THRIVING MINDS PODCAST

We often hear that life is a journey, one where we pack bags filled with experiences, accomplishments, and material gains. But what if the most profound journey is not about packing, but unpacking? This sentiment captures the essence of the storytelling project we will discuss in today's episode.  Our guest, who has travelled both literally and metaphorically through diverse life paths, found...

In this enlightening episode, we're joined by Beth Tyson, an expert trauma therapist, to demystify some common myths about mental health and child psychology.  Taking a four-second pause when you start to feel angry is a simple but effective strategy to create emotional distance from a triggering situation. It allows you a brief moment to gain better control over your emotions, providing a br...

Are you struggling with your children screentime, messaging apps and devices? You are not alone, there is help, and expertise to help you navigate parenting in the tech age.  Enter Parent TV. I recently heard a rather striking story from a teacher who was engaging her primary school students in a discussion about ‘what they would like to be when they grow up?’, she received an unexpected response...

Call to Action We live in an era where 18-month-old infants can now navigate YouTube, and the digital landscape has become a playground as well as perilous for our children. In 2023, children as young as 6 years old are now viewing adult material, are being asked to share inappropriate material with each other and to strangers.  Australia is a leading country in child exploitation because we think...

We welcome Dr. Mariam Tokhi, a pioneering general practitioner from Melbourne, who has introduced the first course of its kind in Australia on narrative medicine. Storytelling has long been a powerful tool for communication, education, and relationship-building. In the context of healthcare, upskilling clinical skills through storytelling, also known as narrative medicine, and the practice of &quo...

Autism spectrum disorders once affected 1 in 2000 individuals, now touches the lives of 1 in 50. This remarkable change underscores the urgency to understand this complex neurodevelopmental disorder and the ways it intertwines with the universal journey of parenting. In this episode we explore the world of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and delve into the broader landscape of parent-child interact...

The Neuroscience of Connection: Understanding the Brain's Social Network The power of the human minds to unify, inspire, and transform. Drawing from cutting-edge neuroscience research, we explore how the brain's intricate networks foster cooperation, resilience, and the unparalleled teamwork exhibited by the Matildas on the field. We delve into the dynamics of connection, empathy, and sh...

A joy filled conversation about how to reimagine education systems and its role in community with John Bray, Chief Enthusiasm Officer and Principal of Dunwich School. John has an unwavering commitment to crafting safe, calm, and connected schools, Bray's innovative approach to co-designing educational spaces with the community. He has a pedagogical philosophy that emphasizes the importance of...

Professor Kuyken suggests that over the next 50 years that will see mental health and wellbeing become a human right that is fundamental to human flourishing. This requires a public health and societal approach to tackle as from about 7 billion people in the world, of which about a 3.5 billion will at some point encounter mental health problems themselves or with their loved ones. How we think abo...

What would you do if you were given $500 per week, no questions asked?  In this episode, we have the honour of hosting a compelling conversation with Everald Compton, a titan in Australian business, an influential social reformer, and a well-respected author. Everald has championed numerous causes throughout his remarkable career, but none have been as significant as his advocacy for a Universal B...

 Two powerful ideas to consider when you see someone struggling. 1.     I wonder what happened to you? 2.     How can I help you? Healing through neuroplasticity is not about quick fixes or short-term solutions; it's about understanding the root causes of these conditions. It's about recognising that it is not about an individual but about the community and Society. How to begin to break...

Step into the captivating world of Dean Yates, the former bureau chief in Iraq whose life took a dramatic turn when a U.S. Apache gunship tragically killed two Reuters journalists in Baghdad in 2007. The shocking footage of this incident, brought to light by Julian Assange, shook the world's conscience. However, this pivotal event was just the beginning of Dean's journey, one that led hi...

 Are you wondering what it takes to be brave and gain financial fortitude in a rapidly changing world? Do you want to learn how to face criticism, setbacks, and challenges head-on and still thrive? This is exactly what we unpack in our latest podcast episode with Claire Hatton and Greta Thomas, the extraordinary women behind the highly influential 'Don’t Stop Us Now Podcast'. Dedicated t...

