Episodes
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In this episode, Ellen introduces systems thinking as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth and development. She provides a worksheet and an example to help you start applying systems thinking in your life. Ellen also shares her personal journey and the reasons behind her decision to pivot the podcast towards systems thinking.
Links and Resources:
Download the systems thinking worksheet at potential.com.au/podcast
Learn more about systems thinking at https://thesystemsthinker.com/introduction-to-systems-thinking/
Subscribe to Ellen's newsletter for updates and additional resources at https://potentialpsychology.substack.com/Contact:
Send feedback or questions to [email protected]Social Media:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenjacksonpotential/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/potentialpsychology/Credits:
This episode is brought to you by Potential Psychology but if you'd like to sponsor the show, let us know - [email protected]
Audio editing by Andy Maher
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Our guest for this episode is a long time friend of the show. This is her third appearance and we love having her here. Dr. Sarah McKay, neuroscientist, science communicator, online educator and author of the new book "Baby Brain: The surprising neuroscience of how pregnancy and motherhood sculpt our brains and change our minds (for the better)"
In this illuminating conversation Sarah and I chat about:
The paradox of 'baby brain' - women's experience versus the science.
The many factors at play in the early life of a new mum
How hormones 'resculpt and rewire' our brains in pregnancy - and why
Those weird intrusive thoughts about 'breaking' your baby - What's that about?
Alloparenting - What is it and why is it important to new parents
Does having a baby affect other caregivers neurologically sense too?
And so much more!
Are You Ready to Fulfil Your Potential?Download your FREE copy of ‘Creating Thriving, Motivated Teams: A How To Guide’ by entering your details below
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
ABOUT OUT GUEST:
Dr. Sarah McKay is the founder of Think Brain and the Neuroscience Academy which offers a suite of training programs in applied neuroscience and brain health. Sarah has been published extensively for public, academic and professional audiences. She's been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Body & Soul. And she can be seen and heard 'explaining the brain' on SBS's Insight, ABC Radio National, Mamamia, NZ Radio National, ABC's Catalyst, and on stage at Business Chicks, Canberra Writers' Festival and Happiness & Its Causes.
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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Baby Brain: The surprising neuroscience of how pregnancy and motherhood sculpt our brains and change our minds (for the better)
The Women's Brain Book: The neuroscience of health, hormones and happiness
Demystifying The Female Brain: A neuroscientist explores health, hormones and happiness
Sarah has previously appeared on the Potential Psychology podcast talking about:
Mythbusting, neuroscience and a woman's brain
Don't Blame The Reptilian Brain
If you'd like to hear more from me about fulfilling your potential, I'm a guest on "Breakfast with Steve Martin: Behind the news and an insight into life in Ballarat" on ABC Ballarat, every second Wednesday.
Thank you for listening in and spreading the word about our podcast.
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If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a 5-star rating over at Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
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Missing episodes?
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"Performance is about focusing on the most important thing at the most important time"
My guest today on the Potential Psychology Podcast is sports and performance psychologist, Michael Inglis. Michael is Director and Co-founder of The Mind Room. He works with athletes, coaches and teams to build high performance environments and develop key mental skills to enhance performance.
In this episode, Michael and I take a peek at the fascinating world of sport and performance psychology and dig into:
What a sports and performance psychologist does and why you might seek one out.
Your values as your guardrails for performing, whatever that looks like for you
The evershifting dynamic between performance and wellbeing
Why the present moment is critical to achieving your goals
Tolerating discomfort in pursuit of your goals
How your values bring meaning to challenging moments
Are You Ready to Fulfil Your Potential?Download your FREE copy of ‘Creating Thriving, Motivated Teams: A How To Guide’ by entering your details below
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT
ABOUT OUT GUEST:
Michael has worked in the mental health field since 1999 but focused on sports and performance since co-founding The Mind Room in 2012. He believes in a holistic approach to performance and that the wellbeing of athletes off the field is just as important as their performance on it. He is currently lead psychologist for the PFA and works with the Tasmanian Women’s Cricket team.
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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
ACT - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Values cards from the Mindroom
What is Mental Conditioning?
Michael's Mental Conditioning Program at The Mind Room
If you'd like to hear more about how to fulfil your potential, I'm a guest on "Breakfast with Steve Martin: Behind the news and an insight into life in Ballarat" on ABC Ballarat, every second Wednesday.
