We have never had access to so much information. But does it help or hurt us when it comes to seeking answers to support our mental health? The answer may surprise you.

Because there was so much more to cover in last week's episode, Antonia and Jacqui dive even deeper into the world of therapy.

They tackle the avalanche of self-diagnosis, offering advice on how to ensure you get the correct diagnosis and the right support.

Jacqui shares her views on self-help books and provides credible resources for those who may not have access to therapy. The prohibitive cost of therapy is another issue the girls unpack.

This episode is one that everyone will find helpful because, let's be honest, we could all use some guidance in figuring out what is fact and what is fiction.

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…Ok but what is therapy? 

Firstly (and I know we say this every episode) but this is a chat that everyone can benefit from. Whether you have your psychologist on speed dial or have never seen the inside of an office. 

This week Jacqui and Antonia demystify the process and delve into its importance beyond just addressing crises. They highlight the way it can be used to support mental health, personal growth, and overall well-being. They also clarify the role of a psychologist and how it differs from others offering support in the space.

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This week's conversation between Antonia and Jacqui can be a…well, sensitive subject. 

Historically, being called ‘sensitive’ has been equated with weakness. Thankfully, because of thorough research from numerous scholars (we are looking at you Dr. Arthur and Dr Elaine Aron) we have a much deeper understanding of what it means to be ‘a sensitive person’. 

As always, Jacqui’s clinical psychologist lens provides crucial insights into what it means to be a highly sensitive person. The characteristics are probably more diverse than what you expect and the positive ways that it can impact your life may not be common knowledge either. Of course, there are also challenges, which Antonia can relate to, so the pair talk through what they are and how to navigate them. 

This is such a beautiful conversation. One that you will benefit from if you believe you're sensitive yourself or know someone who tends to have a sensitive side. You'll come away with a better understanding of how it affects you or someone you know, and how best to navigate it. 

Sit in a quiet spot, grab a fly swot (IYKYK) and have a listen. 

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This week Antonia and Jacqui are exploring a topic that is another favorite in the self help section of bookstores.  

Habits..they touch every aspect of our lives. From the morning routines that set the tone for our day, to the more unconscious patterns that can hold us back.

As always the girls simplify the science behind how we form habits and how they shape our success. They also explain why it’s so hard to change ‘just one little thing.’

Jacqui shares why self-compassion, rather than self-judgment, is the key to helping us build positive habits and enabling us to design our days with intention.

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95% of all parents will have issues with their connection at one point or another. Often it comes after having children, as parents grapple with maintaining their relationship with each other while dealing with the intense demands of raising kids.

But you're not alone. 

Clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire and Antonia Prebble talk about how to open up and have potentially vulnerable conversations with your partner that ultimately bring you closer together. We also discuss the importance of being clear on your own personal needs, but also why you don't always need to be the expert on every situation. 

We also talk about sex, which can be a really important piece of the connection jigsaw. Sex is impacted by all the other things that happen in our lives, and while the advice on this topic might be less romantic than it could be, we stand by the results!

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As a clinical psychologist, Jacqui Maguire sees burnout a lot. She's watched it become more and more prevalent in the last few years, and is well versed in its signs, symptoms, and common causes.

She's also seen it become a bit of a buzzword. One that can be used to describe how people are trying to keep up with fast-paced lives. But, in this episode Jacqui and Antonia Prebble unpack what burnout really means, leaning on the scientific evidence for both individuals and workplaces.

Jacqui clarifies what it can look like for individuals. The pair talk about how burnout operates, how it differs from stress, and how to recognise it. As well as well as effective techniques to handle it, and practical advice to lessen some of the psychological aspects of burnouts impact. 

For workplaces - we hate to break it to you - preventing burnout is about much more than a fruit bowl and a ping pong table. We talk about the best things organisations can do to genuinely help their staff and avoid the costly repercussions of burning your people out.

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Hello to our beautiful listeners! We are so sorry but we have a slight change of plan and will now be going on a break for the rest of this year. We just wanted to update you on what has been going on behind the scenes. And, not to be too mysterious, but we do have some exciting news in here! x 

We can't wait to get back to sharing 'What Matters Most' with you next year - We have so much planned and promise it will be worth the wait! 

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Ah, money: Right now, money – or the lack of it – is a real hot-button topic as New Zealanders battle a cost-of-living crisis. If you’ve found yourself worrying about finances this year, first of all you’re FAR from the only one, in fact, 57% of Kiwis surveyed in recent studies are worried, too.

