Should we bring humour to work?

Can it help us connect and achieve more, or risk making us seem trivial?

Our guest today, Drew Tarvin, learned engineering in school and was hired for his technical skills. Yet, it was humour—not engineering—that became his edge in the workplace.

By using humour, he diffused tension, built strong relationships, influenced others, and accelerated his career. This led him to create Humor That Works, a company that has helped 10,000+ leaders in over 100 organisations—including IBM, GE, and the FBI—harness humour to lead effectively.

In this episode, Drew shares how humour can amplify leadership and why it’s more than just a tool for entertainment. As someone who typically discusses purpose and fulfilment, I found this conversation a powerful reminder that humour can add depth to even the most serious work.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/080-humour-at-work-with-Drew-Tarvin

Related Episode
#059 Creativity at work with Eshan Ponnadurai
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Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep59apple

Connect with Matthew
https://drewtarvin.com/

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Searching for meaning in life and work? The secret isn’t in those rare, life-altering moments—it’s hidden in the small, everyday moments we often overlook.

The key? Storytelling.

Even if we don’t share them, simply turning our experiences into stories in our own minds can transform how we see ourselves and our lives. It’s how we grow, learn, and ultimately, find deeper purpose.

In today's podcast, I’m joined by master storyteller and five-time Moth GrandSLAM champion, Matthew Dicks. If you’re not familiar with The Moth, it’s New York City’s iconic storytelling platform, and Matthew has dominated it, winning 52 StorySLAMs.

Beyond that, Matthew co-founded Speak Up, a storytelling organisation that has helped thousands craft more compelling stories. His Homework for Life project is a powerful tool for anyone looking to enrich their daily life through storytelling, one small step at a time.

If you're looking for simple, practical ways to find more meaning and connection in your life, this episode is for you.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/079-finding-meaning-in-everyday-stories-with-matthew-dicks

Related Episode
#068 Connecting the dots to purpose with Marc Nicholson
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep68spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep68apple

Connect with Matthew
https://matthewdicks.com/

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Ever felt like a jack of all trades, master of none? Think again! Welcome to the world of Portfolio Life!

Just like a financial portfolio, it’s about bringing together all your passions, talents, and needs—balancing them to create a fulfilling life on your own terms

It starts by understanding what truly matters to you: income, flexibility, creativity, intellectual stimulation, family responsibilities, and more. From there, you can design a life that accommodates all these dimensions. And just like rebalancing a portfolio, you can adjust with each new chapter of your life—minimising risks while maximising joy and fulfilment.

In the latest episode of the How to Live Podcast, I sit down with Christina Wallace—serial entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and the creator of The Portfolio Life.

Christina has done it all: she’s worked with BCG, started multiple businesses, and found her sweet spot at the intersection of business, technology, and the arts. Today, she teaches at Harvard Business School, produces Broadway shows, writes bestselling books, raises two kids, and even sings in a choir!

If you want to learn how to create your own Portfolio Life—blending passions, multiple income streams, and a sense of purpose—this episode is a must-listen!

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/078-crafting-a-portfolio-life-with-christina-wallace

3 Questions to ask yourself

1. When have you seen me happiest?
2. What do you come to me for?
3. Where do I stand our against my peers?

Related Episode
#064 How to Live with Derek Sivers
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep64spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep64apple

Connect with Christina
https://christinawallace.com/

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Can we learn to be happy, or is it something we're born with?

Research, including Martin Seligman’s theory of Learned Optimism, reveals that happiness need not be a passing feeling—it can be a skill we develop. The science is clear: happiness can be learned.

One simple yet powerful tool is savouring. While happiness may seem fleeting, pausing to fully experience joyful moments can stretch them, turning brief emotions into lasting contentment. By practising this regularly, we can significantly boost our overall well-being.

In this episode, I dive into the science of happiness with Sha-En Yeo, a leading Happiness Scientist.

Sha-En holds a Master’s in Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied under Dr. Martin Seligman and Prof. Angela Duckworth. Over 13 years, she has inspired more than 25,000 people across Asia-Pacific with her keynotes and transformative coaching. You may know her from 913FM, her bestselling books, or her two TED talks. Sha-En also serves as President of the Asia Professional Speakers Association.

Fittingly, her name means “gratitude” and “kindness”—values that guide her work in spreading happiness.

If you’re ready to bring more happiness into your life or want to understand it from a scientific lens, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/077-the-anatomy-of-happiness-with-sha-en-yeo

Related Episode
#062 Authentic leadership without fluff with Mette Johansson
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep62spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep62apple

Connect with Sha-En
https://happinessscientists.com/

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6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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How do you reinvent yourself when you’ve already reached the top of one field?

It's a question many of us face as long careers, industry disruptions, or even boredom push us to rethink our path.

In the latest episode of the How to Live podcast, I sit down with the legendary sports broadcaster John Dykes, who shares his powerful and deeply personal story of stepping out of the broadcast spotlight and into corporate boardrooms.

For years, John was the trusted face of the Premier League, someone we all tuned in to see. But even before the broadcast industry in Southeast Asia faced disruption, John found himself questioning the purpose and relevance of what he was doing. After decades spent in Sports TV listening to the legends and unpicking their strategies, he began questioning his next move - convinced he wanted to inform, educate and entertain.

He spent two years exploring where he could still make an impact within the sports world—experiencing both triumphs and doubts. But a friend's remark changed everything: "John, you're more than just an entertaining dinner speech." Brutal, but it struck a chord.

