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
Have you ever wondered if you might have ADHD but feel nervous about saying it out loud? Or maybe you’ve been diagnosed already, but all you hear are confusing myths? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis is breaking down the many ways ADHD can show up, clearing up some of the biggest myths, and sharing what to do if you think you might need to go and get a diagnosis. You'll also learn: The three types of ADHD and how their symptoms differ How ADHD is a...
Sep 12, 2025•33 min
Are you in that stage of life where it’s starting to feel like YOU are the parent to your parents? Or maybe it’s always been that way? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpacks parentification and how to recover when your parents have made you the mediator between them or put you in charge of holding onto their emotional baggage. You'll also learn: The emotional and developmental consequences of parentification How you know if you've been 'parentifi...
Sep 05, 2025•24 min
Have you ever had a fight with someone that starts off small but then suddenly turns super personal, like you’re back in primary school, trading playground insults? In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis shares how to have what I call a “good fight” — one that’s free from criticism, defensiveness, and all those traps we fall into when emotions run high. You'll also learn: What a bad fight looks like The difference between expressing a complaint and criti...
Aug 29, 2025•27 min
With the rise of weight loss injections and the return of skinny culture, it feels like we’re moving backwards in the body positivity movement, right? In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpacks what these weight loss injections actually are, how we can start to reframe the idea of the “ideal body,” and the signs that this shift might be taking a toll on your mental—and physical—health. You'll also learn: What these weight loss injections actually ar...
Aug 22, 2025•30 min
Have you ever wondered why friendship breakups feel so brutal? Like, worse than a romantic break-up? In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis tells us how to end a friendship without ghosting someone and leaving them wondering what just happened. You'll also learn: How you know it's time to end a friendship When you should reconsider a breakup and set a boundary instead What is ghosting and is it all that bad? How to have a break up conversation that's re...
Aug 15, 2025•38 min
Need more free therapy? We've got you. Our new season of But Are You Happy is dropping on Saturday, August 16. Join cohosts Ashani Dante and Dr. Anastasia Hronis AGAIN as they explore all the self-development and mental health topics and challenges that we know you want to learn more about. Find us on Instagram Learn more about our hosts here: Ashani and Dr. Anastasia THE END BITS Subscribe to Mamamia GET IN TOUCH: Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voi...
Aug 08, 2025•1 min
Introducing I Never Told You This: Two People. One big reveal. A simple card deck with questions. Some are light-hearted, some deeper…and one that says ‘I Never Told You This’ - the chance for one person to share something they’ve never told the other before. In episode eight of ‘I Never Told You This’, Palepa opens up to her mum about the struggle of finding her own way in a strict family — and finally admits she’s been keeping her boyfriend a secret. Head to Medibank to learn more about the Fa...
Jul 30, 2025•7 min
Introducing I Never Told You This: Two People. One big reveal. A simple card deck with questions. Some are light-hearted, some deeper…and one that says ‘I Never Told You This’ - the chance for one person to share something they’ve never told the other before. In this episode, Joana opens up about postnatal depression and the pressure she felt to be the ‘perfect’ mum — uncovering a shared experience with her daughter she never expected. Head to Medibank to learn more about the Family Roast card g...
Jul 23, 2025•8 min
Heard of cognitive behavioural therapy? What about EMDR? Or integrative psychotherapy, animal-assisted therapy, couples therapy, attachment therapy…? We get it, it’s a lot . In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpacks the biggest mistakes people make when starting therapy and how to actually find the kind of support that fits you . You'll also hear: If we all need therapy, or whether it depends on the person What to do when you’re finally ready to ta...
Jul 18, 2025•43 min
Introducing I Never Told You This: Two People. One big reveal. A simple card deck with questions. Some are light-hearted, some deeper…and one that says ‘I Never Told You This’ - the chance for one person to share something they’ve never told the other before. In episode six of ‘I Never Told You This’, Chloe and her mum Vicki open up about experiences they’ve never spoken about before — from adoption and school struggles, to the grief and isolation that came with having a brother and son facing m...
Jul 16, 2025•8 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...
