Despite living in a world filled with freedom, convenience, and choice, many of us still feel unhappy, lonely, and unfulfilled. Why is that, and what can evolutionary psychology teach us about who we are, where we come from, and what makes us happy? This episode explores how our most basic psychological needs, for connection and for autonomy, shape the way we think, feel, and relate to others. In today’s world, these two needs can sometimes conflict with each other, and this social paradox can have a real impact on our wellbeing.We’ll also discuss how the “social leap” our distant ancestors made from the rainforest to the savannah created a new kind of social intelligence, and how they coped with stressful situations. By understanding how our history plays out in the modern environment, we can shape our lives in ways that help us feel more content, more connected, and better able to manage negative emotions.

Bill's biography:
Our guest today is Bill Von Hippel. After a three-decade career as a psychology professor in the United States and Australia, Bill now writes books and conducts research, publishing over 150 academic articles across a range of psychological topics. His work has been cited over fifteen thousand times in academic literature and widely reported in the media, including The New York Times ‘100 Ideas of the Year’, The Economist, The Australian and more. Bill has been a guest on numerous podcasts, including The Joe Rogan Experience, Diary of a CEO, and Modern Wisdom with Chris Williamson. Bill’s first book, The Social Leap, has been translated into a dozen different languages and received the annual Book Prize from the world’s foremost social psychology society.

00:00 - Intro
02:40 - How Bill became an expert in evolutionary psychology.
03:50 - Evolutionary psychology definition.
05:35 - How deterministic are our genes in shaping our life outcomes?
08:00 - Has our mind evolved to be fit for the modern world or is there an evolutionary mismatch?
10:10 - Types of evolutionary mismatch - Miswanting and Misfeeling.
13:20 - Our main source of unhappiness is the conflict between our needs for connection and autonomy in our relationships.
16:00 - Should we retrain our brains to need less connection, or focus on meeting our connection needs to be happier?
19:10 - Why do successful people still feel lonely and dissatisfied in life?
20:30 - The definition of autonomy in the context of evolutionary psychology.
23:40 - The definition of success.
25:55 - Why do we often feel regret in a world full of choice?
29:25 - How do we limit regret and what is the best way to meet our need for autonomy?
32:10 - Why satificers are happier than maximisers?
34:30 - Why self-control is more about avoiding temptation than resisting temptation?
38:15 - Why, when we get what we want (autonomy), do we lose what we need (connection)?
42:05 - Why we should always optimise for connection over autonomy?
43:45 - Why remote work makes people less happy and less effective at work?
46:45 - Why it is also important to have a phone free policy at work and at schools?
47:45 - Should we legislate phone free policy or return to work policy?
48:45 - Are there people who will need autonomy more than connection?
51:30 - What can you do to make it easy to meet your connection needs in your daily life?
54:00 - How to reframe a threat as a challenge to reduce stress in your life?
57:10 - What is the goal of life?
57:50 - What is Bill’s one wellbeing practice? 

Learn more about Bill
https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-von-hippel/

Learn more about Clearhead
https://www.myclearhead.com/

For most of us, pain subsides fairly quickly as we recover from injury. For some, however, pain persists, making it challenging to return to our normal, full-functioning capacity. In some cases, chronic pain may develop due to stress, or even for unexplained reasons. However, due to the stigma and unconscious bias, individuals can feel too ashamed to ask for support or when they do, made to feel invalidated in their experience of chronic pain. The research shows that recovery and resilience are deeply social processes, and meaningful support can change someone’s ability to cope with pain.

Claire's biography:
Our guest today is Dr. Claire Ashton-James a social psychologist and Associate Professor of Pain Management at The University of Sydney Medical School. Her work uncovers how social relationships influence the experience of pain and vice versa. Her research advocates for the integration of social “treatments” into the management of chronic pain, so that people have the best chance of returning to full capacity and avoid relying solely on pain medications or therapy. 

00:00 - Intro
02:10 - How Claire became a social psychologist focused on pain management
04:20 - Definitions of chronic pain and acute pain
09:00 - Common misconceptions about people with chronic pain
12:30 - What Claire did differently after learning about these misconceptions
14:25 - How to support people in your life with chronic pain
16:45 - What workplaces can do to support employees with chronic pain
21:10 - Why social support is a key part of chronic pain management
22:25 - What someone with chronic pain can do if they don’t have a supportive social circle
29:15 - Are peer support groups helpful or harmful for pain management?
33:20 - When social connection can have a negative impact
34:25 - The unconscious biases health professionals may have against chronic pain patients
39:25 - What chronic pain patients can do when they experience invalidation from health professionals
41:55 - How to approach supporting someone struggling with chronic pain
44:05 - Acknowledging that chronic pain can cause social withdrawal
45:05 - What to do if pain prevents you from maintaining social connections
46:10 - Claire’s one wellbeing practice

Learn more about Claire
https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-ashton-james-b271368a/

Learn more about Clearhead
https://www.myclearhead.com/

What if leadership wasn’t just about authority, decisions, or overseeing tasks done, but about developing powerful interpersonal relationships to inspire and influence?
In this episode, we will explore how Relational Leadership focuses on cultivating trust and connection. We’ll share practical tips on how to build meaningful relationships and navigate complexity, thus transforming our effectiveness as leaders. Learn how to cultivate leadership that is both empathetic while maintaining a standard of high performance and accountability in your team.

