The Mindful Men Podcast

Welcome to Episode 124 - Organisational Psychology with Clifford Morgan

Have you ever wondered why some workplaces are amazing places to be a part of, whilst others simply… suck? I have, and I’ve experienced both types of workplaces. And what I’ve come to understand is that workplace culture has a big part to play in how well an organisation operates. 

Great workplaces have inspiring leaders, engaged employees, shared values and strong work ethics. They’re adaptable, efficient, and effective; but they don’t forget the human side of doing business. The challenge is how do we arrive at this workplace utopia – and helping us do this are Organisational Psychologists. 

Joining me this week is Clifford Morgan from Lumian Consulting. Clifford served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) for over 17 years before moving into organisational psychology. Clifford now combines his military discipline and focus with psychology to support workplaces to thrive. He’s also the author of the Coaching Leader, and provides great insight into workplace culture, values, conflict and teamwork. 

Key points

In this episode Clifford shares: 

·       Understanding Organisational Psychology

·       Addressing Workplace Challenges and Leadership Dynamics

·       Exploring Context-Based Leadership

·       The Balance of Flexibility and Responsibility in the Workplace

·       The Role of Organisational Values in Conflict Resolution

·       Leveraging Team Dynamics for Success

Key quotes

“A workplace that doesn't suck is probably where the leader’s expectations are met by the staff and the staff's expectations are met by the leaders.”

“the mechanics are the things that the team does … the dynamics is how they go about it”

“The primary benefit of [team profiling] … is the conversation that it sparks rather than the profile itself.”

Connect with Clifford

Welcome to Episode 123 - Is this helpful?

Over the last few months, my mental health has been declining. Anxiety, stress and depression have been having a party, and this has had me re-visit my self-care and support systems. 

One of the most crucial supports I’ve had is my business wellness coach. He has helped me to reflect on my thoughts, feelings and behaviours and ask myself “is this helpful?”. The more I ask myself this question, the easier it is for me to switch off my emotional brain, and switch on my rational brain. This switch has improved my problem solving skills during my heightened moments. 

So let me share this tool with you, so you too can regain control of negative thoughts, feelings or behaviours. 

Key points

In this episode I share: 

• How the stressors of business and moving house have impacted my mental health 
• My work with my business wellness coach
• Is this helpful? 
• How to use this powerful mental health tool
• Grounding myself in the moment

Key quotes

“Simon, is this helpful?”

“this is a powerful phrase that we can use to challenge these negative mindsets, or these feelings that we're having, or the behaviours that we're having, that are no longer serving us”

“We're switching on the rational brain. And so we can start problem solving here”

Find a business wellness coach:

Welcome to Episode 122 - NDIS Support Coordination with Hannah Redford

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a complex system for people living with disability to navigate. It’s not just about getting funding for disability supports. It’s also about finding and connecting with the right providers; and dealing with review processes that are stressful and often re-traumatising. 

The role of a NDIS Support Coordinators is to help with this process; and joining me this week is Hannah Redford from Tulip Coordination. Hannah helps us to understand the NDIS, whilst sharing some of the lived experience of disability that enables her to thrive in this role. 

Key points

In this episode Hannah shares: 

·       Her background and lived experience of disability 

·       The role of a support coordinator

·       What is Choice and Control?

·       The importance of personalising support

·       Budgeting in the NDIS

·       The NDIS review process

Key quotes

“Not everyone who is on the NDIS gets a support coordinator. It's really only those who have a few more complexities”

“you taught me that I have choice and control”

“I also work with the LGBTIQ+ community and in particular, transgender participants, because although I am cis, I do understand a lot more about it than most support coordinators”

Connect with Hannah:

Trigger Warning: Assault, Abuse, Rape, Mental Health, Trauma

Welcome to Episode 121 - I Survived A Hate Crime with David Keck

One of the few things in life that doesn’t discriminate is trauma. And this week’s episode explores trauma and recovery with David Keck. 

David is the host of the Surviving Podcast, and he bravely shares how he survived a violent gay hate crime. He describes the events of the night that changed his life forever, including the abuse he received, the memory loss, the court case, media, and the impacts off all of this on his mental and physical health. 

David’s story is raw, vulnerable and powerful. It explores notions of masculinity and sexuality; and despite the profound impact this event has had on David’s life, he shares how he regained control with hope and healing (and just a little bit of therapy!). 

Key points

In this episode David shares: 

• How his parents helped him come out as gay
• The interplay between masculinity and sexuality
• The support he had from his family and friends regarding his sexuality
• The night he was physically and sexually abused
• What it was like to have a rape test
• Discovering he was the victim of a gay hate crime
• The court case and media attention
• The impacts on his physical and mental health
• How therapy saved his life
• Regaining control from trauma
• Grounding himself under his favourite tree

Key quotes

“David, if hell is filled with people like you, it can't be that bad of a place”

“A hate crime is if someone picks you out, points you out, targets you based on religion, gender, sexual orientation”

“I'm here right now and running my mouth right now because I refuse to let him win”

Connect with David:

Trigger warning: Mental Health, Suicide, Drugs and Alcohol

Welcome to Episode 120. Running for mental health with Lachy Cameron

Our mental health journey often starts long before we recognise it. This is why therapists ask you about your childhood. It helps set the scene for how you’re thinking, feeling and behaving as an adult. And this week’s guest shares how his childhood impacted his mental health right into adulthood. 

Lachy Cameron is a man on a mission. He shares his story of feeling abandoned by his father, and how alcohol and drugs helped mask the pain. He also shares how his house of cards fell down, and how this prompted him to make positive changes in his life… including learning to run long distances!

In May 2024, Lachy is running over 1000km from Brisbane to Sydney for mental health. He’s doing it to promote awareness of mental health, and raise money for charity Heart On My Sleeve. Join us as we explore how running has helped Lachy turn a rock bottom moment into inspiration for all of us.

Key points

In this episode Lachy shares: 

• The feeling of being let down by his father
• How alcohol and drugs helped him cope
• How he developed a belief that he wasn't good enough
• The moment he came close to taking his own life
• How running helped him improve his mental health
• The experience of doing his first ultra-marathon
• How his running has evolved
• The Brisbane to Sydney run he is planning to complete
• The charity Heart On My Sleeve

Key quotes

"All I ever wanted to be was someone else. I never wanted to be myself because I didn't think I was good enough.”

