The Laughter Clinic

By Mark McConville

The Laughter Clinic Podcast brings a refreshingly different approach to mental health education. Your host Mark McConville, is an Australian professional Comedian of 25+ years who also has a Master

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FAQs about The Laughter Clinic:

How many episodes does The Laughter Clinic have?

The podcast currently has 37 episodes available.

The Laughter Clinic episodes:

June 27, 2026 Chatting with film maker Medhavi Fernando about her upcoming docuseries 'Seriously Unserious'
In this episode, Mark chats with filmmaker Medhavi Fernando about her upcoming docuseries Seriously Unserious, a project exploring the real-life power of humour and laughter. They discuss documentary storytelling, therapeutic humour, comedy as craft, the science of laughter, and why being unserious might be one of the most serious things we can do for our wellbeing.
• what “laughter is the best medicine” means in real life
• Medhavi’s mix of tech, journalism, and self-taught filmmaking
• why the series is called Seriously Unserious
• the personal moments that spark the project
• shifting from one feature documentary to an episodic docuseries
• Kevin MacIsaac role as host and how he draws stories out
• guest arcs across cancer, workplace humour, productivity, and resilience
• the inclusion of neuroscience and psychology
• humour as reframing, coping, and emotional distance
• the hidden craft of comedy, including bombing and bouncing back
• the editing challenge of keeping story, context, and jokes
• how film festivals, broadcasters, and streaming pickups can work
• takeaways from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor conference
• Medhavi’s Feel Good Five and what keeps her grounded
Thank you for listening.
For more info on Medhavi Fernando visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/medhavifernando/

If you haven’t already done so, we invite you to hit the follow button, leave a comment, let us know your thoughts, or flick through the archives to see if there’s any other episodes that you think you may be interested in.

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

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1h 6min
June 18, 2026 Chatting with Comedian David Smiedt about Comedy, Cancer, and the power of a good joke.
In this episode, host Mark McConville speaks with Australian comedian and writer David Smiedt about laughter, cancer, stand-up comedy, resilience and mental health. David discusses his journey from South Africa to Australia, his early days in Sydney comedy, the lessons comedians learn from bombing, his throat cancer diagnosis and treatment, and his show Finding Chemo. Mark and David also explore bedside comedy in hospitals, humour in cancer treatment wards, healthcare worker wellbeing, dark humour, loneliness, AI, critical thinking and the role of laughter as a coping tool.
• laughter as a coping tool with clear limits
• growing up in apartheid South Africa and migrating to Sydney at 19
• discovering stand-up at the Comedy Store and the appeal of raw joke craft
• what bombing teaches about failure, learning and resilience
• old-school jokes, modern boundaries and why audiences still want gags
• critical thinking in the age of algorithms, polarised media and AI chatbots
• youth mental health, loneliness and the cost of losing real connection
• throat cancer diagnosis, treatment and using humour to get through it
• turning illness into writing and the show Finding Chemo
• bedside comedy in hospital, staff shows and what nurses’ humour reveals
Thank you for listening.
We invite you to hit the follow button or share this episode or have a flick through and see what content you think your friends and family might be interested in.
For More info on David Smiedt:
Insta: @davidsmiedt
Website: davidsmiedt.com.au
Wil Anderson Inst: @officialwilanderson

Want more info?

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

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1h 15min
May 29, 2026 Moral Injury: The Hidden Wounds of Service, Organisational Betrayal and Recovery. A conference wrap up with Jodi Allen.
In this episode Jodi Allen joins me to unpack the first ever Australia and New Zealand Moral Injury Conference that we both attended recently. We get clear on what moral injury is and what it is not. We talk through how betrayal, guilt, shame, and “stuckness” can show up in service and everyday workplaces, then map out what moral repair can actually look like in real life.

