Better Thinking

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Amy Peden about the global drowning crisis, the key risk factors involved, and what can be done to reduce these tragic incidents.

Dr Amy Peden is a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Population Health at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney Australia, where she is also the co-founder of the UNSW Beach Safety Research Group. She maintains an honorary Senior Research Fellow position with Royal Life Saving Society – Australia and an adjunct Senior Lecturer role with James Cook University in Queensland.

As a drowning prevention researcher and advocate, Dr Peden provides technical expertise to the World Health Organization, collaborates on research with government, industry and the community and regularly appears in the media.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/amy-peden

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr. Robyn Walser about using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help individuals navigate and heal from trauma.

Robyn D Walser, PhD is an internationally recognized clinical psychologist, educator, and author. She is the Director of Trauma and Life Consultation and Psychology Services, Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and Director of Research at Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinical Services. Dr. Walser has contributed significantly to the dissemination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and holds a pivotal role in implementing ACT in one of the US’s largest national healthcare system. She also works at the National Center for PTSD, where her work focus is on trauma recovery, depression, and moral injury.

A writer and scholar, Dr. Walser has co-authored nine influential books on ACT, including the widely respected The Heart of ACT: Developing a Flexible, Process-Based, and Client-Centered Practice Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Her research and clinical expertise have made her a sought-after voice in advancing the application of ACT to address a variety of complex psychological challenges. Since 1997, Dr. Walser has led ACT workshops worldwide, bringing her deep understanding and passion for process-based, experiential learning to therapists and clinicians.

Known for her compassionate and client-centered approach, Dr. Walser’s teaching emphasizes the integration of evidence-based practices with human connection and flexibility. Whether through her books, articles, or live training, Dr. Walser continues to influence the evolution of ACT and inspire professionals in their pursuit of effective, transformative therapy.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/robyn-walser

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Ahu Kocak about her experience in developing suicide assessment and prevention strategies in correctional settings.

Ahu Kocak is endorsed in Forensic Psychology with over 14 years experience in prison, court and private practice settings. She holds a Bachelor of Science Psychology, Masters of Psychology (Forensic), Graduate Certificate in Law and Masters of Terrorism and Security Studies.

She is a full member of the Australian Psychology Society (APS) and Fellow of the College of Forensic Psychologists. Outside of her expertise in the assessment and treatment of high risk offenders, Ahu often uses Schema Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Applied Behavioural Analysis, Exposure Therapy for a range of disorders.

Ahu has developed group programs for Schema Therapy in correctional settings. Ahu is an AHPRA Board approved clinical supervisor and is available to supervise 4 +2, 5+1 and Masters programme pathways. She is also endorsed to supervise forensic registrars and secondary supervision of other registrar pathways. She is fluent in both English and Turkish.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/ahu-kocak

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Ben Newell about the power of behavioral science and the role that psychology can play in motivating individuals and societies to take meaningful action on climate change.

Ben Newell is Professor of Behavioural Science in the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney, and Director of the  UNSW Institute for Climate Risk & Response (ICRR). His research focuses on the cognitive processes underlying judgment, choice and decision-making and the application of this knowledge to environmental, medical, financial and forensic contexts.

His role in the new Institute is to drive an interdisciplinary research agenda bringing together expertise from behavioural science, climate science, economics and governance to address the risks and opportunities of climate change. He has published multiple articles on the psychology of human judgment and decision making, including those that lie at the intersection of psychology and climate change, with particular focus on the understanding of uncertainty and risk.

Ben is lead author of the books Straight Choices: The Psychology of Decision Making, and Open Minded: A Search for Truth about the Unconscious Mind. Ben is a member of the Academic Advisory Panel of the Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA), and the Chief Medical Officer’s advisory group for the National Health and Climate Strategy.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/ben-newell

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Kim Delbaere about understanding physical, psychological and cognitive factors causing falls as well as topics about promoting healthy ageing.

Professor Kim Delbaere is a Senior Principal Research Scientist and Director of Innovation & Translation at the Falls, Balance & Injury Research Centre at Neuroscience Research Australia. Kim has made major contributions to identifying risk factors for falls and sub-optimal ageing.

Her overarching vision is for older Australians to understand and navigate better health trajectories through self-management.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/kim-delbaere

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr. Stefan Carlo Michalski about using an AI-powered VR application to build life skills and improve healthcare access for people with intellectual disabilities.

Dr. Stefan Michalski is a Research Fellow in the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health at the University of New South Wales. His research has focused on the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) to improve real-world outcomes for clinical populations, with a particular focus on intellectual disability. Stefan holds a PhD in Psychology, where he explored how immersive VR could assist people with intellectual disability in developing life skills.

