The Locker Room

This week on ABC North Queensland, Susan Graham-Ryan and I discussed automatic negative thoughts and how our thinking can sometimes work against us. We explored three common thinking traps: all-or-nothing thinking, rigid expectations about how things should be, and discounting the positive. We also discussed why the solution isn't simply to think more positively, but to become better at recogn...

Singapore is encouraging people to read for 15 minutes a day, with rewards for doing it. Join Susan Graham-Ryan and me on ABC North Queensland as we discuss whether incentives can help us start a good habit and what happens when the reward disappears.

School holidays give children more unstructured time, but adults may not be much better at dealing with an emptymoment. We reach for our phones, check emails, put ona podcast or find another task to do. Perhaps the question isn’t how we eliminate boredom, but what happens when we allow ourselves to experience it for a little longer.

Exercise isn't only changing the parts of your body you can see. New Australian research is helping us better understand the relationship between physical activity and the hippocampus, an area of the brain that plays an important role in learning and memory. Susan Graham-Ryan and I are talking about what happens to our brains as we age, why movement matters, and whether it's ever too late...

Why did time seem to move so slowly when we were children, yet seems to fly as we get older? This week on Mindwise, we're looking at the psychology of our perception of time and what we can do to make our days feel richer and more memorable.

Different generations bring different experiences, perspectives and ways of working. The strongest teams don’t need everyone to think alike. They learn how to use the differences already in the room.

This week on ABC Queensland, we discussed why writing about our experiences can be so valuable, from memoirs and diaries to gratitude journalling and the way athletes use reflection to learn from performance.

Susan Graham-Ryan and Dr Jo Lukins on ABC NorthQueensland as they explore why our bodies react to emails, deadlines and everyday pressures as though we're facing a predator, and what we can do about it.

This week on Mindwise, Samuel Auda-Ryan and Idiscussed how something as simple as sitting up straight can change your mood, your confidence and even the risks you're willing to take. We also asked the question everyone's curiousabout: does standing like a superhero before a big moment actually work, or is it more myth than science?

Being put on the spot happens in ordinarymoments: a question in a meeting, a difficult conversation at home, or being asked for your opinion when you did not expect it. Speaking in the moment is a skill we can train. The goal is not to sound perfect. It is to stay grounded, find a little space, and connect.

This week on ABCNQ, Sarah Howells and I discussed why less feels like more, why our minds crave less clutter, fewer commitments and more space to breathe.

The words we choose can quietly shape how we face a task before we've even started it. Calling something difficult can make it feel like a wall, while calling the same task challenging can make it feel like something worth pushing through. Susan Graham-Ryan and I discussed why calling something difficult versus challenging can completely change how we approach it.

This week on ABCNQ, Susan Graham-Ryan and I discussed “Age at Work: Belonging Across Generations” and how age-diverse teams can still give people the anchor of having at least one colleague who “gets” their life stage. We explored why people don’t need everyone at work to be like them, but many do need at least one peer who reflects their season of life, especially when one in five reports feeling...

Everyone wants to grow. But no one wants to let go. This week on ABC Qld, Sarah Howell and I discussed why real improvement sometimes means gently eliminating the habits, beliefs, and daily norms that belong to who you were- not who you're trying to become.

This week on ABC Sunshine Coast, Miranda Deakin and I discussed how shifting your mindset can turn exercise from a chore into a choice you actually want to make. We explored why being too rigid about the ‘perfect’ workout can backfire, and how embracing short, flexible bouts of movement can add up to real health benefits.

This week on ABC Brisbane, Sheridan Stewart and I discussed a school holiday game plan designed to be calm, fun and trulydoable, even when life is busy.

Laughter is one of the fastest ways to calm the brain and connect with other people. When we laugh together, our brains release “feel‑good” chemicals that lower stress and strengthen our bonds.

This week on ABCNQ, Susan Graham Ryan and I discussed whether technology is truly “rotting” our brains or simply changing how we think, focus and remember. We unpacked the latest research on screen time, attention, and memory, and shared practical strategies for using tech in ways that protect your cognitive health.

We’ll explore why chronic over‑efforting drives mental fatigue, tunnel vision, and burnout – and how small shifts in focus, pacing, and recovery can restore clarity and consistent performance. Join Susan Graham-Ryan and me on ABCNQ as we dive into evidence‑based ways to “do less,” protect your brain, and still get outstanding results.

This week on ABCNQ, Susan Graham-Ryan and I discussed why holding some good news close can protect our energy and reduce comparison stress. We talked about how private joy can strengthen self-confidence, deepen relationships, and give us space to enjoy milestones before the world weighs in.

This week on ABC NQ, Susan Graham‑Ryan and I discussed how decorating helps us express who we are, regulate our emotions and foster a sense of connection at home.

This week on ABCNQ, Susan Graham‑Ryan and I discussed how visiting a museum can quiet a busy mind and boost your emotional wellbeing. We unpacked why getting lost in art and stories can lower stress, reduce anxiety and help you feel less alone.

Ultra‑processed foods don’t just affect your waistline – even small daily amounts are now linked with measurable drops in focus and thinking speed, and a higher risk of dementia over time.

This week on ABCNQ, Susan Graham-Ryan and I discussed how to support others when you’re running on empty yourself, and why “being there” matters more than saying the perfect words.

This week on ABCNQ, Sarah Howell and I discussed how awe in majestic environments can help us step out of our own heads and feel part of something bigger. We explored how moments of awe support resilience, relationships and even our sense of purpose, plus practical ways to invite more awe into your week.