• Why moral injury is different from normal moral distress
• The ADF definition and the three common moral injury pathways
• How moral injury overlaps with PTSD and where it diverges
• Why chaplains and spirituality keep coming up, even for the non-religious
• Why moral injury is not a formal diagnosis yet
• Adaptive Disclosure Therapy and the power of safe disclosure
• Dean Yates’ lived experience and why forgiveness can be part of recovery
• Organisational betrayal, WorkCover stress, and how systems block healing
• Evidence-based therapies that come up most: ACT, CBT, EMDR
• The non-clinical essentials: social connection, mindfulness
• Moral injury in teaching, nursing, whistleblowing, and rural and remote work
• Why lived experience voices matter and how stigma can silence people
• Practical workplace steps from Nikki Jamieson and Moral Injury Australia

Thanks for listening.
If you haven't already done so, hit the follow button, leave a comment, love to hear from you, and share this content with anyone who you feel as though may benefit from this material.

Want more info on Moral Injury Australia visit: https://moralinjuryaustralia.com.au
Want more info on Jodi Allen visit:
https://www.jodiallennutrition.com
Want more info on the Australia & New Zealand Moral Injury Conference:
Visit: https://anzmoralinjuryconference.com.au
Dean Yates book 'Line in the Sand'
https://www.booktopia.com.au/line-in-the-sand-dean-yates/book/9781761264429.html?source=pla&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21618361565&gclid=CjwKCAjw8uTQBhAdEiwAVvtJyuEAB_z_v1FxO4md1O1x0nFgTBuiiJcxZwGrYrfPheD5XoUB4d9tQRoCG5gQAvD_BwE

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

...more
1h 18min
May 19, 2026 The Prescription We're Not Writing: Social Prescribing and Australia's Missed Budget Opportunity
"The evidence is no longer the problem. The problem is political will."
The central message in this solo episode is clear: Australia now has a government-commissioned national feasibility study showing that social prescribing is evidence-based, internationally validated, economically sensible, and aligned with the real world social drivers of health, yet the 2026-27 Australian Federal Budget appears to have ignored it entirely.
• Social prescribing explained
• Link workers as the bridge between general practice and community support
• Feasibility study findings on loneliness, and social isolation
• International evidence from the UK and Canada
• The economic case and social return on investment figures
• What a National Centre for Social Prescribing would do
• Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services as longstanding leaders in integrated care
• What the 2026–27 federal budget funds and what it ignores on social prescribing
• RACGP public support versus the absence of social prescribing in its budget response
• Where social prescribing is already happening in Australia and why it remains siloed
• Practical ways clinicians, community groups, policymakers and listeners can push change

Link to the Social Prescribing in the Australian Context:
A National Feasibility Study REPORT November 2025
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/67379edcb04b274d1635e728/t/693f2d5781500017dba9a768/1765748055342/social-prescribing-in-the-australian-context.pdf
Link to the RACGP Social Prescribing Day Statement:
https://www.racgp.org.au/gp-news/media-releases/2026-media-releases/march-2026/social-prescribing-day-racgp-calls-for-community-c
Link to the RACGP Overview of the Federal Budget 2026-27 (Health)
13 May 2026
https://www.racgp.org.au/getmedia/cf57e3b9-2d6c-4347-981c-b78e97cb29fb/RACGP-2026-27-Budget-Response-Detailed-Analysis-Response.pdf.aspx
To learn more about Social Prescribing in Australia vistit ASPIRE: Australian Social Prescribing Institute of Research and Education.
https://www.creatingopportunitiestogether.com.au/

Thank you for listening, If you enjoyed the episode, please share and subscribe.
Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

