Imperfect Us

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Maxine Therese, who has an unwavering focus and deep passion for nurturing children's boundless potential. Throughout our conversation, she introduces a groundbreaking theory that reimagines children as an integrated entity encompassing body, mind, and spirit.

Today we are speaking with Linda Rowley who is a wellbeing facilitator and coach working with individuals and workplaces to create shared wellbeing goals. Linda has a professional interest in grief and loss, particularly ambiguous loss and how it impacts our lives. In her practice, Linda draws on current research on ambiguous loss, positive psychology and wellbeing science coupled with her own lived experience.

We are so proud to share this conversation with our wonderful Producer. Brenton Ainsworth who is a passionate teacher and the Director of his Wellbeing Company Ignite All. He is currently working with at risk youth in Western Australia and is known by his students, colleagues and parents for his strengths of kindness, creativity and wisdom, and bringing out the best in his students and colleagues. This has resulted in Brent being invited to participate in a variety of coaching experiences across the globe.

In this episode, we are talking to Angelina Eynon, who teaches leadership to the next generation of leaders at Monash University in the faculty of Business and Economics in their Master of Business programs. She has a degree in political science from the Australian National University, a graduate diploma in communications from Monash University, and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (Wellbeing Science) from the University of Melbourne. Her capstone thesis was Thriving Women, Thriving Workplaces: Shifting the Paradigm about women, gender equality, wellbeing and Work.

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In this short episode, we reflect on the year that's been and look forward to a fabulous 2024.

In this episode, we learn about connecting to country with Dr Paul Callaghan, an Aboriginal man from the land of the Worimi people and author of The Dreaming Path.

In this conversation we are speaking with Jodie Cooper who is an expert in positive psychology helping leaders to develop a mindset and culture that's more positive, productive and profitable. Jodie has a master's in positive psychology, a degree in commerce and graduated as an officer in the Australian Army Reserve at Duntroon.

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In Episode 35. we talk to Dr. Tom Brunzell who is the Director of Education at Berry Street. An honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne Graduate School of Education, Tom presents internationally on topics including transforming school culture, student engagement, trauma aware practice and effective school leadership.

Tom is the co-author of Creating Trauma Informed Strengths Based Classrooms, and his research at the University of Melbourne investigates both the negative impacts of secondary traumatic stress and the positive impacts of wellbeing on teachers and leaders working towards educational equity in their communities.

Today, we are talking with the co-founder of the Posify Group Mariane Power. Mariane is a clinical psychologist, speaker, workshop facilitator, executive coach and entrepreneur obsessed with all things related to meaningful living, human potential and diversity.

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In this episode, we are speaking with Dina Pozzo, who is the founder and director of Insium. Dina is a facilitator, speaker and coach with a Master's in Applied Positive Psychology, and is an accredited facilitator for Dr. Brene Brown's Dare to Lead, courage building program. Dina has also developed Insiums Leading with Courage program and Workplace Courage questionnaire.

Dr. Phil Richmond is a practicing veterinarian and the founder of the Flourishing Phoenix Veterinary Consultants. Dr. Phil advocates for positive psychological health, safety, and wellbeing in veterinary workplaces. And is involved in state, national, and international projects for advancing workplace wellbeing and culture in veterinary medicine. Dr. Phil is the Florida Veterinary Medical Association's Professional Wellbeing Committee Chair, and is also a member and advisor for several national committees and boards for workplace suicide prevention, psychological health and safety, and veterinary wellbeing.

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In this episode, we speak with Dr Paul Wong, Professor Emeritus of Trent University and Trinity Western University. A Fellow of APA, APS, and CPA, Dr Wong is the founding President of the International Network on Personal Meaning. As a servant leader, he has been a pastor, founding director of the graduate counselling psychology program of Trinity Western University and Head of the Division of Social Sciences of Tyndale University. He has published eight books and 300+ journal articles and chapters. He is one of the most cited psychologists in areas related to existential positive psychology. He has made significant contributions to the quest for meaning, self-transcendence, death acceptance, successful ageing, existential suffering, and palliative care.

In this episode, we thank you for your support and share some of the unexpected surprises that have emerged from our recent struggles.

In this episode, we are chatting with Dr Becky Black who has worked as a teacher and school counsellor working with children and young adults to improve their mental health and wellbeing. Becky recently completed a PhD at Melbourne University's Center for Wellbeing Science, where her research project focused on wellbeing and the personality trait of sensory processing sensitivity.

