The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍I've been waiting to record this one for a very long time. Professor Julia Rucklidge is the Director of Te Puna Toiora, the Mental Health and Nutrition Research Lab at the University of Canterbury, a clinical psychologist, a researcher of more than 30 years, co-author of The Better Brain, and my PhD supervisor. Getting to learn from her is one of the great privileges of my career, and getting to sit down and have this conversation properly was absolutely amazing! Julia trained in a programme that taught her nutrition had nothing to do with the brain. She followed the science anyway (which I find INSANELY admirable!). Two decades later, the Daily Essential Nutrients (DEN), the micronutrient formula that she uses in her research, has been pulled from sale here in New Zealand. There was no safety finding. Supplements in New Zealand legally can't treat anything, so evidence is what turns a supplement into an unapproved medicine. Julia has met more than 30 politicians about it, and continues to advocate for it's sale in NZ to support all the families that have found profound benefit from it's use. She also went to her own GP, was declined, told to eat better, and prescribed 60 tramadol in the same appointment. This episode is honest, infuriating, and deeply human, and frankly I can't wait for you to listen to it!In this episode, we explore:✨ How a clinical psychologist who was trained to believe nutrition had nothing to do with the brain ended up running the trials that changed her mind, and the supervisor who took a punt on her✨ What Julia found in her first New Zealand trial on micronutrients and adult ADHD, and why participants talked less about concentration and more about feeling calmer, more regulated and more resilient✨ The Christchurch earthquake study: what happened when some people happened to be taking micronutrients before the September quake and some didn't, and what that tells us about being well nourished before life gets hard✨ NutriMum, the randomised controlled trial on micronutrients and depression during pregnancy, the birth and early infant outcomes, and Julia's own careful caveat about what these findings do and don't say about antidepressants✨ Why Daily Essential Nutrients was taken off sale in New Zealand, and the regulatory logic that means a supplement showing therapeutic benefit stops being allowed to be a supplement✨ The GP appointment: declined vitamins and minerals on the grounds she isn't unwell enough, then prescribed an opioid in the same consultation, and why Julia refuses to blame her GP for a system built around sick care rather than health care✨ Why St John's Wort can only say it "supports mood" while an ultra-processed snack bar carries a five-star health rating, and what that does to our ability to make informed choices✨ Soil, monocrops and what our food ate: why eating well may not deliver what it once did, and the reasons Julia gives for why some people may need more than a healthy diet alone✨ The case against chasing single nutrients: what the pathway from tryptophan to serotonin actually requires, why "normal" blood results are normal relative to a population and not to you, and Julia's very generous message to anyone who loves their magnesium✨ What Julia hopes she'll have achieved when she looks back on her whole career, in one sentence I haven't been able to stop thinking about✨ Andddd a little note from me: this conversation covers depression during pregnancy, antidepressant prescribing, and suicidal ideation as it appears in the research. Julia is clear throughout that depression in pregnancy is serious and deserves treatment, and that nothing in her work suggests antidepressants are unsafe. Please don't make any changes to prescribed medication based on a podcast. That's a conversation for you and your prescriber. Be kind to yourself as you listen, and come back to it whenever you feel ready.To see more of the wonderful Julia and her work:Te Puna Toiora, the Mental Health and Nutrition Research Lab, University of CanterburyThe Better Brain, by Professor Julia Rucklidge and Dr Bonnie KaplanJulia on FacebookAnd follow her on Instagram! Mentioned in this episode:The Better Brain, Julia Rucklidge and Bonnie Kaplan, including the chapter on soil health and why the peach isn't your grandmother's peachDr Bonnie Kaplan, Julia's PhD supervisor at the University of Calgary and her long-time collaboratorThe NutriMum trial, on micronutrients and depression during pregnancyThe Christchurch earthquake micronutrient studiesThe Dietary Supplement Regulations 1985 and the Medicines Act, and why supplements in New Zealand are regulated as foodWant even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here's where to find more support and resources:Website & Client Enquiries: wholeisticpsychology.com Join the Newsletter: wholeisticpsychology.com/thewholeedit-signup Blog: wholeisticpsychology.com/blog

