Third Drawer Down
I host conversations at the intersection of clinical psychology, modern work, and the quest for sustainable vitality. Like the third drawer in a kitchen, this is where I explore the messy parts of being human and discover the truest parts of the self, along with a sense of purpose, meaning and belonging.
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Values
An exploration of values: what they are, how people lose touch with them under pressure, and how reconnecting with them is central to sustainable wellbeing.
Dr. Lucy Johnstone on Rethinking Mental Health with the Power Threat Meaning Framework
Dr. Lucy Johnstone, clinical psychologist and lead author of the Power Threat Meaning Framework, joins Mel to explore a radical, human alternative to psychiatric diagnosis: not "What's wrong with you?" but "What has happened to you?"
Self Determination
What does it really mean to live a self-determined life? Mel unpacks the psychology of autonomy, intrinsic motivation, and what gets in the way of people feeling genuinely in control of their choices.
Peta Stapleton on EFT, Stress, and the Future of Therapy
Pioneering researcher Peta Stapleton joins me to discuss Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), the science of stress, and what emerging evidence reveals about the future of psychological therapy.
Self Compassion
Why is it so hard to be kind to ourselves? Mel explores the neuroscience and psychology of self-compassion, and the practical, sustainable ways to cultivate it in everyday life.
Ven. Robina Courtin on Self-Compassion and Everyday Kindness
Buddhist nun Ven. Robina Courtin, once a personal bodyguard to the Dalai Lama and later founder of the Liberation Prison Project, joins me to explore self-compassion and the deeply human practice of bringing kindness to yourself.
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I bring the full picture: prevention and treatment of burnout, grounded in science and brought to life with real stories and genuine humour. Engaging, insightful, and practically useful, I leave audiences with tools they can actually use.
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Why am I constantly burnt out?
I join Sophie and Jayde to unpack why chronic exhaustion is so common, exploring the psychology of burnout, the role of values misalignment, and practical ways to recover and protect your energy.
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Burnout Is Destroying Entrepreneurs: How to Break the Cycle
Burnout is silently crippling 71% of entrepreneurs, business owners, and high achievers. Dr Mel joins Two Blokes One Business to break down the true causes of entrepreneurial burnout, why the "hustle harder" mentality backfires, and how her four-factor burnout model offers a new path forward.
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The Grief and Loss of Change
Amongst massive shifts in the world, I join Ali Hill to explore what it truly means to experience, recognise and respond to grief and loss, and why so many people feel it in ways that are not yet easy to name.
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