Happy Growing
139 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago -Thank you for being here. Happy Growing is a personal podcast for you and with you. It shares knowledge and stories about life challenges, dealing with change, loving yourself, finding joy, building healthy relationships, finding your passion and following your intuition. Verena talks about her life in her 20s as a German living in London and travelling as much as possible. In addition, Happy Growing hosts guests who are professionals in mental health and wellbeing, business owners, experts in spirituality and coaching and much more. It is also a space for you to share your story. Your engagement is encouraged and you are warmly invited to reach out. Whatever you have to share, your words have value. All my love, Verena @happygrowingpodcast
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Episodes
#138 - I am changing & so is the Podcast
March 06, 2024 00:00 - 25 minutes - 17.5 MBSince August 2021, Happy Growing has been a big part of my life and there hasn’t been one week without a new episode. I have taken you on travels, recorded in closets in AirBnBs and somehow always had ideas and time that I wanted to share with you. Not to mention all the incredible guests & stories I got to learn about & share on Happy Growing. I have been saying for a while how my life has been changing. In a way, it’s been changing drastically since I’ve started this podcast. But since la...
#137 - Grieving a life you could've had
February 28, 2024 00:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MBSometimes, your life turns out differently than planned. And that can be for many reasons. It might be that something unexpected happened, that you realised you actually want your life to be different, that your plans were dependent on another person and your relationship with them ended, or so much more. No matter if your life changes for the positive or negative, you deserve to grieve the life you thought you might live. You deserve time to let go, say goodbye, or sometimes out your plans...
#136 - Going against society's norms
February 21, 2024 00:00 - 45 minutes - 31.5 MBI don’t know about you, but for me, not following my dreams and fitting into society’s expectations and ideals instead, means living a life of unfulfillment. This week, I talk about the internal conflict of following a life you want to life or doing it the way you should be. And the confusion of finding out what dreams and goals are really yours, and which you have been made to believe by others. You learn how to find your right path in life and how you can embrace your freedom as an act of...
#135 - Valentine's Special: How I learnt to love myself again
February 14, 2024 00:00 - 50 minutes - 34.5 MBHappy Valentine’s Day, lovely people. If you celebrate it or not, today and the past few weeks have been all about love. As we know, the most important love in your life is the one you have for yourself. It’s about the connection and relationship with yourself. As I’ve shared with you before, I went through a journey of finding back to myself and learning to love myself again last year. So, I put together all the amazing things that helped me along my journey of finding back to myself and t...
#134 - Is Fairytale-Love real?
February 07, 2024 00:00 - 46 minutes - 32.1 MBThe love-at-first-sight-happy-ever-after-loves, don’t we know them all? Or at least from film and books? Or maybe even from our grandparents, the older generation? But what is the reality of a love like this now? Our fast-paced modern society seems to be applying all-present overconsumption, capitalism and an unrealistic want for a perfect life driven my social media to the reality of modern love. Modern love is seeing too many options, ghosting, being indecisive, unclear about who we are a...
#133 - Opening up
January 31, 2024 00:00 - 37 minutes - 25.6 MBOpening up is one of the strongest and bravest things you can do. It’s something that you can be incredibly proud of. Though, many of us are finding it difficult to open up, and that can be for many different reasons. Maybe you haven’t learnt how to, maybe you were told not to talk about feelings or maybe you have had a negative experience being vulnerable with someone. No matter your reasons, it’s all human, normal and something that’s part of your journey. This week’s episode is about vu...
#132 - It's about the small things yet to happen
January 24, 2024 00:00 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MBIt’s always about the next big move in life. It’s about the career progress, getting married, having babies, travelling to certain places and all the materialistic wishes becoming reality. But none of this is ever something on its own. There is so much more. If you think back in time, how many first kisses, great meals, good conversation, laughs and cries and even smiles come to your mind? I’m sure there are many. And weirdly, sometimes we don’t even know why something has stuck with us and...