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍I'm flying solo this week for an episode I've wanted to record for a long time. I've worked with clients with OCD for a number of years, and I've seen firsthand how earth-shattering and debilitating this disorder can be. It's also the focus of my PhD research, which is now in the data analysis phase, and while the literature has taught me a lot, nothing compares to sitting with well over 50+ people in the recruitment stage of my research and hearing their experience of OCD firsthand, as well as working with OCD for many years in the therapy room.In this episode, I walk you through what OCD actually is: the intrusive thoughts, images, doubts and urges that feel so completely misaligned with who you are, and the compulsions that promise relief but feed the cycle. I share some of the lesser-known ways OCD can show up, from relationship OCD to harm OCD to some of the most stigmatised and underrecognised forms, and why OCD so often grabs onto the very things that matter most to you.We also need to talk about "I'm so OCD." It's said lightly, and never maliciously, but for the many people carrying graphic intrusive thoughts and secret rituals in silence, it can be deeply invalidating. There's a reason the time between the onset of OCD symptoms and diagnosis can be up to 17 years, and shame sits right at the heart of it.Whether you're navigating OCD yourself, love somebody who is, or simply want to understand this misunderstood disorder better, this episode is honest, warm, and deeply human. I’ve created this episode with everyone in mind, and if you think that someone in your life may benefit from learning more about OCD - this is the podcast for them. In this episode, I explore:✨ What OCD actually is: the two elements of obsessions and compulsions, and why intrusive thoughts feel so alien to who you are✨ Why compulsions bring short-term relief but make the thoughts more pervasive, urgent and frequent over time, like feeding a monster that only grows✨ Why 99% of us have intrusive thoughts, and the meaning-making that separates OCD from a passing ‘weird’ thought✨ The different faces of OCD: relationship OCD, paedophile OCD, contamination OCD, harm OCD, and sexual orientation OCD✨ How OCD targets what you love and value most, and demands a certainty it can never actually deliver✨ The shame that keeps people silent, and why diagnosis can take up to 17 years from symptom onset✨ How OCD differs from health anxiety, and where the two can look almost identical (a wonderful listener question from my socials!)✨ How to support a loved one with OCD: gradually reducing reassurance, externalising OCD, and teaming up against it together✨ Why exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the gold-standard psychological treatment for OCD, and why the right support changes everything✨ A gentle note from me: this episode discusses intrusive thoughts across a range of OCD themes, including harm and other confronting thought content. Please be kind to yourself as you listen, and come back to it whenever you feel ready.If you heard yourself in this episode, you are not alone. OCD is treatable with the right practitioner, and there are so many people out there to support you. If you're in New Zealand and would like support, my team and I would love to hear from you via the link below.Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here's where to find more support and resources:Website & Client Enquiries: wholeisticpsychology.com Join the Newsletter: wholeisticpsychology.com/thewholeedit-signup Blog: wholeisticpsychology.com/blog

