Psych for Life with Dr. Amanda Ferguson

In this episode of Psych for Life, I welcome back psychologist and one of Australia's most expert leaders and trainers in bullying, Evelyn Field OAM. Evelyn has spent over forty years helping students and adults develop social survival skills to manage school and workplace bullying. Listen in to our insighful conversation about workplace bullying to learn - What is workplace bullying? Why the...

Did you grow up with a Narcissistic parent? Are you trying to breaking free of them - or another? Did you feel like you were growing up in their shadow – or now living in another’s shadow? Listen in to this power ep to learn -  - What is a co-narcissist - How to recognise an expected or current connection that clouds your view - How to shift out of a co-narcissistic mindset and relationship Liked...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Clinical Psychologist, Bart Traynor, who has a particular passion for men's mental health and helping athletes and people become the very best version of themselves. He also consults with and provides training and support to organisations struggling with mental health issues in the workplace. Bart is Head of Operations at Atlantis Recovery Centre...

A role model is a person whose behavior, example, or success is admired and imitated by others, particularly by younger people. They serve as a source of inspiration and guidance, influencing values, attitudes, and behaviors. As we grow and develop through life – having good role models can really make us – and not having them may break us!  In this ep you’ll learn the importance of role models fo...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Sarah Martin, author of Dear Psychosis, her first award-winning book describing not only the dramatic rescue of her unwell daughter from Turkey, but the ongoing impact of helping a loved one deal with mental illness.  Despite being an experienced theatre nurse and part of an extended family of medical professionals, nothing could have prepared Sarah f...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Australia's leading compassion researcher,  James Kirby, Ph. D.,  an Associate Professor, Clinical Psychologist, Director of the Clinical Programs, and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland.  James examines factors that facilitate and inhibit compassionate responding, and the clinical effectivene...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I'm talking with Mark Morris about all things transitioning to being a father. Mark is a passionate advocate for positive masculinity and gender equality, an active dad of 2 and volunteers at his children’s school and local football club. With more than 20 years of leadership experience and a degree in Psychology, he specialises in People, is an accredited e...

Life brings crossroads every so often. When our work conflicts with our mental health – this is a major crossroad – and one that comes to many of us sooner or later in our careers.  Most of us are lucky enough to be able to direct the quality of our lives, and these crossroads are opportunities to take stock, take charge and work out what the next best steps are.  In this episode You’ll take a mom...

In my first new episode for 2025, I welcomed Dr Emmanuella Noble, a Clinical Psychologist and Sailor who recently completed the classic Sydney to Hobart oceanic yacht race.  Emmanuella is deeply passionate about reducing the stigma of Mental Health in the community and she often talks about health and wellbeing issues.  Listen in to our conversation on - - the realities of racing the Sydney to Hob...

During Summer, I’ll be sharing my Summer Series - a replay of some of our most popular Psych for Life podcast episodes. I hope you enjoy them as much as my other listeners have. There's no escaping that we live in a digital world. However, our digital habits are impacting our stress and relationships more than ever, so I chat with Dr Kristy Goodwin, about what we can do to tame them. Dr Krist...

During Summer, I’ll be sharing my Summer Series - a replay of some of our most popular Psych for Life podcast episodes. I hope you enjoy them as much as my other listeners have. Co-dependence may seem like the latest buzzy word, however if you're wanting healthy relationships in your life, it's one you should probably pay attention to. The cornerstone of Co-dependence is when we care too...

During Summer, I’ll be sharing my Summer Series - a replay of some of our most popular Psych for Life podcast episodes. I hope you enjoy them as much as my other listeners have. In this episode, I chat with motivational speaker, author, researcher and podcaster, Craig Harper. We discuss audacious goals, self awareness, motivation and so much more. Listen in to hear - - What big hairy audacious goa...

