What is happiness, really — and can we learn to be happier? In this week’s conversation, Jo talks to Christina Lenway, a Happiness Educator and author, about the science and practice of happiness. Christina shares how a personal crisis led her to study happiness academically and discover evidence-based ways to create more joy, meaning, and fulfillment in everyday life.

They explore how happiness isn’t a destination but a skill — one we can strengthen through intention, awareness, and daily practice. From “dialing up the good” emotions to using breathwork and gratitude to shift perspective, Christina explains simple, practical tools anyone can use to feel lighter, calmer, and more at peace.

This is an inspiring and grounded look at how midlife can be a time to reclaim happiness on your own terms — not by pretending everything’s fine, but by choosing how you respond, finding purpose, and building emotional resilience.

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💡 In This Episode

* Why happiness is a learnable skill, not a lucky accident

* The surprising science behind positive emotions

* How to “dial up” joy and “dial down” negativity

* What Viktor Frankl and the Holocaust can teach us about inner freedom

* The difference between healthy optimism and toxic positivity

* How breathwork and gratitude retrain your brain for happiness

* Why knowing your values and strengths is key to fulfillment

* Courage, authenticity, and choosing who you want to be — not who life made you

—Connect with Jo Blackwell

Links: https://linktr.ee/joblackwellukYouTube: Jo Blackwell – Midlife & BeyondEmail: jo@joblackwell.co.uk

Helping women 50+ feel braver, bolder, and happier — redefining how we age.

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In this solo episode, I open up about the things I let go of in my 50s — from 20/20 vision and flexibility to old identities that no longer fit — and the powerful things I’ve gained in their place.

Our 50s can feel like a season of loss, but they can also be a time of rediscovery. Now in my 60s, I see how letting go made space for self-knowledge, resilience, and wisdom — and how ageing can be a beautiful act of becoming.

If you’re navigating midlife, this episode is for you. Together, we’ll explore what we lose, what we find, and how to embrace this transformative decade with strength, courage, and a little humour.

—Connect with Jo BlackwellNewsletter: joblackwellmidlifeandbeyond.substack.comYouTube: Jo Blackwell – Midlife & BeyondInstagram: @joblackwell_midlifeEmail: jo@joblackwell.co.uk

🎧 Helping women 50+ feel braver, bolder, and happier — redefining how we age.