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍This one is a real treat for me, because my guest today is one of my fabulous PhD supervisors, Professor Grant Schofield. Grant is one of New Zealand's best-known public health scientists, a researcher, and the co-founder and Chief Science Officer of PREKURE. He's also the author of five best-selling books, with his newest, Choose Your Hard, just out in the world.Grant has spent his career asking the unpopular questions about how we eat, how we move, and what we've been told is "healthy", and then following the actual evidence wherever it leads. In this conversation we pull apart the food system most of us grew up inside: the food pyramid, the Health Star Rating, and the food rules that shaped a generation, and we look honestly at what all of that has done to our metabolic health and our minds.Buckle up, because we cover a whole lot of ground - from the food pyramid to psychiatric medication, and from AI robots and metabolic psychiatry. We get into the science, but we also stay human. It's a warm, honest, occasionally cheeky conversation with one of the people who has shaped how I think about food and the brain, and I can't wait for you to hear it.In this episode, we explore:✨ How the food pyramid came to be, who it really served, and why the advice so many of us grew up with was built on shaky ground✨ The Health Star Rating decoded: how a chocolate drink, a Up & Go or a bowl of Coco Pops can score so well, and what the rating system genuinely can't see✨ What "ultra-processed food" actually means, and why the level of processing may matter as much as the nutrients on the label✨ The link between how we eat and how we feel, and what the research is showing us about food, metabolic health, and conditions like depression and anxiety✨ The emerging world of metabolic psychiatry, including the early research on ketogenic approaches for serious mental illness, and how to hold that evidence honestly✨ Where Grant thinks medicine gets it wrong on informed consent, SSRIs, and treating the body and mind as separate systems✨ What Grant would change first if he had full power over the food environment tomorrow, and where he sees AI fitting into how we understand our food✨ The heart of Choose Your Hard: why every path has a hard, and how choosing the right one changes everything✨ A grounded, compassionate way to think about food and your mind that doesn't tip into fear, restriction, or shame✨ A gentle note from me: we touch on mental health, antidepressants, and psychiatric treatment in this episode. Nothing here is medical advice, and it's never a reason to stop or change any medication on your own. Please take what's useful, leave what isn't, and be kind to yourself as you listen.To see more of the wonderful Grant:🤍 Website: profgrantschofield.com 🤍 PREKURE: prekure.com 🤍 Choose Your Hard — available now wherever you buy your books 🤍 Listen to Grant's own podcast, Prevention is Cure✨And as mentioned, you can listen to my own conversation on ACT over on Grant's Prevention is Cure podcastMentioned in this episode:✨ Choose Your Hard by Prof Grant Schofield ✨ The SMILES trial (dietary intervention for depression) ✨ The work of Prof Julia Rucklidge on nutrition and mental health ✨ Dr Matthew Phillips' research on metabolic and ketogenic therapies ✨ Metabolic Mind and the Baszucki Group ✨ The Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revised food guidance ✨ The Misogi Challenge ✨ My own conversation on ACT over on Grant's Prevention is Cure podcastWant even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here's where to find more support and resources:🤍 Website & Client Enquiries: wholeisticpsychology.com 🤍 Join the Newsletter (The WHOLE Edit): wholeisticpsychology.com/thewholeedit-signup 🤍 Blog: wholeisticpsychology.com/blog

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍I’m back with one of my favourite people to talk all things nutrition with, my fab friend and colleague Steph Pearson. The wellness space is LOUD right now. Every other week social media decides whether protein, soy, fasting or ashwagandha is the thing that’s going to fix us or finish us off. So, Steph and I asked our communities what they actually wanted us to settle, and we sat down to myth-bust our way through your questions.Steph is a Nutritionist and Naturopath, and someone I trust deeply, professionally and personally. She works with women in the thick of perimenopause, stress, hormonal shifts and complicated relationships with food, and she has a rare gift for making the evidence feel human and doable rather than overwhelming.We move through protein and protein powders, the truth about soy, ashwagandha, collagen and creatine, coffee timing, fasting and training to your cycle, sauna and cold exposure, and the questions that don’t usually get said out loud. The thread running through all of it: there’s no one-size-fits-all, and test, don’t guess.This one is warm, honest and very real. It’s also Part One, because you sent us so many questions we couldn’t fit them all in, so we’ll be back to finish the list.In this episode, we explore:✨ The protein hype — who actually needs a protein powder, and how to know whether you’re getting enough without tracking forever✨ Soy on trial — the difference between processed soy and whole-food soy, and where Steph genuinely sees it help✨ Ashwagandha, and why “test, don’t guess” matters before you add it to your coffee (including who is better off steering clear)✨ Collagen — what the evidence does and doesn’t support, and the nutrients Steph would reach for first✨ Coffee timing, and learning to read your own body’s signs instead of someone else’s rules✨ Fasting and training to your cycle, and why piling more stress onto an already-stressed body isn’t the answer✨ Creatine, one of the most researched supplements going, and how to actually take it✨ The psychology underneath the food — where stress is really coming from, the mental load, and meeting all of this with compassion rather than self-criticism✨ Sauna vs cold exposure for women, and the question nobody says out loud: low libido with two kids under five, will it ever come back?✨ A gentle note from me: we talk openly about food, bodies, fasting and eating behaviour in this episode. If your relationship with food or your body feels tender right now, please be kind to yourself as you listen, and come back to it whenever you feel ready. If you’re struggling, reaching out for support is a brave and worthwhile thing to do.To see more of the wonderful Steph Pearson and her work, you can find her here:Instagram: @stephpearson.naturopathMentioned in this episode:•  Dr Mindy Pelz — referenced on training and fasting to your menstrual cycle•  Two Raw Sisters — the recipe app I love for quick, whole-food snacks•  Creatine monohydrate — the form Steph discusses•  My conversation with Francesca Lyon on cortisol, stress and the nervous system #7