Moira's biography:
Moira Mallon is an expert in seeing beneath the surface and getting to the heart of the problem, which often in organisations is all about people and the dynamics they have with each other. Moira is a certified coach with the International Coaching Federation and for over 20 years has coached hundreds of leaders, including those leading the Christchurch’s post-earthquake rebuild. Her coaching is informed by systemic thinking, emotional development, and transformative tools like The Leadership Circle and a practice in Gestalt Psychotherapy. Whether she’s coaching CEOs, senior executives or rising leaders, Moira brings a fierce belief in the power of human potential.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:


00:00 - Intro
02:25 - How Moira became a leadership coach focused on leadership development
04:00 - What the emotional experience of leadership means
05:35 - Defining relational leadership
07:55 - How leaders can prioritise connection over control to create psychological safety
10:15 - The physiology behind helpful and unhelpful coping strategies during times of change
13:50 - How leaders can develop presence within an organisation
16:35 - The two key questions to ask when building connections with your team
18:25 - The importance of emotional control and consistency
20:35 - Managing the tension between employee performance and connection
23:10 - What separates leaders who build trust from those who don’t
26:10 - Modelling authentic leadership and resilience in high-pressure environments
29:10 - Influencing up - creating positive change when a leader lacks self-awareness
32:50 - How to intentionally build connection and trust in hybrid or remote teams
36:15 - How leaders can explore the emotional needs behind employee performance issues
39:00 - What defines a great workplace culture
42:00 - Is it bad culture if you’re clear about high workloads and long hours?
45:30 - How often leaders should communicate during periods of change
48:45 - The influence of indigenous practices on relational leadership
51:00 - How to respect boundaries when building deeper connections
52:45 - Why empathetic conversation is the first step toward relational leadership
55:10 - Moira’s one wellbeing practice

Historically, the unspoken organisational culture meant that your personal issues and any mental health challenges you are experiencing were expected to stay at home. Today, it is increasingly accepted for employees to be more open about their mental health and wellbeing needs in the workplace. However, with the increasing prevalence and severity of mental illness in the community, this presents new challenges for HR and managers to know how to navigate these conversations empathetically while maintaining a focus on the organisation’s performance.

Barry biography:
In today’s episode, we want to focus on our HR audience, and so we have invited special guest host HR professional Lisa Young, who will be interviewing Clearhead’s clinical lead and clinical psychologist Barry Kirker, together they will unpack all the complexity surrounding employee mental health. Barry has 30 years’ experience working with individual clients and organisations across New Zealand and Australia. He undertakes complex mental health assessments, including fitness for work, forensic, and compensation/mental injury assessments, with a thorough understanding of both the clinical and legal aspects involved.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions.

00:00 – Introduction
01:50 – Lisa introduction
03:50 – Barry introduction
05:30 – What is being covered
08:40 – Definition of mental health
10:00 – What to do when an employee self discloses their mental health challenges to you
13:55 – What to do if you don’t feel equipped to have the conversation?
14:30 – Are there things you shouldn’t say
17:45 – How to assess the safety risk of someone who discloses they have suicidal thoughts
22:00 – What if you can feel your own emotions taking over
23:00 – When to seek professional help
24:00 – How to tell if someone needs more support
25:20 – What to do when you notice someone struggling with their mental health
28:05 – Should you bring up performance issues in a mental health conversation
29:50 – What if the person lacks insight and is dismissive of your concerns
33:50 – Why it’s important to be proactive in having the mental health conversation
34:25 – When an employee blames their mental health at a performance or disciplinary meeting
39:20 – How do you know if a mental health disclosure is genuine
42:00 – What to do when an employee says a performance improvement process negatively impacted their mental health
45:00 – When should you breach the confidentiality of what an employee shared with you
47:00 – How do you deal with the subsequent loss of employee trust
49:40 – How do HR practice self-care and set boundaries on the mental load of supporting others
54:10 – Barry and Lisa’s final takeaway

Learn more about our guest host Lisa Young:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-young-exceedhr/

Helpful resources:
Resource 1: Meeting Crisis with Care. How HR Can Navigate Mental Health Challenges https://www.myclearhead.com/blog/meeting-crisis-with-care-how-hr-can-navigate-mental-health-challenges/
Resource 2: Mental Heatlh Conversations: Guidance for Leaders: https://www.myclearhead.com/blog/mental-health-conversations-guidance-for-leaders/
Resource 3: Frameworks to Support Difficult Conversations at work: https://www.myclearhead.com/blog/frameworks-to-support-difficult-conversations-at-work/

Learn more about Clearhead
https://www.myclearhead.com/

“Fine” is the most frequently logged mood on the Clearhead platform, yet it often masks a deeper sense of stress, disconnection, or simply going through the motions. We often answer "I'm fine" without truly reflecting on how we're doing, especially when we're stuck in survival mode. 
In this episode, we explore what it really means to move beyond "fine." Unpacking the shift from surviving to thriving, drawing on the science of positive psychology to offer practical tools for building resilience and mental wellbeing, both in life and at work.

Suzy biography:
Dr Suzy Green is a Clinical Psychologist and Founder & CEO of The Positivity Institute, an organisation dedicated to the research and application of the science of optimal human functioning in organisations and schools. She is a leader in Coaching Psychology and Positive Psychology and published over twenty peer-reviewed journal articles. She lectures at University of Sydney and is a fellow at Australia’s Black Dog Institute and has worked with many large organisations such as ANZ, Fitbit, Nivea, Officeworks and more.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

00:00 - Introduction
02:20 - How Suzy is using the lessons she’s learnt to deal with recent losses in her life.
04:30 - Defining thriving vs surviving when there are multiple life challenges.
10:50 - What is a “normal” proportion of thriving vs surviving?
15:45 - The power of therapy in helping with processing grief.
17:30 - The importance of removing stigma from therapy.
18:45 - What is the difference between coaching and therapy?
22:45 - What should you do if someone says they are fine but you can see they are struggling?
27:00 - What are the steps to take if you are struggling?
31:30 - How does Acceptance and Commitment Therapy help one build the right mindset?
36:20 - Why is it hard to change our mindset?
39:15 - Are employers doing enough to help employees thrive at work? 
44:20 - A real-world example of an organisation embedding positive psychology in the workplace. 
47:45 - How we can use flow theory and self-reflection to find balance between wellbeing and performance?
53:20 - What is Suzy’s one wellbeing practice?