#131 - Advice to my younger self
January 17, 2024 00:00 - 45 minutes - 31.4 MBWith a lot of personal growth that’s been happening over the past couple of months, I’ve had a lot of understandings and insights surrounding myself that I felt I wanted to share with my past-self. And with you. I’ve done an episode giving myself advice before, in December 2021 (Ep. 20). A lot has changed since then and at the same time, I feel like I’m getting closer to a version of me I used to be. This episode is full of personal talk, emotional support, important reminders and proof th...
#130 - Romanticising January
January 10, 2024 00:00 - 39 minutes - 27 MBMany of us see January as a rather depressing month. It’s still dark and cold, but the holidays have just passed and there isn’t much to look forward to. We have to adjust to the new year and there might even be pressures put on us by the capitalistic stream of ways to ‘better’ ourselves for the new year. But there are many ways of making this month, and the following colder months, much more enjoyable, fun and a beautiful start to creating a year with many things you have never done before...
#129 - Your most important goals for 2024
January 03, 2024 00:00 - 38 minutes - 26.2 MBAt the beginning of a new year we are always bombarded with new ways and products and subscriptions and plans to make ourselves ‘better’. But most of it creates stress and pressure and is far off from actually improving our lives. There are really only very few things that make your life better, and non have anything to do with trying to make you ‘better’ - because you are already amazing and unique just the way you are. In this first episode of 2024, I talke about your most important goal...
#128 - My year 2023 - A personal review
December 27, 2023 00:00 - 48 minutes - 33.2 MBReflecting on the year that has just been is one of the most important and beautiful things you can do. And doing it myself for this episode has proven this all over again. Happy Growing’s last episode of the year is all about my personal experience of 2023. You’ll hear about my journey with my physical health, ups and downs, cultural and travel adventures and the things I’m most grateful for this year. This year has been a lot about personal growth, which has been a very different and matu...
#127 - Christmas-Special Q&A
December 25, 2023 00:00 - 54 minutes - 37.5 MBMerry happy everything! It’s Christmas Day, and it’s the third Christmas-Special Q&A for Happy Growing. Thank you all for sending in your questions and for being here and supporting Happy Growing! This Q&A answers many personal questions from my life in London, babies, moving plans, new projects, non-monogamy and much more. I’m sending you lots of love for those last few days of 2023 & courage to create the life you wish for! Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast Photography & Design: @eva_pogl...
#126 - Looking after yourself during the holidays
December 20, 2023 00:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBWinter and the holiday season can be overwhelming times for many. The reasons for overwhelm, stress or loneliness depend on you and your individual situation. But just as there are many reasons that can make this time challenging, there are also many ways you can support yourself through this season. And even better: you might not only be supported, but actually learn to embrace and use this season of slowness, comfort, love and connection. Not just connection with others, but connection wi...
#125 - Let's fall in love with real life again
December 13, 2023 00:00 - 40 minutes - 27.9 MBLet’s have arguments, messy flats that don’t fit a certain aesthetic, let’s have laundry drying in out bedrooms & cutlery that doesn’t match. Let’s be real, let’s change & do it with emotions. Let’s share our worries, be scared, grow & let life move & flow. This week’s episode is about the beauty of embracing real life. What even does it mean when we talk about ‘real life’? How has Social Media influenced our realities, authenticities & individualities? We talk about all this & more in thi...
#124 - Doing nothing is self-love
December 06, 2023 00:00 - 32 minutes - 22.7 MBSocial Media and content everywhere shows you how best to look after yourself. How to journal, get your nails done, move your body, what to drink and eat, how much to sleep and how to think. And to be honest, I think it’s great to have so much inspiration and motivation around. But, all those things require a lot of energy and can feel like things to tick-off on one of many to-do lists. Whatever happened to watching TV, laying around and eating takeout or snacks? Because I think we should b...
#123 - Loneliness in adulthood
November 29, 2023 00:00 - 50 minutes - 34.7 MBOver are the times of always being in school-classes with others, always being around people your own age, studying together all week and being able to relax on the weekends. At least that’s what school looked like for many people. In adulthood, we have our weekly schedules and want to make sure we work, live a healthy life, look after ourselves, keep the house and laundry clean, have all our life-admin sorted and of course, look after pets and children. There is a lot to do everyday, so wh...