"I went through my life and I always believed I was destined for greatness. And I think I lent on that to assume something was just going to happen in my life.”

"For so long, vulnerability has been disguised as weakness when it's really a strength."

Connect with Lachy:

Trigger warning: Mental Health

Welcome to Episode 118. Somatic psychology and archetypes with Dr Brian Tierney

Imagine trying to do some inner work. You close your eyes and all you can see is greyscale. There are no other colours, just grey. You can sense that pain and suffering is there, but you have no words to recognise or express it. According to Dr Brian Tierney – this is the impact of toxic masculinity. We’re not taught emotional intelligence; but we should be taught it so we can recognise our pain and express it in healthy ways.

Dr Brian Tierney is a somatic psychologist in private practice and a professor of neuroscience and psychological assessment. He has been a facilitator of men's groups for many years, is a dancer, a trauma resolution expert, a drama therapist, a clown trainer, and a father of two. Brian sits down with me to discuss how somatic psychology and archetypes can be used to support men to recognise and release their trauma. It’s a fascinating discussion that includes his work with men’s groups; and the transformation men experience when they go deep with other men. 

Key points

In the full episode Brian shares: 

• The benefits of clown training
• How Somatic Psychology can help release trauma
• What archetypes are
• How our archetypes change over time
• Why social constructions of masculinity are toxic
• The transformations he sees in the men’s groups he facilitates

Key quotes

"When we don't receive something, you can’t really give it.”

“The social construction of masculinity is toxic.”

“You come to see a somatic psychologist and they are like a plumber."

Connect with Stan:

Trigger warning: Mental Health

Welcome to Episode 117. Compassion Focussed Therapy with Dr Stan Steindl

When we think of compassion, most of us could probably say that we have compassion for others. We’re able to recognise the suffering in others, and take steps to help alleviate that suffering. 

But when it comes to self-compassion, we can sometimes let ourselves down. We can be self-critical, and get stuck in a loop of negative thought cycles that never seem to end. And for men… the thought of being self-compassionate can seem unnatural. But there is strength and courage and self-compassion; and this can be learned through Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT). 

Dr Stan Steindl joins me this week to explore CFT and how it can support men to become the best version of themselves. Stan is a Clinical psychologist in private practice at Psychology Consultants Pty Ltd, and an adjunct professor at the university of Queensland School of Psychology. He is also a TedX speaker, and host of Compassion in a T-Shirt.

In the full episode Stan shares: 

• What compassion is and why it is important
• How he defines trauma and suffering 
• Why men avoid self-compassion
• What Compassion Focussed Therapy (CFT) is 
• Supporting men to increase their self-compassion
• 4 little steps to start practicing self-compassion

Key quotes

"Compassion is a sensitivity to suffering in self and others with a commitment to try and alleviate and prevent it”

"Often self-compassion is the tougher choice in the service of health and wellbeing”

“Often men can baulk at the idea of self-compassion because they think its self-pity"

Connect with Stan:

Welcome to Episode 116 - Bio-hacking and Epigenetics with Chris Barnes

Do you struggle with low energy, weight gain (or loss), brain fog, pain, stress, bad sleep or even mental health challenges? Maybe you’ve tried clean and healthy living, strict dieting, daily exercise, more sleep, less alcohol and drugs – but you don’t seem to be feeling better? And like me… do you feel older than you really are, but you want to feel younger? 

If you answered YES to some of these, then the answer may lie in epigenetics and bio-hacking. This week I sit down with holistic epigenetic coach Chris Barnes from Chris Barnes Wellness. Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and insight into men’s health, having lived and breathed the industry for over 15 years. He’ll talk us through what epigenetics and bio-hacking is – and how it can benefit us to improve our health and wellbeing and turn back the aging clock. 

Key points

In this episode Chris shares: 

-       Life as a father and the importance of nature for our health

-       How the loss of his father prompted him to take control of his health and wellbeing

-       Chronological age vs biological or epigenetic age

-       What exactly epigenetics and bio-hacking is

-       Why its important for men to improve their health and wellbeing

-       How to model and educate our kids on eating and treating our body well 

-       How he specifically helps people explore epigenetics and bio-hacking

Quotes

"We have the potential to thrive right up until our last days.”

"It's so easy to get trapped into sitting on the couch and vegging out and missing out on everything that’s out there.”

“Your genes are definitely not your destiny.”

"If you're aging for every chronological year more biologically, it's a big risk factor for a lot of chronic disease."

Connect with Chris:

Welcome to Episode 115 - Turning negative thoughts into positive ones

When we’re struggling with what life is throwing at us, it is easy to succumb to negative thought cycles. Once a negative thought enters our minds, it can be difficult to let it go like a leaf drifting along a stream. So this week I’m sharing a simple therapy tool that I use to help reframe those negative thoughts into positive ones. This is a simple tool that you can use to overcome mental barriers whilst finding inspiration to push forward. 

So… grab the pen and paper or make a mental note. This episode is full of one-liners that will help you turn those negative thoughts into positive ones!

Key points

In this episode, I share: 

• How negative self talk can impact us
• The therapy tool I use to catch negative thoughts and turn them into positive ones
• Common examples of negative self-talk and positive ones
• What you can do right now to work on negative thoughts 
• How to disempower negative thoughts with humour

Quotes

“When we’re in the negative loop cycle we feel like we’re out of control” 

“How many times do we say “I can’t do it” to ourselves? An easy way to reframe that is I can do it"

Connect with Mindful Men

Trigger warning: Mental Health, Addiction

Welcome to Episode 114 - ADHD as a superpower with Dr James Stewart

Sometimes a mental health or disability diagnoses can cause us to dwell in the “label”. We can embody the condition, and struggle to separate it from our identity. But what if you could harness the uniqueness of your condition – and start thriving instead of simply surviving?

This week’s guest turned his ADHD into his superpower. Dr. James Stewart is Australia’s most decorated Cannabis clinician and three-time Australian Doctor of the Year at the National Cannabis Industry Awards. He shares his struggle with anxiety and addiction, and his journey from DJ to Doctor… using ADHD to supercharge his focus to support his clients thrive in life. 