Thank you for listening in and spreading the word about our podcast.
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If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a 5-star rating over at Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
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Part 2 of my interview with Bea Boccalandro, author of Do Good at Work: How Simple Acts of Social Purpose Drive Success and Wellbeing.
Bea and I discuss:
The importance of empathic connection
What is Corporate Social Responsibility and how is it different to job purposing?
How to use your strengths to drive success and wellbeing
Examples of simple acts that drive purpose and meaningIf you’re interested in seeing Bea speak live and attending a workshop on job purposing with her she will be doing both of those things in Ballarat, Victoria on the 23rd of March 2023. She is the keynote speaker for the Committee for Ballarat’s Corporate Citizenship Conference. Come and join us in beautiful Ballarat!
If you enjoyed this episode, please give us a rating over at Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
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In this episode I'm talking about purpose with my fabulous guest Bea Boccalandro, the author of Do Good at Work: How Simple Acts of Social Purpose Drive Success and Wellbeing (New York: Morgan James Publishing, 2021). Her book has received critical acclaim and she is a joy to talk to.
In our conversation, Bea and I discuss:
Social purpose - What is it and why does it matter?
The difference between sense of purpose and meaning.
How purpose can be woven into our working lives.
How small social acts of purpose create a huge impact on yourself and others.
Tips for workplace leaders on finding social purpose.
Stories of job purposing and how other people found opportunities to find meaning on their work.
Bea is also founder and president of the global purpose advisory firm, VeraWorks, Bea has two decades of experience helping businesses make customer interactions more human, products more inclusive, operations more environmentally sustainable, marketing more charitable or otherwise make work more meaningful.
If you’re interested in seeing Bea speak live and attending a workshop on job purposing with her she will be doing both of those things in Ballarat, Victoria on the 23rd of March 2023. She is the keynote speaker for the Committee for Ballarat’s Corporate Citizenship Conference. Come and join us in beautiful Ballarat!
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
Veraworks
Do Good at Work: How Simple Acts of Social Purpose Drive Success and Wellbeing
Ikigai
Job crafting and meaningful work
Adam Grant's books
The VIA Character Strengths Survey
Anthony L. Burrow, Cornell University - Purpose researcher
If you'd like to hear more from me about fulfilling your potential, I'm a guest on "Breakfast with Steve Martin: Behind the news and an insight into life in Ballarat" on ABC Ballarat, every second Wednesday.
Thank you for listening in and spreading the word about our podcast.
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If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a 5-star rating over at Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel
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We're back for season 14 and celebrating this month as the Potential Psychology Podcast has now been on the air for 5 years. Half a decade of great conversations, insights and ideas all helping you to fulfil your potential. This is our 123rd episode, so, let's dive in 1-2-3, go!
In this brief 'welcome back' episode, I talk about:
What's in store in our upcoming conversations
Our fabulous guest line upI also get nerdy with some podcast proliferation facts and my question for you - 'How we should celebrate the podcast's birthday?'
Thank you for listening in as we get back into the swing of things here at PPHQ. We appreciate you spreading the word about our podcast.
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If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a 5-star rating over at Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
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"Will the robots replace us? The future is very hard to predict, but we're very adaptive."
It's a wrap! This is our last episode on our mini-series on 'The Future of Work." Big thanks to my co-host this season, Dr. Joe Sweeney, who is a long time friend of the show and our guest expert in the areas of education and AI. You can learn more about him here.
In our survey "Parenting, Education, and The Future of Work," we asked parents about their worries and concerns as well as their hopes for their children in the future workplace. One fascinating question that sums up the fears parents have is "will the robots replace us"? Joe and I have fun answering this question and discussing:
Parents' answers to "what jobs might come up in the future?" (lot's of fun answers like: AI Prompt Developer, Chief Productivity Officer, Robot Consultant)
Will AI, Machine Learning, and Automation eliminate current jobs?
How will machines and humans work together in the future workplace
What jobs will be replaced and what jobs will stayThere's an infographic sheet that comes with each episode as a bit of advanced reading/homework for parents. Don't forget to download a copy!
Join the exciting discussion by sharing your thoughts on the future of work via the Spotify Q&A feature!
This week's Homework for Parents:
Will AI, ML, and automation make jobs disappear? Send in your questions. Let's learn together!
