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Episode #6: The Door Is Open — Your Big Feelings, Growing Brains Resources. In this special episode of Big Feelings, Growing Brains, Sharon Ward and Professor Selena Bartlett bring the series together and introduce the practical resources created with parents, educators, health professionals and community members. Throughout the series, we have explored the real challenges families are facing, including screen transitions and meltdowns, anxiety and school refusal, food and fussy eating, reading development, toileting, emotional regulation and knowing where to find help. Episode #6 is your guide to taking the next step. Visit https://bigfeelingsgrowingbrains.com/  Listen to the full podcast series and explore practical, family-friendly resources, including: simple ideas for managing screens, transitions, meltdowns and big emotionsstrategies for rebuilding confidence and supporting children experiencing school avoidance or school refusalthe Food for All family resource, with low-cost recipes, shopping lists, lunchbox ideas, food-on-the-run suggestions and gentle approaches to fussy eatingBuilding Reading Brains ideas to support children’s language, connection and early literacypractical toileting tips for parents, carers and educatorsBig Feelings, Growing Brains inspiration cardsinformation about playgroups, family programs, community services and other places families can seek supportThese resources are not about perfect parenting. They are designed to offer simple, realistic ideas from people who understand that raising children can be joyful, exhausting, confusing and hard. Sometimes one practical idea, one supportive conversation or one connection with the right person can change the direction of a difficult day. Explore the resources and listen to every episode at: https://bigfeelingsgrowingbrains.com/ For help accessing the resources, printed copies, community sharing enquiries or further information, contact Professor Selena Bartlett: [email protected] Please share this episode and website with parents, grandparents, carers, educators and anyone walking alongside a child. Big feelings are not something families should have to face alone. The door is open. Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Raising children is not something families should have to do alone. It takes a village: parents, grandparents, educators, health professionals, community workers, neighbours and friends who can offer practical help, calm advice and a reminder that no one needs to have all the answers. In Episode #5 of Big Feelings Growing Brains, we explore the everyday moments that can feel big for families: supporting children in building early reading skills, navigating toileting, asking for help, and finding the community support that makes life more manageable. This episode is about practical ideas, not perfection. It is about helping children feel capable, helping parents feel less alone, and recognising that small acts of support can make a real difference. To celebrate the ideas shared in this episode, we are creating simple resources for families, including: Building Reading Brains Easy ways to grow language, connection and early reading skills through talking, singing, storytelling, looking at books together and making everyday moments a chance to learn. Toileting Tips Gentle, practical support for families navigating toilet learning, accidents, routines, resistance and the big feelings that can come with this important stage of development. Community Support Ideas for finding and accepting help through early learning services, playgroups, schools, health professionals, family support organisations and the people around you who care. A Small Reminder Children grow through relationships. They learn through repetition, play, language, encouragement and the feeling that someone is beside them when things are hard. Families do not need to do everything on their own. Asking for help is a strength. Offering help matters too. It takes a village — and we want to help. With Thanks to Our Contributors This episode and its resources have been shaped by the knowledge, care and lived experience of the same community. Sue, Speech and Language PathologistJodie, Little ScholarsBec and Carmen, Bayview KindyLiz and Lisa, C&K Kindy at Deception Bay NorthAlana and Chloe, Gardenia Early LearningAlana and Nikki, Early LearningAshleigh Stephens,  Facilitator Early YearsRuth, Senior Project Officer First NationsParents and families who shared their experiences, questions and practical wisdomThank you for helping us build a stronger village around children and the people who love them. https://bigfeelingsgrowingbrains.com/ Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Simple food and lunchbox ideas for big feelings, growing brains Feeding children is rarely just about food. It can be about time, cost, tiredness, sensory needs, routine, allergies, lunchboxes that come home untouched, and the pressure families can feel to get every meal right. In Episode #4 of Big Feelings Growing Brains, we heard many thoughtful, practical ideas from educators, health professionals and families who understand these everyday challenges. Their conversations reminded us that food does not need to be perfect to be nourishing. Small, familiar meals, a safe food on the plate, ingredients served separately, and a little more connection can make a real difference. To celebrate the episode and make these ideas useful in everyday life, we created a collection of simple, low-cost recipes, food-on-the-run ideas and lunchbox suggestions for busy families. These resources are designed to support children who are learning to eat, families doing it tough, and anyone looking for realistic ways to make food feel easier. Explore the ideas Food for All Recipe Book Simple, affordable meals made with everyday ingredients, including Cloud