Life Happens*

Have you ever followed advice… and ended up feeling worse?In this episode of Life Happens* (but you can too!), Michelle and Nick explore the surprising risks behind something we all do: giving and receiving advice.Why do we feel so compelled to offer advice—are we really helping, or just trying to feel useful?And why can the same advice be life-changing for one person… but harmful for another?They unpack the psychology behind advice, including how communication style, timing, and personal context can completely change its impact.Plus, Nick shares a story about giving media advice to someone connected to one of the world’s biggest bands—and what happened next.Want to understand your own approach? Take the communication style quiz they discuss in the episode:https://www.wikihow.com/Communication-Style-Quiz🎧 Listen now to rethink the advice you give—and the advice you take.Life Happens* — but you can too!You will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

Why can the end of a friendship hurt just as much — or even more — than a breakup?In this episode of Life Happens*, Michelle and Nick continue their deep dive into friendship by exploring what happens when friendships change, fade, or come to an end.Why is friendship heartbreak so rarely talked about?Why can making new friends as an adult feel so difficult?And what happens when you realise you’ve outgrown someone you once felt close to?With their trademark inter-generational perspective, Michelle and Nick also tackle the question: can men and women ever have truly platonic friendships? And how do we recognise the qualities that make someone a real, lasting friend?Plus, there’s another chance to take the friendship quiz and discover what kind of friend you are:https://www.wikihow.com/Relationships/Friendship-Quiz🎧 Listen now for an honest conversation about friendship, loss, connection, and why maintaining meaningful relationships matters so much for our wellbeing.Life Happens* — but you can too!You will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

“A good friend will always stab you in the front.”But what actually makes a good friend? Hopefully, someone who won’t stab you at all!In this episode of Life Happens* (*but you can too!), Michelle and Nick explore the reality of friendship—one of the most important, and often most misunderstood, relationships in our lives.Why do we assume friendships should be easy, when they can be some of the hardest relationships to maintain?How do strong friendships begin?What keeps them going?And how do we cope when they change—or end?With their usual mix of honesty, humour, and psychology, Michelle and Nick unpack the expectations we place on friends and what truly matters in lasting connections.Plus, take this week’s friendship quiz to discover what kind of friend you are—and compare your results with theirs:https://www.wikihow.com/Relationships/Friendship-Quiz🎧 Listen now to rethink what friendship really means.Life Happens* — but you can too!You will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

Ever said “it’s fine” when it really wasn’t?When someone cancels plans.When a throwaway comment ruins your day.When something does matter… but you pretend it doesn’t.In this episode of Life Happens* (but you can too!), Michelle and Nick explore the psychology of micro-rejections — the small moments we downplay that can have a surprisingly big emotional impact.Why do we minimise what we feel?What does that do to us over time?And why is closure so important, even in the smallest interactions?They unpack how to recognise these patterns, understand your reactions, and respond in a healthier, more self-aware way.Plus, Michelle shares some big personal news, and there’s a values quiz you can take to better understand what really matters to you:https://www.wikihow.com/What-Are-My-Values🎧 Listen now to rethink the moments you’ve been brushing off.Life Happens* — but you can too!You will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

“Young people today… think they invented sex.”A line Nick remembers hearing when he was one of the “young people.”So… are the generations really that different—or just repeating the same arguments?In this episode of Life Happens*, Michelle and Nick take on generational stereotypes, exploring why different age groups often clash, compete, or even fear each other. Are these differences real—or exaggerated over time?They also dig into how changing technology, culture, and expectations have made some traditional life skills feel outdated—and whether that’s progress or loss.Are older generations out of touch… or do they know something we don’t?Plus, take the fun “Which generation do you belong to?” quiz and compare your results with Michelle and Nick!https://www.wikihow.com/What-Generation-Am-I-Quiz🎧 Listen now for insight, humour, and honest intergenerational debate.Life Happens* — but you can too!You will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

Do you ever feel exhausted by things that shouldn’t matter?In this week’s episode of Life Happens*, Michelle and Nick talk about the problems that feel too small to complain about… but too big to ignore.The tiny frustrations. The constant pressure. The quiet build-up.Michelle calls it “death by a thousand paper cuts.”There’s actually a name for it — microstress. It’s what happens when we ignore the small things… until they quietly start taking a toll.In this episode, Michelle and Nick each share a mini crisis of their own — and ask:When does something “small” become something serious?Find out more and join the conversation on Life Happens**but you can too!You will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

