Wisdom for Wellbeing with Dr. Kaitlin Harkess (PhD Psychology): Recent Episodes
Dr. Kaitlin Harkess, Clinical Psychologist + Yoga Instructor
It's hard to make self-care and personal development a priority when balancing work, family and day-to-day survival. Join Dr. Kaitlin Harkess, psychologist, yoga instructor, and multi-hatted mum, as she interviews experts in the areas of wellbeing and wholistic health. If you want to flourish and create a life that you love, then this is the podcast for you! Join us each Wednesday to learn tips and tricks to nurture your mind, body and soul.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Ben Warren, a Clinical Nutritionist.
I found Ben’s energy absolutely contagious – and I think that highlights the palpable impact of the lifestyle he is leading. As you’ll hear in the interview, Ben came to exploring the interface of nutrition and health having struggled physically during his career as a professional golfer. It was the changes he made to what he was taking into his system that offered him healing. Now, Ben is completing his PhD exploring specific nutrients and their impact on something many of us struggle with, mental health. I have no doubt that this area is full of big words and high-level biology, but Ben elegantly and simply explains what you need to know to make some immediate changes in your life. No doubt you’ll benefit from this wisdom.
What is covered in this episode:
How Ben’s back pain was caused by a food intolerance, and how this connection transformed his life focus from professional golfing to clinical nutrition
How nutrition underpins everything from physical to emotional health
Ben’s PhD research looking at supplementation for individuals experiencing anxiety
The impacts of poor gut health on things from inflammation and heart burn to bloating and mental ill health
The bidirectional relationship of mental health and gut health and the multiple systems involved in this
Different neurotransmitters that are related to wellbeing are produced in the gut
Why the modern diet will never provide you all you the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) of the nutrients you need, let alone the Suggested Optimal Allowances (SOAs)
Important supplements to take for wellbeing (generally and for more specific diets like a vegan one)
Mindfulness of your food sources and how that impacts nutritional value
Links Discussed
- www.bepure.co.nz
- Youtube
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Dr Renee Cachia, Child & Adolescent Psychologist and Author.
This conversation focuses on supporting parents to take care of themselves, so that they can better nurture their children.
What is covered in this episode:
Dr Renee’s history working with children and families in their homes, which inspired her work in supporting parents
The impact of mindfulness and parenting skills training in cultivating connective moments between parents and children
The intergenerational impact of parenting stress
Perfectionistic parenting, and how that can impact parents wellbeing
The importance of cultivating and maintaining a sense of self through the parenting journey: and the big question to ask yourself in supporting this [What do I need]
The process of cultivating a flexible meditation practice
Introduction to a Beginner’s Mind practice we can do with our children
Links Discussed
- Book: Parenting Freedom – Transform Stress and Depletion to Connectedness & Meaning
- reneecachia.com
- @reneecachiaphd on Instagram
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Dr. Tom Nehmy, a Clinical Psychologist, author of the brilliant book Apples for the Mind and developer of the Healthy Minds Program. The Healthy Minds Program is the first evidence-based program designed to prevent the onset of symptoms of depression and anxiety as well as eating disorders such as Bulimia nervosa. Tom first started sharing this wisdom in schools (how much do you wish you got taught such skills as an adolescent!), and now supports wellness-focused businesses to keep their employees thriving through The Healthy Minds Program.
No doubt you will enjoy this episode! Tom is brilliant at explaining complex concepts in a relatable and easy to understand manner. Beyond the entertaining presentation style, you’ll find he also offers you actionable steps to cultivate wellbeing in the important domains of your life, and practical ways to consume the ‘apples’ your mind needs to thrive.
What is covered in this episode:
How failing to becoming a race car driver taught Tom important life lessons
What ‘psychological immunisation’ means and how you can become very mentally healthy
The core toolkit you need for preventing mental health problems and cultivating wellbeing
Why mental health is a continuum that you sit somewhere along
The six faucets of wellbeing in your life
Understanding emotions and how to effectively respond to them
The power of self-compassion to transform your relationship with yourself
Learning more from participating in The Healthy Minds Program and Tom’s book Apples for the Mind
Links Discussed
- Healthy Minds Program Webpage (Offering wellbeing workshops for schools and businesses)
- Dr. Tom Nehmy’s Webpage
- Buy Tom’s book Apples for Your Mind
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Dr. Laura Koniver, MD, author of The Earth Prescription. This episode is your chance to go deep into one element that nature or Earth connection offers you – the chance to ground. Dr. Koniver describes how we never question plugging in our phones when their battery is running low, and yet, so many of us run ourselves into the ground before we stop for a recharge. So take this time to learn to recharge regularly, to ground – and of course, enjoy the chance to nerd out a little bit on the amazing science behind this practice.
What is covered in this episode:
How being outside and connecting to the Earth can be beneficial and comforting to us psychologically and physically
How we can incorporate grounding into our daily lives by taking things we’re already doing inside and bringing them outside
What is conductive: trees, plants, grass, flowers, weeds – anything that is living and growing out of the Earth can be grounding but even brick, patio, concrete and cement can be grounding
How even just a pinky finger off the edge of a mat, touching a blade of grass, while we’re doing yoga outside can be grounding
Links Discussed
- www.Intuition-Physician.com
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I talk through something close to my heart, the biophysiological underpinnings of yoga’s benefit. Given how much yoga comes up on this podcast it seems important too look at different understandings and frameworks of this diverse practice.
What is covered in this episode:
The effect of stress on the sympathetic nervous system response (fight, flight or freeze)
How the ‘relaxation response’ of the parasympathetic nervous system works
The vagus nerve’s link with yoga and the relaxation response
How yoga buffers the stress response and may be associated with positive epigenetic changes
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, Pediatric Psychologist, Parent Coach, and owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology.
I have been waiting to share this episode – it is SO IMPORTANT for us to understand how to have conversations around race and racism with our children. As we move forward in our own growth towards antiracism and systemic change, we need open conversations coupled with learning from experts in this area. Dr. Lockhart is an expert on race (in fact my first learning with her was through her course on Understanding Racism, Prejudice, and Microaggressions) and an expert Pediatric Psychologist, having long supported children and families to cultivate wellbeing.
A particular area of Dr. Lockhart’s wisdom is in how we support highly sensitive children in thriving, and in today’s episode she beautifully discusses how we have conversations around race and racism with highly sensitive children.
What is covered in this episode:
A highly sensitive child may have a more acute awareness of interoception, their internal body state, causing them to become overwhelmed by stimulation. Highly sensitive children are not only sensitive to their senses but their environment as well.
Children as young as 3-6 months old are able to notice when an individual appears physically different from their primary caregivers, which means they are not colorblind to race.
By age three, they begin to associate positive and negative traits to those differences in physical appearances. By age five, if not educated or informed and surrounded by environments that discuss racist ideals, they may demonstrate more racist behaviours.
How you can start talking to babies about race by introducing them to art, stories, toys, or cultural events about people and cultures different from their own. Teaching children to celebrate other cultures by understanding who they are, where they come from, and what languages they speak. It’s also important to show children the not-so-beautiful side of history, to show how some people were mistreated because of their identities.
In discussing race with a highly sensitive child, it’s important to be mindful about how you introduce them to injustices that are occurring because they may internalize the information more deeply and might over-identify with those being oppressed.
Links Discussed
- Website: www.anewdaysa.com
- Instagram: @dr.annlouise.lockhart
- Facebook: A New Day Pediatric Psychology
- Free download for parents who have a Highly Sensitive Child: What About the Highly Sensitive Child?
- Course on Racism
- A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory w/ Discount Code: Lockhart_Kids
- Several articles Dr. Lockhart has written, been quoted in, podcasts on racism and raising anti-racist children.
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Leah Hague, Research Fellow and PhD Candidate.
I first heard Leah speak at a training for psychologists in supporting people through COVID19 (and the move to working from home) using what we know about the beneficial effects of nature. I LOVED the training and knew we needed to get her on Wisdom for Wellbeing so that you could soak up this wisdom too. Leah does a brilliant job of sharing the science and the practical strategies that you can implement to improve your wellbeing by making use of nature’s healing. So, perhaps put your earbuds in and head out the door and around the block as you listen, or at least change your screen saver to a nature picture if you’re still doing some work at your desk.
Want to keep in touch? Head to @drkaitlin on Instagram or @wisdomforwellbeingpod on Facebook to connect.
What is covered in this episode:
How spending time in our natural environment as opposed to a built environment can help people think of themselves as part of a bigger whole, a human being interconnected with other beings
For Occupational Health, connecting with nature while at work can increase productivity and job satisfaction – this can be through taking a walk in nature during a lunch break, having a look outside the window, or even having a plant on the desk
How taking micro-breaks in nature can contribute to well-being as well as pro-social behaviour
How natural environments containing a body of water, like the beach, a waterfall, or a lake, can have restorative benefits
Links Discussed
- Nature Notes App
- Leah’s LinkedIn
- Article on LinkedIn: (10 Things We Can Do To Benefit From Nature)
- Leah’s Twitter
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I continue the interview of episode six with the wise Dr. Kelly G. Wilson. This episode is so heart centred. In fact, the underlying theme of it is to simply act with love. To step back from the discipline and challenge mentality, find a place where you can enjoy real foods, social nutrients and moving your body as a kindness.
This episode is particularly heartwarming as Kelly talks you through the process of ‘thinking of someone you love like crazy’ and connecting in a simple manner via an SMS, as well as offering you parents a beautiful meditation developed by Dr. Emmie Hebert and some words of wisdom on child-directed play. If you have not already, I highly recommend reading this brilliant book chapter that Kelly wrote, Living Well as the First Medicine: Health and Wellness in the Modern World.
What is covered in this episode:
The link between chronic toxins and chronic illness
The process of letting ‘someone you love like crazy’ be your muse to loving action
Why small things and habits matter
Stepping back from discipline and challenges to gifts and kindnesses
The art of 5-second running
Social hostility sensitivity, and how to care for yourself
The true inventors of Crossfit (hint: the are very small and wise little people!)
Resources
- Dr. Kelly Wilson’s Website: One Life Education and Training
- Dr. Kelly Wilson’s Book Chapter Living Well as the First Medicine: Health and Wellness in the Modern World (Click Here) from Evolution and Contextual Behavioral Science: An Integrated Framework for Understanding, Predicting, and Influencing Human Behavior
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
On this episode I interview the legendary Dr. Kelly G. Wilson. I say legendary because his story of transformation is incredibly hope generating, and his warmth, groundedness, and general love is something that many hear about before they meet him. More recently I also learnt that Kelly is also a yoga practitioner and has even participated in a yoga teacher training to deepen his practice. Yoga is a practice that fits in with his First Medicine model of wellbeing, which he shares with you in this interview.
I think you will find this episode incredibly useful in understanding the difficulties that we humans have in engaging in the healthful and heartful behaviour that we ‘know’ is good for us. Kelly offers some brilliant tips and tricks to support you kindly and non-judgmentally engaging in the behaviours that align with creating your version of a meaningful life. In fact, the wisdom Kelly shares is so detailed that we have split it into two episodes to give you some time to reflect and to offer a natural resting point in the conversation.
What is covered:
The concept of self-care
The practice of yoga, its parallel with ACT, and a reminder to go gently
The joy of running (barefoot!)
