Better Thinking

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Graeme Cowan about how small, and often overlooked, rituals can make a significant impact in personal and professional life. In his early career, Graeme Cowan worked in senior leadership positions with Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, and AT Kearney. Then in 2000 began a 5-year episode of depression that his psychiatrist described as the worst he had ever treated. He emerged from this crisis with a different view about how we can increase our resilience, mood and performance. Graeme is the author of 4 books including the internationally acclaimed Back from the Brink, which has a testimonial from the former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. These days you will find Graeme working with leaders and teams to be more caring, resilient and growth-oriented though his workshops and presentation. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/graeme-cowanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Alan Castel about his new book, Better with Age: The Psychology of Successful Aging, and the many myths and paradoxes about the aging process. Alan Castel is a Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. He studies learning, memory, and aging, and is interested in how people can selectively remember important information. He received his PhD from the University of Toronto, did a fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis, and has been at UCLA since 2006. He lectures internationally to people of all ages, and has received several teaching awards. His work has been featured in the New York Times and Time Magazine. His new book is entitled Better with Age: The Psychology of Successful Aging. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/alan-castelSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Senior Sergeant Daryl Elliot Green about his horrific experience of being ambushed on duty and shot in the face at close range, the dark years that followed and his path to recovery. At 3:50am on 1 May 2000, in a dark Brisbane cul-de-sac, Senior Sergeant Daryl Elliot Green and his colleagues were ambushed by a gun wielding neighbour and shot numerous times. Daryl was shot in the face at close range and again in the arm. From this horrific experience, Daryl learned what most people don't have to: how to be resilient in the face of extreme circumstances. The legacy of Daryl’s shooting was a harrowing ten-year road to recovery despite being honoured with the Queensland Police Service’s highest accolade for bravery, the Valour Award, and a Group Bravery Citation from the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove. Today, Daryl shares powerful life lessons through his TWICE SHOT talks, workshops and programs. He speaks on resilience, courageous con

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Mary Andreadis about emotional intelligence and how it can impact us in the workplace, relationships and personal decision-making. Nesh Nikolic is a Canberra-based clinical psychologist with over 15,000 hours of one-on-one therapy experience. He has trained in a number of therapy modes including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy and he is also recognised by Medicare Australia as a qualified provider of specialist clinical psychology services. His therapeutic passion lies in utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for his clients and has trained clinicians around Australia in ACT. Nesh holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Association for Contextual Behavioural Science and Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. Mary Andreadis is a Melbourne-based provisional psycholo

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Benjamin Habib about how a panic attack on live television became a turning point in his personal battle with anxiety. Dr Benjamin Habib is a Lecturer in Politics and International Relations at La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. Ben is an internationally published scholar with a current research interest in intersections between grassroots sustainability and regeneration projects, environmental movements and international climate politics. Previously he as researched the political economy of North Korea’s nuclear program, East Asian security, and international politics of climate change. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/benjamin-habibSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with psychologist Natalie Cross about her personal experience of multiple pregnancy losses. Natalie Cross is a registered psychologist working in Sydney. She previously worked at Strategic Psychology (Nesh’s practice) in Canberra. She was kind enough to reach out and offer to share her experience of multiple pregnancy losses in the hope it can help other women and families going through a similar situation. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/natalie-crossSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic is interviewed by Mary Andreadis on understanding stress and burnout and mechanisms for managing. Nesh Nikolic is a Canberra-based clinical psychologist with over 15,000 hours of one-on-one therapy experience. He has trained in a number of therapy modes including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy and he is also recognised by Medicare Australia as a qualified provider of specialist clinical psychology services. His therapeutic passion lies in utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for his clients and has trained clinicians around Australia in ACT. Nesh holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Association for Contextual Behavioural Science and Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. Mary Andreadis is a Melbourne-based provisional psychologist. She has completed a Bachelors and Honou

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Kirk Strosahl about an alternative approach when working with suicidal patients. Dr Kirk Strosahl is a leading innovator in the field of clinical psychology, and in 2009 received an award for outstanding innovations in psychology from the American Psychological Association. Dr Strosahl has a long-standing interest in developing an evidence-based model for assessing and treating suicidal behaviour and, together with colleague John Chiles MD, co-authored the book Clinical Manual for Assessment and Treatment of Suicidal Patients. His empirically-based approach to treating suicidal behaviour has been adopted by many mental health systems of care, as well as practicing therapists. He continues to conduct workshops in this innovative approach in the US and internationally. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/kirk-strosahlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Carlos Turini about why mediation is a smart alternative to resolving family disputes and how to prepare for mediation. Carlos Turini is an accredited specialist in family law, nationally accredited mediator and part of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for the ACT Law Society. With his extensive experience and knowledge of Family Law, Carlos is committed to achieving the best results for his clients, in the first instance by attempting to negotiate a settlement and if appropriate to represent his clients in court proceedings with regard to the full range of possible family law matters. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/carlos-turini-2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Jacki Short about the benefits of play therapy when working with children.  Jacki Short is the owner and director of Sydney Centre for Creative Change. She is a registered counselling psychologist, play therapist and supervisor with over 25 years of clinical experience with children, young people and adults. Her work involves counselling, supervision, education and research. Jackie has worked in drug and alcohol agencies, hospitals, welfare organisations, schools and private practice. She maintains a small practice in Glebe, Sydney, in counselling and supervision. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/jacki-shortSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr John Gray about what’s changed in relationships since Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus was released almost 30 years ago. Dr John Gray is the author of the most well-known and trusted relationship book of all time, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. USA Today listed his book as one of the top 10 most influential books of the last quarter century. In hardcover, it was the #1 bestselling book of the 1990s. Dr. Gray’s books are translated into approximately 45 languages in more than 100 countries and continues to be a bestseller. He has appeared repeatedly on Oprah, as well as on The Dr. Oz Show, TODAY, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, and others. He has been profiled in Time, Forbes, USA Today, and People. He was also the subject of a three-hour special hosted by Barbara Walters. Dr. Gray has written over 20 books. His most recent book is Beyond Mars and Venus. His Mars/Venus book series has forever changed the way me

