THRIVING MINDS PODCAST
Professor Selena Bartlett, Neuroscientist, Brain Health is Everyone's Business
Do you want to learn how to build resilience, boost your cognitive performance, and achieve mental agility? Then it's time to discover the exciting world of brain health and fitness with Thriving Minds. Hosted by renowned neuroscientist Professor Selena Bartlett, Thriving Minds is a podcast dedicated to exploring the latest advances in brain science education.
With decades of experience studying addiction, stress, and mental health, Professor Bartlett is a true expert in her field. And she's on a mission to empower people to take control of their mental and physical well-being. So what makes Thriving Minds so unique?
It's not just about theory – it's about practical tips and simple tools that you can use to improve your brain health and fitness right now. From understanding how stress wires the brain, the power of cold exposure, nutrition and exercise and connection.
Thriving Minds is also a deep dive into cutting-edge brain science and digital technology. From neuroplasticity to brain imaging, Professor Bartlett and her team are at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field. They're exploring the latest research and innovations and sharing their insights with listeners around the world.And the best part?
Let's make brain health everyone's business. They're inspiring people to take action and create a culture of mental fitness, where people prioritise their brain health as much as their physical health.
Tune in to the podcast and discover the secrets of brain health and fitness. Whether you're looking to boost your cognitive performance, reduce stress, or improve your overall well-being, Selena and her team are here to help you thrive.
The opinions expressed in the podcast are Selena Bartlett's personal opinion and her guests. They are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, psychology or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The opinions in the podcast do not reflect the opinion of Queensland University of Technology.
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Top 10 THRIVING MINDS PODCAST Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best THRIVING MINDS PODCAST episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to THRIVING MINDS PODCAST for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite THRIVING MINDS PODCAST episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Imagine you are given the gift of life. You may have already have it but are caught up in the business of life. You may not realise it or you may have genes hidden in your history lurking to come out at any moment that change your wellness. Self-care is not selfish but self-preservation.
Dr. Simran Malhotra is a triple board-certified physician in internal medicine, hospice & palliative care, and lifestyle medicine as well as a certified health and wellness coach. On episode #110 of the Thriving minds podcast we discuss how she survived BRCA 1 previvor with a strong family history of breast & female reproductive cancers and underwent a risk reducing bilateral mastectomy & total hysterectomy in 2020 at the age of 32. This is podcast episode is dedicated to my beautiful friend Fiona Van Der Poorten, who was not as lucky to get the gift of DNA sequencing at 26 years old to reduce her breast cancer risk and passed this year leaving behind 5 sons. In the last few hours, she posted on Facebook that the last 24 hours were the best of her life. Fiona wants you to have the best 24 hours of your life today.
After learning about her own genetic risk of cancer and her professional experiences in palliative care, she founded Coach Simran MD, a platform where she works with and educates women at high risk for cancer with or without genetic mutations on the powerful impact that positive lifestyle changes can have on their quality of life and even longevity.
She describes wellness as a mindset. That food is medicine, sleep is medicine and exercise is medicine. Through her real-life experiences as a patient, family member and palliative care physician. She became passionate about empowering and guiding women, particularly those at risk for serious illness on the powerful impact that positive lifestyle changes can have on the quality of life and longevity. Making decisions and following them with committed action.
We discuss the things that matter the most for people at the end of her life. It is not what you think. Awakening wellness and trying to get lifestyle medicine into palliative care.
Website: Wellness By Lifestyle MD | By Coach Simran MD
Blog: The Highfive Blog | Wellness by Lifestyle MD (coachsimranmd.com) Instagram: Lifestyle & Wellness Coach (@drsimran.malhotra) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook: Coach Simran MD | Facebook Linkedin: Simran Malhotra MD | LinkedIn
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Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com
Step into the captivating world of Dean Yates, the former bureau chief in Iraq whose life took a dramatic turn when a U.S. Apache gunship tragically killed two Reuters journalists in Baghdad in 2007. The shocking footage of this incident, brought to light by Julian Assange, shook the world's conscience. However, this pivotal event was just the beginning of Dean's journey, one that led him to become a staunch advocate for mental health in the journalism industry.
Dean Yates shares his deeply personal story and unveils the concept of moral injury—an affliction that extends beyond post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and affects individuals from all walks of life. Through his own experiences, Dean reveals how moral injury can occur when one's sense of what is right and just is fundamentally violated. Drawing from his last role at Reuters, where he spearheaded the creation and implementation of a mental health strategy for the company's 2,500 journalists, Dean provides a rare insight into the extreme workplace trauma that can push even the most successful foreign journalists to the brink of despair.