Through various explorations, John realised his core skills—communication, crisis management, leadership lessons from the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, and the Williams Sisters—were just as relevant in the corporate world. The stage may have shifted, but the principles remained the same.

With a natural gift for storytelling, John began helping corporate leaders, from investment bankers to senior executives, communicate powerfully, make strategic decisions, and even recruit with insights from football's greatest. Yet, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. He had to learn the ropes of commercialising his services, setting the right pricing, and designing programs from scratch.

What struck me most about John's journey wasn’t just his skillset—it was his mindset. Despite being at the peak of his career and a familiar face to millions, John approached this transition with humility, curiosity, and quiet determination. He was open to learning, adapting, and evolving.

Many of us are at a point where reinvention is necessary but scary. John’s story shows that reinvention is not only possible—it can be inspiring, even at the top of your game.

If you're looking to evolve and grow to the next stage of your career, this episode is for you.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/076-re-inventing-from-broadcast-to-boardrooms

Related Episode
#030 Re-inventing yourself with Sarah Lal
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep30spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep30apple

Connect with John
https://www.johndykes.co/

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We start projects with excitement, but how often do we end up doom-scrolling when the going gets tough?

What really drives distraction? Is it flashy external stimuli or our internal discomfort?

Research shows it's primarily internal triggers. Even Plato and Aristotle grappled with this 2,500 years ago. While modern tech hasn't helped, it's not the root cause.

The key to beating distraction isn't just removing stimuli. It's about managing our discomfort to push through the boring parts and achieve our goals.

But how do we do that?

Tune into the 75th milestone episode of the How to Live Podcast for answers. I'm joined by the brilliant Nir Eyal, New York Times bestselling author of "Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life."

Nir isn't just an author - he's a behavioural design expert who's taught at Stanford, advised Fortune 500 companies, and invested in successful startups like Canva and Kahoot. His work has been featured in Harvard Business Review and The New York Times, making him a true authority on building focus in our distraction-filled world.

Nir's expertise in psychology, technology, and business, coupled with his infectious energy, makes this episode a must-listen for any leader aiming to boost their focus and productivity.

Ready to take control of your attention and elevate your performance?

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/075-being-indistractable-with-nir-eyal

Related Episode
#010 Mindfulness 101 with Erin Lee
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep10spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep10apple

Connect with Nir
https://www.nirandfar.com/

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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Imagine attending a keynote where the speaker walks up with an iPad and begins sketching live, transforming complex ideas about life and business into powerful visual concepts right before your eyes.

Meet Simon Bowen, the Visual Maestro of Business, who turns abstract thoughts into million-dollar realities.

Growing up in the rugged outback of Western Australia, Simon's world was defined by visuals. Maps scratched in the dirt for directions, diagrams sketched on paper before assembling electrical circuits – these experiences honed his ability to see the world in geometric patterns and dimensions.

Today, Simon stands as the world's leading authority on visual models that sell. As the founder of the Models Method, he has developed a groundbreaking approach that helps business owners create powerful, revenue-driving visual representations of their ideas.

His trademarked Genius Model has earned accolades from Fortune 500 companies, governments, and military organisations alike.

But Simon is more than just a visual thinker – he's a modern-day sage, bringing profound wisdom to life through his captivating models.

In our upcoming podcast, we'll dive deep into:

• How visuals unlock our understanding of complex concepts
• The art of crafting million-dollar visual models
• The hidden depths of thinking that visual models can reveal

And here's the kicker: Simon will transform one of my current business ideas into a visual model – LIVE on the show!

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the intersection of art, business, and innovation. Simon Bowen's unique perspective promises to revolutionise how you think about and communicate your ideas.

Prepare to have your mind visually blown! 🎨💡🚀

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/074-visualising-million-dollar-ideas-with-simon-bowen

Related Episode
#059 Creativity at work with Eshan Ponnadurai
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep59spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep59apple

Connect with Simon
https://thesimonbowen.com/

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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Do you dismiss manners and etiquette as outdated, superficial skills?

Think again.

Beneath the surface of etiquette lies a powerful combination of emotional intelligence, psychology, coaching, and spirituality. These elements can:

• Foster deeper connections with others
• Build unshakeable confidence
• Transform lives in profound ways

This eye-opening insight came from my conversation with Sara Jane Ho, the Emmy-nominated Netflix host, entrepreneur, and etiquette expert. You may know her from the hit show "Mind Your Manners," but Sara's impact goes far beyond television.

As a pioneer entrepreneur, Sara founded a high-end finishing school in China, earning recognition from Fast Company as one of the world's top 50 innovative companies. Her credentials are impressive:

• MBA from Harvard Business School
• Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree
• BBC's Top 100 Women

Sara's journey is as fascinating as her achievements. She left a lucrative career in investment banking to pursue her passion for etiquette and personal transformation.

In our conversation, we delve into the true essence of etiquette, its role in building confidence and transforming lives, cultural nuances in manners, and Sara's experiences creating her Netflix show.

Episode Shownotes
https://howtolive.life/episode/073-mind-your-manners-with-sara-jane-ho

Related Episode
#061 How to optimise energy with Elika Tasker
Spotify: https://howtolive.life/ep61spotify
Apple Podcasts: https://howtolive.life/ep61apple

Connect with Sara
https://www.sarajaneho.com/

Buy Antevorta
https://antevortalabs.com/pages/about-us

Next Wave
6 month program for high performers hitting 40s and beyond to design the next phase of life. Register interest below -
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