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Travis Rieder, PhD, about his struggle with prescription opioid withdrawal after a motorcycle accident. Although Travis had access to world-leading doctors and a supportive partner, going through withdrawal took his thoughts to dark and dangerous places. Travis Rieder, PhD, is a faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics where he directs the Master of Bioethics degree program. His research program concerns ethical and policy issues surrounding America’s opioid epidemic. Travis has published works concerning doctors responsibility for safely weaning patients off prescription opioids and is author of In Pain: A Bioethicist’s Personal Struggle with Opioids. His TED Talk, The agony of opioid withdrawal — and what doctors should tell patients about it, has been viewed over 2 million times. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/travis-riederSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Danny Shannon about life after addiction, his work in helping others through their addiction journey, and his transition into entrepreneurship with Encapsulator. Danny Shannon is the founder of Encapsulator, an app for securely recording your future hopes, dreams and aspirations, into a time-locked vault to be discovered at a later date. Danny is also a recovering addict who has not had a drink or a drug since the 15th of September 2009. He is raising awareness through his personal stories about addiction and empowering and educating others about the emotional and social impacts of addiction. He earned a Diploma in Community Services and is in the process of completing a Bachelor of Counselling. He is a Senior Case Manager at Glebe House, a treatment facility for men with addiction issues who are affected by the criminal justice system. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/danny-shannon-2 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Danny Shannon about his life as a heroin addict and the journey to recovery. Danny Shannon is the founder of Encapsulator, an app for securely recording your future hopes, dreams and aspirations, into a time-locked vault to be discovered at a later date. Danny is also a recovering addict who has not had a drink or a drug since the 15th of September 2009. He is raising awareness through his personal stories about addiction and empowering and educating others about the emotional and social impacts of addiction. He earned a Diploma in Community Services and is in the process of completing a Bachelor of Counselling. He is a Senior Case Manager at Glebe House, a treatment facility for men with addiction issues who are affected by the criminal justice system. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/danny-shannon-1See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Better Thinking podcast, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Steven Hayes about his new book, A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters, and applications of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in modern society. Dr Steven C. Hayes is Nevada Foundation Professor in the Behavior Analysis program at the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada. An author of 44 books and nearly 600 scientific articles, his career has focused on an analysis of the nature of human language and cognition and the application of this to the understanding and alleviation of human suffering. He is the developer of Relational Frame Theory, an account of human higher cognition, and has guided its extension to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a popular evidence-based form of psychotherapy that uses mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based methods. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/steven-hayesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Better Thinking podcast, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Richard N. Landers about artificial intelligence, game-thinking, privacy and how data is used in organisational psychology. Dr Richard N. Landers is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN, USA. He is also holder of the John P. Campbell Distinguished Professorship of Industrial and Organizational Psychology. His research program concerns the use of innovative technologies in assessment, employee selection, adult learning, and research methods. Recent topics have included big data, game-based learning, game-based assessment, gamification, unproctored Internet-based testing, mobile devices, virtual reality, and online social media. His work has been published in Journal of Applied Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Perspectives, Computers in Human Behavior, Simulation & Gaming, Social Science Computer Review, and Psychological Methods, among others, and his research an

In this episode of the Better Thinking podcast, Nesh Nikolic speaks with John Flanagan on infidelity: how it begins, how it progresses and, most importantly, how to recover from an affair. John Flanagan was the first social worker in Australia to become a Gottman Therapist and along with Trish Purnell-Webb, are still the only Australians to hold the title of Certified Gottman Marital Therapist, Master Trainers and Consultants. He is a certified presenter for The Art and Science of Love Couples Workshop, completed his Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment and has delivered a broad range of training in the relationship space. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/john-flanaganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Better Thinking podcast, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Glen Tanner, a clinical psychologist registrar, about his beginnings into a career in psychology. Glen Tanner recently graduated from Western Sydney University with a Master of Clinical Psychology. Since graduating, Glen has relocated to Newcastle, and is working as a psychologist in a bustling private practice. Glen has a special interest in the experiences of new psychologists, and advocates for the improved mental health and general wellbeing of all those within the caring professions. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/glen-tannerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Bruno Cayoun about research of Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MiCBT) and its application in clinical and private settings. Dr Bruno Cayoun is a Clinical Psychologist and principal developer of Mindfulness-integrated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (MiCBT). He is Director of the MiCBT Institute, a leading provider of MiCBT training and professional development to mental health services and professional associations internationally since 2003. Bruno keeps a private practice in Hobart, Australia, undertakes mindfulness research at the MiCBT Institute, and co-supervises several studies in collaboration with various institutions, including Monash University, University of Tasmania, University of Technology Sydney, and Massey University. He has practised mindfulness meditation and undergone intensive training in France, Nepal, India, and Australia since 1989. He is author of three MiCBT books and co-author of The Clinical Handbook of M

In this episode of the Better Thinking podcast, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Kym Robinson about modern-day challenges in the bedroom techniques for rebooting your sex life. Kym Robinson began her career as a Registered Nurse (RN) and completed her bachelor of nursing at the University of Canberra. She combines more than 15 years’ experience working both locally and internationally with a Master’s of Science in Medicine (MScMed) in Sexual Health Counselling from the University of Sydney. She is a certified Psychosexual Therapist and member of the Society of Australian Sexologists. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/kym-robinsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.