

Better Thinking
Nesh Nikolic
On every episode you will hear inspiring conversations with leading experts in the fields of psychology, sports, personal growth, nutrition and other fields in order to gain clarity and understanding on how to deal with life in these exciting, yet challenging times. Your host, Nesh Nikolic, is a Clinical Psychologist based in Canberra, Australia with over 15,000 hours of 1-on-1 therapy experience. He’s trained in a number of therapy modes including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy. Every week, Nesh will bring raw, down-to-earth and nonchalant talks right into your ears that are designed to make you think smarter and better so you can deal with life as it is - no sugar-coating or playing “happy.”
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 24, 2019 • 1h 15min
#30 — Natalie Cross on Recurrent Miscarriage
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with psychologist Natalie Cross about her personal experience of multiple pregnancy losses. Natalie Cross is a registered psychologist working in Sydney. She previously worked at Strategic Psychology (Nesh’s practice) in Canberra. She was kind enough to reach out and offer to share her experience of multiple pregnancy losses in the hope it can help other women and families going through a similar situation. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/natalie-crossSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oct 16, 2019 • 1h 13min
#29 — Nesh Nikolic on Stress & Burnout
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic is interviewed by Mary Andreadis on understanding stress and burnout and mechanisms for managing. Nesh Nikolic is a Canberra-based clinical psychologist with over 15,000 hours of one-on-one therapy experience. He has trained in a number of therapy modes including Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy and he is also recognised by Medicare Australia as a qualified provider of specialist clinical psychology services. His therapeutic passion lies in utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for his clients and has trained clinicians around Australia in ACT. Nesh holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS), Association for Contextual Behavioural Science and Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists. Mary Andreadis is a Melbourne-based provisional psychologist. She has completed a Bachelors and Honours Degree in Psychology and is completing a Masters Degree in this field to become a qualified psychologist. Mary has worked as a mental health community support worker, counsellor and facilitated monthly anxiety support groups. Alongside all of this, she also writes a blog at MindIntertwined.com. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/nesh-nikolic-stress-burnoutSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

15 snips
Oct 9, 2019 • 1h 9min
#28 — Dr Kirk Strosahl on Assessment & Treatment of Suicidal Patients
Kirk Strosahl, a pioneering clinical psychologist and co-founder of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, discusses innovative methods for assessing and treating suicidal patients. He emphasizes the importance of addressing stigma and creating a compassionate environment to explore painful emotions. Strosahl advocates for accepting pain as a catalyst for growth, promoting behavioral variability for personal development. His insights reveal that open dialogue and mindfulness can help individuals navigate their feelings, fostering a deeper understanding of suicidality.

Sep 26, 2019 • 1h 14min
#27 — Carlos Turini on Preparing for Mediation
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Carlos Turini about why mediation is a smart alternative to resolving family disputes and how to prepare for mediation. Carlos Turini is an accredited specialist in family law, nationally accredited mediator and part of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for the ACT Law Society. With his extensive experience and knowledge of Family Law, Carlos is committed to achieving the best results for his clients, in the first instance by attempting to negotiate a settlement and if appropriate to represent his clients in court proceedings with regard to the full range of possible family law matters. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/carlos-turini-2See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 18, 2019 • 1h 7min
#26 — Jacki Short on Play Therapy
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Jacki Short about the benefits of play therapy when working with children. Jacki Short is the owner and director of Sydney Centre for Creative Change. She is a registered counselling psychologist, play therapist and supervisor with over 25 years of clinical experience with children, young people and adults. Her work involves counselling, supervision, education and research. Jackie has worked in drug and alcohol agencies, hospitals, welfare organisations, schools and private practice. She maintains a small practice in Glebe, Sydney, in counselling and supervision. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/jacki-shortSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 11, 2019 • 1h 14min
#25 — Dr John Gray on Mars & Venus in 2019
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr John Gray about what’s changed in relationships since Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus was released almost 30 years ago. Dr John Gray is the author of the most well-known and trusted relationship book of all time, Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. USA Today listed his book as one of the top 10 most influential books of the last quarter century. In hardcover, it was the #1 bestselling book of the 1990s. Dr. Gray’s books are translated into approximately 45 languages in more than 100 countries and continues to be a bestseller. He has appeared repeatedly on Oprah, as well as on The Dr. Oz Show, TODAY, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, and others. He has been profiled in Time, Forbes, USA Today, and People. He was also the subject of a three-hour special hosted by Barbara Walters. Dr. Gray has written over 20 books. His most recent book is Beyond Mars and Venus. His Mars/Venus book series has forever changed the way men and women view their relationships. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/john-graySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sep 4, 2019 • 1h 5min
#24 — Travis Rieder on Opioid Addiction in Modern Medicine
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Travis Rieder, PhD, about his struggle with prescription opioid withdrawal after a motorcycle accident. Although Travis had access to world-leading doctors and a supportive partner, going through withdrawal took his thoughts to dark and dangerous places. Travis Rieder, PhD, is a faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics where he directs the Master of Bioethics degree program. His research program concerns ethical and policy issues surrounding America’s opioid epidemic. Travis has published works concerning doctors responsibility for safely weaning patients off prescription opioids and is author of In Pain: A Bioethicist’s Personal Struggle with Opioids. His TED Talk, The agony of opioid withdrawal — and what doctors should tell patients about it, has been viewed over 2 million times. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/travis-riederSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 28, 2019 • 1h 45min
#23 — Danny Shannon on a Journey from Addiction to Recovery (Part 2)
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Danny Shannon about life after addiction, his work in helping others through their addiction journey, and his transition into entrepreneurship with Encapsulator. Danny Shannon is the founder of Encapsulator, an app for securely recording your future hopes, dreams and aspirations, into a time-locked vault to be discovered at a later date. Danny is also a recovering addict who has not had a drink or a drug since the 15th of September 2009. He is raising awareness through his personal stories about addiction and empowering and educating others about the emotional and social impacts of addiction. He earned a Diploma in Community Services and is in the process of completing a Bachelor of Counselling. He is a Senior Case Manager at Glebe House, a treatment facility for men with addiction issues who are affected by the criminal justice system. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/danny-shannon-2 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 21, 2019 • 1h 14min
#22 — Danny Shannon on a Journey from Addiction to Recovery (Part 1)
In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Danny Shannon about his life as a heroin addict and the journey to recovery. Danny Shannon is the founder of Encapsulator, an app for securely recording your future hopes, dreams and aspirations, into a time-locked vault to be discovered at a later date. Danny is also a recovering addict who has not had a drink or a drug since the 15th of September 2009. He is raising awareness through his personal stories about addiction and empowering and educating others about the emotional and social impacts of addiction. He earned a Diploma in Community Services and is in the process of completing a Bachelor of Counselling. He is a Senior Case Manager at Glebe House, a treatment facility for men with addiction issues who are affected by the criminal justice system. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/danny-shannon-1See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 14, 2019 • 1h 8min
#21 — Dr Steven Hayes on A Liberated Mind
In this episode of the Better Thinking podcast, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Dr Steven Hayes about his new book, A Liberated Mind: How to Pivot Toward What Matters, and applications of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in modern society. Dr Steven C. Hayes is Nevada Foundation Professor in the Behavior Analysis program at the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada. An author of 44 books and nearly 600 scientific articles, his career has focused on an analysis of the nature of human language and cognition and the application of this to the understanding and alleviation of human suffering. He is the developer of Relational Frame Theory, an account of human higher cognition, and has guided its extension to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a popular evidence-based form of psychotherapy that uses mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based methods. Episode links at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/steven-hayesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


