You Don’t Have to Suffer to Succeed: How Silliness, Softness, and Science are Better than Hustle Culture

What if success didn’t require burnout, self-denial, or endless hustle? What if joy was actually the most sustainable fuel for growth, healing, and motivation?

In this episode, Mary England kicks off April’s theme—making joy easy—by dismantling hustle culture myths and offering a gentler path to success: one built on delight, discipline, and a touch of weirdness. We’ll explore the difference between willpower and discipline, how happiness boosts physical energy and motivation (yes, there’s science!), and why your joy might be activating other people’s jealousy.

You’ll hear reflections on martyrdom vs. trickster energy, playful habits that actually work, and how being your fullest self becomes a permission slip for others to do the same.

🧠 Featuring wisdom from Liz Gilbert, Dana Carvey, and a poetic riff on why more things rhyme with bliss than suffering.

🆓 Join the free community where we’re making joy a habit together: uncustomary.org/positive-pulse

You don’t have to suffer to succeed. You just have to feel good to do good.