Becky is currently a teaching and learning specialist at the Center for Wellbeing Science where she coordinates the my wellbeing planner program.

In this episode, we are talking to Eric Mercier who is a well-regarded positive psychology practitioner and certified coach with a background in management consulting in the areas of Program and Project Management. Eric’s approaches are focused on strengths rather than weaknesses. He has a background in IT, Business, Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching. He is the lucky husband of a great woman, the proud father of two young children and a fierce advocate for involved fatherhood, work flexibility and gender equality. Eric is currently completing his PhD at Adelaide University where his main aim of the project is to shed light on the question of why more fathers do not embrace part-time work for child-care purposes, particularly in Australia.

Kate Kroeger is the founder and director of the Confidence Company which is all about creating connections, communication, and resilience with confidence.

Kate has worked with many organizations and uses a strength-based approach to build confidence in people and teams with clear actionable steps to set goals and achieve them.

Kate is all about amplifying mindsets, communication, leadership, confidence, teamwork, and resilience.

Dr Jodi Richardson is a psychologist, author and presenter who shares practical and evidence-based strategies to support parents, children, and teachers, learn how to best support, manage, and minimize anxiety, maximize people's potential and elevate their mental health and wellbeing.

Dr Jodi understands how anxiety can get in the way of living a rich and full life. And is an advocate for reminding us that anxiety doesn't have to hinder our opportunities to live a rich, and fulfilling life. 

In this extremely short episode, we are celebrating our first birthday and looking forward to season 3.

Join us over on our Imperfect Us LinkedIn Page www.linkedin.com/company/imperfect-us/

In this episode, the Imperfect Us team discuss their key takeaways from this year's episodes.

Christian van Nieuwerburgh is a professor of coaching and positive psychology at The Centre for Positive Psychology and Health at the RCSI University of medicine and health sciences.

Along with this, he is a principal fellow of the Centre for Wellbeing Science at the University of Melbourne and global director for Growth Coaching International, which is a provider of coach training and consultancy for the education sector. An academic consultant and executive coach Christian has written several books in the fields of coaching and positive psychology, including An Introduction to Coaching Skills.

In this episode, we are speaking with Daniel Flynn, who is the co-founder and managing director of  Thank you. A company he founded at the age of 19 with his girlfriend and now wife, Justine and his best mate, Jared Burns.

12 years later, Thank You products are stocked in major retailers across Australia with every product contributing to helping end global poverty. Their success happened by asking one simple question, What if purchasing everyday items like bottled water could possibly provide life changing solutions to millions of people in poverty? And to date, thank you, has raised over 17 million to impact the lives of people across 22 countries.

Daniel is an author and believes that every person can do something extraordinary to make a remarkable impact in the world

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In this episode, we are speaking with Celeste DiMilla and Louis Alloro to uncover how kindness can change lives for a better world. This dynamic duo have co-authored the Live Kind Be Happy book that teaches others how simple kindness practices can improve every aspect of their lives and ultimately be world changing.

Celeste is a psychotherapist who knows about the transformational power of kindness. She’s passionate about helping people become their happiest through training and workshops regarding mindfulness and wellbeing for individuals and organisations.

Louis is a social entrepreneur who creates and facilitates evidence based learning experiences for teams to help them to dig deeper and reach higher. Louis is also the co-creator of the Wellbeing and Change Labs. Louis is a senior fellow at the Centre for the Advancement of Wellbeing at George Mason University and a PhD student at Antioch University, where he studies systems informed positive psychology interventions that create wellbeing and change in equitable and innovative ways.

Margie Warrell is a global authority in leading with courage and unlocking the potential that fear holds dormant in people and organizations. She has learned a lot about facing fear, challenging norms and building courage since her childhood in rural Australia today. Margie draws on over 25 years of diverse international experience in business leadership development and coaching to help people address the complex challenges of our time with greater clarity, compassion, and courage.

Margie has been engaged by diverse enterprises, such as NASA, Dell shell Morgan Stanley [00:01:00] SAP. Novartis and Johnson and Johnson just strengthen psychological safety and foster more agile, collaborative, and innovative cultures of courage.

Margie's doctoral research in women's leadership informs her work in cultivating more inclusive environments and advancing women to the top tables. 

