Can we learn to be happy, or is it something we're born with?

Research, including Martin Seligman’s theory of Learned Optimism, reveals that happiness need not be a passing feeling—it can be a skill we develop. The science is clear: happiness can be learned.

One simple yet powerful tool is savouring. While happiness may seem fleeting, pausing to fully experience joyful moments can stretch them, turning brief emotions into lasting contentment. By practising this regularly, we can significantly boost our overall well-being.

In this episode, I dive into the science of happiness with Sha-En Yeo, a leading Happiness Scientist.

Sha-En holds a Master’s in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied under Dr. Martin Seligman and Prof. Angela Duckworth. Over 13 years, she has inspired more than 25,000 people across Asia-Pacific with her keynotes and transformative coaching. You may know her from 913FM, her bestselling books, or her two TED talks. Sha-En also serves as President of the Asia Professional Speakers Association.

Fittingly, her name means “gratitude” and “kindness”—values that guide her work in spreading happiness.

If you’re ready to bring more happiness into your life or want to understand it from a scientific lens, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/077-the-anatomy-of-happiness-with-sha-en-yeo

Related Episode
#062 Authentic leadership without fluff with Mette Johansson
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Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep62apple

Connect with Sha-En
https://happinessscientists.com/

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https://howtolive.life/contact

About Sharad Lal
https://www.sharadlal.net/

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How do you reinvent yourself when you’ve already reached the top of one field?

It's a question many of us face as long careers, industry disruptions, or even boredom push us to rethink our path.

In the latest episode of the How to Live podcast, I sit down with the legendary sports broadcaster John Dykes, who shares his powerful and deeply personal story of stepping out of the broadcast spotlight and into corporate boardrooms.

For years, John was the trusted face of the Premier League, someone we all tuned in to see. But even before the broadcast industry in Southeast Asia faced disruption, John found himself questioning the purpose and relevance of what he was doing. After decades spent in Sports TV listening to the legends and unpicking their strategies, he began questioning his next move - convinced he wanted to inform, educate and entertain.

He spent two years exploring where he could still make an impact within the sports world—experiencing both triumphs and doubts. But a friend's remark changed everything: "John, you're more than just an entertaining dinner speech." Brutal, but it struck a chord.

Through various explorations, John realised his core skills—communication, crisis management, leadership lessons from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, and the Williams Sisters—were just as relevant in the corporate world. The stage may have shifted, but the principles remained the same.

With a natural gift for storytelling, John began helping corporate leaders, from investment bankers to senior executives, communicate powerfully, make strategic decisions, and even recruit with insights from football's greatest. Yet, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. He had to learn the ropes of commercialising his services, setting the right pricing, and designing programs from scratch.

What struck me most about John's journey wasn’t just his skillset—it was his mindset. Despite being at the peak of his career and a familiar face to millions, John approached this transition with humility, curiosity, and quiet determination. He was open to learning, adapting, and evolving.

Many of us are at a point where reinvention is necessary but scary. John’s story shows that reinvention is not only possible—it can be inspiring, even at the top of your game.

If you're looking to evolve and grow to the next stage of your career, this episode is for you.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/076-re-inventing-from-broadcast-to-boardrooms

Related Episode
#030 Re-inventing yourself with Sarah Lal
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep30spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep30apple

Connect with John
https://www.johndykes.co/

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https://howtolive.life/contact

About Sharad Lal
https://www.sharadlal.net/

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We start projects with excitement, but how often do we end up doom-scrolling when the going gets tough?

What really drives distraction? Is it flashy external stimuli or our internal discomfort?

Research shows it's primarily internal triggers. Even Plato and Aristotle grappled with this 2,500 years ago. While modern tech hasn't helped, it's not the root cause.

The key to beating distraction isn't just removing stimuli. It's about managing our discomfort to push through the boring parts and achieve our goals.

But how do we do that?

Tune into the 75th milestone episode of the How to Live Podcast for answers. I'm joined by the brilliant Nir Eyal, New York Times bestselling author of "Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life."

Nir isn't just an author - he's a behavioural design expert who's taught at Stanford, advised Fortune 500 companies, and invested in successful startups like Canva and Kahoot. His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and The New York Times, making him a true authority on building focus in our distraction-filled world.

Nir's expertise in psychology, technology, and business, coupled with his infectious energy, makes this episode a must-listen for any leader aiming to boost their focus and productivity.

Ready to take control of your attention and elevate your performance?

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/075-being-indistractable-with-nir-eyal

Related Episode
#010 Mindfulness 101 with Erin Lee
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep10spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep10apple

Connect with Nir
https://www.nirandfar.com/

Leave us a message
https://howtolive.life/contact

About Sharad Lal
https://www.sharadlal.net/

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