Bowl, Toasty Dippers, Tree Twirls, Eggy Bites, Volcano Mash, Treasure Bowl and Smiley Carrot Crunch. Each recipe can be adapted to different dietary needs and served together, side by side, or separately. Food on the Run Quick ideas for busy mornings, after-kindy hunger, appointments, sport, work and tired afternoons. Think yoghurt and fruit bowls, toast with beans, egg bites, carrot sticks with dip, bananas, rice bowls and leftovers packed into small containers. Lunchbox Ideas Realistic lunchbox options that are affordable, easy to open and familiar for children. Start with a safe food, add small portions, and keep foods separate where that helps. Lunchboxes can include toast fingers, Eggy Bites, fruit, yoghurt, cheese, carrot sticks, rice, peas, corn and leftovers from dinner. You can find all the recipes and ideas here: https://bigfeelingsgrowingbrains.com/ With thanks to the Episode #4 contributors This collection grew from the knowledge, care and lived experience shared by: Sue, Speech and Language Pathologist, Jodie, early educatorBec and Carmen, Bayview KindyLiz and Lisa, C&K Kindy at Deception Bay NorthAlana and Chloe, Gardenia Early LearningAlana and Nikki, Early educatorsAshleigh Stephens, Facilitator Early YearsRuth, Senior Project Officer First NationsParents and families who shared their experiences, questions and practical wisdomThank you for helping us create practical ideas grounded in care, connection and the everyday realities of family life. Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

School avoidance is becoming an increasingly common challenge for families, schools, and communities. For some children, walking through the school gates can feel overwhelming. Anxiety, bullying, social pressures, learning difficulties, emotional distress, and feeling unsafe can all contribute to school refusal and disengagement. In Episode 3 of Big Feelings, Growing Brains, we explore what may sit beneath school avoidance and what families, educators, and communities can do to help children reconnect with learning. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why some children struggle to attend school • What fear and anxiety can look like in the classroom • The importance of emotional safety and belonging • How schools and families can work together • Practical strategies to support attendance and confidence Featuring educators, parents, wellbeing leaders, and community voices, this conversation focuses on understanding rather than judgment and support rather than blame. Because children learn best when they feel safe, connected, and seen. Big Feelings, Growing Brains is a special Thriving Minds podcast series helping parents, educators, and communities navigate the challenges of modern childhood together. Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Why do some children seem calm one moment and completely overwhelmed the next when it is time to switch off a screen? In Episode 2 of Big Feelings, Growing Brains, we explore what is really happening in the developing brain when children move from highly stimulating digital environments back into everyday life. Together, parents, educators, and wellbeing leaders discuss why screen transitions can trigger big emotions, what children are trying to communicate through their behaviour, and practical strategies that can help reduce conflict at home and school. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why screens can be so difficult to switch off • What is happening in the brain during a meltdown • Why connection before correction works • Simple ways to support smoother transitions • Practical ideas from people who have been there This is not about blame, shame, or perfect parenting. It is about helping adults better understand growing brains and respond with confidence, compassion, and connection. Behind many screen meltdowns are often big feelings, and children who need support learning how to regulate them. Big Feelings, Growing Brains is a special Thriving Minds podcast series created by the community, for the community. Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Why Children Melt Down When Screens End Why do simple moments like “time to turn it off” so often end in tears, anger, shutdowns, or emotional explosions? In the first episode of Big Feelings, Growing Brains, neuroscientist Professor Selena Bartlett brings together educators, parents, and wellbeing voices to explore what is really happening in the developing brain during screen-time transitions. Featuring: Professor Selena BartlettDr Mark Williams, cognitive neuroscientist, Author, ScreenSmart ChildrenJennie Dreever from Younity Community ServicesKim, sharing a parent perspectiveHIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters)Together, they explore: why screens are so hard to switch offwhy transitions can trigger emotional escalationwhat parents and teachers are seeing in real lifehow connection helps regulate overwhelmed brainspractical ways to reduce stress and conflict at home and schoolThis episode is not about blame or shame. It is about helping adults better understand growing brains in a rapidly changing digital world. Big Feelings, Growing Brains is a special Thriving Minds mini-series bringing together neuroscience, lived experience, education, and community wisdom to support children, families, and educators. Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Anxiety in children and teenagers is rising, but are we always helping in the right way? In this powerful conversation, with clinical psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein to explore what anxiety really is, how modern parenting, social media and screens may unintentionally reinforce it, and why avoidance can quietly strengthen fear over time. Drawing on neuroscience, clinical psychology, and real-world family experiences, this episode explores:  Why the brain learns through experience How screens, uncertainty, and constant comfort-seeking can fuel anxiety  The difference between supporting a child and rescuing them from discomfort  Why confidence grows through small acts of courage  Practical ways parents, teachers, and clinicians can help children face fears safely and gradually Dr Einstein also discusses her research on uncertainty and anxiety, and shares insights from her work helping families navigate school stress, social anxiety, gaming, emotional overwhelm, and everyday avoidance patterns. This is not a conversation about blame or “perfect parenting.” It is a conversation about understanding the brain, rebuilding resilience, and helping young people learn they can do hard things. A practical and compassionate episode for parents, educators, clinicians, and anyone supporting growing brains in an increasingly uncertain world. You can learn more about Dr Danielle Einstein and her work here: https://www.danielleeinstein.com/ Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

What does it really mean to raise a screen-smart child in a world that is designed to capture their attention? In this important and timely conversation, I sit down with Dr Mark Williams to discuss his new book with Gavin McCormack, exploring the science, the reality, and the responsibility we all share when it comes to children and screens. Drawing from their new book Screen Smart Children, we go beyond fear and blame to unpack what is actually happening in the developing brain. We talk about attention, emotional regulation, sleep, learning, and how constant digital stimulation is shaping the way children think, feel, and connect. This is not about removing technology. It is about understanding it. Together, we explore:  What screens are doing to the brain during critical periods of development  Why children struggle to switch off and what that means for behaviour  The link between screen use, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation  How schools and families can respond in a practical, balanced way  What “screen smart” actually looks like in real life Dr Mark Williams brings deep expertise in cognitive neuroscience, helping us understand attention and memory in a distracted world. He collaborated with Gavin McCormack, bringing decades of experience in education, working directly with children, teachers, and families across the globe. What emerges is a clear and hopeful message: we are not powerless. With the right knowledge and small, consistent changes, we can reshape children’s environments and support healthier brain development. This episode is for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about the next generation. Because this is not just about screens.  It is about the kind of minds we are shaping for the future. 📘 Resources & Links Thriving Minds Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7457652593234919424/ Thriving Minds in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0999099779?ref=yb_qv_ov_prnt_dp_rw Book: Screen Smart Children https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Screen-Smart-Children/Mark-A-Williams/9781761639715 https://www.amazon.com.au/Screen-Smart-Children-helping-switches/dp/1761639714 Dr Mark Williams https://www.drmarkwilliams.com/ Gavin McCormack https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinmccormack/ #ScreenSmartChildren  #ThrivingMinds  #Neuroscience  #DigitalWellbeing  #ChildDevelopment Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

If we are honest, we know we are not one fixed version of ourselves. We can be generous and self-interested, patient and reactive, all within the same day. In this episode, we explore that uncomfortable truth and what it reveals about human behaviour. I sit down with Benjamin Knight to discuss Contained, a powerful immersive experience that brings you inside the reality of youth detention. It asks a confronting question: how different are “we” from “them,” really? Through story, neuroscience, and lived experience, this conversation unpacks how behaviour is shaped not just by character but by conditions, pressure, context, and whether someone was there to help us pause and choose differently. We explore:  The thin line between opportunity and consequence  How systems can shape identity, for better or worse  Why connection, structure, and consistency change outcomes  What neuroscience tells us about stress, safety, and behaviour This is not about excusing behaviour. It is about understanding it. Because when we understand what shapes people, we can start to build environments that support better choices. This episode will leave you reflecting on your own moments at the edge and asking a bigger question: What would we build if we truly understood how much conditions matter? https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-knight-53854061/ Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

What if the pickleball court was the beginning of a movement? Not a fitness trend, but a genuine response to one of the most significant public health challenges of our time: the slow erosion of the social fabric that holds communities together and keeps people well. I was sharing an Uber Pool on my way to speak to a room full of local council leaders when the woman sitting next to me started talking about why she had left her job in tech. She had spent a decade building a platform connecting people with mental health support, successful by every boardroom measure, but from the inside, she could see what the metrics weren't capturing. People were receiving care and returning to lives where the loneliness that had made them unwell in the first place remained completely untouched. So she walked away from the platform and built something you can walk into. Nineteen indoor pickleball courts, a food hall, a co-working space, not a wellness program or an app, but a place where people have a reason to show up regularly and, over