Key points

In this episode James shares: 

-       What being a father means to him

-       The impact anxiety and addiction had on his life

-       Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult

-       How hyper-fixation helped him to study medicine

-       Life as a lived experience GP

-       How pharmaceuticals have prevented the expansion of medicinal cannabis in western medicine

-       The benefits of medicinal cannabis

-       His advice and tips for those struggling with ADHD

Quotes

“If you're in a job where it's hindering your ADHD, you're gonna have to change it.”

"The faults I'm finding in myself and where they are from, I want to make sure my little fella doesn't get it.”

"The more open and honest I've been about my struggles, the better people have responded. And the more people accept it and relate to me."

Connect with James:

Trigger warning: Mental Health, Stroke

Welcome to Episode 113 - Challenges That Change Us with Ali Flynn

Life is full of challenges that we face. For the most part, we’re pretty good at overcoming these challenges, celebrating for a moment, then moving on with life. But what if that challenge fundamentally changes everything we do in life from that moment forward?

This is what happened to Ali Flynn. At 30 she was getting ready for her day when a stroke stopped her in her tracks. What started as a headache and pins and needles, resulted in hospitalisation, vision loss, memory loss, seizures and more. Ali shares how this challenge changed her life forever… and the lives of her husband, children, family and friends. Join us as we dive into life after a stroke. We’ll talk symptoms, diagnoses, recovery, family, work and so much more!

Key points

In this episode Ali shares: 

-       Her story of having a stroke

-       The physical, mental and emotional impacts of stroke

-       How her stroke impacted her family life

-       The systems she had to put in place to manage her day

-       Sharing her story on the Challenges That Change Us Podcast

Quotes

"In my experience, there's more learnings when I get it wrong or when I'm up against challenges”

"I don't have a lot of memory of that time but I remember fighting through every day.”

"I wasn't the person that he married. I was homeless in my body, I was homeless in my mind."

Connect with Ali:

Trigger warning: Mental Health, Suicide

Welcome to Episode 112. Stress and breathwork with Thomas Beresford

Stress is inevitable in life. It comes and goes with different situations, and is actually a useful body response that enables us to evolve and thrive. But when we don’t release the stress through healthy outlets, it can grow and grow until we reach burnout. So how do we healthily release stress? Let’s find out with this week’s guest!

Thomas Beresford is recovering Chartered Accountant, husband, father and breath work instructor. Thomas shares his insights into the impacts of stress and burnout on his life, including how it impacted his sense of self, his drive and his friendships. Thomas also shares how breath work can help us to release stress, and why this is an important tool that can support men to improve their health and wellbeing.  

Key points

In this episode Thomas’ shares: 

-       What being a dad means to him

-       How stress has shown up in his life

-       What led him to discover breath work

-       How breath work changed his life

-       How he turned breath work into a business

-       Different breathing techniques 

-       What a breath work session looks like with him

-       How breath work can support men

Quotes

"You start getting these little nudges from the universe and if you don't listen one day it hits you with a big stick.”

"For the first time, you don’t know you're burning out until someone points it out to you."

“that space where you can get everyone together, and that shared experience. It's something quite powerful.”

Connect with Thomas

Trigger warning: Mental Health

Welcome to Episode 111. The Positive Impact From Sharing Our Stories

Sharing stories has become an integral part of my life. From first sharing my story with a GP and Psychologist in 2012, to sharing my story with the world after burning out in 2020. I share stories in a lot of podcasts, and also welcome stories into my therapy practice Mindful Men.

This episode highlights the importance of us sharing our story, but also the positive impact that sharing stories has. Stories are a source of inspiration, and by sharing your story you might just inspire someone else to share theirs. 

To help inspire more men across the world to embrace storytelling – I also NEED YOUR HELP! Please give this show a 5 star rating on your podcast platform. The more 5 stars we have – the higher up the podcast rankings ladder we go. And once this happens, millions of men will start to see all the amazing stories that we bring each week on The Mindful Men Podcast

Key points

In this episode I share: 

·       How good it feels to share stories

·       Challenges we experience sharing stories

·       Life as a podcaster

·       The positive impacts of sharing stories

·       A plea for help – Give this podcast a 5 star rating!

·       Some ideas for you to start sharing your story

Quotes

"The more and more I shared my story, the easier things became.”

"You're never gonna know what someone is gonna say to your story, if you don't share your story in the first place"

Connect with Mindful Men

Trigger warning: Mental Health, Suicide

Welcome to Episode 110 – Veteran and First Responder Wellbeing with Shane Dimech

Imagine you’re in a mental health facility, standing in line and waiting for your meds. You’re hoping to heal, but get stuck in a cycle of meds, sleep, meds, sleep. For some that works. But for others like Shane Dimech, it wasn’t a pathway he wanted to tread. So he made the decision to seek natural alternatives to mental health treatment, and turned towards meditation, mindfulness and yoga. 

Shane bravely shares his story of hitting rock bottom after his military career, to transforming lives through natural therapies. We chat about his journey including military life, PTSD, alcoholism, suicide and family; and learn about the different types of yoga that can help improve the wellbeing of veterans and first responders. 

Key points

In this episode Shane shares: 

-        His military career

-        His mental health following his military career

-        The wake up call he needed to have 

-        Hitting rock bottom and being hospitalised for mental health treatment

-        The impact of mental health on his family

-        Alcoholism and getting sober

-        How he discovered yoga and how it changed his life 

-        How he became a yoga teacher

-        His mentoring through Buddy Up Australia

Quotes

"If the people you've been surrounding yourself with up until now aren't leading you along the right path, then maybe it's time to step away from them a little bit.”

"I worked out that if I want to get better, it's up to me.”

"All I could focus on was myself, and I had no realisation what was happening in the world around me."

Connect with Shane:

Trigger warning: Spinal Cord Injury

Welcome to Episode 109 – Adapting to disability with Nathan Stapleton

Nathan Stapleton grew up playing the game he loved, rugby league. He went on to play National Rugby League (NRL) for the Cronulla Sharks, before heading over to the UK to play for the London Broncos. Rugby opened up the world to Nathan and his family, but it also took everything away from him. In 2022 he sustained a spinal cord injury playing country footy, acquiring quadriplegia. He was pronounced dead for 16 minutes, and was lucky there was a registered nurse at the game who saved his life. 