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Ready for calm after the chaos? Join Ellen's new mini online program "Thriving Post Pandemic."
One hour of video lessons with downloadable planner to help you shift from surviving to thriving.
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If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a 5-star rating over at Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
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"Antifragility is more than just resilience. It means you can lean into uncertainty and stress and that you've got what it takes to be able to embrace change."
From the results of our recently concluded survey on "Parenting, Education, and The Future of Work," we found that 79% of parents are worried about their kids ability to thrive in the future workplace, and that doesn't come as a surprise. As humans, we're all fearful of things that are outside of our control. We've also had some major disruptions (like the pandemic) that have had an impact on our view of the future. But there's always a silver lining. We dug a bit further and asked parents how they see the future workplace and found that a lot of the parents were actually hopeful that society will thrive and that businesses will prosper in the future of work.
In this episode, Joe and I explore these worries and discuss:
How do we prepare our kids for thriving in the future environment?
Mega trends that can impact change in the future.
Scenario planning and finding risk and opportunities from all this change.
Tips on how to build antifragility and resilience in our children.
What new jobs might exist in the future.There's an infographic sheet that comes with each episode as a bit of advanced reading/homework for parents. Don't forget to download a copy!
Join the exciting discussion by sharing your thoughts on the future of work via the Spotify Q&A feature! And you can become a special VIP Member of the Potential Psychology Podcast by subscribing here - https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe
This week's Homework for Parents:
How are you using current events to enhance learning?
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Scenario Planning
The Child Who Had To Grow Up: Using Scenario Planning to Prepare for Uncertain Future Contexts in Digital Education
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Ready for calm after the chaos? Join Ellen's new mini online program "Thriving Post Pandemic."
One hour of video lessons with downloadable planner to help you shift from surviving to thriving.
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If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a 5-star rating over at Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
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To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com -
"We have the components of psychological hope to drive and motivate us - the will and the way"
We're at the half-way point of our podcast series on "The Future of Work." My co-host, Dr. Joe Sweeney, and I explore the answers to questions we put to parents in our recently concluded survey on "Parenting, Education, and The Future of Work." Here are some interesting talking points of the study:
The top 5 most important personal traits parents think their kids should have in the future workplace are:
Flexible
Focused
Dedicated
Ethical
ResilientThe top 5 most important skills parents think their kids should have in the future workplace are:
Communication
Stress Management
Complex Problem Solving
Creativity
Cognitive flexibilityAside from these interesting stats, Joe and I also discuss:
What is Hope Theory?
What are the components of psychological hope and how do those help us prepare our children for the future workplace?
Activities and steps to establishing helpful pathways to achieve goals
Willpower, Why-power, and We-powerThere's an infographic sheet that comes with each episode as a bit of advanced reading/homework for parents. Don't forget to download a copy!
Join the exciting discussion by sharing your thoughts on the future of work via the Spotify Q&A feature! And you can become a special VIP Member of the Potential Psychology Podcast by subscribing here - https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe
This week's Homework for Parents:
How can we help prepare our children for jobs that don’t exist yet? (sheet attached)
Resources mentioned in this episode:
"A New Hope" for Positive Psychology: A Dynamic Systems Reconceptualization of Hope Theory by Rachel Colla, Paige Williams, Lindsay G. Oades, and Jesus Camacho-Morles
Hope Theory: Rainbows in the Mind by C.R. Snyder
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Ready for calm after the chaos? Join Ellen's new mini online program "Thriving Post Pandemic."
One hour of video lessons with downloadable planner to help you shift from surviving to thriving.
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If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a 5-star rating over at Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
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"Artificial intelligence can change the world and that's not entirely a bad thing."
In our study on "parenting, education, and the future of work", we asked parents about their most pressing concerns for their children.
This is what's on their minds:
"Will there be enough jobs for our kids in the future?"
"What will the quality of jobs be?"
"Will humans and machines work together?"
"What industries will be in demand in the future workplace?"
"Will machines replace people's jobs or make present jobs obsolete?"
"How will technology impact future employment options?"At the heart of these questions is our very human fear of the uncertain. Technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning are evolving rapidly but for many of us it feels like science fiction. It's a very normal human response for these changes to bring uncertainty and it's why in today's discussion, Joe and I answer some pressing questions and focus on the jobs and skills that will always be needed no matter how much things change.
