In this episode of Pysch for Life I chat with author, speaker and Learning + Organisational Development specialist, Dr Gayle Smerdon about Bay Days are inevitable, but we don't need to stay stuck in them!

For more than two decades, Gayle has worked across universities, government and not-for-profits, helping leaders and teams navigate change, build capability, and create healthy cultures. 

With a PhD in Sociology and a Graduate Diploma in Psychology, she studies how organisations function (and malfunction), exploring the interplay of systems, culture and behaviour. Her favourite question is simple: “Is this important and are we helping?”

Gayle is the author of The Bad Day Playbook and the founder of the “Make Work Less Sh*t” philosophy - a practical, funny and deeply human approach to improving work without pretending everything is fine.

Listen in to our chat on - 

• the inspiration behind writing The Bad Day Playbook
• What to do when you recognise you're having a bad day
• How reframe it and why should we
• Stoping downward phsycial and emotional spirals
• the difference between Asserting agency versus being the victim
• The importance of resilience to navigate bad days

And so much more!

You can connect with Dr Gayle Smerdon -

Latest book: The Bad Day Playbook: What to do when everything sucks – get it on my website.

Website: https://www.gaylesmerdon.com/

Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).I

If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In the latest episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Dr Jenny Brown about how the over-professionalisation of parenting is eroding parents' trust in their own instincts and increasing anxiety, guilt and burnout.

Dr. Jenny Brown is a family therapist, founder of the Parent Hope Project and host of the Parent Hope Podcast. She's also a mum and a grandma. Her work helps parents ditch the guilt and stop trying to get it all 'right'. Her approach explains that parents aren’t doing it wrong, but good parents are often doing too much of the right thing, fuelled by cultural anxiety and messaging.

Jenny’s dedication is encapsulated in her recent book, “Facilitating Parents’ Agency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Helplessness to Hope,” and her best-selling book “Growing Yourself Up.” Her upcoming book for parents is  “The Parenting Paradox: Loving our children by giving them space to grow.” Published by Bloomsbury. As the founder and Director Emeritus of the Family Systems Institute in Sydney, Jenny has made significant contributions to family therapy, earning recognition and awards for her work in Australia and the USA.  

Listen in to our chat on - 

• how the rise of “professionalised parenting” is increasing anxiety, not confidence
•  the parenting paradox: the harder we try to perfect parenting, the more reactive we become 
•  what is The Parent Hope Project approach: strengthening the parent, not fixing the child; why shifting the focus from child behaviour & emotions to parental functioning is needed 
•  the traps of getting into a worry cycle as a parent

And so much more.

You can connect with Dr Jenny Brown -

Latest book: The Parenting Paradox (coming July 2026)

The Parent Hope Podcast 

Website  https://parenthopeproject.com.au/about-us/ 

The Family Systems Practice for parent hope clinical support that builds agency. www.thefsp.com.au 

Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).I

If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In the latest Psych for Life episode, I speak with sociologist, Dr Sophie Brock about the Motherhood of today.

Dr Sophie Brock specialises in Motherhood Studies and offers education and professional training on the social construction of motherhood and how cultural systems shape maternal experience. Her work explores concepts such as the Perfect Mother Myth, the Care/Career Conundrum, and the Anger-Guilt Trap, translating sociological theory into practical frameworks supporting both mothers and the professionals who work with them.

Listen to our chat on - 

- why modern motherhood can feel so overwhelming and the myth of "the perfect mother"

- the impact of unrealistic expectations on what is "good mothering"

- Matrescence and why should we know about it

- the importance of recognising mothers as whole humans

Plus so much more.

You can connect with Sophie -

The Good Enough Mother Podcast

Mothers at Work Course

Email -  [email protected]

Insta and Facebook - @drsophiebrock

Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).I

If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In the latest episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Dr. Meher Chahal on healing inherited trauma.

Dr Chahal is a medical doctor, author, astrologer, entrepreneur, and investor trained in western medicine, psychiatry, systemic and family constellations therapy, Hellenistic astrology, and Jungian coaching. She left her psychiatry residency to pursue a radically different approach to mental health — one that looks beyond the individual to the family lineage and ancestral patterns that shape our psychology.

She is the author of Unlicensed Medicine, a groundbreaking book introducing readers to the concept of inherited trauma. Through her work in Family Constellation therapy and epigenetics, she helps people identify and heal these deep-rooted patterns.

Listen to our chat on - 

- how 90% of our emotional pain may not originate with us

- what is Family Constellation Therapy and how does epigenetics play a part

- the importance of considering the ancestral roots of pain in healing

- why unhealed trauma is transmitted and what we can do about it

 - the impact of unhealed trauma on ourselves and others and tips for healing

Plus so much more.

You can connect with Dr Chahal via - 

Buy her book Unlicensed Medicine - mybook.to/Unlicensedmedicine

Website - www.drmeherchahal.com — services include 1:1 consulting, astrology sessions, and business constellations

Email contact - [email protected]

Instagram - @DrMeherChahal

Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).I

If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In this episode of Psych for Life, I  chat with stress physiologist and evolutionary biologist, Dr Rebecca Heiss on harnessing stress as a springboard for goal achievement. 

Rebecca's work centres around eliminating the barriers between who you are, and who you want to become. Tackling fear, stress, and anxiety, with science-backed approaches to move you to a place of clarity, authenticity, and confidence. What more would you DO, what more would you BE, if you were fear(less)?

Listen in to our chat on -

- how to make stress work for you not against you
- why we need to learn how to limit stress inputs
- the impact of emotional contagion and why we should run into the roar
- how our stories impact our our physiology

and so much more!


You can connect with Dr Rebecca Heiss via -


https://rebeccaheiss.com/

Fearless Masterclass

Buy her new book Springboard - transform stress work for you


Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).I

If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Randall Thames, an executive coach and personal concierge advisor to c-suite leaders,  author, consultant, master top team effectiveness strategist, national speaker and facilitator, community and ministry leader. Randall is renowned for providing perspectives and insights that inspire cognitive reshaping which ignites decision and discipline to Discover Develop Display™ process and performance habits that create Inevitable Outcomes™ that impact everything. 

Listen in to our chat on - 

- what are the leadership archetypes to optimise the best self 

- what are the twins of trust in leadership and organisations

- why the distinction between identity and activity is important for optimal leadership

- what is meant by "Inevitable Outcomes™"

And so much more!


To connect with Randall - 

• Book: RISE TO THE ROLE BOOK
• Website inspiritinstitute.com

Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).I

If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with author, Caitlin Judd about her new book - Good Girl, Goodbye.

Caitlin is an author, coach and business strategist who helps women untangle their ‘Good Girl’ conditioning so they can design richer, more meaningful lives. Drawing on positive psychology, wellbeing and entrepreneurship, Caitlin helps women build purpose-led careers and businesses that reflect their individual definition of success. 

Listen in to our chat on - 

- the impact of good girl conditioning

- what are good girl archetypes or faces

- recognising good girl scripting in your life

- tips on how to undo the good girl in you using micro rebellion

- how to recognise the impact and sacrifice of good girl syndrome and the road to burnout

Plus so much more!

To connect with Caitlin or purchase her book see the links below -

Buy Good Girl, Goodbye:
BOOKTOPIA - http://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/VxrNqk
AMAZON - https://amzn.to/4rO8Zpa
WEBSITE – caitlinjudd.com 
SUBSTACK – https://caitlinjudd.substack.com/
INSTAGRAM - @itscaitlinjudd


Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).I

If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Tom Mitchell, Ph.D. who has spent his adult life coaching and teaching others how to discover their unique, greatness within. His passion for exploring the boundaries of performance excellence began as an athlete in his native Pennsylvania. His avid study of sport psychology, motivation, and leadership, has led Tom to a richly varied career as a college coach and professor, motivational speaker, NBA sport psychology counselor, business coach and team building consultant.

Using many of the mental training practices that are found in athletics, he skillfully integrates sport psychology principles into business. Speaking passionately about the intangibles or "soft skills" found in highly successful teams and leaders, Tom teaches us how to practice these intangibles and create a winning culture.

Listen in to our chat to learn - 

 - Why having clarity is important for elite performance and achieving goals

- The impact of mental cob webs and how to shed them

- The importance of considering what we don't want as much as what we do want

- How everything you need to succeed is already inside you

And so much more!

You can connect with Tom via - 

• Books and other products: The Winning Spirit 16, timeless principles that drive performance excellence (Amazon #1 best seller) 
• Websites for products, media, speaking engagements:  - www.tommitchell.com |  https://www.winningspiritcoach.com/founders
• Email: [email protected]

Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).I

If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with author Alina Bellchambers.

Alina grew up in her family’s bookstore and spent a childhood immersed in fantastical worlds. She now writes twisty thrillers and epic fantasies featuring morally grey characters, seductive court intrigue and powerful heroines.  The first book in her fantasy duology, The Order of Masks, published in 2024  became a national Dymocks and indie bookstore bestseller. It was followed by The Weight of Crowns in 2025.

Alina has a degree in psychology and is fascinated by neurodivergence, having been diagnosed as autistic herself. Most recently she acted in Hilltop Hoods’ music video The Gift and acclaimed horror film Bring Her Back. 

Listen in to our chat on - 

• Her Autistic experience, not diagnosed until she was 29yrs old
• Writing as a form of therapy and how she has managed her lifestyle after being diagnosed as autistic to better facilitate my neurological differences.
•  The experience of Aphantasia - a condition where she can’t see in mental pictures -  and how that impacts her writing

And so much more.

You can connect with Alina and purchase her books via - 

The Order of Masks and The Weight of Crowns are an epic fantasy duology, with dangerous enemies-to-lovers romance, deadly politics and a war to change the fate of empires. They are traditionally published in Australia and the UK and come in paperback, hardcover, ebook and audiobook formats.

To purchase, you can go to my books page on my website: https://www.alinabellchambers.com/books, google the names of my books or head straight to the Pan Macmillan page for Australian purchases: https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/9781761560149/ 

Or connect with Alina via her social channels - 

https://www.instagram.com/alinabellwrites

https://www.tiktok.com/@alinabellwrites

https://www.threads.com/@alinabellwrites

https://www.facebook.com/alina.bellchambers

https://x.com/AlinaBellWrites

Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).I

If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In my first Psych for Life episode for 2026, I'm chatting with romance author and trauma specialist, Dr Alicia Leigh, about how to heal trauma with storytelling.

Dr Alicia is a multi-published author of over 20 fiction and non-fiction books with a PhD  investigating how the romance genre serves as a medium through which to explore the complex themes of trauma, trauma response, post-trauma effects, and trauma recovery, subsequently identifying a “post-trauma romance” subgenre.

Listen in to our discussion on - 

 -  what is scripto-bibliotherapy and the importance of storytelling in trauma recovery

 -  why we should consider use of co-modalities in trauma therapy

- the 3 step recovery process and 9f model and their role in trauma processing

- learn what fading is as a trauma response and the importance of understanding its impact

Plus so much more.

To contact Dr Alicia and access her resources see below - 

Book: The Trauma-Informed writer 

Website, for products, media, speaking engagements etc: www.fallinlovewithleigh.com

Instagram - @akleighauthor

Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works - Rediscover yourself and transform your relationships and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available from my website and via Booktopia).I

If you enjoy listening to the Psych for Life podcast, please rate, review and subscribe on Apple, Spotify or wherever you're listening now.

Is there a pressing issue or topic you'd like me to discuss? Head to my instagram @dramandaferguson and leave a comment or send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.