Wellbeing

Dr Christine Aus is a Newcastle-based GP with expertise in travel medicine through clinics like Chromis Occupational Medicine. She provides tailored pre-travel consultations, vaccinations (including yellow fever), and advice on disease prevention, such as malaria. Her work also includes post-travel care, helping diagnose and manage illness after trips, ensuring travellers are medically prepared before departure and supported on return. When it comes to travel, Dr Christine Aus says preparation is everything. She advises travellers to seek personalised medical advice well before departure, make sure vaccinations are up to date, and take simple steps to avoid illness, particularly mosquito-borne diseases. Packing a basic health kit is also key. And importantly, if you feel unwell during or after your trip, don’t ignore it.

Denis Stewart is widely recognised as the Godfather of Australian Herbalism—a pivotal figure in the modern development of herbal medicine in Australia. His influence spans more than five decades of clinical practice, education, and advocacy in natural therapies. Stewart’s journey in herbal medicine began in the early 1970s, a time when interest in alternative health approaches was growing. He is credited with spearheading a Renaissance in Australian herbal medicine by establishing formal training and professional standards for the discipline. At the National Herbalists’ Association of Australia, he developed professional examinations, curricula, and course studies that helped shape herbalist education nationally. He also established and taught the first three-year, full‑time program in herbal medicine at the NSW College of Naturopathic Sciences. In the late 1970s, Stewart founded the Southern Cross Herbal School, offering undergraduate and postgraduate herbal medicine programs and training many of Australia’s leading practitioners. Later, from 2002 to 2007, he served as a Conjoint Associate Professor at University of Newcastle, helping develop its Bachelor of Herbal Therapies degree. Stewart’s contributions have been widely recognised: he was inducted into the Australian Traditional Medicine SocietyHall of Fame and awarded life membership for his service to the industry. Beyond formal education and practice, he has also shared his expertise via a long‑running radio program, Health Naturally with Denis Stewart, where he discusses herbal approaches to health and well‑being. Through his teaching, clinical work, curriculum development, and advocacy, Denis Stewart has had a profound impact on the evolution of herbal medicine in Australia, earning him a reputation as one of the field’s most influential figures.

On this episode of Wellbeing, Guy talks to Professor Anthony Montgomery, from Northumbria University in Newcastle-upon-Tyne about burnout in the workplace. They discuss workplace culture, leadership, and organisational attitudes toward psychological wellbeing in the workplace.

Stevie Amos Burke is a researcher and writer whose work explores grief, emotional regulation, and human resilience. He is the creator of the R.E.A.L.™ Framework, an education-safe, non-clinical model that helps people process emotion and make clearer decisions under pressure. His research bridges psychology, neuroscience, and lived experience to make complex ideas practical and accessible.

Dr. John Elfers, a core faculty member in the Transpersonal Studies program at Sofia University (formerly the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology) — has been a key researcher in exploring how grief and gratitude intersect, especially within a transpersonal (beyond the ordinary self) psychological framework. His work, often in collaboration with Dr. Patty Hlava and others, suggests that gratitude isn’t just a pleasant feel-good emotion — it can actively shape how people cope with loss.

On this edition, we'll hear how bacteria work and move substances in and out of their cells, and how scientists understand how microbes behave together in the microbiome and affect human health. Ben Hipwell is a researcher (PhD candidate) in the bacterial regulation and transport lab at the University of Newcastle, working under Dr Karl Hassan. His research investigates mechanisms of action in bacteria, including how compounds affect bacterial physiology and transport systems in organisms like Escherichia coli — knowledge that connects to microbial regulation and transport processes. Understanding these mechanisms helps illuminate how bacterial cells control their internal environment and interact with their surroundings, which are key aspects of microbial community behaviour and important for understanding the microbiome’s dynamics and impact on health and disease.

Remote mental health focuses on how people living outside major cities can access timely, effective and culturally appropriate care. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Hazel Dalton, whose research explores mental health promotion, suicide prevention and innovative service models in rural and remote communities. Hazel’s work bridges research and practice, highlighting how community-led approaches, workforce support and place-based solutions can strengthen mental health outcomes where services are limited and distances are vast.

Social prescribing connects people to non-clinical supports that address loneliness, isolation, connectedness and well-being, reshaping health beyond medicine. In this episode, Dr Dragana Vidovic, co-author of a major systematic review on its impact, explains how this holistic, person-centred approach empowers individuals and strengthens communities.

Scientists have developed an app that helps improve nutrient assessment, helps identify potential micronutrient deficiencies, and supports better-targeted nutrition programs. Smartphone photos, voice notes, and wrist sensors accurately capture diet, improving nutrient assessment and guiding better health decisions, especially in vulnerable communities. Professor Tracy Burrows is a nationally recognised nutrition scientist whose innovative work is transforming how we understand what people eat.  

