Potential Psychology

Today's podcast guest is the energetic Cassandra Dunn. Cass is a clinical & coaching psychologist and mindfulness meditation teacher. She is also a podcaster, author, online course creator, speaker and workshop facilitator. In this episode, Cass and I talk about the importance of job satisfaction for our happiness and how we can craft our work circumstances to increase our fulfilment without having to make a major career change.

We also discuss:

•The origin story behind Cass's hugely successful podcast "Crappy to Happy"
•Real life tools and strategies that we can use to move from crappy to fundamentally happy
•What does living according to your values mean and how does that help us live more authentically and feel more fulfilled?
•How changing our perception of work or changing the scope of what we do can help us feel happier about our current job
•How to incorporate play and creative elements to invigorate your job and become more engaged in your work
•Cass's book, Crappy to Happy: Love What You Do

Cass is the vibrant host of the Crappy to Happy podcast. It has consistently ranked in the Top 5 health and wellbeing podcasts on Apple Podcasts since it launched and has been downloaded MILLIONS of times! It's been featured in Apple Podcast's Best of 2018 list, iTunes "Influencers" category in February 2019 and was iTunes Number 1 in the "Inspiring Women" category for International Women's Day, March 2019. The show is available on iTunes or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Cass has also authored the Crappy to Happy book trilogy. The books detail simple steps to live your best life, find meaning in your work, and build stronger relationships. She also offers online programs, retreats, and workshops for anyone who is ready to take action towards living their happiest and most meaningful life.

Cass has very generously given all our Potential Psychology Podcast listeners 15% OFF on all of her books and online programs. To avail of this great deal, go to cassdunn.com, pick the books and programs you'd like to explore, and use the promo code POTENTIAL at checkout.

Where to find Cass on Social Media:
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Cass's books and programs:
Crappy to Happy books
Cass's online services

Also mentioned in this episode...

Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
Ellen facilitating the Arts & Culture Ballarat 'Creative Block' panel. It all went well!

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

Do you have conversations about sleep in your workplace? Do you know what shift work, working across time zones or catching up on work into the night can do to your safety, productivity and wellbeing? Ever wondered about the strategic use of caffeine and naps to mitigate the risks of interrupted sleep?

Today's guest on the Potential Psychology Podcast is a researcher and the Co-Director of the Behaviour-Brain-Body Research Centre at the University of South Australia, Professor Siobhan Banks. We're talking about a topic that might interest you because, despite the fact that it has been a huge part of the universal human experience and is a favourite activity for many of us, sleep remains one of science's greatest mysteries. Siobhan will help explore and explain the mysteries of sleep and its significant role in health and wellbeing.

In this episode, we discuss:

•Why sleep is important to our wellbeing and how we function.
•How much sleep do we really need and how do we know if we are indeed getting enough?
•What are the impacts of sleep deprivation and why is it dangerous?
•Sleep, wellbeing, and work performance.
•How to mitigate the risks of unavoidable sleep issues created by shift work.
•Caffeine, napping, and other strategies to manage the effects of shift work on sleep.Siobhan has done extensive research on the impact of inadequate sleep on cognitive performance and health. She has more than 100 published works on sleep and fatigue,

Where can you find Siobhan:


Resources mentioned in this episode:
National Sleep Foundation
Potential Psychology Podcast Episode 038: Sleeping Well with Dr Kate Sprecher
Ellen Jackson on how mindset and personality impact your life admin: LifeAdmin LifeHacks Podcast
Positive Leadership
Practicing Positive Leadership

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

We all struggle at times with our relationships, in parenting, at work. We all get sad, stressed and worried. We might feel lonely or isolated. We might feel fear, guilt or shame. These are all forms of suffering, much of which comes from rumination, self-criticism and the complex work of our minds. The good news is that we can alleviate much of this suffering by uncovering our Compassionate Self - the key to a healthier mental life.

Today's guest is an expert in compassion, Clinical Psychologist, Adjunct Associate Professor, and Author of the insightful and beautifully written book: "The Gifts of Compassion: How to understand and overcome suffering", Dr Stan Steindl.

In this episode, Stan gives us a starting point to understanding compassion and guides us through discovering our most compassionate selves.

