Bron is joined by Dr Ines Pandzic (PhD, Clin Psych Registrar) to unpack how to manage being a parent alongside the intense training required to become a psychologist. They chat about 👉🏽 Ines' experience of having a baby during her Masters program 👉🏻 What worked for Ines in juggling study, placement, and parenting 👉 Recommendations for early career psychs considering a family in the future. Thanks to listener Claire for this episode suggestion!

Mental Work is hosted by Dr Bronwyn Milkins, an Australian-based early career psychologist.

Learn more about Ines here: https://www.inespandzic.com/

THE END BITS

Thanks for listening. Mental Work is the podcast unpacking the challenges faced by early career psychologists, so they don’t have to go it alone.

I’m looking for guests to appear on Season 3 of the podcast to be released in early 2023. Don’t be shy, express your interest here!: https://forms.office.com/r/3ci82tKq7p

Love the podcast? You can help keep it alive by joining our Patreon for $2 a month at patreon.com/mentalworkpodcast

Support the show with a one-off contribution by buying me a virtual coffee! ☕ buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork Thanks to listener James for the coffee!

Email Bron at mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

Facebook / Instagram / Website

Credits
Host: Bronwyn Milkins
Producer: Michael English
Music: Home

Bron is joined by Dr Ines Pandzic (PhD, Clin Psych Registrar) to unpack how to manage being a parent alongside the intense training required to become a psychologist. They chat about 👉🏽 Ines' experience of having a baby during her Masters program 👉🏻 What worked for Ines in juggling study, placement, and parenting 👉 Recommendations for early career psychs considering a family in the future. Thanks to listener Claire for this episode suggestion!
Mental Work is hosted by Dr Bronwyn Milkins, an Australian-based early career psychologist.
Learn more about Ines here: <a href="https://www.inespandzic.com/">https://www.inespandzic.com/</a>
THE END BITS
Thanks for listening. Mental Work is the podcast unpacking the challenges faced by early career psychologists, so they don’t have to go it alone.
I’m looking for guests to appear on Season 3 of the podcast to be released in early 2023. Don’t be shy, express your interest here!: <a href="https://forms.office.com/r/3ci82tKq7p">https://forms.office.com/r/3ci82tKq7p</a>  
Love the podcast? You can help keep it alive by joining our Patreon for $2 a month at<a href="http://www.patreon.com/mentalworkpodcast"> patreon.com/mentalworkpodcast</a>
Support the show with a one-off contribution by buying me a virtual coffee! ☕ <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork">buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork </a>Thanks to listener James for the coffee!
Email Bron at <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com</a> 
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mentalworkpod">Facebook</a> / <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_mentalworkpodcast/">Instagram</a> / <a href="https://www.MentalWorkPodcast.com">Website</a> 
Credits Host: <a href="https://www.bronwynmilkins.com">Bronwyn Milkins</a> Producer: Michael English Music: <a href="https://home96.bandcamp.com">Home</a>

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Psychologist Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for mental health workers about working in mental health, with an early-career focus. Hosted by Psychologist Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

A closer look at the everyday challenges faced by early-career mental health workers, so they don’t have to go it alone.

Mental Work

Being a new parent while studying (with Dr Ines Pandzic)

In the final episode of the year, Bron reflects on the wins and challenges of 2025, her favourite episode this year, behind-the-scenes updates to the podcast, and a sneak peek of episodes coming up in 2026. If you've enjoyed the podcast this year, please consider buying Bron & editor Michael a virtual coffee at buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork. New episodes coming to you from January 15 2026! 🌈

LINKS
Burnout Part 1 and Burnout Part 2 with Matthew Jackson

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for early-career psychologists about working in mental health. Hosted by psychologist/researcher Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram, leave a comment on the Spotify episode, or email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honour the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