On this edition we’re joined by paediatric nutritionist Mandy Sacher, one of Australia’s leading experts in children’s nutrition and healthy eating. Mandy is the founder of Wholesome Child, an organisation dedicated to improving family nutrition through education, practical tools, and evidence-based guidance. She’s also a bestselling author and a passionate advocate for making healthy eating accessible and achievable for every household. Recently, a new study has revealed that food labelling is major blind spot in Australian parenting. Many parents believe they’re making healthy choices for their children, but packaging claims and confusing ingredient lists often tell a different story. Mandy has long argued that our current labelling system can be misleading, masking high sugar, sodium, and additive levels behind “natural” or “wholesome” marketing. She’ll help us unpack what’s really in the foods we buy for our kids, how to read labels more critically, and what changes are needed to make food information clearer and more honest. Whether you’re a parent, carer, or simply someone who wants to understand what’s on your plate, Mandy’s insights will shed light on the hidden pitfalls of packaged foods, and how we can empower families to make healthier, more informed choices.

Associate Professor Jodie Ingles leads Australia’s National Registry for Genetic Heart Disease, bringing together patients and families to improve diagnosis, treatment and understanding of inherited heart conditions through cutting-edge genomic research. Prof. Ingles and her team at the Garvan Institute are researching the genetic causes of inherited heart diseases, such as cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death. Their work focuses on identifying the underlying genetic mutations that put individuals and families at risk, using advanced genomic sequencing and data from the National Registry for Genetic Heart Disease. By combining genetic insights with clinical information, they aim to improve diagnosis, guide personalised treatment, and inform family screening. The team also studies how families experience and respond to genetic testing, helping to shape better care and counselling for affected Australians.

On this edition, Dr Kerri Gillespie from Queensland University of Technology’s School of Clinical Sciences discusses how your dinner might shape your mood. She breaks down new research from the Translational Research Institute in Brisbane showing the links between veggies, sugar, and fibre—and your mental health—and identifies some changes worth trying in what you eat.

This edition looks at the findings of report from The George Institute for Global Health in partnership with the Liptember Foundation, Australia’s leading organisation dedicated to advancing women’s mental health. The study, Beyond the Surface 2024, reveals that rates of poor mental health among Australian women remain alarmingly high. More than half report symptoms of depression, and nearly as many struggle with anxiety. For younger women, pressures around body image have climbed sharply, while Indigenous women are experiencing disproportionately high levels of PTSD. These findings highlight not only the personal toll of poor mental health, but also the systemic barriers that prevent many women from getting the care they need — whether that’s the cost of treatment, stigma, or a healthcare system that isn’t always designed with women in mind. To help us unpack this, Graham Wilson talks with Professor Bronwyn Graham, lead researcher and mental health expert at The George Institute for Global Health where she is Director of the Centre for Sex and Gender Equity in Health and Medicine, and a Professor in the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney.

High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because it has no obvious symptoms, yet it’s a leading cause of stroke and heart disease. To help us understand more, we’re joined by Trent Williams, Clinical Nurse Consultant in Cardiology at John Hunter Hospital, and Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle. The good news is that there are simple steps people can take to lower their risk, and many of them start at home. Despite the risks, many people don’t get their blood pressure checked often enough, and awareness in the community remains patchy.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Liz Kirk, founder of BeyondErgo and a leading authority on ergonomics and workplace health. With a background that spans academic research, doctoral studies, and hands-on workplace programs, Liz shares her journey to becoming an expert in the field and how her work has evolved from theory into practical solutions for modern organisations. We explore the hidden risks of prolonged computer and desk work—going far beyond the familiar aches and pains to long-term impacts on overall health and wellbeing. Liz explains how simple ergonomic checklists, awareness of correct screen setup, and the habit of regular breaks can play a crucial role in preventing chronic conditions. Leaders will gain insight into their responsibilities around workplace health and safety, while employees will hear how they can take ownership of their wellbeing at work. Dr Kirk also highlights the measurable benefits businesses see when they invest in wellness training, from improved productivity to reduced absenteeism. To wrap up, Liz offers listeners practical, everyday advice they can apply immediately to protect their health in any workplace setting.

Rob O’Hara is a registered psychologist who is dedicated to creating a relaxed, non-judgemental space for clients to explore their mental health, with a strong focus on trauma-informed care. At The Base, Rob incorporates outdoor-based therapies such as surf therapy, bushwalking, and walk-and-talk sessions in natural settings, helping clients connect with nature as part of their healing journey. He brings extensive experience across a range of settings, including drug and alcohol services and psychosis recovery. Rob is currently completing his PhD at the University of Newcastle, researching the benefits of walk-and-talk nature therapy for men’s mental health.