#122 - What makes you Happy?
November 22, 2023 00:00 - 41 minutes - 28.9 MBYour experience of happiness is uniquely yours & no definition or logical explanation could ever live up to it. But why is happiness so unique? Why is it important? And how can you work towards your own happiness? In this week’s episode, I talk about my own experience with happiness and episodes of being unhappy. We talk about the importance of contentment & fulfilment & why happiness shouldn’t be the massive ‘highs’ in contrast to a life with many ‘lows’. You’ll learn keypoints to followi...
#121 - I don't have life figured out
November 15, 2023 00:00 - 36 minutes - 25.1 MBI’m currently going through a lot of change and much of it is actually being brought to life and happening next year. A lot had to happen for me to get to where I am now, and things are never going to stop changing - and that’s okay. That’s normal. And that’s also exciting. In this week’s episode, I’m giving you a little bit of a life update, and also talk about the importance (and enjoyment!) of not having life figured out. Because mine certainly isn’t all clear and certain, and how boring...
#120 - You're great at doing life
November 08, 2023 00:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MBThis week’s episode is a very personal reminder for how great you are. For all the effort, love, care and energy you put into your daily life. You are so great at doing life. And sometimes, things might not seem right. Something might feel like it’s missing or there might be a sense of lack, but that’s okay. In this episode, we are talking about how you can tackle feelings of confusion or unhappiness in your current situation. There is especially one thing, that we keep going back to in thi...
#119 - The Five Love Languages
November 01, 2023 00:00 - 40 minutes - 28.2 MBThis theory from the 90s is most likely something, you have at least heard about over the years. But what is it really about? What are the Five Love Languages and how do they work? Are they actually benefitting relationships? And how can you find out you own? The answers to these and many more questions are in this week’s episode. And of course, I also talk about my own experience and past relationships. Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast Photography & Design: @eva_poglajen
#118 - Spooky-Season: Believing in the Supernatural with Becci
October 24, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBIn this week’s episode of Spooky-Season, which is also our last spooky episode, I’m joined by my close friend Becci. We talk all things supernatural, ghosts, vampires, aliens, personal beliefs & scary experiences. We share unbelievable stories & you find out a very dark family secret of mine… that I wasn’t even sure I should share publicly! Recording this episode brought me so much joy, but also left me questioning a lot of my beliefs around the supernatural & who really lives among us & w...
#117 - Spooky-Season: The Dark Truths behind our Childhood Tales
October 17, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 54.6 MBThe story of The Beauty & the Beast is actually about Stockholm syndrome? Neverland is meant to be heaven & Peter Pan the guiding angel for dead children? Hansel & Gretel is based on real events? We have all heard many different stories about the fairy tales we have grown up with. Supposed truths of the magical worlds we adored, but have probably never given much thought - I mean, we don’t want to ruin our childhood memories, right? But this week’s Spooky-Season Special of Happy Growing go...
#116 - Spooky-Season: Niels Högel & Why Killers kill
October 10, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 68.1 MBWelcome to our second episode of this month’s Spooky-Season. In this week’s episode, I will be telling you about Serial Killers & even more about one in particular. One, who has worked as a nurse, in an environment, where people should be helped & supported. But it is also an environment in which it is common for people to pass away & so unusual deaths don’t always get noticed immediately. Niels Högel is a sad & horrifying exception of how a nurse should care for their patients. He is a kil...
#115 - Spooky-Season: Lizzie Borden & Our Fascination with True Crime
October 03, 2023 23:00 - 2 hours - 112 MBThis week’s episode is different to anything that I have shared on this podcast so far. In celebration of October & autumn, we are fully embracing Spooky-Season with very different episodes throughout this month. But that doesn’t only mean that we are talking about unbelievable, scary, mind-blowing stories… we are also diving deeper into the psychology behind True Crime, murders, the supernatural & more. This week’s story is a story that was never fully solved & many people have different o...
#114 - What is Home?