Listen in to hear us chat about:
How much of an impact AI, machine learning, robotics, or automation will have on the future of work
The industries that will be impacted by automation in the future
The skills that will remain constant and needed in the future
The nature of AI - What it is, and the role it will play in the future workplace
The skills can we teach our children to help them adapt to disruption.There's an infographic sheet that comes with each episode as a bit of advanced reading for parents and those interested in the jobs of the future. Don't forget to download a copy!
Join the discussion by sharing your thoughts via the Spotify Q&A feature! And you can become a special VIP Member of the Potential Psychology Podcast by subscribing here - https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe
This week's Homework for Parents:
What other skills will never go out of style? Download the infographic sheet from our website.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Fostering Hope and Purpose in Our Kids with Rachel Colla
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Ready for calm after the chaos? Join Ellen's new mini online program "Thriving Post Pandemic."
One hour of video lessons with downloadable planner to help you shift from surviving to thriving.
*****************************
If you liked this episode, please consider giving us a 5-star rating over at Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
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To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com -
"Job crafting is something we should be teaching to school students. How do I craft my job in the smallest way to maximise my purpose in life?"
Do you worry about your children's ability to thrive in the future workplace?
In the survey that my co-host for this podcast series Dr. Joe Sweeney ran to give us some juicy data for our conversations, an overwhelming 79% of parents answered 'YES' to that very question. Understandably, a key concern that came up was about job security for our future workforce. Parents are asking:
Will my kids have the same secure work experience that I had or will their life be constantly adapting, changing jobs, scrambling to find employment?To answer this question, Joe and I embarked on a conversation about "the dynamic nature of the future of work" and the skills that kids (and all of us) will need as the nature of work changes into the future.
And because the joy of podcast conversations is that they are rarely linear, we also explore:
The purpose of purpose at work and the role that employers can play in helping us to thrive at work through social contribution
Why it's important that we get involved in policy making to make the future what we want it to be
Motivation and the mechanisms that drive it
The top, timeless skillsets we need to cultivate in our children for them to thrive in the future including communicating effectively, empathy, stress management, complex problem solving, critical thinking, creativity and self-regulation.
Neurodiversity, where it works well at work and while we're all neurodiverse in some ways.
The importance of understanding yourself and others for thriving at work
Tips on the activities parents can engage in with their kids in to enhance the necessary skillsets. There's an infographic sheet that comes with each episode as a bit of advanced reading/homework for parents. Don't forget to download a copy!Don't forget that you can join the discussion by sharing your thoughts via the Spotify Q&A feature! And you can become a special VIP Member of the Potential Psychology Podcast by subscribing here - https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe
This week's Homework for Parents:
How do we give our kids an edge in the future workplace?
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Do Good At Work: How Simple Acts of Social Purpose Drive Success and Wellbeing by Bea Boccalandro
Job Crafting and Creating More Meaning in Work with Cass Dunn
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant
PO: Beyond Yes and No by Edward de Bono
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Ready for calm after the chaos? Join Ellen's new mini online program "
To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com -
"Hope, in the psychological sense, is a combination of pathways and agency. What we're doing is creating HOPE. "
Welcome to our new podcast series: "The Future of Work", with guest expert Dr. Joe Sweeney.
I'm really excited about this series as not only do I get to talk to a great friend of the show, but he and his team have done some very cool research with parents to explore their hopes and worries when it comes to future employment for our kids. The extensive survey work that Joe has done informs our discussion. It's research in action and makes for a great conversation.
A bit about Doc Joe.
Joe is first and foremost an educator, but he is also a technologist, advisor, writer, game designer, and an expert in workforce transformation. His particular area of interest is around pathways to employment, which makes him the perfect co-host for this podcast series exploring the future of work. He's been on the Potential Psychology Podcast twice before, once in episode 17 in which we talk about "Kids, Education and The Future of Work" and in episode 79 where we talk about "The Perks and Pitfalls of Working From Home." You can learn more about Joe here.
In this very meaty first episode of our podcast series, Joe and I answer the following questions:
What did we ask parents for our study - and what did they tell us?
What worries parents about the future of work for kids?11
The importance of hope for dealing with an unknown and rapidly changing world - and what does 'hope' really mean?