In this edition, we look at dietitians and the important role they play in supporting the wellbeing of the community and those who need their expertise. Founder and senior dietitian at Arubah Health, Beth Belford, is dedicated to helping clients make sustainable changes through a non-diet approach. She has a wealth of experience across the field of nutrition and dietetics, including the informed use of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy-Enhanced (CBT-E), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and Family-Based Therapy (FBT) for eating disorders.

Chelsea Felkai speaks to Oliver Croft about medication safety management, chronic disease support, digital health and innovation, immunisation and preventative care, medication reviews and health collaboration. 

Dr Virginia Reid talks with one of the co-authors of The New Psychology of Health: Unlocking the Social Cure (2018). Professor Alex Haslam talks about how he and his team have discovered that people who are more socially connected tend to live longer, recover more quickly from illness, and experience better overall physical and mental health. These benefits are not just about having company—they reflect the powerful influence of social identity. When people see themselves as part of a meaningful group, whether it’s family, a workplace, a community, or a sports team, this shared identity provides a source of strength, purpose, and resilience. Social ties have been shown to be as beneficial to health as not smoking, maintaining a good diet, and regular exercise. This is because our group memberships shape how we cope with stress, how supported we feel, and how we make health decisions. Belonging can reduce feelings of loneliness, increase motivation to follow medical advice, and even affect how our bodies respond to treatment. In therapy and healthcare, outcomes improve when there’s a strong relationship between practitioner and patient—especially when they share a common understanding or identity. When people feel like their therapist or doctor is “on their side” or “one of us,” trust increases, communication improves, and treatment is more likely to succeed. Health isn’t just an individual matter—it’s deeply social. Our connections to others shape how we think, feel, and behave. This is true across many health challenges: from depression and addiction to trauma recovery and chronic pain. People are more likely to recover and thrive when they can maintain or rebuild meaningful group relationships. For health services, this means recognising that fostering connection and identity should be part of the care process. Encouraging participation in group programs, peer networks, and supportive communities can be just as important as medication or clinical treatment. Social identity is not just about who we are—it’s also a powerful pathway to better health.

Dr Alyce Barnes, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Newcastle, focuses on enhancing youth physical activity and promoting gender equity. She leads initiatives like Physical Activity 4 Everyone (PA4E1) and Healthy Youngsters, collaborating with schools and communities to embed sustainable health practices. Her work emphasizes empowering girls and fostering inclusive environments.

According to Diabetes Australia, as of 2024, 2 million Australians are living with diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes, and many more at high risk. On this edition of Wellbeing, we explore what diabetes is, what it does to the body and the mind, and what can be done to treat and prevent the disease. Prof. Shamasunder Acharya is from the University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine and Public Health, and the lead in the Diabetes Alliance Program which has led to improved outcomes for several thousands of people with diabetes. The risk assessment tool mentioned in the interview is the AUSDIAB Risk Assessment.

Physiotherapist Joshua Donnelly from NU Moves Physio at The University of Newcastle discusses the complexities of injuries, optimising recovery and staying healthy throughout the life stages. Josh is the physiotherapist for the Edgeworth Eagles FC and has a special interest in managing football athletes, although, he enjoys working with all people to help them achieve their rehab goals.

Drawing on his lived experience with mental illness, and commitment to learning, John Cuturilo is an empathic and approachable counsellor who helps people to overcome challenges, make changes in their lives, learn about how their minds work, and ultimately become more independent problem-solvers. See his Your Listener website for more.

On this edition of Wellbeing, Professor Deb Loxton discusses how the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health is shaping policy on health outcomes. The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH), also known as Women’s Health Australia, is a comprehensive, population-based research initiative that has been examining the health and well-being of over 57,000 Australian women since 1996. Conducted by researchers at the University of Newcastle and the University of Queensland, the study encompasses four cohorts of women born between 1921 and 1995. The study's ongoing research continues to provide valuable insights into the health needs of Australian women across different life stages. Professor Deb Loxton is a leading figure in women's health research, serving as Director of the Centre for Women's Health Research at the University of Newcastle and the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH).

Dr. Jessica Bayes led a pioneering clinical trial known as the AMMEND study (A Mediterranean Diet in MEN with Depression), which assessed the effects of a Mediterranean diet on the symptoms of depression in young men aged 18–25. Conducted at the University of Technology Sydney, this 12-week randomised controlled trial was the first of its kind to explore this dietary intervention in this specific demographic. Participants adhering to the Mediterranean diet experienced significant improvements in depressive symptoms compared to the control group, results highlighting the important role of nutrition for the treatment of depression.