The lifestyle model and diet considerations (remember, an apple a day)
What the Matching Law is and how it links to your behaviours
The importance of positive social activity and the effect social disconnect can have psychobiologically
A framework for action (which we will follow up in Part 2 of this interview with Kelly)
Resources
- Dr. Kelly Wilson’s Website: One Life Education and Training
- Dr. Kelly Wilson’s Book Chapter Living Well as the First Medicine: Health and Wellness in the Modern World (Click Here) from Evolution and Contextual Behavioral Science: An Integrated Framework for Understanding, Predicting, and Influencing Human Behavior
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you can catch episodes you missed and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on your heartfelt path.
In this episode, I interview Dr. Jennie Rosier, an associate professor of interpersonal communication at James Madison University, who is an expert ion relationships and parenting. She is married to her best friend and has four children herself. You’ll find this relevant as she couples research evidence with her lived experience, and shares some amazing stories stories to illustrate.
Drawing on the wisdom of her newest book The Who Does More War, Dr. Rosier specifically introduces you to the very real challenge of parenthood: both in terms of the common arguments and maintaining connection and empathy through one of the most stressful periods of a relationship. Dr. Rosier speaks to those of you with children, but highlights how extremely important this conversation is for those thinking of having children.
What is covered in this episode:
The impact of children on relationship satisfaction
Why most people do not understand the impact having a child has on relationships
The importance of having conversations about parenting before you have kids and cultivating a shared parenting vision
Understanding different attachment styles and how they affect your relationship
Navigating the ‘who does more more’ and why you’ll never win
How to ‘fight fair’ and cultivate true empathy for your partner
General real talk on parenthood!
Links Discussed
- Instagram @RelationshipsLoveHappiness
- Facebook: RelationshipsLoveHappiness
- Relationships Love Happiness Project Webpage
- The Who Does More Warbook summary and order webpage
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview the courageous and transformative Erin Matthews!
This episode is deliberately timely, as I know a lot of us are striving to be antiracist. Here, Erin creates a safe space for reflection and offers insights around how we can ‘un-freeze’ and move to action and conversation in alignment with our values. In fact, this is the mission behind her Living in Empathy group, a small group aimed at cultivating a space for white people to unpack their unconscious bias, practice courageous conversation, and engage in social justice action planning. In fact today you will even hear Erin describe micro and macro actions.
Further, Erin shares some wonderful tips on how People of Colour can practice self-care, given the ongoing racial trauma suffered (and highlights some special resources she has on Instagram just for you!).
What is covered in this episode:
How white people become frozen and the need for a safe space to become “unstuck”
Definition of racism and discussion of power structure imbalances and white supremacy
Learning to listen without defensiveness
What it means to be an anti racist
Reflecting on the role of non-malicious intent that can harm
Disparity in the education system
The struggle of emotional labour for Black persons and how to practice self-care
How to have conversations with children about race
What white fragility is and how it impacts on the messages received
Reflecting that once we see clearly we can do better and our ethical obligation to act
The need for a white people to have safe space to process and discover blind spots in the journey to allyship (such as the Living in Empathy Group)
Micro actions: what am I doing? Macro actions: how am I bettering society?
Links
- Erin Matthews’ LCSW website
- The Living in Empathy Group information
- Erin’s Instagram
- Living in Empathy’s Instagram
- Nima Novack’s Instagram (Living in Empathy Co-Facilitator)
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview the brilliant Dr. Emily K. Sandoz again. Dr. Sandoz is a brilliant researcher, author, clinician and a home yogi!
This episode is wonderfully inspiring if you have any interest in commencing a home yoga practice. Not only does Dr. Sandoz share how yoga is an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) consistent practice and the context through which yoga supports cultivation of psychological flexibility (a huge predictor of wellbeing!), but she also shares her own journey to yoga through 10 minute online yoga classes with three kids and limited financial resources. And, isn’t this the perfect time to get on the mat at home!
What is covered in this episode:
Dr. Sandoz’s journey to yoga (and yes, it took a few years from the inception!)
Why fighting with ‘dancer’ is a metaphor for what is going on off of the mat
Using yoga as a chance to look in the mirror when we are running, fighting, and hiding
The key roles of attention and intention in breath and movement
How yoga fits as an ACT consistent practice
Understanding psychological wellbeing and psychological inflexibility
Not all yoga classes are created equal and the importance of finding a good fit for you
Links
- Dr. Emily K. Sandoz’s email
- Dr. Emily K. Sandoz’s website
- www.doyogawithme.com
- Living with Your Body and Other Things You Hate: How to Let Go of Your Struggle with Body Image Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Emily K. Sandoz and Troy DuFrene (BOOK)
- The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Bulimia: A Guide to Breaking Free from Bulimia Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Emily K. Sandoz, Kelly G. Wilson, and Troy DuFrene (BOOK)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Eating Disorders: A Process-Focused Guide to Treating Anorexia and Bulimia Paperback by Emily K. Sandoz, Kelly G. Wilson, and Troy DuFrene (BOOK)
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Dr. Jessica Borushock, a brilliant therapist, award-winning author, and founder of Busy Mind Reboot.
This episode is really wonderful in regards to the focus on Whole Health and living your values – something that is most important in these times of uncertainty. Dr. Jessica paints such a rich picture of how you can live a meaningful life in the multiple domains that make up your wellbeing. It is certainly worth checking out her previous interview here, and make sure you go in the running to win her Busy Mind Reboot course.
What is covered:
The concept of Whole Health
The more you evaluate your behaviour, the more options for how you live your life
Focusing on creating a healthy lifestyle
Bringing balance and wellness at all levels (physical, emotional, and spiritual)
Incorporating values work into behaviour change for a stronger impact and escape painful experiences
Promoting a healthy lifestyle rather than unhealthy behaviours and environments
Human interactions and social connections as a part of promoting health values
Developing tools and exercises that allow you to move forward in life
Developing behaviours that helps you to reach your goals and have a meaningful life
Links Discussed
- Dr. Jessica’s Busy Mind Reboot Program
- headspace app
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Dr. Chantell Douglas, clinical psychologist, yoga and meditation teacher, and compassionate human.
Dr. Douglas shares her journey from exploring mindfulness academically to turning her exploration inward through her own practice – all based on the compelling research she was compiling. This interview is so timely, given the increasing social distancing there is an opportunity to turn inwards and navigate new ways around the ‘old brain’ structures to connecting with your compassion (for yourself and others). In fact, Dr. Douglas offers a beautiful meditation at the end of this episode – which you can also access here (the link will be up in 48 hours).
What is covered in this episode:
The journey from mindfulness researcher to practitioner because of the benefits she was studying
How yoga and mindfulness support each other
The overlap of personal practice, academic research, and clinical practice
Mindfulness as the root to compassion
Compassion as the heart of yoga
A meditation to support you in these uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic
Links Discussed
- Instagram @drchantellyoga
- Website to come!
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Holly Yates, MS, LPC, Certified FAP Trainer about Third-wave therapies that utilise acceptance and mindfulness skills to connect with your emotions and move towards the life you want to lead.
Holly is very skilful in FAP, ACT and DBT, and you will find she is able to integrate the wisdom from each of these frameworks to provide you actionable advice relating to your emotions in a way that is effective. I think you will particularly enjoy how you can think of your emotions as ‘data’, and the fight-or-flight response as an ‘overprotective parent’. Holly also an example about how she utilises these skills in her own life – I think you will relate!
What is covered:
An introduction to Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP)
The challenge of normalisation process in FAP
Emotions as data
An introduction to Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
Ways to get through emotional disregulation and ‘negative’ feelings
Understanding how your behaviour is functioning within contextual element
Positive Reinforcement and how to positively shape your behaviours to reinforce things you value
How different relationships are useful and provide different purposes to your life
Links Discussed
- North Wake Counseling Partners Website (located in Raleigh, North Carolina)
- Holly Yates on Psychology Today
- Email Holly Yates
- Wisdom for Wellbeing episode with Dr. Steven C. Hayes
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Dr. Meghan Davidson, a Licensed Psychologist, a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, Certified Yoga Teacher, and University of Nebraska – Lincoln faculty member. Dr. Davidson works with her clients in a holistic manner, utilizing aspects of mind, body, and spirit. If you have not already, make sure you check out Dr. Davidson’s previous interview on Wisdom for Wellbeing, Journeying Through a Dark Night of the Soul to Become a #Lovewarrior.
This episode is incredibly connecting as Dr. Davidson shares all about the Daring Way™ wisdom – an intervention developed by Dr. Brené Brown to help you build courage, shame resilience and uncover the power of your vulnerability. Dr. Davidson will help you better understand your own shame triggers and develop shame resilience. Ultimately, this work takes you to cultivating the courage you need to share your authentic self and cultivate true connection. Who knew vulnerability was your greatest strength!
What is covered:
Why connection requires vulnerability
The difference between the emotions of guilt, humiliation and shame
Understanding your shame triggers (e.g., body image, money, sex)
Exploring your reaction to shame (moving against, moving towards, moving away)
How to cultivate shame resilience
Authenticity and what it means to be in your truth
How you practice reaching out and build trust in your lifelines
Links
- Love Warrior Healing (Dr. Meghan Davidson’s website – coming soon!)
- Brené Brown’s The Daring Way™
- Connect with Dr. Meghan Davidson on her personal Instagram; and with Love Warrior Healing on Instagram and
Facebook
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
This episode is a Masterclass on Mindful Self-Compassion. The idea of the episode was to provide a more concise introduction to the practice of self-compassion, in a way that integrates the kindly attention you can cultivate through a mindfulness practice. To really bolster the masterclass element and include a visual component, it was first offered as a Facebook live – which you can watch here.
The hope of this episode is that it will enrich the wisdom of the other episodes in Season 1 – and a workbook has been developed to further the depth of your learnings in this area. To access the workbook, sign up to be a #wellnesswarrior and it will get sent out to you in the next couple of days.
What is covered in this episode:
The negativity bias and why the incidence of mental health problems is increasing
Suffering, pain and resistance
What happens when the fight or flight system attacks your self-concept
Mindfulness and self-compassion, and why they matter
How your history can inform your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour
A 3-step mindfulness break
The R.A.I.N. self-compassion exercise
Connecting to your Observing Self
Links Discussed:
- Dr. Kristin Neff’s Webpage (3 Step Self-Compassion Break)
- Dr. Tara Brach’s Webpage (R.A.I.N. of Self-Compassion)
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
Ready to bust burnout and reconnect with your highest self? Join the Burnout Busting Blueprint: Yoga Brain™ 101
Yoga Brain™ is most empowering course to decrease stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy, combining the science of modern psychology and the ancient wisdom of yoga. Learn more here.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Tiffany Rochester, a Clinical Psychologist in Western Australia who works from a systems perspective. This perspective highlights how interconnected we all are, and how change you make in one area will have ripples in other areas of your life. Tiffany introduces the concept of systems in an accessible manner that is very practical. By the end of this episode no doubt you will be considering how you might use this new knowledge to positively affect the different systems in your life.
Tiffany also paints a really rich picture about why uncomfortable emotions are so important – for both you and the little people in your life! In fact, you might find that your world gets very small if you are not able to be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. The thing is, we all feel uncomfortable emotions – because we are on “the same mountain.”
What is covered in this episode:
The Matrix pill of the systems perspective (and how all relationships are within systems)
How survival is liked to systems and your emotions (including sadness and anxiety)
The modern day parenting challenges (and how giving ‘too much’ may not be helpful to your kids)
Why knowing your long-term goals helps you with parenting challenges
The process of learning how to say what you need in relationships
Making room for big feelings (particularly those in little people!)