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍Today's episode began the way the best ones do: as a conversation Emma Wylie and I kept having over voice message, until we knew we had to bring it to the podcast. Emma is back with us, and this time we're talking about our relationship with food, eating, body shape and weight, and what happens when the pursuit of "healthy" starts to run the show.I'm joined again by the wonderful Emma Wylie, Nutritionist and Founder of Elo Wellbeing, who many of you will remember from our Eating with Ease episode. Emma brings so much warmth, clarity and care to this work, and she has a real gift for making the science feel human.Together we get into how a difficult relationship with food can show up, often in small ways that are easy to miss, and why control around eating so often sits on top of something deeper. We talk honestly about the cost of staying stuck in that pattern, the difference between a long life and a life that feels good to be in, and how small, doable steps can gently open things back up.This episode is warm, honest, and deeply human. It's a conversation about making room for a bigger, fuller life.In this episode, we explore:✨ The subtle signs of a difficult relationship with food: fear foods, avoiding social meals, pre-checking menus, and choosing exercise over connection✨ Why controlling food so often becomes a way to manage emotions that feel too big, and how that control can become a cage✨ What gets overshadowed when we overvalue body shape: the roles, relationships and parts of ourselves that matter most✨ The tug-of-war metaphor for the voice that polices what you eat, and what it means to put the rope down✨ The difference between lifespan and health span, and the longer-term cost of under-fuelling for bones, muscle and energy✨ What restriction can mean for hormones, cycles and fertility, and why a calm, well-fuelled body is a safer body✨ The "challenge ladder": how small, steady steps rebuild flexibility without forcing a single outcome✨ Emma's measured take on weight-loss medications, and why how a body looks tells us so little about whether it's healthyA gentle note from me: this episode explores restrictive eating and difficult relationships with food. Please be kind to yourself as you listen, and come back to it whenever you feel ready.To see more of the wonderful Emma Wylie and her work, find her at Elo Wellbeing and follow along on Instagram @elo_wellbeing_.Mentioned in this episode:Eating with Ease — the self-paced course Emma and I created together, pairing nutritional knowledge with psychological tools. Follow along on Instagram @eating_with_ease.The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast episode with Emma Wylie (Episode 2) — Emma's first episode, where we introduced Eating with Ease and Emma shared her own story (the companion episode to this one).Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here's where to find more support and resources:Website & Client Enquiries — Learn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the Newsletter — My monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlog — Take a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍Today I'm joined by the wonderful Rosa Power,  the other half of Two Raw Sisters, the New Zealand food and wellbeing brand she co-founded with her sister Margo. Together they've built five bestselling cookbooks, a podcast, cooking workshops around the country, and an app with hundreds of recipes that takes the overwhelm out of whole-food cooking and makes it feel genuinely accessible.Rosa was an elite athlete for eight years, specialising in the 3000m steeplechase, before her body (and her mental health) started to be challenged under the weight of overtraining and under-fuelling. By 18, she had the bone density of a 70-year-old, didn't get her period until she was twenty-one, and was navigating a diagnosis of RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sport) and an eating disorder, all while still in the thick of competing on the world stage.This episode is honest, hopeful, and deeply human. Rosa speaks with so much warmth and clarity about her challenges with food, her body and over-training, and her courageous recovery. I know her reflections will resonate well beyond the world of athletics, with all of us able to identify with parts of her inspiring journey.In this episode, we explore:✨ How Rosa’s love of running transitioned from a hobby into an obsession✨ Her RED-S diagnosis, what this meant for her body, and how she began her recovery journey ✨ The body comparison that's almost unavoidable in elite athletics and the “not good enough” thoughts she navigated✨ The rock-bottom moment that led to Rosa’s healing journey✨ Grieving the Olympics that didn't happen, reclaiming an identity outside of "the athlete," and how Two Raw Sisters became the next chapter✨ How pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood gave Rosa a whole new appreciation for her body✨ The mindset shifts around food and movement she lives by nowTo see more of the wonderful Rosa Power and everything Two Raw Sisters has to offer, explore their app, cookbooks, and podcast at tworawsisters.com and follow along on Instagram @tworawsisters.Mentioned in this episode:Two Raw Sisters app — over 850 recipes, search by ingredients, filter for dietary needs, take the decision fatigue out of cookingThe WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast episode with Margo Flanagan — Rosa's sister Margo on chronic illness, identity, and food as part of her healing (the companion episode to this one)RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) — an under-recognised but very common condition in female athletes, affecting hormones, bone density, and overall energy availabilityThe role of a multidisciplinary recovery team — endocrinologist, nutritionist, psychologist, physio, and family — in supporting recovery from RED-S and disordered eatingWant even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here's where to find more support and resources:Website & Client Enquiries Learn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the Newsletter My monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlog Take a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE.

