Walk and Talk

This final episode of the year is a gentle invitation to pause and review. I walk through some of the questions I ask myself at the end of every year: How closely have I lived my values? Where have I found meaning through coherence, purpose and mattering? When did my strengths help me through challenge Where did small tools in my wellbeing toolkit make a real difference? I also share ideas for ref...

In this episode I am joined by Dr Helena Marujo, who describes herself as a joyful, socially engaged citizen and an activist through science. I love that. Helena traces the moment she realised she wanted to move beyond only measuring depression in young people and start asking different questions - ones about hope, justice, love and community. From there, her work has flowed into neighbourhoods, s...

I’ve just been to see Metallica (again!) and it sparked a whole stream of reflections about why big concerts, sporting events and live shows feel so good for us. In this episode I unpack the science behind those moments - collective effervescence, neural synchrony, emotional contagion, awe, shared identity and nostalgia , and how they shape our memories, emotions and wellbeing. I also share a few...

On this Walk and Talk, I share a reflection sparked by my recent conversation with Dr Corey Keyes. We explored the idea of languishing as a kind of emotional hunger - that gnawing sense of emptiness many people feel even when life looks fine on the outside. We talk through why those small, nourishing habits matter, how our “mental vitamins” build readiness for the inevitable ups and downs, and why...

In this Walk and Talk, I dip into the fascinating world of affective forecasting - the way we predict our future feelings and how those predictions shape our choices. From holidays and hikes to dentist appointments and morning coffee, our brain is constantly making emotional predictions. Yet the science shows we are not always as accurate as we think. As we explore the components of valence, speci...

In this Walk and Talk, I reflect on my recent conversation with philosopher Dan Weijers about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we think, connect, and make choices. We explore the ethics of AI companions, the role of philosophy in developing critical thinking, and how we can use awareness and reflection to make wiser, more intentional decisions in a world overflowing with informatio...

In this Walk and Talk, I explore one of the components of Psychological Capital - Efficacy - and how it shapes our sense of self-belief. I share some of the research on efficacy and what it really means to believe in our ability to make things happen. You will hear reflections from recent conversations with leaders who’ve experienced imposter thoughts (not a syndrome!) and how reframing these mome...

I am joined by Dr Lucy Hone for a heartfelt conversation on grief literacy, living losses and what it truly means to flourish. We explore the science of grieving, how language shapes healing, and ways to find hope after loss. This episode leads up to the launch of Lucy’s new book How Will I Ever Get Through This? - available for pre-order via Australian retailers:   Allen & Unwin https://www.a...

Today I wander through an idea that has been bubbling away for a while - ageing and identity. I share a sweet adventure with my mum, Hazel, a few reflections from friends and colleagues, and a lens from Brian Lowery’s Selfless that invites us to see how others shape our self-image across the years. Together we explore a mindset that supports vitality: staying curious, building social connection, m...

In this Walk and Talk, I chat with Professor Andreas Krafft, whose research into hope and future thinking has inspired people around the world. We explored how hope is not just a feeling - it is an active choice to move forward with purpose and possibility. Andreas shared how our perception of the future shapes our wellbeing, and how walking into the future together builds trust, agency, and conne...

In this week’s Walk and Talk, I am joined by the wonderful Leona Brandwene. We explored what it means to flourish - feeling good, functioning well, and having the tools to meet life’s challenges with purpose and energy. Leona shared her journey from cardiac rehabilitation to corporate wellbeing and now to teaching in the Master of Applied Positive Psychology program at the University of Pennsylvan...

I catch up with my long-time colleague and friend Clive Leach. Clive and I explore what makes strengths-based, Positive Psychology coaching so powerful. It is about weaving performance and wellbeing into one powerful approach. Clive shares his insights from years of coaching in schools, organisations, and leadership programs, reminding us that wellbeing is the foundation of sustainable success. Wh...

