Dr. Jodie is joined by Sarah McDonald, founder and director of Canine Comprehension, a pioneering organisation that uses therapy dogs to support emotional literacy and mental health in school communities across Victoria, Australia.

Sarah shares her own mental health journey and opens up about how her personal experiences have shaped her passion for helping young people — especially those struggling to regulate emotions, engage at school, or feel seen in the classroom. With warmth and honesty, Sarah talks about the powerful impact of Canine Comprehension's programs, the trust they build with students and teachers, and the long-term relationships they’ve developed in schools over the years.

Topics covered include:

• How therapy dogs help kids feel safe, seen, and supported

• The emotional toll of anxiety and the importance of showing up anyway

• How parents and teachers can advocate for school wellbeing programs

• Practical ways to access funding through Victoria’s Schools Mental Health Menu

• The joy of long-term school partnerships (and the many dog mascots left behind!)

Want to get in touch or learn more?
Visit: www.caninecomprehension.com.au
You’ll find videos, program information, and contact details to start a conversation about bringing Canine Comprehension to your school.
They're also on Facebook and LinkedIn, and happy to chat directly.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or simply passionate about kids’ mental health, this episode will leave you inspired by the powerful combination of empathy & education.

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In this powerful follow-up conversation with Dr. Jodi Richardson - Jane O'Brien shares how she’s navigated life after her transplant with deep presence, gratitude, and inner strength. We explore the fleeting nature of illumination, and how she’s turned daily practices like meditation and gratitude into anchors for resilience.

Jane opens up about her experience with panic attacks, PTSD, and how modalities like EMDR helped her process trauma. She also shares an extraordinary story from her time in ICU—when, despite being unable to speak, she still found a way to help another patient rediscover her will to live.

This episode is a gentle yet profound reminder of the healing power of perspective, the choice we have in how we meet life’s challenges, and the quiet strength found in giving to others—even when we ourselves are in need.

If you’re facing a tough time, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone—and that hope can be found in the most unexpected places.

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In this powerful and deeply emotional episode, host Jodi speaks with Jane O'Brien, a mother of three and former media professional, who shares her remarkable journey through chronic illness, resilience, and life-saving transformation. After being diagnosed at 38 with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis, Jane spent 15 years battling progressive lung disease and vocal cord paralysis. Her life changed forever when, at the edge of lung failure, she received the gift of a double lung transplant.

Jane opens up about the physical and emotional toll of living with chronic illness while raising young children, her struggle with the idea of receiving donor organs, and the strength she drew from her family, her medical team, and the belief that better health was possible. She also shares how her daughter Holly’s drawing of her with healthy lungs became a daily symbol of hope—an image she kept by her side during hospital stays.

This conversation is a moving exploration of uncertainty, gratitude, mental health, and the profound impact of organ donation—not only on recipients but on their families, too.

PART 2 of this conversation will be released, in the next episode

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Dr. Jodi Richardson continues her illuminating conversation with psychologist Jodie Wassner, diving into Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and its transformative approach for families navigating childhood anxiety.

What you'll learn:

• Why building connection and understanding must precede cognitive work with anxious children
• How to use the powerful ACT question: "Is that just something your mind is telling you?"
• Practical strategies for helping both parents and children tolerate uncertainty
• The step-by-step process of moving from empathetic understanding to helpful cognitive techniques

Standout moment: "Parents often rush to fix their child's anxiety, but Jodie explains why spending months truly understanding your child creates the foundation for all effective intervention work."

Who this episode is for: Parents supporting anxious children, educators working with anxious students, therapists interested in ACT approaches, and anyone seeking to understand psychological flexibility in managing anxiety.

Listen now to discover how ACT principles can help anxious children separate from unhelpful thoughts while living according to their values.

Jodie Wassner's book mentioned: https://www.woodslanehealth.com.au/products/9781839975820?srsltid=AfmBOorhVwFFObgAD0RWw76jrEEMKSsYh36ST4-fMTr-CBFUfXEOnuUD

More on Jodie's work:

https://www.curiouskidspsychology.com.au/our-team

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In this insightful episode, Dr. Jodi Richardson sits down with Jodie (Jordana) Wassner, a neuro-affirming Educational and Developmental Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with young people and their families across Melbourne and Sydney.

Drawing from both her professional expertise and personal lived experience with neurodivergence, Jodie shares her unique approach to supporting neurodivergent youth through radical acceptance and values-based strategies. As an author, speaker, and clinician who divides her time between direct client work and educational training for professionals and families worldwide, Jodie brings a wealth of practical wisdom to this conversation.

The discussion takes a refreshing turn when addressing social challenges for young people with autism. Rather than prescribing generic social skills training, Jodie explains her values-first approach—helping neurodivergent youth define what meaningful friendship looks like specifically for them before determining steps toward connection. This personalised method honours individual differences while providing practical pathways to fulfilling relationships.

