In this episode I catch up with Holly Matthews - former TV actress, best-selling author and founder of The Happy Me Project - for a rich and honest conversation about what it really means to find joy in the messiness of life.

Holly shares her inspiring journey from child actress to confidence coach and how losing her husband to brain cancer became a catalyst for helping others embrace their authentic selves. Together we explore the power of laughter, creativity and daily rituals as tools for healing and resilience.

Expect real talk about neurodiversity, overcoming “too-much-ness” and finding moments of joy even in grief. Whether you’re navigating loss or simply want to show up more fully as yourself, this episode is a reminder that embracing your weird is not just okay - it’s your superpower.

Holly Matthews is a former TV actress (Byker Grove, Waterloo Road, Casualty) and singer (Signed to Sony at 18, appeared on TOTP’S, MTV, Disney) who learnt how to use her ‘weird’ to stand out from the crowd.

After the death of her husband to brain cancer in 2017, when she was just 32, the Mum of 2 began her mission to help others to embrace their own ‘weird’, build their confidence and feel ‘more happy and less crappy’.

The Happy Me Project runs events across the UK, is an online coaching membership, podcast and has seen Holly asked to speak and create workshops for Aldi, SEND prison, Sainsburys and wellbeing festivals across the UK.

Her TED Talk has been watched by over half a million people and she is the go to ‘no-nonsense’, confidence expert at the BBC, where producers call her their ‘motivator in chief’.

Holly’s books The Happy Me Project & Find Your Confidence are best sellers and award winning (Find Your Confidence just won best wellbeing book of 2025 by Health & Wellbeing Magazine) with her bite size and actionable style appealing to our busy and distractible lives.

Holly recently opened up about being neurodivergent and has since been an advocate for this community, working alongside ADHD 360, appearing on ADHD Chatter, ADHD Beyond The Label (Bloomberg TV) and being nominated for a National Diversity Award.

Holly’s relatable and lighthearted approach to self development has seen her amass a large online following and become a regular contributor to UK publications such as Psychologies Magazine, Closer, Hello, Daily Mail, Metro, The Mirror and chatting on the sofa with Lorraine.

You can find out more about Holly - HERE

About your host Cat Googe AKA The Joy Queen:

🌻 Follow me over on instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌻 Check out where to see me live this year - ⁠HERE⁠

🌻 Download my free guide 5 Quick & Juicy Joy Hacks ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠

Woo hoo welcome to Season 3 of Live Your Best Laugh! Excited to be back with another season full of rich and honest conversations about what feeling Joy-FULL really means.

In this episode I invite you to pause and reflect on what really matters when it comes to living with purpose and joy. I explore the urgency of making meaningful choices in the present because time is precious and fulfilment isn’t something to put off for “one day.” And how stepping out of your comfort zone, taking intentional action, and surrounding yourself with the right people can spark ripples of good far beyond yourself.

You’ll also get a sneak peek at the inspiring conversations coming up this season, including stories of resilience, hope and radical self-leadership. If you’re ready for a gentle nudge to choose joy, embrace your uniqueness and create a life that feels rich with meaning - this episode is your invitation to start right now.

About your host Cat Googe AKA The Joy Queen:

🌻 Follow me over on instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌻 Check out where to see me live - ⁠HERE⁠

🌻 Download my free guide 5 Day Soul Reset - HERE

What a dreamy way to close out festival season and to finish up Season 2 of Live Your Best Laugh!

Om & Bass was the perfect blend of soul-nourishing practices, joyful connection and wild, playful energy.

Facilitating laughter yoga in the Shala was an absolute highlight - the gorgeous souls that joined my session brought all the energy and the vibe was pure magic. But this weekend wasn’t just about giving; I made intentional space to receive and soak up all the goodness on offer.

From deep sound healing and heart-opening yoga flows, to liberating ecstatic dance and chakra raving, every moment felt like a gentle invitation to reset and expand.

I left feeling lighter, more connected and reminded of the power of gathering with open-hearted humans who just “get it.”

Another thing I love about Om & Bass is their commitment to making a difference - your ticket helps support Yoga Stops Traffick, raising vital funds to help end human trafficking. It’s a festival that truly makes an impact far beyond the fields.

If you’re craving a festival that’s as much about deep rest and soul nourishment as it is about dancing your heart out and making new connections, get Om & Bass on your radar for next year. It’s a total treat and a reminder that joy, healing and making a difference can all co-exist.

Find out more about Om & Bass - HERE

I've loved recording The Festival Diaries showcasing the incredible festivals I've had the privilege to be part of. Over 2000 people came to my workshops over the summer...deep, deep gratitude for every single heartbeat always. YOU are the magic.

Keep your eyes peeled for Season 3 coming soon!

About your host Cat Googe AKA The Joy Queen:

🌻 Check out my membership - HERE

🌻 Follow me over on instagram - HERE

🌻 Find out more about me and my work - HERE

My first time at CarFest this year and honestly, it blew me away! Created in 2012 by Chris Evans with the sole purpose of raising money for charity partners, over the past 13 years, CarFest has raised more than £27m for UK charities. How wonderful is that?!

It’s an incredible event run with heart and soul, benefiting amazing charities such as: BBC Children In Need, Young Epilepsy, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Rainbow Trust, Starlight Children’s Foundation and Teenage Cancer Trust. Along with money raised through on-site fundraising initiatives during the festival, 10% of every CarFest ticket and 100% of profits go to supporting a wide range of UK charities.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from this festival but it turns out it’s about WAY more than cars. CarFest is actually made up of 7 different mini festivals offering a wealth of amazing stuff so it really is the festival that has something for everyone. I was facilitating laughter yoga in SpaFest and honestly I could have spent the whole weekend just there with all the gorgeous stuff on offer!