How we are all on the same mountain having this human experience
Links
- Tiffany’s Personal Webpage The Same Mountain
- Tiffany’s Psychology Practice in Perth Three Water’s Psychology Clinic
- Connect on Social Media: Facebook (@TiffanyRochesterClinicalPsychologist); Twitter (@thesamemountain); LinkedIn (@thesamemountain)
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
Welcome to the tenth episode of the Wisdom for Wellbeing Podcast. On this episode I interview Dr. Emily K. Sandoz, a brilliant researcher, author and clinician in the field of body-related difficulties.
This episode is incredibly important given the high likelihood that you will identify with the experience of being dissatisfied with your body at some point in your life. Further, an increasing number of both women and men do then go on to develop eating disorders. Alongside this, you have no doubt heard of the #bodypositive movement – it is growing – but, Dr. Sandoz talks through the reasons why this may actually be more harmful than helpful. Instead, Dr. Sandoz will introduce you to the concept of body image flexibility, and how you can make peace with your and life a life that feels full to you.
What is covered in this episode:
The concept of ‘Body Image’ and different experiences and challenges
An introduction to the concept of Body Image Flexibility
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based approach to treating body image concerns
How pain that impairs your ability to life your full life becomes suffering
How values can guide your life, including work with body image
How to support the development of a more helpful sense of self from an early age
How body image experiences affect you emotionally and physically
Links Discussed
- Dr. Emily K. Sandoz’s email
- Dr. Emily K. Sandoz’s website
- Living with Your Body and Other Things You Hate: How to Let Go of Your Struggle with Body Image Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Emily K. Sandoz and Troy DuFrene (BOOK)
- The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Bulimia: A Guide to Breaking Free from Bulimia Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy by Emily K. Sandoz, Kelly G. Wilson, and Troy DuFrene (BOOK)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Eating Disorders: A Process-Focused Guide to Treating Anorexia and Bulimia Paperback by Emily K. Sandoz, Kelly G. Wilson, and Troy DuFrene (BOOK)
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
Ready to bust burnout and reconnect with your highest self? Join the Burnout Busting Blueprint: Yoga Brain™ 101
Yoga Brain™ is most empowering course to decrease stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy, combining the science of modern psychology and the ancient wisdom of yoga. Learn more here.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Dr. Steven C. Hayes, co-founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or ACT. ACT is a popular evidence-based psychotherapy that uses mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based methods that has been found to be helpful in a number of areas, ranging from anxiety and mood disorders to elite performance. As you will hear in this episode, Dr. Hayes offers heartfelt examples of how to live your life’s purpose using the 6 psychological flexibility skills, which can be grouped into three processes: 1) Become more Open (Acceptance + Defusion); 2) Become ore aware and in the moment (Presence/ Mindfulness + Self Awareness); and, 3) Become more actively engaged in life (Values + Committed Action).
This episode is a real honour for me as ACT was the first type of psychotherapy I felt really drawn to. In fact, it was actually reading one of Dr. Hayes’ research papers when I was at university that assured me I was moving in the right direction with my studies. I ended up emailing him to thank him for his wonderful work, and to my surprise, he wrote back. I think this speaks to the type of person Dr. Hayes is, and the very real way he lives his values on a day-to-day basis.
What is covered in this episode:
Exploring the smallest number of things that do the largest amount of good (think: the 80/20 rule), and how this formed what we now know as ACT
Psychological flexibility and the 3 processes + why this is important at this moment in history (stress, anxiety and depression are being increasingly reported, even though ‘quality of living’ is improving)
Acceptance as showing up (using mindfulness) and moving forward taking committed action
Seeds of wisdom as a gift, and how your own history can be just this
How language and your problem solving mind are connected
How you can ‘flip’ your pain into your purpose #wehurtwherewecare
Using yoga as a perspective taking skill and integrating it with ACT
Links Discussed
- Dr. Steven C. Hayes’ webpage and books
- A Liberated Mind Website + Bonuses (including the Cartoon Book Version illustrated by Dr. Hayes’ daughter Esther M. Hayes)
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
Ready to bust burnout and reconnect with your highest self? Join the Burnout Busting Blueprint: Yoga Brain™ 101
Yoga Brain™ is most empowering course to decrease stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy, combining the science of modern psychology and the ancient wisdom of yoga. Learn more here.
The Momentum Replay Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview Dr. Jill Stoddard, a brilliant author, a relatable human, and an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
This episode seems so timely as I know lots of us experience significant stress, overwhelm and anxiety, which so frequently negatively impacts our days and our lives. I was fortunate to read Dr. Stoddard’s new book Be Mighty: A Woman’s Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptanceover the holidays and it provided a beautiful space to reflect on the ‘Mighty Me’ that I am creating. So, I am really excited to now be sharing this conversation with Dr. Stoddard with you, as I know the chances are that you too have experienced that uncomfortable sense of overwhelm and anxiety in your life. Dr. Stoddard is skilled in explaining stress, anxiety, fear and the like, as well as detailing effective strategies to move forward creating a life by design – a mighty life. She is open in sharing her own struggles, and clearly lives all the wisdom she shares here today. So, your first mighty action – put in those ear buds!
What is covered in this episode:
Theories around how the environment women are living in increases the likelihood of experiencing both fear and higher rates of anxiety
The difference between fear and anxiety, and how we have been designed to find answers (and avoid uncertainty)
Steps to changing your relationship with anxiety (Hint: it involves opening up more, rather than ‘getting rid of’)
Why a moderate level of anxiety is actually beneficial to performance
Getting familiar with your ‘suit of armour’ and your ‘I’m not good enough story’ (turns out we all have one!)
The importance of reflecting on, and connecting with, the small moments that ultimately create your life
Reflecting on the qualities you want to embody in your life, and the practice of consciously showing up as the person you want to be (rather than on auto pilot)
Links Discussed:
- Dr. Jill Stoddard’s Webpage
- Dr. Jill Stoddard’s new book Be Mighty: A Woman’s Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance
- Connect with Dr. Jill Stoddard on Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
Ready to bust burnout and reconnect with your highest self? Join the Burnout Busting Blueprint: Yoga Brain™ 101
Yoga Brain™ is most empowering course to decrease stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy, combining the science of modern psychology and the ancient wisdom of yoga. Learn more here.
The Momentum Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode I interview David Allen, productivity guru and developer of the Getting Things Done® methodology. A brilliant system designed to free you from the “ambient angst” associated with not being sure of your tasks and the stress that something will slip through the cracks.
I first read David’s book, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity,a number of years ago, and it really captured me! I would not have thought that a productivity book would keep me so interested on an international flight… but it did; and, it transformed how I look at organisation. I am far from perfect (I fall off the wagon, so to speak), but I know that when I implement David’s systems I feel both free and in control.
I just want to remind you that as this is the first week of the Wisdom for Wellbeing Podcast – I’m celebrating by releasing multiple episodes! So subscribe, and keep your eyes open for the next episodes.
What is covered in this episode:
Why the ‘small stuff’ matters
How ‘cleaning up’ allows you to be present and creative
A basic introduction to the GTD system and the 5 steps:
- 1) ‘Capture’ the things you need to do outside your mind
- 2) ‘Clarify’ what needs to be done with all your tasks
- 3) ‘Organise’ process all of your tasks in a systematic manner (e.g. calendar, files, delegations, etc.)
- 4) ‘Reflect’ regularly review on your lists
- 5) ‘Engage’ take action on the important things, considering your resources in the moment
Links Discussed
- David Allen’s Getting Things Done® Webpage
- David’s three books: the international bestseller, Getting Things Done: the Art of Stress-Free Productivity (often called GTD®), Ready for Anything, and Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and Business of Life.
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
Ready to bust burnout and reconnect with your highest self? Join the Burnout Busting Blueprint: Yoga Brain™ 101
Yoga Brain™ is most empowering course to decrease stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy, combining the science of modern psychology and the ancient wisdom of yoga. Learn more here.
The Momentum Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
In this episode, I interview Dr. Jessica Borushock, a brilliant therapist, award-winning author, and founder of Busy Mind Reboot.
This episode is so exciting for me, as Dr. Jessica shares about integrating yoga into the cultivation of Whole Health – as it is a brilliant tool for cultivating something called Pure Awareness. As you will hear in the episode, Dr. Jessica takes the concepts of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT for short), and makes them accessible and actionable – so that even with the pains of being human, you can still create a life that is rich and meaningful for you.
I just want to remind you that as this is the first week of the Wisdom for Wellbeing Podcast – I’m celebrating by releasing multiple episodes! So subscribe, and keep your eyes open for the next episodes.
What is covered in this episode:
How busy minds can suffer and how your mental and emotional energy might be being used to solve problems that are not really there
Tools gain some control to live the life you want, by connecting with the present moment and create space for painful feelings
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and how it can help you live a meaningful life, even with the emotional pain you experience as a human
Things you might be doing to manage emotional pain, that might not be helping you live the life you want
The struggle with the ‘highlights’ of social media and how everyone experiences pain (even if you don’t see it)
What Mindfulness is, and how you can use it to be present in your life
How yoga can be used as a strategy to cultivate Pure Awareness
The concept of ‘Whole Health’ (Mind, Body, Spirit, and Social)
Links Discussed
- Dr. Jessica’s Busy Mind Reboot Program
- Dr. Jessica’s Book on Yoga (Mindful Yoga-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
- How to do Mountain Pose
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
Ready to bust burnout and reconnect with your highest self? Join the Burnout Busting Blueprint: Yoga Brain™ 101
Yoga Brain™ is most empowering course to decrease stress, improve your mood, and increase your energy, combining the science of modern psychology and the ancient wisdom of yoga. Learn more here.
The Momentum Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
On this episode I interview Dr. John Arden, a brilliant author and leader in the field of integrative psychotherapy.
This episode is particularly special for me, as I have been following Dr. Arden’s work for many years, since I first read Rewire Your Brain Think Your Way to a Better Life. As you will see in the episode, Dr. Arden is able to take complex concepts from psychotherapy, neuropsychology, epigenetics, psychoneuroimmunology, and nutritional neuroscience and present them in an easily accessible manner. This means that you will have the knowledge to implement these evidence-based practices to cultivate more calmness and connection in your life.
What is covered in this episode:
The SEEDS approach to good health: Social, Exercise, Education, Diet, and Sleep
Social: Early experiences, such as your attachment, can impact brain development and your epigenome, and how later life experiences, including therapy can also have an epigenetic effect.
Exercise: This is the “most powerful” of all the components. Dr. Arden describes how he has implemented a cardiovascular boost “minimal dose” by structuring his environment, and how exercise supports you to get energy (even if you’re tired!) and is the best antidepressant and anxiolytic! (That means, it decreases symptoms of depression and anxiety.)
Education: Why learning new things is important for brain health and how it supports your adaptivity (i.e., mental flexibility).
Diet: How what you eat affects your neurochemistry, and what the best diets are to support your mental health and gut bacteria. Dr. Arden also shares that there is more DNA in your gut that is not you, than is in your cells! He also shares concerns around the most consumed vegetable in the USA.
Sleep: What makes for quality sleep, and how this impacts different components of your health.