In the final episode of the year, Bron reflects on the wins and challenges of 2025, her favourite episode this year, behind-the-scenes updates to the podcast, and a sneak peek of episodes coming up in 2026. If you've enjoyed the podcast this year, please consider buying Bron &amp; editor Michael a virtual coffee at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork">buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork</a>. New episodes coming to you from January 15 2026! 🌈
LINKS
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/burnout-in-the-thick-of-it-with-matthew-jackson-part-1/">Burnout Part 1</a> and <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/burnout-coming-out-the-other-side-with-matthew-jackson-part-2/">Burnout Part 2</a> with Matthew Jackson</li>
</ul>
THE END BITS
Mental Work is the Australian podcast for early-career psychologists about working in mental health. Hosted by psychologist/researcher <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/about/">Dr Bronwyn Milkins</a>.
Support the show by <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork">buying me a virtual coffee</a> ☕🍵
Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_mentalworkpodcast/">DM Bron on Instagram</a>, leave a comment on the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5ifKADwT3mw6yYDZb9rHji">Spotify episode</a>, or <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com</a>
<a href="https://www.podpage.com/mentalwork/p/guest/">Apply to be a guest</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MentalWorkPodcast">YouTube (with captions &amp; transcript)</a> / <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/">Website</a>
CREDITS
Producer: Michael English
Music: <a href="https://home96.bandcamp.com/">Home</a>
Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honour the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.
Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email</a>. Further information can be found <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/p/disclaimer/">here</a>.

That's a wrap! 2025 end-of-year reflection (solo)

Bron speaks with Dr Lyn O’Grady (community psychologist and suicidology researcher) about person-centred suicide prevention. Lyn shares how decades of work across communities, schools, projects and private practice shaped her understanding of suicidality and why relying solely on checklists can shut down meaningful conversations.

They chat about:
👉🏽 How person-centred care differs from traditional risk assessments
👉🏻 The limits of low/medium/high suicide-risk categories
👉🏿 Using risk formulation and collaborative, empowering safety planning
👉 Keeping conversations open without increasing shame or fear
👉🏽 How clinicians can sit with uncertainty, use existing skills, and practise sustainably in this challenging space

Guest: Lyn O'Grady - Community Psychologist

LINKS
Lyn is featured in this article: ​How to take a person-centred approach to suicide prevention, published by the Australian Psychological Society
Lyn is available for supervision - you can message her on LinkedIn
Open-access research paper: Cognitive Behavior Therapy With and Without Narrative Assessment and Suicide Attempts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2025): "Results suggest that a narrative assessment (of suicide risk) may be a simple and effective way to capture the forces that lead to suicide attempts and to direct interventions toward their prevention." 👏

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for early-career psychologists about working in mental health. Hosted by psychologist/researcher Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram, leave a comment on the Spotify episode, or email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Bron speaks with Dr Lyn O&rsquo;Grady (community psychologist and suicidology researcher) about person-centred suicide prevention. Lyn shares how decades of work across communities, schools, projects and private practice shaped her understanding of suicidality and why relying solely on checklists can shut down meaningful conversations.
They chat about: 👉🏽 How person-centred care differs from traditional risk assessments 👉🏻 The limits of low/medium/high suicide-risk categories 👉🏿 Using risk formulation and collaborative, empowering safety planning 👉 Keeping conversations open without increasing shame or fear 👉🏽 How clinicians can sit with uncertainty, use existing skills, and practise sustainably in this challenging space
Guest: Lyn O'Grady - <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyn-o-grady-0818a350/">Community Psychologist</a>
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Lyn is featured in this article: <a href="https://psychology.org.au/insights/person-centred-suicide-prevention">​How to take a person-centred approach to suicide prevention</a>, published by the Australian Psychological Society</li>
<li>Lyn is available for supervision - you can message her on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyn-o-grady-0818a350/">LinkedIn</a></li>
<li>Open-access research paper: <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2841680">Cognitive Behavior Therapy With and Without Narrative Assessment and Suicide Attempts: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2025)</a>: "Results suggest that a narrative assessment (of suicide risk) may be a simple and effective way to capture the forces that lead to suicide attempts and to direct interventions toward their prevention." 👏</li>
</ul>
THE END BITS
Mental Work is the Australian podcast for early-career psychologists about working in mental health. Hosted by psychologist/researcher <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/about/">Dr Bronwyn Milkins</a>.
Support the show by <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork">buying me a virtual coffee</a> ☕🍵
Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_mentalworkpodcast/">DM Bron on Instagram</a>, leave a comment on the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5ifKADwT3mw6yYDZb9rHji">Spotify episode</a>, or <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com</a>
<a href="https://www.podpage.com/mentalwork/p/guest/">Apply to be a guest</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MentalWorkPodcast">YouTube (with captions &amp; transcript)</a> / <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/">Website</a>
CREDITS
Producer: Michael English
Music: <a href="https://home96.bandcamp.com/">Home</a>
Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.
Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email</a>. Further information can be found <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/p/disclaimer/">here</a>.

