Today I speak with Matt Ransom and Marty, two retired policemen who talk about their journey with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). From the incidents that haunt them to the moment they realise they have a problem, the treatments that have helped and the 'secondary PTSD' their families have suffered, their stories teach us so much about where we have come from and what we still need to do to deal with this unfortunate aspect of working on the frontline. Unfortunately only three people allowed in the studio today so Boudi had to miss this show.

Today I am joined by local psychotherapist Boudi Maassen and his patient of fourteen years Shannon Decker who talks about what he has learned through psychotherapy. We also talk about resistance to getting help and the benefits of things like group work, such as those offered through Relationships Australia, and just listening. Shannon also talks about how he has come to love and channel his manic energy, whilst Boudi talks about embracing our neurodiversity.

Recognising that what's going on in the world impacts on our mental health, local psychotherapist Boudi Maassen and former General Blue Phillips talk with me about how Covid19 is changing us, as well as how we need to take ownership of our own growth, be a role model to our children and reach out to others.

Long distance father and son relationships. Today my son Jeremy joins me for a chat with local psychotherapist Boudi Maassen. We talk about how fathering works in broken families and from a distance.

Today Boudi Maassen (psychotherapist) and I talk to Blue Phillips, former General in the Army, about how he has used adventure training to prepare soldiers for adversity, to build resilience, and extend the stress threshold. These challenging group situations mimic society at large where those who are doing well are required not to show off but to show care for those who need a helping hand. Blue tells a great story about a shy, young Aboriginal lady whose natural leadership skills blossomed in a dangerous white water rafting expedition. Boudi talks about debriefing as a pot of gold and how older men can have enormous relevance through sharing their insights and volunteering.

We are blessed to have singer/songwriter/music teacher Matt Tonks provide live music for us once again, and together with Boudi Maassen (psychotherapist) we discuss how to deal with crisis and preventing a spike in suicide from financial stress and the challenges of our time. Along with medication for depression, we discuss strategies of mental hygiene that are so important such as getting to know our demons, practicing self love, connecting with your tribe, constructing a future and being true to the life you want to live.

Along with psychotherapist Boudi Maassen and former General in the military Blue Phillips, this week's special guest is young Zoe Taylor. Zoe courageously shares her story with mental health issues through school and what has helped her including teaching underprivileged children in Thailand. A moving poem by Bradley too.

Today's guests Boudi Maassen (psychotherapist) and Kathryn Gene (hypnotherapist and naturopath) discuss self care strategies for managing pain, both physical and mental, after a challenging week for myself. Topics include: starting therapy, diet, growing wellness, deciding what to focus on, importance of connection, meditation, nourishment from reading, gardening, walking, movement, pleasure of companionship, acts of kindness and distraction. Boudi also shares a moving poem he wrote following on from a show we did with my son about a month ago.

Today my amazing team are altogether for the first time: Boudi Maassen (Psychotherapist), Garry Sims (Chief Inspector) and Blue Phillips (retired Army General), and how we connect in this day and age is a theme that emerges. Starting with Garry's involvement in the health connector website, which coordinates health services for locals, we go on to discuss recognising our Indigenous community because as Garry says "we have to look backwards in order to know where we're going in the future". We go on to discuss the impact of isolation in the time of Covid19 and also discuss the essence of the RUOK? movement which is to be the person who taps someone on the shoulder and point out that they might need help.

Along with regular guests Garry Sims (Chief Inspector and RUOK? ambassador) and Boudi Maassen (psychotherapist), today we are joined for the first time by David King, a Gundungurra elder and self-professed weeder and tea drinker. The aim of today's show was to create a sense of unity, have a good yarn and explore what makes us feel like we belong. In light of the recent Black Lives Matter movement and the lack of progress since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, we contemplate what it would take to see the change we need.

Big thanks to all our guests for coming together for this special 'talking circle'.