As Dean guides us through his recovery process, he reveals the pivotal role that unconditional love played in his healing journey. Whether it was the unwavering support of his family, the compassionate connections forged in the Ward 17 psych unit in Melbourne where he spent 77 days and nights with veterans and first responders, or his own unwavering commitment to self-improvement, Dean demonstrates how love—unconditional and all-encompassing—can become the guiding light that leads us to freedom. Dean confronts moral injury head-on, fostering a deeper understanding of this complex condition and offering a glimmer of hope for those who may have found themselves in its grip.
Line in the Sand is an eye-opening exploration of the intersection between journalism, mental health, and moral injury. Dean Yates takes you on a transformative journey, leaving no stone unturned in his quest to raise awareness and provide solace for those who have experienced the profound challenges of moral injury in their own lives. Get ready to embark on a thought-provoking journey that will forever change the way you perceive the untold stories hidden within the shadows of journalism.
https://www.deanyates.com.au/
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Episode #158 BEING SEEN- thank you everyone and announcing my new book -preorder for January 2024!
THRIVING MINDS PODCAST
12/17/23 • 5 min
Welcome back to the Thriving Minds podcast, where we explore the fascinating landscape of mental health, personal growth, and the intricate workings of the human mind. Today, we have an exciting announcement that's sure to resonate with parents and anyone interested in the evolving dynamics of family life.
As we close out 2023, we are thrilled to introduce our listeners to my groundbreaking new book that promises to redefine the way we approach parenting in 2024. "BEING SEEN -Master Parenting in the Digital Age where we delve into the heart of this transformative work.
"BEING SEEN" addresses the unique challenges faced by parents and children in today's rapidly changing world. Are you struggling to connect with your child in the digital age? Is screen time causing tension in your family? Are you concerned about the impact of technology and societal pressures on your child's well-being? If so, this episode is a must-listen.
I share insights from extensive research and personal experiences, offering practical strategies and a heartfelt exploration of how to strengthen the parent-child bond, nurture self-confidence, and create a supportive environment.
Join us as we discuss the pain points of modern parenting, the vision behind "BEING SEEN," and the actionable steps you can take to thrive as a family in 2024 and beyond.
If you're looking for guidance, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on parenting in the digital age, don't miss this episode. And stay tuned for the release of "BEING SEEN," available for pre-order in January 2024. It's time to embark on a transformative parenting journey together!
You can preorder BEING SEEN here:
www.profselenabartlett.com
#ThrivingMindsPodcast #BeingSeenBook #ParentingChallenges #FamilyConnection #PreorderNow
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Professor Kuyken suggests that over the next 50 years that will see mental health and wellbeing become a human right that is fundamental to human flourishing. This requires a public health and societal approach to tackle as from about 7 billion people in the world, of which about a 3.5 billion will at some point encounter mental health problems themselves or with their loved ones. How we think about mental health will be the equivalent of passive smoking ~50 years ago.
Why school culture and not mindfulness curriculum improve mental health in young people in schools. Professor Willem Kuyken, University of Oxford discuss the unexpected findings from the $6 million pound Wellcome Trust published Myriad trial (My Resilience in Adolescence).
Professor Willem Kuyken, a leading expert in mindfulness and psychological science at the University of Oxford published the Myriad trial, showing that the school environment correlated with mental health was the culture and climate and not the mindfulness curriculum as the primary outcomes. A school that has a sense of safety, respect, trust, and overall psychological and physical comfort was found to be associated with better mental health in adolescent students. These factors, changeable in nature, present an interesting opportunity for enhancing student wellbeing.
Interestingly, external factors seemed to contribute more to variations in young people's mental health than factors within the school, suggesting that schools alone cannot shoulder the entire responsibility for mental health interventions. The epidemiological findings from their large and representative study reaffirmed existing knowledge that about one in three young people (ages 11-14) reported significant mental health challenges, with higher incidences among girls than boys.
Professor Kuyken started his career as a scientist who was interested in evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy for adults. However, he realized that these individual therapies were not enough to make a major impact on mental health and well being at a population level.
The Myriad Study concluded that mindfulness training did not have a clear advantage over normal school provision or social and emotional learning in promoting mental health and well being among adolescents. However, the study also highlighted some potential benefits and challenges of mindfulness training for teachers in schools, and suggested directions for future research and practice.
https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/team/willem-kuyken
Kuyken, W. et al & MYRIAD Team Group. (2022). Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of universal school-based mindfulness training compared with normal school provision in reducing risk of mental health problems and promoting well-being in adolescence: the MYRIAD cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ Evidence-Based Mental Health. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2021-300396
- Covers the primary outcomes of the trial with a focus on the impact on young people.