Why, and how, parents should be involved in the education of their children, and
How can we create real opportunities for our kids to thrive despite upcoming challenges?We also share tips on the best things you can do to help your children be interested in education and learning (pro tip: read to them!).
There's a great infographic that comes with each episode in this series as a helpful guide with tips for parents. Don't forget to download a copy!
You can also join the discussion by sharing your thoughts via the Spotify Q&A feature!
This week's Question for Parents:
What skills can help prepare our children for jobs in an uncertain, highly disruptive future?
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Kids, Education and The Future of Work with Dr. Joseph Sweeney
The Perks and Pitfalls of Working From Home with Dr. Joe Sweeney
APAC Zoom Education Summit : Transforming the Education Experience
The will and the ways: development and validation of an individual-differences measure of hope
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Ready for calm after the chaos? Join Ellen's new mini online program "Thriving Post Pandemic."
On
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We’re revisiting our How to Thrive series co-hosted with positive psychotherapist Marie McLeod for Mental Health Month.
This series initially went live in late 2021 - almost 12 months ago - while How to Thrive, the documentary, was still in production. It is now out in the world and showing in cinemas all over the country."A good night's sleep starts the moment we wake up."
We're almost at the end of Season 11 with 2 more episodes left. Today, we're back with our second to the last episode of our new weekly podcast series "How To Thrive", a collaboration with positive psychology coach Marie McLeod. We're exploring the last beam of the BEACON model; a model of thriving that Marie has developed to guide us through the simple steps to thriving and flourishing in life.
In this episode, we talk about Nurture - the one and only beam of the BEACON model that is about our physical health and how it interplays with our mental health. Nurture focuses on four aspects: eating, moving, sleeping, and being mindful. All of which revolve around, energy.
Marie and I talk about:
Why maintaining energy is important in helping people thrive
A handy acronym to help us remember how to keep our energy levels sustained
Why do we need sleep
How important is sleep for productivity, performance, and mental health
How sleep deprivation impacts cognitive abilities and emotional regulation
What is sleep hygiene and why we need to think about it
Factors that affect our sleep and some practical tips to improve our sleep qualityYour quest for the week: Nurture yourself by making improvements to your sleep quality. You can check out the cheat sheet to "Seven Steps to Splendid Sleep" in Marie's website or any of the resources listed above for tips on how to improve your sleep hygiene.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Marie's website - needtoseesomeone.com and resources here.
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Dr. Matthew Walker
Fast Asleep by Dr Michael Mosley
Headspace
Don't Blame The Reptilian Brain with Dr. Sarah McKay
Indulge Your Neurobiology TedTalk by Dr. Sarah McKay
Sleeping Well with Dr Kate Sprecher
The National Sleep Foundation
Want to become a Potential Psychology Podcast VIP?
You can now become a special VIP member of the Potential Psychology Podcast community with access to bonus episodes - the first of which is now ready and waiting for you. Dr Mike Rucker, co-host of our most recent podcast series on Fun and Wellbeing, and I are discussing the importance of making time for fun and positive experiences in our workplaces with tips on better email and meeting management and the kind of workplace we need to really thrive.
To join as a subscriber, at the tiny little cost of AU$5.99 a month head to https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe. I’m looking forward to seeing you in our inner sanctum.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at
To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com -
We’re revisiting our How to Thrive series co-hosted with positive psychotherapist Marie McLeod for Mental Health Month. This series first went to air in late 2021 - almost 12 months ago - while How to Thrive, the documentary, was still in production. It is now out in the world and showing in cinemas all over the country.
"When we feel a moment of hope, pride, love, serenity, gratitude, inspiration... we actually open up and quite literally. We broaden our peripheral vision and expand our brain."
In the 6th episode of our new weekly podcast series "How To Thrive," co-hosts Marie and Ellen explore the fifth "beam" of the BEACON model: Optimism.
To recap, the first four beams are: Belonging, Engagement, Accountability, and Compassion. They are discussed in detail in the past 4 episodes of season 11. In each episode, Marie and Ellen talk about the science behind each beam and key you in on how each of these can help you thrive as they share practical applications and real-life experiences.
In this exquisitely optimistic episode, Ellen and Marie talk about:
How emotions impact our brain and therefore our behaviour
Are some people more wired towards optimism than others?