So in this episode of What Matters Most, you’ll hear Jacqui and Antonia talk openly about budgets, finances and how the rising cost of living is truly impacting so many of us in Aotearoa.

But, as ever, Jacqui is here with tips to lessen some of the psychological aspects of financial strain, including techniques to tackle your response to stress as well as practical advice that’ll help your bank balance anxiety.

Simple steps like opening up to people you trust, knowing what your spending triggers and habits are and removing the stigma of financial strain are all great places to start, Jacqui says – as well as knowing how to actually identify if you need some help.

Jacqui also talks about why we’re not good at talking about money as a society, how to re-prioritise spending, why self-care simply doesn’t cut it when dealing with money worries, how to shift the conversation towards ways of spending less money, and why doing a self-audit is the most important start when it comes to relieving the mental pressure of financial strain.

We’d also like to say a big warm thank you to our wonderful sponsors of this episode: The fantastic folks at Woop, who keep our bellies deliciously full and warm, and the lovely team at Emma who ensure we get a good night’s sleep!

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We all experience it – the dizzying highs of helpful emotions, and the crushing lows of the unhelpful ones. In this episode, Jacqui explains exactly what is emotion regulation – and how, if you develop some simple skills, you’ll be able to identify and navigate your thoughts and feelings in a far healthier way.

You’ll hear heaps of tips and tricks as to how to actually label what the emotion your feeling is – did you know that anger is a secondary emotion, and you’re probably feeling something else underneath?

Jacqui also talks through how there are no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ emotions – rather, it’s about identifying ‘helpful’ and ‘unhelpful’ emotions, and then figuring out how to either up-regulate the helpful emotions – happiness, joy, success – and down-regulate the unhelpful ones, such as sadness, disappointment or hurt.

Jacqui and Antonia also go through how to help and teach your kids on emotional regulation (or “superpowers, as Jacqui calls them – she’s even written a book about her daughter, When the Wind Blew, on the subject!) and offer some super-easy and practical tips for adults, ranging from thought strategies through to pure physiological ways of managing unhelpful emotions (cold shower, anyone?!)

We’d also like to say a big warm thank you to our wonderful sponsors of this episode: The fantastic folks at Woop, who keep our bellies deliciously full and warm, and the lovely team at Emma who ensure we get a good night’s sleep!

Sponsor Codes: Woop are offering our listeners 30% off their first box. Just use the code PODCAST at the checkout.

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It’s been an incredibly challenging year for many Kiwis, and to those who are rebuilding their lives after the impacts of a natural disaster, Jacqui and Antonia send you their love and support.

It’s an unfortunate sign of the times that this week, close friends Jacqui Maguire, a clinical psychologist, and Antonia Prebble, actor and presenter, tackle the subject that has been most requested this year: dealing with the effects of a natural disaster.

In this episode, Jacqui breaks down the three stages we typically go through and how we can best look after ourselves – and one another – during these different periods. The pair discuss what PTSD can look like, plus how to find a new routine, hope and gratitude in the wake of a major event. And, importantly the delve into exactly what we can do to care for and support children who are caught up in natural disasters. 

“Kia kaha,” says Jacqui. “Stand together – remember that social capital is what will support our communities to survive from a health, mental health and economic perspective. We get through it, together.”

“And please remember, there is no right way to feel. As a country we owe it to anybody struggling after a natural disaster to remember and stand alongside you – that is our duty, to be a team of five million.”

If you’re looking for more resources after today’s episode, for a start, please head to:

Get Ready: Brought to you by Civil Defence, this resource talks you through how to get prepared, what to do in an emergency and how to get involved in the aftermath

Anxiety NZ: How to cope with anxiety during disasters and emergencies

Headspace: How to cope with the stress of natural disasters

The Student Volunteer Army: As Jacqui mentioned, the SVA (formed after the Christchurch Earthquake) responds to the acute needs of local communities.

New Zealand Red Cross: Donate to the New Zealand Disaster Fund, plus read about updates and the best ways to get support, or to support those affected by the recent severe weather events.

We’d also like to say a big warm thank you to our wonderful sponsors of this episode: The fantastic folks at Woop, who keep our bellies deliciously full and warm, and the lovely team at Emma who ensure we get a good night’s sleep!

Sponsor Codes: Woop are offering our listeners 30% off their first box. Just use the code PODCAST at the checkout.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.