Nathan shares his story of adapting to life with disability. From being a footy star, to needing 24/7 disability support to survive, he bravely shares how disability has taken almost everything away from him. Nathan draws strength from being a loving father or two, and highlights the importance of getting back to work; but also the support of his family, friends and footy community. 

Key points

In this episode Nathan shares: 

• His career in Rugby League
• How a spinal cord injury playing country footy changed his life 
• Life after footy, including his wife giving birth shortly after his injury
• How his children reacted to his injury
• What he used as his motivation to get better
• The steps he took to recovery post injury 
• The impact his injury and recovery had on his family
• His experience with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
• The importance of mateship for his recovery
• His advice for those going through something similar 

Quotes

"It was grim mate. Not gonna lie, it was the worst day of my life.”

"You don't ever want your kid to look at you like "what's wrong?”

Connect with Nathan:

Trigger warning: Mental Health, Suicide

Welcome to Episode 108 – Mentoring Men with Simon Jarvis

Australia is in a mental health and crisis, and men are struggling big time. But unlike women and children, men have limited options available to them; The health system is female-orientated, and wait lists for mental health support are extending to 6-9 months in some cases. Unfortuantely this pushes many men over the edge, with high rates of reported family and domestic violence and suicide.

If we’re to change the stats, we need to change our approach. And this is what Mentoring Men is doing – providing a free mentoring service for men Australia wide. It’s not about replacing therapists, but about complementing them with boots on the ground support to overcome life’s challenges. 

And joining me to share the Mentoring Men story is CEO Simon Jarvis. Simon shares his journey into Mentoring Men, and the valuable work their mentors do for men in need. He also leaves us with some wonderful insights into his own fatherhood journey, including his love for everyone’s favourite TV show, Bluey. 

In this episode, Simon shares:

• His journey into the mental health field
• His realisation that men need more support
• The services Mentoring Men provide
• How we need to evolve support provided to men
• A Mentoring Men success story
• The mentor/mentoree process

Key Quotes:

"It is hard to open up. And it is hard to even just go to a GP or go to a doctor and ask.”

"Providing that opportunity to use language men resonate with really gives us a better insight into what’s going on.”

"Our mentors get out of it as much as our mentees."

Connect with Simon:

Trigger warning: Addiction, Childhood Abuse, Trauma, Suicide

Welcome to Episode 107 – Stories of Hope with Kerrie Atherton

Losing hope can have us feeling like we’ve got nothing left to give the world. We can feel as though we’re broken, unwanted, unlovable and unworthy of being alive. Our lives can spiral out of control; impacting our mental health, relationships, careers and more. 

But amidst the chaos, it’s important to know that we can regain our hope. Life has a way of presenting lightbulb moments that can guide is in new directions. And this week’s episode offers that through Stories of Hope. 

Kerrie Atherton is the Founder of Stories of Hope Australia/Worldwide, and Empower Life Solutions. She is also an author and Trauma and Addictions Recovery Counsellor – providing much needed support for those struggling and without hope. Kerrie bravely shares her story of childhood trauma, mental health, suicide and addiction with the hope that it inspires you to face your fears and reach out for support if you need it.  

In this episode, Kerrie shares:

• Her experiences of childhood trauma
• The emotional, spiritual and physical impacts of trauma
• Her relationship with alcohol
• Attending Alcoholics Anonymous at 16 years of age
• Her experience of suicide at 18 years of age
• How Alcoholics Anonymous saved her
• The impact of trauma on her relationships 
• How she broke the pattern of abuse and started healing
• How 'Stories of Hope' came about
• Why she started her clinic and the therapy she now does

Key Quotes: 

"For a recovering alcoholic or addict life is like an unsolved jigsaw puzzle. One that you cannot put the pieces back together again. But you can make a new puzzle.”

"For many people that feel like they're so hopeless that they want to end their life, they don't actually want to die, they just don't know how to live anymore.”

“My dad taught me to fear everything, so I was born into fear."

Connect with Kerrie:

Welcome to Episode 106 – Starting the new year with clearer focus 

So you’ve woken up after new years and you’ve had a lightbulb moment. You want to get sober, or lose weight, or kick big goals in 2024. You start a list of new year’s resolutions… but deep down inside you know that you’ll probably give up by the end of January.

But what if I told you that you could make that resolution actually stick? 

Join me this week as I talk you through how to start your year with clearer focus. We’ll combine your end of year reflections with your core values and SMART goals to kickstart 2024 and achieve great things.

But before you hit play – make sure you listen to 104 and 105 because they give you some background to this episode. 

In this episode, I share:

• How setting new years resolutions can have a negative effect on us
• Why smart goals are a good mindfulness tool for the new year
• What SMART goals are
• Examples of what SMART goals can be for you 
• How linking SMART goals with your values can make it stick 
• Other steps to use to help you achieve SMART goals

Key Quotes:

“We’ve all been there and gone I want to lose 10 kilos in the first month and losing 10 kg of weight is really hard.”

“SMART goals are specific, they're measurable, they're achievable, they're relevant, and they're time based”

“The reason we set goals is because we want to move forward. We want to achieve something”

Connect with Mindful Men

Welcome to Episode 104 – Mindful about Christmas and New Years

It’s the holiday season and a time of reflection. Whether it’s about how we’re going right now, or how we’ve gone over the past year, we can experience good, bad and ugly emotions during the Christmas and New Years period.

This week I sit down to give you some tips on navigating Christmas and New Years. From reflecting on the year, and recognising our growth – to identifying and connecting in with the supports we need to be well this holiday season. 

I’m also inviting you to join the Mindful Men Community group on Facebook. It’s free and can help you to connect with mindful men from all over the world.  