Join us today as we answer the following questions:

•What do we mean by compassion?
•What is the difference between empathy and sympathy as interpersonal skills?
•Why understanding suffering is the key to unlocking our most "compassionate selves"
•Identifying fears, blocks, and resistance to open yourself up to receiving self-care and self compassion
•How self criticism disguises itself as self challenge with short term benefits but is actually counterproductive
•What is shame and how is it relevant in self compassion?
•The difference between shame and guilt
•Using imagery to learn about and develop your most compassionate self

Where can you find Stan:
https://psychologyconsultants.com.au/team/dr-stan-steindl/
YouTube (Compassion in a T-Shirt)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCujCvGkc_TFF7KmA0Sk4E7A
SoundCloud (The Compassion Initiative with James Kirby)
https://soundcloud.com/jamesn-kirby
(please add links to Stan's social media, see guest tab)

Dr. Stan Steindl's book:
https://www.australianacademicpress.com.au/books/details/336/The_Gifts_of_Compassion_How_to_understand_and_overcome_suffering

Other resources mentioned in this episode:
About Compassion Focused Therapy - https://positivepsychology.com/compassion-focused-therapy-training-exercises-worksheets/
Link and abstract for the meta-analysis on the effectiveness of compassion-based interventions
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005789417300667

Link to my coaching services on the web site please :-)

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

Happy New Year, everyone! After a restful and well deserved break, we're back for Season 10 and we've got a very timely topic: training our body and brain to improve our wellbeing and perform at peak state. This episode is perfect for those who need a motivational nudge with their new year, 'new you' resolutions.

My guest is the multi talented Andrew May. He is an author, entrepreneur, speaker, CEO and founder of StriveStronger.com, a boutique media and digital consultancy that delivers workplace wellbeing, coaching and leadership programs. Andrew's unique background in professional sport, academia, performance coaching and business positions him perfectly to discuss mind-body training for peak performance. In addition, Andrew's media experience, communication skills and experience as a coach allow him to cut through by asking simple, yet profound questions that inspire individuals, teams and organisations to reach their full potential.

In this thought provoking episode, Andrew and I discuss:

•How the stories we tell ourselves limit our beliefs and our concept of success
•Why having a B-side to our life and persona helps us with acceptance
•Why positive self talk is important
•The power of writing to get your thoughts in order
•The 6 key areas in your life that you need to optimise, from his brilliant book MatchFit, co-authored with Dr Tom Buckley.

Andrew is author of the bestselling book Flip the Switch and the recently released MatchFit which has sold more than 75,000 copies. He has a regular segment on ABC News Breakfast and appears across multiple media platforms including TV, radio, printed publications and online. His popular Business Fit Podcast is designed to support small business owners manage their physical and psychological wellbeing.

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

Today's international episode is an extra special one and got me thinking "why haven't done this earlier?" It explores the dynamics of remote working teams and gives us a peek inside the inner workings of the Potential Psychology Team. My guests on the podcast are the people who make Potential Psychology possible: podcast producer, Jaie Obillo, podcast audio producer, Andy Maher, and online business manager Tamsin Parry.

In this episode, we discuss:

•What has life been like Covid-style in each team member's part of the world?
•What have been their the challenges and upsides?
•What have they done to maintain self-care?
•A little Christmas wish for our audienceJaie is a freelance content writer, licensed teacher, and disaster response volunteer. Andy Maher is an audio producer and voice over artist with 25 years of experience in Australian media. Tamsin Parry supports entrepreneurs build healthy and profitable online businesses, through systems, automations and team management.

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

If you like this podcast, please give us a rating at https://reviewthispodcast.com/Potential. We appreciate your support.

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

Our guest today is self leadership coach, speaker and author Eric Winters. His book, "Swipe Right on Your Best Self: Simple steps to a bolder life with fewer regrets", is an uplifting and informative guide that describes simple strategies backed by science to meet challenges more effectively, in our professional and personal lives.

In this episode, we delve into:

•What is Self Leadership?
•Applying Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) in your personal and professional life
•Practicing courage and developing the capacity to take action
•Working through and working around self limiting mindsets and expectations
•3 human predicaments that cause most people to live smaller, timid lives
•Recognising alternative effective motivating strategies
•Steps to help you prepare for meeting challenges more effectively

Eric is English by birth and now based in Sydney. He has lived and worked in Scotland, Germany, the Middle East and Australia. He is a leadership development specialist, performance coach and speaker with particular expertise in developing resilience, courage and well-being for greater professional success. His work is grounded in over 20 years of international corporate experience, 2 masters degrees in human behaviour change, and over 12 years experience in helping leaders and their teams become more proactive, courageous and collaborative.

He's also a great conversationalist who peppers this discussion with humour, insight and positivity. Listen in!