How we can rewire our brains for a more positive disposition
How our brain is hardwired to broaden, build, and perform better with positive emotions
The neurological benefits of optimism and why is it important to notice the moments that give us a jolt of joy
Practical tips to increase your positive vs negative emotions ratioYour quest for this week: Create a "joy jar" by putting in a list of things that can help uplift your mood. You can enlist the help of your family, friends, or co-workers in this quest. The more ideas there are, the more opportunities there are to experience and share positive moments.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Marie's website - needtoseesomeone.com and resources here.
Charles Richard Snyder's Hope Theory
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson's Broaden-and-Build Theory of Positive Emotions
Seligman's PERMA+ Model - a foundational model in positive psychology
Jimmy Rees' Meanwhile in Australia
Want to become a Potential Psychology Podcast VIP?
You can now become a special VIP member of the Potential Psychology Podcast community with access to bonus episodes - the first of which is now ready and waiting for you. Dr Mike Rucker, co-host of our most recent podcast series on Fun and Wellbeing, and I are discussing the importance of making time for fun and positive experiences in our workplaces with tips on better email and meeting management and the kind of workplace we need to really thrive.
To join as a subscriber, at the tiny little cost of AU$5.99 a month head to https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe. I’m looking forward to seeing you in our inner sanctum.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message
To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com -
We’re revisiting our How to Thrive series co-hosted with positive psychotherapist Marie McLeod for Mental Health Month. This series first went to air in late 2021 - almost 12 months ago - while How to Thrive, the documentary, was still in production. It is now out in the world and showing in cinemas all over the country.
"If only each of us realized the full extent to which all our problems, fears, and desires are shared by the rest of humanity, we'd all be so much more connected, self-forgiving, vulnerable, open, and free."
In this, the 5th episode of our new weekly podcast series "How To Thrive" Marie and Ellen explore the fourth "beam" of the BEACON model: Compassion.
It's relatively easy to feel compassion for others but practicing self-compassion is more challenging. Why, when we would give a friend facing struggle words of encouragement, do we beat ourselves up for not reaching expectations?
And how is self compassion a super power?
We discuss the answers and more in this episode.
Listen in to hear Marie and I ask:
What is compassion?
How does it differ from kindness and empathy?
Why is balance is important and how do we avoid 'empathy fatigue'?
Why is it important to pay attention to our self-talk?
What are the most common stumbling blocks on the road to self-compassion? And what are the tips for overcoming them?
What are the three steps to self-compassion?Your quest for this week: Recall a time when you're were not proud of the way you showed up. How did you take the more self-compassionate route? Did you follow the three steps to self-compassion? (notice the moment, know that we are perfectly imperfect, and bring the intent to soothe ourselves rather than beat ourselves up)
Tell us about it, we'd love to hear from you!
Resources mentioned in this episode: Marie's website - needtoseesomeone.com and resources here.
The Compassionate Mind (Compassion Focused Therapy) by Paul Gilbert
Awakening Compassion at Work: The Quiet Power That Elevates People and Organizations by Monica C. Worline and Jane E. Dutton
The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want by Sonja Lyubomirsky
Kristin Neff's The three elements of self-compassion
Developing the Indomitable Gift of Compassion with Dr. Stan Steindl
The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman
Want to become a Potential Psychology Podcast VIP? You can now become a special VIP member of the Potential Psychology Podcast community with access to bonus episodes - the first of which is now ready and waiting for you. Dr Mike Rucker, co-host of our most recent podcast series on Fun and Wellbeing, and I are discussing the importance of making time for fun and positive experiences in our workplaces with tips on better email and meeting management and the kind of workplace we need to really thrive.
To join as a subscriber, at the tiny little cost of AU$5.99 a month head to https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe. I’m looking forward to seeing you in our inner sanctum.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected] Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
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We’re revisiting our How to Thrive series co-hosted with positive psychotherapist Marie McLeod for Mental Health Month.
This series initially went live in late 2021 - almost 12 months ago - while How to Thrive, the documentary, was still in production. It is now out in the world and showing in cinemas all over the country.
"Thriving is not a spectator sport. You can't sit back and watch it happen."
This is the 4th episode of our new weekly podcast series "How To Thrive", a collaboration with positive psychology coach Marie McLeod. This series is all about exploring how to thrive and practicing the BEACON model; a model that Marie has developed to guide us through the simple steps to thriving and flourishing in life.
