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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#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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#67 — Dr Robb Kelly on Chronic Alcohol Addiction & Recovery (A Real Life Story)
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Robb Kelly about his purpose in helping addicts and alcoholics to recover their lives from the disease of addiction. Robb Kelly, PhD is a world-renowned addiction expert who believes in treating the problem, not the symptoms. Based on his own experiences working with addicts…
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#66 — Martin Fisk on Helping Young Men Navigate Life
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Martin Fisk about helping young guys reach their full potential and become the great adult men they want to be through mentoring and counselling. Martin Fisk is the Chief Executive of Menslink and joined in March 2011 after a twenty-five year career in both the…
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#65 — Steve Zolezzi on Nature as a Therapeutic Aid
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Steve Zolezzi about outdoor learnings, spirituality, symbolism, and nature as a therapeutic aid. Steve Zolezzi is a Registered Psychologist with 25 years experience in education and psychology and is a leading expert on school well-being and positive psychology practice. He consults widely both nationally and…
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#64 — Prof David Sloan Wilson on Evolutionary Biology & Psychology
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Prof David Sloan Wilson about how human attempts to solve problems from an evolution perspective can have unintended consequences. David Sloan Wilsonis an evolutionary biologist with a wide range of interests, including natural selection as a hierarchical process, the nature of intraspecific variation, the evolution…
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#63 — Shaun O’Gorman: The Strong Life Project
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Shaun O’Gorman about living a life with strength, tenacity, resilience, optimism, nurturing & generosity. Shaun O’Gorman has seen his fair share of violence and depravity throughout his life. In fact, more like many lives worth. But it has not defined the man he has become…
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#62 — Will Henshall on Improving Concentration with Scientifically Designed Music
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Will Henshall aboutpersonalized music that can help you focus, reduce distractions, and maintain productivity when working and studying. Will Henshall has achieved notable global success both as a musical/visual artist and as a technical inventor. In 1987, he founded the British pop soul band Londonbeat…
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#61 — Hugh van Cuylenburg: The Resilience Project
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Hugh van Cuylenburg about finding happiness through gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness. Hugh van Cuylenburg has been working in education for more than 17 years, teaching both primary and secondary in a range of educational settings. He has completed postgraduate studies looking at resilience and wellbeing,…
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#60 — Dr Rick Hanson on Hardwiring Happiness
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Rick Hansonabout overcoming the brain’s negativity bias and finding more happiness, self-worth, love, and peace in life. Rick Hanson, Ph.D., is a psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and New York Times best-selling author. His books are available…
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#59 — Nesh Nikolic on Early Career Advice for Psychologists
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Mary Andreadis about career paths, selecting an organisation, finding a supervisor, and other pieces of advice for early career psychologists. 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…
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#58 — Dr Gemma Sharp on Body Image & Cosmetic Surgery in the 21st Century
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Gemma Sharp about thetremendous increase in demand for cosmetic surgery like labiaplasty, butt lifts, boob jobs, etc., and its impacts concerning body image. Dr Gemma Sharp is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Research Fellow and Clinical Psychologist. She leads…
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#57 — Carla Ferrari on Forensic Assessments & Reports
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Carla Ferrari about Forensic Assessments & Reports. Carla Ferrari is the Director and Principal Forensic Psychologist ofFerrari Consulting Groupand established the practice due to the growing demand for services for forensic clients, and to satisfy her interest in exploring the interface between law and psychology.…
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#56 — Michael Sugrue on Overcoming Mental Health Stigma for First Responders
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Michael Sugrue on issues that prevent law enforcement professionals from seeking mental health services. 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 Detective and Undercover…
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#55 — Isaac Baker on Behavioural Science & Decision-Making
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Isaac Baker about using data to improve individual, team and organisational decision-making. Isaac Baker is an Applied Behavioural Scientist with a focus on understanding and creating strategies to nudge and influence organisational behaviour and improve organisational performance. He works across Mapien’s suite of services adopting…
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#54 — Nesh Nikolic on Why Bulk Billed Telehealth is Unsustainable for Psychology Practices
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks about why bulk billed Telehealth is unsustainable and will do harm to psychology practices in Australia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government expanded it’s Medicare-subsidised telehealth services to general practitioners and other health practitioners. Their 29 March 2020 media release states: “We are making telehealth…
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#53 — Nesh Nikolic on Coronavirus & How Psychology Can Respond
To my psychology friends and colleagues, Australia is at the beginning of Coronavirus and there is an unprecedented amount of uncertainty. Job losses, industry shutdowns, potential lockdown, and the domino effect of all these leads to possibly the hardest time for many Australians. I urge all psychologists to share the benefits of maintaining good mental…
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#52 — Kath Koschel: A Million Acts of Kindness
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Kath Koschel about her mission to achieve one million acts of kindness. Kath Koschel is a remarkable young woman who has taught herself to walk on three separate occasions, defying her medical prognosis of paralysis. An ex-professional athlete, she has broken her back twice; once…