#29 Why Do We Care What Strangers Think? The Psychology of The Spotlight Effect

#29 Why Do We Care What Strangers Think? The Psychology of The Spotlight Effect

Do we act differently with different people? And if so, why? Do we want to impress some people more than others? Is it all about being seen in the best possible light? Or do we simply say it doesn’t matter...at least, until it does? Listen now to the latest episode of Life Happens* where Michelle and Nick debate how we react to what various people in our lives apparently think of us. And there’s a bit of a disagreement between our two hosts with Nick not sure that he does care what other people think while Michelle admits to adjusting her behaviour and personality depending on the company. Check it out now and hear the story of Nick and seventy-five Filipino nurses! There’s also a fun quiz that you can do too and find out how others perceive you. And listen for the verdict that Michelle and Nick got after completing it. Here’s the link: https://www.boredpanda.com/find-out-how-others-perceive-you/ [https://www.boredpanda.com/find-out-how-others-perceive-you/] Listen now to Life Happens* and find out how the spotlight hits you! (*but you can too!) You will find everything about Life Happens* here: https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast [https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast]

#28 Two Languages, One Person — What Are the Problems of Being Bilingual?

This episode is for you if you can speak more than one language or if you are in the process of learning a new language. Listen now as Michelle and Nick debate whether speaking another language makes you feel like another person, as well as the many other aspects of being able to confidently express yourself in more than one language. Michelle, a native Czech speaker, presents this podcast in English and also writes her novels in English. Add to this the fact that she is currently learning French, and she really has insights to deliver on the ups and downs of using more than one language. Nick meanwhile, a native English speaker, has raised two bilingual children and has spent over ten years teaching Czech schoolkids how to speak English with confidence. Check out this episode of Life Happens* (*but you can too!) as our hosts compare views and experience, and, along the way, Nick ponders whether he has invented a new word for the English language! You will find everything about Life Happens* here: https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast [https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast]

#27 Educated Doesn’t Mean Smart — So What Kind of Smart Are You?

Which do you think is smarter – the ability to read a book or to be able to read the room? Listen now to the latest episode of Life happens* where Michelle and Nick discuss different types of intelligences and how to recognise them. Join the conversation as they look into what is social intelligence and emotional intelligence. They compare these skills with the knowledge you learn at school. And do you agree with Nick’s claim that everyone has something that they’re good at? Plus there’s a multiple intelligences test you can take which will determine where you excel and the areas you may not be so strong in. Here’s the link: https://www.idrlabs.com/multiple-intelligences/test.php [https://www.idrlabs.com/multiple-intelligences/test.php] And finally – what is it with Nick and Michelle and the capital of Albania? Check out Life Happens* now – it’s the smart thing to do! (*but you can too!) You will find everything about Life Happens* here: https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast [https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast]

#26 The Hidden Dangers of Giving (and Taking) Advice — Should We Give Advice Or Just Listen?

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 [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 [https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast]

#25 What Makes a Great Friend? Part 2 — Why Do Friendships End?

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 [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 [https://linktr.ee/lifehappens.podcast]