Handbook To Happiness – Details, episodes & analysis

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Handbook To Happiness

The Speakmans

Health & Fitness

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/10d. Total Eps: 22

No-one is born with an instruction manual, so in the absence of a handbook to life, join us, our therapy family, as we create that Handbook To Happiness.

We're The Speakmans - comprising of 2 therapists, Nik & Eva, with 3 scientific research papers published, and a clinical trial backing up the efficacy of our self-developed approach; our daughter Liv, a University of Oxford Psychologist & Neuroscientist graduate; and our son Hunter, a medical student currently studying in the United States of America.

We'll be sharing with you lots of tips, techniques, advice, and personal stories, surrounding a whole host of mental health topics, to start breaking down the barriers to your happiness.

Thought-provoking, relatable, helpful, and often hilarious, The Speakman family welcome you to join them for an around the table talk like no other!

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Data updated on 04/07/2026

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Score global : 83%

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Children Facing Trauma: Past & Present

Season 2 · Episode 11

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 • Duration 47:19

How does childhood trauma lead to weight issues, phobias, anxieties, OCD, low self-esteem, social anxiety, sleep issues, and other anxiety disorders in adulthood?

If you’ve been a child, or had one, then this episode is for you!

This week The Speakmans explore how your informative years really do shape your adulthood.

They're joined by special guest, acting agent and drama school proprietor Carol Godby BEM, who for over 30 years has worked with, helped, positively impacted, observed and launched the careers of many young people. Carol brings a wealth of experience, in regards how both trauma and parents, can impact children.

Liv shares her own experience of school bullying, and how finding a hobby built her up, and contributed to the confident woman she is today.

An array of topics are discussed; including the pressures of childhood, and the importance of communication with your children, treating them as fellow humans, as opposed to lesser beings. Additionally The Speakmans discuss the impact of newer challenges facing children, such as the impacts of social media, gaming, and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on children's social skills.

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Can You Ever Overcome An OCD?

Season 2 · Episode 10

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 • Duration 49:39

In this week's fascinating OCD episode, The Speakmans will answer:

What is an OCD?
Are we born with it?
Could it be genetic?
And if there is a cause, what is this, and how do you find it?

The Speakmans explain the difference between OCD & Pure O, plus discuss why it is we carry out OCD behaviours, as well as sharing the various types of OCDs that they’ve encountered in their clinic.

They question whether intrusive thoughts are in fact just thoughts; discussing the reason we have these, and the science behind them.

The family share the reasons why OCD often accelerates with each passing year, the link between OCD & confirmation bias, and why the 'OCD' label often only makes things worse.

Liv shares her own OCD behaviours displayed when she sat her exams, but also the science behind this ritual thought process. In this week's Science Corner, she also discusses the triggers that often make OCD behaviours manifest.

Hunter shares his OCD exam time behaviours, whilst the family question if Eva’s cleaning is a trait of OCD, or in fact just her high standards.

Client case studies are discussed, with The Speakmans sharing their process used to cure OCD, in the hope this helps others who may too be struggling.

This episode is filled with an abundance of incredibly helpful tips, and most of all, The Speakmans' absolute belief that everyone and anyone can overcome their OCD.

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Plagued By Procrastination?

Season 2 · Episode 9

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 • Duration 44:13

Procrastination is the thief of progress, opportunity, exciting adventures and brand new experiences.

This week The Speakmans discuss why we procrastinate, and how we can make simple but positive changes to part ways with our procrastination.

If your progress is plagued by the statement "I just don’t have time”, The Speakmans share how you can create this. They also explain why saying "yes" too often actually adds to the burden, anchoring you in this pattern of procrastination.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to leave work at work, the impact of mess on the mind, plus the link between mental health challenges and procrastination, as well as the influence of the pressure to be perfect.

In this week's Science Corner, Liv explains why we default to postponing our progress, and how catastrophising actually makes this worse.

Whether it’s work, housework, going to the gym, or even taking steps to fulfill your dreams, in this episode you'll be presented with an abundance of simple tips, to help you prevent the pattern of procrastinating.

If you're someone who puts things off, don't delay listening to this episode!

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The Recipe For Happiness

Season 2 · Episode 8

Wednesday, November 6, 2024 • Duration 50:01

If happiness were a cake, this week The Speakmans' are sharing their magical recipe.

Questions answered include:

Are The Speakmans always happy?
Were they born happy?
Do Liv & Hunter feel pressure to be happy, being the children of therapists?
How do The Speakmans' deal with life’s challenges?