Person-centred suicide prevention (with Lyn O'Grady)

Bron speaks with Dr Chrissy Antonopoulos (psychologist and founder of Beyond Bias Consulting) about her PhD research on implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia. Chrissy shares how her lived experience of blindness led her to investigate the subtle and often invisible attitudes shaping workplace decisions, clinical interactions, and public policy.

They chat about: 
👉🏽 The difference between explicit and implicit bias 
👉🏻 The Stereotype Content Model
👉 Participant's views of people with disability in terms of competence and warmth
👉🏿 What early-career clinicians can do to challenge implicit assumptions about people with disability

Guest: Dr Chrissy Antonopoulos - Psychologist

LINKS
Chrissy's research paper discussed in the episode: Implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia: relationship with personal values
Chrissy's consulting business, Beyond Bias Consulting
Chrissy's Instagram @the_blind_psychologist

THE END BITS

Mental Work is the Australian podcast for early-career psychologists about working in mental health. Hosted by psychologist/researcher Dr Bronwyn Milkins.

Support the show by buying me a virtual coffee ☕🍵

Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? DM Bron on Instagram, leave a comment on the Spotify episode, or email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com

Apply to be a guest / YouTube (with captions & transcript) / Website

CREDITS

Producer: Michael English

Music: Home

Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.

Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via email. Further information can be found here.

Bron speaks with Dr Chrissy Antonopoulos (psychologist and founder of <a href="https://www.beyondbias.com.au/">Beyond Bias Consulting) </a>about her PhD research on implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia. Chrissy shares how her lived experience of blindness led her to investigate the subtle and often invisible attitudes shaping workplace decisions, clinical interactions, and public policy.
They chat about:&nbsp; 👉🏽 The difference between explicit and implicit bias 👉🏻 The Stereotype Content Model 👉 Participant's views of people with disability in terms of competence and warmth 👉🏿 What early-career clinicians can do to challenge implicit assumptions about people with disability
Guest: Dr Chrissy Antonopoulos - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_blind_psychologist/?hl=en">Psychologist</a>
LINKS
<ul>
<li>Chrissy's research paper discussed in the episode: <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00049530.2025.2507626">Implicit bias towards people with disability in Australia: relationship with personal values</a></li>
<li>Chrissy's consulting business, <a href="https://www.beyondbias.com.au/">Beyond Bias Consulting</a></li>
<li>Chrissy's Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_blind_psychologist/?hl=en">@the_blind_psychologist</a></li>
</ul>
THE END BITS
Mental Work is the Australian podcast for early-career psychologists about working in mental health. Hosted by psychologist/researcher <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/about/">Dr Bronwyn Milkins</a>.
Support the show by <a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mentalwork">buying me a virtual coffee</a> ☕🍵
Have a question, episode idea or just want to say hi? <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_mentalworkpodcast/">DM Bron on Instagram</a>, leave a comment on the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5ifKADwT3mw6yYDZb9rHji">Spotify episode</a>, or <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com</a>
<a href="https://www.podpage.com/mentalwork/p/guest/">Apply to be a guest</a> / <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MentalWorkPodcast">YouTube (with captions &amp; transcript)</a> / <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/">Website</a>
CREDITS
Producer: Michael English
Music: <a href="https://home96.bandcamp.com/">Home</a>
Commitment: Mental Work believes in an inclusive and diverse mental health workforce. We honor the strength, resilience, and invaluable contributions of mental health workers with lived experiences of mental illness, disability, neurodivergence, LGBTIQA+ identities, and diverse culture and language. We recognise our First Nations colleagues as Traditional Custodians of the land and pay respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. Mental Work is recorded on unceded Whadjuk Noongar boodja.
Disclaimer: Mental Work provides informational content. Mental Work is not a psychological service and being a listener or guest does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Content should not be considered a replacement for professional consultation or therapy. All views expressed are personal, subject to change, and do not represent those of any affiliated employer, service, or organisation past or present. Efforts are made to ensure accuracy, but opinions may not always align with fact. Listeners are encouraged to thoughtfully assess the information presented and report any inaccuracies or concerns via <a href="mailto:mentalworkpodcast@gmail.com">email</a>. Further information can be found <a href="https://www.mentalworkpodcast.com/p/disclaimer/">here</a>.

Being a new parent while studying (with Dr Ines Pandzic)

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