SpaFest is “A true haven of relaxation. From Yoga, to fitness tips and talks on financial health, this is a 360 wellness area to help you on your journey towards a healthy mind, healthy body and healthy spirit.”

If festivals are new to you this is a great one to dip your toe in as you’re guaranteed to find something you love there and it’s so well executed in terms of consumer experience and organisation. I’m definitely adding it to my festival calendar.

Find out more about CarFest - HERE

About your host Cat Googe AKA The Joy Queen:

🌻 Find out more about me and my work - HERE

🌻 Follow me over on instagram - HERE
🌻 Download my free guide 5 Quick & Juicy Joy Hacks - HERE

It was so good to be hosting workshops back at Bestival again this year! Curated by Rob and Josie Debank Camp Bestival takes place in the beautiful grounds of Lulworth Castle and “combines all the fun of a fantastic family camping holiday with everything you’d expect from an idyllic and action-packed festival adventure.”

One of the things I love about Bestival (almost as much as Caravanserai…more on that in the pod!) is that it has an area dedicated to wellness which serves as the perfect retreat space when you need a break from the festival busy-ness.

Slow Motion is THE space to go to if you need a reset, a slice of calm and an opportunity to get an energy boost. And laughter yoga is such a perfect modality to deliver all of this. As well as laughter you can find an array of wonderful experiences such as meditation, gong baths, yoga, sauna and cold plunge and even the most delicious looking hot tubs this year!

What I particularly loved about this episode is it brings the Bestival family vibe as I had my youngest guests giving their thoughts on the festival and laughter yoga and who better to hear it from than kids right?!

If you haven’t been before do go check it out…I can’t wait to bring the laughter energy back next year!

Find out more about Bestival - HERE

🌻 Follow me over on instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌻 Check out my membership: Inner Joy Collective ⁠- HERE
🌻 Download my free guide 5 Quick & Juicy Joy Hacks ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠

Awwwwwwwww it felt so good to be back at this beautiful festival! Lovingly created by the brilliant Andrew and Ed combining their passion of wellbeing, the outdoors and festivals, Wellness in the Wild is now in its third year and I’m so grateful to be part of it.

Such a thoughtfully curated weekend fully focused on your wellness, it comes as no surprise to me that Wellness in the Wild has been voted one of ‘The Top 5 Wellness Festivals in the UK’ by The Independent.

With over 150 experiences over 10 spaces there really is something for everyone; from a wealth of gorgeous offerings you can enjoy yoga, gong baths, inspiring talks, wood fired hot tubs, wellbeing workshops, incredible live music, laughter yoga (obvs!) and soooooooooo much more.

Set in the stunning Suffolk countryside it’s the perfect opportunity to hit pause and allow yourself to reconnect and reset.

I could only make it there for a day last year as I had other commitments to honour and that was enough to make sure I had the whole weekend firmly etched in my diary this year as I didn’t want to miss any of it this time round.

If you haven’t been before please do check it out. I’ve totally fallen in love with Wellness in the Wild and it’s safe to say next year’s date is already blocked out on my calendar!

Find out more about Wellness in the Wild - HERE

About your host Cat Googe AKA The Joy Queen:

🌻 Follow me over on instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌻 Check out my upcoming Portugal retreat ⁠- HERE
🌻 Download my free guide 5 Quick & Juicy Joy Hacks ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠

Ahhhhhhhh I just LOVE this festival…it really is one of my happy places and every year I go back it just feels like coming home.

Oozing a super welcoming vibe it attracts such a brilliant crowd ready to take some time for themselves to reset and reconnect.

Not only have Fearne Cotton and team created a beautiful balance with the offerings as there is quite literally something for everyone, the setting itself is so thoughtfully curated to enhance the experience.

I was delighted to be back for the third year running sharing laughter yoga and it was such a joy to catch up with familiar faces who keep coming back every year. Such a testament to how loved Happy Place is.

If you’ve never been before definitely check it out…it’s a permanent annual fixture in my diary now!

Find out more about Happy Place Festival - HERE

About your host Cat Googe AKA The Joy Queen:

🌻 Follow me over on instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌻 Check out my upcoming Portugal retreat ⁠- HERE

🌻 Download my free guide 5 Quick & Juicy Joy Hacks ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠

I’ve been ridiculously excited to share this episode about the Mother of all festivals!!!
Sharing laughter yoga at Glasto was something I wrote in my journal as a 5 year goal in 2020 so to be invited by The Healing Field to host there this year was literally a dream come true.

And WOW did it deliver! The Healing Field is the beating heart of the festival…it’s a very special place. So it felt like utter magic sharing laughter there.
There is so much I could say but instead I’m just going to invite you to dive on in and have a listen.
And as you do feel the magic surround you as people share their experiences.
It’s a beautiful one so be sure to make space for it.

And if manifestation excites you have a listen to Season 1 Episode 1 Laughter Yoga Changed My Life to find out about my journey from staff room to stages.

About your host Cat Googe AKA The Joy Queen:

🌻 Follow me over on instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠

🌻 Check out where to see me live this year - ⁠HERE⁠

🌻 Download my free guide 5 Quick & Juicy Joy Hacks ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