Better Thinking

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Amy Peden about the global drowning crisis, the key risk factors involved, and what can be done to reduce these tragic incidents. Dr Amy Peden is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Population Health at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney Australia, where she is also the co-founder of the UNSW Beach Safety Researc...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr. Robyn Walser about using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help individuals navigate and heal from trauma. Robyn D Walser, PhD is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, educator, and author. She is the Director of Trauma and Life Consultation and Psychology Services, Assistant Professor at the University of Cal...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Ahu Kocak about her experience in developing suicide assessment and prevention strategies in correctional settings. Ahu Kocak is endorsed in Forensic Psychology with over 14 years experience in prison, court and private practice settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science Psychology, Masters of Psychology (Forensic), Graduate Certificate i...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Ben Newell about the power of behavioral science and the role that psychology can play in motivating individuals and societies to take meaningful action on climate change. Ben Newell is Professor of Behavioural Science in the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney, and Director of the  UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response (IC...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Kim Delbaere about understanding physical, psychological and cognitive factors causing falls as well as topics about promoting healthy ageing. Professor Kim Delbaere is a Senior Principal Research Scientist and Director of Innovation & Translation at the Falls, Balance & Injury Research Centre at Neuroscience Research A...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr. Stefan Carlo Michalski about using an AI-powered VR application to build life skills and improve healthcare access for people with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Stefan Michalski is a Research Fellow in the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health at the University of New South Wales. His research has focused o...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Jacinta Hawgood about evaluating suicide prevention training programs, their effectiveness, and the critical role they play in reducing suicide rates. Jacinta Hawgood is Associate Professor and Program Director of Suicidology at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP), Griffith University, where she has work...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Lydia Brown about understanding and enhancing well-being during the menopause transition and aging. Lydia Brown  is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne. She earned her PhD in 2015, focusing on self-compassion and menopause, and subsequently completed postdoct...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Jill Maree Newby about innovative technology-based interventions for depression and anxiety, highlighting the impact and effectiveness of internet and e-mental health approaches in modern mental health care. Jill Maree Newby is an Australian psychologist who is a professor and National Health and Medical Research Council Emergi...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Ivan Raymond about the concept of intentional practice, which helps individuals and communities navigate complexity by offering a common framework for thinking and planning. Dr Ivan Raymond i s a clinical psychologist and the Director of the Life Buoyancy Institute Foundation. He work brings focus to the translation of science into pr...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Kristy Martire about how evidence is evaluated in criminal trials and ways to enhance communication between experts and lay decision-makers in forensic settings. Dr. Kristy Martire is a Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia. Her research aims to better understand the development of e...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Stevan Nikolin about understanding how depression affects brain activity and how this knowledge is being used to develop new treatments and improve existing ones. Dr Stevan Nikolin is a Neuroscience Fellow at the Black Dog Institute, specializing in the intersection of brain activity and depression. As both a neuroscientist and clinic...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Margaret Morris about the connection between poor diet and behavior, and how dietary changes can help mitigate the behavioral effects of early life stress. Margaret Morris is a Professor of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of NSW. She uses neuropharmacological approaches to explore underlying brain mechan...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr David Bakker on the use of technology such as smartphone apps for mental health purposes. David Bakker is a clinical psychologist in private practice at Archer Street Health in Hobart. He is also a lecturer and research supervisor at the Institute for Social Neuroscience, which trains postgraduate psychology students in Melbourne. He...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Kamilah Majied about her insightful book entitled “Joyfully Just: Black Wisdom and Buddhist Insights for Liberated Living”. Dr. Majied is Professor of Social Work at California State University, Monterey Bay. She teaches clinical practice to graduate students employing psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, mindfulness-based, and artist...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Sally Gainsbury about the differences between problematic and recreational gambling while exploring the development of responsible gambling strategies. Professor Sally Gainsbury, PhD, Doctor. ClinPsych, BPsych(Hons) is a leader in gambling psychology research, focussing on using science to inform the development of responsible...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr. Christoph Klebl about the psychology of climate change and biodiversity, and his work on aesthetics and morality that relates to that (e.g., why people are most concerned about protecting beautiful animal species). Dr. Christoph Klebl is a postdoctoral research fellow at the School of Psychology, University of Queensland. His researc...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Kinga Szymaniak about the impacts of anger on the way we think and act, and how it shapes our decisions and judgments. Kinga Szymaniak is a Research Associate in the School of Psychology at UNSW. She was awarded her PhD in 2022 from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Warsaw, Poland. Kinga’s research interests revolve aroun...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with John Sweller about The Cognitive Load Theory which suggests that learning happens best under conditions that are aligned with human cognitive architecture. John Sweller is an educational psychologist and Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales. He received a Ph. D. from the University of Adelaide’s Department of Psycholog...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor David Blustein about the complexities surrounding the psychology of working and its profound impact on mental health, while shedding light on the challenges posed by work poverty. Dr Blustein is a Professor and Golden Eagle Faculty Fellow in the Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology at Boston Colle...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Rob Brooks about the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence on reshaping human sexual perspectives and interactions and how it revolutionizes our understanding in the realm of human sexuality. Rob Brooks , a Scientia Professor of Evolution at UNSW Sydney. He both founded and directed from 2007 to 2019 the Evolution and Ecology Resear...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Susie Burke about the role that psychology can play in helping us understand the causes, impacts and solutions to climate change and other environmental threats. Dr Susie Burke is a psychologist, Adjunct Associate Professor (University of Queensland), researcher, writer, and climate change campaigner with a background in conflict reso...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Andrew Martin about the intricate dynamics of Student Motivation, Engagement, and Achievement. Together, they delve deep into the strategies and challenges of "Putting The Horse Before The Cart," shedding light on the crucial steps needed to ensure academic success and personal growth. Andrew Martin, BA (Hons), MEd (Hons), PhD,...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Andrew Amos about the complexities and concerns surrounding gender-affirming care. This discussion delves into the psychiatric perspective on this important and often debated topic. Dr Andrew Amos is Director of Training – Psychiatry for North Queensland, Deputy Editor of Australasian Psychiatry, and Chairs the RANZCP’s Section of Rur...

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Genevieve Rayner about the intricate interplay of neurobiology and psychosocial factors contributing to mood and cognitive disorders in epilepsy and other neurological conditions. Dr Genevieve Rayner is a practicing clinical neuropsychologist and lecturer in clinical neuropsychology at the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. A...