During Summer, I’ll be sharing my 2024 Summer Series - a replay of some of our most popular Psych for Life podcast episodes. I hope you enjoy them as much as my other listeners have So many people struggle to switch off at all and find themselves spending breaks (even lunch breaks, let alone holidays) on devices, or madly trying to multi task lots of other seemingly must do items - which defeats t...

Social anxiety is a chronic mental health condition where everyday social interactions cause irrational worry and anxiety, fear, self consciousness and embarrassment. Debilitating and bad for confidence, particularly at social times of the year such as Christmas, end of year, birthdays and work celebrations. So listen in to this episode of Psych for Life to learn: - what is social anxiety, obsessi...

In this episode of Psych for Life I chat with cognitive neuroscientist, Dr. Sarah Tashjian. Sarah is a Lecturer within the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences with her research focusing on using brain imaging and computational techniques to understand how humans make optimal decisions. She has a particular interest in the way individuals perceive threat, safety, and reward, and how these pr...

Most of us suffer cost of living crises personally in our lives, as do our nations and as does the world at times. It impacts how we celebrate special occasions. So with Christmas coming up and as the pressure to spend and socialise increases, this episode explores what you as an individual can do about this, plus tips and optimal strategic mindsets and practices you can use to help navigate these...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I'm chatting to Megan Golightly, one of the most popular organizing and decluttering influencers in North America. Megan is best known for weaving her psychology background and interest in neuroscience into the help she provides, promoting the importance of mental health and positive change. Listen in to this episode to learn: - The impact of clutter on our...

Evil is real and does live amongst us. But who teaches us how to deal with bullies, abuse, cruelty and even criminals in our personal and work life ? Unless you’ve suffered at the hands of this – it’s very hard to believe, understand and accept the extreme level of cruelty and abuse that antisocial people can and do dish out on anyone who gets in their way. For those of us who have been on the rec...

I welcome back author, speaker and activator, Michelle Scheibner. With over 30 years experience in coaching, mentoring, advising individuals and groups. Her extensive training includes a post graduate Diploma in Career Development. In 2016 the passing of her former partner and constant companion opened the wounds of absent perspectives of herself. In 2022 Michelle became a published TEDx Speaker o...

We hear about self esteem and self-love often. So what really are they and how do we enhance ours if it feels like they may be a little lacking? Listen to this power ep as I discuss all things self esteem and self love.  This episode includes: - understanding more about self esteem and self love - why is acceptance so important - you’ll learn a process of self acceptance that increases self esteem...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Tara Hurster, Founder and CEO of The TARA Clinic – or Therapeutic Addiction Recovery Assistance – providing Modern Addiction Support For Successful People. She is a Psychologist & Speaker. Join us as we discuss: - how addiction doesn't discriminate - modern solutions to addiction - what are the Stages of Change - the impact of shame and guilt...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Michelle Scheibner an author, speaker and activator. In 2016 the passing of her former partner and constant companion opened the wounds of absent perspectives of herself. In 2022 Michelle became a published TEDx Speaker on the subject of identity and in 2024, she released her memoir HUSH: unravelling the unintended legacy of family secrets. Listen in...

It's a never ending quest to work out how to find balance in our lives. One that most of us struggle with endlessly. I first discussed this in my book Life Works – because many of us identify with ourselves as humans doing early in our lives – until we might hit a wall… when suddenly this no longer works for us any moreSo in this episode, I dive into:· How to learn the right relationship betw...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Georgie Dent, former lawyer and CEO of The Parenthood, a NFP advocacy organisation that represents over 80,000 parents, carers and allies around Australia. Georgie is a passionate and prominent advocate for children, parents, families and women. She is a regular media commentator and the author of Breaking Badly, her best-selling memoir recounting the...

Are you – or someone you know - constantly late ? Always arriving at work, meetings, family and social occasions late? Always rushing? Sick of feeling guilty and embarrassed for making people wait? Spending money unnecessarily, tired of feeling stressed out? Ashamed of frustrating people and being judged? If any of those feelings resonate with you, then this episode is for you. In this episode you...