Biz

Being busy feels productive. It feels safe. It feels like proof that you're working hard.
But what if all that busyness is actually stopping you from creating real value at work?
In this episode, Lisa and Em unpack why so many of us default to being busy when work feels uncertain, overwhelming or unclear. From colour-coding documents and endlessly refining presentations to filling our days with low-stakes tasks, they explore the psychology behind why being busy feels so good... And some of the things you're doing you didn't know fall into this category.
Lisa explains why the workplace has shifted, what leaders are actually rewarding now, and the practical ways you can become more valuable without simply doing more.
What you'll learn:
• Why being busy and being valuable are no longer the same thing
• The three psychological traps that keep high performers stuck in "busy work"
• Why busyness can become a safety net that stops you taking meaningful risks
• The behaviours that are increasingly rewarded in modern workplaces
• How to communicate your thinking, not just your output
Our BIZ hosts are Lisa Lie - a former Head of People & Culture and Organisational Coach - and Mamamia’s Em Vernem.
Learna is Lisa’s microlearning app for practical people skills at work. Expert-led lessons to build confidence, solve challenges, and work smarter - in under 7 minutes. Get it on Apple or Google Play.

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Got a work life dilemma? Send us all the questions you definitely can't ask your boss for our Biz Inbox episodes - send us a voice note or email us at [email protected]. You can remain anon!
HOSTS: Lisa Lie and Em Vernem
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Courtney Ammenhauser
SENIOR PRODUCER: Thom Lion
VIDEO PRODUCER: Marlena Cacciotti
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if the people getting ahead at work aren’t working harder… they just understand the new rules first?
On Biz season 3, we’re unpacking the work skills that actually matter now, and tomorrow. With the latest AI tools to elevate your work and time, to becoming harder to replace in a changing workplace, to the unconventional career moves no one tells you about. Plus, insights from leading experts, founders and career coaches who’ll help you think sharper, move faster, and stand out for the right reasons.
Biz. Work. Life. Sorted. Season 3 starts June 4 wherever you get your podcasts, thanks to Open Universities Australia.
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thought bullies would disappear after high school? Turns out, those people grow older, but don’t always grow up. Now they’re the ones causing trouble at work, in social circles, and even at events. Unfortunately, bullying in adulthood is far more common than many of us realise.
In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante break down why adult bullying happens and share practical strategies for dealing with it.
You’ll also learn:
Why people bully, and who tends to be their targets
How people who are being bullied are impacted
What the bystander effect is
How to reclaim your voice after experiencing bullying
Watch the podcast on YouTube here.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support.
Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy!
CREDITS:
Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis
Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman
Executive Producer: Naima Brown
Audio Producer: Tina Matolov
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast.
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever caught yourself doing 10 other things around the office instead of locking in and focusing on the one task or goal you really need to complete?
In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante talk all about that relatable thing of procrastination. Anastasia breaks down what's really going on in the brain when we put things off and why it happens in the first place.
You’ll also learn:
The difference between productive and perfectionist procrastination

How to adapt your environment to become more productive
How to start building more momentum
Why it's important to be kind to your inner critic when setting important goals
Watch the podcast on YouTube here.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support.
Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy!
CREDITS:
Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis
Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman
Executive Producer: Naima Brown
Audio Producer: Tina Matolov
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on.
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever said yes to your boss when you really wanted to say no? Or agreed with a colleague even though your gut was telling you they were wrong?
In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr. Anastasia Hronis unpacks the psychology of people pleasing—why we do it, why we feel guilty when we don’t, and how it shows up in the workplace.
You'll also learn:
The hidden costs of saying yes too often
How being overly agreeable can lead to burnout
Practical tools for assertive communication at work
How to set healthy, professional boundaries with colleagues
If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support.
Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy!
CREDITS:
Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis
Executive Producer: Naima Brown
Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman
Audio Producer: Jacob Round
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on.
Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribe
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.