If you like this podcast, please give us a rating at https://reviewthispodcast.com/Potential. We appreciate your support.

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

Do you move your body to improve your mind?

We are all aware the mind and body connection and how one affects the other, but this connection goes well beyond common cliché. Movement actually affords us a host of physical and neurological benefits that can help us make better decisions, keep physically fit and stay psychologically sound.

Today's special guest on the podcast is neuroscientist, neurologist, and esteemed author, Dr. Scott Grafton. He joins us from sunny California.

In this insightful episode, Scott and I explore:

•What is Physical Intelligence?
•Why the mind and body connection is not merely a metaphor
•The wonders of the human body and how wonderfully designed we are
•How our brain benefits from movement
•Cool stuff about advancements in the engineering fields with regard to movement
•The concept of 'optic flow' and the profound difference between physical engagement in complex environments versus exercise
•The importance of body identity
•The impact of fatigue and perseverance on mood and choice.

Scott is a distinguished professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara and is director of UC Santa Barbara's Brain Imaging Center. He uses his personal experience, camping and hiking around California's High Sierra region to write the highly illuminating book, "Physical Intelligence: The Science Of Thinking Without Thinking."

If you enjoyed and learned something from this episode of the Potential Psychology Podcast, please give us a rating and leave a review at https://reviewthispodcast.com/Potential. We appreciate your support!

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

What are your beliefs about anger?

Is it a 'negative' emotion? The cause of distrust and destruction? Does it equate in your mind to aggression? Indignation? Rage?

Can anger be helpful? Does it fuel action? Motivate? Even inspire?

Our guest today, Dr. Steven Laurent is an expert on anger and the co-author of 'The Anger Fallacy: Uncovering the Irrationality of the Angry Mindset.' He argues that there is always an alternative to anger. That's not just touchy-feely psychologist-speak either. He contends that anger doesn't make sense strategically. No matter your goal or the relationship context, it turns out that getting angry does you in the eye. There are wiser ways, he says, of making your point.

In this intriguing episode, Steven and I discuss:

•Why anger is the most commonly experienced negative emotion
•The paradox of anger or why people actually like holding on to anger
•Anger fallacies, beliefs and misconceptions
•How people find themselves in a rage spiral and how to get out of it
•More progressive and useful approaches to resolving conflict
•What is "shoulding"
•The empathy factor in anger

Steven completed a PhD in Psychology at Sydney University, and Masters in Clinical Psychology at the University of New South Wales. He writes Psychology Today's anger blog, entitled Chill Pill and operates a generalist psychology practice in Sydney. He's currently working on a new book about love and relationships.

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

Today, speaker, media personality, and Australian-based neuroscientist Dr. Sarah McKay, returns to our podcast to talk about our emotions, our brain, some misconceptions about reptiles and why we're not beholden to emotional and behavioural triggers.
In this information packed episode, we get our geek on about:

•What we're getting wrong if we talk about 'lizard brains' and emotional triggers
•Why getting the scientific fundamentals right is vital when talking about our brain and behaviour
•An alternative to fear, fight and flight and how the words we use shape our physiological responses and emotional experience
•Current theories of constructed emotion and how our feelings might be an emergent property of the meaning we make from the world around us
•Taking control through choice and mindset
•Science education and watching the scientific method unfold during a pandemicSarah is an Oxford University-educated neuroscientist, presenter of ABC Catalyst, director of The Neuroscience Academy, and author of The Women's Brain Book. The neuroscience of health, hormones and happiness.

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com

My guest today is a licensed clinical psychologist from sunny California. Dr Patricia Zurita Ona, fondly known as Dr. Z, is talking to us about overcoming the challenges of fear-based responses, an experience she knows well. Growing up in Bolivia in the midst of a dictatorship, she understood at a early age what it meant to be shaped by fear. This lead to her passionately pursuing her practice, helping others to overcome anxiety and trauma.
In our conversation, Dr Z and I explore the questions:

•What are fear-based reactions, and how do they shape us?
•Why do we get stuck and find it hard to change our safety seeking patterns?
•What is perfectionist behaviour and how we can use it in a more functional, helpful, and workable way?
•How we can learn to be more flexible, mindful and adaptive?Dr Patricia Zurita Ona gives us a few tips and tools to reshape our fear based thinking and make incremental but important improvements to achieve personal growth.
Tune in to learn how to face your fears, get unstuck and fulfill your potential.

---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/potentialpsychology/message

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit potentialpsychology.substack.com