...more
40min
May 11, 2026 Chatting with Sue Murray OAM about Suicide Prevention in the health care system and the National Suicide Prevention Conference.
Content Warning: This episode discusses the topic of suicide, and suicide prevention, listener discrection is advised.
This week I chat with Sue Murray OAM - Practice Leader of the Zero Suicide Institute of Australasia and former CEO of Suicide Prevention Australia and the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
We discuss the Zero Suicide Healthcare framework, workforce training gaps in mental health and suicide prevention, the importance of lived experience in suicide prevention, the role of peer workers in hospital emergency departments, and Australia's National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035.
Sue also shares her experience of the National Suicide Prevention Conference held in Sydney recently, and how the conference has changed over the years.
Topics discussed:
• Serendipity, leadership, and scaling community health organisations
• Moving from The National Breast Cancer Foundation into Suicide Prevention
• What the OAM means to Sue and why she frames it as a collective effort
• Stigma as a barrier to help seeking and what actually reduces it
• Lived experience leadership, and why systems can be slow to change
• The elements of the Zero Suicide Framework
• Workforce shortages, training gaps for clinicians
• Highlights from the Suicide Prevention Australia National Conference
• AI chatbots in mental health and the risks that demand caution
• The National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025–2035, social prescribing, and keeping well people well
• Peer workers as a potential game changer across hospitals emergency departments
For more infomation about the Zero Suicide Institute of Australasia:
https://www.zerosuicide.com.au
To follow Sue Murray's work:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-murray-oam-0479a74/

If you like the episode, hit the follow button, leave a comment or share it with some friends and family whoever you think might benefit from this material.
Thanks for listening.

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

...more
1h 23min
April 25, 2026 ANZAC Day, 28 Years in Comedy, Suicide Prevention Conference, Churchill Fellowship, and Social Prescribing for Australia
ANZAC Day always makes me slow down and reflect. I’m up before dawn, standing with thousands of strangers, all joined by a common goal, to pay our respects and honour the fallen. Listening to words like the Requiem and the Ode, being moved by the sound of the Last Post being played, and remembering that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off.
In this solo episode I also share a personal milestone, why I’m heading back to the Suicide Prevention Australia National Conference as a delegate, and a Churchill Fellowship application that could be life changing.

• ANZAC Day dawn service traditions and why they still move us
• The Requiem, the Ode, and what “lest we forget” asks of us
• Acknowledging defence and veteran suicide alongside remembrance
• What “thank you for your service” leaves out about families
• My 28 year stand up comedy anniversary and the career pivot lesson
• How the comedy industry has changed, especially festival culture
• Why making others laugh can support mental health and connection
• Returning to the national suicide prevention conference
• What a Churchill Fellowship is and my timely application
• Comedy programs in the UK, USA, and Canada worth studying
• Social prescribing definitions and the four main intervention types
• How comedy could fit under arts and culture prescribing in Australia
• A prompt to give yourself a practical social prescription
Thank you so much for listening.
If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe or leave a comment, you know, all that jazz. It's greatly appreciated. 🙏

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

...more
49min
April 17, 2026 Chatting with Mathew De Goldi, Australia’s Most Famous Clown.
This week I sit down with Mathew De Goldi, aka GOLDIE the Clown, to unpack what it really takes to make kids and adults laugh. We talk craft, character, clown fear, and why humour can be a genuine support for mental health when life gets heavy. For 35 yrs he's been a crowd favorite around Australia.
Things we chat about:
• Clowns in pop culture and how scary clown myths spread
• GOLDIE'S origin story from country Victoria to joining the circus at 12
• Dreamworld roving performance versus big top routines
• Building a repeatable “formula” while keeping it fresh
• How character gives permission to be outrageous while staying G rated
• Dealing with teens, heckling, and turning chaos into play
• Performing through grief and using laughter as a coping tool
• Clown fear in real life and gentle exposure that helps
• COVID, fuel costs, and what keeps a travelling circus alive
• Life on the road, audience energy, and why some towns hold back
• Purpose, service, and finding meaning in making others laugh
Thanks for listening.
For more about Mathew De Goldi, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/mathew.degoldi
https://www.facebook.com/hudsonscircus
https://www.instagram.com/mdegoldi/
If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe or leave a comment, you know, all that jazz. It's greatly appreciated. 🙏

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

...more
1h 34min
April 09, 2026 When AI Meets Mental Health: Dr Clarence Tan on AI Safety Guardrails, and the Future of Human Connection
What happens when one of Australia's most forward-thinking exponential technology experts sits down with a comedian-turned-suicidologist to talk about AI, mental health, and the future of being human? You get one of the most thought-provoking conversations on the The Laughter Clinic Podcast.