September 26, 2023 23:00 - 43 minutes - 30 MBI’m currently visiting my parents in Germany & I’ve been so excited leading up to it, that this week’s episode is all about the meaning of home. ‘Home’ is a very personal & individual experience. It isn’t just a place or people, it is a feeling. We all have different associations with what Home means to us & just as everything in life, this can change. I talk about the definition of Home, why it is so individual, why some of us don’t have an association with home (or not a positive one), &...
#113 - Notes on comfort: Why I love Gilmore Girls
September 19, 2023 23:00 - 35 minutes - 24.6 MBI know 10000% that you have a show, film or book that you watch or read again & again. And probably have been for the past 5, 10 or 15 years? Right? I knew it. That’s because it brings you comfort. But why does it bring you comfort? This is exactly what this week’s episode is about, including my personal favourite show: Gilmore Girls. What are my associations with Gilmore Girls? What makes this show so special? Why is autumn the perfect season for it? This episode is definitely for my Gilm...
#112 - Making friends in your 20s
September 12, 2023 23:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MBIf this isn’t a topic that needs to be discussed openly more often, then I don’t know what is! The amount of times I hear from people about their experience of making friends & meeting new people in their 20s are countless. Not to mention my own experiences (though, it’s definitely mentioned in this episode!). We have moved into adulthood, still adjusting to change within & around us, everyone is on their own journey & there are so many opportunities & confusions around us. We don’t even k...
#111 - Why you have to remind yourself of who You are
September 05, 2023 23:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBGetting to know yourself all over again, & again & again. How’s does that sound? Maybe slightly overwhelming, definitely very unfamiliar. And if I told you that you are changing so much throughout your life, that it’s necessary to get to know yourself again and again - How does that sound? Finding it unfamiliar that you have to get to know yourself all the time is definitely normal. But it is also incredibly exciting! If you are consciously working on it or not, you are changing & you will ...
#110 - Let your Heart overrule your Mind
August 29, 2023 23:00 - 37 minutes - 25.5 MBI was recently in a situation where I turned down a job to follow my heart. My rational mind was screaming at me to decide differently, but I knew THIS feeling in my heart would never fully stop until I followed it. Until I kept following the things that truly bring me joy, no matter the outcome. This episode is to remind you of all your endless opportunities in life, the options, the ways to make it possible, and that your life is YOURS only. Topics: Either follow your heart or suppress T...
#109 - I go to Therapy & so should You
August 22, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 42.4 MBWe are slowly moving into the direction where mental health support is being seen as something that many people can benefit from, and as something that is being more and more openly talked about - although I believe there is still a long way to go. Therapy isn’t affordable for everyone and support looks different in almost every country of the world. An additional barrier is asking for help and talking openly about one’s feelings, which is a skill that many of us have had to learn actively ...
#108 - It's my Birthday: Q&A
August 15, 2023 23:00 - 49 minutes - 33.7 MBHave I ever done dr*gs? What’s my biggest regret? Do I want kids? Do I have an 0nlyfans account? I answer these and many other of your questions in this personal episode - and it’s extra special and personal because it is my Birthday today! This week’s episode I’m absolutely beaming and that’s because, well, it is my Birthday - but also because I’m having so much fun answering all your questions (including some existential worries as I’m now officially in my late 20s). I hope you enjoy thi...
#107 - Vegan travels in Trinidad & Tobago
August 08, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBI spent two weeks in Trinidad & Tobago and had the absolute best time! Sharing about one’s travels and recommendations is always super fun, but it’s even more so important when it comes to all the vegan food suggestions and experiences. This episode isn’t only about vegan food (although quite a bit), but also about all my super fun and exciting experiences in both - Trinidad and Tobago! I talk about how I experienced differences in culture, climate, nature and so much more. I enjoyed recor...
#106 - 2 Years of Happy Growing - Life update
August 01, 2023 23:00 - 49 minutes - 33.9 MBHappy 2nd Anniversary to Happy Growing Podcast! On the 3rd August 2021, I uploaded our very first episode. Since then, there has been an episode every single Wednesday for the past 2 years. 2 years is a long time and a lot has happened for me since I first started this podcast. I went to school again, changed jobs, have travelled a lot, changed many things in my life and have especially grown more and more into adulthood. This week’s episode is a completely unprepared chat about all the pe...
