Well, hello anxiety with Dr Jodi Richardson

What if the barrier to better mental health isn't knowledge - it's actually doing something about it? Most of us know meditation and gratitude are good for us, but how many of us actually practice them daily? In this honest conversation, Dr. Jodi Richardson speaks with Cooper Chapman about the gap between knowing what helps and actually taking action. Cooper shares his personal journey from professional surfer to mental health advocate, shaped by early losses to suicide and his father's struggles with depression in an era of "toughen up" masculinity. The conversation explores a deceptively simple question: Can we give just 1% of our day - 14 minute - to mental health? And more importantly, what would that actually look like in practice? Key insights from this episode: Why meditation isn't about being "good" at it - it's about showing up The water bottle metaphor: understanding why your mind feels so busy when you first sit down How to watch thoughts float by instead of getting swept away by them The difference between responding and reacting in challenging moments Five core values that support mental health: responsibility, gratitude, empathy, mindfulness, and kindness Why connecting with nature and our senses matters more than we realize Dr. Jodi shares a powerful personal story about empathy in a Woolworths checkout line that reminds us how regulation and mindfulness show up in everyday moments. The conversation also touches on eco-anxiety in young people, the importance of male mental health, and why making mental health "cool" matters. This episode is for you if: You've tried meditation and felt like you were "doing it wrong" You know what helps but struggle with consistency You're looking for practical, science-backed approaches that don't require hours of your day You want to understand how to be more present in daily life A refreshingly honest discussion about mental health that moves beyond awareness into actionable practices anyone can start today. Resources mentioned: Shiva Rasa (YouTube/Spotify) for breathwork and meditation The 1% framework: 10 minutes meditation + 4 minutes gratitude Join Cooper's community: DM @thegoodhumanfactory on Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In part two of this essential conversation, host Dr. Jodi Richardson continues her discussion with Dr. Lexi Frydenberg about supporting children and teens struggling with anxiety.Dr. Frydenberg shares practical, real-world examples of how parents can shift from focusing on challenging behaviours to catching their kids doing things right - from messy kitchens to difficult playdates. She explains the power of specific, timely feedback and why connection matters more than correction.This episode tackles the questions parents are really asking: What do you do when your teenager won't talk to you? When should you seek professional help? What's the difference between seeing a GP, pediatrician, psychologist, or psychiatrist? And the big one - when is medication appropriate for childhood anxiety?Dr. Frydenberg offers reassuring, evidence-based guidance on navigating the mental health system in Australia, including Medicare-rebated options, online therapy alternatives like the BRAVE program, and innovative approaches including music and art therapy. She also addresses the stigma around medication, explaining when it might be needed to "break the circuit" and help children engage with therapy.Throughout the conversation, both parents share their own vulnerable moments—from caravan confrontations to modelling repair - reminding us that "good enough" parenting is exactly that: good enough.Resources mentioned: The Strength Switch by Dr. Lea Waters, Headspace, ReachOut, BRAVE program, Raising Children's Network, Royal Children's Hospital, Beyond BlueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr Jodi Richardson welcomes Dr Lexi Frydenberg, a pediatrician with over 20 years of clinical experience working with children and families at a large pediatric hospital in Melbourne and the Victorian Children's Clinic.Dr Frydenberg shares what she's seeing in the clinic and how anxiety in children has changed, particularly post-COVID. She explains how anxiety often shows up in ways parents might not expect - through behavioral challenges, tummy aches, headaches, and school refusal - rather than children simply saying "I'm anxious."In this conversation, they discuss:How young children are now presenting with anxiety (younger than the traditional tween years)The three main ways anxiety presents in children: somatic symptoms, articulated worries, and behavioral challengesWhy it's important not to rush to label children with diagnosesThe concept of anticipatory anxiety and how labels can become self-fulfilling propheciesPractical first steps for parents: recognition, education, and having conversations at the right timeThe power of "catching them being good" and