The Balanced Brain Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Balanced Brain Podcast
Listen to inspiring stories of people transforming uncertainty, trauma and stress into balance and optimism.
Need Help?
Sean and Melanie talk about the gritty stuff. If you are listening to our podcast and need a helping hand, please call:
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Media : mel@thebalancedbrain.com.au
Damien Linnane’s memoir, Raw, chronicles a childhood marred by physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and his subsequent ineffective search for identity in gangs, the military, and dysfunctional relationships. The ongoing impacts of childhood trauma reached a climax when Damien firebombed the home of a man accused of rape. He subsequently became an artist and writer in prison.
Warning: This episode contains recollections of childhood abuse and other sensitive topics.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean shares his experience with a recent injury and how it impacted his life. Sean shares his recovery journey and tips for our listeners in this not to miss episode.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Speaking of trauma is an essential element of healing for all that life throws at us as human beings, no matter how long-ago that trauma was experienced.
So why can’t we talk about the most significant trauma that has occurred in this lifetime - the response to covid? The lockdowns, the mandates, the coercion, the broken lives, and relationships. The psychological and physical injuries.
We speak on this episode to share our experience and offer pathways to healing and forgiveness.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nereda Wills, business owner of “Natural Neddy” is a naturopath with a Bachelor of Health Science and studying for her Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Nereda uses powerful natural medicine to treat illness, overwhelm and stress. Nereda practices with a 'whole of body’ philosophy and talks about the importance of emotional wellbeing and its connection to physical health in this incredible episode.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What song reminds you of your first heartbreak ?
Do you listen to song lyrics or just the beat?
How do musicians make a song?
Emma White is a singer/songwriter and psychologist from the band “June Low” and shares the secrets of music in this incredible episode.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean and Melanie share their life changing experiments to improve mental health and wellbeing.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Master of Counselling and Master of Tarot, Lana merges the mind and the spirit in her counselling practice, helping clients with anxiety and depression.
Combining her human science qualifications with the esoteric guidance of the Tarot, Lana’s message is clear - you have the power to choose your own destiny !
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Anna could see no escape from the terror she experienced at the hands of those she should have been most able to trust. She grabbed hold of opportunities to make changes and heal.
Courage and perseverance and determination allowed the girl to pursue a life she’d never dared to imagine for herself while ensuring those responsible for her torment didn’t win.
Anna went on to write her memoir “Blossom in the Dust.” which you can find at major online book stores.
Content Warning: This episode contains themes of suicide, child abuse and sexual violence.
Help is available at;
Lifeline 13 11 14
Blue Knot for Adult Survivors of Childhood trauma.
1300 657 380
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It’s been a big year for the Balanced Brain Podcast with a 537% increase in streams that got us trending in the USA podcast charts for the first time. It was a big year for everyone globally as humanity searched Google for how to change, find their passion, be a better friend, be fearless and evolve.
Sean and Melanie chat about their own highs and lows of 2022 in this raw and honest episode about making a comeback in 2023.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The kids at Agnes Water Primary are leading the way to a positive mindset through meditation, mindfulness, gratitude, and emotional self-care.
Acts of Kindness are a daily practice. The school has been transformed through the “Smiling Mind” program led by passionate and dedicated Head of Curriculum, Leigh Tankey.
Leigh walks the talk with her own practice – as do the teachers at this school and the impact on the kids, their parents and the wider community has been profound.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean and Melanie share their life changing experiments to improve mental health and wellbeing.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean and Melanie talk about trust, vulnerability, breakups, expectations, rituals, gender differences, google trends, long term friends, how to make new friends and much more in this special episode on friendships.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Harvey never wanted to be a Dad. A surprise arrived and he found himself having sole care of his tiny baby. He lost his job, his big house and his mind. He raised Dom in a bed sitter, setting the alarm at night to bottle feed him.
He is deeply sad that he could not enjoy the baby years.
He made up for it when he took extreme action to get Dom to a Lego show.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean was in his darkest hour when his first child was born. He was 40, depressed and jobless. His identity shattered. He became a stay at home Dad and it bought him back to life. Rosanna was his guardian angel.
A shock surprise saw Dom become a Dad at just 20. Catapulted into adulthood, he made mistakes, but he had a great Dad and Pop to guide him through. Dom’s kids are ages 29 to 10. ohhh..and he has 3 grand kids!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean and Melanie share their life changing experiments to improve mental health and wellbeing.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
“Confronting” is the word Heather uses to describe being a midwife during the pandemic. Dressed in full PPE, goggles and N95 mask to deliver a woman’s baby. Fatigue, loneliness, and ever-changing rules have challenged Heather at every turn. But through this journey there has been joy, incredible teamwork, and a deep commitment to give women the best birth experience she can. Heather can’t imagine doing anything else.