Kuyken, W. et al (2022). Effectiveness of universal school-based mindfulness training compared with normal school provision on teacher mental health and school climate: results of the MYRIAD cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ Evidence-Based Mental Health. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/ebmental-2022-300424
- Covers some of the secondary outcomes such as the impact of Mindfulness training on the teachers delivering it and the school climate as a whole.
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Contentgroup CEO David Pembroke learns everything you need to know about the brain and how to train the brain from Professor Bartlett. Founder and CEO of contentgroup. Adviser to Eddie Jones, Head coach, England Rugby team
David and Anna Pembroke knew that Australians value content and that is the best way to reach them.
Today, they lead a team of highly-regarded veterans and digital-savvy creatives who are experts in multimedia communication, specialising in helping government and the public sector engage with citizens.
contentgroup’s skills and knowledge in media, marketing, public relations, politics and private industry set us apart. We are used to working in environments where the pace of change is fast and the challenges significant.
While our head office is in the heart of the National Capital, we are also connected to communities across the country through a network of clever consultants and suppliers.
From Federal Government departments and agencies to Local Government councils, we have a track record for delivering best practice strategic communication and stakeholder engagement services, backed by quality content, advice and training.
That is contentgroup’s ‘swim lane’ and we are proud to be recognised as industry leaders – who are also easy to work with!
In addition to her aforementioned role, Professor Bartlett is a Group Leader in Translational Neuroscience and has been awarded the Lawrie Austin Award for her contributions to Neuroscience by the Australian Neuroscience Society in 2019.
Professor Bartlett is also the CEO and Founder of MiGFiT Inc, a start-up company spun out her research lab that is focused on brain training for resilience, fitness and to reduce addiction and obesity.
She has won the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Biotech Research Award and was an Ambassador for the Women in Technology organisation. Professor Bartlett recently launched three books to raise awareness about the brain health and to make neuroscience neuroplasticity actionable. Additionally, she has presented a TEDx talk about the brain fitness and neuroplasticity revolution underway focused on neuroplasticity for brain health.
Discussed in this episode:
- The evolution of the brain and how it affects us now
- How you can train your brain
- Prevention vs Treatment to improve mental health
- Mental health in the workplace
- Doomscrolling
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Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com
"What are you afraid of? Is it innate, or did someone introduce that fear and anxiety to you?"
Join us on an enlightening, diving deep into anxiety disorders with Ken Loftus.
"We've all experienced it," Ken began, "That sudden jolt of fear when you see a spider, or a puppy, or someone different from you. But where does it come from?
Evolutionary psychology tells us it's all about survival. Our brains have been wired over millions of years to detect threats - but how accurately?" He delved into the butterfly effect and how our early experiences might shape specific phobias. "Our irrational fears, like believing something's too hot without touching or fearing someone from a different culture, stem from our primal need to survive," he explained.
"Our senses are our primary tools. Yet, while we rely on them to navigate our world, they also shape our worldviews, sometimes inaccurately."
Ken painted a vivid picture. "Imagine seeing a spider. For some, it triggers childhood memories, core beliefs, and even revives age-old evolutionary fears. But is this nature or nurture?
Are we echoing sentiments from 2.5 million years ago?" He continued, "imagine an adult freaking out about a puppy. The immediate reaction is embarrassment. That spirals into thoughts like, 'I shouldn't feel this way,' which cascades into 'I'm worthless.' Such spirals are dangerous." With clarity, he described the mind's complex operations. "Your brain," he began, sketching a big circle on a whiteboard, "is continuously calculating. A smaller circle within represents our consciousness. When the optic nerve perceives a threat, like a dog, the brain reacts in nanoseconds."
Using socratic questioning, he encouraged the audience to challenge their fears. "When was the last time someone you knew was harmed by a dog? Or by a spider?" He concluded, "Our fears, no matter how irrational they seem, have a basis. Understanding that basis, whether it's evolutionary or learned, is the key to addressing it." The episode will leave you with a newfound understanding of fears and a toolkit to navigate them, emphasizing awareness, questioning, and self-compassion.
Socratic questioning is a method used to encourage deep thinking and self-reflection. Here are some Socratic questions you can use to understand a fear or anxiety you might be facing:
1.Defining the Fear/Anxiety
•What exactly am I afraid of or anxious about?
•Can I describe the specific situations or triggers that bring on this fear or anxiety?
•When did I first notice this fear or anxiety?