Learn more about Suzy: 
https://thepositivityinstitute.com.au/

Helpful Resources: 
Steven Covey’s Circles of Control: 
https://positivepsychology.com/circles-of-influence/

The Serenity Prayer: 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serenity_Prayer 

Dr. Kristin Neff:
https://self-compassion.org/ 

Clearhead’s Blog on ISO 45003: 
https://www.myclearhead.com/blog/what-is-iso-45003/ 

Social and Emotional Contagion Theory:
https://positivepsychology.com/emotional-contagion/ 

Finding Purpose Tool:
https://www.myclearhead.com/en-au/finding-purpose 

Jon Kabat-Zinn: 
https://jonkabat-zinn.com/ 


Learn more about Clearhead
https://www.myclearhead.com/

In an age overwhelmed by information, opinion, and polarization, the ability to think critically isn't just useful, it's essential. In this episode, we will learn how we can develop strategies to think critically and make smarter decisions, what it means to challenge assumptions, expose common thinking traps, and offer immediately usable strategies for clearer, more effective reasoning in everyday life.

Steve’s biography:

Steve Pearlman, Ph.D., is arguably the world’s foremost critical thinking expert. After founding the United States’ first academic department solely focused on researching critical thinking and how to teach people to do it, Steve subsequently shared his methods at educational institutions, conferences, and businesses. He is frequently featured in national and international media, and he’s the author of America’s Critical Thinking Crisis: The Failure and Promise of Education.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions: 

00:00 – Introduction
02:00 – Steve’s journey to becoming an expert in critical thinking
04:00 – Critical thinking definition and how it is taught
07:00 – What are default modes of how our brain functions
10:00 – How to maintain critical thinking when there is an overload of information
12:30 – How to assess whether a source of information is credible
15:00 – How to ask the right question when you don’t know what you don’t know
17:15 – Why reassessing the information and refining your initial question is key in critical thinking
18:00 – Why critical thinking does not always need to take a lot of time
19:30 – How to teach kids critical thinking by prioritising reasoning over authority (parenting example)
25:30 – Why intellectual humility is the solution when two people are in disagreement
29:30 – How to deal with someone who is rejecting reason and facts due to polarization in politics
33:10 – Is it possible to maintain critical thinking in the context of time pressures
35:15 – What training programs are available to develop critical thinking skills
37:20 – Example of how leaders remove critical thinking at meetings
39:45 – Example of how leaders can create an environment that fosters critical thinking
42:35 – Can people maintain critical thinking when experiencing burnout
45:30 – What resources are available to move from threat to a challenge that you can meet
48:20 – How to deal with a person who is not receptive to your thinking
51:10 – Why asking questions can cause someone to become defensive
53:20 – Ways to foster critical thinking in virtual meetings
55:15 – How to assess if someone has critical thinking skills
57:45 – How to constructively handle naysayers in discussions
59:50 – One tip to develop critical thinking skills
01:00:55 – What is Steve’s one wellbeing practice

Learn more about the Critical Thinking Institute: 
https://www.thectinstitute.com/

Learn more about Clearhead
https://www.myclearhead.com/

As workplaces strive to become more inclusive, Autistic people are often misunderstood. However, when empowered they brings a unique perspectives and strengths that can greatly enrich a team. In today’s episode we will hear from an autistic person, Chanelle, share their lived experiences and from Larah what are the practical tools a workplace can implement to better support autistic individuals effectively —from recruitment all the way through to everyday communication and collaboration. 

Autism NZ’s biography:

Larah van der Meer: Larah is the Research and Advocacy Manager at Autism NZ. She is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at Victoria University of Wellington. Larah is passionate about inclusion and making a positive difference to the autistic and autism communities, both at an individual level and in creating systemic change. 

Chanelle Moriah: Chanelle is neurodivergent (autistic, dyslexic and ADHD, along with pathological demand avoidance). She works as a Research and Advocacy Advisor and has written and illustrated two books on neurodivergence, one of which was listed for the New Zealand Book Awards. Chanelle was diagnosed in adulthood and is very passionate about creating more inclusive and understanding communities

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions.

00:00 - Intro
02:45 - What is autism
03:45 - Understanding the autism spectrum
05:50 - How to determine the level of support someone needs
07:50 - Autistic people vs person with autism which is the right term to use
09:50 - Strengths based vs deficit based terminology
10:50 - What are the differences between an autistic person and a neurotypical person
12:00 - What are the barriers to getting a formal diagnosis
15:00 - Should people disclose their diagnosis with their employers
16:40 - What are signs a workplace is safe to disclose
17:45 - What should be on an employee checklist of accommodation
21:30 - How to deal with an inflexible workplace
24:00 - What are the barriers preventing employment of autistic people
28:15 - What are the changes to a recruitment process to make it more inclusive
32:00 - What are the benefits workplaces see when they are inclusive of neurodiverse employees
34:25 - How do you deal with conflict that can arise from diverse teams
38:15 - What do managers need to learn about their autistic employee
4115 - What actions can be hurtful to an autistic person
42:30 - What resources are available to support workplaces to create inclusive practices
44:50 - How do you support individuals who are masking their autism
47:10 - How can performance reviews be more inclusive
49:25 - Should workplace set up support groups for neurodivergent employees?
50:45 - How can employers prevent an autistic employee from experiencing burnout 
53:00 - what is Larah and Chanelle’s one wellbeing practice

Learn more about Autism NZ
https://autismnz.org.nz/ 

Learn more about Clearhead
https://www.myclearhead.com/

(00:00:00) 32: Taming the Havoc Hormones Have on Your Mental Health with Associate Professor Caroline Gurvich
(00:02:45) Caroline’s journey to become a clinical neuropsychologist
(00:03:45) What are hormones and how do they affect the brain
(00:05:30) What happens when hormones cause havoc on our bodies
(00:10:20) Are the symptoms of hormone fluctuations the same in normal physiology and when things go wrong
(00:12:00) The impact of contraceptive pills on our mental health
(00:14:30) Do men experience similar effects from hormone fluctuations
(00:16:00) How does menopause impact women in the workplace
(00:19:00) What can women do to navigate the menopause transition more easily
(00:25:00) what can workplace do to support the employee
(00:26:00) how can a male manager support female employees
(00:28:32) how does hormones impact pregnant employees or new mum.
(00:33:15) what is the role of hormone replacement therapy
(00:36:45) what is the role of diet and supplements to improve brain health
(00:38:45) The evidence behind mindfulness and therapy to improve cognition
(00:46:00) Can Menopause have a positive impact on women
(00:48:30) Does hormone fluctuations impact neurodiverse individual differently
(00:53:30) Are individuals with mental illness more vulnerable to menopause
(00:55:40) What is the first step if you are concerned about hormones impacting your mental health
(00:58:10) What is Caroline’s one wellbeing practice

Hormonal fluctuations are a normal part of a woman’s life—but for many, they can wreak havoc on our mood, cognition, and overall mental wellbeing. Despite the profound impact hormones can have on our psychological state, the conversation is often overlooked or misunderstood in the workplace.