From lifelong friendships to my own 30-year partnership, I know that relationships can be our greatest source of joy, and sometimes our biggest challenge. In this week’s Walk and Talk, I share what I’ve learned about helping relationships flourish, drawing on decades of research, personal experiences, and a little humour. I explore why social connection is one of the strongest predictors of wellbe...

In this episode, I sit down with Professor Stewart Donaldson to explore why our attention may be the most valuable asset we have. From building the first PhD program in Positive Psychology to championing human flourishing across the globe, Stewart shares powerful insights into how science and practice come together. We talk attention, wellbeing, and why I believe the 'Future is Human'.

In this Walk and Talk, I reconnect with my friend and colleague David Caruso - someone I first met more than 20 years ago, right at the start of the emotional intelligence journey. Together, we reflect on the origins of EI, its distinction from EQ, and how the science has grown and strengthened over the decades. David shares candidly about his career, his role in developing the MSCEIT assessment,...

I had the joy of sitting down with my long-time friend and colleague Dr Suzy Green. We talked about the evolution of positive psychology coaching, the lessons of running a business, and what it means to step into our “third act” of life. Suzy shared her own journey with honesty, warmth, and humour - from wellbeing practices that sustain us on the tough days, to leadership maturity and the legacy w...

I had a wonderful conversation with positive psychologist Llewellyn van Zyl about what it really takes for people to flourish. We explored why happiness is only the beginning, how emotions can act as data to guide us, and why hyper-personalisation is so important when it comes to wellbeing. We also talked about the challenges of making interventions scalable and accessible, and how our environment...

Travel for work can throw our wellbeing routines off balance - sleep gets disrupted, exercise drops off, and food choices are… well, whatever’s on offer! In this Walk and Talk, I share how small shifts in perception can turn even the most exhausting travel days into moments of joy. From noticing rainbows around plane shadows to savouring fish tacos in a lounge, discover how curiosity, gratitude an...

In this episode, I’m joined by positive clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Chiara Ruini. We explore her journey from traditional clinical practice to shaping positive psychology education and research for more than two decades. We chat about the evolving field, the importance of systems thinking, and the small daily actions that make the biggest difference to wellbeing. Plus, Chiara shares...

Psychosocial risks are front of mind for many organisations right now - yet I believe we need to go beyond audits and start promoting true flourishing at work. In this episode, I share thoughts on prevention, emotional labour, workplace meaning, and how we can support wellbeing before issues arise. If you are passionate about building thriving workplaces, I hope this episode offers both insight an...

A fascinating conversation with Shige Oishi on his groundbreaking work around psychological richness - a concept that adds a powerful third dimension to how we understand wellbeing. Traditionally, wellbeing has been explored through the lenses of hedonic (happiness) and eudaimonic (meaningful) living. Shige’s research challenges and expands this framework, offering psychological richness as an alt...

What a joy it was to be at the IPPA World Congress in Brisbane and to connect in person with so many passionate people in our field. Denise Quinlan and I have spent days reflecting on the incredible conversations, the spontaneous hugs from over 50 of our Diploma alumni, and the deep sense of connection that filled every corridor. It’s moments like these that remind me why this work matters because...

Hope is more than wishful thinking - it’s a powerful force for motivation and change. In this podcast, I delve into the science of hope, exploring what it really means from a psychological perspective and how we can cultivate it, especially in challenging times. With increasing uncertainty in the world, hope can feel elusive, yet research shows it’s a critical resource for wellbeing, resilience, a...

I had an energising live conversation with Ryan Smith, Founder of TruDiagnostic, where many of you joined me. We were all engrossed with energy, passion and enthusiasm for the science, where he explained the latest cutting edge research around the work of genetics and epigenetics in such a way that we were all keen to find out more. Many of us left feeling excited to test ourselves (again in my ca...

I had such a rich and energising conversation with Andrew Soren on my podcast a couple of weeks ago. While we've been enjoying co-designing our upcoming workshop for IPPA, this was a chance to zoom out and explore the bigger picture - from Andrew’s journey into the world of Positive Psychology to the exciting future he's shaping with Eudaimonic by Design. One of the highlights was diving deeper in...