The Dark Side of Positivity: How Happiness Culture Harms Us

What happens when you spend your life pretending everything’s fine?

Matt Ebbage opens up about the pressure to suppress anything that wasn’t “positive” how that led to years of anger and self-doubt, and the slow, uncomfortable process of facing it all

What we discuss:

Toxic positivity: The hidden damage of suppressing emotions to keep up appearances. The overthinking spiral: Why Matt always second-guessed himself and how therapy shifted his mindset. Anger and shame: Unpacking the emotional baggage he didn’t realize he was carrying. The kindness gap: Why being nicer to yourself feels impossible at first—and how he’s learning to do it. Breaking the mould: How letting go of old friendships and identities helped him move forward.

This isn’t a conversation about easy solutions.

It’s about breaking free from toxic patterns, confronting the truth, and learning to live without the mask. For anyone who’s ever felt “not good enough,” this one’s for you.

Guest:
https://www.instagram.com/mebbstagram https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-ebbage-545a5657
https://www.mattebbage.com

Listen on Apple Podcasts:
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Watch on:
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Website:
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Host: Mira Magecha
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miramagecha
https://www.instagram.com/mira_magecha
Creative Director: Alex Payne
https://www.instagram.com/alexjamespayne
Editor: Josh Partridge
https://www.instagram.com/joshfilmmaker
Music: Jay Witsey
https://www.instagram.com/jay.witsey

Episode bought to you by:

Trust Lab formerly play for change

https://www.trustlabhq.com

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