In this bonus episode, Ashani gives you a reassuring pep talk for when you're feeling anxious before a presentation, event, or any situation that feels overwhelming, and the self-talk shifts that can help you calm your nerves and show up anyway. Watch the podcast on YouTube here . 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. GET IN TOUCH Want to get in touch w...
May 08, 2026•4 min
In this bonus episode, Dr Anastasia Hronis offers a calming 10-minute reset to help you step out of the chaos of daily life. This guided exercise invites you to engage your senses: sight, touch, and sound, to ground your attention. If your mind wanders, that’s okay. Gently bring it back and continue. A practical, soothing way to reconnect with the present moment. Watch the podcast on YouTube here . If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4...
May 01, 2026•9 min
Have you ever “set a boundary” because a TikTok told you it was the only way to protect your peace? In this episode of But Are You Happy , hosts Ashani Dante and Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpack the idea of weaponised boundaries and explore how to tell whether yours are healthy gates or rigid walls that might be keeping people out unnecessarily. You’ll also learn: How to identify the boundaries that are actually right for you How to communicate your needs clearly without turning the other person into...
Apr 24, 2026•26 min
Have you ever caught your reflection, noticed a new grey hair or a random ache, and felt that sudden wave of existential dread about where the time has gone? In this episode of But Are You Happy , hosts Ashani Dante and Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpack the physical realities of ageing, explore how death anxiety fuels our worries, and share healthier ways to relate to the passage of time. You’ll also learn: Why your biological age doesn’t always match how old you feel How to slow the “quickening” of t...
Apr 17, 2026•30 min
Have you noticed the word narcissist being thrown around a lot lately and found yourself wondering whether someone’s actually a narcissist… or just unpleasant? In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis breaks down what narcissism really is, how to recognise it, and what you can do if there’s a narcissist in your life. You’ll also learn: Where Narcissistic Personality Disorder comes from The key red flags and behaviours to watch for in a narcissistic relati...
Apr 14, 2026•45 min
Have you ever been told you’re “too much” or “too sensitive,” only to find yourself caught in an exhausting cycle - loving someone intensely one moment, then wanting to push them away the next? In this episode of But Are You Happy , hosts Ashani Dante and Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpack Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) with clarity and compassion. They explore the why behind the intense emotional swings and relationship struggles that define BPD, shifting the conversation away from judgment and...
Apr 10, 2026•37 min
Do you ever notice that inner voice—the one that’s quick to judge or put you down, even though you’d never speak to a friend that way? In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis talks about how to deal with your inner critic, especially when it starts affecting your mental health, and how to start building a more supportive voice instead. You'll also learn: Where that critical voice comes from Whether it gets easier to manage as we get older Signs someone m...
Apr 07, 2026•43 min
Where do you stand on AI? Are you all in, a little nervous, or still figuring it out? Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle - curious, cautious, and ready to see what it really means for us. In this episode of But Are You Happy , hosts Ashani Dante and Dr. Anastasia Hronis go past the headlines to explore the psychology of AI. They look at how these tools aren’t just changing what we do - they’re changing how we think, solve problems, and even seek emotional connection. You’ll also learn: Why lea...
Apr 03, 2026•31 min
Why do we form one-sided bonds with people we've never met? In this episode of But Are You Happy , hosts Ashani Dante and Dr. Anastasia Hronis pull back the curtain on parasocial relationships and how the digital age has blurred the lines between "fan" and "friend." You'll also learn: Practical questions to ask yourself if your celeb obsession is getting… unhealthy Why we turn to one-sided relationships to meet emotional needs How most parasocial relationships aren't actually "creepy" - they're ...
Mar 27, 2026•30 min
Have you ever thought to yourself, “Why am I reacting exactly like my mother right now?” In this episode of But Are You Happy, hosts Ashani Dante and Dr. Anastasia Hronis pull back the curtain on intergenerational trauma. We’re moving beyond the surface level to explore the "ghosts" in your DNA - the ones that make you react to a minor inconvenience like it’s a family-wide emergency. You'll also learn: How trauma is physically passed down through your genes Why the goal isn't to "delete" your di...
Mar 20, 2026•26 min
Do you ever feel like you’re falling behind in life? You’re not the only one quietly wondering about the timeline. In this episode, Ashani Dante and clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis explore the “quiet grief” that can arise when life looks different from the one you once planned. You'll also learn: How to embrace "identity plasticity" Practical ways to distinguish between being "behind" your own goals versus someone else's Why it’s valid to mourn the "alternate version" of your life How...
Mar 13, 2026•26 min
Are you happy? Oh. Sorry. Was that too direct? It’s a simple question, but it tends to make people shift in their seats. In this episode of But Are You Happy?, Ashani Dante and clinical psychologist Anastasia Hronis finally unpack the very question that inspired the podcast and, somehow, until now, we’ve never properly answered. Together, they explore: The difference between hedonic and eudaimonic happiness Why contentment might matter more than constant joy How social media and external validat...
