Psych for Life with Dr. Amanda Ferguson

If you have been feeling a little more on edge or frazzled lately, it wouldn't be a surprise. Our world has become so stressful and chaotic, with challenging and traumatic events accessible to us 24/7. We were not designed to manage such a constant stream of stress. So more than ever, we need to be mindful of how we can reset and calm ourselves down.

In this power episode you’ll learn:

- Why a calm nervous system is critical to ...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I discuss with Dr. Jodi Richardson why anxiety shows up around what we care about. Dr. Jodi Richardson is a professional keynote and workshop speaker for mastering anxiety. She provides real-time strategies to help individuals and teams flourish. Dr Jodi has a background in secondary teaching and qualifications in Behavioural Therapy, Wellbeing Science and Exercise Physiology. She is a mum an...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I welcome back Australia’s leading compassion researcher, Dr James Kirby to discuss why high performers use self compassion.

Dr James Kirby is an Associate Professor, Clinical Psychologist, Director of the Clinical Programs, and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. He examines compassionate responding, and the effectiveness of compassion focused ...

Have you neglected to put your new year’s resolutions into place - and yet again you're wondering why? As we pass the mid point of the year, are you feeling disappointed, frustrated or angry at yourself? Take heart – in this episode I'm discussing all things self sabotage - what it is, why we do it, the reasons we can find it so diffcult to follow through and importantly - how to correct it.

I’ll show you why it can be so ...

On this episode of Psych to Life, I chat with Lisa Blair OAM, the fastest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around Antarctica on her yacht Climate Action. She very nearly didn’t live to tell the tale, in a life-threatening dismasting. Lisa is now setting her sights on her upcoming NZ records before focusing on the Arctic Ocean.


Tune in to hear our discussion on -

- Dealing with uncertainty; whilst ...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I welcome back Daniel Principe to discuss the series "Adolescence” and the importance of a grounded sense of self.

Daniel champions boys across Australia to challenge culture and aspire to live courageous, respectful and empathetic lives.

Having presented to tens of thousands of young people across Australia, Daniel is no stranger to the complex challenges that our distracti...

In this episode of Psych for Life I am chatting all about The Beauty Load and its potential self-esteem dealing damage, with author and counsellor, Nicole Mathieson. Nicole is a relationship coach, counsellor, couple therapist and author of The Beauty Load. She helps women, men and couples in their intimate relationships both with others and themselves.  

Nicole has impacted the lives of thousands of women through her...

Do you want to Paradigm-shift – or turn the tables – on a tricky relationship? Particularly one in which you feel trapped, controlled, treated like a younger version of yourself?  

Then tune in to this Psych for Life power ep, where I share my super effective "dinner party exercise" to help you improve and create healthier, more functional relationships. No longer feel entangled in toxic dynamics. Learn this tech...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I welcome back psychologist and one of Australia's most expert leaders and trainers in bullying, Evelyn Field OAM. Evelyn has spent over forty years helping students and adults develop social survival skills to manage school and workplace bullying.

Listen in to our insighful conversation about workplace bullying to learn -

• What is workplace bullying?
• Why the gap between s...

Did you grow up with a Narcissistic parent? Are you trying to breaking free of them - or another? Did you feel like you were growing up in their shadow – or now living in another’s shadow?

Listen in to this power ep to learn - 

- What is a co-narcissist

- How to recognise an expected or current connection that clouds your view

- How to shift out of a co-narcissistic mindset and relationship

Liked this topic? Grab a copy o...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Clinical Psychologist, Bart Traynor, who has a particular passion for men's mental health and helping athletes and people become the very best version of themselves. He also consults with and provides training and support to organisations struggling with mental health issues in the workplace.
Bart is Head of Operations at Atlantis Recovery Centre in QLD, Australia – which...

A role model is a person whose behavior, example, or success is admired and imitated by others, particularly by younger people. They serve as a source of inspiration and guidance, influencing values, attitudes, and behaviors. As we grow and develop through life – having good role models can really make us – and not having them may break us! 

In this ep you’ll learn the importance of role models for children, adolescents and adults a...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Sarah Martin, author of Dear Psychosis, her first award-winning book describing not only the dramatic rescue of her unwell daughter from Turkey, but the ongoing impact of helping a loved one deal with mental illness. 

Despite being an experienced theatre nurse and part of an extended family of medical professionals, nothing could have prepared Sarah for navigating the health system afte...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I chat with Australia's leading compassion researcher,  James Kirby, Ph.D.,  an Associate Professor, Clinical Psychologist, Director of the Clinical Programs, and the Co-Director of the Compassionate Mind Research Group at the University of Queensland. 

James examines factors that facilitate and inhibit compassionate responding, and the clinical effectiveness of compassion focused intervention...

In this episode of Psych for Life, I'm talking with Mark Morris about all things transitioning to being a father. Mark is a passionate advocate for positive masculinity and gender equality, an active dad of 2 and volunteers at his children’s school and local football club. With more than 20 years of leadership experience and a degree in Psychology, he specialises in People, is an accredited executive leadership coach, a Board ...

Life brings crossroads every so often. When our work conflicts with our mental health – this is a major crossroad – and one that comes to many of us sooner or later in our careers. 

Most of us are lucky enough to be able to direct the quality of our lives, and these crossroads are opportunities to take stock, take charge and work out what the next best steps are. 

In this episode You’ll take a moment to:

...

In my first new episode for 2025, I welcomed Dr Emmanuella Noble, a Clinical Psychologist and Sailor who recently completed the classic Sydney to Hobart oceanic yacht race. 
Emmanuella is deeply passionate about reducing the stigma of Mental Health in the community and she often talks about health and wellbeing issues. 

Listen in to our conversation on -

- the realities of racing the Sydney to Hobart

- the importance of facing cha...

During Summer, I’ll be sharing my Summer Series - a replay of some of our most popular Psych for Life podcast episodes. I hope you enjoy them as much as my other listeners have.

There's no escaping that we live in a digital world. However, our digital habits are impacting our stress and relationships more than ever, so I chat with Dr Kristy Goodwin, about what we can do to tame them.Dr Kristy Goodwin studies what it t...

During Summer, I’ll be sharing my Summer Series - a replay of some of our most popular Psych for Life podcast episodes. I hope you enjoy them as much as my other listeners have.

Co-dependence may seem like the latest buzzy word, however if you're wanting healthy relationships in your life, it's one you should probably pay attention to. The cornerstone of Co-dependence is when we care too much what other people th...