In this episode I speak with Joshua Fletcher (@anxietyjosh on IG), who is a psychotherapist specialising in anxiety disorders. I wanted to understand why grief can often be a catalyst for anxiety and how we can learn to retrain our brain to manage it more effectively.

Josh opens up about the experience of losing his brother to cancer as a teenager and how the unprocessed grief led him to a mental breakdown. However, he now commits his career to providing psychoeducation and spreading awareness about the topic. He is a best-selling author of two anxiety self-help books, as well as hosting The Panic Pod podcast.

We also discuss:

• Ruminating thoughts
• Why we shouldn't search for 'coping mechanisms' as we CAN cope
• How we need to retrain our brain to break our anxious habits
• Alcohol & anxiety
• Making peace with your anxiety and letting it be with you, rather than fighting it
• Complicated grief
• Gambling and addiction
• When to seek help

We hope that this episode helps you to feel less alone in your journey.

Don't forget to follow me at @tamsinmillard

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-so-linear.

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Mary Hoang is a psychologist who thinks creatively about what makes humans lead more meaningful lives. She is founder of the mental health organisation 'The Indigo Project' and is tearing down the walls of traditional psychology.

After her fathers death in 2017, Mary turned to art and writing to explore how the darker aspects of life hold the keys to insight and purpose. Losing him was her life changing moment, which she so beautifully documents in her book ‘Darkness is Golden’ and explores alongside us how we can deal with life’s messiness. 

We talk about:

• Mary's background and why she set up a progressive therapy practice
• Why we have to give uncomfortable feelings space, rather than supressing them
• Losing her Father and how it shifted her lens on life
• Grief & funerals in Asian culture
• Death mediation
• The concept of the 'Inner child' and how we must learn to meet our needs
• How all types of grief are valid, such as loss of career, relationship or health etc
• The monsters in our haunted house
• Mary's experience of breaking down whilst writing the book
• Managing anxiety

If you are interested in reading more about her work, you can find her organisation here: www.theindigoproject.com.au and her instagram @maryhoangindigo

You can order her book 'Darkness is Golden via Amazon or Booktopia.

Thanks and don't forget to subscribe to Not So Linear to get the latest episodes!

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-so-linear.

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Hey everyone!

I'm back from a little break in podcasting and returning with a new sort episode type called 'Tam Talks', which is full of my little ramblings and thoughts! I talk about:

• Lockdown lifting in Sydney
• Taking your time to get back in to socialising
• Australia's crazy border rules
• Feeling excluded as a temporary visa holder
• Focusing on gratitude and what I do have
• Trying to live in the moment
• Patreon

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-so-linear.

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Hey! Welcome back to another episode of Not So Linear, where I talk about my grief journey and the last 6 months of change since launching the podcast. This time I'm interviewed by my younger sister Lily, which is very special as it shows how much we've grown through our grief together.

I talk honestly about how my relationship with my grief and my mum have evolved, as I have tried to make peace with my emotions and find ways to connect with her again. I also talk about the importance of finding a strong community of others who can help you feel less alone and I am so glad I found that in Motherless Daughters and within my own instagram page @tamsinmillard

We also talk about the impact that alcohol has on anxiety and how we live in a society that pressures us to tick off life events in order to be 'happy' - which is just unnecessary!
 
I hope you feel less alone in  your journey by listening to mine. Don't forget to follow across apple and spotify to keep up to date with all of my latest episodes!

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-so-linear.

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Hey guys! On today's episode I am joined by fellow motherless daughter, Katrina. After experiencing multiple losses within her early life and witnessing the uncomfort and lack of knowledge around her, Katrina began her journey as a grief & loss educator.

Katrina specialises in providing workshops within organisations and businesses. For many people, returning to work after a significant loss can be daunting and anxiety inducing. Therefore, it's so important that our workplaces are able to support those who are grieving and can provide their employees with the tools to deal with such scenarios. 

Katrina also talks about how we can support our friends who are grieving and explains the importance of acknowledging them. The last thing we want to do is dismiss another's grief!

You can find more about Katrina on her website www.katrinapreislerweller.com or on her instagram @katrinapweller

Thanks and don't forget to follow me on Instagram @tamsinmillard

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-so-linear.

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In this episode I'm joined by George Falck, who lost his twin brother Will when he was 24. Will was diagnosed with terminal cancer and the boys decided they would do as much as they could in the few years that they had left together.

From following England Football matches all over Europe, to Will running a marathon in Amsterdam, they didn't let the anticipatory grief get in their way of quality time together. However,  George is very open about how he felt relief once Will passed away, since his last few months and weeks were an extremely difficult time for him.

What I love about George's grief journey is that he works hard to keep Will's memory alive. From taking a flag with Will's name on to sporting events all over the world, to hosting an annual golf tournament in his name. It is these acts that give George strength and help him feel close to Will all these years later.

Don't forget to 'follow' this podcast and you can find me on instagram: @tamsinmillard_

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-so-linear.

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Trigger warning: This episode contains conversation around gun crime and violence. 

In today’s episode I talk with Jennifer from LA, who lost her boyfriend Jon in last year, in a brutal, unprovoked attack. His killer shot him multiple times. 

We talk about how she has coped with her grief after losing him in such a horrible way and how she’s now protesting current policies in place that are preventing his killer serving a full sentence. 

Don’t forget to follow and you can find me on Instagram: @tamsinmillard_

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In this episode, I am joined by Jessie Stephens, a Sydney based writer, podcaster and Assistant Head of Content at Mama Mia! 

We talk all things Heartbreak and how it is often a form of grief that is totally dismissed. Jessie explains how a series of failed relationships and whirlwind romances, led her to feel isolated, depressed and a lack of self esteem. Until one day, she realised she needed to move through the grief, face her emotions head on and as a result wrote her new book 'Heartsick'.

We also discuss toxic dating app culture and the importance of being there for your friends no matter how 'insignificant' you may feel the relationship was to them.

Jessie was a fantastic guest and I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did getting to know her!

Make sure you subscribe / follow to Not So Linear and you can also follow me on instagram @tamsinmillard_ 

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In this week's episode I speak with Caroline McKenna, about how it feels to be an expat in Australia during a ban on international travel. It is an unusual type of grief for those living overseas, since it can be emotionally stressful, anxiety inducing and tiresome not knowing when we can reunite with loved ones again.

By day Caroline is a teacher but within her spare time, she hosts social events and her podcast 'A County Down Under', to help people feel les alone. 

Expect to hear a very raw conversation on how it feels to be apart from family, the 'yes' attitude we've gained since being abroad and what Caroline can't wait to do once the borders re-open!

Make sure you subscribe / follow Not So Linear and you can also find me on Instagram @tamsinmillard_

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-so-linear.

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In the summer of 2019/2020, Australia experienced grief and loss on a national scale. It was one of the most catastrophic bushfire seasons in history, resulting in the loss of 33 people, 3 billion animals and 24 million hectares of land. 

In my new season of Not So Linear, I speak with Ray Law, from one of the worst hit regions in New South Wales. I was curious to know what life was like during those months and to my surprise, I learnt of the sheer negligence that the community experienced and how the volunteer firefighters were ignored by those in power. 

I wanted to explore how that traumatic season impacted the people, their mental health and their ability to rebuild their lives again.

Don't forget to subscribe and follow me on instagram at @tamsinmillard_

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/not-so-linear.

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