Better Thinking Podcast
Your host, Nesh Nikolic, is a clinical psychologist based in Canberra with over 20,000 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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#111 – Dr James Kirby on Compassion Focused Therapy
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with James Kirby about examining Compassion Focused Therapy and his book entitled ‘Choose Compassion’. James N. Kirby, Ph.D., is a Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychologist, and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. He has broad research interests in compassion, but…
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#110 – Michael Sugrue on Relentless Courage: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Michael Sugrue about his new best selling book entitled RELENTLESS COURAGE: Winning the Battle Against Frontline Trauma. Michael Sugrue is a retired police sergeant with the City of Walnut Creek with over 14 years of service including specialized assignments as a Field Training Officer, SIU…
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#109 – Dr Kristy Goodwin on Digital Wellbeing and Distraction
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Kristy Goodwin about practical brain-based hacks to tame tech habits and strategies to decode the neurobiology of peak performance in the technological era. Dr Kristy Goodwin is one of Australia’s leading digital wellbeing and performance experts (and mum who also deals with her kids’ techno-tantrums!)…
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#108 – Kirrilie Smout on Mental Health Treatment For Children
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Kirrilie Smout about the common elements of mental health treatment planning for children and adults. Kirrilie Smout is a qualified clinical psychologist specialising in working children and teenagers about finding a life vision, creating community among each other, persistence, self-belief, study skills and overcoming obstacles.…
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#107 – Piers Steel on The Science of Motivation and Procrastination
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Piers Steel about how procrastination shows up in one’s life and the related forces that make it irresistible. Piers Steel likes to think he is among the world’s foremost researchers and speakers on the science of motivation and procrastination. Well, he is a Distinguished Research…
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#106 – Alan Pegna on Cognitive Neuroscience
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Associate Professor Alan Pegna about cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology. Alan Pegna is a neuropsychologist whose interests lie in the field of cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology. After receiving a Masters degree in Psychology from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) and a second Masters degree…
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#105 – Dr Steven Hayes on Process Based Therapy
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Steven Hayes about Process Based Therapy, psychiatric medications, and other global issues relating to mental health. Dr Steven C. Hayes is Nevada Foundation Professor in the Behavior Analysis program at the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada. An author of 44 books…
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#104 – Debbie Anderson on The Practice of Neuropsychology
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Debbie Anderson about her experience practicing as a neuropsychologist. Debbie Anderson works exclusively as a clinical neuropsychologist. She trained at the University of Melbourne and has practised in Queensland since completing her course in 1989. She initially worked in public hospital settings before moving into…
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#103 – Maggie Dent on Common Sense Parenting
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Maggie Dent about the healthy, common-sense raising of children in order to strengthen families and communities. Maggie Dent is an author, educator, and parenting and resilience specialist with a particular interest in the early years and adolescence. Commonly known as the “queen of common sense”…
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#102 – Dr David Demmer on Mental Health Within The LGBTIQ+ Community
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr David Demmer about the mental health challenges of the LGBTIQ+ community. Dr David Demmer is a clinical psychologist based in Melbourne, Australia. He is a respected therapist and speaker with expertise in gender and sexual diversity, self-worth, and resilience. He is the founder and…
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#101 – Adam Ferrier on Consumer Psychology
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Adam Ferrier about behavioural economics and the role of consumer psychology. Adam Ferrier is a consumer psychologist and the global chief strategy officer and partner at independent agency Cummins & Partners. Adam is a regular commentator on consumer behaviour on TV and radio, including a…
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#100 – Dr Alan Davis on Evidence-Based Treatments
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Alan Davis about evidenced-based treatments such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. Dr. Alan K Davis is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at The Ohio State University and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Psychedelic Research…
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#99 – Professor Matthew Sanders on The Power of Positive Parenting
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Matthew Sanders about development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of population based approaches to parenting and family interventions. Matthew Sanders is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Parenting and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland. He has been an consulting…
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#98 – Sally Kenney on Mental Health Promotion in Schools
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Sally Kenney about promoting mental health education and contributing to policy development in schools. Sally Kenney is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist who has worked in Catholic and Independent schools since 2005. She strives to support schools to be places where young people can thrive…
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#97 – Richard Hill and Matt Dahlitz on The Science of Psychotherapy
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Richard Hill and Matthew Dahlitz about their new book, The Practitioner’s Guide to the Science of Psychotherapy. Richard Hill, MA, MEd, MBMSc, DPC, has emerged from a diverse and fascinating journey to become an innovative speaker on the mind, brain and the human condition. From…
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#96 – Professor Kenneth Pakenham on Growth in the Face of Adversity
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Kenneth Pakenham about the processes that foster personal growth in the context of health adversities and the power of embracing inner pain. Kenneth Pakenham, PhD, is an Emeritus Professor of clinical and health psychology in the School of Psychology at The University of Queensland,…
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#95 — Professor Virginia Slaughter on Neonatal Imitation Effects
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Virginia Slaughter about the controversial topic of whether newborns have the ability to imitate. Virginia Slaughter is Professor of Psychology at the University of Queensland, Australia, where she founded the Early Cognitive Development Centre. Her research focuses on social and cognitive development in infants and…
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#94 — Professor Winnifred Louis on The Psychology of Effective Activism
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Winnifred R. Louis about ways on how to create a successful activism campaign. Winnifred R. Louis is a Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Queensland. Her research interests focus on the influence of identity and norms on social decision-making. She has…
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#93 — Dr Eli Kotler on Psychedelic Therapy for Trauma and Addiction
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Eli Kotler about the use of psychedelics as a therapeutic aid to trauma and addiction. Dr Eli Kotler is a consultant psychiatrist, holds an academic position at Monash University through the Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, and is the medical director of Malvern Private Hospital,…
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#92 — Lyn Worsley: The Resilience Doughnut
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Lyn Worsley about understanding, practicing, and developing resilience. Lyn Worsley is the author and director of the Resilience Doughnut. As a clinical psychologist and registered nurse, her experience in a number of contexts such as hospitals, correctional facilities, child care, schools and allied health care…
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#91 — Dr Celin Gelgec on Obesessive Compulsive Disorder
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Celin Gelgec about treating obsessive compulsive disorder and other related disorders including anxiety and depression. Dr Celin Gelgec is a clinical psychologist and the director of Melbourne Wellbeing Group. She works with people affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and other related disorders including…