Mar 06, 2026•39 min
Does your chest tighten every time you open your phone lately? Do you feel like the world is on fire and you’re somehow supposed to just keep going to work, answer emails, and “stay informed”? In this episode of But Are You Happy , host Ashani Dante and clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpack what it actually means to live in the age of information overload. From clickbait headlines and doom-scrolling at 11pm, they explore how constant exposure to bad news impacts our nervous systems a...
Feb 27, 2026•30 min
Does the idea of a networking event make your stomach do backflips while your friends seem to thrive in the chaos? In this season finale of But Are You Happy , host Ashani Dante and clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis pull back the curtain on our social personalities. We’re moving beyond the simple labels to find out where you actually sit on the spectrum and why "summer social season" can feel so different for everyone. You'll also learn: The five major personality traits and how extrove...
Jan 30, 2026•34 min
Have you ever looked at a fandom, wellness community, or online movement and thought… this feels a little culty ? In this episode of But Are You Happy, host Ashani Dante and clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis unpack why the word cult gets thrown around so easily and what actually separates cults from fandoms like Swifties, Beliebers, or other high-devotion communities. You’ll also learn: What a cult actually is (and why there’s no single definition) Why charismatic leaders hold so much po...
Jan 23, 2026•34 min
Do you ever feel like you’re constantly the one listening, supporting, and showing up for others, until one day you hit a wall and think, I can't do this anymore? In this episode of But Are You Happy, host Ashani Dante and clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis unpack empathy fatigue; why being the “strong,” supportive one can leave you emotionally drained, and how to tell the difference between compassion and burnout. You’ll also learn: What empathy fatigue actually is (and why it’s more com...
Jan 16, 2026•30 min
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 th...
Jan 09, 2026•16 min
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 ...
Jan 02, 2026•20 min
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 ...
Dec 26, 2025•30 min
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 p...
Dec 19, 2025•25 min
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 ...
Dec 12, 2025•31 min
Ever caught yourself doing 10 other things around the house instead of locking in and focusing on the one task or goal you really need to complete? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante talk all about that relatable thing of procrastination. Anastasia breaks down what's really going on in the brain when we put things off and why it happens in the first place. You’ll also learn: The difference between productive and perfectionist ...
Dec 05, 2025•30 min
Do you think you might have OCD and are wondering whether you need a diagnosis? Or do you already know you’re living with it and feel frustrated by the myths, stereotypes, and misunderstandings that surround it? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis breaks down what OCD actually is, how it shows up in everyday life, and the evidence-based treatments that can genuinely help. You’ll also learn: The different types of obsessive themes that can occur with OC...
Nov 28, 2025•27 min
Are you someone who just can’t put your phone down? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis explores how constant phone use can affect both our mental and physical well-being—and what we can do to build healthier habits. You'll also learn: Why our phones are designed to be so addictive Whether social media is helping us connect or pulling us further apart Simple ways to cut back on screen time How to pause the doom-scrolling cycle Family tech agreements: e...
Nov 21, 2025•33 min
Ever feel like making friends as an adult is… weirdly awkward? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis talks about how to actually make new friends once you’re out of school and why having strong, genuine connections matters more than ever. You'll also learn: How loneliness can impact your mental AND physical health The roadblocks that stop us from forming new connections as adults How to find community through practical avenues Ways to get comfortable wi...
Nov 14, 2025•38 min
The podcast for anyone who’s perfected the nervous laugh and mastered the art of avoiding eye contact — But Are You Happy — is back with more free mental health advice (the good kind). Our brand-new season drops Saturday, November 15. Join co-hosts Ashani Dante and clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis as they dive back into the real, raw, and relatable conversations about self-development and mental health that you can’t get enough of. Find us on Instagram Learn more about our hosts here: A...
Nov 11, 2025•1 min
We’ve all been rejected at some point, whether it’s by a romantic partner, a university, a job, a friendship, a sports team... the list goes on. In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis breaks down why rejection hurts so much and how we can start challenging those negative thoughts it stirs up. You'll also learn: What goes on in the brain when we get rejected Why some people bounce back from rejection, while others spiral Why you can feel physical pain fro...
Oct 10, 2025•30 min
Have you ever said things like “trauma dump” or casually claimed “I’m traumatised”? The word trauma has become kind of a buzzword these days. In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis tells us what trauma really means, what PTSD looks like, and shares some ways people can get support. You'll also learn: The difference between experiencing trauma and having PTSD The various criteria used to diagnose PTSD How cortisol is released in the brain during stressful...
Oct 03, 2025•48 min
Porn is everywhere, and let’s be honest, watching it is super common. It’s a way a lot of people explore their sexuality. But it’s not all harmless. In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpacks what porn actually does to our brain chemistry, and how it might be influencing our romantic and sexual relationships, often without us even realising. You'll also learn: How porn has become more accessible and why What actually happens to the chemicals in our b...
Sep 26, 2025•32 min
Ever get anxious about “simple” adult tasks, like booking appointments, answering calls, or deciding what to cook, because being a grown-up feels way harder than expected? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpacks "adulthood anxiety" and how to build real confidence AND competence in everyday life. You'll also learn: What age we actually become adults What's going on for you mentally and emotionally when you're transitioning into adulthood Why it's ...
Sep 19, 2025•29 min