2.Understanding the Basis
•Why do I feel this way?
•Are there past experiences that might have contributed to this feeling?
•What beliefs or thoughts are underpinning this fear or anxiety?
3.Testing Reality
•What evidence do I have that supports this fear or anxiety?
•Conversely, what evidence do I have that contradicts or challenges it?
•Has there ever been a time when I faced this fear or anxiety and it didn't come to fruition?
4.Understanding Impact
•How does this fear or anxiety affect my daily life, decisions, or relationships?
•What might happen if I didn't have this fear or anxiety?
•Are there benefits to holding onto this fear or anxiety? If so, what are they?
5.Assessing Coping Mechanisms
•How have I coped with this fear or anxiety in the past?
•Which coping strategies have been effective, and which haven't?
•Are there healthier ways I could manage or confront this fear or anxiety?
6.Looking at Alternative Perspectives
•How would someone else view this situation?
•What would I tell a friend who h
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As technology advances, so do the potential threats to our children, families, community and organisations. Together we play a crucial role in providing protection, and it is imperative that they establish cultures deeply rooted in safety and proactive measures. As technology advances, so do the potential threats to these groups. We will look at the role of safeguarding in organizations play a crucial role in providing protection, and it is imperative that they establish cultures deeply rooted in safety and proactive measures.
Panelist 1 Sarah Lim from BB Safe: Drawing on the Building Blocks framework, Sarah will delve into creating a robust safety culture for children and other vulnerable populations. Her insights will provide a blueprint for organizations to ensure that protective measures are seamlessly integrated into their core values and operations.
https://bbsafe.com.au/
Panelist 2 Ken Loftus from The Sunlight Centre: Recognizing the emotional toll the digital age can have, Ken offers a lifeline through the Sunlight Centre. He will share about their invaluable service, providing free face-to-face counselling for teens and adults grappling with challenges such as suicide or self-harm.
https://sunlightcentre.com.au/
Panel presentation organised by
https://jabiru.org.au/ and https://www.thriving-minds.com/
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Episode #47. How much are we able to change? Rewiring old habits, neuroplasticity in action.
THRIVING MINDS PODCAST
05/05/20 • 13 min
I became a neuroscientist the day my sister sat comatose in a lock up ward of a mental health hospital at the age of 21. As I sat in the hot and steamy room, with my sister stiff as cardboard, staring into space and the doctors saying they were not exactly sure of what was going on. I stopped being a pharmacist and started asking questions -like why do we not understand how the brain works? Why do we think it is ok to treat a girl with incredibly mild symptoms-like hearing voices- with a straitjacket and an overdose of haloperidol? It seemed to me-back in 1989- we do not know how the brain worked and treated it like it did not matter. From that moment on, I set my mind on working out how the brain worked, so that we would find better ways to help my sister. For the next 20 years, I proceeded from PhD in neuropharmacology, a postdoc in neurobiology and neuroscience in Canberra and then at a top neuroscience of addiction research center in the San Francisco Bay Area in California, United States. I really thought during this time, that if I could simply pull the brain apart, prod and probe it with the latest tools and technologies, I would find the “thing” that was not working and I could develop a medication to fix it. This was my dogged focus. With my mind honed in on this solution, that in my mind, was simply around the corner, I just had to keep pushing, applying better technology, reduce the problem down. It was not until some 20 years later, when one day I could not get out of bed, that I truly began to feel and see and learn how the brain works. I was writing a book chapter on the molecular mechanisms of brain resilience- that is the brain can learn to be resilient -just as it has learnt over centuries- to be stressed- we can change the brain, we can learn to become the boss of the brain. We can learn how to apply the principles and the power of neuroplasticity to change and train the brain.
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Episode #172. GlassHouse. A new world of flowers in mental health wards. Interview with Anne Buist and Graeme Simsion, Author The Rosie Project.
THRIVING MINDS PODCAST
06/04/24 • 54 min
Have you ever noticed that mental health wards rarely have flowers compared to other wards like those in cancer and children's hospitals? "Glasshouse," a novel by Anne Buist and Graeme Simsion, aims to transform mental health in Australia by highlighting the challenges within mental health services, the experiences of mental health workers, and the patients they strive to help and heal.
The authors take us inside the Menzies Mental Health Service, breaking the silence about the realities of being a mental health worker and raising the conversation about what Australia needs to disrupt and transform mental health prevention and treatment.
I found "Glasshouse" at the airport and finished it when I landed in San Francisco; I couldn't put it down. As Anne and Graeme say, people in glass houses should not throw stones.