The FEED approach to learning: Focus, Effort, Effortlessness (stay on behaviour long enough to make it effortless), and Determination
Links Discussed
- Dr. John Arden’s webpage and books
Head to www.drkaitin.com/ww2 for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
Welcome to the Wisdom for Wellbeing Podcast!
This is a replay of the very first week Wisdom for Wellbeing Podcastepisode. It's the perfect place to dive into momentum building.
The Momentum Series replays our top episodes so that you have the chance to catch episodes you missed, and refresh on others. The idea is to support you more regularly as you take charge of 2023 (through whatever challenges may arise). Here's to health, wealth and wisdom on this heartfelt path of yours.
About your host:
I’m a clinical psychologist and yoga teacher based in Adelaide, Australia. I originally did a BA in philosophy, and I love connecting and integrating these areas to support the cultivation of mental health and wellbeing, because to me, these elements of my life are not discreetly different.
About this podcast:
Wisdom for Wellbeing is aimed to support you in creating a life that you find meaningful! A life in which you feel a sense of vitality, inspiration and have tools to effectively balance the fullness that comes with your many responsibilities and different hats… as opposed to that all too common survival mode experience.
The idea of this podcast format is that you can listen to it while you’re driving, stacking the dishwasher, or doing any of the other ‘life’ things, and, at the same time, you’ll be introduce you to incredibly helpful philosophies and practices that you can integrate into your busy days for an improved sense of wellness.
What is covered in this episode:
The wholistic, integrated approach to wellness we embrace
Episodes will be 30 to 60 minutes and feature interviews with an inspirational individuals, including experts in the realms of integrated psychotherapy, acceptance and mindfulness-based practices, and productivity gurus
Today is an ‘exception’ episode as it is an introduction to the podcast framework with ‘bonus’ material on values and tricks to cultivate values-based New Year’s Resolutions
Values
When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in service of my vision, then it becomes less important whether I am afraid. – Audre Lorde
Values are ongoing qualities, actions or behaviours that you display in your life – day-in-day out. They act like a compass, guiding your life. Values are heartfelt and freely chosen– rather than being guided by societies “shoulds”
The Wisdom for Wellbeing values are:
- Contribution
- Health (physical, mental, spiritual)
- Knowledge
- Growth
- Hope
Here is a cool game to play – download these values cards and you can ‘sort’ your values (remember, just focus on top 5 or it will get overwhelming!)
New Year’s Resolutions
Very few people keep their resolutions. Possibly because for a behaviour to be maintained it needs to be meaningful and reinforcing. Integrating values into your resolutions can bring a sense of power and vitality.
You may also develop SMART goals to support you in taking committed action to living your values. If values are a compass, goals are the signposts.
- S = Specific
- M = Measurable
- A = Adaptive
- R = Realistic
- T = Time Bound
Research indicates if you break your goal down to smaller components you are not just more likely to meet those portions, but the entire thing!
Reading Discussed
Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
You’re about to listen to the 100th episode of Wisdom for Wellbeing! It feels perfectly suited that we’ll be talking about the research evidence of yoga, what conditions are benefited from yoga, what styles are best, and when folks should actually avoid yoga. But first, Thank you, thank you, thank you for being here and being a part of this community. It is an absolute honour to drop into your earbuds and to be a resource in your journey to cultivating mental health and wellbeing in your life. If you listened to last week’s podcast episode with my colleague Kate mathew interviewing me, I know you’ll have already heard some of my reflections on this landmark. So I’m going to keep it pretty short here so that we can dive into an interview with a researching psychologist who has published 240 articles, with a primary focus being on the practice of yoga.
While this is the 100th episode, it is also the final episode of Season 5 and I’ve historically used this space to go back over the episdoes of the season and provide a bit of a summary. I know this has been really useful to some of you dropping in and wondering where to start Lucky, my new website is up, so this time I’m going to recommended heading to drkaitlin.com and flicking back through the show notes of the previous episodes. They are all dot points so you;ll get a sense pretty quick as to what will be useful, and within the website you can actually listen. So get on there, I also have a number of guidebooks and other resources that I’d love to offer you. You can also get access to video and audio psychoeducational lessons on skills and frameworks to cultivate mental health, bust burnout and enhance productivity, along with a curatived variety of specially designed yoga classes in my most empowering course Yoga Brain 101. If you’ve been struggling and would like me to go in depth with you on the skills and strageties I’ve learned working with thought leaders in Western psychology, integrated with the wisdom of eastern traditions, this course is certainly worth checking out. Particularly if investing in your own wellbeing has fallen to the bottom of your list or you’ve found yourself living more in survival mode than aligned joy.
As you’ll be hearing today, yoga is comprised of so much goodness, and can really be considered a lifestyle. While Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, which underpins Yoga Brain 101 offers skills to support you navigating anxiety, depression and stress, right through to improving your relationship with your body, enhancing creativity, and boosting academic and work place performance. Head to www.drkaitlin.com for more information or DM me on social media.
This is the 99th episode of the Wisdom for Wellbeing podcast. In this episode, I am joined by my lovely friend and colleague, Kate Matthew. This was a really fun episode, and we did things a little differently in that Kate decided to switch things up and interview me! We talked about everything from how the podcast began at the beginning of the pandemic, my PhD research, and psychological flexibility. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, I talk you through finding a balance between spending time with loved ones while taking care of yourself by focusing on your values this holiday season.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, I interview Dr Louise Hayes, Clinical Psychologist, author, speaker and active humanitarian. Louise discusses how we can navigate the many changes we are experiencing as a society, from the pandemic to climate change to all of the many personal changes we may experience. She provides insight into what it means to be psychologically 'strong' and shares some wisdom from her new book 'What Makes you Stronger' on practical ways to cope with change and uncertainty.
Connect with Dr. Louise Hayes at www.louisehayes.com.au
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for futher show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing." If that sounded like you, I would appreciate it if you'd take a moment to offer a review for the show. It really helps me to support more folks to access education and inspiration on their journey to creating a life of meaning. Keen? Just click here and scroll to the bottom: you can highlight the five stars and then click "Write a review." I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on this episode!
If you haven't subscribed yet, make sure you click to follow now, so that you get all the upcoming episodes on the art and science of living well.
“Ultimately, happiness comes down to choosing between the discomfort of becoming aware of your mental afflictions and the discomfort of being ruled by them.” – Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche
Welcome to the sixteenth episode of Season Five of Wisdom for Wellbeing Podcast.
What is covered in this episode:
Consideration of what your thoughts are
The difference between your internal reality and the external reality
The hot-cross-bun of your thoughts and feelings
The common thinking eros of your mind (e.g., blowing things up, ignoring the good and fortune telling)
How to understand helpful and unhelpful thoughts
How negative thinking cycles lead to depression
spaces
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
In this episode, I discuss cultivating skills to navigate panic attacks using a values-based framework.
What was specifically discussed:
- What a panic attack is and some IRL examples
- Discussion around how Panic Disorder develops following a panic attack
- Consideration of Agoraphobia (the fear of leaving one’s house) and how it develops
- Tools to help get through a panic attack and Agoraphobia, including values, acceptance, defusion skills, distraction skills, and breathing techniques
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
In this episode, Dr Val Rytova discusses Yoga form a Neuroscience perspective.
What was specifically discussed:
- A basic overview of neuroanatomy and the role of structure, function and brain circuits
- Consideration of what neuroplasticity means and how internal and external (environmental) elements impact it
- An understanding of how can yoga support neuroplasticity
- Consideration of yoga’s role in cultivating cognitive performance and buffering against mental disorders
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
In this episode, Dr Lisa Myers describes her experience of story-sharing while experiencing grief from the loss of a loved one.
What was specifically discussed:
- Introduction to Lisa (psychiatrist and author of the book When the Light Goes Out)
- How Lisa navigated personal grief and trauma as a psychiatrist, who has been trained to support people in navigating mental health challenges- Consideration of the spiral of grief experientially
- Tools Lisa used to navigate grief and trauma in her journey
- Why suffering shows up differently for everyone
- Advice to listeners about when they should reach out for help
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
It’s Mental Health Week, let’s dive into the most cost-effective mental health practice, breathwork.
Here’s what was covered in this week’s episode:
- You can control your breath, as it rests on the border of the conscious and unconscious.
- Stress turns on your fight or flight response, which is an unconscious evolutionary response.
- You can perceive neutral stimuli as threats (like a text message), because inflammation in your body is communicated as danger to your brain.
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Diaphragmatic breathing can stimulate your vagus nerve and induce a relaxation response, which influences neural, endocrine and immune processes.
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Nasal breathing has evolutionary value and can help you cultivate relaxation.
- You can cultivate a relaxation response through deliberate breathing practice.
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
In this episode, I discuss the strengths of having an ADHD brain through an evolutionary framework.
What's specifically discuss:
- October is ADHD Awareness Month.
- Consideration around the strengths of the ADHD brain
- How some facets of ADHD reflect the 'hunter' or 'explorer' brain
- Some settings are not conducive to those with ADHD and result in negative schemas
- Specific styles of meditation may be useful for those with ADHD
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
In this episode, I discuss cultivating confidence in novel or nerve-racking situations.
What I covered:
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The evolutionary element of why you want security and social approval
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Confidence comes after action
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You need to be willing to fail to find success
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Self-esteem is a modern fallacy
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Self-compassion is what supports mental health
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Doing hard things teaches you can do hard things
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Learning to ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway.’
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and honorary visiting Prof at the University of Queensland. Until his retirement from the NHS in 2016 he was Consultant Clinical Psychologist for over 40 years. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology with a special focus on mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed.
What we discuss in this episode:
-3 flows of compassion (receiving for others, for yourself)
-Why compassion needs to have a political focus
-The danger of self-compassion falling into neo-liberalism
-Mutual flourishing as an intention in a world that does have cruelty, violence and hatred
-Practices to cultivate compassion in your mind and body
Make sure to listen to the previous episode where Professor Gilbert shared more about compassion as an active, courageous and wise practice, your ‘tricky brain’, and why learning to fail is important
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
Paul Gilbert, FBPsS, PhD, OBE is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Derby and honorary visiting Prof at the University of Queensland. Until his retirement from the NHS in 2016 he was Consultant Clinical Psychologist for over 40 years. He has researched evolutionary approaches to psychopathology with a special focus on mood, shame and self-criticism in various mental health difficulties for which Compassion Focused Therapy was developed.
What we discuss in this episode:
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An introduction to Professor Paul Gilbert and how he came to develop CFT
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Consideration of compassion as an active, courageous and wise practice
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What does it mean that we have a 'tricky brain'?
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Why learning to fail is important
Tune in next week to hear about the 3 flows of compassion (receiving for others, for yourself), about the need for compassion to have a political focus, and to learn a practices to cultivate compassion in mind and body
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
Did you know that your body and voice influence your mental state, and very much influence how people perceive you? This means it is important to learn how they all work together - your mind-body-voice connection. In this episode, I interview Dr Louise Mahler on how you can cultivate what she calls Vocal Intelligence wisdom.
We specifically discuss:
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How anxiety influences and is influenced by your voice
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Why you should use your lower body to cultivate power, rather than your neck and head
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An exploration of the natural capacity you were born with for singing and communication
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The need for congruent hand gestures in communication
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How your voice connects you viscerally to other beings
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Breathing practices you can use to cultivate diaphragmatic control
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How your personality is your voice, and your voice is your inspiration
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What it means to bring your individual resonance to the world
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
In this episode, Lauren Thiel talks about financial well being through a social justice and neurodiverse-inclusive lens. Lauren Thiel is founder of boutique accounting firm, The Real Thiel. A Chartered Accountant and Tax Agent, with a passion for the arts, Lauren is on a mission to educate, empower and motivate creative small business owners.