The family talk comparison and how this can crush your happiness, as well as discussing the influence of family, friends, work colleagues, low self-esteem, trauma and stresses, whether these be current, or in the past.

Nik explains both how and why unresolved worries and anxieties grow, as well as why the line “I’ll be happy when…” defers your chance to be happy now.

You will learn how life is like a game of snakes and ladders, and how and why having goals, no matter how small these may be, creates happiness; giving you focus, drive, energy and purpose.

We hear how Hunter starts the day singing himself happy, even with an unexpected audience, and in this week's Science Corner, Liv shares how a fall or fail nearer to your destination actually feels so much bigger, plus how only 46% of people who are struggling with their mental health, actually speak out.

In this episode, you really are gifted with The Speakmans' jam-packed toolbox for happiness.

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Can You Ever Break Free From Addiction?

Season 2 · Episode 7

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 • Duration 48:17

An emotional episode underpinned by hope, help & healing.

Addiction is often a taboo subject, but whether it’s alcohol, food, gambling, drugs, exercise, sugar or social media, this episode offers understanding, an explanation, and the answer as to how to heal from addiction.

Eva opens up about how her life was affected, and why addiction can lead to catastrophising, self-hatred, feeling like life always goes wrong for you; and to making your world a very negative place.

This week, The Speakmans are joined by Paul, who visited them in 2006 for help with his alcoholism. Paul shares his journey with alcohol from the age of 12, as well as his traumas from the age of 3, that led him to walk through The Speakmans' door.

Paul shares his journey before meeting Nik & Eva, together with the growth of his issue from being a social drinker, to a daily drinker, when he would normalise and justify his behaviour, to avoid accepting his issue.

Paul also shares his life now, 18 years after therapy with The Speakmans, and having faced further devastating trauma, as he bravely shares the harrowing and devastating loss of his daughter.

In this week's Science Corner, Liv explains the science behind addiction, and why the need for our fix can accelerate, due to how the brain adjusts. She also explains how casinos use psychology research, and knowledge of how addictions are created, to manipulate customers into gambling more.

Learn how people can affect your recovery, how childhood trauma can lead to self-medication in adulthood, and how you don’t need willpower if the cause of your addiction is effectively addressed.

The Speakmans advise how to prevent weight gain if quitting smoking, the many reasons behind addiction, and their own ‘go to’ if they need to switch off.

This episode offers you numerous tips to help you, or a loved one, from the path of addiction, to the path of freedom & happiness.

Help! I Can't Sleep!

Season 2 · Episode 6

Wednesday, October 23, 2024 • Duration 42:23

We’re all born with the ability to sleep, so why do so many of us struggle to do so?

Get comfy, and get ready to discover your recipe to a good night's sleep, as The Speakmans share how your poor sleep is actually a symptom, behind which always lies a cause. Hear many examples of what causes poor sleep, to help listeners explore their potential causes, as well as how to address these.

Eva admits the one major incompatibility in her relationship with Nik, whilst also sharing why poor sleep often leads to a poor diet, poor eating patterns, and therefore weight gain. She also candidly opens up about the effects of growing up in a turbulent home, witnessing domestic violence, experiencing kidney failure, and watching violent crime; whilst Nik admits to the devastating effects of his chronic inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and toxic megacolon.

Hunter, the Speakman family's ‘Prince of the Power Nap’, shares his daily nap time schedule, as well as his ability to fall asleep in any place, at any time, anywhere.

Both junior Speakmans share this week's Science Corner, with Liv sharing research in regards sleep, the different stages, the ideal time to nap, and how to prevent waking up feeling groggy. There’s also fascinating facts on how to know if you’re getting the best and right amount of sleep, and how certain foods can affect your sleeping (circadian) rhythm.

Hunter shares the biological effects of sleeping tablets & melatonin supplements on uninterrupted sleep, and Liv gives a refreshing sleep hack, as well as sharing her personal experience on how to sleep through an earthquake.

Grab a notepad and pen or you’ll need a second listen, as this episode offers a barrage of peaceful sleep hacks, help, tips and solutions.

Sweet dreams!

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Parenting For Better Mental Health

Season 2 · Episode 5

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 • Duration 50:33

Wouldn’t it be great if we, or at least our children, came with an instruction manual!

This podcast episode will help you to navigate through your journey as a parent, and will teach you how to support your children who may be suffering with their mental health, as well as help you to understand and allow you to make peace with your own parents' parenting.

Is there such a thing as the perfect parent? Do you carry guilt because you have to work, or don’t have the time or means to actually give your children what you wish you could? Or perhaps you worry that your mental health issues will negatively affect your children in the future?

