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

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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 Blue

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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 challenges
Why it's important not to rush to label children with diagnoses
The concept of anticipatory anxiety and how labels can become self-fulfilling prophecies
Practical first steps for parents: recognition, education, and having conversations at the right time
The power of "catching them being good" and focusing on strengths over challenging behaviors
Co-regulation: how parents need to regulate themselves first before helping their child
The fine line between helicopter/lawnmower parenting and teaching resilience
Graded exposure with practical examples (like food-related anxiety)
Why celebrating small wins matters more than achieving the end goal

Dr 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 App

Beyond Blue
Reach Out
The BRAVE ProgramShow less 54Sheet1

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