What’s covered in this episode:
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Lauren’s journey from the sparkles and spins of ballet to becoming an accountant for creatives and a student of psychology with social justice motives in supporting individuals in navigating financial trauma and the like
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How neurodiversity influences individual’s financial struggles and strengths, and how Lauren has found a way to cater to this
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How ‘time blindness’ and difficult emotions like shame and disgust can get in the way of doing tasks associated with finances
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What financial wellness is and consideration around how budgets do and do not work
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The steps to taking yourself out on a date and why rewards along the way work
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Where a date with an accountant is the perfect move, and options for individuals in serious financial toil
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
This episode is a mini-coaching session to start you on your gratitude journey. The practice of gratitude has a host of psychological and physical health benefits, yet isn’t too demanding of time and energy. Have a listen and get started developing a practice of gratitude that works for you.
What’s covered in this episode:
Gratitude Journaling
- Consideration of gratitude and journaling practices
- The evolutionary history of your negativity bias
- How gratitude and compassion operate
- Consideration of starting a gratitude practice
- Gratitude Journaling, letters of gratitude, and the ol’ Netflix and gratitude
- You can grab the gratitude journaling prompts below, and download a gratitude tracking diary here
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
Welcome to a mini coaching session on how you can cultivate ritual in your life. Essentially, intention matters. We’ll also chat about setting up an altar, and how that can be impactful for you in your routine of ritual.
What’s covered in this episode:
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Habit takes less energy than doing something and a sense of it being done in ritual brings sacredness can bring present moment awareness and aliveness to your activity
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An example of how you can build ritual into your morning
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How an alter can be used like a transient object is used in therapy (i.e., extending the emotional connection)
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The meaning of the five elements on the altar and what they psychologically symbolize (grab this free downloadable PDF to help you set up your alter)
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- Earth: femanin/nature (!! nature healing); being grounded in our lives; living plant, flowers, stones, crystals (what represents) *north
- Air: knowledge, power of mind; bravery/courage - to cultivate your life/move in life path; incense *east
- Fire: candles, creative energy, inspiration, *south/lower right corner
- Water: cup: chalice, sea shells or rocks; power and flow, emotions, intuition, healing reflection, *west/upper left corner
- Spirit - fifth element; white candle, ancestors, mirror, spiritual traditions (e.g. jesus, buddha mother earth) life force, wisdom and power *center
Simple = four cups with soil, nothing, candle water
Where the mind goes, energy flows
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
Curious about how habits are created? Are you looking to develop more self-compassion in your habit-cultivation journey? How to build habits in a neurodiversity-friendly way?
My guest Dr Hayden Finch, is a licensed clinical psychologist, behaviour change expert, and dessert enthusiast. Hayden beautifully shares their wisdom around habit building, self-compassion, and neurodiversity with us in this episode.
You may find this interview an important resource in your own journey of navigating your different seasons and self-experimentation.
What’s covered in this episode:
- High-achievers often know the habits they “should” have, yet struggle to implement
- The three parts of a habit we need to know to make effective changes
- How relief is often the reward for unhealthy habits
- How we can start to cultivate healthy habits by ensuring they are smaller
- Why failure is normal, and how to meet this with compassion
- How long it takes to create a habit (jokes! Dr Finch explains it varies.)
Head to www.drkaitlin.com for show notes, free resources and courses that support you a heartfelt life alongside peak performance.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
What does Pride mean to you? Gender and sexuality? Do you understand them as fluid? Are you actively working towards cultivating communities of liberation?
My guest Chris Sheridan (Grant), The Queer Therapist, is a non-binary trans Psychotherapist; Sex and Relationship Therapist; and Diversity Equality, and Inclusion Consultant. They beautifully share their wisdom around gender, sexuality and relationship diversity with us in this episode.
You may find this interview an important resource in your own journey of navigating shame and stigma to acceptance. It is also a brilliant resource for those who want to show up as allies.
What’s covered in this episode:
- Introduction to Chris and their journey navigating the mental exhaustion and emotional labour of their workplace as a trans person – even with all the skills they had as a trained therapist!
- Pride as not just a time of celebration, but as a time of reflection and consideration how we want to move forward in the year ahead>
- Introduction to the internal experience of gender, not as the external and assigned label of sex
- Consideration of pronoun usage in affirming and sensitive ways
- Consideration of sexuality and relationship identity, and how this can shift over time
- The importance of cultivating community within a culture that can be challenging in ones’ experience of gender, relationship and sexual identity diversity
- The importance of understanding one’s privilege and the commodity of the rainbow flag in one’s efforts to practice allyship
- What brave spaces are, and how they are important alongside safe spaces
Subscribe and grab free resources to cultivate a heartfelt life alongside peak performance. With thanks to Chris Sheridan for the wisdom they shared.
"So much gratitude for Wisdom for Wellbeing."
In this episode, I give an overview of the topics that were covered in this season that can help support you live a vital life in alignment with you and your goals. This season, there are topics that can help support you navigate your personal experiences with neurobiological traits and states, parenting, awareness, and lifestyles.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, I dive into how the Default Mode Network (DMN) relates to present moment awareness and happiness and contentment. I discuss the evolutionary science of the DMN and why it is so important. I also talk about how to slow down and circumnavigate unhelpful thoughts and how present moment awareness can be trained through mindfulness and meditation practices.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
On this episode, I discuss an exploration of spiritual wellness and how it fits in with evidence-based frameworks. A secular type of spirituality can be practised through daily rituals or routines like preparing our morning coffee or drinking a cup of tea.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, Jessica Dore discusses how tarot cards can be used as a psychological tool in creating meaning and finding connections in our lives.
Jessica is a writer interested in meaning-making through symbol and image, with a special focus on Pamela Colman Smith’s art in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot. Her first book, Tarot for Change: Using the Cards for Self-Care, Acceptance and Growth (Penguin Life, 2021) is a set of reflections on the Tarot that draws from the fields of contemporary psychology and behavioral science, among others. It was called “generous, practical and gently radical” by The New York Times Book Review.
Jessica's weekly newsletter, Offerings, braids together ideas from a range of fields including but not limited to psychology, philosophy, mythology, folk tales, religion, spirituality and social work with the images, characters and symbols from Smith’s art in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot.
Though Jessica hold a masters degree in social work and is licensed as a social worker in Pennsylvania, she does not consider herself a therapist. Prior to social work school, she worked several years in clinical psychology, self-help and behavioral science book publishing, where she spent time with the founders and developers of acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT. What she learned during that time informed much of what went into her book, Tarot for Change, and other writing.
These days, she continues to study things that interest her: old stories—especially Mediterranean and western European—behavioral psychology, process and liberation theologies, poetry, ecology, growing vegetables, learning to ride a horse as an adult, and ceramics.
She was born and raised on the north shore of Massachusetts and currently lives and work outside of Philadelphia on land that was cared for by the Lenape people for more than 10,000 years prior to European settlement.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Dr Anika Rouf talks about how diet culture can be damaging to our overall health, self-worth and self-respect and can create restrictive cycles that can hold us back from living out our values and what's most important to us. She goes on to talk about how we can be more kind and compassionate to ourselves and live out a non-diet approach.
Dr Anika Rouf is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and is a Media Spokesperson for Dietitians Australia (DA). She has completed her PhD from the University of Sydney. Her PhD investigated the use of social media to improve eating habits of young adults and incorporated the addition of behaviour change techniques. She has published in some of the top tier nutrition journals including Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Nutrients, Appetite, JMIR mHealth and uHealth and Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
She is passionate about advocating a non-diet approach and helping busy women with finding balance. She also has a particular interest in communicating nutrition using digital platforms and has written pieces for several magazines. Some of her notable work includes being featured on SBS Food, Men’s Muscle and Health, 9 Coach, Channel 7 and Body and Soul. She currently teaches across two universities in Sydney and runs a virtual practice ‘Appetite By Anika’ which is focused on women’s health and disordered eating.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, Dr Renae Thomas talks about the healing effects of plant-based foods and other healthful lifestyle practices. Dr. Renae Thomas is a board-certified Family Medicine, General Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and Lifestyle Medicine Physician. She completed medical school in Australia at Monash University. Her residency in Family and Preventive Medicine, and Master’s of Public Health in population medicine were completed at Loma Linda University in California. She has also completed an internship at True North Health Center, and yoga teacher training in India. Dr. Thomas served four years on the ACLM Trainee board, with two years as president. She is a published co-author on vegetarianism and cancer, and author of an ACLM and WIC-collaborated guide to healthy eating for less than $4 per day, as well as numerous online, print, and audio content collaborations. Dr. Thomas’ research has been in clinical lifestyle medicine, and lifestyle medicine curricula in medical education. She has presented at numerous conferences on evidence-based and clinically-relevant nutrition and health, both in the USA and internationally. Dr. Thomas’ professional content largely focuses on evidence-based nutritional and lifestyle medicine for both physicians and patients. As a doctor, she strives to be a compassionate and understanding support system to her patients, helping to uncover the root cause of illness, and working with them to achieve their greatest health and happiness.
Shownotes: www.drkailtin.com
In this episode, I talk about the differences between compassion and empathy and how it is particularly important to cultivate compassion to protect against empathetic fatigue during these difficult times we're experiencing as a collective to support each other while also taking care of our mental health.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, Gina Zimmerman shares her experiences with postnatal depression so openly and transparently.
Gina has been teaching yoga and meditation for 20 years. She started practicing while living in New York in her early twenties, and life pivoted almost immediately toward practice: she left for an ashram in Argentina and then returned to complete her first teacher training. She has studied and practiced ever since.
Gina upholds an authentic teaching style that is supported by significant depth of knowledge and poetic articulation. She teaches a rigorous alignment-specific class, while also weaving in breath and other subtle body practices. Her teaching is greatly influenced by her meditation practice, and she is recognized for her capacity to assist students in entering deep states of meditation and rest.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
This episode is particularly fitting Valentine's Day week as Bethany Saltman talks about how the science of attachment can bring us closer to ourselves and those we love. Bethany is an author, editor and researcher, and her work can be seen in magazines like the New Yorker, New York Magazine, Atlantic Monthly, Parents, and many others. Bethany's first book, Strange Situation: A Mother’s Journey Into the Science of Attachment. It’s inspired by the birth of her daughter in 2006, who she loved dearly, but feared she was failing. Why? Because she was still her, and not the kind of mother she’d hoped to become. She spent ten years teaching herself the science of attachment, travelling to labs, trainings, and archives, trying to discover what kind of mother she really was, and if she was good enough for her. What she learned changed everything about how she thought of herself, her childhood, and the nature of love. She is incredibly proud that, among other incredible reviews and accolades, New Scientist called Strange Situation One of the Best Science Books of 2020. She is also a bestselling book coach, helping writers envision and execute their books—from pitch, to platform, to proposal, to publication, to PR. Bethany received a B.A. from Antioch College, where she was one of the architects of the nation’s first Affirmative Consent Policy. She went on to receive her M.F.A in poetry from Brooklyn College, where she studied with Allen Ginsberg and published her work in many national journals. She is honored that Antioch awarded her their 2020 Rebecca Rice Award for Achievement in Profession.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Diana Hill, Ph.D. is a modern psychologist, mom, and co-author of ACT Daily Journal: Get unstuck and live fully with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She is the founder and host of the new podcast show Your LIfe in Process and a co-founder of the Psychologists Off the Clock podcast, blogs for Psychology Today and offers regular teachings in compassion and ACT for clinicians and the general public. Through her online teachings, executive coaching, and private therapy practice Diana encourages clients to let go of unhealthy striving and build psychological flexibility so that they can live more meaningful and fulfilling lives. Diana practices what she preaches in her daily life as a mom of two, homesteader, and yoga teacher. Go to drdianahill.com or her channels on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube (@drdianahill) to get tools to build psychological flexibility into your daily life.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, we talk about how to support our children with navigating the uncertainty that comes with the pandemic and going back to school. Dr Laura Anderson Kirby's book, "Henrietta's Thistleberry Boots" beautifully illustrates the feelings our children might be experiencing during these unpredictable times.