#105 - I'm queer!
July 25, 2023 23:00 - 52 minutes - 36.1 MBThis week’s episode is about my coming-out, about my experience in Christian churches and communities, about my belief and faith, about gender roles, about sexualising myself in queer relationships, and about heteronormativity. As with everything in this podcast, I hope for people to find something to relate to, to feel like they belong, like they are part of a community and knowing that there are people out there with similar experiences. This is by far the most raw, honest and vulnerable...
#104 - The pressure of having to be an entrepreneur
July 18, 2023 23:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBGrowing up, I was exposed to rather ‘traditional’ jobs and career paths. Based on that, I got an idea of what I can see myself doing as an adult, how I want to make my money, how I want to use my time and schedule my day to day life. I am grateful for this experience, but I wonder what it would have been like if I had been exposed to a more diverse world of careers and lifestyles. Would I have found it overwhelming and pressuring, or more so inspiring and motivating? The change of outlook ...
#103 - What I have learnt from my ex-relationships
July 11, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 45.9 MBOver the past 10 ish years, I have had my fair share of relationship and dating experience. As with everything, I got to learn so much about myself, what I need, what I want, where I see myself in the future. And I also got to learn a lot about my needs and wishes in a romantic relationship. What is really important to me, and in romantic relationships in general? How do you build a healthy partnership? What about roles? What about s3x and intimacy? What does it mean to fight and to argue, ...
#102 - Could I live in Germany again?
July 04, 2023 23:00 - 40 minutes - 27.7 MBRecently, I went back home to Germany to visit my family. While I was there, I had quite a lot of thoughts coming up. What if I was to live here again? What would I do? How would I spend my time? What would be different? In this week’s episode, I do a lot of reflecting on my move to the UK almost five years ago, differences between London and my hometown, some of my life choices and future plans. Ultimately, I remind you and myself of how free our choices can really be, how we flow and gro...
#101 - Journeying through Holistic Health with Katherine Uzuegbunam
June 27, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 42.8 MBIn this week’s episode, I am joined by Katherine from Holistically Here . Katherine’s work and journey is deeply authentic, raw and spiritual and I am so grateful to have had this conversation with her, and to be able to share it with you. I truly know that Katherine’s words and this interview are meant to be shared, and how much you will be taking away from this episode. Katherine’s amazing online and support space, Holistically Here, helps others on their health and spiritual journey. Thr...
#100 - Consistency over motivation
June 20, 2023 23:00 - 28 minutes - 19.8 MBThe 100th episode of Happy Growing! Can you believe that for the past 100 weeks, there’s been a new episode very single week? I am so happy, proud and grateful for this podcast and for everyone listening and reaching out. Thank you! For me, this podcast is a great example of why consistency is everything and so much more important than motivation. It’s about setting yourself a goal, sticking to something, following through with it, doing something for yourself - and for yourself only. It c...
#99 - Real-Talk: Losing weight
June 13, 2023 23:00 - 48 minutes - 33.3 MBOver the past year, I have changed a lot internally and externally. My appearance has changed, my body has changed and my mind and my body are working a lot more hand in hand, and supportive of each other. But what has happened? Why have I lost so much weight? How do I feel about my body changing? Am I healthy? This week’s episode is probably one of the most personal episode I have ever recorded and publicly shared. I discuss my mental and physical health, and answer some of your questions...
#98 - Redefining yourself & stepping out of your zone
June 06, 2023 23:00 - 29 minutes - 20.3 MBMy mind has been going wild lately, and overloading me with realisations about why I do things the way I do, about why I want and don’t want certain things in life, and bringing my awareness to the endless amount of opportunities I have in life, and the playground that life really is. Do I want to have children? How do I see my role in a relationship? How do I see myself? I share many personal thoughts and experience in this week’s episode, really making it another journal-entry episode. A...
#97 - My favourite ways to self-care
May 30, 2023 23:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBIn the past couple of months, self-care has become even more important to me. It is something that I schedule in, that I prioritise and that I crave and look for. Many things have become habits, and those support me on a day-to-day basis. We want self-care to be a habit, and the more we do something, the easier it becomes for us to really be present and notice the benefits of the love and care we provide for ourselves. And of course, the more love and care we can give to the people around u...