Jul 11, 2025•43 min
Introducing I Never Told You This: Two People. One big reveal. A simple card deck with questions. Some are light-hearted, some deeper…and one that says ‘I Never Told You This’ - the chance for one person to share something they’ve never told the other before. In the fifth episode of 'I Never Told You This', Ula shares the truth about her challenging childhood with her cousin, Tina.Head to Medibank to learn more about the Family Roast card game that sparked the conversation. The experiences share...
Jul 09, 2025•8 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...
Jul 04, 2025•45 min
Introducing I Never Told You This: Two People. One big reveal. A simple card deck with questions. Some are light-hearted, some deeper…and one that says ‘I Never Told You This’ - the chance for one person to share something they’ve never told the other before. In episode four of ‘I Never Told You This’, Cristina shares what it’s been like living with anxiety and depression, while Judy opens up about the pressure of raising kids on her own. Head to Medibank to learn more about the Family Roast car...
Jul 02, 2025•7 min
Have you ever said yes to your boss when you really wanted to say no ? Or agreed with a colleague even though your gut was telling you they were wrong? In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpacks the psychology of people pleasing—why we do it, why we feel guilty when we don’t, and how it shows up in the workplace. You'll also learn: The hidden costs of saying yes too often How being overly agreeable can lead to burnout Practical tools for assertive c...
Jun 27, 2025•40 min
Introducing I Never Told You This: Two People. One big reveal. A simple card deck with questions. Some are light-hearted, some deeper…and one that says ‘I Never Told You This’ - the chance for one person to share something they’ve never told the other before. In episode three of ‘I Never Told You This’, Emilia and Slavka open up about what it’s like to care for a loved one through illness, and the moment you have to let go of the one person you’ve leaned on through it all. Head to Medibank to le...
Jun 25, 2025•6 min
Have you ever watched a TikTok and started wondering if something might be wrong with your mental health, too? (Come on, who hasn't?) But with so many creators out there, how can we tell who actually knows what they’re talking about and if their advice applies to us? In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis explains the risks of self-diagnosing and how to tell if what you’re seeing on social media is relevant to your situation. You’ll also learn: The pros...
Jun 20, 2025•28 min
Introducing I Never Told You This: Two People. One big reveal. A simple card deck with questions. Some are light-hearted, some deeper…and one that says ‘I Never Told You This’ - the chance for one person to share something they’ve never told the other before. In the second episode of 'I Never Told You This', Casey finally tells her mum, Sally, about the tattoo she's been hiding for years. Head to Medibank to learn more about the Family Roast card game that sparked the conversation. The experienc...
Jun 18, 2025•8 min
Have you ever ended a relationship, spent some time single, then started dating someone new, only to realise… you’re basically dating your ex all over again? In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis shares some uncomfortable truths about why we tend to fall into the same toxic relationship patterns, often driven by our attachment styles. You’ll also learn: What the four attachment styles really mean How to identify your own attachment style How to recogni...
Jun 13, 2025•29 min
Introducing I Never Told You This: Two People. One big reveal. A simple card deck with questions. Some are light-hearted, some deeper…and one that says ‘I Never Told You This’ - the chance for one person to share something they’ve never told the other before. In the first episode of 'I Never Told You This', Mary and Martha Kalifatidis chat about their all-too-relatable experience of protectiveness and anxiety as parents. Head to Medibank to learn more about the Family Roast card game that sparke...
Jun 11, 2025•8 min
Are you feeling a bit “meh”? Like every day is on repeat and you’re craving something to shake things up? In this episode of But Are You Happy , clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis breaks down why we get stuck in ruts—and how to tell whether it’s just a temporary slump or something deeper like anxiety or depression. You'll also learn: Practical strategies to help you break out of a rut The symptoms of depression and how to seek support Ways to rediscover what brings you real joy How to ta...
Jun 06, 2025•31 min
Do you ever find it hard to say "no", especially to the people you care about most? In this episode of "But Are You Happy," Dr. Anastasia Hronis shares a practical, step-by-step guide to setting healthy boundaries without damaging your relationships and tells you exactly what to say. You will also learn: How to recognise the signs of a toxic relationship The psychology behind our instinct to say "yes" Why disappointing others feels so uncomfortable The underrated power of pausing before you comm...
May 30, 2025•28 min