In this episode, we're joined by Caroline Gurvich to explore the powerful connection between hormones and mental health across the lifespan. From PMS to menopause, Caroline will unpack how our biology affects our brain function, emotional regulation, and mental resilience.

Caroline’s biography:

Caroline Gurvich is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Associate Professor of the Department of Psychiatry at Monash University. She is also the Deputy Director of HER Centre Australia, Head of the “Cognition and Hormones Group" and Chair of the Victorian College of Clinical Neuropsychologists. Caroline has over 120 publications that have contributed to a better understanding of cognition in mental health and mental illness.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions.

0:00 - Intro
02:45 - Caroline’s journey to become a clinical neuropsychologist
03:45 - What are hormones and how do they affect the brain
05:30 - What happened when hormones cause havoc on our bodies
10:20 - Are the symptoms of hormone fluctuations the same in normal physiology and when things go wrong
12:00 - The impact of contraceptive pills on our mental health
14:30 - Do men experience similar effects from hormone fluctuations
16:00 - How does menopause impact women in the workplace
19:00 - What can women do to navigate the menopause transition more easily
25:00 - what can workplace do to support the employee
26:00 - how can a male manager support female employees
28:32 - how does hormones impact pregnant employees or new mum.
33:15 - what is the role of hormone replacement therapy
36:45 - what is the role of diet and supplements to improve brain health
38:45 - The evidence behind mindfulness and therapy to improve cognition
46:00 - Can Menopause have a positive impact on women
48:30 - Does hormone fluctuations impact neurodiverse individual differently
53:30 - Are individuals with mental illness more vulnerable to menopause
55:40 - What is the first step if you...

Change is inevitable and universal. Whether you’re moving countries, going through a breakup, experiencing a restructure at work, or living with grief, one thing is for certain: making big leaps can be daunting and anxiety-inducing if we aren’t ready to face them. However, it’s also important to recognise that change can also be huge opportunity to bring positivity into our lives, alongside hope, new experiences, and personal growth. In this episode, we are joined by change leadership expert Anne Bonney, who will share with us how we can embrace the discomfort of change and push through towards bigger and brighter opportunities.

Anne Bonney is a two-time author and host of the hit podcast Dancing in the Discomfort Zone, to help overwhelmed professionals build resilience in the discomfort of change. After 20 years of crushing it in corporate and nonprofit leadership positions, she now uses her hard-earned experience in the workplace and fiery passion to help leaders tackle tough conversations, and lead with emotional intelligence.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions.

0:00 - Intro
01:55 - Anne’s journey to becoming a champion for change
03:15 - Why do we find change uncomfortable?
04:00 - How do we override our risk-adverseness to change
05:25 - How do you develop confidence to try something new
07:45 - How do you shift from a pessimistic to an optimistic mindset
10:55 - How to use gratitude as a tool for working through our discomfort to change
12:40 - What are the 4 pillars to becoming mentally tough
14:55 - What are the common characteristics of resilient people
17:30 - How do you work through the sunk cost fallacy
19:35 - What is the 3 step process to manage change when it happens to you rather than when you initiated it
25:03 - Why is it important to be careful who you ask help from
26:25 - How do you make life decisions that is not overly influenced by social pressures
28:55 - What’s your advice for HR or managers to help employees cope with a restructure
30:50 - What did Anne learn as an early employee at Under Armour during a period of massive change
33:50 - How do you build trust with your employees before a change in the workplace happens
36:05 - What are tips for leaders to provide constructive feedback that employees can be receptive to rather than feeling defensive about
39:20 - How do leaders build employee trust when there is a low trust environment
42:00 - How can our communication styles unwittingly lose an employee’s trust
45:25 - What is authentic and open communication
46:35 - How do you manage employee expectations without creating false hope
49:50 - How being vulnerable builds employee trust in an environment of uncertainty
52:25 - How do you support those who’s mental health are more likely to be negatively impacted to change
54:24 - What is the definition of an emotionally intelligent leader
57:10 - How to develop self-awareness on whether you are risk adverse to change
58:25 - What is Anne’s one wellbeing practice

Learn more about Clearhead:
https://www.myclearhead.com/

As the saying goes, “Love is a verb,” and healthy relationships require intention, attention, time, and care. However, from our Clearhead data, we can see out of all of the people on our platform who said they were struggling with mental health challenges due to personal reasons, “General Relationship Struggles,” “Family Difficulties,” and “Partner Difficulties” were the top 3 issues people were dealing with. To help us grasp a greater understanding of what a fulfilling relationship should look like, how we can find them, and more importantly how to maintain them, our expert guest today is Serafin Upton.

Serafin’s biography:

Serafin Upton has worked in New Zealand and Australia as a family, couples' and sex therapist for over 20 years. On top of her extensive experience and qualifications, she has also trained under world-renowned sex and relationship therapists Esther Perel and Terry Real.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

