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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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How Do I Stop Worrying?
How many times have you heard the words ‘stop worrying’ by those well intentioned loved ones? And how many times have you wanted to answer, ‘tell me how, and I will.’? It’s a frustrating experience to be repetitively told that all you need to do to ease your anxiety is to stop this seemingly incessant…
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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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Anxiety, Worrying, and Overthinking
Anxiety, worrying or overthinking are like most things — on a scale. Some people will avoid ‘scary’ things like the plague, others will play an event over in their head a thousand times, or ruminate and stay up all night worrying about ‘what if’. Some people will be known as ‘nervous’ whilst others will be…
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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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Tips to Improve Your Sleep Hygiene
Did you know there’s a term for your bedtime rituals and nightly habits? Collectively, these behaviors are known as sleep hygiene. You already know sleep is important; and if you want to get a better night’s sleep, the answer often begins with improving your sleep hygiene. Improvements in sleep hygiene offer an ‘easy win’ in…
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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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Anxiety In A Time Of Uncertainty
Anxiety in times of uncertainty can be difficult to manage. You already know the drill. In an effort to keep you alive, your brain is constantly scanning the environment looking for things to worry about that are a possible ‘danger’ to you. It is a pattern recognition machine, and oh boy does it go to…
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In Times of Uncertainty or Anxiety, Follow Your ‘True North’, your Values
It is difficult to stay focused on what is important in times of anxiety or uncertainty. When the ocean is calm and you can see land, it is easy to navigate true north; you can see the way forward with your own eyes, all you have to do is stay the course. However, when the…
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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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Games to Play with Children at Home
Playing games with your children at home offers numerous benefits. First and foremost, it creates a strong bond and strengthens the parent-child relationship. It provides an opportunity for quality time together, fostering communication and understanding. Games stimulate cognitive development by enhancing problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and strategic planning. They promote creativity and imagination, allowing children…
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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…