On this edition, Professor David Durrheim chats with Graham Wilson about Influenza. Professor David Durrheim is a Conjoint Professor of Public Health Medicine, University of Newcastle and Director of Health Protection, Hunter New England Health.  David answers some of the big questions surrounding the impending flu season, such as why some people still get the flu after vaccination, how influenza is different from the common cold, what age people should start getting vaccinated and more.  

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, over 2 million Australians are living with osteoarthritis — a condition that results from the degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, particularly in the knees, hips, hands, and feet. But is osteoarthritis simply a result of 'wear and tear'? And more importantly, what can be done about it? On this edition, we'll explore not only what causes knee osteoarthritis, but also hear about a range of treatment and management options available — that can help people maintain their mobility and quality of life. Associate Professor Christina Abdel Shaheed is a National Health and Medical Research Council Principal Research Fellow at the Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Public Health, University of Sydney.

Which Way? is dedicated to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on their journey toward improved health, with a strong focus on smoking and vaping cessation. Led by Associate Professor Michelle Kennedy, a proud Wiradjuri woman, the team generated the first Indigenous-led primary research designed by and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. This groundbreaking work aims to inform and shape culturally appropriate policy and practice in cessation care.

We’re constantly hearing conflicting advice about diets — one day something is good for you, the next day a new study says it’s not. With so much information, it’s no wonder many of us feel confused about what we should be eating to stay healthy. The reality is, there may not be a one-size-fits-all answer. What works well for one person might not work for another, and Dr Erin Clarke is a researcher with the Food and Nutrition Research Program at the Hunter Medical Research Institute, and she's is exploring how our genetic and metabolic differences can influence the way our bodies respond to food.

Recent measles cases in Australia underscore the need for high vaccination rates to prevent outbreaks. Professor Joshua Davis, Senior Staff Specialist in Infectious Disease at Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital, and Deputy Director of the Hunter Medical Research Institute’s Infection Research Program, discusses what measles is, why it is so contagious, why there is an increase in cases despite Australia reaching herd immunity in 2014, and why vaccinations are so effective in controlling the disease.

For many Australians, alcohol feels as much a part of our culture and barbecues and weekend sports. But even occasional drinks can affect us more than we realise. On this edition of Wellbeing, Dr Luke Martin, a Beyond Blue psychologist looks at the issues around alcohol and mental health.