00:00 - Intro
01:55 - Serafin’s journey to becoming a couples, child, family, and sex therapist
03:25 - What is the common fear that everyone has regardless of their stage of life
04:40 - What are the skills you need to develop to have healthy relationships
06:20 - What is one thing you can do to become more attuned to someone you care about
08:30 - How can you stay present for your romantic partner when you are really busy
10:40 - How reflecting back and following up with your partner is key
12:30 - Can your attachment style change depending on the relationship?
14:05 - How to develop a secure attachment style if you have an avoidant attachment style
16:15 - How to develop a secure attachment style if you have an anxious attachment style
17:45 - How does emotional intimacy vs physical intimacy change over time in long term relationships
22:20 - Tips on how to create space for romance and connection in long term relationships
24:05 - Should making time for fun in a relationship be scheduled or spontaneous
26:10 - Advice for developing connection for people who are single
27:35 - How to deal with rejection in online dating such as ‘ghosting’
29:15 - Are we meant to be single or in relationships
33:15 - Is there a difference between being lonely vs being alone
35:45 - How your fear of being judged or misunderstood prevents you from developing meaningful relationships
37:05 - How to build your tolerance to being vulnerable when sharing in a relationship
38:45 - Tips on conflict management in relationships
43:30 - Do the type of fights you see in movies happen in real life
45:20 - How do you get someone who is conflict avoidant to express their needs
47:30 - When is the best time to raise issues you have with your partner
49:00 - How do you not get defensive when someone raises an issue with you
50:50 - Why is it important to let someone know if you think they are in an abusive or toxic relationship
53:40 - How does Serafin assess if someone is in an abusive relationship
55:35 - What are examples of psychological violence in a relationship
57:00 - What are the red flags that signal you should leave an abusive relationship
58:25 - What is the impact of relationship on our mental health
59:50 - What is Serafin’s one wellbeing practice

Learn more about Serafin:
https://serafinupton.co.nz

Learn more about Clearhead:
https://www.myclearhead.com/

Sleep is at the very centre of our wellbeing. Getting a good night's rest is crucial for both the body and mind, allowing us to repair, reset, and be ready for whatever the day throws at us. In this session, we'll be joined by sleep specialist Dr. Michael Breus to learn about the relationship between sleep and mental health and unpack how to set ourselves up to have a good night's sleep, every night.

Michael’s biography:

Dr. Michael Breus, Ph.D., is a double board-certified Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Sleep Specialist who has been in private practice for 23 years. He is the founder of sleepdoctor.com, and for over 14 years he served as the Sleep Expert for WebMD. Recently, he was named the Top Sleep Specialist by Reader’s Digest. His expertise lies in the science of sleep and peak performance as well as treating sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and more.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions

0:00 - Intro
1:50 - Michael’s journey to becoming a sleep specialist
6:30 - Why 75% of insomnia is caused by poor mental health
7:45 - How CBT (therapy) is used to cure insomnia
15:15 - How do you know whether you have a good quality sleep or not
16:30 - How should we interpret sleep metrics
17:30 - What are common disruptors of sleep
17:50 - Understanding REM and NREM sleep
19:15 - What test can you do when you have a poor quality of sleep
21:45 - Should you take supplements to improve your sleep
22:40 - What is the recommended quantity (hours) of sleep
24:15 - What can you do when you wake up at night and can’t go back to sleep
29:00 - What is a breathing technique to calm down and fall asleep
33:30 - Should you get up or try to fall back asleep
35:30 - Should you take a nap before your normal bedtime when you are tired
37:00 - What can you do if you are a light sleeper or have trouble falling asleep
38:15 - When should you seek professional help if you have insomnia
39:45 - Do sleeping pills provide you a good quality of sleep
41:45 - What can you do to get better sleep if you are a shift worker or are jet-lagged
44:50 - When is the best time to be intimate if you have a different chronotype to your partner
48:30 - How can understanding your family member’s chronotype lead to positive interactions
50:00 - What is the role of sleep hygiene and the negative impact of alcohol
52:00 - What is a normal amount of time we need to fall asleep
54:00 - What is the connection between sleep and peak performance
54:50 - What is Michael’s one wellbeing practice

Learn more about Michael Breus
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesleepdoctor

Learn more about Clearhead:
https://www.myclearhead.com/

The human brain is an incredibly complex organ. We are all wired to process emotions, thoughts, and behaviours differently due to a range of factors, including our genetics and the environment. Sometimes, individuals develop serious mental health disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, or are considered neurodivergent, with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism or ADHD. Learning how to understand the way that these experiences shape us is crucial to our overall wellbeing, which is why we are joined by our expert guest, Marie Bismark, to unpack all the nuances behind diagnosing mental health disorders and the best ways to manage them. 

Marie’s biography:

Professor Marie Bismark is a psychiatrist, public health physician, and health lawyer. She divides her time between New Zealand and Australia. In addition to her clinical work, Marie leads a research team at the University of Melbourne, focusing on the interface between patient safety and clinician wellbeing. She serves as a Director of several health sector organisations including the Royal Women’s Hospital and Summerset aged care. Marie completed a Harkness Fellowship at Harvard and her research has influenced regulatory policy in Australia and internationally.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

0:00 - Intro
 2:35 - What is the definition of a mental health disorder?
3:40 - What is bipolar disorder?
7:35 - What is schizophrenia?
9:55 - What is the role of medication and therapy in mental health treatment?
12:40 - What is the role of the social determinants of health in developing mental health illness?
14:00 - What are the causes of mental health disorders?
15:55 - Why is developing self-awareness is the first step towards treatment?
19:40 - Are there tests that can be done to confirm a mental health diagnosis?
22:10 - How to determine the severity of a mental illness?
26:10 - The role of family in supporting mentally unwell individuals
28:05 - How should we be supporting caregivers?
29:45 - What are the challenges and strengths of being neurodiverse? (Autism and ADHD)
33:25 - What can workplaces do to support neurodiverse individuals?
35:00 - How to best manage your ADHD to optimise functioning
37:25 - How to best manage your Autism to optimise functioning
38:50 - What happens if you are misdiagnosed
42:05 - Why neurodiverse individuals often also have mental illness
45:35 - The over-medicalisation of normal emotional responses
48:30 - Why Marie decided to become a psychiatrist
50:45 - What are the consequences of untreated mental health illness
54:35 - What workplaces can do to support employees’ mental wellbeing and resilience 
56:40 - What is Marie’s one wellbeing practice?
57:20 - What is the role of nutrition and lifestyle changes to maintain mental wellbeing?