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍Today's conversation is one I have been so excited to share with you - and it genuinely did not disappoint. I'm joined by the incredible Margo Flanagan, co-founder of Two Raw Sisters, the New Zealand food and wellbeing brand she built alongside her sister Rosa. Together they've created five bestselling cookbooks, a podcast, cooking workshops around the country, and an app with over 850 recipes designed to make whole-food cooking feel genuinely accessible.But before all of that, there was a deeply personal health journey. Margo was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome at sixteen, navigated two years largely bedridden, and later faced an endometriosis diagnosis too. Through both of those experiences, food became one of her most powerful tools, which is a big part of the conception of the Two Raw Sisters brand! This episode is warm, honest, and deeply human. We go well beyond the brand, and I truly think a lot of Margo’s reflections are going to resonate with you.In this episode, we explore:✨ Margo's chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosis at sixteen: what her body was telling her, and the seven months of being dismissed before anyone listened✨ The identity crisis that comes with chronic illness, and how comparison with a high-achieving sibling added another layer ✨ How chronic illness reshapes your friendships when you're young, and the loneliness that comes alongside it✨ Margo's endometriosis journey - her path to diagnosis, the guilt she carries for having a smoother ride than many women, and why endo stage does not equal pain level✨ How food became medicine, and why it's so often the last thing we reach for when it should be the first✨ The Two Raw Sisters app — how it works, what makes it different, and why I genuinely recommend it to my own clients✨ The mindset tools Margo uses to manage self-doubt, protect her energy, and turn challenges into something she can grow from✨ The honest reality of building a business while navigating your own health, and what social media doesn't show you about someone else's successTo see more of the incredible Margo Flanagan and everything Two Raw Sisters has to offer, explore their app, cookbooks, and podcast at tworawsisters.com and follow along on Instagram @tworawsisters.Mentioned in this episode:Two Raw Sisters app — search by ingredients, filter for dietary needs, reduce decision fatigue at 5pmTwo Raw Sisters podcast episode with Lara Briden — how to talk to your GP about endometriosisLara Briden — author and naturopathic doctor specialising in women's hormonal healthDr Olivia Smart — Margo's gynaecologist recommendation for those navigating endo in NZWant even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE. 

