• #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…

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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…

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  • #51 — Nesh Nikolic on Perfectionism & Imposter Syndrome

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Mary Andreadis about perfectionism and imposter syndrome. 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) and Schema Therapy and…

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  • #50 — Dr Stefan Hofmann on Process-Based Therapy

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Stefan Hofmann about process-based therapy and high-density individual data. Welcome to the future of psychology. Dr Stefan Hofmann is a clinical psychologist at the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University. He is one of the foremost experts in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,…

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  • #49 — Alyssa Godesky on Running 440 Kilometres in 5 days

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Alyssa Godesky about overcoming the physical and mental limits in endurance sports. Alyssa Godesky is an endurance sports coach, professional triathlete and ultrarunner. After 6 years in the corporate world, Alyssa made the leap to pursue triathlon full-time, and hasn’t looked back. An endurance athlete…

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  • #48 — Dr Brock Bastian on The Value of Pain

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with social psychologist Dr Brock Bastian on the value of pain. Dr Brock Bastian is a social psychologist whose research focuses on pain, happiness, and morality. In his search for a new perspective on what makes for the good life, Brock has studied why promoting happiness…

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  • #47 — Dr Paul Atkins on Building Effective Prosocial Groups

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Paul Atkins about building effective prosocial groups. Dr Paul Atkins co-developed the Prosocial process which draws upon the psychology of behavior change as well as political, economic and evolutionary science to improve cooperation within and between groups. Paul’s work has been published in the…

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  • #46 — Nesh Nikolic on Identity

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Mary Andreadis about identity, awareness of the self and coping with complex identity issues. 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…

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  • #45 — Frances Mirabelli: Australian Psychological Society CEO

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Australian Psychological Society’s CEO, Frances Mirabelli, about the role of the APS and plans for the future of psychology in Australia. Frances Mirabelliis the chief executive officer of the Australian Psychological Society, the leading body representing psychologists in Australia. A former CEO of AMA Victoria,…

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  • #44 — Dr Louise Hayes on Developmental Model of ACT for Young People

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Louise Hayes about using a developmental approach of ACT when working with young persons. Dr Louise Hayes is a clinical psychologist with extensive experience in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) training for young people. She is the co-author of the best selling book Get…

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  • #43 — Dr Warren Farrell on The Boy Crisis

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Warren Farrell about his book, The Boy Crisis, and the impact fathers have on young men. Dr Warren Farrell has been chosen by the Financial Times as one of the world’s top 100 thought leaders, and by the Center for World Spirituality as one…

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  • #42 — Marcela Lapertosa on Intercultural Learning & Awareness

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with clinical psychologist Marcela Lapertosa about what we can learn through our awareness, understanding and respect of different cultures. Marcela Lapertosa is a clinical psychologist and Senior Manager of Education and Development at AFS Intercultural Programs Australia. AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit…

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  • #41 — Nesh Nikolic on Loneliness & Isolation

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Mary Andreadis about the psychological and contextual aspects of loneliness and isolation. 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…

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  • #40 — Prof Devon Polaschek on Treating High-Risk Violent Offenders

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Devon Polaschek about research and treatment of high-risk violent offenders in prisons and on parole. Devon Polaschek is a forensic clinical psychologist, professor of psychology, and Joint Director of the New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science at the University of Waikato. She…

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  • #39 — Janelle Colquhoun: “I’m Blind, Whatever!”

    In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Janelle Colquhoun about her incredible life before and after blindness. Her “I’m Blind, Whatever!” attitude is contagious and inspiring! At age 10, Janelle Colquhoun was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, which she ignored as she pursued her passion to be on stage. During school she…

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