Laura Anderson Kirby, Ph.D. is a children’s book author inspired by her work as child clinical psychologist and her experience raising two young, spirited children. She completed her undergraduate degree at Duke University, where she majored in Psychology and minored in English. She then spent two years in training at the Yale Child Study Center, followed by a five-year Developmental/Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Maryland. Laura then returned to the Yale Child Study Center to complete her clinical internship and postdoctoral fellowship. Currently, she is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in North Carolina. Laura’s passion is to promote child mental health and social-emotional learning through her writing and her practice, to help spirited and neurodiverse children feel understood, and to inspire societal acceptance of all kinds of people—because the world needs them!
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, Dr Patricia E. Zurita Ona, also known as Dr Z, discusses how perfectionist and high achieving tendencies can be balanced and modified. Dr Z is a Psychologist by training. She has authored six books, co-authored two books, conducted over 140 workshops at national and international conferences, runs a boutique practice, and absolutely loves to create resources for every client she works with. In 2019, Dr Z was nominated as a Fellow of the Association of Contextual Behavioral Sciences (ACBS) for her contributions to the dissemination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy skills for particular unworkable behavioural patterns.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode we will be exploring 3 strategies for your most stress relieving yoga practice. This is an important conversation if you have heard about yoga for stress reduction… yet find something gets in the way of you actually getting on the mat.
If you’d like to learn more about using yoga as a mindfulness and acceptance-based psychological practice to transform your anxious overwhelm into peace and purpose, my empowering course Yoga Brain 101 might be for you! Head to www.drkaitlin.com/yogabrain to learn more about it.
In this episode, the conversation focuses on supporting parents to take care of themselves, so that they can better nurture their children. Dr Renee Cachia is an experienced Australian psychologist with a passion for empowering children, adolescents, and their parents to reach their full potential. As a bestselling published author with a PhD in psychology and her own private practice, she is best known for her ability to uniquely integrate her research and clinical skills to help change and enrich lives with compassion. Parenting Freedom is the book she has long dreamed of writing. Learn more at reneecachia.com.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode I speak with Thomas Anderson, the author of “The Vulnerable Man – Break your patterns. Master your emotions. Reclaim your life.” Thomas has extensive experience from global companies as a project manager, change manager, and management consultant. In 2015 his life changed, trapped in an emotional prison, stuck in the digital stress and he was on the brink of burnout. That was a starting point and over three years he completely turned his life around. He did many changes with setting boundaries, change in life style, working out more and found ways to let his body to release stress. One key thing he learns that made a big difference was what it meant to be a highly sensitive person. This made him understand and letting go of emotions, feelings and the limiting patterns and breaking out of that emotional prison. Now he shares his journey and experiences in his book and in lectures. He wants to help creating awareness about how to create a sustainable life and working life in times of change.
Please note as a warning, there is discussion about suicidal ideation in this episode. If you feel distressed at any point while listening, please contact Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 or your local emergency department.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, I discuss healthy ways to develop and maintain habits for the New Year and beyond. New Year's Resolutions can be difficult to keep up with, so it's important to be kind to ourselves and adapt the ways we integrate habits into our lives with routines that already exist.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Dr Joey developed and validated one of world’s first psychometric scales that solely focuses on the construct of equanimity - The Equanimity Barriers Scale [EBS] in 2018. His research (spanning 6 years) includes operational definitions of inner and outer equanimity relevant for clinical psychology, theoretical models of judgement and the validation of the EBS. He has recently published a book entitled 'Why Mindfulness is not Enough: Unlocking Compassion with Equanimity', which is an overview of his research and includes case studies and guided meditations in order to bring equanimity down from the mystical and into the lap of the practical.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Andrew McGonigle has been studying anatomy for over twenty years, originally training to become a doctor and then moving away from Western medicine to become a yoga teacher, massage therapist and anatomy teacher. He combines all of his skills and experience to teach anatomy and physiology on Yoga Teacher Training courses internationally and runs his own Yoga Anatomy Online Courses. His new book Supporting Yoga Students with Common Injuries and Conditions: A Handbook for Yoga Teachers and Trainees was published in March 2021. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
On this episode, we will be speaking with Jennifer Kemp about the fears that underlie perfectionism and how to navigate these experiences with self-compassion. Jennifer is a Clinical Psychologist who has a special interest in perfectionism from both her own experience and through the work she does with clients. Jennifer integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), clinical behaviour analysis, and exposure with self-compassion in her work. In her private practice in Adelaide, Australia, Jennifer sees clients struggling with chronic illness, depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, trauma, grief and loss. Jennifer has a background in leadership coaching and facilitation and provides supervision to Clinical Registrars and experienced practitioners. She is the author of “The ACT Workbook for Perfectionism” for New Harbinger, due for release in December 2021.
Thank you for joining us this season. Season 3 was jam-packed with a range of wonderful guests and topics. On this episode, I discuss an overview of all the topics we covered and where you can find them.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, Dr Nicole Beurkens talks about children’s mental health and how that’s connected to the foods they’re eating, their movement, and screen time use. Nicole goes on to discuss the importance of modelling the lifestyle we want for our children. She also discusses the importance of parents and caregivers practicing self-care to be able to support the young people in their lives. Nicole is a doctoral licensed clinical psychologist with advanced degrees in psychology, education, and nutrition (in addition to being the mother of 4 children). Dr Nicole Beurkens is a leading holistic child psychologist with a dedicated 22+ year career in providing parents with simple, effective, research-based strategies that get to the root of children’s attention, anxiety, mood, and behavior challenges so they can reach their highest potential.
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In this episode, Todd Henry discusses what it means to be an accidental creative. Just by existing in this modern-day and finding inspiration in exploring how to create a meaningful life personal to you, makes you a creative. Todd discusses how to hone in a sense of focus by reconnecting with our sense of self by the practice of disconnecting for as long as it takes for us to feel uncomfortable. Todd is the author of 4 books: The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder Than Words, and Hurting Tigers. He has spoken and consulted across dozens of industries on creativity, leadership, and passion for work. Since 2005, Todd has been the host of his podcast, The Accidental Creative, where he shares weekly tips for how to stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy.
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In this episode, I talk with Daniel Ahearn and am really excited about this interview as Attachment Theory underpins all psychological work, while the mindfulness-based interventions so commonly offered have their home in Buddhist wisdom.
Daniel is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT), with a counselling degree in addiction (CADAC). He has over 18 years of meditation studies and is currently pursuing a doctorate (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica and post-graduate study of IPF (Ideal Parent Figure) under the supervision of Dr Daniel P. Brown.
Daniel Ahearn offers a rich introduction to the relationship of Buddhist practices and attachment theory for the purpose of healing attachment strategies that may no longer be working. His compassion and calm are evident in this interview, offering a window into what might be experienced as one explores this path.
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In this episode, Dr Delia McCabe rejoins us to discuss how we can support the kids in our lives to eat well. Delia’s research focus shifted from Clinical Psychology to Nutritional Neuroscience upon discovering nutrition’s critical role in mental wellbeing. Her research into female stress has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals and she’s a regular expert in the media. She also has two books: Feed Your Brain and Feed Your Brain: The Cookbook, when you’re looking for some inspiration for strategies about how to get delicious and nutritious foods onto your little one’s plate - including chocolate and tacos.
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In this episode, Marlysa Sullivan discusses how Polyvagal Theory and Yoga are related. Polyvagal Theory is a Western framework introduced by Dr Steven Porges that relates to the nervous system, including what Dr Porges calls the social engagement system. Marlysa discusses the overlap between Eastern and Western philosophy and science and how Gunas, emotional states from Yogic philosophy, pair well with Polyvagal Theory. Marlysa is a physiotherapist and yoga therapist with over 15 years of experience working with people suffering from chronic pain conditions. She is also an author and Assistant Professor in Yoga therapy and Integrative Health sciences at the Maryland University of Integrative Health.
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In this episode, Dr Jessica Borushok discusses how to move through imposter syndrome in an effective way. Dr Jessica is a registered clinical and health psychologist, author, and wellness enthusiast who works in private practice. The author of numerous books on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, including the award-winning book, The ACT approach, Dr Jessica provides ACT training for mental health professionals and brings ACT to the public through Busy Mind Reboot.
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In this episode, Michelle Farris, a licensed marriage and family therapist and anger management specialist, discusses codependency in relationships, how it develops, and how to heal from it. Michelle has over 30 years of experience working with recovery issues. She has written three e-books and has created several online courses to support private learning. Her articles have been featured in several online publications including Psych Central, Bustle, Your Tango, The Good Men Project and The Daily Positive.
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In this episode, Monique Beaver shares the importance of mindful movement practices as a way of reclaiming our emotions. Monique Beaver is a Psychologist and Yoga facilitator and created her business, Mindfully Curious, to encompass a holistic approach to therapy and healing. With Monique’s background in dance and movement, she noticed that when she danced, her overthinking mind and Type A personality would pause, and she would be present and focused on her movement, the teacher, and her body. This inspired her curiosity of a bottom-up approach where the focus shifted to the body and its sensations rather than getting stuck in the stories we tell ourselves. Monique also discusses different ways of embodied movement and what it means to cultivate emotional sovereignty.
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In this episode, Dr Jennifer Wolkin will be joining us to discuss how to seamlessly integrate mindfulness into our daily lives. Dr Jen is a Psychologist, Writer, Speaker, and Professor based in New York. She recently released a book called Quick Calm, which outlines practical methods for mindfulness meditation in an accessible way. Her wisdom speaks to the brain’s incredible, adaptable ability to rewire itself for wellness from the routine of just five minutes each day. As a health psychologist, Jen is interested in how biological, psychological, and social factors interact with and affect overall wellness. Her work includes exploring the relationship that stress, health beliefs, coping styles, and other psychosocial factors play into our functioning.
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In this episode, Michael Anthony speaks about his experience with abuse as a child and how his inner strength led him to his personal growth journey of becoming resilient, and how he uses those experiences to coach and mentor other adult survivors of child abuse. Michael is also the author of the best-selling book, Think Unbroken: Understanding and Overcoming Childhood Trauma. He discusses the importance of approaching this healing with compassion for the experiences that you had and the importance of understanding that you are not to blame for the bad things that happened to you.