#96 - Meditation: Manifest your Dream-Partner
May 23, 2023 23:00 - 34 minutes - 24 MBThis week’s meditation supports you in bringing your focus to what you wish to create, and in taking down those protective walls surrounding your heart that you’ve built up in the past. It helps you in opening your heart back up, in understanding why you don’t have anything to loose or to fear when you love truly, in letting go of trying to protect your heart & in attracting your dream partner into your life. Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast Artwork: @fempowerart
#95 - Plastic Surgery & beauty treatments
May 16, 2023 23:00 - 53 minutes - 36.5 MBToday’s episode is all about what beauty is, why it hasn’t anything to do with who we are - but at the same time, it has everything to do with who we are. I share my own experience, my opinions, differences in times and cultures, and why your energy is so important for your appearance and for how others perceive you. Topics: Life update from Germany I’m not funny lol What I’ve had done Altering your avatar Separation between who you are and what you look like How your inner world affects y...
#94 - Meditation: Connecting with your Higher Self
May 09, 2023 23:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBThis meditation supports you in truly connecting with your Higher Self, in giving you strength, more awareness, confidence, trust & a stronger bond with your intuition. You will leave this meditation feeling even more sure about your path, and really (re)evaluating the next steps on your journey. Please listen to this meditation while you are in a safe and quiet space. Do not listen while you are driving or walking. Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast Artwork: @fempowerart
#93 - No one is stopping you but yourself
May 02, 2023 23:00 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MBThis week, I’m sharing my current thoughts and feelings about life, change, growth and many recent realisations with you. And one of them is certainly that I am the one who had stopped myself from working towards something or trying out new things, and that there were many ideas that hadn’t even crossed my mind. This week’s episode is about really stepping into, feeling, embodying the freedom of life and its potential. It’s about living this eternal abundance that surrounds us and is given...
#92 - Meditation: Goodbye Trigger, hello Healing!
April 25, 2023 23:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MBExternal situations and experiences can trigger us to react in ways that we don’t want to react in, and this can be frustrating for ourselves, the situation we are in and the people around us. This meditation is for you, if you finally want to let go of triggers, if you want to heal old wounds, if you don’t want to carry past situations and memories into the present anymore, and if you want to be even more connected to love and trust in your life and within yourself. Instagram: @happygrowi...
#91 - Healing from CFS/ME with Rosalyn Dunne
April 18, 2023 23:00 - 1 hour - 45.7 MBIn this week’s episode, I’m joined by Wellbeing Coach & Lightning Process Practitioner Rosalyn Dunne. Ros is an incredibly genuine, caring and kind person, and I’m so grateful to have had her on Happy Growing. She is amazing at her work in supporting others to heal and change their health, not only because she knows exactly what she is doing, but also because she has had a challenging, life-changing journey herself. In our interview, Ros shares her journey of having experienced CFS/ME, how...
#90 - Life goes beyond your 20s
April 11, 2023 23:00 - 40 minutes - 27.5 MBI don’t know about you, but I personally used to (and still do sometimes) struggle with putting pressure on myself. Pressure to have achieved certain goals at a certain age, pressure to plan and get ahead, pressure to get to something as quickly as possible.. because once I hit 30, I can’t do it anymore. But why? The more I spoke about this openly, the more ridiculous it sounded. But why did I have these thoughts? Where did this pressure come from? Why do we feel like our 20s are THE time, ...
#89 - Meditation: Connecting with your Inner Truth
April 04, 2023 23:00 - 29 minutes - 20.2 MBConnecting to who you are is the most important thing you can do. Not just once, but over and over again. The relationship you have with yourself, the real you, is foundation for everything in life. This mantra meditation really supports you in (re)connecting with your inner you, your truth, and with experiencing and practicing focus. This meditation is a coming-home, a journey inwards, an experience just for you, for who you are, a gift to yourself. Instagram: @happygrowingpodcast Artwor...