix of emotions, along with pressure to “move on” or “accept” before we’re ready. But grief is a process, not a deadline. In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante explore grief in all its forms, and what healthy versus unhealthy grieving can look like. You’ll also learn: What the 5 stages of grief are and why they matter Why your grieving process is unique to you How to grieve in a healthy way What closure looks like and whether finding it is helpful Watch the podcast on YouTube here. Subscribe to be in the running to WIN THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY: Royal Caribbean Cruise Giveaway! Click here for more information If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support. Help us understand how you're looking after your mental health. Complete our short survey here for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw! Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Tina Matolov Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.