In this week's episode we explore the third "beam" of the BEACON model: Accountability.
This might seem an unusual element of thriving but there is no thriving without doing - and sometimes we need to hold ourselves accountable to get the doing, done.
Listen in as Marie and Ellen discuss:
What accountability means when it comes to thriving and why it's important
Real life, practical examples of where people struggle with accountability (because it's something we all struggle with from time to time)
How our personal beliefs impact our goals and motivation.
How to find your "why" to build motivation.
Tips and techniques for holding yourself accountable to your action steps for thriving.Your quest for this week: Get curious and challenge yourself to try a new activity for a week that you know will help you to thrive - even if it's difficult to get started. You might like to reflect on the activities we've spoken about already in this series - connecting with others, discovering or using your strengths to find 'flow' - or maybe it's an activity you've not tried before or you want to re-integrate into your life. Ellen and Marie discussed yoga and meditation as activities they'd like to get back into. Walking, social activities or new hobbies are also great ideas.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Marie's website - needtoseesomeone.com and resources here.
Seligman's PERMA+ Model - a foundational model in positive psychology
Charles Duhigg's The Power of Habit BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits
Want to become a Potential Psychology Podcast VIP?
You can now become a special VIP member of the Potential Psychology Podcast community with access to bonus episodes - the first of which is now ready and waiting for you.
Dr Mike Rucker, co-host of our most recent podcast series on Fun and Wellbeing, and I are discussing the importance of making time for fun and positive experiences in our workplaces with tips on better email and meeting management and the kind of workplace we need to really thrive. To join as a subscriber, at the tiny little cost of AU$5.99 a month head to https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe. I’m looking forward to seeing you in our inner sanctum. Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected] Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message
To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com -
We’re revisiting our How to Thrive series co-hosted with positive psychotherapist Marie McLeod for Mental Health Month.
This series initially went live in late 2021 - almost 12 months ago - while How to Thrive, the documentary, was still in production. It is now out in the world and showing in cinemas all over the country.
"Flow requires us to use our strengths. Sadly many of us don't really know what those are. One of the first things that you must do is to identify these strengths. What are those things that your brain is wired to do, those things that you love doing?"
This is the 3rd episode of our new weekly podcast series "How To Thrive", a collaboration with positive psychology coach Marie McLeod. This series is all about exploring how to thrive and practicing the BEACON model; a model that Marie has developed to guide us through the simple steps to thriving and flourishing in life.
Today, we recap what we learned about Belonging and talk about how we did on our weekly quest. We then explore the second "beam" of the BEACON model: Engagement.
We discuss:
Deep focus or "flow" and how it improves our quality of life, satisfaction and happiness
Does personality affect how easy it is to get into a state of flow
How can we craft our lives in order to get into a "flow" more often
Understanding your profile of individual strengths and how to use that to increase engagementYour quest for this week: Go with the way you're wired and spend more time doing the things you're good at. What activities get you into a state of flow and how do they make you feel? Share your experience with us. We'd love to hear from you. If you need a little help finding your strengths, take the VIA strengths survey.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Marie's website - needtoseesomeone.com and resources here.
http://potential.pro.viasurvey.org - VIA Strengths Survey
Want to become a Potential Psychology Podcast VIP?
You can now become a special VIP member of the Potential Psychology Podcast community with access to bonus episodes - the first of which is now ready and waiting for you. Dr Mike Rucker, co-host of our most recent podcast series on Fun and Wellbeing, and I are discussing the importance of making time for fun and positive experiences in our workplaces with tips on better email and meeting management and the kind of workplace we need to really thrive.
To join as a subscriber, at the tiny little cost of AU$5.99 a month head to https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe. I’m looking forward to seeing you in our inner sanctum.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message
To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com -
We’re revisiting our How to Thrive series co-hosted with positive psychotherapist Marie McLeod for Mental Health Month.
This series initially went live in late 2021 - almost 12 months ago - while How to Thrive, the documentary, was still in production. It is now out in the world and showing in cinemas all over the country.
In this episode, we talk about the first "beam" of the BEACON model: Belonging. We ask:
What do we mean by belonging?
How important is having close connections to others to our wellbeing?
What is a Thrive Tribe and how do we cultivate and sustain one?
Who gets to be in our "thrive tribe?"