In this episode, I share:

• How to identify and acknowledge the emotions that arise during the holiday period.
• How to more effectively reflect on the entire year. 
• How to recognize personal growth and resilience.
• The importance of connecting with others.
• Why rest and self-care is important.
• One thing to try if you can’t navigate Christmas and New Years alone.
• Join the Mindful Men Facebook Community (link below)

Key Quotes:

"If nothing positive has happened but you're still here, you're still trying... that’s called resilience”

“this year I'm being very mindful and I'm not going to be drinking because previous years I would overdo it”

Connect with Mindful Men

Trigger warning: Divorce, religious cult or sect

Welcome to Episode 103 – Freedom from life in a cult/sect/family with Rosie Rasmussen

For millions around the world, religion provides a connection with the spiritual self. It brings communities together, and teaches ways to navigate life through shared principles and values. 

And whilst millions find freedom through religion, others have that freedom taken away. 

This week I sit down Rosie Rasmussen, a Mindfulness Mentor who in 2010 turned her back on the church with no name. As an outsider now, she sees it as a cult or sect, whilst acknowledging that those still within the church see it more as a family. And this is where we focus our discussion – the family – and how patriarchy showed within the church and took away her freedom.  

In this episode, Rosie shares:

• Her life in a cult/sect/family
• Some of the main differences between mainstream religions and her cult/sect/family
• The expectations and beliefs that were put on her
• The moment she realised there was a life outside the church 
• How she navigated family and relationships after leaving the church
• The impacts of patriarchy on her life
• Her process of healing and growing
• Her mentoring through Awake Aware Mindful

Key Quotes:

"We weren't encouraged to be part of the world”

“Doing all these things to be the good woman but there is resentment underneath it, that just discounts all of it."

“Where am I? Here. What am I doing? This. What time is it? Now.”

Connect with Rosie:

Trigger warning: alcoholism, addiction

Welcome to Episode 102 – Grey Area Drinking with Sarah Rusbatch 

So many of us struggle with alcohol, but we refrain from admitting it through fear of being labelled an alcoholic. We don’t fit the image of a stereotypical “alcoholic” – the guy who has lost everything to his drinking, needs to drink to function, and is sitting on a park bench taking a swig from a bottle in a brown paper bag. 

This was the case for me; I didn’t fit the stereotype. But when I did drink, I didn’t have a STOP button. And drinking went from fun to self-medication.

But throughout 2023, I’ve found courage in hearing more and more people embrace a sober life. And then I heard of Grey Area Drinking: the grey area between being able to have the occasional drink and full blown alcoholism. It’s the spectrum between being ok with a couple of drinks, to creating rules to justify our drinking, to getting drunk way too often. 

Helping us unpack this topic is Grey Area Drinking coach Sarah Rusbatch. Sarah is an ex-Grey Area Drinker, and shares her story to inspire others out there to quit the booze and live their best life.

In this episode, Sarah shares:

• What grey area drinking is
• Social pressures to drink and how this impacts getting sober
• Why a lot of people resist the term alcoholic and how that influences their drinking decisions
• Her story of grey area drinking and how it became a problem for her
• The rules she put in place to justify her drinking
• The process she went through to redesign her social circles
• What her husband did when she stopped drinking
• Her opinion on replacing alcohol with other options
• The difference between grey area drinking coaching and alcoholics anonymous
• The strategies and tools she offers her clients

Key Quotes:

"Did I think I had a problem with alcohol? No I had a problem and alcohol was my solution.”

"Alcohol is the only drug we have to justify not taking.”

"It's so hard in an alcohol centric society to take a break from alcohol”

"If we are taking alcohol out, what are we putting in?"

Connect with Sarah:

Trigger warning: Infant death, Bereaved parents

Welcome to Episode 101 – Red Nose Dads with Chris Wood

As a family man, my wife and kids are my everything. I simply can’t imagine a world without them.

And this is why my chat with Chris Wood was particularly eye-opening. Chris is a loving husband and bereaved father to Liam who passed away a 1 day old due to complications in utero. Chris bravely shares his story of losing Liam, to help encourage more fathers to access support through agencies like Red Nose Australia.

Red Nose’s aim is to break the stigma around bereavement and loss, and provide support to those in grief through their free 24/7 Grief and Loss Support Line. Sadly, 3,000 little lives are lost suddenly and unexpectedly each year; and it is believed 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage. 

But according to Red Nose, only 1 in 4 who access their Grief and Loss Support line are male. Our hope at Mindful Men is that Chris’ story inspires more men to reach out for support after hearing his family’s story. 

The Red Nose Grief and Loss Support Line is available 24/7 for anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, baby or child death on 1300 308 307.

In this episode, Chris shares:

• The devastating story of his and his wife's fertility and miscarriage journey
• How he nearly lost his son and wife during childbirth.
• His memories of Liam’s first day
• What happened immediately after his Liam’s death
• The gap between support for mums and dads
• How he started the touch footy team and how it's helped him cope
• His petition to increase the government’s payments to bereaved parents

Key Quotes:

"Pregnancy is fucking hard for a lot of people”

“Probably one of the equal hardest  things we ever done was had to leave him there after he died.”

"For me I was back at work doing 6 days a week after 3 weeks and I fucking hated it."

Connect with Chris:

Welcome to Episode 100 – What it means to be a mindful man

I first discovered mindfulness in my recovery from burnout in 2020. At first I thought it was a bit woo woo… a bit hippy… and certainly not manly!

But the more I dived into mindfulness, the more I discovered that it goes beyond meditation, gratitude and journaling. 

In this special 100th episode, I reflect on the various definitions of what it means to be a mindful man. This episode is inspired by the men who are part of the Mindful Men Community on Facebook. If you’re interested in joining this growing community, you can find the link below. 

Key Quotes:

“[mindfulness is] paying attention with openness, curiosity, flexibility and kindness” (Dr Russ Harris)

“[mindfulness is] The art of conscious living” (Jon Kabat-Zinn)

"Values can direct us when we’re lost, but they can also keep us on track when we’re good.”

“Recognise that our way of being and feeling isn’t the only way of being and feeling in the world."

Connect with Mindful Men

Welcome to Episode 99 – Average Joes with Wayne Taylor

A plumber and a real estate agent walked into a bar… 

It has all the makings of the start of a great joke, but what happened is anything but. In 2018, mates Wayne and Eliot put the call out to men of the Sunshine Coast to join them for a beer, chicken wings and chat. And it didn’t take long before blokes started rocking up – and Average Joes was born. 

Average Joes is a movement that inspires men to step above average. Through weekly meet-ups, men can engage in meaningful discussions about topics that matter to them. Not only does it provide a sense of community for men, but it also helps them to find their voice, learn and grow. 

In this episode, Wayne shares:

• The 3 types of father: inactive, reactive and proactive
• How Average Joes started
• What an Average Joes meet-up looks like
• What it takes to be a host for Average Joes
• A moment that helped Wayne realise he was doing something special
• The future for Average Joes

Key Quotes:

“If you choose to be the inactive father, trust me the media will step in and father your child.”

“I didn’t realise that as a whole men were lonely.”

“I wanna be a men’s movement that raises a generation of men that wanna be givers.”

Connect with Wayne:

Trigger warning: Child Sexual Abuse, Graphic Violence

Welcome to Episode 98 – From prison to purpose with Sonny Von Cleveland

The thought of going to prison would horrify most people. But for some who have been in the prison system, it can provide safety, belonging and the time and space to heal. At least this was the situation for Sonny Von Cleveland. 

Sonny was sexually abused as a child, and his traumatic upbringing lead to a young life of crime. Repeat detentions in the juvenile system ultimately saw him enter the adult prison system as a 16 year old. It wasn’t long before the unprocessed trauma became too much and Sonny snapped; stabbing another inmate in the face, and from here fell in with a brotherhood of gang members. 

Later on, Sonny ended up in the hole – and it’s here that he discovered a way of healing the anger that was festering inside. Join us as Sonny take us through his transformational journey, and shares how he uses his pain to inspire change in others. 

In this episode, Sonny shares:

• The impact of being sexually assaulted as a child
• His 18 years in prison, including life as a gang member
• How prison bought out his unresolved anger
• The man in prison who helped him heal and discover his purpose
• His connection with Viking faith
• His techniques for moving thoughts out of his mind and calming himself 
• The back story of his book and why he wrote it

Key Quotes:

• "When you speak about your trauma it gets easier and easier. It's like lifting weights at a gym.”
• “When you puff your chest up and refuse to be vulnerable no one believes it.”
• "In my young mind, when I would get arrested, all the men that were abusing me went away."

Connect with Sonny:

Trigger warning: Alcohol abuse

Welcome to Episode 97 – Thriving after a liver transplant with John Weiman

Have you ever wondered what happens when you have “too much of a good thing?”. Alcohol can make us feel we’re on a good thing, but the long term impacts can have devastating consequences. This includes impacts on our mental and physical health, our identity, finances, relationships, careers and so much more. 

This week we’re exploring all of this through the lived experience of John Weiman. After years of alcohol abuse, John was diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the liver and required a liver transplant to survive. He talks about what led to the diagnosis, and the hurdles he had to jump over just to get the doctor’s approval to do the transplant. This is a story of triumph over tragedy, and an episode you won’t want to miss. 

In this episode, John shares:

• The incredibly young age that alcohol came into his life
• The way alcohol made him stop feeling alone during his marriage
• The process to get diagnosed with Cirrhosis of the liver (liver failure)
• Why he didn’t go to rehab and how he managed without it
• The family issues that lead up to his stroke
• How his health got so bad during his wait for transplant that he even forgot his own name
• The impact his drinking and Cirrhosis had on his children and family
• His experience in the transplant world
• How he now uses his learned experience to help others

Key Quotes:

“Because of the chaos in the household, I developed a family out side of the household and that was friends who drank.”

“Alcohol abuse is something that whether your drinking or not, lasts with you the rest of your life.”

“I never thought of myself as an alcoholic, I was a people-holic”

Interested in Organ Donation?

Trigger warning: Gambling addiction, suicide

Welcome to Episode 91 – Strong Men Struggle with Gary Fahey

Men who identify as Alpha males can often feel trapped when dealing with their internal struggles. The expectation to be strong, dependable and unwavering amidst chaos can clash with an internal voice that’s reaching our for help. But there is a way to balance the two, and this week’s guest is a prime example of this. Gary Fahey is a mental strength and performance specialist, mental health and addiction counsellor, highly sought-after speaker and bestselling author who embodies the mantra of “Lived it, Learned it, Earned it.”

Gary spent 18 years with the Australian Federal Police, leading the Australian Prime Minister’s Personal Protection Team, directing the strategic and operational responsibilities of the Office of Commissioner as the AFP's Executive Officer, and managing international operations.

And he did this while fighting a deep, dark and destructive battle with mental health and gambling addiction which cost him $2 million, his career, his reputation and saw him question the value of his own life.

In this episode Gary shares:

-      Where he started and what life was growing up in a low socio economic area

-      How he got into the Australian Federal Police and came to work with Kevin Rudd’s security

-      The way his career took a toll on his personal life

-      How things outside the AFP were unconsciously happening and it took him a while to realise what was falling to the side of his high pressure career

-      How gambling was the place where the noise wouldswitch off in his head

-      The moment he lost his job due to his gambling addiction

-      His rock bottom/scary moment in his life where he researched taking his own life

-      The reason his earlier attempts to stop his addiction were not successful

-      The work he's doing today to help and inspire others going through similar challenges

-      The frameworks and techniques he draw on to help his clients

-      The reason he doesn’t conduct sessions in offices

-      The importance of lived experience especially for helping men

Key quotes:

"I found it very difficult to acknowledge to myself that I was struggling.”

"I wasn’t very conscious about building the man outside of the AFP, I was more focused on climbing the ladder.”

"I thought I had a gambling issue and tried to fix a gambling issue and didn’t realise the depression was underpinning that.”

"I needed to build skills when I was in rational thinking so that when I was irrational I might have had a chance to do the right thing."

More about Gary

Trigger warning: Depression, PTSD, suicide

Welcome to Episode 90 - Open Arms with Ken Otter

Making any kind of life change can have a big impact on our mental health, but there are probably very few shifts you can make as big as returning to civilian life after serving in the military.

The trauma that veterans experience can have long lasting effects, not just on them, but on the friends and family around them as well.

That’s why the organisation Open Arms was founded to provide mental health support for Australian veterans and their families.

In this episode I speak with Ken Otter a social worker with Open Arms who has seen the many different ways trauma can have an impact on our veterans mental health and understands the unique approaches required to help them and their families.

In this episode Ken shares:

-      What first drew him to social work

-      His experiences working in the mental health space in the Northern Territory

-      What exactly Open Arms is and how it helps veterans and their families

-      Therapy approaches used in Open Arms

-      The unique ways he pitches mindfulness to veterans

-      The power of having someone with lived experience to help

-      Why the young age that people join the military has a significant impact on their mental health

-      Why many veterans struggle with having their high level skills dismissed in the civilian world.

-      The many forms of trauma and ways it can be experienced

-      Some of the things to look out for, for those who might be experiencing a trauma related mental illness

-      Why people need to consider their journey to be their journey and not compare it to anyone else’s.

Key quotes:

“Because you’re in the military and you’ve got this higher order purpose, it’s very hard to come back and stand around a BBQ and talk about what colour your commodore is.”

“Trauma comes in many forms.”

“Mindfulness is very individual. One person’s mindfulness is another person’s irritation.”

More about Ken and Open Arms

Trigger warning: depression, bulimia and eating disorders

Welcome to Episode 89 - AFL and psychedelics with Brock McLean

The world of elite sports can be damaging for both the physical and mental health of the athletes who participate in it.

The pressure, risk of losing your spot and constant competitive nature can lead to some drastic effects.

That’s why I’m very excited to be talking to Brock McLean for this episode. As a former football player for both the Melbourne Football Club and Carlton in the AFL, he will be giving us a behind the scenes picture of the journey to, during and after a career in elite sports.

In this episode Brock shares:

-      His experience with early fatherhood

-      What he did to help out his wife in the early stages of parenthood

-      His early life in a blue collar family and what his journey into football looked like

-      How a coach’s request made him obsessed with food and started weighing everything and purging food at night.

-      The way he handled/recognised his bulimia

-      What the mental health support system is like in football clubs

-      The reason it is so important players take a break for their mental health to normalise the process for others

-      His belief that psychiatric facilities and the people who go through them are horribly misunderstood and stigmatised

-      How being delisted influenced his mental health and how he handled it.

-      The difference between self-esteem and self-worth

-      His experience with researching using psychedelics to help improve mental health.

Key quotes:

“Anyone who’s been in that situation (unhappiness) knows that no matter how many times you change your environment, that unhappiness follows you.”

“It’s not the emotions, it’s not the feelings that’s the issue… it’s what we do to try and avoid those emotions or suppress those emotions.”

“Some of the most amazing people and unfortunately troubled people I’ve ever met in my life have been in psychiatric clinics.”

More about Brock

Trigger warning: depression, agoraphobia, panic disorder and spinal cord injury

Welcome to Episode 88 - Quadriplegia and Medicine with Dinesh Palipana OAM

What kind of mindset and process does it take to live through a catastrophic car accident that leaves you with a cervical spinal cord injury?

That’s exactly what we’re finding out this week with our guest Dinesh Palipana OAM.

Having experienced depression and agoraphobia in his early 20’s, Dinesh is familiar with the how low our minds can take us.

Combine that with the experience of becoming a quadriplegic right when he was training to be a doctor and you can imagine the adversity he has had to overcome.

Since then he has risen above it to become a doctor, lawyer, author, Gold Coast Titans STAR Ambassador and 2021 Queensland Australian of the Year.

In this episode Dinesh shares:

-      His definition of disability and what it means to him

-      What happened when he experienced a dark period of depression and agoraphobia

-      What drew him to a career in medicine, even before his accident

-      The moment a catastrophic car accident left him with a cervical spinal cord injury.

-      The hit and miss experiences he had with doctors hearing and supporting him

-      What made him keep studying to be a doctor after his injury

-      Why he would sometimes have his wheelchair taken away and not be told when it was returning

-      How life changing accessible housing has been for him

-      The mixed opinions he received on trying to be a doctor with a disability

-      The response he has had from patients to his disability

-      How he handled working as a doctor during covid

-      How he became the doctor of gold coast titans physical disability rugby league team

-      What he would tell his younger self about life after the car accident

Key quotes:

“It (depression) was actually more paralysing than the spinal cord injury was.”

“I didn’t know I was depressed, I didn’t know what it was, I didn’t know what I was going through. I had no idea.”

“I don’t think we do the right thing by medical professionals…these people give their heart and soul for our community and I don’t think we look after them as well as we should.”

More about Dinesh

Welcome to Episode 87- Men Feel Lonely Too (Solo episode)

In this episode of The Mindful Men Podcast, I dive deep into the often-overlooked subject of men's loneliness, aiming to spark an open conversation about this pressing issue.

Drawing parallels between the struggle to discuss loneliness and the broader challenge of addressing men's mental health, I shed light on the barriers preventing candid conversations.

Shifting the perspective on loneliness, I emphasize the significance of connection quality over quantity, stressing the transformative power of even a single meaningful relationship.

Exploring the implications of social isolation in today's world and the factors exacerbating men's loneliness, I uncover its potential health repercussions. I offer actionable strategies, urging listeners to confront and embrace loneliness, redefine their social circles, and engage in group activities.

Additionally, I introduce the Mindful Men Facebook community, a platform for mutual support and connection. Ultimately, I empower men to take charge of their emotional well-being, encouraging them to combat loneliness and forge a path toward a more connected and fulfilling life.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

References:

Welcome to Episode 86- Men of Gold with Dayne Weston

This week, I’m joined by former rugby league player Dayne Weston who shares his footy and personal life challenges.

Dayne bravely opens up about the impact of childhood trauma, performance-based love, and his struggles during a difficult divorce. Through his own experiences, he emphasizes the need for open dialogue and understanding surrounding mental health issues, both in sports and society.

Throughout the interview, Dayne reflects on the evolving approach to mental health within rugby league clubs. He highlights the positive influence of well-being teams and empathetic coaches, stressing the importance of creating a supportive environment for players to discuss their mental well-being.

Dayne passionately advocates for year-round mental health awareness and dispels the stigma associated with seeking help; including what he is doing to support men through Men of Gold.

Join us for an inspiring and honest conversation as Dayne sheds light on the significance of vulnerability, mental health support, and fostering a culture of compassion in sports. This episode challenges the status quo and encourages listeners to prioritize mental health conversations and create a more inclusive and supportive community.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Welcome to Episode 85 - The Dad’s Community with Stephen Hirst 

In the world of parenting, dads can often feel left behind. With all the focus on mums and bubs in the early days, life ends up getting busy and suddenly dads are left wondering why things have got so tough.

Enter Stephen Hurst, the founder of DADS Community. DADS Community provides men with a safe and supportive community just for dads. What started as a Facebook group has turned into a thriving community with weekly catch ups, men circles, coaching and get togethers.

In this episode, Stephen shares his personal story and links this with why community is so important for the dads in our lives. Join us as we reflect on what it means to be a dad, and the great things DADS Community is doing.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Welcome to Episode 83 - How compliments improve connection (Solo Episode)

In a world where negativity often dominates our thoughts and conversations, it's essential that we shine some light into our lives by the way we engage each other.

Join me on this solo episode where I reflect on the power of compliments, and how important it is to not deflect when someone offers us one.

We’ll go through an exercise that you can do today to lift someone up… and maybe save their life!

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Welcome to Episode 82 - Gluten Free and Coeliac disease with Ben Hampton.

Are you or someone you know living with Coeliac Disease? Or maybe you know someone who is going gluten-free in their diet?

This week we’re diving into Coeliac Disease, a chronic autoimmune disorder caused by ingesting gluten.

Ben Hampton shares his personal journey of living with Coeliac Disease, including the struggles he faced from diagnosis, to his mental health and the everyday management of the condition.

Ben also discusses how his story prompted him to promote greater awareness of Coeliac Disease by hosting A Gluten Free Podcast. It’s a great listen, with personal and expert insights about this crippling disease.

If you or a loved one are affected by Coeliac Disease, this episode is a must-listen.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Welcome to Episode 81 - Overcoming Gambling Addiction with Kate Seselja.

Did you know Australia is the Poker machine capital of the world!? Gambling addiction is a hidden struggle that affects countless individuals worldwide.

The allure of winning, the excitement of risk-taking, and the illusion of control can quickly spiral into an all-consuming compulsion.

Join me as I chat with Kate Seselja about her journey from gambling addict to recovery coach.

We shed light on the often invisible nature of this addiction, and the importance of seeking support, and the profound impact of gambling addiction on individuals and their families.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Welcome to Episode 80 - Homelessness and Mental Health with Cameron Thayer 

With house and rent prices on the increase, more and more Australians are finding themselves experiencing homelessness. For some, this is nothing new. But given the current financial and housing climates, many are experiencing homelessness for the first time and are unsure where to turn for help.

This week I dive into homelessness with Cameron Thayer. Cameron shares his story of experiencing homelessness at a young age to becoming the CEO of mental health and disability-focussed non-profit community organization Karakan.

Cameron shares his story in order to instill hope in others that support is out there, and change is possible. Join us as we explore the challenges presented by homelessness, and the crucial role of non-profit organizations supporting vulnerable people in our communities.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Welcome to Episode 79 - Mindful about Imposter Syndrome

Do you ever feel like you're not good enough, despite everyone tell you that you’re doing great?

Are you constantly plagued by self-doubt, fearing that you'll be exposed as a fraud?

Let me tell you that you’re not alone, and you may be experiencing Imposter Syndrome—a phenomenon that affects countless individuals, hindering their progress and stifling their confidence.

Join me for this solo episode as I explore the 5 types of Imposter profiles. I’ll share my experiences and what I’m doing to overcome the imposter that holds me down.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Resources:

Welcome to Episode 78 - Empowering Parents with Kimball Lewis

Let’s be honest, parenting is hard! From toddlers to teens, challenges come and go and we’re often left wondering whether we’re doing parenting right.  

If this sounds like you, join me as I chat with parenting expert Kimball Lewis from Empowering Parents. Kimball and I explore ways to empower you as a parent in areas like consequences, handling arguments, and establishing essential rules for family life.

Kimball will help you to strengthen your parental approach whilst feeling empowered to create a loving and supportive environment for your family.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Welcome to Episode 77 - Battling the booze with Simon Bartz 

June 12-18 is International Men’s Health Week and this year’s theme is healthy habits. 

This week, I sit down with Simon Bartz from Elevate Counselling to talk about healthy habits that follow on from addiction to alcohol. 

Simon shares his struggle with the booze, and how he used alcohol to hide from his internal struggles resulting from numerous rounds of IVF and job losses. But he also shares how he pulled through by devaluing his relationship with alcohol to now be sober and full of energy. 

And make sure you stick around to hear some of Simon’s healthy habits as we recognise the importance of men’s health this International Men’s Health Week.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Welcome to Episode 76 of the Mindful Men Podcast - Bowel Cancer Awareness with Jake Usher

June is Bowel Cancer awareness month, so what better way to raise awareness than to talk about our bums? 

This week I’m joined by a not-so-average Aussie bloke Jake Usher from WA. Jake has an incredible story of being diagnosed with Stage 4 Bowel Cancer at the age of 31. What started off as an itchy bum and regular visits to the toilet, ended up in a colonoscopy, surgery and chemotherapy.

Jake shares his story with the aim of inspiring other young people out there to have a chat with their Doctor if they’re concerned about their colon. This is particularly the case for young Australians, because as Jake mentions in the show, colon cancer is not just an old person’s disease.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are:

Welcome to Episode 75 of the Mindful Men Podcast - Mastering our Mindset with Ashton Levarek

Many of us can struggle with the internal dialogues running rampant in our minds. They beat us down, hold us back, and force us to play life safely. And in the process, we often forget our true selves, and resort to an auto-pilot life that doesn't serve us. But we can change the way we see ourselves, turn off the auto-pilot and start living an authentic life. 

Helping us to do this is Ashton Levarek. Ashton is a family man, retired special forces soldier and real estate investor with Valkere Investment Group. He is passionate about living his best life, as well as helping others do the same. Our chat bounces between family life, careers, and the mindset we need to explore our full potential. There are so many great takeaways from this episode - so make sure you grab a notebook before you sit down and hit play.

If you're keen to check out the links mentioned in this episode, here they are: