Potential Psychology

Hi Ellen here. If this is your first time listening to the podcast, welcome! I'm your host and I'm here with this mini episode to tell you a bit about what's coming up on the podcast in Season 3.This season we have a performance theme for this upcoming season and by performance I don't mean how to perform bigger, better or faster although I know you will pick up some tips on that if that's what you're looking for.Our focus is on the individual experience of performing, whether as an athlete, a leader, a musician, a business owner or just someone working really hard to achieve meaningful goals. I'm exploring with my guests the stuff that sits below the surface but plays a really important part. Things like self awareness, understanding our values, identity, mindset and the role of families and relationships in supporting our goals and performance..Listen in to learn more and to hear about my plans for experimentation this season. Our first guest interview goes live on September 12.Thanks for listening!--- Send

Love it or hate it, today's show is about exercise - and how you can use it to fulfil your potential.My guest is Nonie Carr, a Melbourne based psychologist from Enhance Life Psychology. Nonie has a passion for cycling and the benefits of exercise for our wellbeing and success.Nonie began her career in schools, first as a high school teacher and later as a school psychologist. She left education to start her private practice and she now works with individuals to help improve their well-being and relationships and boost their motivation to pursue their goals.She's here on the podcast to talk to us about the benefits of exercise for your brain and mind - and give us some tips on how to incorporate it into our daily life.Nonie and I discuss: •The neurological effects of exercise and how the hormones released into the brain during exercise boost our mood and brain function •The emotional effects of exercise for our wellbeing and mental health •How exercise can be motivating •The best types of exercise for our ment

This episode is one for the new parents and parents to be.My guest is clinical psychologist and parenting expert Nadene van der Linden. We're chatting about the psychological transition that we make when we move from non-parent to parent. What are the challenges? Why is it harder for some of us than others? And how can we best prepare ourselves?Much of the focus when you're expecting or a new parent is on the baby and what's best for him or her. But parents and their well being are just as important and becoming a parent is a BIG deal that can have unexpected effects on our mental health and state of mind.In this episode Nadene and I share our personal stories of becoming a parent - the good, the bad and the ugly. We consider: •The work life juggle that comes with parenting •How your expectations of parenthood - and yourself - can mess with your head •The role of identity in the transition to parenthood •Nadene's tips for making the journey easierJoin us as we get a little personal about parenting.--- Send in

My guest today is on a mission to disrupt education and spread well being throughout schools, organisations and our community.Andrea Downie is co-founder of Project Thrive, an Australian consultancy firm that collaborates with its clients, co-creating school and work environments that help us all to live and work at our best. She and her colleagues fuse positive psychology, education, sociology, anthropology, wellness and leadership in their - and from my experience in this interview, I bet they laugh a lot too!Listen in as Andrea (a former primary classroom teacher and school leader in Wellbeing, Learning Enhancement, Technology, Gifted Education and a former Deputy Principal) and I explore: •Eco-systems of well being - How parents, their work, home life, teachers and schools interact to affect students learning and well being. •Andrea's vision for disrupting education and helping kids to find meaning and purpose in their school days. •The insight that kids have into what's good for them. •Well being, motiva

What is the future of work and how do we prepare our kids for it?Are schools and universities setting kids up for future success? Does technology in the classroom improve outcomes for kids? Should every school student be learning to code?And what are the skills that kids will need in tomorrow's world?These are just some of the questions I ask Dr Joe Sweeney, technologist, researcher, writer and expert in workforce transformation in this episode of the Potential Psychology podcast.Joe and I discuss schools, education, technology, tools, parenting and the future of work. We talk about why LEGO is important for the digital world, the role of books in future happiness and success and why the most important thing we can do for our kids is teaching them to think.Join me as we explore the future - and the past - with Dr Joe Sweeney.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

Something to get you thinking today. I'm talking to Dr Madeline Fernbach, Australian Clinical Psychologist with expertise and a passion for working with the transgender and gender fluid community.Madeline is fascinated by identity and the way people see themselves. She explains in this episode that during her awkward middle teenage years she drifted at the fringes of many social groups. Without a fixed groups of friend until later in her life she developed an interest in what makes humans belong - or not belong - in groups.This is interest drove her to complete a PhD on the topic, after which she began work at the Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health And Society at Latrobe University. Throughout her career she has been involved in sexual health and identity research, and in the last five years these interests have coalesced, leading her to specialise in supporting the transgender community.She says, 'The best part of my job is talking about identity and providing support so that people can take control