Learn the psychology behind why children push boundaries, as well as simple bonding tips, how to help children struggling with anxiety issues, bullying, and exam stress; plus how to approach sensitive topics, including a parental addiction.

This episode explores the repercussions of low self-esteem, both as a parent and a child, plus the adverse effects of overprotective parenting, overbuying, and comparison.

Eva admits that she never wanted children, and Liv quizzes Nik on how he proposed (including exclusive details of Eva's vomit-covered acceptance).

Nik shares his Star Trek upbringing, and Hunter’s unintentional Darth Vader/Barry White impression creates a rather hilarious discussion.

If you were ever a child, have parents, or are a parent; this episode will really resonate.

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Aerophobia: If You Fear Flying Or Just Hate Turbulence!

Season 2 · Episode 4

Wednesday, October 9, 2024 • Duration 52:42

If you fear flying, or are terrified of turbulence - this episode is for you!

This week The Speakmans explain the possible causes of a fear of flying (and of all phobias generally), then share their step by step fix-it formula, to help you address your fear.

They will share why you may not know the origin of your fear, plus their magic words to retrieve and understand your installation.

Questions answered in this episode include: Why did my fear of flying become apparent after having children? Can sceptics be helped? Can one fear transfer to another? Is turbulence dangerous? What happens if a plane is hit by lightning? What if the engines fail? Can a plane just fall out of the sky?

The Speakmans also catch up with David, after helping him on TV 9 years ago. Did The Speakmans' process really work? And most importantly, 9 years later... did it last?

EPISODE EXCLUSIVES:

- Eva admits her terror of turbulence

- The man, the myth, the legend - Nik admits the truth behind the stolen penguin urban myth!

- One of Nik’s jokes actually makes Eva laugh (yes, really!)

- Nik & Liv share how they went out for groceries, yet came home with an array of reptiles and a tarantula

- The Speakmans share parental advice for taking long haul flights with little ones

- Liv shares how aviation could prevent future medical error, and how you might actually be making your fear worse!

- Do you feel your fear is the result of ‘not being in control’? The Speakmans bust that myth!

This episode is packed with an abundance of help, and facts that will start to ease your fears, to start your journey to overcoming your fear of flying.

Rejection, Abandonment, Heartbreak & Empty Nest

Season 2 · Episode 3

Wednesday, October 2, 2024 • Duration 39:37

A powerful episode from the Speakman family, encompassing the feelings of abandonment that come from parental or partner rejection or divorce. The Speakmans also discuss empty nest syndrome, as we're now at that time of year when your children may be leaving for school, university or to follow their dreams! Additionally, not forgetting the overwhelming emptiness of grief, and the emotional repercussions of adoption, and younger siblings being born.

This week Eva admits to her breakdown in the biscuit aisle, whilst Liv & Hunter explain how a lasagna came in front of Nik & Eva, and how taking part in Celebrity Hunted allowed them both to grow.

Nik shares the story of his first day at school, when he felt totally abandoned, and Eva opens up about the overwhelming feelings of emptiness and lack of purpose when Hunter left for university.

Liv talks about adapting after her long-term relationship ended, and the family share the often life-changing repercussions of grief, adoption, a sibling being born, a parent leaving through choice or death, and so much more.

This episode will offer you the tools to restructure your beliefs, and set you free from the pain of feeling unworthy, unloved, abandoned or rejected.

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Overwhelmed By Overwhelm?!

Season 2 · Episode 2

Wednesday, September 25, 2024 • Duration 40:35

Are you overwhelmed by overwhelm? Do you feel powerless and totally out of control? Do you have too much to do, but not enough time, energy or resources in order to complete your tasks?

In this week's episode, Liv shares how overwhelm left her at breaking point, whilst Eva shares her simple system to address overwhelm, that she uses both in her capacity as a mum, and as a therapist. She also shares a different view, of how feeling overwhelmed actually excites her, and gives her a purpose.

Nik gets teased about his accent, and being an advanced driver; plus he gives us a good giggle with his famous ‘dad jokes’.

In this week's 'Science Corner', Liv shares the 'Zeigarnik Effect', which explains why we can’t ignore incomplete tasks, all adding to our feelings of overwhelm.

You’ll be told about the brilliant Speakman Success 7 technique, which helps with prioritisation, organisation and even restful sleep; as well as learning the importance of saying no, and how social media contributes to overwhelm.

Finally, Hunter shares his exciting news!

In this episode, The Speakmans will guide you through the maze of overwhelm, to show you a simple solution to freedom.

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Handbook To Happiness – Details, episodes & analysis

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Handbook To Happiness – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify