In this episode of The Applied Mind, I sit down with psychotherapist Sophie Cook to unpack the deep connections between trauma and addiction. Sophie brings a raw and human perspective from her extensive experience —exploring the ways we carry trauma, how it manifests in destructive patterns, and what the underlying mechanism of addiction and trauma actually are. Whether you’ve walked this path yourself or want to understand it better, Sophie’s insights will shift the way you think about trauma and recovery.

Infertility rates across the developed world are on the rise — and around one in six Australian couples will face fertility challenges. A major part of the problem? A decline in sperm count and quality.

In this episode, I’m joined by reproductive biologist Dr. Geoffrey De Iuliis, whose world-leading research is uncovering the hidden factors behind male infertility. From oxidative stress and environmental toxins to the potential effects of mobile phone radiation, Geoff’s team is asking the hard questions: Why does infertility occur in some men? How can we treat it? And what lifestyle changes can protect fertility?

We dive deep into the science of sperm health, exploring how damage at the molecular level can sabotage fertility and how social factors are pushing younger generations decisions to conceive back later and later.

Whether you’re planning a family, working in health, or simply curious about how modern life is impacting men’s biology, this conversation sheds light on a silent crisis and where the science is taking us.

We sit down with Ari Paparestis – a psychologist with real experience working on both sides of our juvenile justice centres. Expect to learn what life is like as a guard but also what life is like for some of the youth who are being detained - we dive into Ari’s humorous journey into psychology, explore the raw lessons learned inside juvenile detention, and unpack the mental game behind boxing.