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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  • #88 — Louise Byrne on Understanding Mental Health Issues

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Louise Byrne about the lived experience workforce development, better access to mental health services, and all about mental health issues we have today. Dr Louise Byrne is a Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow at RMIT. Previously Louise was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholarship and…

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  • #87 — Scott Harris on Recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Scott Harris about the physical and mental challenges of living with an injured brain. Scott B Harris is a keynote speaker, author, and resilience expert. In 2008, Scott was involved in a motorbike accident that caused lasting injuries including a Traumatic Brain Injury. This was…

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  • #86 — Gaj Ravichandra on Resilience and Mental Toughness

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Gaj Ravichandra about developing mental toughness and increasing mental resilience. Gaj Ravichandra is a mindset and leadership coach, organizational psychologist, and co-founder and Managing Partner atKompass Consultancy. Gaj is a highly sought-after performance coach recognized for his effective leadership training techniques and passion for helping…

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  • #85 — Dr Christopher Love on The Impact of Erectile Dysfunction on Men’s Mental Health

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Christopher Love about Erectile Dysfunction and how much this condition can take a toll on men’s mental health. Dr Christopher Love is one of Australia’s most experienced Urological Surgeons, and the foremost Penile Implant and Peyronie’s Disease Surgeon in Australia.With over 35 years’ experience,…

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  • #84 — Dr Jon Lieff on Cellular Communication Science

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Jon Lieff about how it’s our cells communicating with each other that causes feelings, sickness, thoughts, and diseases in our bodies. Dr. Jon Lieff is a neuropsychiatrist with a BA in Mathematics from Yale University and an MD from Harvard Medical School. He pioneered…

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  • #83 — Prof Angela Martin on The Integrated Approach To Mental Health In The Workplace

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Prof Angela Martin about promoting workplace positivity and how we can actively manage mental health issues in the workplace. Angela Martin is a Professorial Research Fellow of Work & Mental Health, Menzies Institute for Medical Research, and an Adjunct Professor of Management, School of Business…

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  • #82 — Michael Ronin on Modern Masculinity

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Michael Ronin about masculinity and the challenges of the modern men. Michael Ronin is an interdisciplinary cultural commentator, pulling together the threads of an unraveling world to provide clarity amidst all the Crazy. If there is a single objective truth, then it is found between…

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  • #81 — Dr Michael Leiter on Combatting Burnout at Work

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Michael Leiter about improving work engagement and combatting burnout. Dr. Michael P. Leiter is Professor of Organisational Psychology at Deakin University in Melbourne Australia. He previously held the Canada Research Chair in Occupational Health at Acadia University. He has published widely on job burnout,…

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  • #80 – Dr Arnold Bakker on Work Engagement & Work Life Balance

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Arnold Bakker about work engagement, job crafting, playful work design, job stress and burnout, strengths use, and topics about work life balance. Arnold Bakker, PhD. is Full Professor at the Department of Work and Organizational Psychology at Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He is…

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  • #79 – Dr Roy Sugarman on The Role Of Biology in Psychology

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Roy Sugarman about the role of biological perspective in psychology and how those two worlds are coming together. Dr Roy Sugarman is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society’s Colleges of Clinical Neuropsychology and Clinical Psychology, member of the Royal Charter of Psychologists in…

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  • #78 — Dr Anthony Biglan on The Nurture Effect

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Anthony Biglan about his book, The Nurture Effect, which offers evidence-based interventions that can prevent many of the psychological and behavioral problems that plague our society. Anthony Biglan, Ph.D., is a Senior Scientist at Oregon Research Institute. He has been conducting research on the…

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  • #77 — Amanda Feilding on the Clinical Applications Of Psychedelics

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Amanda Feilding about the transformative and therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds and their clinical applications. Amanda Feilding has been called the ‘hidden hand’ behind the renaissance of psychedelic science, and her contribution to global drug policy reform has also been pivotal and widely acknowledged. Amanda…

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  • #76 — Nesh Nikolic on The Importance Of Psychological Flexibility (BrainTainment Podcast)

    In this episode, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Liam O’Donell as a guest on BrainTainment podcast about the importance of psychological flexibility. Nesh Nikolic is a Canberra-based clinical psychologist with over 15,000 hours of one-on-one therapy experience. He has trained in a number of therapy modes including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)…

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  • #75 — Dr Michael Carr-Gregg on The Mental Health Crisis In Australia

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg about the growing mental health crisis among young people in Australia and ways on how we can all address it. Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is one of Australia’s highest profile psychologists, author of 14 books, broadcaster and a specialist in corporate mental health,…

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  • #74 — Peter Graham on Redefining Retirement Beyond ‘Life After Work’

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Peter Graham about the realities of retirement, the danger of boredom, and how we can prepare emotionally for retirement. Peter Graham has been involved in the financial services industry for over 50 years. Initially, his involvement was with the marketing of life insurance but he…

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  • #73 — Dr Kaitlin Harkess on the Empirical Evidence of Yoga

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Kaitlin Harkess about the empirical evidence of yoga and its positive effects to our mental health. Dr. Kaitlin Harkess is a registered Clinical Psychologist and Senior Yoga Instructor who ispassionate about supporting individuals to cultivate healthful and meaningful lives. Kaitlin is particularly interested in…

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  • #72 — Dr John Gray on Surviving Relationships During Covid-19 Pandemic

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr John Gray about how couples can maintain and fuel the spark in their relationships during challenging times of COVID-19. Dr John Gray is the author of the most well-known and trusted relationship book of all time, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus.…

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  • #71 — Dr Christopher Willard on Applying Mindfulness in Daily Life

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Christopher Willard about the science of mindfulness and how it rewires our brains and bodies for greater resilience. Dr. Christopher Willard (PsyD) is a psychologist and educational consultant based in Boston specializing in mindfulness. He has been practicing meditation for 20 years, and has…

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  • #70 — Tara J Lal on The Ripple Effect of Suicide

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Tara J Lal about raising awareness around suicide and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. Tara J Lal is a professional firefighter with Fire and Rescue NSW and a PhD candidate at the University of New England. She is the internationally published author of…

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  • #69 — Nic Newling: Unscripted Conversations around Mental Health

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Nic Newling aboutreducing mental health stigma and lowering the barriers of seeking help through helpful conversations. Nic Newling is an outspoken advocate for mental health, suicide prevention, and sharing personal stories. Having lived through the experience of suffering with a mood disorder throughout high school…

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  • #68 — Dr Hayley Watson on Mental Health Skills for Kids

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Hayley Watson aboutsupporting the mental health of students, parents, and teachers through a practical curriculum for developing mental skills. Dr Hayley Watson is a clinical psychologist, researcher, lecturer, and program developer who is passionate about helping people find and cultivate their inner potential and…

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