Better Thinking

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Piers Steel about how procrastination shows up in one's life and the related forces that make it irresistible.

Piers Steel likes to think he is among the world’s foremost researchers and speakers on the science of motivation and procrastination. Well, he is a Distinguished Research Chair at the University of Calgary, where he teaches human resources and organizational dynamics at the Haskayne School of Business. His research has appeared in several outlets around the world, ranging from Psychology Today and New Scientist to Good Housekeeping and The New Yorker. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, with his wife and two sons.

Aside from being a practicing procrastinator from an early age, Piers started formally studying the phenomenon while getting his doctorate in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Minnesota. Working with Dr. Thomas Brothen, he had access to a class administered through a Computerized Personalized System of Instruction, an arrangement that allows students to progress through a course at their own pace but is well known for creating high levels of procrastination.

Also, being a computerized course meant that every stitch of work that the students completed had a time-date stamp exact to the second. It is an ideal setting for studying procrastination. On top of this, Piers also applied meta-analysis to the study of procrastination, a technique for mathematically summarizing all previous research done on the topic (some 800 previous studies). Together, these techniques provided the results for his PhD thesis “The Nature and Measurement of Procrastination.”

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/piers-steel

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In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Associate Professor Alan Pegna about cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology.

Alan Pegna is a neuropsychologist whose interests lie in the field of cognitive neuroscience and clinical neuropsychology. After receiving a Masters degree in Psychology from the University of Geneva (Switzerland) and a second Masters degree in Human Physiology from University College London (UK), he obtained his PhD from the University of Geneva, using brain imaging techniques to study spatial processing in both healthy controls and brain-damaged patients.

He worked for over 20 years as a clinical neuropsychologist at Geneva University Hospital, and as an academic at the University of Geneva, where he supervised numerous research projects in the field of visual processing, again in healthy participants and in persons with focal brain lesions.

He joined UQ in 2015, where he now explores the neural basis of visual and spatial processing of emotional stimuli. More specifically, using EEG, he examines the brain's response to different facial expressions, as well as to faces that vary in their perceived approachability (e.g., their apparent trustwothiness). When possible, these studies are also carried out with brain-damaged individuals, in order to investigate the role of particular brain regions in these processes.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/alan-pegna

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In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Steven Hayes about Process Based Therapy, psychiatric medications, and other global issues relating to mental health.

Dr Steven C. Hayes is Nevada Foundation Professor in the Behavior Analysis program at the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada. An author of 44 books and nearly 600 scientific articles, his career has focused on an analysis of the nature of human language and cognition and the application of this to the understanding and alleviation of human suffering. He is the developer of Relational Frame Theory, an account of human higher cognition, and has guided its extension to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a popular evidence-based form of psychotherapy that uses mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based methods.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/steven-hayes-2

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In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Debbie Anderson about her experience practicing as a neuropsychologist.

Debbie Anderson works exclusively as a clinical neuropsychologist. She trained at the University of Melbourne and has practised in Queensland since completing her course in 1989. She initially worked in public hospital settings before moving into full time private work. She evaluates clients both at the referral of treating doctors and as an independent expert in medicolegal cases (personal injuries civil matters and cognitive aspects of capacity to stand trial in criminal matters). She enjoys the challenge of fully evaluating complex cases, and had given evidence in legal proceedings on a number of occasions.

She has several publications and conference presentations related to this work, which demonstrate her commitment to evidence-based practise. Debbie is also very active in the Australian Psychological Society, and most recently chaired the College of Clinical Neuropsychologists annual conference November 2018 and is currently the chair of the Qld Section of the College of Clinical Neuropsychologists.

She is passionate about training the next generation of professionals, so supervises new graduates (registrars) in her practise and undertakes casual lecturing at a university in Brisbane, lecturing the students in clinical neuropsychology and assessment skills.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/debbie-anderson

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In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Maggie Dent about the healthy, common-sense raising of children in order to strengthen families and communities.

Maggie Dent is an author, educator, and parenting and resilience specialist with a particular interest in the early years and adolescence. Commonly known as the “queen of common sense” she is also an undisputed ‘boy champion’.

Maggie’s experience includes teaching, counselling, and working in palliative care/funeral services and suicide prevention. She is an advocate for the healthy, common-sense raising of children in order to strengthen families and communities. She is a passionate, positive voice for children of all ages.

Maggie is the host of the popular ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. She is the author of nine major books, plus several e-books and other resources for parents, adolescents, teachers and early childhood educators, and others who are interested in quietly improving their lives. Maggie is the mother of four sons and a very grateful grandmother.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/maggie-dent

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In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr David Demmer about the mental health challenges of the LGBTIQ+ community.

