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Harden Up (And Other Unhelpful Advice)

Harden Up (And Other Unhelpful Advice)

Written by: Melissa Harries and Thomas Pulleine
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About this listen

A review of self help books and products from two completely different angles: the psychologist and the ex-infantry soldier.


Melissa Harries is a masters qualified registered psychologist with over 20 years experience working with people under stress including the military, emergency services and the NRL. She has a practice in Newcastle NSW where she helps both individuals and workplaces to build resilience.


Tommy Pulleine is a mental health trainer who served as an Infantry soldier for 17 years including deployments to Iraq, East Timor and the Solomon Islands. Tommy has experience as a mental health instructor for TAFE NSW, Open Arms and Mindset Training. He is passionate about peer led interventions for workplaces and community groups that de-institutionalise mental health support.


Book smart meets street smart. They dont always agree on what is helpful, but then thats what makes the discussion interesting.

© 2026 Harden Up (And Other Unhelpful Advice) Hygiene & Healthy Living Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Ep 4: Reviewing Timor Awakening (veteran wellbeing course)

    Ep 4: Reviewing Timor Awakening (veteran wellbeing course)
    Jan 20 2026

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    In this episode Tommy talks about his experience on the veteran wellbeing intensive he attended called Timor Awakening, a peer led residential education program that teaches veterans how to improve a range of wellbeing skills.

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    27 mins
  • Ep 2: Reviewing the Tech Diet For Your Child and Teen by Mark Marshal

    Ep 2: Reviewing the Tech Diet For Your Child and Teen by Mark Marshal
    Jan 20 2026

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    In this episode Tommy and Mel discuss educational book by Australian Psychologist Brad Marshal The Tech Diet for Your Child and Teen. This book was super helpful for parents to "reclaim your kid's childhood and your family's sanity"

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    34 mins
  • Ep 3: Reviewing Neurodiversity and the Myth of Normal (Audible Original lecture series)

    Ep 3: Reviewing Neurodiversity and the Myth of Normal (Audible Original lecture series)
    Jan 20 2026

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    This episode reviews the 6 part Audible Original lecture series Neurodiversity and the Myth of Normal by Dr Kyler Shumway and Dr Daniel Wendler. This is a bite sized piece of education at only two and a half hours long which provides quite a few nuggets of gold.

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    26 mins
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