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍Today's episode is a little different for me (and definitely my most candid). It's a solo one, recorded from a place I truly never imagined I'd be speaking from. Very recently, I lost somebody very close to me, unexpectedly and far, far too soon. And in the weeks since, I have been so deeply held by the most incredible, intentional people in my life who have shown up for me in the most beautiful ways, who have inspired today’s podcast.It has made me realise, both as a senior psychologist and as someone who is currently bereaved myself, how much we as a society really struggle with grief — and how many well-intentioned, beautiful people feel so unequipped to support someone they love through a loss.So this episode is a practical toolkit for the supporters of those who are grieving. If somebody in your life has lost a parent, partner, sibling, child, or friend, and you want to know how to show up for them in the best way, this one is absolutely for you.I explore:Why we as a society struggle so much with grief, and what's really happening underneath all our well-intentioned avoidanceWhy supporting the bereaved is, at its heart, a practice in staying (and not in fixing)My six practical tools: saying their name, jumping in with your clothes on, helping carry the mundane, supporting the continuing bond, showing up long after everyone else stops, and holding space for whatever needs to be spokenA few things I gently encourage you to be mindful of (including religious assumptions, big life changes, and changing the subject when their person comes up)What the bereaved themselves want you to know, in their own words - verbatim from my beautiful Instagram community✨ A gentle note from me: this episode discusses sudden bereavement. Please take care of yourself as you listen, and come back to it whenever you feel ready.Books I reference throughout (all in the links below):Resilient Grieving by Dr Lucy HoneThe Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis WellerBearing the Unbearable by Joanne CacciatoreWith so much gratitude to the Instagram community members who so generously shared their words and lived experience. This one is dedicated to the beautiful humans in my own life who have shown up for me. If you are walking alongside someone who is grieving right now, thank you. It is one of the most sacred kinds of love there is. And if you are the one inside the grief yourself - I am walking alongside you. Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here's where to find more support and resources:Website & Client Enquiries Learn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the Newsletter My monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlog Take a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE.

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍Today’s conversation is one that feels both deeply important and incredibly needed, and I feel so excited about sharing with you! I’m joined by the incredible Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas — a clinical neuroscientist, nutrition and mental health researcher, and author of ADHD Body and Mind — whose work brings together neuroscience, nutrition, and lived experience in a way that is both deeply compassionate and profoundly insightful .Together, we explore what ADHD actually looks like beyond the diagnostic criteria… not just as a condition of attention, but as a whole-body experience that shapes how we think, feel, eat, and move through the world.We talk about the gut-brain connection, emotional regulation, disordered eating, and Dr Miguel’s PHOCUS framework - a beautifully holistic approach to supporting ADHD through food, flexibility and self-kindness.In this episode, we explore:✨ Dr Miguel’s personal journey with ADHD and autism, and how his late diagnosis reshaped his understanding of himself and his work ✨ What ADHD actually feels like day-to-day (from hyperfocus and creativity to overwhelm, paralysis, and emotional intensity) ✨ Why ADHD is not just a “brain disorder”, but a whole-body experience involving the nervous system, gut, and inflammation ✨ The often-overlooked emotional landscape of ADHD, including overwhelm, dysregulation, and rejection sensitivity ✨ Why food matters for ADHD ✨ The gut-brain connection and how microbiome health may influence mood, focus, and overall wellbeing ✨ Dr Miguel’s PHOCUS framework: a flexible, ADHD-friendly approach to nourishment that moves away from rigid rules ✨ The role of protein in supporting dopamine, energy, and emotional regulation throughout the day ✨ How healthy fats, herbs, and hydration support brain function, inflammation, and overall health ✨ Why carbohydrates are not the enemy, and how they support gut health and steady energy ✨ The importance of colourful, diverse plant foods for the microbiome and whole-body health ✨ The role of unprocessed, unique, and umami foods in creating satisfaction, pleasure, and sensory engagement with food ✨ Why self-kindness is the foundation of any sustainable approach to health, especially for ADHD ✨ The connection between ADHD and disordered eating, and how food can become both a source of comfort and control ✨ Why perfectionism and rigid food rules can be more harmful than helpful ✨ The importance of a truly holistic approach: food, movement, connection, environment, and psychology all working togetherTo see more of the incredible Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas and his work, you can explore his book ADHD Body and Mind and his ongoing research in the field of nutrition and mental health, as well as by following him on Instagram @drmiguelmateas .Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE. 

