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 to know if your hormone levels are low, whether it's possible to take too high a dose, and also the potential consequences of not replacing your lost hormones as you get older, such as increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and even dementia. We dive in...
Jul 09, 2025•28 min•Season 15Ep. 9
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. This first episode is available for all Crappy to Happy listeners and focuses on what it means to cultivate self-trust and why so many of us struggle with it. Self-trust is the belief in your own abilities, judgments, and decisions, as well as the inner assuran...
Jul 01, 2025•28 min•Season 15Ep. 8
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 women without overt symptoms, and how it can play a significant role in maintaining long-term health. Dr Louise highlights that hormonal changes affect every cell in our bodies, leading to surprising symptoms that women may not initially connect to their hormonal s...
Jun 23, 2025•33 min•Season 15Ep. 7
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 our best selves, much like Michelangelo chipping away at stone to uncover a beautiful sculpture. Tune in to hear how actively supporting each other's growth by affirming the qualities and aspirations that align with your ideal self, leads to enhanced satisfacti...
Jun 12, 2025•23 min•Season 15Ep. 6
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 of liminal spaces—those uncomfortable periods of transition that often provoke anxiety. Anne-Laure shares her journey from a successful career at Google to studying neuroscience, emphasising the importance of curiosity and personal exploration over societal exp...
May 27, 2025•43 min•Season 15Ep. 5
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 inadvertently contribute to our own risk of burnout. Of course there are external pressures from our workplaces; but it’s important to look at how we interact with those pressures and the stories we're tell ourselves that are contributing to our chronic stress...
May 21, 2025•33 min•Season 15Ep. 4
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-term partnerships, particularly the sense of not being heard or satisfied. We explore the importance of owning our part in relationship dynamics while also recognising when our emotional needs aren’t being met. I share insights on how to navigate those tough conve...
May 14, 2025•30 min•Season 15Ep. 3
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 buzzwords that can make people roll their eyes, but stay with me! This month, we’re all about getting practical and relevant with mindfulness, addressing the stress, overwhelm, and uncertainty we face daily. Together, we'll explore what’s not working and set intent...
May 04, 2025•9 min•Season 15Ep. 2
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 the time. We discuss the importance of understanding both our best selves and our not-so-great moments, drawing connections between our moods, circumstances, and overall well-being. This episode is all about setting yourself up for success and identifying what...
May 01, 2025•29 min•Season 15Ep. 1
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 husband’s work being impacted by significant global events and unexpected health issues with his father. Meanwhile, we live in another country with no clear end date, which makes everything feel a little tenuous. I wanted to take the opportunity to mention the impor...
Apr 23, 2025•18 min•Season 14Ep. 11
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, explaining the psychological tactics employed by cult leaders to maintain control. After finally escaping, Carli’s struggles continued when she fought and won a defamation lawsuit brought upon her by her former cult leader. She also shares her frustration that her cul...
Apr 08, 2025•51 min•Season 14Ep. 10
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 into this fascinating finding, which highlights how our personal dissatisfaction with life often translates into political choices that can influence societal outcomes. It’s a wake-up call for all of us to reflect on our role in fostering social connections and ...
Mar 27, 2025•21 min•Season 14Ep. 9
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" artists and encourages everyone to embrace their creative impulses. Amie passionately argues that art is not just for the privileged few; it's an essential part of the human experience that everyone can and should engage in. Throughout our conversation, we del...
Mar 19, 2025•44 min•Season 14Ep. 8
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 revelations about ADHD and how it has shaped my relationship with alcohol. It’s not just about quitting drinking but understanding why we turn to these habits in the first place. Plus, I’m inviting you to complete a listener survey to help us grow and improve the...
Mar 12, 2025•22 min•Season 14Ep. 7
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, often leading to exhaustion and a sense of emptiness, despite achieving external markers of success. Dr. McQuaid shares her personal journey of discovering these patterns and the research that highlights how they manifest in our lives, particularly for women. T...
Mar 04, 2025•46 min•Season 14Ep. 6
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 - like your inner child or your inner perfectionist - can lead to greater self-awareness, self-compassion and personal growth. The episode highlights the importance of curiosity and kindness as you navigate your emotional landscape, encouraging you to accept all the...