focusing on strengths over challenging behaviorsCo-regulation: how parents need to regulate themselves first before helping their childThe fine line between helicopter/lawnmower parenting and teaching resilienceGraded exposure with practical examples (like food-related anxiety)Why celebrating small wins matters more than achieving the end goalDr Frydenberg emphasizes that anxiety is a normal, protective response we all experience, but offers clear guidance on when it's gone too far and practical strategies families can use while waiting for professional support.This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Join us next week for Part 2, where Dr Frydenberg discusses the roles of different practitioners, when medication might be helpful, and what to do when teens refuse to talk.Resources mentioned: https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/anxiety/ https://mentalhealth.melbournechildrens.com/media/kiuftzzo/mhs_childhood-anxiety_guide_e-single.pdf Raising Children’s Network: https://raisingchildren.net.au/ Anxiety and fears in children (0-8 years) Generalised anxiety in children (3-8 years) Anxiety: the stepladder approach (3-18 years) Raising Healthy Minds AppBeyond BlueReach OutThe BRAVE ProgramShow less 54Sheet1See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Australia, 1 in 10 families are navigating life with food allergies - and the anxiety that comes with keeping children safe can be overwhelming. In this essential conversation, Dr. Jodi Richardson welcomes Tamara Hubbard, founder of the Food Allergy Counselor and author of May Contain Anxiety: Managing the Overwhelm of Parenting Children with Food Allergies.Tamara is pioneering mental health support in food allergy care, helping families find what she calls the "just right balance" between anxiety and quality of life. As both a therapist specialising in food allergies and a parent who walks this path herself, she brings unique insight into the daily challenges families face - from label reading and school lunches to managing the fear of anaphylaxis.In this episode, you'll discover:Why anxiety is a natural part of food allergy management (and when it becomes overwhelming)The powerful "what if to if-then" strategy for managing worried thoughtsHow to determine what's safe, safe enough, and not safe for your childWhy avoidance can extend beyond what's medically necessaryThe importance of having your healthcare team answer key safety questionsHow families can live full, rich lives despite food allergy diagnosesWhether you're newly navigating a food allergy diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or simply want to understand what these families experience daily, this conversation offers hope, practical strategies, and validation for the very real challenges of keeping children safe while helping them thrive.Book Release: May Contain Anxiety is available now in North America in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audiobook formats. Australian print editions are expected in early 2025, with digital versions available now.Connect with Tamara: Visit foodalergycounselor.com for resources, articles, and therapeutic worksheets, or follow @foodallergycounselor on social media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Jodi Richardson sits down with social worker Jessica Homicki to explore anxiety in primary school-aged children and its impact on families. Jessica, who leads Uniting's School Attendance Support Program in Southern Melbourne, brings over ten years of experience working with families affected by trauma and disadvantage.Together, they discuss:How anxiety presents differently in children aged 5-12The connection between early childhood experiences, attachment, and anxietyWhy avoidance becomes such a significant part of the anxiety picturePractical strategies for parents who are struggling with school refusal or "school can't"The importance of self-care for parents and why putting on your own oxygen mask first isn't selfishGaps in mental health services for primary-aged childrenThe Stop, Pause, Play framework for responding to your child's distressSmall, achievable steps for managing bedtime anxiety and sleep routinesJessica also shares valuable insights about the Window of Tolerance and provides guidance on accessing support through parenting programs like Tuning Into Kids, Bringing Up Great Kids, and Circle of Security. This conversation is essential listening for any parent navigating childhood anxiety, particularly in the wake of COVID-19's lasting impact on our children's emotional wellbeing.Links Mentioned:- Circle of Securityhttps://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/pages/what-is-the-circle-of-security#- Tuning in to Kids and Teenshttps://tuningintokids.org.au/what-is-tuning-in-to-kids/our-programs/- Bringing up Great Kids and Parenting Adolescentshttp://bringingupgreatkids.org/en/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.