

This is Stuart
Stuart Mackey
One of the worst kept secrets in the world is; To have a better "life" you have to be "happy"... But how does one be truly Happy? Let's figure that out together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 2, 2025 • 33min
The Healing Link Between Fitness and Mental Clarity
The connection between physical movement and mental clarity. Blending neuroscience, reflection unpacking how regular movement can reduce stress, improve focus, and reconnect us to ourselves.Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brainby Dr. John J. RateyThe Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Traumaby Dr. Bessel van der Kolk Stillness Is the Keyby Ryan Holiday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 27, 2025 • 54min
Ireland: A Short History of a Mighty People
An episode on the long and layered story of Ireland from ancient settlers and mythic cycles to famine, colonization, revolution, and renewal. The pain, poetry, and persistence have shaped the global consciousness and how Ireland has offered the world a profound example of how a people can transform generational trauma into creativity, justice, and emotional intelligence. How a small island shaped the emotional and cultural frameworks we live with today.ReferencesCeltic Consciousness Robert GravesThe Druidry Handbook John Michael Greer Cultural Geographies Journal 2023Modern Ireland: 1600–1972 R.F. FosterThe Spirit Level Richard Wilkinson & Kate Pickett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 20, 2025 • 55min
Turning Pages: Emotional Weight of A Little Life
Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life is a relentless emotional landscape where love, shame, survival, and identity collide. Through its unflinching portrayal of abuse, chronic pain, and the sustaining force of chosen family, A Little Life confronts the myth of linear healing and asks whether love alone can save us. Bibliotherapy, queer romance in literature, and the craft of deep characterisation, we examine how Yanagihara’s work challenges traditional narrative comfort, immerses readers in lived emotional truth.A Little Life - Hanya YanagiharaThe Hero with a Thousand Faces Joseph CampbellThe Body Keeps the Score - Bessel an der Kolk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 13, 2025 • 44min
How to Stay Committed When No One’s Watching
Ever started something meaningful… and quietly walked away from it. You’re not lazy. You’re not broken. You're just human. And your comeback can start right here.Why distraction is often self-doubt in disguise. How micro-commitments build momentum. The silent power of designing your environment. Why your “why” matters more than your willpower. And how compassion not perfection is what keeps.Atomic Habits by James ClearIndistractable by Nir EyalStart With Why by Simon SinekBig Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 6, 2025 • 44min
Love, Villains & Book Boyfriends
mirror characters — like Tamlin and Rhysand from Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses — reveal the most intimate truths about how we love, justify, forgive, and evolve.A heartfelt thank-you to @katrynn for the innovative and emotionally charged question sent via Cameo — which inspired this entire exploration of how we experience fictional love as a mirrorThrough the lens of emotional psychology, myth, and narrative healing, this episode unpacks: Why we romanticize the complicated “book boyfriend”. How love becomes control and when control becomes violence. The difference between soul-led love and ego-driven protection. Why Rhysand is forgiven for what Tamlin is condemned for. How fictional characters reflect the shadow sides of real relationships.A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Think Like a Monk by Jay Shetty The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 27, 2025 • 13min
I Burnt-Out
From burn out to accountability and an invitation to anyone on the path to becoming a better, more grounded version of themselves. No filters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 24, 2025 • 28min
Our Morning; Our Success
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 18, 2025 • 16min
Are You Celebrating Your Progress Enough?
Having conversations that spark self-reflection, inspire action, and shift your mindset. From celebrating progress to overcoming self-doubt, we tackle the everyday struggles that shape who we are.Join us every week as we explore deep, meaningful topics that push you to pause, reflect, and grow. Because success isn’t just about the destination, it’s about appreciating the journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 4, 2025 • 28min
The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Mental barriers that hold us back from success, fulfillment, and personal growth. Inspired by Jim Murphy’s Inner Excellence and insights from thought leaders like Robert Greene, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Sigmund Freud, what is the psychology behind self-doubt, comparison, and self-sabotage.Inner Excellence by Jim MurphyThe 48 Laws of Power and The Laws of Human Nature by Robert GreeneBecoming Bulletproof by Evy PoumpourasThe Compound Effect by Darren Hardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 24, 2025 • 9min
Take a Break; Stepping Back
Hey everyone, welcome to the weekly question of the This is Stuart podcast.I'm so excited you’re here with us today, because these next few minutes are all about you.Every week, we’ll be sharing short, reflective moments designed to help you tap into your deepest potential and live with more intention, clarity, and purpose. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