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In this episode, Dr Greg Smith discusses how we can adapt our breathing techniques with different modes in our lives, from calming and balancing our internal systems when we feel stressed to giving us a boost of energy when we need a break. Greg is a Psychologist, Lecturer of Counseling and Psychotherapy, qualified yoga teacher based in Adelaide, South Australia. Greg is also the author of the book, Purposeful Breathing, where he carefully illustrates the benefits of conscious breathing. When we are able to breathe more fully and evenly, there are great benefits to both our minds and bodies.
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In this episode, we will be speaking with Caroline Welch, CEO and co-founder with Dr. Dan Siegel of the Mindsight Institute in Santa Monica, California and author of “The Gift of Presence: A Mindfulness Guide for Women." Caroline is able to bring together the academic world and mindfulness with her discussion of an evidence-based practice of meditation. Caroline describes ways in which we can bring meditation into our daily lives and introduces the 3 P’s of Presence (Purpose, Pivoting, Pacing). Additionally, Caroline talks about the importance of anti-racism and anti-sexism and how mindfulness can support us in becoming more effective allies through present awareness, and how we can show up and hold space to continue these important conversations towards working towards a more just future.
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In today’s episode, we will be looking at self-care in the context of the Therapeutic Lifestyle Change (TLC) Model. This model is based on the work of Dr Roger Walsh that highlights the importance of our lifestyle for both our mental health, maintaining a base level of wellbeing, as well as going on to thrive and experience enhanced wellbeing. This model also takes into account the detrimental impact of unhealthy lifestyle factors and choices in regards to mental-ill health, or what some call Psychopathology. We dive deep into the lifestyle changes that you can take into account to model self-care and wellbeing which include 8 domains: exercise, nutrition and diet, nature, relationships, recreation and enjoyable activities, relaxation and stress management, religious and spiritual involvement, and contribution and service.
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Professor Peter Singer has been titled the world's most influential living philosopher. On this episode, we discuss living a life aligned with our ethics and values, particularly about helping children in impoverished countries as well as factory farming and the ethics around animal mistreatment and suffering.
Professor Singer was born in Melbourne, Australia in 1946 and educated at the University of Melbourne and the University of Oxford. After teaching in England, the United States, and Australia he has since 1999 been Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics in the University Center for Human Values at Princeton University. He first became well-known internationally after the publication of Animal Liberation, which was in 1975. In 2011 Time included Animal Liberation on its all-time list of the top 100 best non-fiction books published in English since the magazine had begun in 1923. Peter's book, The Life You Can Save was first published in 2009 and that led him to found a nonprofit organization of the same name which has raised more than 35 million U.S. Dollars for the most effective charities assisting people in extreme poverty. Not surprising in 2012, he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia, which is the nation's highest civic honour.
Delia McCabe (PhD) shifted her research focus from clinical psychology to nutritional neuroscience upon discovering nutrition’s critical role in mental wellbeing. Her research into female stress has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals, she’s regularly featured expert in the media, and her two books are available in four languages. Using her background in psychology, combined with evidence-based nutritional neuroscience and neurological strategies, Delia supports behaviour change and stress resiliency within corporates, and for individuals who want to optimise their brain health, via online courses, workshops and tailored events internationally. In this episode, Delia discusses the essential fats we need for our brain to work optimally, the prebiotic-rich foods we can eat to help the good bacteria proliferate in our gut, and how our blood glucose levels can relate to our brain health.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Jordan Green is a licensed clinical therapist and coach in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In addition to her work with individuals and couples, Jordan provides inspirational and educational content on love and relationships on her therapy Instagram page @the.love.therapist. Jordan also started a membership program called The Love Group where you can join a private community that discusses relationships, self-love, and mental wellness on her website jordanandrea.com.
Jordan discusses all things love: relationship with partners, family, friends, colleagues, and most importantly, with ourselves. Jordan explains how we can better understand what our loved ones’ love language is, the fluidity of attachment styles, calming down the sympathetic nervous system when we become upset, internal family systems, and learning self-compassion.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode, Dr Louise Hayes discusses how we can work to help adolescents understand the different dimensions that help them move through their lives. Dr Louise Hayes is a clinical psychologist, author, speaker and active humanitarian based in Victoria, Australia. Together with Dr Joseph Ciarrochi, she developed DNA-V, a model developed with the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Positive Psychology, and Evolutionary Science. DNA-V stands for Discover, Notice, (self)-Advice, Vitality & Values. Her new book for teenagers Your Life, Your Way is an important theme in today's conversation where she really describes how we can use the DNA-V model to support the young people in our lives to figure out how they go about living their life their way. You can connect with Louise at louisehayes.com.au and can learn more about her humanitarian efforts where she takes mental health professionals into the Himalayans to develop mindfulness skills and raise funds for poor children in remote Nepal. You can also check out her website thrivingadolescent.com as a useful way to connect with the DNA-V model and see some of the imagery that will be talked about.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this episode Alyssa (Lia) Mancao discusses the importance of relationships in our lives and skills to use them for our healing. A basic overview of Attachment Theory is also provided. Alyssa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, therapist, writer, and a group practice owner based in Sherman Oaks, CA. Alyssa's work encompasses assisting clients with connecting with their inner child. Alyssa works with clients to help them make connections from the past to the present while also teaching various coping skills to help improve their symptoms and interpersonal relationships. Her approach utilizes a mix between psychodynamic modalities, cognitive behavior therapy and EMDR depending on each person's needs. In addition to her work as a therapist, she also contributes to various magazine articles addressing self-esteem, coping, and emotional independence.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Amy has a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Masters in Forensic Psychiatry, Masters in Performance, Bachelor with Honours in Psychology and further therapeutic training in cognitive therapies such as Cognitive Analytic Therapy, Compassion Therapy, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. She has published widely in academic journals and more accessible magazines and now publishes fortnightly in a popular business-focused blog/vlog called Silverlinings She is a contributing author in many books including the acclaimed Oxford Handbook of Behavioural Experiments (for Oxford University), forthcoming collaborations Unite (ed. Julia Steel) and What’s Next? (Hagen, Butler and Hodgson). She is the author of the books Conversations Create Growth for managers and Brace for Impact (both available on her website). Her new book The Loudest Guest: How to control your fear is being published by Major Street Publishing out early 2021.
Join us at The Courage Club, the place where you can outgrow your fears.
This is the final episode of Season 2. I discuss the different topics we have explored and recommend different episodes for where you are at in your own journey.
You can download a free PDF guide for the Season by clicking here.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this interview Dr. Rebecca Ray explains all about self-sabotage, self-kindness, and how this all relates to sensitivity. Dr Rebecca is an Author, Speaker, and Clinical Psychologist. She uses a science-backed, heart and hard truth approach to help big-picture-thinking women entrepreneurs and creators live a life that’s fulfilling, unapologetic, and free.
Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart is a pediatric psychologist and parent coach and is the owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology in San Antonio, TX. In this episode Dr. Lockhart discusses how you can talk to highly sensitive children about race and racism. Dr. Lockhart takes you through child development, sensitivity, and important concepts such as culture, race, and systemic racism. This is such an important episode for ensuring our next generation can create a future of equity.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Louise McHugh is a Professor in Psychology at University College Dublin and a world leading expert in Contextual Behavioural Science. In this episode Dr. McHugh shares the science of 'healthy selfing'. Healthy Selfing is about witnessing all of the varying thoughts, feelings, stories, experiences across our lives and recognising that these are just parts of you, but with that, you can still choose the directions you want to go. How empowering!
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In this solo episode I introduce you to the biophysiological effects of a yoga practice in an accessible way. Starting with an understanding of how stress impacts the nervous system, including the vagus nerve, we move to examining how yoga elicits a 'relaxation response' that offers physical and emotional benefit. Understanding the science of yoga's supposed benefit for stress management can be really helpful in cultivating a regular practice.
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Laura Koniver, MD, author of The Earth Prescription, received her medical doctorate degree from Jefferson Medical College in 2000 and has been passionately supporting her patients’ natural healing ever since. She is an artist, author, holistic physician, and internationally recognized grounding advocate. In this episode Dr. Koniver shares the science of grounding and how connecting to the Earth can benefit you psychologically and physically. She discusses what elements are 'conductive' and offers practical tools for grounding daily.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Dr Lauren Tober is a Clinical Psychologist, Yoga Teacher and certified iRest Meditation Teacher with a passion for health, healing, happiness and awakening. Lauren teaches Yoga Teachers around the world about mental health with the Mental Health Aware Yoga training. In today's episode she introduces listens to the importance of understanding mental health in the yoga room and offers some strategies to cultivate a safe space. If you are a yoga teacher, practitioner, or have considered yoga as a mental health tool - this episode is for you!
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Leah is a Research Fellow with the Griffith Business School and a PhD candidate with the Applied School of Psychology at Griffith University. Leah is researching the link between contact and engagement with the natural environment and mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. In this episode Leah introduces you to the science behind our natural environment's association with wellbeing, and the practical strategies that you can implement to improve your wellbeing by making use of nature’s healing.
Ben Warren is a leading Clinical Nutritionist in New Zealand, and the founder and Clinical Director of BePure Health. Ben is currently completing his PhD exploring the link between nutrients consumed and mental health. In today's episode he explains how nutrition underpins everything from physical to emotional health and the impact poor gut health has on various systems of your body as well as your mind. It turns out, even if you're eating all the 'right things' you might still be missing out on vital nutrients, making supplementation very important.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
After working in academia for over 13 years and practicing yoga since 2008, Kathie Overeem, PhD, wanted to make a career shift that could be of greater benefit to more people while being aligned with her core passions. Being interested in the transformational effects of yoga, she was following research on how beneficial yoga practices can be for mental health and well-being. In this episode Dr. Overeem discusses the intersection of yoga, psychology and neuroscience, as well as the practice of trauma sensitive yoga.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
This episode provides a very brief introduction of the therapeutic power of breathing. You will learn how breath connects to your Autonomic Nervous System, top-down and bottom-up paths of influence, and a particularly well-researched breathing pattern that supports your body finding a state of resonance.
Free Breathing Basics handout and shownotes at www.drkaitlin.com
Ebony Butler, PhD, a native of Mississippi, is a Licensed Psychologist and Food Relationship Strategist who has made it her mission to help women of color heal and thrive in the areas of trauma and diet recovery. In fact, she created the My Therapy Cards to ensure women of color could see them self in this brilliant psychological resource - and to make therapeutic skills broadly accessible. She shares all about this journey and the wisdom behind her creation in today's episode.
Dr Tom Nehmy is an award-winning clinical psychologist with a passion for preventing psychological problems while also enhancing resilience and wellbeing. His university research produced the world’s first prevention program to prevent the onset of symptoms of depression and anxiety while also reducing risk for eating disorders. His book Apple's For Your Mind shares his everyday wellbeing tips, which is the focus of today's episode. You can expect to better understand your emotions, wellbeing domains, and how to take evidence-based action to thrive in your daily life.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
In today's episode you hear from Kelly G. Wilson is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Mississippi. Dr. Wilson shares about his journey to self-care, how yoga parallels Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and his Lifestyle Medicine framework which considers the rise of chronic illness from an evolutionary perspective. You will learn about ACTs of love and how little changes and habits make a big difference in wellbeing.
In today's episode you hear from Kelly G. Wilson is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Mississippi. Dr. Wilson shares about his journey to self-care, how yoga parallels Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and his Lifestyle Medicine framework which considers the rise of chronic illness from an evolutionary perspective. You will learn why it is so hard to engage in healthy behaviours, even when we 'know' they are good for us, and get some how-to tips from Dr. Wilson.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this interview next week!