In this episode, Mark McConville welcomes Dr Clarence Tan, former Singularity University Asia Pacific Ambassador, exponential technology educator, angel investor, and self-described "wannabe Chinese comedian", for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from dancing robots to AI therapy chatbots, from ikigai and life purpose to the loneliness epidemic, and from the first tool ever made in space to why compassion may be the one thing machines can never truly replicate.

This episode is also deeply personal. Mark and Clarence share a 15-year friendship that includes a mentoring relationship that directly shaped The Laughter Clinic's inception, including the pivotal 2014 meeting with Professor Diego De Leo that launched Mark's university journey. If you've ever wondered how The Laughter Clinic came to be, this is the episode with the origin story.

Topics covered in this episode:
• Humour & Laughter as a bridge for hard topics and human connection
• Singularity University and the mindset shift to exponential thinking
• Mentorship, and building evidence-based mental health work
• Why AI hits “brain jobs” first and what that means for young people and career planning
• Ikigai as a practical framework for purpose beyond job titles
• Generative AI vs OpenAI and why AI literacy matters
• Critical thinking, and the limits of AI output
• Loneliness as a global crisis and the appeal of anonymous 2am chatbots
• Cybela and the idea of an AI early intervention with guardrails
• Accessibility gaps in mental health care and where AI may help
• Empathy, lived experience, and why compassion is hard to replicate in machines

If you like the episode and you feel as though someone you know would be interested in this type of content, please leave a review, share it with your network, and help as many people get this material as possible.

For more info about Dr Clarence Tan, visit:

https://drctan.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drctan/

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

...more
1h 8min
April 04, 2026 TLC PULSE: 10 Mental Health Stories Worth Your Attention
In this latest Pulse Episode I share ten interesting stories from around the world that sit at the intersection of mental health, suicide prevention, humour & laughter research and everyday self-care. From big system changes like free Medicare Mental Health support and defence reform in Australia, to personal strategies like safety plans, nature connection and even what chocolate does to your brain, this ep covers a lot.
The 10 stories:
• Free Medicare Mental Health Check-In and what it looks like
https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/mental-health/australians-can-now-access-free-mental-health-support-through-new-medicare-service/news-story/686d9a18aca92c2c5f667530412bb287
https://www.medicarementalhealthcheckin.gov.au/
• WHO recommendations for responsible AI in mental health
https://www.who.int/news/item/20-03-2026-towards-responsible-ai-for-mental-health-and-well-being--experts-chart-a-way-forward
• Israeli performers bringing laughter therapy and hope during wartime
https://www.jfeed.com/culture/israeli-artists-wartime-performances

• Doctors using kind humour to strengthen connection and reduce stress
https://www.guardian.co.tt/opinion/medicine-and-laughter-6.2.2551797.51cab46497

• New research on humour improving wellbeing in later life
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260401/New-research-links-humor-to-improved-wellbeing-in-later-life.aspx

• Defence and veterans suicide reforms and the need for real action
https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2026-03-31/defence-veterans-service-commissioner-bill-passes-parliament

• Men’s wellbeing groups and why safe spaces help men open up
https://theconversation.com/mens-wellbeing-groups-are-growing-and-helping-fill-gaps-in-mental-health-support-276933

• Evidence-based guidance for suicidal thoughts and how to build a safety plan CONTENT WARNING THIS STORY DISCUSSES SUICIDE
https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/threshold/202603/caring-for-the-part-of-you-that-wants-to-die

• Nature connectedness linked with wellbeing across 75 countries
https://theconversation.com/a-connection-to-nature-fuels-well-being-worldwide-according-to-a-study-of-38-000-people-276572

• What does chocolate do to your brain?
https://hmri.org.au/news-and-stories/what-does-chocolate-do-to-your-brain/

If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a review.