Caroline Adams-Miller is one of the world’s leading positive psychology experts on Goals & Grit™. She is passionate about helping people get more grit, achieve their goals, and find happiness. Caroline has spent 30+ years helping individuals, leaders and companies learn and integrate the science of goal accomplishment. Caroline is a Harvard graduate and has a Master of Applied Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of seven books, including Getting Grit, Creating Your Best Life, Positively Caroline, My Name is Caroline and Your Happiest Life Workbook. Caroline’s work has been featured for decades in media worldwide, including the BBC World News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NBC, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Fortune. In 2014, Caroline was a TEDx Speaker on “The Secrets That Make Champions.”

Prof. Lindsay Oades approaches life as an adventurer, who believes that wellbeing is everybody's business.

As director of the Centre for Wellbeing Science at Melbourne University's Graduate School of Education, Lindsay oversees the Masters of Applied Positive Psychology program. Lindsay's formal training is in clinical psychology and business, and he has published over a hundred journal articles and book chapters on these topics. Lindsay is the co-editor of the International Journal of Wellbeing and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board at the Institute of Coaching at Harvard University.

Sue Langley is a speaker, master trainer, global business consultant, researcher and leading advisor on the practical workplace applications of neuroscience, emotional intelligence and positive psychology.

A dynamic and inspiring speaker, Sue’s gift is synthesising science into simple, practical tools anyone can use. CEO and Founder of the Langley Group of companies, Sue has taught thousands of business leaders, HR professionals and consultants how to lead with emotional intelligence, create positive workplaces and harness the brain's potential.

Sue chairs conferences internationally and partners with organisations to develop leadership, capability and culture.

Sue has a Master in Neuroscience of Leadership, the most in-depth qualification in this field, and was the featured emotional intelligence expert in the ABC TV series Redesign My Brain. She also designed and teaches the world’s first Diploma of Positive Psychology.

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Nathan Jones is an emotion researcher and communicator who helps people boost their emotional intelligence. Over the past decade, Nathan has trained multiple Fortune 500 companies in soft skills, undertaken a PhD in Experimental Psychology at the University of Adelaide, and has taught Entrepreneurship classes at the Adelaide Business School. After winning the Australian eChallenge Social Entrepreneurship Award in 2019, Nathan founded his company Mood Systems to help leaders and teams boost their communication skills through the lens of emotion science. He has presented this original research at the World Congress on Positive Psychology, Mumbrella360, the QUT Leadership Coaching Conference, and TEDxUniSA. Nathan has also been heard by millions of people each day in his work as a commercial voice artist, and has helped shape the brand identities of Nickelodeon, MTV and Channel 10 in Australia. These days, he enjoys coaching and training others in how they can communicate their emotions and shape the world around them.

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Kylie McLerie has held positions in educational leadership at school and regional levels for the past 26 years. She is an inspiring, experienced and highly motivated facilitator with a genuine passion for engaging groups and teams in critical and creative thinking. With a background in education, educational leadership, and leadership coaching and consulting, she understands people and the importance of human agency in all organisations.

Kylie is all about connection and sees all relationships as genuine two-way learning opportunities. She harnesses the collective wisdom of people, teams and organisations and uses this data to plan innovative ways forward.

Kylie’s clients span a diverse range of industries and include organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, as well as coaching clients and workshop participants from kindergarten students to Executive Directors, CEO’s and Boards.

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Dr Rochelle Brunton is a UK-trained Educational Psychologist who has spent over 12 years working with teachers, children, young people and their families within educational settings in both England and Australia.

She has provided educational psychology services to schools, colleges, universities, local authorities and communities through consultation, psychological assessments and intervention related to the learning, developmental, behavioural, emotional and mental health issues of children and young people.

In 2006, Rochelle spent time in Belfast, Northern Ireland working as part of a project to promote cross-community understanding between catholic and protestant communities affected by trauma. Here, Rochelle gained insight into how prejudice and discrimination can occur in response to human differences.

Rochelle completed her doctorate at the University of Nottingham, where her dissertation focused on autism.

Rochelle has since developed a special interest in neurodiversity and inclusion – particularly in helping neurodivergent people discover their strengths and flourish. Rochelle currently works in a clinic with neurodivergent children, teens and their families.

Rochelle also works as a leadership coach specialising in working with neurodivergent adults – many of whom lead very successful careers and family lives.

Rochelle is the author of the children’s book “All Except Winston” a book about difference, inclusion and finding one’s strengths which was published in 2018 in the UK.

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In this episode, we are excited to be speaking to Ilona Rose-Sliwa, who is a proud Gunditjmara woman who is living in Wadawurrung country in Victoria. She completed her bachelor of education at the University of Melbourne in 2000 and has taught in primary, secondary and special education settings, both here and in the UK with a focus on student engagement and wellbeing. 