time, begin to genuinely know each other. After thirty years of studying the brain, this makes complete sense to me. Authentic social connection isn't a nice addition to a healthy life; it sits at the very centre of brain health. Our nervous systems are built for it; we regulate each other, we find safety in each other, and when that is missing as a chronic condition of daily life, the consequences are neurological, not just emotional. We have understood this for a long time, and we keep building systems that ignore it. This is why the work of Andy Hamilton and the team at Human Nature matters so deeply to me. They haven't tried to build a better version of youth detention; they have created environments where young people can experience connection, responsibility and being genuinely seen, often for the first time. The outcomes are simply what happens when you finally give people what was missing. We have always known what works. The question has never really been about knowledge; it has been about whether we are willing to accept that we are all responsible for the answer.  I take you inside Andy Hamilton's work with Human Nature, and what three decades of neuroscience tell us about why environments like his produce the results they do. I also explore what the woman in that Uber Pool understood about community that most policy and technology still don't, and what weeding a park together might have to teach us about where we go from here. If you work in community, leadership, health, or simply care about what kind of world we are building, this one is for you. https://humannature.org.au/people/andy-hamilton/ Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Kindness Tim Tams: A World a Little Better Because of Rachel Robinson, MySummits In this episode of Thriving Minds, Professor Selena Bartlett speaks with Rachel Robinson, Director of Adventure-Based Therapeutic Solutions (ABTS) and co-founder of MySummits, about the transformative impact of connection and outdoor adventure for young people. Rachel shares a story from one of her camps where offering a struggling young person a simple Tim Tam became a powerful moment of kindness and care. Drawing on nearly two decades working in child safety, Rachel explains how adventure-based therapeutic camps help young people rebuild confidence, develop trust and experience belonging through activities such as hiking, camping and mountain biking. The conversation explores: • Why having one adult who cares can change a young person’s life • How outdoor adventure supports emotional regulation and confidence • the importance of connection for young people facing adversity • Rachel’s vision for expanding these programs so that more young people can benefit The episode also touches on emerging research examining screen use and self-harm and suicidal behaviours in young people, highlighting the growing importance of real-world connections and supportive relationships. This episode is a reminder that meaningful change often begins with something simple. One person who cares. A moment of kindness. And sometimes, a Tim Tam shared in a camp. Learn more: https://www.mysummitabts.com.au/ Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

"I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message. " In 2026, many parents, teachers and coaches are asking the same question. What is happening to our children? Across schools and communities, we are seeing more aggression, faster escalation of conflict, online humiliation spilling into classrooms, and young people struggling to regulate strong emotions. At the same time, childhood is now lived through screens in fast, stimulating, comparison-driven digital environments that developing brains were never designed for. In this episode, I sit down with Bryan, Head of Student Engagement, football coach, father and husband, who works with young people every day. We talk honestly about what he is seeing on the ground. Rising reactivity. Exposure to gambling culture through sport. Earlier access to drugs and alcohol. The growing pressure that boys and girls are facing in 2026. This is not a blame conversation.  What does constant stimulation do to a developing brain?   How does sleep loss affect impulse control?  Why are some conflicts escalating so quickly?  And what can parents, schools and communities actually do to help? We explore the neuroscience of regulation, the difference between character and capacity, and why connection must come before correction. Most importantly, we focus on practical steps. Strengthening sleep, protecting childhood from screens, rebuilding community boundaries, and restoring the conditions that help children thrive. Screens are not the only factor. But unregulated exposure in developing brains is not neutral. If we want safer communities, we must build stronger nervous systems. If we want resilient adults, we must protect childhood. Based on the sources, physical activity is not viewed as a reward but as essential biology that supports the nervous system and builds the capacity for frustration tolerance. The following activities and approaches are highlighted as beneficial: • Team-Based Sports with "Flow": Engaging in sports that emphasise team dynamics—like the New Zealand All Blacks’ "caterpillar" model—helps students move away from individual frustration and social comparison. When a team "flows" together, they learn to communicate and work together to "fix links" when someone fails, rather than a student feeling like a "loser" when they don't personally score. • Outdoor Time: Restoring outdoor time is considered a high-leverage intervention to help regulate the nervous system. This provides a necessary break from the chronic load of digital stimulation and screens, which often depletes a student's ability to handle setbacks. • Mindful Movement and Stretching: Incorporating daily stretching can help transition the brain from a reactive state to a centred one. These "tiny habits," when done consistently, help rewire the brain for better emotional control and less reactionary behaviour. • Walking and Connection: Physical activities that facilitate conversation, such as group walks, can help students and adults alike "unpack" their day and process frustrations through connection rather than isolation. • Competitive Play with Resilience Modelling: While competitive sports like football or rugby league can be sources of frustration, they serve as a training ground for resilience if adults model how to "bounce back" after a loss rather than blaming others. Ultimately, these activities support frustration tolerance by strengthening human capacity—including social intelligence and emotional regulation and to keep pace with the speed and pressure of the modern environment. Please help us help our children. Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

This week on Thriving Minds, I’m joined by Associate Professor Tara Walker, Senior Research Associate at the Queensland Brain Institute (UQ) — and co-host of the trail running podcast Trail Tales with Tara and Bryce. Tara and I are both neuroscientists, and we both love running. In this episode we explore the science and the joy of trail running — what it does for brain health, mental health, confidence, and connection. We talk about why running on trails feels so different to road running, how being in nature changes the experience, and why community is often the missing ingredient for people who think “I’m not a runner.” We also dive into Tara’s research program investigating how lifestyle interventions like exercise and diet support brain health, including what we’re learning about hippocampal neurogenesis, exercise-related blood factors (exokines), and the emerging idea of exercise mimetics — ways to mimic some of the benefits of exercise for people who can’t run. Along the way, Tara shares her personal trail-running journey — from her first 10–12km trail race to ultras and 100km events, and the mindset and training strategies that make endurance possible. We also discuss injuries, why trail running is booming, and how moving outdoors can help us feel more regulated, less stressed, and more connected. If you’ve ever felt disconnected, stuck at a desk, or unsure how to start moving again, this is a practical and hopeful conversation — grounded in real neuroscience and real life. Listen now — and if you’re in Brisbane, you might even want to join a community run (koalas included). Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

What happens when we mistake compliance for strength? In this episode of Thriving Minds, Professor Selena Bartlett explores a powerful and confronting conversation with a man who was proud of the physical punishment he received as a child. He believed it made him disciplined. He believed it taught him consequences. He believed it made him better. But beneath that story lies a deeper question: when does discipline build character, and when does it condition helplessness? Drawing on neuroscience, behavioural science, and parallels from the multi-billion-dollar horse industry, Selena unpacks the psychology of learned helplessness — the state that occurs when repeated stress teaches a nervous system that effort does not change outcomes. A quiet being is not always a regulated being. Sometimes it is a shut-down one. From parenting to leadership, from classrooms shaped by industrial efficiency to the rise of AI-driven optimisation, this episode challenges us to rethink control, compliance, and the architecture of agency. True resilience is not built through fear. It is built through co-regulation, relationship, and adults who can pause rather than react. If we want thriving minds, communities, and countries, we must ask ourselves: Are we building agency — or perfecting compliance? #ThrivingMinds  #LearnedHelplessness  #IntergenerationalTrauma  #AgencyMatters  #Neuroscience  #Parenting  #Leadership  #Resilience  #EmotionalRegulation  #CoRegulation  #HumanDevelopment  #BeyondCompliance  #DontBreakTheirSpirit Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

In this episode of Thriving Minds, Professor Selena Bartlett is joined by Ellie Murphy, founder of Storitiv, to explore why authenticity is becoming one of the most important human skills in an AI-mediated world. As technology makes it easier than ever to generate polished language, profiles, and narratives, many people are sensing a growing gap between how they present themselves and what feels true underneath. This conversation examines why that gap matters, how humans are wired to detect authenticity, and why trust, consistency, and follow-through remain central to meaningful work and relationships. Drawing on neuroscience, evolutionary insight, and lived experience, Selena and Ellie discuss authenticity not as branding or performance, but as alignment. They explore why oversharing isn’t the same as honesty, how misalignment shows up in the nervous system, and why trust is a key driver of productivity, speed, and psychological safety at work. This episode is for anyone who feels that the story they’re telling no longer quite fits, and who is navigating leadership, identity, or connection in a world where words are easy to polish, but truth is still felt. In this episode, we explore: Why humans are built to detect authenticityThe neuroscience of trust, predictability, and alignmentHow AI changes storytelling and perceptionWhy trust accelerates work and strengthens relationshipsWhat it means to align truth and presentation in modern life🎧 Thriving Minds explores brain health, human connection, and what it takes to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Support the show Subscribe and support the podcast at  https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/new Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com