“The brain wave is not just a scientific object—it’s a cultural one.” – Dr. Caitlin Shure What is a brain wave? How “brain waves” became a metaphor for mind control, telepathy, and spiritual resonance. That’s the question we explore in one of the most surprising and thought-provoking episodes of the Thriving Minds podcast to date—with science journalist and technologist Dr. Caitlin Shure , whose PhD work traced the strange cultural journey of the brainwave from telepathy and spiritualism to mode...
Jul 24, 2025•48 min
For most of my career in neuroscience, I believed the brain alone governed who we are—shaped by genetics, evolution, and early life experiences. I trusted in the power of brain imaging and genomics to reveal the answers. But after decades spent mapping neural circuits, a deeper truth emerged: We are not isolated minds in skulls. We are wired to connect. In this episode, I explore the revolutionary science of interbrain synchrony —how our brains light up in rhythm with others when we’re emotional...
Jul 10, 2025•24 min
🎧 Thriving Minds with Professor Selena Bartlett welcomes Dr. Bruce Greyson, a pioneering psychiatrist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia, for a profoundly moving and scientifically grounded conversation on near-death experiences (NDEs) and the nature of consciousness. In this episode, Dr. Greyson reflects on his 40 years of research, the development of the Greyson NDE Scale, and his acclaimed book After , which explores what NDEs reveal about the mind, death, and what might li...
Jul 09, 2025•45 min
Can you be both a scientist and a mystic? In this extraordinary episode, Professor Selena Bartlett speaks with Dr. Anona Blackwell — a Lancet-published academic, former consultant physician, and author of From Medic to Mystic — about the turning point where evidence-based medicine no longer had all the answers. Raised in rural poverty in Wales and rising to the heights of British medical academia, Dr. Blackwell quietly navigated a parallel world of intuitive experiences, energy healing, and psyc...
Jun 18, 2025•36 min
In the rush to do more, fix more, and be more, we often forget the simplest truth: Sometimes what we need isn’t another push… It’s a hand to hold. A moment to breathe. A reminder that we belong. When I sat down recently with Amanda Cooke—poet, writer, and creator of Reunion Songs —what unfolded wasn’t just an interview. It was a reconnection. A weaving back into something ancient and alive. Something that felt less like conversation and more like song . A song that belongs to all of us. Amanda C...
Jun 13, 2025•23 min
When we visit the doctor, we routinely measure blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, weight, and heart rate. For years, we’ve known that early life experiences—especially stress and adversity—leave long-lasting marks on the nervous system. But we rarely stop to ask: How can we see those marks? That’s where the eye comes in. Why the Eye Reveals the Brain The corneal nerve plexus is a dense network of sensory nerves at the front of the eye. It’s part of the peripheral nervous system, which connect...
May 27, 2025•37 min
SEEN is a groundbreaking feature-length documentary—and now a powerful podcast companion—that explores the untold story of how healing our own childhood wounds can transform the way we parent. At the heart of this series lies a bold and hopeful message: when parents confront and rewire their own coping mechanisms, it doesn't just change their lives—it reshapes their children's developing brains. Through raw, unfiltered conversations with real parents, experts, and neuroscientists, SEEN uncovers ...
Apr 07, 2025•41 min
📌 Key Insight: Modern parenting often prioritises convenience and safety over challenge and growth. But kids need opportunities to struggle, try, fail, and try again to build the emotional muscles they’ll need for life. “We’re putting 3-year-olds on iPads but not letting them zip up their coats.” – Nicole Runyon Let’s flip the script—and raise a generation built on connection, competence, and confidence . In this gripping conversation, we’re joined by Nicole Runyon, LMSW —psychotherapist, paren...
Apr 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Anthony England, Director of Innovation at Pymble Ladies’ College, discusses a bold grassroots initiative to reclaim childhood from the grip of digital addiction. With screen time skyrocketing and mental health declining, Anthony and his team took action—rolling out over 800 custom-managed smartphones designed to grow with students, limit harmful content, and foster real-world connection. Pymble has chosen a new and courageous path —one that protects wellbeing while preparing students to thrive ...
Apr 02, 2025•34 min
‘Parents who are so worried about offending others by setting boundaries for their kids make it so easy for me to offend” : Relayed from repeat offender to Feather Berkower, expert in parenting safe children. In an era where information is at our fingertips, one of the most critical skills for parents and educators in 2024 is empowering our children to navigate their world safely, especially when it comes to protecting them from sexual abuse. "Off Limits: A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Kids Safe fr...