Listeners will appreciate Jodie's candid exploration of "worry habits" and her perspective that anxiety isn't something to eliminate but rather to understand and accommodate. She challenges traditional symptom-reduction approaches to stress, instead offering tools to help young people recognise their specific anxiety patterns and develop sustainable coping strategies.

Throughout the episode, Jodie weaves together insights from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with her extensive experience supporting autism and attention differences, creating a compassionate framework for parents, educators, and clinicians supporting neurodivergent youth.

Whether you're a parent seeking to better understand your neurodivergent child, a professional working with diverse young people, or someone interested in progressive approaches to mental health, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on embracing neurodiversity while building meaningful lives.

Jodie Wassner's book mentioned: https://www.woodslanehealth.com.au/products/9781839975820?srsltid=AfmBOorhVwFFObgAD0RWw76jrEEMKSsYh36ST4-fMTr-CBFUfXEOnuUD

More on Jodie's work:

https://www.curiouskidspsychology.com.au/our-team

Connect with me:

https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQ

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Join Dr. Jodi Richardson in this powerful and deeply moving episode as she welcomes acclaimed author and psychotherapist Dr. Stephanie Dowrick to discuss her transformative new book, "Your Name is Not Anxious."

In this raw and vulnerable conversation, Dr. Dowrick invites listeners to reconsider their relationship with anxiety, describing it as a "coloniser" that takes over your identity and a "liar" that distorts your perception of reality. Together, they explore how negative self-talk erodes our wellbeing and how breaking the cycle begins with a simple but profound question: "Would you speak to your best friend the way you speak to yourself?"

The conversation takes a personal turn as both women share their own journeys with anxiety – Stephanie opening up about her earlier struggles with OCD and current chronic pain from stress fractures in her spine, while Jodi speaks candidly about her experience with medication.

Drawing from her book, Dr. Dowrick offers practical wisdom for reclaiming power from the "robbery" of anxiety and depression through small, hopeful steps toward re-empowerment. She emphasises the importance of:

• Asking for help when needed
• Using body-soothing techniques to reduce cortisol levels
• Implementing guided meditation and self-hypnosis (techniques expanded upon in her book)
• Learning from situations where you already cope well

This episode doesn't just theorise about anxiety – it offers a compassionate roadmap for those struggling to separate themselves from their anxious thoughts and rediscover their true identity beyond the limiting label of "anxious."

A must-listen for anyone seeking to understand and transform their relationship with anxiety through self-compassion, insight, and hope.

Content warning: This episode contains discussions of death

More about Dr. Stephanie Dowrick:

https://www.stephaniedowrick.com/

Order her book - 'Your Name Is Not Anxious': https://a.co/d/7fscwy0

Connect with me:

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An unforgettable conversation about trusting your instincts.

In this powerful episode, host, Dr. Jodi Richardson, sits down with Kathy Rhodes, who shares her harrowing yet ultimately triumphant battle with stage 3 cervical cancer. When she sensed something was wrong with her body, doctors repeatedly dismissed her concerns — but her persistence saved her life, leading to a diagnosis that changed everything.

Kathy takes us through her extraordinary journey to becoming cancer-free, including her courageous decision to face treatment largely alone — a choice that transformed her people-pleasing tendencies into newfound strength. The topics covered in this episode include;

• Moving closer to the hospital to prioritise her treatment
• Confronting her mortality while managing anxiety, guilt, and self-blame
• Developing innovative anxiety management techniques, including her weekly "feeling all the feels" for 30 minutes
• Her fascinating "do-over" strategy for breaking cycles of overthinking
• Living with lasting effects like brittle bones and constant tinnitus
• Finding moments of laughter even in the darkest times of treatment
• Practical advice for supporting loved ones through cancer diagnoses

"Life beyond cancer isn't easy either," Kathy reminds us, offering rare insight into the ongoing challenges survivors face after treatment ends. She also shares the surprisingly fun and meaningful ways her friends showed up for her when she needed it most.

Content warning: This episode contains discussions of death, mortality, and serious health challenges.

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Expert insights on creating a more inclusive world for our children's mental wellbeing

This week, we're joined by renowned mental health professional Dr. Mark Cross for a profound conversation about the mental health challenges facing young people today.

Dr. Mark Cross shares eye-opening statistics from groundbreaking research and offers practical guidance for parents and caregivers navigating these crucial conversations. Together, our guests explore how creating a truly inclusive society—one that embraces all individuals, not just those who think like us—is essential for supporting youth mental health.

Discover powerful insights from Dr. Cross's influential book, "CHANGING MINDS - THE GO-TO GUIDE TO MENTAL HEALTH," as our experts provide actionable strategies for:

• Recognising warning signs of mental health struggles in young people
• Creating safe spaces for open conversations about mental wellbeing
• Building more inclusive communities that support diverse thinking
• Focusing on what is most important in our life

Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply someone who cares about the future of our youth, this episode offers invaluable wisdom for fostering healthier minds and stronger communities.

More about our guest Dr Mark Cross:

https://www.drmarkx.com/

Connect with me:

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