Learn more about Marie:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-bismark-2397831b/

Learn more about Clearhead:
https://www.myclearhead.com/

Over the last 5 years, hospital visits related to eating disorders has doubled, and those being diagnosed are getting younger and often presenting with a more serious condition. The reasons for why someone develops an eating disorder is a complicated process with biological, psychological, genetic and social-cultural factors at play. It is also important to acknowledge that it is also a long and difficult process when supporting a loved one on their recovery journey.

In this episode, we will hear from Genevieve Mora as she shares her personal journey to recovery and her advice for any individuals dealing with an eating disorder.

Genevieve’s biography:

Genevieve spent most of her teenage years trying to managing both her OCD and anorexia nervosa. As part of her recovery, she has made it her mission to offer hope to those who are struggling themselves. Genevieve co-founded Voices of Hope, and through this platform, she uses her lived experience to show people that recovery is possible and that there is no shame in having a mental illness. Genevieve is the author of ‘Bite Back - a compassionate guide to navigating Eating Disorders,’ and the co-creator of Love your Kite, an eating disorder resource app. Alongside Jazz Thornton, her cofounder, she was named in 2023 Forbes Asia 30 under 30.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

0:00 - Intro
 2:25 - How did Gen’s mental illness journey begin?
5:00 - Why did Gen develop Anorexia Nervosa?
8:55 - What were the challenges Gen faced while having an eating disorder?
11:25 - What was the turning point towards her recovery?
13:45 - Why the denial phase prevents recovery from an eating disorder
15:25 - Did Gen feel judged about her mental illness?
17:00 - What is a typical recovery journey?
19:35 - How to help individuals move past the pre-contemplative (denial) phase
21:35 - How to avoid unhelpful language when supporting someone who is struggling with an eating disorder
24:15 - Are there more young men struggling with eating disorders?
25:45 - Has Gen experience relapses after recovery?
28:00 - Is recovery based only from the perspective of the individual going through the mental illness, or from the perspective of the people supporting them?
31:40 - What Gen does to stay mentally well
33:45 - What parents can do to try and prevent their child from develop an eating disorder 
37:00 - What has Gen learnt from running a charity about the community's mental health and lived experiences?
39:45 - What is the role that workplaces can play in supporting individuals?
41:00 - Why did Gen develop an eating disorder resource app?
43:30 - What did Gen learn after people starting using her app?
45:20 - What is Gen hopeful about the eating disorder space?
46:17 - What is Gen’s message to those who are supporting loved ones struggling with an eating disorder?
47:20 - Is there any difference for those who are overeating compared to those who are restricting their intake?
49:00 - What is Gen’s one wellbeing practice?

Learn more about Gen:

https://thevoicesofhope.org/pages/team
https://www.linkedin.com/in/genevieve-mora-a02948174/?originalSubdomain=nz

Helpful resource: (Genevieve's book)
https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/bite-back-9781776950447

Learn more about Clearhead:
https://www.myclearhead.com/

Have you ever been in a conflict with someone and came out feeling like a victim? Or do you find yourself in dysfunctional relationships where communication between each other is difficult? Whether at work or at home, you might find yourself trapped in the dreaded Karpman drama triangle. In psychology, it is used to describe a cycle where we can find ourselves in one of these 3 common roles the "victim," "persecutor" or "rescuer." In this episode, our guest David Emerald Womeldorff will dive into how you can learn to escape the Drama Triangle and feel more empowered in your communication and relationships. 

David’s biography:

Drawing on over 30 years of experience in in leadership development, leading through change, self-leadership, and employee engagement, David is the author of 2 best-selling books, The Power of TED (The Empowerment Dynamic), as well as 3 Vital Questions: Transforming Workplace Drama. Both of his books draw on his extensive experience in the field, and David also served for 20 years as a senior consultant for The Leadership Circle and as an Executive Coach at the University of Notre Dame's Executive Leadership Program. He shares his frameworks to inspires individuals and organisations to reach new levels of collaboration through empowering relationships and work from an outcome-focused and passion-powered orientation. In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

0:00 - Intro
2:25 - How did David get started?
5:35 - What is the difference between victimization and victimhood?
8:00 - What is the karpman drama triangle?
9:55 - How can you break free of the drama triangle (The Empowerment Dynamic)?
13:00 - Why focusing on outcomes instead of which version of current reality is correct is key.
15:40 - What are the 3 vital questions to end workplace conflict?
18:45 - How can you shift from a reactive response to problems to a more empowering response instead?
24:35- What are the common causes of workplace drama?
26:00 - What are the 3 reactive strategies to challenges that are unhelpful?
29:20 - How can you stop yourself from being reactive to problems?
31:30 - How to create more positive relationship dynamics
34:07 - How do you develop leaders in the workplace
38:35 - What are the characteristics of high performing leaders?
42:50 - How to give constructive feedback from a growth mindset?
45:15 - What happens if the person receiving the feedback is being defensive
48:40 - How can individual employees create psychological safety in their workplace culture
52:10 - When is conflict at work unhealthy
55:00 - Are there generational differences to consider in workplace drama
56:55 - How can you effectively lead those who are neurodiverse
59:00 - What is David’s one wellbeing practice?


Learn more about David:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-emerald-womeldorff-bab4494/

Helpful resource:
https://theempowermentdynamic.com/about/

Life is full of ups and downs, and it can be easy to let the bad things that are happening to you result in negative emotions that completely take over. Have you ever felt out of control with your anger or had very intrusive thoughts? Or you have been thinking about how you can better regulate your emotions? If so, this is the episode for you! Our guest today is Dr Cristian Conte, who will share with us some simple techniques behind anger management to help you calmly cope with the trials of everyday life, which can make a world of difference to your wellbeing. 

Christian’s Biography: 

Dr. Christian Conte is a world-renowned Level-V anger management expert, a licensed professional counsellor and author of a dozen books. From working with celebrities to hall of fame athletes, from elite military personnel to people on death row and everyone in between, Dr. Conte has spent over 25 years helping people deal with their anger. Although Dr. Conte specialises in working with some of the most dangerous individuals on the planet, his passion now is in training others in how to communicate effectively, regardless of the intensity of the situation. Helping you speak in ways that can overcome other people’s ego and defensiveness in order to be heard.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

0:00 - Intro 
2:10 - How did Christian get started?
4:00 - What is anger management?
5:00 - How do you know if you have a problem with anger?
11:10 - What are the different level of consciousness that we act from? 
17:20 - Why having an expectation of how things “should be” is what will trigger our anger response. 18:20 - Bridging the gap between expectation and reality by using accurate language and compassion
22:15 - What is Yield Theory?
24:37 - Do rich and famous people have the same difficulties managing their anger?
26:55 - How to get people to apply knowledge into action when managing their anger.
32:45 - How do you deal with violent people or abusive relationships?
35:00 - How to communicate in a way that doesn’t trigger someone's anger and be heard.
41:35 - How can we best parent a child with anger issues?
47:30 - Why your physical state affects your mental state.
48:45 - The role of setting realistic expectations in anger management.
51:40 - How to maintain realistic expectations in the context of social media comparisons.
53:55 - Is it normal if someone is not expressing their emotions?
57:40 - What is Christian’s one wellbeing practice?

Learn more about Dr. Christian Conte:
https://www.drchristianconte.com/about/

Learn more about Clearhead:
https://www.myclearhead.com/

Parenting is one of the most difficult yet rewarding jobs in the world. While raising children to be the best versions of themselves is exciting and fulfilling, the hours spent worrying about their wellbeing and their future can take a huge toll. This is why it’s important to understand your children the best you can, so you can spend more time feeling confident about how to guide them, and less time feeling stressed.

In this episode, Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart will join us to discuss the highs and lows of parenthood and how to help your children thrive, even if they are currently struggling with mental illness. 

Ann-Louise’s biography:

Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP, is a paediatric psychologist, parenting coach, wife of 25 years, and mother of 2 children with over 17 years of experience in the field. She specialises in helping overwhelmed parents to better understand their children and teenagers. She has presented to numerous media outlets, schools and corporations around the globe. Additionally, Dr. Lockhart is a freelance writer for PBS Kids for Parents and a contributor for The Gottman Institute. Dr. Lockhart also serves as a Review Board Member for Verywell Family and Parents. 

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:
 
0:00 - Intro
2:20 - How did Ann-Louise get started?
6:18 - What does it mean to be a parenting coach?
8:25 - Where to find trustworthy information on parenting?
10:58 - Debunking common parenting myths.
13:05 - Why young people are less resilient today?
16:40 - How being a new parent affects your mental health.
19:05 - How to feel less guilty and find the balance as a working parent?
23:13 - Are there additional challenges of being a single parent?
25:08 - How can HR / employers provide support to employees who are parents?
28:17 - Is there a rise in mental illness in young people today?
31:33 - How parents and teachers can best support children with mental illness.
34:22 - When should you get a mental health professional to help your child?
36:10 - What can we learn from high performing athletes like Simone biles who took a mental health break?
38:05 - How do you know when to take a break vs pushing through to develop grit? 
42:52 - What are extra considerations for parents who's child has ADHD?
45:45 - Why have we seen a rise in ADHD diagnosis?
49:15 - How do you know whether your child has ADHD or a different mental health diagnosis?
52:55 - What should you do when you feel exhausted as a parent?
55:55 - How do you manage having a different parenting style to your partner?
58:25 - What can you do to help your child open up?
1:00:43 - What is Ann-Louise’s one wellbeing practice?

Learn more about Dr. Lockhart:
https://www.anewdaysa.com/meet-the-team

Learn more about Clearhead:
https://www.myclearhead.com/

Sport: It is about so much more than just physical fitness. It is also excellent for your mental health and can provide you with a sense of belonging and community through being part of a team. This is why is it important that everyone has access to being able to play a sport, regardless of their gender or sexuality. In today’s episode we will delve into the benefits of playing a sport, but also what we can do to make it more inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community.

Our guest today is Jason ball, one of the first openly gay Aussie Rules players in Australia which was a game changer in this hyper-masculine sport. He’s been named Young Australian of the Year for his advocacy work in promoting equality for LGBTQ+ players, and has undertaken ambassador roles with Beyond Blue, the Safe Schools Coalition, the Victorian Pride Centre, and the Human Rights Arts & Film Festival, just to name a few! In this episode, he will share with us why it was initially difficult to accept his sexuality and his journey of coming out, and what we can do to make it easier for others to share their true identity both at home and at work.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

0:00 - Intro
2:10 - How Jason Ball got started in playing professional sport
3:55 - The benefits of playing sport on your mental health 
6:50 - The role of diet on your physical and mental health 
8:10 - How to deal with pressure when playing professional sport 
10:30 - Why Jason's sexuality initially caused him to leave his sporting career 
14:30 - What made Jason finally come out with his true identity 
20:55 - How to deal with a negative response when coming out
23:35 - The unique mental health challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community 
25:30 - How to reduce discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community
28:35 - What is needed to create a more inclusive environment for the LGBTQ+ community 
33:04 - How can one be an ally? 
36:15 - How do we know we have created an inclusive society?
38:55 - Why is representation important?
41:30 - What is toxic masculinity?
45:00 - How to challenge gender stereotypes
47:06 - When should LGBTQ people seek professional help and what are available services in Australia?
50:30 - What has Jason learnt about managing stress and negative emotions?
52:45 - What is Jason's one message to those who are questioning their identity and their allies
54:00 - What is Jason's one wellbeing practice

Learn more about Jason here:
https://jasonball.com.au/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrjasonball/

Learn more about Clearhead:
https://www.myclearhead.com/

Menopause is a significant life transition that 50% of the population goes through, but often is not talked about enough, especially in the workplace. Aside from physical symptoms, menopause can also have a big impact on your mental health. In this episode, we’ll be learning what is menopause and how to manage it both in your personal and work lives.