Feb 25, 2025•22 min•Season 14Ep. 5
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 exclusive content, tools, resources and a vibrant community. Apple listeners, your options for subscribing are: Subscribe directly in the App OR or if you prefer to engage more fully in the community Subscribe at https://cassdunn.substack.com Spotify listeners ,...
Feb 20, 2025•3 min•Season 14Ep. 4
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 creative outlets or hobbies that allow for personal expression and fulfilment. By reconnecting with activities that light you up, you not only enhance your own mental health but also bring a more vibrant energy to your relationships with others. It's time to recl...
Jan 30, 2025•22 min•Season 14Ep. 3
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 how she uses her knowledge to optimise her own health, happiness and success. She urges listeners to conduct an inventory of what they identify with to foster flexibility and resilience in their lives. She argues that rigid identities can limit personal growth. T...
Jan 22, 2025•49 min•Season 14Ep. 2
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 chance of achieving them. Cass shares how her personal experience with ADHD has prompted a shift in her goal-setting strategies. Rather than allowing the diagnosis to frame her identity, she embraces it as a catalyst for change, using it to inform her approach to pl...
Jan 14, 2025•29 min•Season 14Ep. 1
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 century with her breakthrough technology Muse: The Brain Sensing Headband . Her mission is to help you do a deep dive in understanding your brain, getting real time feedback on your brain activity, breath, movement and heartbeat, as well as monitoring the quali...
Dec 30, 2024•32 min•Season 13Ep. 11
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 podcast launching in 2025, aimed at fostering community and providing more exclusive content. Cass also shares her recent ADHD diagnosis, discussing the personal challenges associated with it, why you might question whether you have it or not, and concludes with a ...
Dec 19, 2024•24 min•Season 13Ep. 10
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 conversation delves into her experiences with MDMA therapy, the profound emotional shift she experienced and how as a result, for the first time, she felt safe in her body. Cass and Rebecca discuss the future of MDMA therapy in Australia as it is now an authorised tre...
Dec 11, 2024•52 min•Season 13Ep. 9
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 emphasises the importance of self-care, setting boundaries, and recognising when helping others compromises your own well-being. She encourages listeners to prioritise their needs and to be honest in their relationships, asserting that saying no is not selfish but rat...
Dec 05, 2024•30 min•Season 13Ep. 8
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 and 16 rounds of IVF, and the significant financial, physical, and emotional toll of infertility. The episode delves into the legal and emotional complexities of surrogacy in Australia, the vital role of hope and resilience, and the deepening of Lisa and Sarah'...
Nov 25, 2024•46 min•Season 13Ep. 7
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 this conversation, Imogen shares what she has learned about grief from her own experience, including all the things no-one tells you, and how to support someone who has lost someone they love. Find out more about Imogen, Sal and Good Mourning: www.goodmourning....
Oct 30, 2024•45 min•Season 13Ep. 6
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 a mental behaviour that provides an illusion of control but ultimately detracts from present joy. Cass emphasises the importance of understanding the physiological aspects of anxiety and offers practical strategies for managing uncertainty and worry, including...
Oct 24, 2024•28 min•Season 13Ep. 5
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' and she's here to assure you that you do not need a "Dopamine Detox". Instead, she discusses the importance of finding balance between hedonic and eudaimonic pleasures, the significance of identifying personal values, and practical strategies for managing dopamin...
Sep 30, 2024•36 min•Season 13Ep. 4
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 insights, Cass emphasises the importance of understanding commitment, non-attachment, and the role of personal values in achieving true fulfilment. The conversation also touches on spiritual concepts of ego and essence, encouraging listeners to find peace in their...
Sep 19, 2024•21 min•Season 13Ep. 3
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, balancing our physical health, and facilitating social interactions. She explains the different states of the nervous system and provides strategies for regulating a dysregulated nervous system. Connect with Jessica: www.jessicamaguire.com www.instagram.com/r...
Sep 10, 2024•49 min•Season 13Ep. 2