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍Today’s conversation is one I feel so deeply passionate about, because it speaks to something I see every single day in my clinical work… women feeling confused, overwhelmed, and often disconnected from what is actually happening in their bodies.I’m joined by the incredible Francesca Lyon, a degree-qualified and registered naturopath and Medical Herbalist specialising in women’s health, hormones, and fertility, and together we explore what it really means to understand your mental health through a hormonal and whole-body lens.This is a conversation about burnout, about the pressure to “push through,” about the invisible role hormones play in how we feel, and most importantly, how we can begin to support ourselves in a way that is evidenced based, compassionate and practical. In this episode, we explore:✨ Francesca’s journey from burnout in the corporate world to discovering the power of holistic, whole-body healing ✨ What hormones actually are ✨ The reality of modern life: overworking, under-eating, over-exercising, and how this creates a hormonal “perfect storm” ✨ The cortisol curve: from “wired and thriving” stress… to depleted, burnt-out, low cortisol states that can feel like depression ✨ Why chronic stress doesn’t always look like high cortisol ✨ The complex relationship between hormones and mental health and why testing (not guessing) matters ✨ Blood sugar as a foundational pillar of both hormone health and emotional stability, and how stress can destabilise it ✨ The bidirectional relationship between food, stress, and self-talk and how guilt and anxiety around food can impact your physiology ✨ Why “perfect eating” isn’t always the answer ✨ The role of progesterone as a deeply calming, protective hormone for mental health ✨ The nuanced (and often misunderstood) relationship between hormones and conditions like PMS and PMDD ✨ How hormonal shifts across the menstrual cycle can influence mood, focus, anxiety, and energy ✨ The importance of sleep for hormone regulation and overall wellbeing ✨ The power of a truly holistic approach: nutrition, lifestyle, psychology, and medical insight working together, not in isolationTo see more of the fabulous Francesca Lyon, follow her on Instagram @your_hormone_naturopath - there she shares so many wise, insightful posts! Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE. 

In this jam-packed episode, I sit down with the incredibly insightful Dr. Brad to unpack one of the most powerful (yet often overlooked) relationships in the body: the gut-brain connection.Together, we explore how what we eat, and how we live, can deeply influence our mental health, mood, and emotional resilience.We explore:The gut-brain axis: what it is, how it works, and why it mattersHow stress affects the gut (yes, leaky gut is a thing, and it’s more common than you think!)The key role of dietary diversity in supporting your microbiomeHow protein intake supports neurotransmitter production and mood regulationWhy gluten isn’t the villain it’s made out to be (and what to know before cutting it out)The hidden dangers of artificial sweeteners for gut and brain healthWhy the Mediterranean Diet continues to shine in both research and real lifeSimple, science-backed tips to improve your digestion and mental wellbeing todayThis conversation is a must-listen for anyone wanting to feel better from the inside out - whether you're navigating anxiety, brain fog, low energy or just want to learn how to nourish your mind and body more intentionally.I cannot wait for you to listen to this one my friends! ✨Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE. 

We've been taught that happiness is the goal. But what if that idea is the very thing that’s making us feel stuck, anxious, or like we’re constantly falling short?If you’ve ever wondered why you’re still not happy, even when you're ‘ticking the boxes’... this one’s for you my guys!This episode is here to shake up the belief that we should always be chasing happiness… and offers a far more meaningful alternative (I promise, take a listen and you’ll see!).Join me, Senior Psychologist Sophia Dawson as I explore:Why the pressure to “feel happy” is keeping you stuckWhy fulfillment comes from values, not vibesThe unhelpful ways we try to “control” feelings (and how they boomerang back)How to stop waiting for happiness to start livingThe role of your future self in guiding your decisions todayThis episode is going to leave you feeling inspired to live a life that is guided by what matters to you, whether happiness is present or not. Cheers to a new measure of success, my friends ✨Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE. 

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast !Today’s conversation is an absolute gem, and I can’t wait for you all to tune in. I’m joined by the incredible Steph Pearson, a qualified naturopath and nutritionist, and together we take a deep dive into anxiety - not just as a psychological phenomenon, but as a whole-body experience.We unpack what it really means to nourish the nervous system from the inside out, how blood sugar and B12 can be just as important as breathwork, and why restriction culture might be silently feeding your anxiety. Whether you’re navigating anxiety personally or supporting someone who is, this episode is packed with grounded insights, lived experience, and practical tools that integrate mind, body, and soul.Inside the episode, we explore:How anxiety is a whole-body experienceThe link between nutritional deficiencies (like B12, iron & magnesium) and mental healthWhy blood sugar regulation is crucial for anxiety“Naked carbs” and their surprising effect on your nervous systemThe evolution from food restriction to food freedomLifestyle practices that actually move the needle on anxiety (hello, nature walks!)Why your health practices need to be flexible, compassionate and personalizedThe underrated power of consistent meals for emotional regulationRethinking dairy for women’s health and bone supportAnd most importantly, reconnecting with your body as your allyWant even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE. 