Dr Linda Dear MBBS, FRNZCGP, BA (Hons) Psychology, DRCOG, NCMP.
Linda is a specialist GP and Menopause Doctor, trained in the UK and based in New Zealand. She currently runs a private menopause clinic called Menodoctor and sees women from all over the country for specialist consultations. She has also created New Zealand and Australia’s largest survey on menopause and runs menopause training and education service for workplaces.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

0:00 - Intro
2:05 - What was Linda's journey to becoming a menopause doctor?
3:50 - What is menopause?
6:15 - What age does menopause start?
8:50 - How do you know if you are experiencing menopause?
10:50 - What are menopause-related mental health symptoms?
14:04 - What can you do to manage the menopause-related mental health symptoms?
17:50 - How does Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) work?
22:15 - How long should you stay on HRT?
24:40 - How do you treat vaginal symptoms related to menopause?
26:10 - What lifestyle changes improve the transition through menopause?
32.37 - How does menopause impact someone at work and how can organisations support them?
37:40 - How can managers better support employees who are experiencing menopause?
41:50 - What resources are available to assist workplaces to better support employees experiencing menopause?
44:10 - Can men also experience menopause?
47:30 - Are there higher risk groups that will experience a more difficult perimenopausal period?
51:45 - Are there special considerations organisations with a predominantly female workforce need to be aware of?
54:40 - What is a menopause policy?
57:09 - What are the key findings from the largest menopause survey?
1:00:50 - What is Linda's one wellbeing practice?

Learn more about Linda:


https://menodoctor.com/pages/about
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindamdear/?originalSubdomain=nz 

Helpful resources:

Perimenopausal or Menopausal Quiz:
https://menodoctor.com/pages/about#quiz-qrHPoP

Learn more about Clearhead:


https://www.myclearhead.com/

Addiction is a major global issue. While it may be seen as ‘part of our culture’ to use alcohol or even recreational drugs to unwind and celebrate important milestones, substance abuse often goes unnoticed until it has already taken a toll on our relationships, safety, and mental health. Whereby, the Alcohol and drug foundation states that 1 in 3 adults drink alcohol at levels that put them at risk of alcohol-related disease or injury. In this episode, we’ll be unpacking how and why people become addicted to substances, and what we can do to help people overcome addiction.

Kenenth’s biography:

Dr. Kenneth Leonard is the Director of the Clinical Institute on Addictions, and Research Professor in Psychiatry at the University at Buffalo Medical School in New York. He is a member of multiple research journals' editorial boards and various research organisations specialising in alcoholism. Kenneth is internationally recognised for his research on the impact of substance abuse on relationships and has published more than 200 articles, including on the topic of alcohol's influence on domestic violence and child development, and the role of family in the prevention and treatment of addiction.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

0:00 - Intro
2:30 - Why Kenneth started his research on alcoholism?
3:40 - What causes addiction?
5:55 - What is considered heavy and regular drinking?
8:10 - Who is susceptible to addiction? 9.50 - Why do people self medicate with drugs and alcohol? 11:28 - What is the first step to reducing our dependency on using substances?
13:53 - How to assess your level of addiction?
15:07 - Negative impact of alcohol on marriages and child development.
18:35 - Role of marriage and childbirth in reducing addiction.
20:25 - What are the advantages of children with secure attachment?
21:50 - How you social environment influences your level of addiction.
23:45 - How to build self awareness about your level of addiction?
25:40 - Why we should not protect our loved ones from the consequences of their addiction.
27:22 - Tips on how to approach people about their drinking.
29:15 - When should you approach them about their drinking?
34:55 - How many times do people need treatment before they recover?
35:37 - What are the treatment options out there?
39:25 - How to put a plan in place to prevent relapse
44:51 - Cold turkey vs gradual reduction 46.33 - What can you do if rehab hasn't worked
47:50 - Are there generational differences in substance abuse
50:00 - What to know about cannabis use
51:57 - what government policies can help with reducing substance abuse?
53:13 - What is the role of alcohol in domestic violence
56:12 - What is Ken's one wellbeing practice?

Learn more about Kenneth:
Website: www.buffalo.edu/cria
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UBResearchInstituteonAddictions?ref=hi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UB_RIA


Helpful resources:

Check Your Drinking Tool: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/checkyourdrinking/index.html

Learn more about Clearhead:
https://www.myclearhead.com/

Everyone has their own challenges to face, but have you ever considered yourself to be an obstacle in your mental health journey? Whether you are aware of it or not, it’s easier than you think to find yourself ‘in your own mental prison,’ letting certain doubts and beliefs hold you back from your full potential. In this webinar, we are joined by Dr. Paul Wood, who will help us learn how turn our post traumatic stress into post-traumatic growth.

Paul’s Biography:

Dr. Paul Wood, best-selling author of bestselling author of “How to Escape from Prison” and “Mental Fitness” will be sharing how to use your experiences to inspire you and lift you up, rather than hold you down. Paul has dealt with his own fair share of grief, fear, and troubling times, overcoming a situation that felt hopeless and a 10-year prison sentence to become a beacon of hope for those in similar circumstances. Now a thriving husband, father, and speaker, he has dedicated his life to helping people become mentally fit and ‘free,’ able to turn their darkest moments into valuable lessons that make them stronger and more equipped to build a life they are proud of.

In this episode, we dive deep into answering the following thorny questions:

0:00 - Intro
2:20 - Reflecting on our mental state when experiencing problems.
5:05 - What were the factors that led Paul to commit murder and get sent to prison for 10 years?
9:35 - How Paul processed being sexually abused as a youth to prevent himself from developing PTSD.
13:30 - The power of therapy in recovering from trauma.
15:25 - What are your mental health symptoms trying to tell you?
17:50 - How to adopt a trauma-informed approach to become a better person.
19:55 - What was the turning point for Paul to change his life and mindset?
21:30 - What is post traumatic growth and the importance of having a sense of progress.
27:50 - How to develop a “stress is enhancing” mindset to stay resilient.
29:15 - How to cope with multiple life challenges at once when you are emotionally fatigued.
33:25 - What are the habits needed to stay mentally fit and overcome adversity?
40:30 - How to change your social circles if they are not healthy for you.
45:50 - How to stop comparing your life with others.
48:35 - How do we escape the prison of our mind and self actualize.
51:24 - The importance of work life balance and investing in your personal relationships.
52:45 - What is Paul’s one wellbeing practice?

Learn more about Paul:
https://paulwood.com/

Learn more about Clearhead:
https://www.myclearhead.com/