Currently, Stefan is leading research aimed at addressing significant healthcare disparities faced by people with intellectual disability. He has highlighted that fear, anxiety, and communication challenges often act as barriers for people with intellectual disability when seeking healthcare. His ongoing VR research incorporates generative AI-powered intelligent agents to support and prepare people with intellectual disability to navigate healthcare environments. These tools are designed to reduce anxiety during appointments, increase healthcare engagement, and foster better health outcomes.

Through his work, Stefan seeks to transform the role of technology in promoting participation, independence, and improved health outcomes for people with intellectual disability.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/stefan-carlo-michalski

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Jacinta Hawgood about evaluating suicide prevention training programs, their effectiveness, and the critical role they play in reducing suicide rates.

Jacinta Hawgood is Associate Professor and Program Director of Suicidology at the Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention (AISRAP), Griffith University, where she has worked since 2000. She is a recognised national and international expert in suicide prevention and education, and her clinical work in suicidology and clinical psychology spans 27 years, operating a casual practice inclusive of client work, supervision and consultancy since 1999.

Jacinta is the lead author of Systematic Tailored Assessment for Responding to Suicidality protocol (STARS-p) (Hawgood & De Leo, 2015; 2018; 2024), and associated STARS-p training. Jacinta’s primary research expertise is focused on psychosocial needs-based assessment and application, which developed over time including through her clinical work in suicide prevention, and her PhD where she tested and evaluated the feasibility and application of STARS protocol and related training and workforce and lived experience perceptions of these two related elements. Jacinta is also a board director of MATES in Construction (Qld/NT) and National MATES Inc. and national academic reference group member of National MATES, advisory expert member for Roses in the Ocean, and Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning, to mention a few.

She is past board director of Suicide Prevention Australia (2015-2021), and several other national and international advisory boards regarding suicide prevention. Jacinta has a reviewing role for peer-reviewed journals in this domain and has presented research findings at a range of state, national and international conferences, has co-authored and edited a book, book chapters, and published numerous peer-reviewed articles and government reports in the field.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/jacinta-hawgood

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Lydia Brown about understanding and enhancing well-being during the menopause transition and aging.

Lydia Brown is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the School of Psychological Sciences, The University of Melbourne. She earned her PhD in 2015, focusing on self-compassion and menopause, and subsequently completed postdoctoral training in Healthy Aging at both Harvard Medical School and The University of Melbourne.

Her research centers on understanding and promoting well-being in the second half of life, particularly during the menopause transition. In 2024, she led a Lancet Series paper on menopause and mental health. She is especially interested in how psychological resilience factors, like self-compassion, can help individuals age well, fostering wisdom and happiness despite life's inevitable challenges.

In addition to her research, Lydia is a dedicated meditation practitioner. She has spent several months living in a Sri Lankan Buddhist monastery and is interested in translating traditional contemplative practices into modern contexts without losing their essence.

Lydia’s work on menopause has received international media attention, featuring in outlets such as The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune and Reuters Health. She has appeared as an expert commentator on mental health for Sky News, Nine News Australia, and The ABC. Additionally, she has served on the International Advisory Board for Headspace, one of the world’s leading mindfulness apps.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/lydia-brown

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Jill Maree Newby about innovative technology-based interventions for depression and anxiety, highlighting the impact and effectiveness of internet and e-mental health approaches in modern mental health care.

Jill Maree Newby is an Australian psychologist who is a professor and National Health and Medical Research Council Emerging Leader at the Black Dog Institute in the University of New South Wales. She has developed technology based interventions for depression and anxiety.

Newby completed her master's degree and doctoral research at the University of New South Wales. Her doctoral research considered the role of autobiographical memories in depression.

Newby studies anxiety disorders, phobias and depression. She has developed and investigated the effectiveness of technology-based interventions, including e-mental health and virtual reality interventions. Newby encourages people to seek help and gain practical advice on managing depression. Newby has argued that long wait times and high costs were a barrier to evidence-based treatment. She developed an online course that stopped people from worrying excessively.

Newby investigated how the prevalence of mental health disorders increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. She found that almost 80% of Australians experienced worse mental health during the pandemic, and that women, young adults and caregivers were particularly vulnerable. She was named a 2020 Young Tall Poppy for her advocacy work in mental health.

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/jill-maree-newby

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Ivan Raymond about the concept of intentional practice, which helps individuals and communities navigate complexity by offering a common framework for thinking and planning.

Dr Ivan Raymond is a clinical psychologist and the Director of the Life Buoyancy Institute Foundation. He work brings focus to the translation of science into practice. He partners with government, non-government agencies, research institutions, schools and programs in the building of wellbeing and trauma-responsive Australian communities.

This work is locally operationalised through the design and implementation of evidence-based responses that intentionally translate the science of wellbeing (positive psychology), growth, resilience and trauma-informed practice into action, in a manner that is personalised to the needs and context of individual and community. 

Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/ivan-raymond

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.