Better Thinking Podcast
Your host, Nesh Nikolic, is a clinical psychologist based in Canberra with over 25,000 hours of 1-on-1 therapy experience.
Nesh’s therapeutic passion lies in utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as he weaves his experience into each new episode. Every week, Nesh will bring raw, down-to-earth and nonchalant talks that are designed to facilitate reflection, enhance cognitive processes, and empower you to navigate life more effectively.
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#190 – Dr Lucy Johnstone on The Power Threat Meaning Framework
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Lucy Johnstone about the Power Threat Meaning Framework and how it offers an alternative to traditional psychiatric diagnoses by focusing on power, threat, and meaning in people’s lives. Dr Lucy Johnstone is a consultant clinical psychologist, author of ‘Users and abusers of psychiatry’ (3rd edition…
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#189 – Professor Gordon Parker on How the Gut Shapes Mood and Mental Health
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Gordon Parker AO about the gut–brain connection and how it could transform our understanding and treatment of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. Professor Gordon Parker AO is Scientia Professor of Psychiatry, UNSW, was Founder of the Black Dog Institute, Head of…
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#188 – Dr Matt Bernstein on The Relationship Between Metabolism and Mental Illness
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Matt Bernstein about the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry and how metabolism, nutrition, and lifestyle factors influence mental health. Dr. Matt Bernstein is a respected clinical psychiatrist for more than 20 years. He is also Accord’s chief executive officer and one of the leading…
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#187 – Dr Joanna Moncrieff on her Latest Book: A Straight Talking Introduction to Psychiatric Drugs
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Joanna Moncrieff about her latest book: A Straight Talking Introduction to Psychiatric Drugs: The Truth About How They Work and How to Come Off Them. Dr Joanna Moncrieff is a practising psychiatrist, part-time academic, and author with a deep interest in the history, philosophy,…
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#186 – Jacqueline Anderson on Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Associate Professor Jacqueline Anderson about the long-term impact of traumatic brain injuries and how they affect cognition, identity, and daily life. Jacqueline Anderson, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Clinical Neuropsychology in the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. She is also the Convenor of the…
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#185 – Dr David Healy on How Antidepressants Shape Mental Health and Impact Society
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr. David Healy about how psychotropic drugs and clinical trials have influenced the way we understand mental health and the broader impact these developments have had on society. David Healy, a professor in the Department of Family Medicine in McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, is a…
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#184 – Professor Jae Jung on Understanding and Supporting High-Ability Students
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Jae Jung about how to better understand and support gifted students, the importance of differentiated education, and the future of high-ability learning. Jae Yup Jung, PhD is a Professor in the School of Education and the Director of the Gifted Education Research, Resource and…
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#183 – Lisa Anne Williams on How Emotions Are Shaped by Our Social World
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Lisa Anne Williams about how our emotions are shaped by social experiences and the powerful, adaptive functions of positive social emotions like pride and gratitude. Dr. Lisa A. Williams is a social psychologist whose research examines the dynamics between emotional experience and social interaction. Much…
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#182 – Nik Steffens on Social Identity and the Psychology of Teamwork in Organizations
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Nik Steffens about how identity, connection, and purpose shape not only individual outcomes but also drive collective success within organizations. Niklas Steffens is Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Business and Organisational Psychology (CBOP) in UQ’s School of Psychology. He lived, worked, and…
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#181 – Dr Zhi Yi Ong on The Neurobiological Mechanisms of Food Intake and Addiction
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr. Zhi Yi Ong about the neurobiology of food intake, exploring how gut-brain interactions shape eating behavior and its connection to addiction. Zhi Yi Ong is a Senior Lecturer and ARC Future Fellow at the UNSW School of Psychology. She completed her PhD in Biomedical…
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#180 – Lana Tikhomirov on the Ethics of AI in Human Decision-Making
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Lana Tikhomirov about the intersection of AI and human decision-making, exploring its ethical concerns, cognitive challenges, and growing role in high-stakes fields like healthcare. Lana Tikhomirov is an AI safety researcher at the Australian Institute for Machine Learning, where she focuses on developing ethical, human-centered…
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#179 – Dr Simon Byrne on The Unconventional Use of Psychiatric Drugs to Treat Mental Disorders
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Simon Byrne about the unconventional use of psychiatric drugs, exploring new approaches to treating mental disorders, anxiety, and children’s mental health. Dr Simon Byrne is a Lecturer at the University of Queensland (UQ) since 2021. He completed a PhD/Masters of Clinical Psychology in child…
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#178 – Dr Poppy Watson on Compulsive Reward-seeking Behaviour
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Poppy Watson about compulsive reward-seeking behavior, commonly seen in drug or gambling addiction, but also in more subtle forms that influence our everyday actions and habits. The research interests of Dr Poppy Watson lie at the intersection of motivation, attention and choice behaviour. A…
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#177 – Dr Amy Peden on Global Drowning Prevention Through Research and Advocacy
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Amy Peden about the global drowning crisis, the key risk factors involved, and what can be done to reduce these tragic incidents. Dr Amy Peden is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Population Health at the University of New South Wales (UNSW)…
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#176 – Dr Robyn Walser on Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with Trauma
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr. Robyn Walser about using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help individuals navigate and heal from trauma. Robyn D Walser, PhD is a clinical psychologist with expertise in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), having started to work in this treatment approach in 1991. She…
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#175 – Ahu Kocak on Suicide Assessment and Prevention Strategies
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Ahu Kocak about her experience in developing suicide assessment and prevention strategies in correctional settings. Ahu Kocak is endorsed in Forensic Psychology with over 14 years experience in prison, court and private practice settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science Psychology, Masters of Psychology (Forensic),…
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#174 – Ben Newell on The Role of Behavioural Science in Promoting Climate Action
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Ben Newell about the power of behavioral science and the role that psychology can play in motivating individuals and societies to take meaningful action on climate change. Ben Newell is Professor of Behavioural Science in the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney, and Director of…
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#173 – Professor Kim Delbaere on Promoting Healthy Ageing
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Kim Delbaere about understanding physical, psychological and cognitive factors causing falls as well as topics about promoting healthy ageing. Professor Kim Delbaere is a Senior Principal Research Scientist and Director of Innovation & Translation at the Falls, Balance & Injury Research Centre at Neuroscience…
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#172 –Dr. Stefan Carlo Michalski on Virtual Reality for Life Skills in Intellectual Disabilities
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr. Stefan Carlo Michalski about using an AI-powered VR application to build life skills and improve healthcare access for people with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Stefan Michalski is a Research Fellow in the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health at the University of New…
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#171 – Jacinta Hawgood on Suicide Prevention Training Evaluation
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Jacinta Hawgood about evaluating suicide prevention training programs, their effectiveness, and the critical role they play in reducing suicide rates. Jacinta Hawgood is Associate Professor and Program Director of Suicidology at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP), Griffith University, where she has…
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#170 – Dr Lydia Brown on Navigating the Journey of Menopause and Aging
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Lydia Brown about understanding and enhancing well-being during the menopause transition and aging. Lydia Brown is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne. She earned her PhD in 2015, focusing on self-compassion and menopause, and subsequently…