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

...more
1h 21min
March 22, 2026 Life Skills Masterclass Part 4: Managing your Emotions, Mindfulness, and Lifestyle Medicine.
The series finale of the Life Skills Masterclass.
Mark and Jodi bring together the WHO's 10 life skills framework — augmented with mindfulness and lifestyle medicine — into one cohesive, daily-ready integration. In this episode they cover the "Integration Trio": managing emotions, mindfulness, and lifestyle medicine, weaving in personal stories, clinical experience, evidence-based tools, and genuine warmth throughout. At 2 hours and 11 minutes, this is the longest episode of the series and arguably the most personal — featuring Mark's raw disclosure about his past anger, ADHD diagnosis, and grief, Jodi's real-time grief over losing her dog Peppa, and a beautiful mutual appreciation as the series wraps.

The episode closes with the 30-Day Life Skills Integration Challenge — a practical call to action inviting listeners to cycle through all 12 life skills over 30 days.

• emotions as messengers, not problems
• recognising triggers and naming feelings with the Feeling Wheel
• fast anxiety tools with breath, grounding, and movement
• normalising anger and choosing safe outlets and boundaries
• mindfulness without myths, present-moment awareness in daily life
• STOP and RAIN as quick resets between trigger and choice
• body scan and PMR for nervous system downshifts and sleep
• lifestyle medicine pillars: food, movement, sleep, stress, substances, connection
• Mediterranean-style eating for mood and gut health
• strength training, exercise snacks, and weekend warriors
• sleep hygiene that sticks, not strict rules
• habit stacking and transitions to make habits automatic
• the 30-day integration challenge across all 12 life skills

Take the 30-day Life Skills Masterclass Challenge: each day, pick one skill to practise and cycle through all twelve. Let us know how it changes your week.

If you've enjoyed this episode, please share it with your friends, leave a comment, like, subscribe, all of that sort of stuff

For More Info on Jodi Allen:
https://www.jodiallennutrition.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-allen-944a76138/
https://www.youtube.com/@jodiallenyoga
Insta: @jodiallennutrition

For more info on The Feeling Wheel:
https://feelingswheel.com

For more info on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction – MBSR
https://www.australiacounselling.com.au/MBSR-mindfulness-based-stress-reduction/

Website: www.thelaughterclinic.com.au
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thelaughterclinicAus
"If you or someone you know needs support, please contact one of these Australian mental health services. In an emergency, always call 000."
Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 11 14 (24/7)
Web: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
Phone: 1300 659 467 (24/7)
Web: suicidecallbackservice.org.au
Beyond Blue
Phone: 1300 22 4636 (24/7)
Web: beyondblue.org.au
Kids Helpline (for people aged 5-25)
Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7)
Web: kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia
Phone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Web: mensline.org.au
SANE Australia (complex mental health issues)
Phone: 1800 18 7263
Web: sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQ+ support)
Phone: 1800 184 527
Web: qlife.org.au
Open Arms (Veterans & Families Counselling)
Phone: 1800 011 046 (24/7)
Web: openarms.gov.au
1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence)
Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7)
Web: 1800respect.org.au
Headspace (youth mental health, ages 12-25)
Phone: 1800 650 890
Web: headspace.org.au
13YARN (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support)
Phone: 13 92 76 (13YARN) (24/7)
Web: 13yarn.org.au
Music by Hayden Smith
https://www.haydensmith.com

...more
2h 12min

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How many episodes does The Laughter Clinic have?

The podcast currently has 37 episodes available.