Today on Wellbeing we are talking with Phoebe Sanders, a student counsellor at The University of Newcastle's Wollotuka Institute. The Wollotuka Institute supports indigenous students with academic, cultural and emotional well-being needs in a culturally safe way. Phoebe describes herself as an Indigenous ally who lives, works and plays on Awabakal and Worimi country.  In this episode Phoebe talks about her role at The Wollotuka Institute, the support that Wollotuka provides, its importance to the university journey for indigenous students, innovative programs it has available to indigenous students, some of the mental health journeys she sees in indigenous students as a student counsellor, and how she would like to see universities all over Australia embrace similar models to The Wollotuka Institute. "Having a culturally safe space for our students is really important. Many students may not have felt comfortable going to the main student counselling service, so The Wollotuka Institute is a culturally safe space."  -- Phoebe Sanders on this episode of Wellbeing We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing is the last episode in our six part series on depression. We are joined by Dr. Drew Ramsey and we are discussing depression recovery through diet. Drew Ramsey, M.D. is a psychiatrist and is a leader in Nutritional Psychiatry having authored Eat To Beat Depression and Anxiety in 2021. He is also an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.  He is pioneer in the Nutritional Psychiatry field having, along with his team, offered the first Nutritional Psychiatry Clinician Training program to mental health clinicians whereby they learn evidence and clinical methods to effectively use nutrition in their work. Other books he has authored concerning food and mental health include the award-winning cookbook Eat Complete: The 21 Nutrients that Fuel Brain Power and the bestseller 50 Shades of Kale. He has done TedTalks on the subject and been featured in CBS, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and now The Wellbeing Podcast. In this episode, Dr Ramsey talks about his book, how the food we eat impacts our mental health, how the western diet doesn't promote good mental health, the similar impact better diet has to that of antidepressants, steps in how to change your diet over time, how gut health and the brain interact, the types of foods that promote good mental health and the impact processed foods have on mental health. "What happens with foods is that over time, if you're missing certain nutrients you're going to have a lot more inflammation, but you're also just not going to be able to make some of these basic building blocks you need for mental health." - Dr Drew Ramsey on this episode of Wellbeing  Tune in the new year for more Wellbeing We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we talk with Dr. Dan Tomasulo about depression recovery through positive psychology. This is the fifth instalment in our series on depression. Dr Tomasulo is a counselling psychologist, writer, and professor. He holds a PhD in psychology and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. His most recent book Learned Hopefulness, The Power of Positivity To Overcome Depression was released in 2020. The book focuses on the idea of hope and positivity, and how those two concepts can play a part in recovery from depression. Dan's passion is Positive Psychology. Positive Psychology focuses on how our strengths and cultivating our best selves can lead to meaningful and fulfilling lives. In this episode, Dr Tomasulo talks about his book, what hope is, how hope can help one overcome depression, in a fast moving world how powerful time just stopping is, what is happening in the brain pathways when both depression and positivity are occurring and how they differ, how people of different ages interact with hope and positivity, and the use of positivity psychology in recovery programs. "Psychology has pretty much followed the medical model where we try to eliminate what's problematic in the hopes that that'll make you feel better, but really, not being depressed is not the same as being happy. If I take away all your depression, that doesn't guarantee you'll be happy. You've got to do the things that bring happiness to you." - Dr. Dan Tomasulo on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when we talk Dr. Drew Ramsey about depression recovery through diet We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week we are talking with a person who has journeyed with depression, Katie. This is the fourth instalment in our series on depression. Katie has been suffering with depression since early in life and today she shares how it has impacted her life and now in the present where she is at in that journey. In this episode, Katie talks about how depression impacted her as a young person, how it affected her relationships with school friends, how it impacted her life and caused a lot of isolation, the quality of services available to help those with depression, the stigma around depression, how peers can help those going through depression, and her strategies in managing her depression. "It was very isolating really because my friends, they were all going off and doing things and  started going out to parties, stuff like that, I just didn't feel able to." - Katie on this episode of Wellbeing  Tune in next week when we talk with Dr. Dan Tomasulo about depression recovery through positive psychology We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we are talking with John Brogden AM about his journey with depression. This is the third instalment in our series on depression. John is best known for being the leader of the opposition in New South Wales from 2002 to 2005. He entered politics in 1996 when he was just 27 years of age and quickly became leader of his party in NSW at the age of just 32. Despite his success, John had been hiding another massive part of his life, his depression. It looked like John would lead his party to victory in the 2007 election, however this was not to be, and due to certain events John would resign from his position in August 2005. The day after his resignation, John slit his wrist in a suicide attempt. John thankfully survived that attempt and has since become a mental health advocate, and was the chairman of Lifeline. He is here today to share his journey with depression and how today he manages it. In this episode John talks about his entry into politics, when depression started becoming a part of his life, the way mental health was viewed in politics while John was in office, what was going on with him mentally when he attempted to take his own life, how to talk to people going through suicidal thoughts about those thoughts, how going to rock bottom mentally has allowed John to appreciate his life more, and a bit about lifeline.  "In a game like politics you're looking for hundreds, thousands, millions of people to vote for you, so you're out there propositioning all the time only to stuff up and only to let people down and feel so ashamed, which is how I felt. I then got to this position and I got there incredibly quickly and that position was that there is a way out of this problem, I've got this problem, my way out is to kill myself." - John Brogden AM talking about his struggle with depression on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when we talk with another person about their depression journey. We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins  Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This Week on Wellbeing we are joined by Betty Kitchener and Prof. Anthony Jorm. This is the second instalment in our series on depression. Betty is a former nurse and now internationally recognised mental health educator, having held appointments at Australian Nation University, University Melbourne and Deakin University. She received an order of Australia medal in 2008. Tony is an Emeritus professor at the University of Melbourne's School of Population and Global Health. They are husband and wife and in 2000, together developed the teaching program called Mental Health First Aid. The training teaches people how to offer initial support until appropriate professional help is received, or until the crisis resolves. Since its formation, Mental Health First Aid has become an international teaching tool used in the mental health field. They are both here today to share their perspectives on depression, Tony from his clinical perspective as a professor and Betty from her personal perspective having gone through depression herself. In this episode Tony and Betty talk about what depression is, the types of depression, how it feels in the people who have it, the prevalence of depression, how to approach talking about depression and self-harm with those going though like thoughts, and the formation of mental health first aid. "At the milder end of the continuum, people use self-help methods, and these can be very helpful; for many people that will be enough to bring their mood back to a more usual level."  - Prof. Anthony Jorm on this episode of Wellbeing  Tune in next week when we talk with someone who has gone through a depression journey  We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins  Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This Week on Wellbeing we are beginning a 6-part series on depression. It is estimated by the WHO that 5% of adults suffer from depression, making it a common issue in society. In our first instalment, we are talking with Conjoint Professor Kay Wilhelm from UNSW. Prof. Wilhelm has published work on the relationship between the serotonin transporter gene, life events and depression onset. She has been part of the UNSW's School of Psychiatry since 2012. In this episode Prof. Wilhelm talks about what depression is, the types of depression, the onset of depression, why depression is more common in women than in men, how the COVID era has impacted depression rates, the connection between anxiety and depression, self-medication in those with depression, and the supports available.  "There is a later peak of depression which is sort of a later onset which is around sixties, and whereas the younger group (of people with depression) have more to do with genes and their childhood experience and developmental stages but people who get depression for the first time, which I say in capital letters, in the fifties, sixties, and seventies, there often is a medical cause underlying that." - Prof. Kay Wilhelm on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in in a week when we talk with Prof. Tony Jorm and Betty Kitchener about depression  We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins  Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we talk with school students about student wellbeing. This is a topic we regularly talk about on Wellbeing, but it usually from an educator's perspective and not the students themselves. In this episode, the students discuss what student wellbeing is, what it means to them, the importance of good mental health, what a teacher's role is ensuring student wellbeing is met, how well schools are doing in approaching student wellbeing, common struggles students go through during their schooling life, and the positive impacts a teacher can have on a student's life. "Mental health is basically what gets you through everything in life and if you have bad mental health then its like what can you really do?" - A student on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in in a months time when we start a six part series on depression We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we are discussing Lipoedema with Kristin Osborn. Lipoedema is a condition mostly found in women that results in enlargement of the fat cells in the legs. It is estimated that 20% of the female population have the condition. Despite this, it is often misdiagnosed as obesity, leading to constrained mental health in those with the condition. Kristin has the condition herself and has specialised in the field for almost two decades through her Newcastle Lymphoedema & Lipoedema Clinic. She was the Australian Patient & Therapist Representative at the Lipoedema World Congress in Germany in October 2023. Along with her clinical work, Kristin has authored a book called The Lymphatic-Friendly Diet. In this book Kristen aims to assist others battling a lymphatic condition, and she shares the recipes that have helped her become healthier and happier and allowed her to manage her Lipoedema. In this episode, Kristin talks about what Lipeodema is, why it starts, how it impacts people's mental health, its onset, how family can help those with Lipoedema, the difficulty in non-specialists detecting the condition, her 2023 trip to Germany as the  Australian Patient & Therapist Representative at the Lipoedema World Congress, Lipoedema in males, how those with Lipoedema can manage the condition, and surgery for Lipoedema. Tune in next week when we talk with two students about student wellbeing in schools. We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we are talking with Dr Heather Murray from the University of Newcastle about Leukaemia. Leukaemia is a blood cancer that most often occurs in those over 55, with estimates suggesting that 5,200 new cases in Australia were diagnosed in 2022. Dr Murray has established herself as a competent researcher, having discovered components ofacute myeloid leukaemia that could lead to more effective treatments.  In this episode, Dr Murray talks about what leukaemia is, its symptoms, how and why it occurs, the impact chemotherapy has on the body, the emerging treatments for leukaemia, the age groups affected, the cancer research sector, the economic benefits of cancer research, and the biological underpinnings of leukaemia.  "We can cure some leukaemias, there are some subtypes of leukaemia that are mostly curable." - Dr Heather Murray on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next month when we talk with Two Students about Student Wellbeing We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we are talking with Dr Michelle Brown from the University of Newcastle about ovarian cancer. It is the 8th most common cancer to occur in women, with 1,800 new cases diagnosed in Australia in 2022. Dr Brown is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Newcastle and her research explores DNA repair post chemotherapy, and alternative treatments for those with ovarian cancer.  In this episode, Dr Brown talks about what ovarian cancer is, how and why it occurs, the emotional toll ovarian cancer can have on women, the early symptoms of ovarian cancer, the age group of women commonly being impacted by ovarian cancer, the genetic underpinnings of ovarian cancer, the different types of ovarian cancer, and the ovarian cancer research field.  "(Ovarian cancer) is not often diagnosed at early stages. So in the early stages, when it is confined to the ovaries, you can get some symptoms, but they are quite nondescript and they're often symptoms that affect women at the time of the month."  - Dr Michelle Brown on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when we talk about Leukaemia with Dr Heather Murray We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on wellbeing we are talking with Dr Kirrilly Pursey from the University of Newcastle about food addiction. The concept of food addiction is still a field in development as it has not been yet classified as an official medical condition. Despite this, evidence is growing in supporting that this proposed condition is a very real occurrence. Dr Pursey is an expert in this emerging field having done her PhD on attitudes and behaviours around food using the Yale Food Addiction Scale and the Australian Eating Survey. Now as a lecturer and researcher at the University of Newcastle she is working towards food addiction becoming medically definable so that treating the condition can be made better. In this episode, Dr Pursey talks about the symptoms of food addiction, the impacts it has on peoples lives, the brain pathways affected by food addiction, how food manufacturers could possibly be causing food addictions, the evidence in support of food addiction being a stand-alone condition, the differences between food addiction and binge eating disorder, the connection between food addiction rates and rising obesity rates, and the support available to those going through a food addiction.  "As we see in another types of addictions, say for example illicit drugs, what we see is an dopamine release so that the feel good chemical in the brain and we really want that when we are eating food as it really is a physiological mechanism to drive us to eat food but what has happened with our food nowadays that food manufacturers have really capitalised on this." - Dr. Kirrilly Pursey on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when we talk with Dr Michelle Brown about Ovarian Cancer We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we are talking with Associate Professor Lisa Lampe from the University of Newcastle about anxiety disorders. It is estimated by the WHO that 264 million adults worldwide have an anxiety disorder, making it a common condition amongst the population. Prof. Lampe has been in the medical field for three decades and it was early on in her career she found an interest in the psychological components of medicine. She has recently been supported to develop an an anxiety treatment clinic within Hunter New England Mental Health which will have a key focus on teaching, and in 2021 she was made Deputy Head of the School of Medicine and Public Health within the College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing at the University of Newcastle.  