During Summer, I’ll be sharing my Summer Series - a replay of some of our most popular Psych for Life podcast episodes. I hope you enjoy them as much as my other listeners have.

In this episode, I chat with motivational speaker, author, researcher and podcaster, Craig Harper. We discuss audacious goals, self awareness, motivation and so much more.

Listen in to hear -
- What big hairy audacious goals (BHAG) are and why we might pursue them
- Why we are our own biggest projects and the challenge is not to be right, it's to learn to be the best you can be, learning along the way
- How the things we do on the days we really don't want to, can impact us most
- Why fear of failure AND fear of success contribute to our self sabotaging behaviours

This power packed episode offers lots of insight into how we can work towards our goals and improve our relationships by increasing our self awareness.

Links:

https://www.craigharper.net
The You Project Podcast
Instagram: @whiteboardlessons

During Summer, I’ll be sharing my 2024 Summer Series - a replay of some of our most popular Psych for Life podcast episodes. I hope you enjoy them as much as my other listeners have

So many people struggle to switch off at all and find themselves spending breaks (even lunch breaks, let alone holidays) on devices, or madly trying to multi task lots of other seemingly must do items - which defeats the purpose of the break and then they wonder why they don't feel like they had a break at all. 

Does this sound familiar? Do you struggle to REALLY switch off?

In this episode you’ll learn why it is so important to fully switch off and you’ll gain tips on how to do this, as well as how to deal with anxieties during holidays and other more formal time off.

Liked this topic? Grab a copy of my book, Life Works and begin your pathway to deeper self-connection and happiness (available online at my website).

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 send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

Social anxiety is a chronic mental health condition where everyday social interactions cause irrational worry and anxiety, fear, self consciousness and embarrassment. Debilitating and bad for confidence, particularly at social times of the year such as Christmas, end of year, birthdays and work celebrations.

So listen in to this episode of Psych for Life to learn:

- what is social anxiety, obsessive thinking and other related disorders

- gain tips for dealing with these disorders

- And hear about the range of current clinical treatments

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).

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 send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

Should you or someone you know be experiencing anxiety issues, we recommend you consult your GP or a psychologist.

In this episode of Psych for Life I chat with cognitive neuroscientist, Dr. Sarah Tashjian. Sarah is a Lecturer within the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences with her research focusing on using brain imaging and computational techniques to understand how humans make optimal decisions. She has a particular interest in the way individuals perceive threat, safety, and reward, and how these processes contribute to risk for mental health problems during adolescence and early adulthood. 

Listen in to our chat on how to protect ourselves and our goals during times of uncertainty and stress. We cover:

- why all humans are motivated to survive, wanting to gain rewards to thrive and avoid threats to stay safe

- how this innate drive is being impacted in our current VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) times

- The protective power of personal goals

- Tips to help us manage threats to our sense of safety and the importance of sociality

Plus so much more!

To connect with Dr Sarah Tashjian find her website and social media options below:

www.sarahmtashjian.com

Twitter: @TashjianSM

See Dr Sarah's recent interview on Life Matters for ABC Australia where she talks about healtyh risk taking behaviours in adolescence

https://abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/?utm_content=twitter&utm_medium=content_

Other references and resources from this episode:

Chapter 9 A Mutualism, Affiliation and Status Seeking (MASS) Framework of Fundamental Affective Dynamics and Their Survival Benefits

Dean Mobbs , Sarah M. Tashjian , and Brian Silston, in Christian E. WaughPeter Kuppens (Editors) Affect Dynamics, Springer.

ISBN 978-3-030-82964-3 ISBN 978-3-030-82965-0 (eBook)

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-82965-0

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).

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 send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

Most of us suffer cost of living crises personally in our lives, as do our nations and as does the world at times. It impacts how we celebrate special occasions. So with Christmas coming up and as the pressure to spend and socialise increases, this episode explores what you as an individual can do about this, plus tips and optimal strategic mindsets and practices you can use to help navigate these more difficult times.  

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).

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 send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In this episode of Psych for Life, I'm chatting to Megan Golightly, one of the most popular organizing and decluttering influencers in North America. Megan is best known for weaving her psychology background and interest in neuroscience into the help she provides, promoting the importance of mental health and positive change.

Listen in to this episode to learn:

- The impact of clutter on our mental wellbeing

- The difference between clutter and hoarding as a mental health concern
- Why you want to break the pattern of cluttering and being disorganised?

- The benefits of "going more lightly" in your home


To connect with Megan Golightly and learn more about how she can help, see below:

Go Simplified

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).

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 send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

Evil is real and does live amongst us. But who teaches us how to deal with bullies, abuse, cruelty and even criminals in our personal and work life ?

Unless you’ve suffered at the hands of this – it’s very hard to believe, understand and accept the extreme level of cruelty and abuse that antisocial people can and do dish out on anyone who gets in their way. For those of us who have been on the receiving end, when others close to us or in position of authority don't believe us and can’t help nor empathise – it can be extremely painful and frightening.  

In this episode:

·      You’ll learn that bullying and evil can be hidden or covert as well as visible or overt

·      That occurs just as easily in families, friendships, general society, workplace and business 

·      You’ll gain tips on how to manage bullying and evil when you encounter it. 

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). 

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 send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

I welcome back author, speaker and activator, Michelle Scheibner. With over 30 years experience in coaching, mentoring, advising individuals and groups. Her extensive training includes a post graduate Diploma in Career Development. In 2016 the passing of her former partner and constant companion opened the wounds of absent perspectives of herself. In 2022 Michelle became a published TEDx Speaker on the subject of identity. In 2024, she released her memoir HUSH: unravelling the unintended legacy of family secrets.  

In this episode of Psych for Life, Michelle generously bares her heart and experience of caring for her terminally ill soul mate and ex-partner. If you or someone you know is a carer, this episode and the lived experience and gems Michelle so willingly shares, will help so many in similar situations.

You can find out more, buy her book and connect with Michelle via her website:https://www.Michellescheibner.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. 

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 send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

We hear about self esteem and self-love often. So what really are they and how do we enhance ours if it feels like they may be a little lacking? Listen to this power ep as I discuss all things self esteem and self love. 

This episode includes:

- understanding more about self esteem and self love

- why is acceptance so important

- you’ll learn a process of self acceptance that increases self esteem and you’ll gain another process that enhances self-love

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).

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 send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Tara Hurster, Founder and CEO of The TARA Clinic – or Therapeutic Addiction Recovery Assistance – providing Modern Addiction Support For Successful People. She is a Psychologist & Speaker.

Join us as we discuss:

- how addiction doesn't discriminate

- modern solutions to addiction

- what are the Stages of Change

- the impact of shame and guilt in addiction recovery

- the importance of removing stigma and showing compassion

 You can contact Tara via:

Free Resources - https://www.thetaraclinic.com/free

Premium Recovery Essentials Program https://www.thetaraclinic.com/essentials

Instagram - @thetaraclinic

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarahurster/

Or contact Tara via www.thetaraclinic.com 

Other resources discussed in the episode:

The Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015

SMART Recovery Australia https://smartrecoveryaustralia.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).

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 send me a DM! I love hearing from my listeners.