Her work is inspiring as she works with her team to shift the focus on a strength-based approach to closing the gap and cultivating better outcomes for first nations people. Ilona is passionate about supporting students, teachers, and school communities to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's culture, connection, identity and wisdom to improve learning and wellbeing for everyone.

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In this episode, we are interviewed by our wonderful producer Brenton Ainsworth and reflect on what we are learning so far along with highlights and hopes for future episodes.

In today's episode, we are speaking with Professor Basima Tewfik who is a Professor of Career Development and Work and Organisation Studies at MIT Sloan School of Management in Massachusetts in the United States.

Basima is known for her research examining the psychology of the social self at work. Where she seeks to define a new conversation around two underexplored phenomena in the organisational literature that implicate the social self: Workplace imposter thoughts (popularly known as Imposter Syndrome) defined as the belief that others overestimate one’s competence at work, and request-declining at work, defined as the active decision not to help others at work.

Basima also examines effective employee and workgroup functioning in the modern workplace, an increasingly important topic given the rising complexity of work.

Basima’s work has been awarded a number of accomplishments including 40 under 40 Best Business School Professor and Thinkers 50. Basima has been suggested as someone to watch for the 30 Thinkers in 2022.

Sarah Weisbarth is the Director of the Discover You Program, created to elevate the potential of youth, so they can lead their best lives through building courage, confidence and connection.

Through years of personal and professional experience Sarah has found that the more we grow the more successful we will be. Sarah has worked and served as a Coach, trainer, facilitator, program planner, content developer, people leader and collaborator within non-profit, education, and small business sectors.

Sarah's extraordinary gifts, strengths, and values of authenticity, vision and mission focus, her growth mindset, perspective taking, collaboration, and purpose, enable her to cultivate a culture of empowering others to live their potential.

Edwina Ricci is an experienced leading teacher and advocate for Positive Education and Community Engagement. Edwina has taught in Secondary Schools in the Outer East of Melbourne for 25 years and is passionate about creating environments that enable schools to flourish individually and collectively. She is currently the Project Manager of the Maroondah Positive Education Network, a network of 27 schools collaborating with their local council and the community to implement Positive Education in the City of Maroondah and to create 'Communities of Wellbeing'.

In 2019, Edwina successfully completed the University of Melbourne’s Professional Certificate of Positive Education and is enjoying implementing her projects by delivering transformational professional learning in schools. Edwina uses the science of Positive Psychology to inform her thinking, language and behaviour. She believes that everyone can be transformed to take agency over their own wellbeing and in so doing develop a deep sense of belonging in community AND a strong sense of meaning and purpose to support their own and others wellbeing. Our community will truly flourish when all its members develop a benefit mindset, collaborate for equity, respect diversity and communicate with compassion.

Today we are speaking with Professor Joseph Ciarrochi who is an active Researcher, Speaker and Author. His is passionate about psychological flexibility, or what he calls ‘FLEXIBLE STRENGTH’ which we will uncover in today's episode. Joseph explores the cluster of skills that can be used to promote personal growth and build vitality and valued action to support whole human flourishing.

Joseph has published over 150 scientific journal articles and many influential books including The Weight Escape, Your Life- Your Way, The Thriving Adolescent, Get out of your minds and into your life for teens, Emotional Intelligence in Everyday Life, and Mindfulness, Acceptance, and Positive Psychology: The seven foundations of well-being.

His most recent book is due out in July 2022 and is called What makes you stronger: How to thrive in the face of uncertainty using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

It is a privilege to welcome today’s guest, Dr Suzy Green, Australia’s Leading Positive Psychologist and Founder of The Positivity Institute.

Professor Suzy Green is a Clinical and Coaching Psychologist (MAPS) and Founder & CEO of The Positivity Institute, a Sydney-based positively deviant organisation dedicated to the research and application of the science of optimal human functioning in organisations and schools. She is a leader in the complementary fields of Coaching Psychology and Positive Psychology having conducted a world first study on evidence-based coaching as an Applied Positive Psychology. Suzy has published over twenty academic chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles including the Journal of Positive Psychology. She is the co-editor of “Positive Psychology Coaching in Practice” (Green & Palmer, 2018), “Positive Psychology Coaching in the Workplace” (Smith, Boniwell & Green, 2021) and “The Positivity Prescription” (Green, 2019). Suzy lectured on Applied Positive Psychology as a Senior Adjunct Lecturer in the Coaching Psychology Unit, University of Sydney for ten years and is an Honorary Vice President of the International Society for Coaching Psychology. Suzy is an Honorary Visiting Professor at the University of East London and holds Honorary Academic positions at the Centre for Wellbeing Science, University of Melbourne, the Black Dog Institute and she is an Affiliate of the Institute for Well-Being, Cambridge University. Suzy is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Coach Hub, a leading global coaching technology platform. Suzy is an official ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation and she maintains a strong media profile appearing on television, radio and in print.

