The Happy Hour
An hour of happiness and wellbeing.
Listen every Monday from 1pm, repeated Thursdays at 6pm and Sundays at 10am.
The Happy Hour is a weekly mix of great music, chat, and happiness and wellbeing hosted by disability advocate Claire Sisk and Paulina Kuchorew. You'll hear experts share advice on looking after our wellbeing, catch candid conversations about sight loss and mental health, and enjoy some music therapy!
Episodes
Showing episodes 1 to 10 of 109
13 October 2025: Combat Stress and Perfectionism, plus a Sunny Book Recommendation
We focus on managing stress and pressures of the busy pre-Christmas period as yoga teacher Dawn joins us for another Off The Matt Chat. Plus, Beatrix brings you her sunny book recommendation with a Talking Book perfect for warming up these colder months.
6 October 2025: It’s World Mental Health Day
This week we have facts about World Mental Health Day, a simple breathing exercise, monthly Almanac to help us connect with nature and history of October and finally, Jameelah (Jam) joins us to chat support, wellbeing and importance of advocacy work.
29 September 2025: Football, Community, & a Spooky Recommendation
This week, Jean joins us for a chat about her love of football and how she found a brilliant community through an RNIB weekly football call group. Plus, with Halloween fast approaching, Emmy shares a slightly spooky recommendation as she reviews a popular Netflix series directed by Tim Burton.
22 September 2025: Attention Students!
We chat with Mark Wright from the Futures Team at The Royal Society for Blind Children to hear their tips on how to advocate for your needs when starting university or college. Plus, student Aliza Rehman will speak about her experience of going to mainstream school and share what helped her. And finally, Claire shares how she got to hold Chris Martin’s pants. Yes, we do mean, Chris Martin from Coldplay!
8 September 2025: Fostering A Good Relationship With Ourselves & How To Manage Daily Anxieties
We talk fostering a good relationship with ourselves, and for our monthly self-help book recommendation we bring a title which focuses on managing our daily anxieties and finding peace. Plus, funny animal facts are back this week, and for our funny news story, we go across the pond to a unique establishment.
1 September 2025: MACS Charity, September Almanac & Air Fryer Cookies
We’re learning about a unique charity supporting people with specific eye conditions, Amelia returns with this month’s Almanac and facts around the month from history, folklore and nature. And finally, we try out a tasty recipe. This time, it’ll be an air fryer one!
25 August 2025: Sleep, Routine, & Making Heart Health Accessible
This week, we hear about a new partnership between RNIB and British Heart Foundation that led to creating some new materials to help support our awareness when it comes to heart health. Plus, broadcast, writer, activist and mum of two, Katie Piper, shares her tips for overcoming sleep struggles in older kids and how parents sharing their stories can make a real difference as she talks about a new campaign.
18th August 2025: Arts, Crafts & Wellbeing
On the Happy Hour this week we’re chatting benefits of arts and crafts on our wellbeing and also speak with Scott Boyle about his passion for watercolours and how he’s been creating interesting pieces throughout his sight loss. Plus, a funny news story takes us to New Zealand to meet a cat with a unique fashion taste.
11 August 2025: Brain Health & Supporting New Mums
This week on the Happy Hour we check out a new book in the RNIB Library that wants us to look at the health of our brain. And Paulina hears about new research which reveals that over half of new mums find it harder to cope with their mental wellbeing since having a baby. She’s joined by musician, author, podcast host and mum of three, Izzy Judd, as well as Georgina Sturmer, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy spokesperson and counsellor. Plus, we look at an electrifying piece of research around sitting in silence and boredom.
4 August 2025: Domiciliary Eye Care in Scotland & Breaking Bad Habits Part 2
This week a bit of eye health news as we hear who is eligible for domiciliary eye care in Scotland. And also, we’re bringing you part two of our conversation on breaking bad habits with yoga teacher Dawn.