In this solo episode, I take a deep dive into the sneaky world of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) - what they are, how they impact our mind and body, and why it’s not about fear or shame, but rather about awareness.I explore:What ultra-processed foods actually are (hint: they’re not just lollies and chips)The link between UPFs and our mental health - especially symptoms like anxiety and low moodHow these foods can influence our physical health and metabolic functionPractical tips for spotting UPFs on supermarket shelves and decoding ingredient labelsWhy finding balance is key (hint: we’re not about perfection here, we’re about being informed and empowered!)This episode is perfect for anyone who’s ever felt confused or overwhelmed by the term “ultra-processed food” and wants to understand how our everyday choices might be impacting how we feel.✨ Resource spotlight: I chat about the book Ultra-Processed People by Dr. Chris Van Tulleken, such a powerful (and at times, mind-blowing) read if you're curious about food systems, health, and the science behind it all.And heads up… we’ll be unpacking some of the specific ingredients in UPFs in an upcoming episode, so stay tuned for that one!Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE. 

In this episode, I sit down with the wonderful Emma Wylie, Nutritionist and Founder of Elo Wellbeing, and all-round gem of a human.Emma shares her deeply personal story of navigating a challenging relationship with food, and how that experience became the spark that lit the fire for her work in the nutrition world. That same journey eventually led to the creation of Eating with Ease - our collaborative course designed to support people in finding balance and freedom with food.We chat about:Emma’s journey to becoming a nutritionist, and what she felt paved the way for her to become an absolute girl-bossHow Emma’s own experiences shaped her work with clients todayOur friendship, and how our mutual passion for nutrition and psychology shaped the creation of our course Eating with EaseThe most common patterns we see in tricky food relationshipsA couple small shifts that can make a big difference in how we relate to food and our bodiesSome rapid-fire questions so you get to know Emma!We explore the heart of Eating with Ease - what it is, who it’s for, and how it can support anyone who’s ever felt like food was complicated, overwhelming, or loaded with guilt. We even introduce a few simple tools that listeners can start using today to feel more grounded and intentional in their food choices.If you’re ready to move toward a gentler, more empowered relationship with food, this episode is for you.You can learn more about Eating with Ease (and jump in right now) over at:Join Eating with Ease NOW!Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Join the Newsletter - My monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! Join HEREWebsite & Client Enquiries - Learn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HEREBlog - Take a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you HEREI can’t wait for you to join me again soon on The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 💌

In this candid solo episode, I share the story behind WHOLEistic Psychology starting you from where it all began - what made me want to become a psychologist, university lecture halls, prison cells (yes, really), and significant gut health issues... right through to building my business to where it is today.This one’s for anyone who’s curious about my journey, psychology students and psychologists, and to anyone who’s wanting to listen to their intuition to guide their path! I open up about:✨ That teenage spark that lit the fire for psychology ✨ How my own experiences with anxiety shaped my curiosity (and my compassion) ✨ Why I loved my time in forensic psych, and what it taught me about humanity ✨ The gut health crisis that changed my entire path ✨ Why nutrition is non-negotiable in how I support mental health ✨ My pivot from public systems to working with teens in private practice ✨ What it really took to start WHOLEistic Psychology and follow the vision ✨ My next chapter: building something bigger (and doing a PhD while I’m at it!)This episode is a wee peek behind the curtain into why I do what I do, and why WHOLEistic Psychology will always embody the values and evidence I live by in my own life and the power of the mind body connection.Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE. 

Join Senior Psychologist Sophia Dawson on the WHOLEistic Psychology podcast, where evidence-based psychology meets the science of nutrition and lifestyle medicine.Discover how our minds and bodies are inextricably linked and learn from leading experts, nutritionists, and psychologists. Whether you're here to learn, feel inspired, or understand yourself on a deeper level, this podcast is your go-to space for true wellness from the inside out. Let's step into true health together.Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE.