Crappy to Happy
Psychology & Relationships
About
Join psychologist Cass Dunn, and inspiring guests from around the world, for real talk, relatable and practical ideas to help you live a happier, more meaningful life. www.crappytohappypod.com
Episodes
- A Wearable for Deep Sleep, Mental Strength & Cognitive Health with Ariel Garten
If you've ever wondered whether your sleep tracker is actually accurate, or whether meditation is doing anything measurable in your brain, this episode is for you. Ariel Garten is the co-founder of Muse, the brain-sensing headband, and she…
- How to Deal with Difficult People
Working title was “How to Deal with Arseholes” but I thought Apple might ban me. After being evicted from our rental in the UK, I had to sell our house in Australia from the other side of the world. I did not expect the amount of conflict…
- Reclaiming Sexual Pleasure in Midlife with Dr Maria Sophocles
If sex has slowly disappeared from your life - or started to feel like something you dread rather than look forward to - and you're not sure whether to blame your hormones, your relationship, your exhaustion, or just yourself, this episode…
- Lessons I've Learned Since Being Evicted
We got evicted. The subsequent upheaval has revealed a lot to me about how my own nervous system patterns show up, especially when things feel uncertain or out of control. While my situation is personal, this experience is universal so in…
- Letting Go and Starting Again with Tiffiny Hall
Tiff Hall has been part of Crappy to Happy since the very beginning, and she's a woman who knows reinvention better than most. She spent a decade building a powerful, values-driven fitness brand, showing up through pregnancies, injuries, i…
- New Year, Same You: How to Set Goals You Actually Achieve in 2026
How do you embrace the "new year, new start" energy without overshooting your goals and setting yourself up to fail? Every January we're bombarded with resolutions, routines, and lofty promises about who we're supposed to become; and every…
- How I'm Using AI to Massively Simplify My Business
AI is everywhere right now and it’s moving fast, from fake online personas and voice cloning to coaches selling AI versions of themselves. The pace of change is astonishing, and if you don't keep up, you'll be left behind. So what does thi…
- The ADHD Signs Women Keep Missing with Tracy Otsuka
Women with ADHD are still being overlooked, misunderstood, and misdiagnosed, and the consequences can be profound. In this episode, I sit down with Tracy Otsuka, ADHD Coach and bestselling author of "ADHD for Smartass Women', whose mission…
- Are you Lazy or is this "Functional Freeze"?
"Functional Freeze" is not a term you'll find in textbooks but it describes a nervous system shutdown response that develops when you’ve been in chronic stress for too long. Because you’re still “functioning” on the outside, it can be easy…
- How Women Reclaim Their Power at Work and in Life with Megan Dalla-Camina
Megan Dalla-Camina is a globally recognised expert in women’s leadership, empowerment and feminine wisdom who spent almost two decades climbing the ladder in some of the world’s biggest corporate environments before a major burnout changed…
- Feeling Lost? How to Reconnect with a Sense of Purpose
Understanding what gives you a sense of meaning and purpose in life is crucial to wellbeing, but we all have times where we feel lost or directionless. In today's ep, I'm sharing Michael Steger's Meaning Framework, and its three key elemen…
- ADHD Medication and Me: The good, the bad & the unexpected
In January, I commenced ADHD medication and now 11 months later, I'm sharing my experience of how it has impacted my productivity and mood. While my experience has been mostly positive, there are some negative effects that I wasn't expecti…
- How to be less "Busy & Wrecked" with Dermot Whelan
Dermot Whelan was one of Ireland's most successful radio hosts and television presenters for over 20 years. When he had a panic attack on the way to performing at a comedy festival, he decided to put aside his scepticism and explore how me…
- How Your Expectations Create Your Reality (Prime yourself to succeed)
Our expectations shape our experience of the world, influencing not just our perceptions but even our physiology. In this episode, I'm talking about the Expectancy Effect. Our brain acts as a prediction machine, constructing our reality ba…
- How You Can Be Powerful AND Likeable with Dr Kate Mason
Dr. Kate Mason unpacks the false dichotomy that suggests women must choose between being liked and being respected, and explains how this mindset leads to self-doubt and diminished confidence. Kate shares practical strategies for overcomin…
- Milestones Matter: Celebrating 8 Years of Crappy to Happy
This year marks 8 whole years since we launched the Crappy to Happy pod! Join me to reflect on where it all began, which was with my friend and co-host, Tiffiny Hall, who is marking her own huge milestone this week.Moments like this in our…
- Unlocking Happiness at Work with Jennifer Moss
Jennifer Moss joins me to discuss the profound shifts in the workplace over the last decade and the impact they've had on our wellbeing. She shares compelling evidence that happier employees enhance the bottom line, making it clear that in…
- Dealing With Anger: Healthy ways to manage your feelings
Anger is an emotion we often struggle to navigate. In this solo episode, I'm sharing the recent experience of one of my clients, who was grappling with intense feelings of anger. As a psychologist, I recognise that anger often masks deeper…
- How to Save Your Relationship with Tarah Kerwin, Couples Therapist
Couples Therapist, Tarah Kerwin opens up about how her past trauma affected her relationship with her husband EJ, also a therapist. Despite their professional expertise, they both realised they needed to address their personal issues to sa…
- Why It's Essential You Learn Something New (especially if you think you're an expert)
As adults, we don't often put ourselves in the position of being a novice. In this episode, I'm sharing why I've gone back to basics in my professional life, and the uncomfortable truth that despite years of experience, stepping back into…
- What Every Woman Needs to Know about Hormones with Dr Louise Newson (Part 2)
Understanding the critical role of hormone therapy is essential for women at every stage of life, not just those who are navigating the complexities of menopause and beyond. In my second conversation with Dr. Louise Newson, we discuss how…
- How to Build Self-Trust: Stop Second Guessing & Start Truly Living
This week, we are kicking off a new 8-part series in the Beyond Happy subscriber-only podcast, focused on how to build self-trust so you can stop second guessing and start living freely and authentically, knowing you've got your own back.…
- Dispelling Myths About Menopause and HRT with Dr Louise Newson (Part 1)
Dr. Louise Newson is a physician, hormone specialist and one of the world's leading voices in transforming menopause care. We discuss the misconceptions about menopause and hormone treatment, the benefits that HRT can provide even for wome…
- How Relationships Help to Sculpt Your Ideal Self: The Michelangelo Effect
Do your partner and closest friends support and validate your ideal self? Today, we're diving into the intriguing concept of the Michelangelo phenomenon in relationships. This idea suggests that the people closest to us can help us reveal…
- The Power of Curiosity: How Tiny Experiments Can Transform Your Life with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Neuroscientist, Anne-Laure Le Cunff challenges the traditional notion of linear goal-setting in our lives, urging us instead to embrace "tiny experiments" as a more fulfilling and adaptive approach. In this episode, we explore the concept…
- Hidden Factors that Cause Burnout: Are You Contributing?
Today, we're diving into the ever-relevant topic of burnout, which has become a pervasive issue for many people. I want to unpack how personal traits such as perfectionism, people-pleasing tendencies, and unrealistic self-expectations, can…
- Reconnecting in Relationships: How to Bridge the Emotional Gap
Feeling disconnected in relationships is a theme that's been surfacing a lot lately in my coaching sessions, and I think it’s something that many of us can relate to. In this episode, I dive into the common struggles women face in long-ter…
- Mindfulness... and then what? A new audio series!
We're kicking off our brand new series for paid subscribers, "Mindfulness... and then what?", where we'll dive deep into how to truly incorporate mindfulness into your life for real benefits. I know, I know—mindfulness is one of those buzz…
- How to Show Up as the Best Version of YOU
Today’s episode dives deep into a crucial question: who are you when you’re at your best? I’m inviting you to explore the qualities that make you shine and how to create the conditions in your life that allow you to be at your best more of…
- Unexpected Turns: How to get through it when things go to sh*t
Hi from my mum's wardrobe. I'm on holiday in Australia and taking a break from my packing to share a personal update that highlights how unpredictable life can be. My family has recently faced some unexpected challenges, including my husba…
- How I was Recruited into a Cult with Carli McConkey
Carli McConkey was a naive 21yr old seeking self-improvement when she was recruited into a new age cult where she spent over 13yrs trapped and enslaved. Carli bravely shares her experience of being manipulated, coerced, and abused, explain…
- How Your Happiness Impacts Your Political Preferences
The recent World Happiness Report highlights a striking link between social trust and voting preferences, revealing that individuals with low social trust are more prone to supporting right-wing political parties. In this episode, I dive i…
- We Need Your Art: Unleash Your Creative Spirit with Amie McNee
Amie McNee joins me in the studio to share her insights on the transformative power of creativity and the importance of claiming your artistic voice. Her new book, "We Need Your Art", is a rallying cry for those who feel they aren't "real"…
- Celebrating 100 Days Alcohol Free! + A special offer for you
Today, I'm celebrating a huge milestone: 100 days alcohol-free! It feels amazing, and I want to share my journey with you—from the challenges to the triumphs. I also dive deep into the reasons behind my decision, including some personal re…
- Free yourself from 'Good Girl' conditioning with Dr Michelle McQuaid
Dr. Michelle McQuaid joins me in this episode to dive deep into the concept of "good girl conditioning" and how it impacts women's mental health and well-being. We explore the societal expectations that shape our beliefs from a young age,…
- How to Heal your Wounded Parts & Step into your Wisest Self
This week, we're diving into parts work, with an introduction to Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and how you can apply it as a tool for self-healing. We'll explore how recognising and connecting with different parts of yourself - lik…
- Introducing Beyond Happy: Join now to level up your happiness!
Announcing the launch of my new paid subscriber version of Crappy to Happy, called Beyond Happy, kicking off next week! This isn't just more Crappy to Happy; it’s also an opportunity to dive deeper into personal growth and happiness with e…
- Reclaiming Happiness: Why Every Woman Needs a Passion Project
This episode encourages listeners to carve out time for activities that bring them joy without the pressure of achieving specific goals or outcomes. Cass shares insights into the importance of finding a passion project, i.e. engaging in cr…
- How to master your mind to win at life with Alexis Fernandez
Cass is joined by Alexis Fernandez-Preiksa, a neuroscientist, best-selling author and host of the incredibly popular "Do You F*cking Mind?" podcast. The conversation explores how Alexis discovered her love for cognitive neuroscience and ho…
- Kickstart Your 2025: Setting Goals That Matter
As the new year unfolds, it brings a fresh opportunity to reflect on what will truly make you happy. This episode of Crappy to Happy offers a guiding light for anyone looking to set meaningful goals in 2025 and give yourself the best chanc…
- Wearable technology for your Brain with Ariel Garten
This is an encore episode: Throwing back to 2019 when Cass interviewed Ariel Garten, the founder of the Muse Brain Sensing Headband.Meditation is a thousand year old practice but Ariel has found a way to bring that practice into the 21st c…
- Wrapping up 2024 + My ADHD Diagnosis
In this final solo episode of 2024, Cass reflects on the importance of recognising personal achievements over the past year, emphasising the need to focus on gains rather than gaps. She shares plans for a new subscriber version of the podc…
- Healing Trauma using MDMA with Rebecca Huntley
This week, Cass talks with author and social researcher, Rebecca Huntley, who shares her experience of childhood trauma, traditional therapy, and how she ultimately found herself seeking MDMA therapy from an underground healer. The convers…
- How to stop being a people pleaser
In this episode, Cass discusses the challenges of people pleasing, especially during the holiday season. She explores the roots of this behaviour, including childhood experiences, personality traits, and societal expectations. Cass emphasi…
- Surrogacy, Friendship, and the Power of Two with Lisa Messenger & Sarah Megginson
This week, Cass is joined by Lisa Messenger and Sarah Megginson, two colleagues and friends whose lives were changed forever when Sarah offered to be a gestational surrogate for Lisa. In this episode, we discuss Lisa's gruelling six-years…
- Let's Talk about Grief with Imogen Carn
Imogen shares her experience of losing her mum in tragic circumstances, and the profound impact it had on her, and how co-creating the 'Good Mourning' podcast and community with her friend, Sally Douglas quite literally saved her life. In…
- How well do you cope with uncertainty?
Cass responds to a listener question about how to live with uncertainty. She discusses the psychological concept of 'Intolerance of Uncertainty', its impact on mental health, particularly anxiety and worry, and explains how worry serves as…
- Your Brain on Dopamine with Dr Anastasia Hronis
This week, Cass and Dr Anastasia Hronis delve into the complexities of dopamine, its role in pleasure and motivation, and how modern conveniences can lead to excessive dopamine activation. Anastasia is the author of 'The Dopamine Brain' an…
- Full commitment but no attachment
Cass explores the concept of being fully committed to goals while remaining unattached to the outcomes. She discusses the balance between giving your all and not letting the results define your self-worth. Through examples and personal ins…
- How to reset your nervous system with Jessica Maguire
Cass talks with Jessica McGuire, a physiotherapist and author of The Nervous System Reset, about the importance of the nervous system in physical and emotional health. Jessica explains the role of the vagus nerve in regulating our emotions…