This is a rare tale from a frontline worker of a busy hospital during the pandemic.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode we talk about:
*Ongoing employment mandates that are creating uncertainty.
-
The changing narrative of mandates.
-
How everyone is experiencing these times differently.
*The mental health crisis accelerated by covid with 4 out of 5 kids experiencing mental health issues in the last 2 years.
*What control do we have over our lives now?
*The emotional rollercoaster of “What’s next?”
*Looking for new opportunities and possibilities during chaos.
*Re-evaluating your life.
*Major changes of friendships , careers, marriages and health.
*Strategies for managing change and creating new opportunities using your intuition
and focusing on all aspects of your health - Mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean and Melanie share their life changing experiments to improve mental health and wellbeing.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
International Speedway star Adam Shields shares his story on overcoming serious injuries to become a successful personal trainer.
His philosophy is to take control of your fitness by getting strong and moving well to create lifelong change.
Adam shares his hot tips for shedding Christmas kilo’s, making fitness a joy and letting go of guilt by creating a positive mindset.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We discuss surprising Google trends of 2021, the elephant in the room around the Christmas table, healing tools, sea shanties and all things mental health.
How do we reconnect in a divided society?
Tune in for Sean and Melanie’s recap of 2021 and tips on creating a new reality in 2022.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Courtney had no direction after uni, so she flew to Hawaii and spent 6 months partying, riding a skateboard in a bikini and surf instructing. Then a book changed her life forever. Courtney met the love of her life through law of attraction, became a fitness coach and started a business on building strength and embracing great nutrition.
Courtney has a special interest in the menstrual cycle, empowering women to take ownership of their bodies and teaching about the impact of the contraceptive pill on hormones.
Courtney is expecting a baby in the new year and talks about how she feels bringing new life in to challenging times.
You don’t want to miss this episode – Courtney is passionate, optimistic and shares some mind-blowing tips for listeners wanting to take back control of all aspects of their health.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Booze was taking over Clint’s life. Depression was a constant companion. One night he ended up in a prison cell after a bar fight with a mate. That was the wakeup call for change.
Now 21 weeks sober and cigarette free, Clint began to rebuild every aspect of his life. A lifelong surfer, euphoria was rediscovered in the perfect barrel, the waves offering spiritual therapy.
Clint overhauled his diet, his friendships, updated business plans, started running and found solace in nature.
Clint’s journey of transformation is hilarious, warm, and joyful. If you need some inspiration to pull yourself out of a funk, this episode is for you.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ben has terminal brain cancer. Ben compliments conventional treatment with exercise, meditation, yoga, cannabis medicine and oxygen hyperbaric chambers.
Using music and frequency healing as a vehicle to express difficult emotions, Ben and partner Sabrina collaborated as BAST N MOVE and recently released tracks ‘Dancing on the Sun’ and ‘Violet’.
Ben shares how he navigates this journey through spirituality embracing the frequencies of joy, love and gratitude and his philosophy that we are all infinite.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melanie and Sean talk about their journey with meditation and mindfulness. #meditationmadeeasy #meditationtechniques #easedepression #reducefear #breathewell #russellbran #wimhof
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Kasey’s partner took their little boy from Brisbane to Brazil to meet his grandparents for the first time.
Then COVID hit.
Devastated but determined, Kasey survived 8 months of bureaucracy, negativity and despair to be reunited with them in Brazil.
Kasey moved in with her in laws, transformed her business and became fluent in Portuguese. All during a pandemic.
This is her story of thriving through grief and uncertainty.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean and Melanie share their life changing experiments to improve mental health and wellbeing.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen to inspiring stories of people transforming uncertainty, trauma and stress into balance and optimism.
Need Help?
Sean and Melanie talk about the gritty stuff. If you are listening to our podcast and need a helping hand, please call
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Media : mel@thebalancedbrain.com.au
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melanie woke up from a coma with a missing skull and amnesia when she was 28. Hear her story about how she rewired her brain but forgot to rewire her heart!
Need Help?
Sean and I talk about the gritty stuff. If you are listening to our podcast and need a helping hand, please call
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Media : mel@thebalancedbrain.com.au
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean took his camping gear out one night thinking it would be his last day on earth. The birth of his daughter brought him back from the brink.
Need Help?
Sean and I talk about the gritty stuff. If you are listening to our podcast and need a helping hand, please call
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Media : mel@thebalancedbrain.com.au
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shirrelle was part of the first flight crew to land in Wuhan at the start of COVID. Stood down not long after, she returned to teaching only for the students to bust her working at Costco
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean and Melanie share their life changing experiments to improve mental health and wellbeing.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sean and Melanie share their life changing experiments to improve mental health and wellbeing.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.