Listen to Anne and Graeme discuss their new book, written together. I was able to snag them for an hour while they were on the Great Australian Bookshop Tour, visiting 400 bookshops over four months.
To create an opportunity for change, one must walk in the shoes of all those they are writing about. We discuss their upcoming sequel, introducing their characters to neuroscience, early life experiences, and technology.
We'll know mental health treatment has been transformed when all mental health hospitals and wards are part of architecturally designed buildings filled with paintings and flowers. In these spaces, people are treated as humans undergoing multi-generational experiences. If there is a place where flowers are needed, this is it.
Anne Buist is the Chair of Women’s Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, based at Austin Health, with over 30 years of clinical and research experience in perinatal psychiatry, including directing mother-baby units for much of this time. She co-authored "Glasshouse," a series set in a mental health facility, with Graeme Simsion.
Graeme Simsion is the author of "The Rosie Project" series, which has sold over six million copies in forty-two languages.
https://annebuist.com/
https://graemesimsion.com/home/
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Episode #173 Parenting Children Well Across Two Homes: What It Takes with Tiffany Rochester, Founder of Co-Parenting Companion
THRIVING MINDS PODCAST
06/10/24 • 53 min
Imagine a world where children are put at the centre of conversations during separations and divorces. Imagine the financial savings and improved mental health for everyone involved. This is what happens when we prioritise children’s mental health.
Link here
https://services.coparentingcompanion.au/about
Separation and divorce impact children's brain development, classified as one of the adverse childhood experiences (ACES).
Link here:
https://acestoohigh.com/got-your-ace-score/
However, the impact can be minimized by handling the process in a prepared way with guidance. Many people accept it as a fact that half of all marriages end in divorce, but this applies only to first marriages. Those who wed multiple times face a far higher rate of divorce. In fact, 67% of second marriages end, and 73% of third marriages are dissolved. Having a co-parenting companion is beneficial for every family navigating these statistics.
Tiffany Rochester has two decades of experience supporting separated parents in collaborative co-parenting, I know that separation does not have to be a barrier to creating and sustaining a healthy co-parenting relationship – because I’ve repeatedly guided co-parents to minimise stress and maximise freedom effectively, so you can co-parent with relaxed confidence, focused on enjoying your children and building your new life.
"Too many times, I had parents say to me, I wish I’d met you right at the start. I could have saved so much time and money. We wouldn’t be here now.”
Key Steps to Putting Children First:
Choose Supportive Professionals: Find lawyers and mediators focused on minimal damage and collaborative processes. Winning an argument should not be the goal—minimising harm is.
Early Intervention: Seek support early from experts in child and brain development to navigate turbulent times, ensuring the best long-term outcomes for everyone involved.
Transparent Communication: Children need simple, honest communication about the changes. Plan the initial conversation thoughtfully, considering the first 8 weeks post-separation. Keep it simple and answer only the questions they ask.
Avoid Parental Alienation: Ensure that your actions and words do not alienate the other parent. Encourage a healthy relationship with both parents, maintaining transparency and accountability.
Stories of Great Co-Parenting:
Witnessing collaborative and amicable co-parenting efforts is deeply inspiring. Parents who own their contributions to the relationship breakdown and strive for a cooperative future provide an invaluable legacy of resilience and love for their children.
There is little "winning" in separation and divorce—only minimising harm and fostering a positive legacy. Parents can create a nurturing, supportive environment across two homes by focusing on what's best for the children.
#CoParenting #ChildMentalHealth #DivorceSupport #ParentingAcrossTwoHomes #TiffanyRochester #FamilyWellness #HealthyDivorce #ParentingAdvice
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FAQ
How many episodes does THRIVING MINDS PODCAST have?
THRIVING MINDS PODCAST currently has 183 episodes available.
What topics does THRIVING MINDS PODCAST cover?
The podcast is about Peace, Addiction, Health & Fitness, Stress, Spirituality, Neuroscience, Happy, Mental Health, Mindset, Podcasts, Science, Health and Brain Health.
What is the most popular episode on THRIVING MINDS PODCAST?
The episode title 'Episode #109 Becoming fearless through brain training. Belinda Neil, hostage negotiator, empowering people in conflict resolution, negotiation and crisis management skills' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on THRIVING MINDS PODCAST?
The average episode length on THRIVING MINDS PODCAST is 44 minutes.
How often are episodes of THRIVING MINDS PODCAST released?
Episodes of THRIVING MINDS PODCAST are typically released every 7 days, 2 hours.
When was the first episode of THRIVING MINDS PODCAST?
The first episode of THRIVING MINDS PODCAST was released on Jun 6, 2019.
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