Why did no one warn me that life is such a scam?If you’ve ever thought that… this episode is for you.In the latest Life Happens, Michelle and Nick dive into the things no one tells you about adulthood — from the shock of real responsibility to the strange feeling that you never quite become a “proper” adult.They explore leaving home and what that really feels like, freedom vs responsibility, the hidden psychological costs of adult life, why your “inner child” never really leaves, and more.And… how much of an adult are you, really?Take the quiz they try in the episode and compare your result:https://archive.thetab.com/uk/2019/07/11/take-this-quiz-to-find-out-how-much-of-an-adult-you-actually-are-110831Listen now to Life Happens* and join the conversation.You will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

Does your job define who you are? And should it?In this episode of Life Happens*, Michelle and Nick explore one of the biggest modern dilemmas: are we expecting too much from our work? Should your career provide purpose and identity—or simply fund the life you really want to live?They unpack the pressure of finding a “dream job,” the reality of being judged by what you do for a living, and whether separating work from identity might actually lead to a happier, more balanced life.Do you have a dream job… or a job that pays for the dream?Plus, take the career quiz mentioned in the episode to discover what roles might suit your skills, strengths, and interests—and see how accurate it really is:https://www.123test.com/career-test/🎧 Listen now and rethink what work really means to you.Life Happens* — but you can too!And, as promised, here’s the link to the article and photos from Luxembourg that Nick mentions:www.undercoverofthewriteviandenandclervauxluxembourgYou will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

Are endless options actually making life harder—or just more confusing?In this episode of Life Happens*, Michelle and Nick explore what it means to live in a world full of choices—especially in dating and careers.Do dating apps expand our possibilities, or quietly make commitment harder? And what happened to the kind of chance encounters that turn into lifelong love stories?Michelle reflects on her dating future, while Nick shares lessons (and a few entertaining stories) from his past—including his unforgettable swimming pool story.They also dive into the pressure of today’s job market, where “a job for life” no longer exists. When everything is possible, how do you choose anything at all?Plus: Nick puts Michelle to the test with a “dating material” quiz—and you can play along too:https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=are-you-dating-material-quizJoin the conversation with Life Happens**but you can tooYou will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

Would you rather have one guaranteed good option or five uncertain great ones?In this episode of Life Happens* (*but you can too!), hosts Michelle R Williams and Nick Hirst explore the psychology of choice and decision-making.From choosing schools and careers to navigating everyday life decisions, they discuss whether modern life offers too many choices — and whether that freedom actually makes us happier or more anxious. They also compare today’s decision-making pressures with earlier generations, when life options were often far more limited.Plus, you can test your own decision-making style with a quick quiz and see where you fall on the spectrum of cautious vs spontaneous decision-makers.🎧 Listen now to explore whether more choice really leads to a better life — or simply harder decisions.Decision-making style quiz:https://www.buzzfeed.com/natalyalobanova/deicison-making-style-personality-wuizPhotos from Nick’s Luxembourg trip:https://undercoverofthewriteluxembourgreviewYou will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

You know your chronological age — just count the candles on your last birthday cake. But is that how old you actually feel?In this episode of Life Happens*, hosts Michelle R Williams and Nick Hirst explore the fascinating psychology of subjective age — the age we perceive ourselves to be.Originally, the concept of mental age was used to measure intellectual development. But researchers are increasingly interested in subjective age and how it connects to physical health, mindset, social engagement, and even longevity.Michelle and Nick — representing two different generations — compare their own subjective age test results, and the answers might surprise you.🎧 Listen now as they discuss ageing, identity, and how society shapes the way we think about getting older.Before you light the candles on your next birthday cake… you might want to find out how old you really feel.Life Happens* — but you can too!You will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcastAnd here’s the link to the online test you can take to fine out your subjective age as talked about in the episode: https://www.idrlabs.com/subjective-age/test.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Do we remember our lives as they really happened — or do we quietly edit the past to make it more coherent, meaningful… or even dramatic?In this episode of Life Happens* (*but you can too!), hosts Michelle R Williams and Nick Hirst explore the psychology of memory and how it shapes our identity.Michelle reflects on 21 years of memories, while Nick has decades to draw from — yet it’s Nick who claims the earliest memory, dating back to age two. How reliable are early memories? And do the stories we repeat about ourselves become who we are?You’ll also hear practical memory techniques to improve recall at work, school, and especially in exams — plus Nick’s unforgettable story of interviewing Ozzy Osbourne in Los Angeles.🎧 Listen now to rethink how your memory works — and whether it even needs to be accurate to matter.Life Happens* — but you can too!And here's the link to Nick's website with a picture of him and Ozzy together...https://theshapeofrain.wordpress.com/about/  You will find everything about Life Happens* here:https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast

Are some emotions really “bad” — or are we just uncomfortable with them?Jealousy. Regret. Neediness. Boredom. Grief.Why are these feelings socially labelled as negative? And what happens when we suppress them instead of understanding them?In this episode of Life Happens, hosts Michelle R Williams and Nick Hirst explore emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and whether we’re too quick to judge our own inner world.They also reflect on what the Inside Out films reveal about emotional expression, and discuss when it’s healthy to share what we’re feeling — and when it might be harder than we admit.And here’s the link to the social intelligence test they talk about: https://socialintelligence.labinthewild.org/mite/🎧 Listen now and rethink the emotions you’ve been calling “negative.”Life Happens* — *but you can too!Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

Are your coping mechanisms actually part of your personality—and what would you be like without them?Listen now to the latest episode of ‘Life Happens*’, where hosts Michelle R Williams and Nick Hirst explore the psychology behind the habits and behaviours we rely on to navigate stress, relationships, and everyday life. Why do we develop coping mechanisms? Where do they come from? And are they helping—or holding us back?What do your coping mechanisms say about you?Are you an over-thinker… an avoider… an optimist… or something else entirely?Nick and Michelle took a psychology quiz to find out — and the results sparked a surprisingly honest conversation about how we all cope with life, stress, and everything in between. You can find it here:https://www.idrlabs.com/the-cope-inventory/test.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com🎧 Check out Life Happens* and be part of the conversation.*but you can too!Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

“What animal would you choose to be?” It sounds like a fun icebreaker—but it’s increasingly being asked in real job interviews. Why do employers ask it? Is there a right answer? And what can our animal choices reveal about personality, behaviour, and self-awareness?In this episode of Life Happens* (but you can too!), inter-generational hosts Michelle R Williams and Nick Hirst explore the psychology behind this unusual interview question and what we can learn from the animal kingdom about ourselves.They even put themselves to the test with a popular online quiz to discover their own animal matches—and show you how to try it for yourself.Click here to take the quiz: https://www.wikihow.com/What-Animal-Am-IMichelle also talks about some psychology experiments that started with animals but are hugely important in understanding the human mind.If you are interested in that topic, she encourages you to watch this video about Harlow's monkey experiment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrNBEhzjg8I🎧 Listen now to uncover the meaning behind the question—and maybe release the animal in you.Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

How do different cultures show emotion—and what can reality TV reveal about emotional expression?In this episode of Life Happens*, Michelle and Nick explore how UK and US versions of the same reality TV show display strikingly different emotional responses. They unpack the cultural idea of “keeping a stiff upper lip,” its surprising American origins, and whether we’re becoming more emotionally literate as a society.🎧 Listen in to this week’s episode as the two, inter-generational hosts discuss whether we are becoming more emotionally literate.Check it out now to see where you might be on the emotions spectrumLife Happens**but you can too!Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

What are the biggest cultural differences between the USA, the UK, and Europe?In this episode of Life Happens*, Michelle and Nick share real-life observations from living and working abroad. Michelle is fresh from six months living and working in Chicago and Nick has made multiple work-based trips across the US. Here they compare American, British, and European culture — from friendliness and work–life balance to parenting, patriotism, food, and even language. Honest insights, humour, and lived experience.🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

Have you ever thought about moving abroad or starting a new life in another country? Uprooting yourself — and possibly your family — in the hope of a better lifestyle is a big decision, but one many people consider at the start of a new year.In this episode of Life Happens*, we explore what it’s really like to relocate overseas. Is the grass truly greener when you move to another country, or do the challenges of expat life outweigh the rewards? From culture shock and homesickness to career changes and personal growth, we dive into the realities of living abroad.The Life Happens* hosts speak from first-hand experience. Michelle has recently returned after six months living in the USA, while Nick is currently living in his sixth country. Together, they share honest insights into international relocation — the highs and lows, the benefits and drawbacks, and the unexpected lessons learned along the way.If you’re thinking about moving overseas, considering an international move, or simply curious about life as an expat, this episode offers practical advice, real stories, and plenty of food for thought.🎧 Listen now to Life Happens* and join the conversation about moving abroad, embracing change, and building a life beyond borders.Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

Are you trapped in a stereotypical path through life? Do you feel stuck and want to make a change? Ever wonder if it’s possible to go your own way?New year...new beginnings, and this week the ‘Life Happens*’ team discuss breaking out of a life you may feel stuck in. Michelle, the young half of the team, is just starting out on her journey and contemplates the choices ahead and how to make them.Nick, the ‘seasoned pro’ on the team has never trodden a conventional path and has the tales to prove it! He offers some helpful advice about finding what you’re good at and using that to make your life fun.Listen now to ‘Go your own way’ and find out how you can make the key choices for a better life. It’s a new year...it could be a new you.Check out ‘Life Happens*’ now and be part of the conversation.*but you can too!Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

Stand by for fireworks this week as the ‘Life Happens*’ team contemplate the impending arrival of 2026.‘Should old acquaintance be forgot?’ is the question asked once a year in many English speaking countries as revellers join hands to sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ on the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. But why? Where does this tradition come from?And did you know that in one country New Year’s Eve was an extra special celebration because Christmas was banned there for over 400 years? What country?Then there’s the prickly topic of New Year’s resolutions. Good or bad thing? Michelle and Nick discuss the pros and cons and Michelle offers an interesting and practical alternative.Check out ‘Life Happens*’ now and start the new year as you mean to go on – making life happen for you!Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

’Tis the season to be jolly...or is it? For some, this is the most glorious time of the year, for others...not so much.The ‘Life Happens*’ Christmas Special is a must listen cracker of an episode full of all kinds of aural stocking fillers! From chat about Christmas traditions in different cultures to Michelle and Nick’s reflections of their own Christmases Past.From discussing the difference between Santa Claus and Father Christmas to the origins of Christmas traditions and food, and so much more including a mysterious, and slightly scary, dancing baby!Nick and Michelle also talk about the mental health challenges the holiday season can cause and how to find some peace and happiness despite everything.Join the conversation with Michelle R Williams and Nick Hirst in the bumper Christmas episode of ‘Life Happens*’. We hope you have a good one!*but you can too!Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

This week the focus is very much on respecting your mental health. The way you see yourself, the way you think others see you, how you fit into society – is it all in your mind?Join the conversation with Michelle and Nick and get their generationally mixed view of a fresh perspective and seasoned experience.Back in the day the cure-all for any kind of mental health condition was an ill-directed ‘pull yourself together’! Now we are a bit more enlightened.Listen to the latest episode of ‘Life Happens*’ and find out why it’s crucial to be self-aware and comfortable with yourself.*but you can too!Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

Time travel is on the agenda this week...well, not literally, of course. It’s not really a thing – is it? But if it was – would you travel back in time to speak with your younger self? Tell them that things will get better...and worse! And just tell them to be proud.Michelle would and explains why.Check the latest episode of ‘Life Happens*’ now to hear Michelle and Nick debate the benefits their younger selves might have gained from their more experienced, present day versions.Michelle talks about healing and taking care of your inner child, while Nick believes in having dreams to aspire to and help build a life plan.Is it possible to balance a career with emotional stability?Join the conversation now on 'Life Happens*'. You can’t change the past but you can shape the future – just be proud.*but you can too!Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

Don’t miss the latest episode for the ultimate origin story. How did two people of different generations, different genders, even different nationalities, ever come together to present a podcast?And why?Listen now to two people from wildly different backgrounds came together in such random circumstances and found they shared beliefs and interests in...well...almost everything! And how their different life experiences led them to make sense of their lives and how to survive everything life throws at them.Click play now and listen to Michelle R Williams and Nick Hirst as they talk about how their experiences can help and encourage you to successfully navigate whatever life throws at you.Whatever that might be!Join the conversation now, and watch out for the sting in the tail!Life Happens**but you can too!Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

Could there be a disagreement brewing between our two hosts? Michelle admits to a fear of always being behind her peers, while Nick doesn’t think that’s a thing; that you can’t measure yourself against other people’s achievements.What they both agree on is that it’s never too late!Check this episode out and find out how you can get the confidence to start anything new – at any time of your life.Listen to Michelle R Williams and Nick Hirst as they discuss how to minimise and get past the obstacles that are tripping you up as you navigate through life.Listen now and join the conversation!Life Happens* and not always in the way you want. But it’s never too late to make that change.*but you can too!Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

This episode is a must listen if you have ever wanted to start anything new – a new project, a job, an educational course, pursue a new idea, make a change in your life, start a new relationship.Anything!But then you get stuck. All those old doubts start to creep in. You don’t want to move out of your comfort zone. All your plans stall. Your best intentions get stuck. Life gets in the way and suddenly you have a million excuses not to start something new.Don’t give up! Listen to Michelle R Williams and Nick Hirst as they launch a brand new podcast series – Life Happens* – and talk about how they started something new from scratch.If you have ever felt stuck or overwhelmed or tired of letting fear of trying something new dictate your life – hit play now!Join the conversation and learn how to stop making excuses and overcome obstacles. Life Happens* – and you can be a part of it. Listen now!*and you can too!  Follow Life Happens* on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifehappens.podcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lifehappens.podcast?_r=1&_t=ZN-91UHpA5fArG

You know the feeling, everything’s going fine then – bang! Life happens and derails all your plans and aspirations. We’ve all been there! Something you couldn’t predict gets in the way. You don’t want people telling you what to do, or giving you needless advice; you just want to know you’re not alone. And you’re not! Check out 'Life Happens*' with Michelle R. Williams and Nick Hirst on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music, or YouTube. Don’t forget to subscribe, and follow our Instagram @lifehappens.podcast and let us know what’s happening in your life, because:Life Happens**but you can too!