This is a conversation that dives deep into the mind of a visionary, who has dedicated over 25 years of his life to reforming education on a global scale. As a seasoned Montessori teacher and school principal in Australia, a committed advocate for child-centric learning, and a tireless builder of schools in the remote regions of the Himalayas, co-founding upschool.co and Educationinfluence.com, an...

Step into the captivating world of voices and embark on a transformative journey of discovery with Kellie Stastny, the Chair of Intervoice, mother of 2 children, just graduated from Latrobe University with Bachelor of Social Work and Human Services. In this thought-provoking podcast, we dive deep into the fascinating realm of hearing voices, challenging societal preconceptions, and unravelling the...

Step into a thought-provoking exploration of the alarming collapse of youth mental health since the advent of smartphones in 2010. In this gripping podcast, we delve into the evidence that suggests a troubling correlation between the omnipresence of social media, digital distractions, and the well-being of teenagers worldwide and especially girls.  Join us on an enlightening journey as we delve in...

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 I'm thrilled to share my experience with Susanna Soeberg's incredible work on cold exposure, brown fat activation, metabolism and its numerous benefits. Here are key takeaways that I believe everyone can benefit from: Improved Resilience: Through cold exposure techniques, Susanna helps individuals develop mental and physical resilience. Exposing ourselves to controll...

Understand your profound influence on others, even in the most fleeting of encounters.  A serendipitous encounter took place at All Hallows where I was giving a presentation to the year 12 students about my unexpected career as a neuroscientist. Little did I know, until a month ago, that Solene Hegarty-Cremer was sitting in the auditorium that day or that my story would shape her life in the most...

In this compelling episode, we delve into the inspiring work of Faye Lawrence and the transformative movement she spearheads through Untoxicated. Fuelled by a deep understanding that problem drinking and addiction are health issues, not personal failings, Faye challenges the societal norms and stigma surrounding alcohol use. Having been a heavy but high functioning drinker since her teens, Faye wo...

Get ready to discover the incredible potential of our sense of smell in this fascinating episode of our podcast! Join us as we dive into the world of olfactory science with Dr. Thomas Hummel from the University of Dresden in Germany.  In this conversation, we'll explore the importance of our sense of smell, how it impacts our ability to think, and the exciting potential for neuroplasticity in...

 Get ready to embark on a mind-bending journey that will reshape the way you see yourself and the incredible potential that lies within your own mind. Curiosity awaits—let's unravel the mysteries of your brain together! how your brain works and the amazing potential of neuroplasticity? Join Libby Trickett and Professor Selena Bartlett reveal their secrets! Join Libby Trickett and Professor Se...

Welcome to our podcast, where we seek to share inspiring stories that can make a positive impact in people's lives. We know that raising a child with autism can be challenging, and we hope that this conversation can bring some hope and insights for parents who are facing similar situations. As a parent of a child with autism, you might be looking for ways to help your child develop skills and...

Professor Debbie Haski-Leventhal is a leading expert in helping people create meaningful lives. Her new book, "Make it Meaningful," is a must-read for anyone feeling anchored to their past and searching for a way forward. Part memoir and part self-help guide, the book outlines the 7 enablers to finding meaning in your life. Debbie's passion for helping people find meaning is evident...

Parent-Child Brain Connection for Life. Dr Catherine Lebel is an Associate Professor of Radiology at the University of Calgary and a Canada Research Chair in Pediatric Imaging. She leads the Child Brain & Mental Health Program at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute and is a member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute.   Dr. Lebel received her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the U...

Sarah Roberts welcomes you to come and sit by the fire and tell your precious story. She founded the Empty Cradle as a grief counsellor to help others find opportunity from unplanned childlessness.  In this episode, we will explore the journey of Sarah Roberts, who transformed her grief of unplanned childlessness into an opportunity to help others. The desire to have a child is a natural and commo...