Something completely different for you on the podcast this week.I recorded this episode at the 13th Happiness & Its Causes Conference in sunny Sydney, Australia. It's five pocket interviews and an insight into the conference highlights for me.Happiness and Its Causes is the world's largest happiness and wellbeing conference, with speakers exploring the many and varied causes for a happy and fulfilling life. The line up was formidable with no less than His Holiness the Dalai Lama making an appearance (he is quite the comedian). We were inspired by an impressive array of experts from psychology, education, the world of media and entertainment, the corporate world and incredible individuals like Domestic Violence Campaigner Rosie Batty who shared their personal stories of connection and compassion with us.In this episode you'll hear some familiar voices such as Dr Suzy Green, a previous podcast guest, and some exciting new interviewees such as Dr Justin Coulson and Sue Langley who I'm lining up for future po

I'm very excited that my guest for this episode not only shares two of my personal passions - psychology and yoga - but she combines the two in her professional practice to help everyday people thrive through life's challenges and difficult moments.Suzy Reading is UK based psychologist, yoga instructor and personal trainer. She is the author of The Self Care Revolution which was published in the UK late in 2017 and in Australia in early 2018. She is passionate about helping to bring people back from stress, overwhelm, crisis and grief to a place of feeling whole, energetic and on the path to a rewarding life.Our conversation in this episode ranges from: •What it means to nurture head, heart and body and how you can incorporate these simple steps into your life everyday. •How to recover when you are 'energetically bankrupt' •Why Suzy believes yoga is 'body-centred therapy' •The two minute yoga sequences that we can all use every day to calm the body and mind - or energise it! •How movement helps us to process

My guest today is Karen Young, founder of the popular 'Hey Sigmund' website. Karen is a psychologist, an author, a speaker, an educator and a parent.She founded Hey Sigmund after realising the power of solid information to help us to manage life's challenges and live well. The website attracts millions of readers each year worldwide. Her articles have been translated into a number of languages and her work has been published on various international sites including The Good Men Project, The Huffington Post, The Mighty, and Yahoo Health.My conversation with Karen is a wellspring of wisdom ranging from career advice to parenting teens, to understanding and managing anxiety to book, exercise, meditation and tips for staying happy and well.We dive into: •Karen's book 'Hey Warrior', which she wrote for kids to help them understand anxiety and find their 'brave'. (The book has now been translated into a number of languages). •The power of parents to support and guide kids through life's more challenging days •How t

My guest today is James Garrett, the founder and CEO of Brain by Design - a US-based organisation that teaches strategies for getting more from your mind. He's a psychologist, a former academic, co-founder of a highly successful social venture - Think Unlimited, which taught innovation and creativity to young people in the Middle East - and he's chatting to me today about using your brain to enhance your productivity and creativity and live your best life.This is an exciting and illuminating conversation and James and I have a ball discussing the science behind: •Why your focus and attention is like a battery that requires recharging. • How to get more done by working less •How to use your mind to start on difficult or unpleasant tasks •The importance of taking breaks for your productivity and creativity and why your brain doesn't know how to do this •Why the standard '8 hours at your desk' is a disaster for your effectiveness, innovation, happiness and wellbeing. •James's Brain in Mind Program and the scienc

Today's guest and I are separated by 13,000 km and the mighty Pacific Ocean but thanks to the wonders of technology we chat in this episode as though we're in the same room.Eileen Lenson is in California and she is talking to us about adversity, resilience, courage, hope and her recently published book Overcoming Adversity: Conquering Life's Challenges.In her words, 'No one searches for adversity. Bad experiences are simply part of life. Yet how many of us will know what to do to prevent our lives from spiralling out of control when we encounter traumatic events that threaten our safety, careers, emotions, health, or relationships?'In this episode Eileen and I explore: Eileen's experience as a Medical Social Worker specialising in trauma in a number of US hospitals and how this led her to write Overcoming Adversity.The nature of resilience and why two people who face similar trauma might cope and emerge from the experience so differently.Stories of forgiveness, courage, perspective, perseverance and hope in t

Hi, it's Ellen. I'm taking this opportunity to give you a glimpse into the hive of behind the scenes activity that is taking place as we await the launch of Season 2 of the Potential Psychology Podcast. Guest interviews are in full swing. I'm not going to ruin the surprise by giving away any names but listen in to this mini-episode to get an insight into the wealth of amazing topics we'll cover in the coming weeks.Season 2 launches on 6 June 2018. Looking forward to seeing you then.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

This is such a fun interview with exuberant and engaging coaching and clinical psychologist Cassandra Dunn. Cass and I chat, laugh and explore our way around career paths, taking chances, reframing risk and finding happiness.We examine: •The long and winding road that Cass has taken to find her passion and purpose •The uncertain but exciting nature of careers and how following your curiosity can take you to where you need to be •Life coaching - what it is and how does it help you? •High expectations, anxiety and letting go of jugdgement, •and Cass's tips for success, wellbeing and happiness.Ellen also shares her gratitude to those who have made Season One of the Potential Psychology Podcast a rewarding and successful experience.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