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Being a parent is hard! New mum's are particularly vulnerable to postnatal depletion, depression and anxiety as they navigate the continuum that is the adjustment to new motherhood. In this episode I will discuss this journey, the impact of societal expectations (read "shoulds"), and how to clarify your values as a parent. You will be introduced to a psychological flexibility framework, and learn some strategies for accepting this wonderful new reality.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
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Justine Spencer is a Registered Psychologist and Certified Wellness Coach based in Western Australia. In today's episode Justine openly talks you through her fertility struggles and how this lead her on a mission towards self-care and wholistic wellbeing. Justine highlights the importance of giving yourself permission to take care of yourself, and describes how self-care is an act of self-love needing to be practiced. This is such an important episode as we are globally experiencing one of the most stressful events of our lifetime, and we know how disconnecting and disempowering this experience can be.
Shownotes at www.drkaitlin.com
Manuela O’Connell is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice and teaches at universidad Favaloro in Buenos Aires, Argentina.She is a Peer reviewed ACT trainer and Fellow of ACBS (Association of Contextual Behavioral Science) and trains clinician in South America. Manuela uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness, Functional Analytic Psycotherapy (FAP) and Compassion. She is also trained in a body awareness technique called Eutony develop by Gerda Alexander and has been a practitioner of different body techniques for the last 30 years.
In this episode Manuel introduces you to embodied metaphors and the benefit of this in terms of connecting with your inner compass, regulating emotions, cultivating empathetic connection in relationships, and empowering your body as a guide to your healing. This episode is brilliant in supporting you to cultivate an embodied awareness practice and includes a 10 minute embodied metaphor mindfulness practice at the end.
Shownotes at www.drkaitlin.com
Dr. Jennie Rosier is an associate professor of interpersonal communication at James Madison University and an expert on relationships and parenting. She is married to her best friend and has four children herself. You'll find this relevant as she couples research evidence with her lived experience, and shares some amazing stories stories to illustrate.
Drawing on the wisdom of her newest book The Who Does More War, Dr. Rosier specifically introduces you to the very real challenge of parenthood: both in terms of the common arguments and maintaining connection and empathy through one of the most stressful periods of a relationship. Dr. Rosier speaks to those of you with children, but highlights how extremely important this conversation is for those thinking of having children.
Shownotes at www.drkaitlin.com
Erin Matthews is a Clinical Social Worker who supports individuals who have experienced racial trauma, and who facilitates small groups aimed at supporting white people to move towards allyship and live in empathy. In today's episode Erin shares some specific tips for persons of colour in cultivating and maintaining self-care given the ongoing racial trauma experienced. She also offers wisdom to help white folk 'un-freeze' and move towards values-aligned action and conversation aimed at supporting our Black friends and community.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
This episode is a bit different to the others, which have all aimed to support your knowledge and cultivation of wellbeing skills. This episode is about providing sign posts to specific episodes in Season One that may support you in cultivating wellbeing during these unusual COVID19 times.
www.wisdomforwellbeingpodcast.com
Dr. Nashat Latib, board certified emergency medicine physician, trained in functional medicine and integrative health, discusses ways to maintain your wellness during Coronavirus (COVID-19). Dr. Latib explains what exactly COVID-19 is, and why hand-washing and social distancing work so well. She also explains how you can 'upgrade your health' and enhance your immunity with daily strategies and supplements.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Dr. Emily K. Sandoz, author, Professor and Clinical Psychologist, discusses her journey to a regular home yoga practice and explores how yoga is an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) consistent practice. This episode is particularly inspiring if you are thinking of how you might introduce mindful movement into your life at home, as Dr. Sandoz shares how she got started with YouTube videos and 10 minute practices in the context of having three kids and limited financial resources. Further, you will find Dr. Sandoz eloquently conceptualises how a yoga practice enhances psychological flexibility - one of the big predictors of wellbeing.
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Dr. Heather Moday is a board certified physician specialising in allergies and immunology, and trained in both Functional and Integrative medicine. In today's episode Dr. Moday explains what exactly COVID-19 is, how your immune system works, and ways that you can enhance your immunity (both in terms of lifestyle factors and nutritional supplementation).
Shownotes: www.wisdomforwellbeingpodcast.com
Dr. Chantell Douglass is a clinical psychologist, yoga and meditation teacher, and compassionate human. In today's episode shes hares her journey from exploring mindfulness academically to turning her exploration inward through her own practice - all based on the compelling research she was compiling. This interview is so timely, given the increasing social distancing there is an opportunity to turn inwards and navigate new ways around the 'old brain' structures to connecting with your compassion (for yourself and others). To support you through all of the COVID19 uncertainty, Dr. Douglas offers a beautiful meditation at the end of this episode.
Shownotes: www.wisdomforwellbeingpodcast.com
Dr. Jessica Borushock is a registered clinical and health psychologist, author, and wellness enthusiast who introduces the concept of Whole Health. You probably already know there is a mind-body connection, but here you will see all the elements of your life link together. When you cultivate whole health, you ultimately thrive! Dr. Jessica will talk you through the very real balances of being human, and help you get clear on your values (you might not be wanting to get fit for the reasons you first think!).
Shownotes: www.wisdomforwellbeingpodcast.com
Holly Yates MS, LPC, Certified FAP Trainer, shares with you how your emotions are 'data' and ways to cultivate new relationships with the uncomfortable ones. Holly also introduces you to the importance of understanding context and practicing the acceptance and mindfulness that underpin 'third-wave' therapies. This episode will be particularly useful for you in understanding ways to maintain important relationships, move towards your values, and better understand helpful psychological frameworks (FAP, ACT & DBT).
Shownotes: www.wisdomforwellbeingpodcast.com
Do you experience strong feelings of guilt, shame, anger, worry, or other uncomfortable emotions? Well then, this episode discusses suffering, pain, and the universality of these experiences. It considers the evolutionary history of your brain's negativity bias, and introduces you to mindful self-compassion as a strategy to cultivate wellbeing, as well as to improve your performance in many of life's important domains.
You can access a guidebook to use with this episode in the shownotes.
Shownotes: www.wisdomforwellbeingpodcast.com
Dr. Davidson is a Psychologist, a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, and a Yoga Teacher. In this episode she shares the Daring Way™ principles developed by Dr. Brené Brown to help you build courage, shame resilience and uncover the power of your vulnerability. If shame has ever held you back from living your truth, this is the episode for you!
Shownotes: www.wisdomforwellbeingpodcast.com
Tiffany Rochester, a Clinical Psychologist working in private practice in Western Australia, shares with you the 'Matrix Pill' of seeing all your relationships as systems. Tiffany also explores why it is so important to get comfortable with having emotions such as anxiety and sadness, particularly when you are parenting. This episode is important given our 'happy seeking' culture and the negative impact this can actually have on your ability to thrive in your life. Tiffany also shares what it means to be on 'the same mountain' - which an incredibly connecting and soothing perspective.
Shownotes: www.drkaitin.com
NeLi Martin, is an Australian psychologist who practices and teaches Buddhist Dharma, mindfulness, yoga and dance. In this episode NeLi discusses how Buddhist practices and yoga teachings fit philosophically with new evidence-based psychological therapies, such as Acceptance & Commitment Training/Therapy (ACT). If you have ever been interested in how to integrating psychotherapeutic principles with your yoga or Buddhist meditation practice, then this episode is for you!
Shownotes: www.drkaitin.com
Dr. Emily K. Sandoz, an author, Professor and Clinical Psychologist, discusses body-related difficulties and how cultivating 'psychological flexibility' can support you making peace with your body.This episode is incredibly important given the high likelihood that you will identify with the experience of being dissatisfied with your body at some point in your life. Further, an increasing number of both women and men do then go on to develop eating disorders. Alongside this, you have no doubt heard of the #bodypositive movement - it is growing - but, Dr. Sandoz talks through the reasons why this may actually be more harmful than helpful.
Shownotes: www.drkaitin.com
Dr. Steven C. Hayes, co-founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), shares the 3 pillars of psychological flexibility. This is particularly important given the increase in stress, depression, anxiety and suicide we are seeing in this modern world. In fact, Dr. Hayes' book A Liberated Mind, was recently released sharing his wisdom on how you can cultivate psychological flexibility to overcome emotional pain and live a thriving life - on purpose. For excample, Dr. Hayes shares how you can 'flip' your pain to find your purpose, and how yoga can be used as a perspective taking skill.
Shownotes: www.drkaitin.com
What does 'yoga' mean to you?
Dr. Jay is a registered psychologist and yoga teacher. In this episode she shares how you can use yoga as a life practice, beyond what happens on the mat. She talks about the neurology and physiology involved in yoga and trauma, and how yoga can support the development of interception, which is, ultimately noticing what is going on internally for one's self. Dr Jay provides an Insight Meditation to explore your purpose and cultivate gratitude.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Have you ever experienced stress, overwhelm or anxiety recently?
Dr. Jill Stoddard discusses how you can lead a 'mighty' life – even with the experience of painful emotions. She explores the 'suit of [emotional] armour' that you wear and your 'I'm not good enough story'. Fnally, she supports you to reflect on your 'sweet' moments so that you can create a meaningful life and consciously embody the person you want to be.
Tiffany is a researcher and founder of the Village Foundation. She shares about motherhood challenges including IVF, postpartum depression, cultivating community, and balancing work and family pressures.Tiffany shares sociological reflections, which offer a useful framework from which to understand the all-to-common experience of postpartum stress and isolation, and highlights the importance of clarifying your values and matching your lifestyle to support them.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
Dr. Davidson is a Psychologist, a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator, and a Yoga Teacher. In this episode she shares about her experience using love as a compass and living life as a #lovewarrior. She discusses the importance of 'lifelines', common humanity and saying 'yes' to support. Dr. Davidson also shares about how both personal therapy and yoga can support emotional fortitude and a sense of wholeness.
Shownotes: www.drkaitlin.com
David Allen, productivity guru, shares his 5-step system Getting Things Done® (GTD) methodology. This system is designed to free you from the “ambient angst” associated with not being sure of your tasks and the stress that something will slip through the cracks. David talks about how 'cleaning up' allows you to be more creative and present, as well as how to actually action each step of the GTD system.
Shownotes: www.drkaitin.com
Dr. Jessica takes the concepts of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT for short), and makes them accessible and actionable – so that even with the pains of being human, you can still create a life that is rich and meaningful. She discusses tools to connect with the present moment, including using yoga can be as a strategy for accessing Pure Awareness and Whole Health.
Shownotes: www.drkaitin.com
In this episode we cover: Dr. John Arden takes complex concepts from psychotherapy, neuropsychology, epigenetics, psychoneuroimmunology, and nutritional neuroscience and presents them in an integrated and accessible manner. The SEEDS approach to good health: Social, Exercise, Education, Diet, and Sleep. The FEED approach to learning: Focus, Effort, Effortlessness, and Determination.
Shownotes: www.drkaitin.com/ww2
In this episode we cover: the Wisdom for Wellbeing wholistic, integrated approach to wellness; episodes feature 30 to 60 min interviews with inspirational individuals, including experts in the realms of integrated psychotherapy; values-based New Year's Resolutions and committed-action SMART goals.
Episode material at: www.drkaitlin.com/ww1
Next episode: Dr John Arden shares 5 actions to cultivate wholistic wellness in your life.