In this episode, Prof. Lampe talks about the symptoms of anxiety disorders, the types of anxiety disorders, the prevalence of anxiety disorders, the rates of anxiety in younger demographics, humans and anxiety through history, the genetic underpinnings of anxiety disorders, the biological reasons why anxiety exists in the human experience, the impact on daily life anxiety disorder can have, and the support available for those with anxiety disorders.    "Anxiety that the individual experiences as being out of proportion to the actual threat and as persistent and unshakable and as distressing and potentially impairing. If that has become a persistent problem, you know it is their most days of the week and its been their for weeks or more then it certainly may be an anxiety disorder." - Associate Professor Lisa Lampe on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when talk with Dr. Kirrilly Pursey about Food Addiction We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on wellbeing we are talking about bipolar disorder recovery with Susana Bluwol the founder and executive director of Bipolar Australia. This is the 12th and last episode in our series on bipolar disorder. Founded in 2014, Bipolar Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation representing everyone affected by bipolar disorder, including people with the condition, carers, friends and professionals who help them. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1996, Susana has gone through her own bipolar recovery journey, and shares her perspective on bipolar recovery. In this episode, Susana talks about a GP's role in a person's bipolar journey, how treatments look different between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2, the role talk therapy plays in a person's bipolar recovery, where the health system could improve to help this with bipolar to recovery, what Bipolar Australia is and its role, and the support systems available to those with bipolar. "What I would really like to tell everybody that has been touched by bipolar disorder, and when I say touched I mean not only the person with the condition but everyone around that person...this condition is not an unusual condition, there are many people with this illness, it is severe and complex to treat, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a treatment."                   - Susana Bluwol on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when we talk with Prof. Lisa Lampe about anxiety disorders. We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgin Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on wellbeing we are talking with Seattle based cartoonist an author Ellen Forney about her journey with Bipolar disorder. This is our 11th instant in our bipolar series. Ellen was diagnosed with Bipolar 1 Disorder in 1998 just before her 30th birthday. She wrote about her journey with bipolar in her graphic memoir "Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me"which came out in 2012. It was from this book Ellen started writing a book focused on how somebody can manage their bipolar. The said book came out in 2018 and is called "Rock Steady: Brilliant Advice From My Bipolar Life". Now a wellbeing coach helping those with bipolar, her book Rock Steady covers Ellens SMEDMERTS method, a mental health philosophy that can be used in the managing of ones bipolar. Developed by Ellen, smedmerts is an acronym for Sleep, Meds, Eat, Doctor, Mindfullness, Excerise, Routine, Tools, and Support System. In this interview we take a deep look into SMEDMERTS and how it can help someone on a bipolar journey.  In this episode, Ellen talks about her early expresses with bipolar, her bipolar diagnoses, the faults in the medication driven medical field, how her book Rock Steady came to be, SMEDMERTS, the importance of sleep to those with bipolar, the struggles those with bipolar can have in finding the right medications douses, the lack of new research into the gold standard bipolar medication lithium, and her coaching services available to those with bipolar.  "(Rock Steady) is kinda an expansion of the last chapter in Marbles, chapter nine, where I have stabilised and then I have come to a variety of conclusions about my path and how bipolar and creativity and my art are connected and I also mention the things I do to take care of myself" - Ellen Forney on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when we talk with Susana Bluwol about Bipolar Disorder Recovery  We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we talk with New York based author Jaime Lowe about her journey with bipolar and experiences with the lithium medication she took. This is the tenth instalment in our series on bipolar. Jaime is known for her 2017 bipolar memoir Mental: Lithium, Love, and Losing My Mind. Her book gives an in-depth look into lithium, the gold standard medication used to treat bipolar disorder. In 1993 Jaime was diagnosed with bipolar at the age of 16 and thus was soon prescribed lithium which offered her stability in her condition. However, years later due to the negative side effects of the medication she had to go on alternative medication. In this interview, Jaime talks about lithium, her journey with bipolar and the struggles she had in having to change medications after years of stability. Jaime also talks about her book Mental, how her bipolar diagnosis impacted her, how teenagers can help friends going through bipolar, what lithium's role is in bipolar treatment, lithium's under utilisation, what she liked about lithium, and her journey in having to go on alternative medication after coming off lithium. "The other beautiful part of lithium is that its on the periodic table of elements and so . . . in America you can't patent it. So, it is one of the cheapest medications and often for that reason its not prescribed because you don't have pharmaceutical companies lobbying on its behalf." - Jaime Lowe on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when we talk with Ellen Forney about her bipolar journey. We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we are talking with Melody Moezzi about her journey with bipolar and experiences with the bipolar recovery sector. This is the 9th instalment in our series on bipolar. Melody is an author, attorney, activist, and visiting professor of creative nonfiction at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. She authored a bipolar memoir in 2013 called Haldol and Hyacinths: A Bipolar Life in which she covers her experiences with the condition. In this interview we cover her perspective on the bipolar recovery sector and its faults but also the solutions to fix those faults. In this episode Melody talks about her journey with bipolar, the impact mania had on her daily life, the criminalisation of mental health, the challenged ability of law enforcement to manage and identify mental health, the racism that may be present in the public recovery sector, how depressive episodes impact daily life, and the brilliance those who are not neurotypical can bring to the world around them. "One of the things for me to talk about is I am very lucky that I was hospitalised and not put in jail. Where I live, and in a whole lotta of other places in the US at least, we have criminalised mental illness to the point that the largest mental health facilities are actually and jails and prisons." - Melody Moezzi on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when talk with Jaime Lowe about her bipolar journey. We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins   Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we are talking with Lizzie Simon about her journey with bipolar. This is the 8th instalment in our series on bipolar disorder. Lizzie has worked in the creative industries since graduation from her ivy league school, but in her life was also bipolar disorder. As a theatre producer by the age of twenty-three she left this position to travel in search of finding people with similar mental conditions to learn what she could from their ways of managing their conditions. The trip she took resulted in her 2003 bipolar memoir: Detour: My Bipolar Road Trip in 4-D. Today Lizzie is married with daughters and has been stable with her bipolar for years and today she shares her journey in reaching that stability. In this episode Lizzie talks about her journey with bipolar disorder, how a manic episode feels, how mania impacts daily life, how her bipolar diagnosis impacted her as an 18 year old, how bipolar impacts friendships for young people, how family can support those with bipolar, why she took the journey she describes in her book, the understanding society has of bipolar disorder, and the role of medication in Lizzie's recovery.  "I was diagnosed when I was 18 years old. I'm 46 years old now and I've been healthy now . . . for more of my life then when I wasn't." - Lizzie Simon on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when we talk with Melody Moezzi about her bipolar journey. We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins  Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing

This week on Wellbeing we are talking with Dave about his journey with bipolar. This is the 7th instalment in our series on bipolar. Dave wasn’t diagnosed with bipolar until he was 48 years of age, having gone through his entire life prior to this with bipolar one disorder. Dave worked for the bulk of his working life in the creative industry of advertising, but now at 65 years of age Dave, though the Black Dog Institute, is a presenter on mental health, an area he has been involved with for the last ten years.  In this episode Dave talks about his journey in finding stability and the time prior to his formal diagnosis of bipolar.  Dave talks about his journey with bipolar disorder, how a manic episode feels, how mania impacts daily life, his journey in finally getting diagnosed at the age of 48, how depressive episodes feel and impact daily life, society's understanding of mental health, what made Dave get help with his bipolar, how bipolar impacted him working in his creative industry and that people should get help if they know they need it. "The thing with physical illnesses is often they like knock on your door. Like if you think about when you got the flu, you know, for a day or two before you're going 'I don't have much energy - feeling achey'  and then its almost like a day later it knocks on your front door and smacks you in the face became you go 'Oh my god, I can't out of bed. I'm so sick' whereas mental illness may creep up on you." - Dave on this episode of Wellbeing Tune in next week when we talk with Lizzie Simon about her bipolar journey. We would love to hear from you! If you would like to suggest topics, give us feedback, or just say hi, you can contact us on wellbeing@2nurfm.com Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins Wellbeing website: https://www.2nurfm.com.au/wellbeing