Mar 31, 2025•42 min
In this episode, we dive into the revolutionary ideas of developmental psychologist Peter Gray, author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life . Gray challenges conventional education by making a bold case for self-directed, play-based learning – or "unschooling" – as the best path to prepare kids for a rapidly changing world. Drawing on insights from anthropology, psychology, and history, Gray argues t...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Stop Stuffing the Duck with Mary Hewitt In this insightful episode of Unlocking Childhood , Mary Hewitt unpacks the idea of "Stop Stuffing the Duck"—a powerful metaphor for how we often overload children with expectations, information, and stress. Mary explores how society's approach to childhood can inadvertently suffocate natural curiosity and resilience, rather than nurturing it. Drawing on the groundbreaking ACEs Too High study, Mary highlights how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) signif...
Mar 24, 2025•48 min
“Wired for Good: The Intersection of Neuroscience, Connection, and Success” 🎙️ Live from the Shand Taylor Lawyers Ladies Function for IWD 2025 This special International Women’s Day episode explores the fascinating intersection of neuroscience, connection, and success—how our brains are wired for good and what that means for leadership, resilience, and well-being. Recorded live at the Shand Taylor Lawyers Ladies Function for IWD 2025, this episode unpacks the science of connection, the power of...
Mar 21, 2025•37 min
Empower, Nurture, Flourish – ECLD 2025 Keynote Standing on the stage at Optus Stadium, in Perth looking out at 700 passionate educators, leaders, and changemakers, there was an undeniable energy in the room, with a shared commitment to shaping the minds and hearts of future generations. This was more than a conference; it was a movement. Delivering the ECLD 2025 keynote was a privilege. The impact of early childhood educators cannot be overstated—every interaction, moment of care, and lesson tau...
Mar 09, 2025•46 min
In a world that often asks us to conform, it takes immense courage to show up as our true selves. Rudi Landmann embodies bravery, stepping forward with authenticity, heart, and a commitment to being seen. As part of the 2025 Why People Are Good Inside movement, we welcome Rudi into our bubble of love and support—where kindness, understanding, and connection pave the way for real change. Being truly seen isn’t just about visibility; it’s about knowing you are valued, safe, and celebrated for who ...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 34 min
Why Are People Good Inside? A Valentine’s Week Reflection Have you ever sat back and wondered why everything functions despite the avalanche of news suggesting it is falling apart? I’ve watched everyday people helping others—lifting grocery bags for a stranger, steadying an elderly person’s walker on a staircase, retrieving a lost toy that slipped from a parent's grasp. I've seen nurses and assistants speaking gently to a young man who suffered a stroke, crying in agony from his muscle loss. I’v...
Feb 13, 2025•11 min
Guy MacGillivray on Sugar and Mental Health – Our Most Downloaded Episode Ever! This episode is a game-changer! Our conversation with Guy MacGillivray has become the top episode of all time —and for good reason. Guy is a psychologist and social worker in Port Lincoln , a devoted father of three, and a passionate advocate for people with disabilities. But his journey into understanding sugar and mental health started with a personal revelation: he was using sugar to medicate stress in his life. R...
Feb 09, 2025•48 min
Who shaped your understanding of financial independence? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments. When my sister and I were about 10 years old, my mum, June Hocart, often said, "My job is to make you financially independent." At the time, we didn’t fully grasp what she meant. But as we grew older, we saw how she lived those words—studying by torchlight under the sheets in her dormitory to become a nurse, later running a pharmacy with my father, and always making sure we understood the va...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 57 min
In this episode, Yush Sztalkoper shares her transformative journey as a parent raising neurodiverse and twice-exceptional children—kids who are both gifted and experience challenges such as ADHD or dysregulated behaviours. By replacing screen time with enriching activities like reading, outdoor play, and family board games. Within two weeks, her children exhibited reduced impulsivity and became more autonomous, underscoring the power of reducing dopamine-seeking behaviours. Diagnosed with ADHD h...
Jan 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min
"When I ask 16-21 year olds what they wish their parents had known about social media, they say, number one, don’t give us phones and social media too young." - Children's Commissioner for England, Rachel De Souza As the first smartphone generation hits adulthood, they are reflecting on their lost wonder years, a precious period of their lives they can never get back. Too many of them regret a childhood wasted on screens and they wish their parents had set firmer boundaries. Let's not repeat the...
