Navigating family during the holidays can be… a lot.

It’s the season of parties, BBQs, long lunches, and gatherings you may have been voluntold to attend, and with that often comes complicated family dynamics and people you might have very mixed feelings about seeing. 

In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante share practical tools for navigating difficult conversations, setting boundaries, and showing up in a way that feels better for you this season.

You’ll also learn:
Why family comments can hit such a big nerve
Why we fall back into old family roles so easily
How to avoid erupting in difficult conversations
What topics are safe to talk about with someone who has different politics

Watch the podcast on YouTube here.  

And if you’re looking for more to listen to - every Mamamia podcast is curating your summer listening right across our network from pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews, there’s something for everyone. Listen here: https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/

Subscribe to be in the running to WIN THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY: Royal Caribbean Cruise Giveaway! Click here for more information

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. 

Help us understand how you're looking after your mental health. Complete our short survey here for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw!

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, 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.

Navigating family during the holidays can be&hellip; a lot.
It&rsquo;s the season of parties, BBQs, long lunches, and gatherings you may have been&nbsp;voluntold to attend, and with that often comes complicated family dynamics and people you might have very mixed feelings about seeing.&nbsp;
In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante share practical tools for navigating difficult conversations, setting boundaries, and showing up in a way that feels better for you this season.
You&rsquo;ll also learn:
<ul>
<li data-start="52" data-end="149">Why family comments can hit such a big nerve</li>
<li data-start="52" data-end="149">Why we fall back into old family roles so easily</li>
<li data-start="52" data-end="149">How to avoid erupting in difficult conversations</li>
<li data-start="52" data-end="149">What topics are safe to talk about with someone who has different politics</li>
</ul>
Watch the podcast on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ButAreYouHappyPodcast/featured">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And if you&rsquo;re looking for more to listen to - every Mamamia podcast is curating your summer listening right across our network from pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews, there&rsquo;s something for everyone. Listen here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/" data-stringify-link="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/</a>
Subscribe to be in the running to WIN THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY: Royal Caribbean Cruise Giveaway! <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/mamamia-royal-caribbean-cruise-giveaway/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=giveaways&amp;utm_campaign=royal-carribean-dec-2025" data-stringify-link="https://www.mamamia.com.au/mamamia-royal-caribbean-cruise-giveaway/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=giveaways&amp;utm_campaign=royal-carribean-dec-2025" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Click here for more information</a>
If you or someone you know needs support, contact <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14 or <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">Beyond Blue</a> on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support.&nbsp;
Help us understand how you're looking after your mental health.&nbsp;Complete our <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8275908/Medibank-Study-2025">short survey here</a> for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw!
Want to get in touch with us? DM <a href="https://www.instagram.com/butareyouhappypod/">@butareyouhappypod</a> on Instagram or <a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960">send us a voice memo</a>. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas&mdash;think of it as free therapy!
CREDITS:
Hosts: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashanidante/">Ashani Dante</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anastasia.hronis/?hl=en">Dr Anastasia Hronis</a>
Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/zotheysay/?hl=en"></a>Executive Producer: Naima Brown<a href="https://www.flexmami.com/"></a>
Audio Producer: Tina Matolov
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.

Join Ashani Dante and Clinical Psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis as they give you the no-bullsh*t self-development and mental health information you really need. Because no, another personality quiz won’t fix you.

Join Ashani Dante and Clinical Psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis as they give you the no-bullsh*t self-development and mental health information you really need. Because no, another personality quiz won&rsquo;t fix you.

But Are You Happy?

A Guide To Navigating Family & Friend Dynamics At The Holiday BBQ

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/72d99b55-7997-41eb-9e50-b398004691e4/transcript

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