Dr David Demmer is a clinical psychologist based in Melbourne, Australia. He is a respected therapist and speaker with expertise in gender and sexual diversity, self-worth, and resilience. He is the founder and practice director of Wellington Street Psychology, a leading psychology practice in St Kilda. Through his dynamic and authentic approach to psychological wellbeing, he leads a team committed to delivering high-quality mental health support to clients.

Dave is the current chair of the Australian Psychological Society College of Clinical Psychologists Victoria Section and a consultant to Movember as a Subject Matter Expert in mental health.

He previously lectured in psychology at Deakin University, where he chaired counselling units and was the principal researcher on numerous projects. He continues to bring his experience to numerous research projects. As a respected mental health speaker and expert, Dave regularly presents for media and other organisations.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/david-demmer

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In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Adam Ferrier about behavioural economics and the role of consumer psychology.

Adam Ferrier is a consumer psychologist and the global chief strategy officer and partner at independent agency Cummins & Partners. Adam is a regular commentator on consumer behaviour on TV and radio, including a regular spot on ABC’s Gruen series. 

Adam Ferrier is a multi-award winning advertising creative and founder of the agency Thinkerbell. He is also a leading Australian consumer psychologist, an expert brand strategist and an authority on Behavioural Economics.

Adam is the author of The Advertising Effect and part of The Australian Creatives’ Power 20; a regular on the Gruen series and has featured on The Project, Celebrity Apprentice and ABC Radio.

A dynamic, insightful keynote speaker, he hands delegates the keys to sky rocketed motivation – whether to buy, perform or change – through cognitive behavioural psychology and a deep understanding of behavioural economics.

He is also chair of the APS consumer psychology interest group. His book, The Advertising Effect: How to Change Behaviour, was published in 2014.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/adam-ferrier 

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In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Alan Davis about evidenced-based treatments such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.

Dr. Alan K Davis is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at The Ohio State University and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Psychedelic Research Unit at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Davis’s clinical experience includes working with people diagnosed with trauma-based psychological problems such as addiction, PTSD, depression, and anxiety.

His clinical expertise includes providing evidenced-based treatments such as motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. Consistent with his clinical interests, his research interests and expertise focus on contributing to the knowledge of and ability to help those suffering with substance use and mental health problems, understanding how to improve clinical outcomes through examining new treatments, and developing ways to conceptualize substance use and mental health problems through a strengths-based approach.

Psychedelic research focuses on clinical trials with psilocybin for people with depression and exploring psychological mechanisms by which psilocybin improves mental health and functioning. Upcoming studies include exploring the use of short-acting psychedelics in laboratory and naturalistic settings and assessing the application of psychedelics in vulnerable populations including people of color who have experienced racial trauma and native Spanish-speaking individuals.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/alan-davis

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In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Matthew Sanders about development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of population based approaches to parenting and family interventions.

Matthew Sanders is a Professor of Clinical Psychology and Director of the Parenting and Family Support Centre at the University of Queensland. He has been an consulting Professor at The University of Manchester, a visiting Professor at the University of South Carolina, and has held adjunct Professorships at Glasgow Caledonian University and The University of Auckland.

As the founder of the Triple P-Positive Parenting Program, Professor Sanders is considered a world leader in the development, implementation, evaluation and dissemination of population based approaches to parenting and family interventions. Triple P is currently in use in 35 countries worldwide. Professor Sanders’ work has been widely recognised by his peers as reflected a number of prestigious awards.

In 2007, he received the Australian Psychological Society’s President’s Award for Distinguished Contribution to Psychology and in 2004 he received an International Collaborative Prevention Science award from the Society for Prevention Research in the US. In 2007 he received a Trailblazers Award from the Parenting and Families Special Interest Group in the Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapy and in 2008 was became a fellow of the New Zealand Psychological Society.

Professor Sanders has also won a Distinguished Career Award from the Australian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, was named Honorary President of the Canadian Psychological Association (2009), and Queenslander of the Year (2007). He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Psychological Society, the New Zealand Psychological Society and the Australian Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. He received a Queensland Greats Award from the Queensland Government in 2018.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/matthew-sanders

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In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Sally Kenney about promoting mental health education and contributing to policy development in schools.

Sally Kenney is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist who has worked in Catholic and Independent schools since 2005. She strives to support schools to be places where young people can thrive and achieve their potential. Sally combines one-on-one student support with teacher and parent consultation, policy and curriculum development, school program design and implementation and staff professional development. She has presented to parent groups and professional bodies.

Sally is a Fellow of the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists and a member of the National Committee of the CEDP, contributing to the CEDP Advocacy Working Group. Sally also is a Board-Approved supervisor, providing supervision to registrars, registered psychologists and Masters students, and is an honorary Fellow of the Melbourne Graduate School of Education.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/sally-kenney

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