Professor David Clutterbuck is one of Europe's most prolific authors and thinkers on management. He has authored and co-authored over 70 books and leads a global network of mentoring experts and trainers. David is visiting professor in coaching and mentoring at both Oxford Brooks and Sheffield Hallam University.

His recurrent theme is that improving the quality of conversations helps people and organizations make better decisions and helps achieve ambitions.

Come to the Edge Poem by Guillaume Apollinaire

“Come to the edge," he said.
"We can't, we're afraid!" they responded.
"Come to the edge," he said.
"We can't, We will fall!" they responded.
"Come to the edge," he said.
And so they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.”

Patricia Stark is President of Patricia Stark Communications a personal & professional development firm specializing in public speaking training, media training, body language, communication skills, and performance anxiety relief. She is the Author of CALMFIDENCE: How to Trust Yourself, Tame Your Inner Critic, and Shine in Any Spotlight.

She has extensive experience as a Health & Wellness Anchor and Television Host, National & International News Anchor and has served as a contributor for the History Channel and the Huffington Post.

As a guest lecturer at Fordham University, numerous high schools, corporations and women's leadership conferences Patricia has helped thousands of students and clients find their calm and confidence on stage and screen.

Dr. Paige Williams is an honorary fellow and researcher at the Center for Positive Psychology at the University of Melbourne. Paige uses the latest research in neuroscience, positive psychology, and systems thinking to help leaders leverage their energy, attitudes and mindsets to benefit from the dynamic, complex and uncertain environment in which most organizations now operate. She is determined to help leaders move beyond just the need for resilience so that they can become ‘anti-fragile’. 

Paige's first book Becoming Antifragile learning to thrive through disruption, challenge and change was published in 2020 and her second book Own It: Honoring and amplifying accountability will be available in March 2022. 

In this episode, we are talking to Dr Craig Hassed. Craig's teachings, research and clinical interests include mindfulness mind-body medicine, lifestyle medicine, integrative medicine, and medical ethics regularly invited to present in Australia and overseas. He has authored over a hundred papers in peer-reviewed journals and has published 14 books and 16 book chapters.

Craig was the founding president and patron of Meditation Australia is a smiling Mind ambassador and commentator featuring in the documentaries, The Connection and My Year of Living Mindfully. He has co-authored two free mindfulness courses in collaboration with Monash University and Future Learn, both of which are rated by Class Central as the two leading online mindfulness courses globally and among the top 10 online courses for any subject in the world.

Dr. Valerie Young is a co-founder of the Imposter Syndrome Institute and is considered the foremost expert on imposter syndrome. In addition to speaking at over a hundred universities in the US Canada, Japan, Europe, and the UK. Valerie has presented at many diverse organizations, such as Google Pfizer, Facebook, NASA, and many more.

Her work has been cited around the world, including in Time Magazine, Psychology Today and scientific journal articles. Valerie earned her doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she studied internal barriers to women's achievement. 

Although her research subjects consisted of a racially diverse group of professional women, much of her original findings have proved directly applicable to anyone with impostor feelings, her award-winning book, the secret thoughts of successful women, why capable people suffer from the imposter syndrome and how to thrive in spite of it is now available in six languages.

A best selling author with more than 25 years of global leadership experience in organisations of all sizes. Michelle is sought around the world for her playful approach to translate cutting edge research in positive psychology and neuroscience into practical actions. With a PhD for her research on Appreciative Inquiry Summits and a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology, Michell has led the charge on resting free, evidence based tools or workplaces including The PERMAH workplace Survey.

Show notes:

Welcome to the Imperfect Us Podcast. In Season 1, Join hosts Leanne Camilleri and Leesa Downes as they explore Imposter Syndrome and celebrate being perfectly imperfect humans, leading perfectly imperfect lives. They will link their discussions to the field of positive psychology and wellbeing science and help listeners to discover practical and evidence-based strategies that enable them to stand up to imposter thoughts and self-limiting beliefs.

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