Retrain Your Brain with Sue Langley

When you understand what your brain is trained to notice, you can start choosing a life that feels richer, lighter, and more yours.

In this episode, Tess and Layne welcome back positive psychology expert Sue Langley for a science-packed deep dive into what actually helps humans flourish, and why most of us are wired to cling to the negative.

Sue breaks down positive psychology as the scientific study of human flourishing (not pop-psych), and explains how the field emerged after decades of psychology focusing mainly on what’s “wrong” rather than what’s working. From there, the conversation becomes a playful masterclass in how beliefs, labels, environments and tiny daily choices quietly shape our wellbeing.

You’ll hear practical frameworks like “Velcro and Teflon” (negativity sticks, positivity needs practice), how labels box us into invisible rules, and why autonomy and purpose can literally change health outcomes. The trio also explores “collective effervescence” (that buzzing group energy you feel at concerts, sport, churches or even Christmas chaos), plus newer research on psychological richness: the idea that an interesting, varied, eventful life matters just as much as pleasure and meaning.

They finish by touching on primal beliefs (do you believe the world is good or bad?), parenting language, and the idea that life tries to get our attention gently first (feather), then more firmly (brick), then with a full-on wake-up (truck).

In this episode, you will learn: What positive psychology is (and why it’s not just “good vibes”) Why negativity is “Velcro” and happiness is more like “Glad Wrap” How your brain can be trained to notice more good, more often The trap of labels and the “rules” we live by without realising The nursing home study: how autonomy and purpose changed outcomes “Collective effervescence” and why shared moments bond us Psychological richness: why an interesting life beats a perfect one Feather–brick–truck: how life escalates when we ignore the signs Primal beliefs: how your view of the world shapes wellbeing A mindset for 2026: be your best self, more frequently

Connect with Awake

• Join the Awake Collective Community for monthly masterclasses https://awake-academy.mykajabi.com/awake-collective-sales

• Get Awake’s transformative book: Know Yourself, Grow Yourself

• Watch the episodes on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Awake_Academy

• Follow Layne on Instagram @laynebeachley

• Follow Tess on Instagram @tesscbrouwer

• Follow Awake Academy on Instagram @awake_academy

• Book us for a workshop: [email protected]

• Awake’s TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@awakeacademy

Connect with Sue Langley

• Follow Sue on Instagram @suelangley • Connect with Sue on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/suelangley • Learn more about Sue’s work https://suelangley.com.au

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