Welcome to Episode 9 of the Potential Psychology Podcast!In this episode I chat to the delightful Laura Braid from The Sweet Life. Laura started her career as a forensic psychologist in Scotland, delivered ground breaking programs with offenders in the New Zealand prison system and now runs her private practice, the gorgeously named, The Sweet Life, in Auckland.Our discussion delves into therapy, courage, vulnerability, acceptance and happiness.We discuss: •Mindfulness and how to let judgement exit stage left •Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a tool for a happier life •How to keep psychologically flexible so that our 'negative' thoughts don't take control, and •Getting out of our heads and into our lives!It's a wonderful, in-depth discussion filled with humour, insight, ideas and self revelation!Enjoy.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

In Episode 8 of the Potential Psychology Podcast we take a fascinating little side path into the world of food, cooking, simplicity and wellbeing.My guest is Jules Clancy from StoneSoup: Simple Weeknight Dinners. Jules is a food scientist, a former winemaker, an author, a photographer,  founder of the StoneSoup Virtual Cookery School, and a passionate advocate of minimalism and simplicity, especially in the kitchen.Jules and I start with a conversation about meals and recipes for a busy family. We traverse minimalism and de-cluttering for mental health, self experimentation in everyday life, 'tree changes' and our mutual relief at living traffic-free. We end up 45 minutes later deep in discussion about mindful eating and what triggers our hunger cues.Along the way you will learn about: •How to think about your weekly rather than daily nutrition. •The role of a food scientist and life on the 'Tim Tam' team. •Decluttering your kitchen and what to do when your toaster breaks, •Reframing your cooking and kitchen

Dr Tess Crawley is a clinical and forensic psychologist from Hobart, Tasmania. She has spent over ten years mentoring other psychologists and she's seen the challenges that even the experts face in balancing work and life and wellbeing. Tess is a former university lecturer, actor and theatre-company owner and now the Director of a busy multi-location private psychology practice. In this episode of the Potential Psychology Podcast Tess and Ellen talk about her mentoring program for mental health professionals, the challenges of becoming a leader, how to make successful transitions in life and the importance of passion and purpose in motivation and achieving your goals. They also discuss: •Tips for building confidence as a new leader  •The future of psychology •Tess's book recommendations for self-belief, new ventures and success •Gary Vaynerchuk, Mel Robbins and Brene Brown--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.su

Dr Sarah McKay is an Oxford educated neuroscientist who hung up her lab coat 10 years ago to teach, write and speak about brain health and applied neuroscience. She's also the author of recently released and fascinating read, 'The Women's Brain Book: The neuroscience of health, hormones and happiness.'In this entertaining and informative episode Ellen and Sarah discuss: •Nature, nurture and neuroplasticity •Baby brain, menopause and the life of the female brain •PMS - Myth or reality? •The science of napping, and •The secret to a long and flourishing life.Sarah also her shares her tips for a happy, healthy brain.Come and listen in!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

In this episode Suzy discusses 'performance and character strengths' - a foundation of positive psychology - and how they inform our career choices and energise us in the workplace. She shares inspiring stories of helping people to discover their strengths at work and the confidence, joy and awe that this brings.Suzy and Ellen also discuss: •Positive Education and the work that The Positivity Institute does to bring strengths and the science of wellbeing to students, teachers and school communities •Why Suzy feels that as a psychologist she has a duty of care to help kids to understand their emotions, themselves and others in order to prevent episodes of mental illness in the future •Suzy's journey from early school leaver to world leader in her field, and •The Positivity Institute's mission to increase worldwide wellbeing.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

In this episode Ellen talks to Chelle Taylor, child and family psychologist, about helping kids to manage stress and anxiety. Chelle is an expert in neurodevelopment and she explains how our brain responds to stress and why, for some kids, that response can be extreme. Chelle shares her tips for helping kids to manage their emotions - tips that apply to grown ups too - and she encourages us all to learn more about how our brain and emotions work in order to live happier and calmer lives.Chelle and Ellen also explore:How jumping on the trampoline or eating a crunchy apple can help to calm kids downSome counter-intuitive ideas for behaviour management​The ways our kids tell us, without words, when they're doing it tough, andGreat books for understanding kids' brains and behaviour.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

In this episode of the Potential Psychology Podcast Ellen chat's to Mel Schilling, psychologist and relationship coach. You might know Mel as one of the experts on Married At First Sight Australia. As well as being a TV psychologist, Mel also works with organisations, individuals and the media on all things 'relationship', so everything from dating and intimacy through to business negotiation and influencing. In this episode Ellen and Mel explore: •Power posing •Building confidence and self belief •Women and the workplace •Mel's tips for relationships, new and old, and •How she juggles a family in Bali with work in Australia.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com