What's a micro-moment of connection? And how does it help us to build relationships?Your quest for this week: Find opportunities to create micro-moments of connection and tell us about them!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Marie's website - needtoseesomeone.com and resources here.
Positivity resonance - Watch this video from Dr. Barbara Fredrickson about Positivity Resonance and Positive Connection
Robert Waldinger: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness TED Talk
Seligman's PERMA+ Model - a foundational model in positive psychology
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
This 75-Year Harvard Study Found the 1 Secret to Leading a Fulfilling Life
Want to become a Potential Psychology Podcast VIP?
You can now become a special VIP member of the Potential Psychology Podcast community with access to bonus episodes - the first of which is now ready and waiting for you. Dr Mike Rucker, co-host of our most recent podcast series on Fun and Wellbeing, and I are discussing the importance of making time for fun and positive experiences in our workplaces with tips on better email and meeting management and the kind of workplace we need to really thrive.
To join as a subscriber, at the tiny little cost of AU$5.99 a month head to https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe. I’m looking forward to seeing you in our inner sanctum.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message
To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com -
We’re revisiting our How to Thrive series co-hosted with positive psychotherapist Marie McLeod for Mental Health Month.
This series initially went live in late 2021 - almost 12 months ago - while How to Thrive, the documentary, was still in production. It is now out in the world and showing in cinemas all over the country.
In this podcast series, Marie and I go deep into the practice of positive psychology and wellbeing science, sharing how we live what we teach in our work and in our lives. We dive into what it means to thrive and dissect a beam of the BEACON model, Marie's evidence-based model of thriving, in each episode. We even have do-at-home exercises for you to complete along with us. That means YOU get to participate in this fabulous collaboration too.
In this episode, you will learn:
What the BEACON Model is and how it helps you to thrive
What each beam of BEACON stands for
What we mean by well-being literacy
The history and origin of the positive psychology
About finding emotional equilibrium
Why is it important to look for the things that go well in life.Today's quest: What went well for you? How to focus on what's strong rather than what's wrong and rewire your brain for positivity.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Delightful app that Marie and I are using
Marie's website - needtoseesomeone.com and resources here.
Positivity resonance - Watch this video from Dr Barbara Fredrickson about Positivity Resonance and Positive Connection
Robert Waldinger: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness TED Talk
Seligman's PERMA+ Model - a foundational model in positive psychology
Want to become a Potential Psychology Podcast VIP?
You can now become a special VIP member of the Potential Psychology Podcast community with access to bonus episodes - the first of which is now ready and waiting for you. Dr Mike Rucker, co-host of our most recent podcast series on Fun and Wellbeing, and I are discussing the importance of making time for fun and positive experiences in our workplaces with tips on better email and meeting management and the kind of workplace we need to really thrive.
To join as a subscriber, at the tiny little cost of AU$5.99 a month head to https://anchor.fm/potentialpsychology/subscribe. I’m looking forward to seeing you in our inner sanctum.
Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
---
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message
To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com -
"In order to make progress when we're working towards meaningful goals - we need to stop and celebrate our wins."
This is my last conversation with Dr Mike Rucker in this podcast series about "Fun and Wellbeing" which is a little sad, but the conversation itself is a cracker. In it Mike and I discuss:
The role that fun and pleasure play when pursuing social goals and making a difference to our community.
Meaning, purpose and contribution.
Finding the small wins in the 'infinite game' of social change.
The Progress Principle
How to create an environment that helps you collect memories/resources to enable fun.
How to make sure that you are having fun even in environments that don't readily allow you to do so.
Why working towards meaningful goals and ensuring that you have an aspect of pleasure can help propel you forward.
For organisations: how kindness and fun have the same effect on wellbeing and how you can incorporate that into your CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) program.Join the discussion by sharing your thoughts via the Spotify Q&A feature!
This week's point to ponder:
How can you use fun for social good?.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
The Progress Principle: Teresa Amabile TEDx talk
Brene Brown
Repair Cafes
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Ready for calm after the chaos? Join Ellen's new mini online program "Thriving Post Pandemic."
One hour of video lessons with downloadable planner to help you shift from surviving to thriving.
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Feedback? We want to hear from you. Email [email protected]
Want to hear more? It's all at potential.com.au/podcast
Check out our Potential Psychology YouTube Channel here
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Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message
To hear more, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com - Show more
