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.podcast

And 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!

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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-I

Michelle 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 spectrum
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

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