But Are You Happy?

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 relationship How to navigate life with a narcissist, whether it’s a partner, friend, or family member The difference between a narcissist you can manage and one who can't be reasoned with If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic, family, or sexual violence, you can contact 1800RESPECT — the national counselling and support service — on 1800 737 732. 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.  Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Jacob Round Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on. Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 toward real clinical understanding.You’ll also learn: How BPD develops What’s happening in the brain and body when emotions take longer to settle after a trigger How healing involves balancing self-acceptance with meaningful behavioural change Why BPD isn’t a fixed “label,” and what recovery can actually look like 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 with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! Listen to more Mamamia podcasts here. Did you know some of our shows are now in video on the Apple Podcast app? Make sure your phone is up to date and check it out here! CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Group Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Jacob Round Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 might be struggling with self-worth Practical ways to build self-compassion 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.  Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Executive Producer: Naima Brown Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Audio Producer: Jacob Round Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 leaning on chatbots might be weakening your problem-solving skills How reflecting more and embracing messy drafts can protect your creativity Why AI can make us feel so “seen” How AI voices, not just text, can trigger the brain’s bonding chemicals 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 with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! Listen to more Mamamia podcasts here. Did you know some of our shows are now in video on the Apple Podcast app? Make sure your phone is up to date and check it out here! CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Group Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Jacob Round Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 just an extension of our social evolution (until they aren’t) How to cultivate healthy engagement with online personalities Watch the podcast on YouTube here. Get a 50% OFF DISCOUNT to see us at DomeFest. Link 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 with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy! Listen to more Mamamia podcasts here. Did you know some of our shows are now in video on the Apple Podcast app? Make sure your phone is up to date and check it out here! Get 25% off Nala with your Mamamia subscription. Click here to get your code ends April 1st. CREDITS: Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman Group Executive Producer: Naima Brown Audio Producer: Jacob Round Mamamia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which we have recorded this podcast.Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.