Sep 28, 2024•48 min
In this episode, we dive into the growing wave of lawsuits being filed against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, Tik Tok by parents and guardians concerned about the mental and physical harm these platforms are causing younger users. Research indicates a troubling rise in social media addiction among teens, leading to severe mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, and even suicide. The issue gained significant attenti...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 33 min
In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Qoria (formerly Family Zone), a company born from the vision of four dedicated parents determined to make digital spaces safer for children. Facing off against tech giants indifferent to online child protection, Qoria has emerged as a global leader in digital safety. We delve into the industry's complexities, including government funding for technology that doesn’t adequately protect families and how Qoria champions interoperable solutions aga...
Sep 04, 2024•40 min
Welcome to the global initiative of SEEN Conversations. We are mastering children's mental health in the digital age. Wade Haynes, Retired Principal, Brisbane State High School Melanie Pilling, Editor Weekend Edition Courier Mail, Sunday Mail Sam Jockel, CEO Parent TV, Producer SEEN documentary Professor Selena Bartlett, neuroscientist, author being SEEN. The conversation concerns parents, teachers, principals, educators, community organisations, policy-makers, and carers. We discussed the chall...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 33 min
In this engaging conversation, we explore why being seen matters more than money, career, and status regarding health, happiness, and longevity. Ryan shares his insights on the profound impact of genuine human connections in our increasingly digital world. Together, we delve into the transformative power of authenticity, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Ryan discusses how these qualities foster meaningful relationships and contribute to a more fulfilling and balanced life. He introduces the ...
Aug 04, 2024•49 min
In today's digital age, many of us find ourselves both "tired and wired," constantly stimulated yet perpetually exhausted. In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Jean Yates from Cybernetic Shield to explore the pressing issue of mental health in our digitally driven world. As our lives become increasingly intertwined with technology, many of us find ourselves both "tired and wired"—constantly connected yet feeling perpetually exhausted. Jean Yates shares actionable steps and insightful s...
Jul 22, 2024•58 min
Join us for an insightful episode as we chat with Dany Elachi, a Sydney father of five and the co-founder of Heads Up Alliance. Dany and his wife started this grassroots movement in 2020 to encourage parents to delay giving their kids social media and smartphones. They believe that families in local school communities can create a healthier environment for their children by working together. We delve into the critical topic of raising the minimum social media age to 16 years with Dany Elachi, co...
Jul 08, 2024•41 min
Did you realise that almost zero places online are safe for children? The dark web has exploited our addiction to phones and digital lives, leaving no one paying attention to our children, who have become easy targets. In this deeply moving podcast episode, we hear from Wayne Holdsworth, a father who tragically lost his 17-year-old son Mac was a victim to on-line sextortion in October 2023 after becoming a victim of sextortion. Wayne shares his profound regret and pain, wishing he had known that...
Jul 03, 2024•47 min
Today we dive deep into important conversations about mental health, well-being, and community support. We're discussing an incredibly important topic that, unfortunately, affects many lives—today, we are talking about suicide and the reasons leading a young boy to the moment and the steps we, as parents and a society, can take to prevent it from happening. "Suicide is a challenging and sensitive subject, but it's one we must talk about openly and compassionately. Understanding the signs, offeri...
Jun 20, 2024•51 min
We dive into Sue Meintjes' ebook, featuring powerful strategies from leading international parenting experts to help get your kids to listen and cooperate without yelling or shouting. Get the free ebook here: https://www.expertparentingadvice.com/ Each chapter includes a 10-minute interview with a parenting expert who shares their best secret and shows you how to use it with your children. Discover insights like: Teaching emotional management and problem-solving (Dr. Rosina McAlpine) Using playf...
Jun 18, 2024•39 min
We explore the fascinating landscape of mental health, personal growth, and the intricate workings of the human mind. We are thrilled to introduce our listeners to my groundbreaking new book that promises to redefine the way we approach parenting in 2024. "BEING SEEN -Master Parenting in the Digital Age where we delve into the heart of this transformative work. "BEING SEEN" addresses the unique challenges faced by parents and children in today's rapidly changing world. Are you struggling to conn...
Jun 16, 2024•3 min
