Episode Description:

Why do certain emotional patterns keep repeating?
Why does trauma linger in the body long after the event has passed?
And is healing truly possible?

In this episode of Mind Your Being, I’m joined by Clinical Psychologist Mark Baxter, Director of The Psychology Spot in Wollongong, NSW. With over two decades of experience, Mark specialises in trauma recovery, PTSD, adverse childhood experiences, attachment difficulties and depression.

Together, we explore:

• How childhood adversity shapes self-beliefs and identity
• The connection between the nervous system, mental health and physical health
• Depression as a complex syndrome — not a personal flaw
• Why trauma can become “stuck” and how therapies like EMDR help process it
• The importance of the therapeutic relationship
• The emerging field of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD
• Psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression
• Why self-acceptance is central to healing

We also discuss Australia’s evolving approach to psychedelic-assisted therapies, who may be suitable candidates, and why careful screening and integration are essential.

This is a grounded, compassionate and hopeful conversation about understanding yourself more deeply — and moving toward healing with greater self-awareness and self-compassion.

If you’ve ever struggled with depression, trauma, or harsh self-criticism, this episode is for you.

Bio:

Mark has been working as a psychologist for over two decades and is the Director of The Psychology Spot, a group private practice in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

Over the past 8 years, Mark has undertaken additional training in psychedelic-assisted therapy. He provides MDMA and psilocybin-assisted therapy with Evolution Medicine Enhanced Therapy at Northern Beaches Hospital and Tikvah Centre for Eating Disorder Recovery in Sydney.

Links:

https://www.thepsychologyspot.com.au/

https://www.evolutionmet.com/

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

Skin health is about more than how we look — it’s about confidence, wellbeing, and feeling comfortable in our own skin.

In this episode of Mind Your Being, Cass speaks with Liv Slee, owner of Oak and Eve Beauty in the Illawarra, about skin health through midlife and the role professional treatments can play during perimenopause and menopause.

Liv shares her background in makeup and skin therapy, and explains skin needling in a clear, accessible way — including how it works, what concerns it can support, and why it has become such a popular option for midlife skin.

They explore:

• What skin needling actually is (and what it isn’t)
• How it supports collagen, skin tone, texture, and barrier function
• Common skin changes in perimenopause and menopause
• Why choosing an experienced therapist matters
• The importance of home care, including sunscreen, retinol, and hydration
• How confidence and skin health are deeply connected

This episode is a grounded, reassuring listen for anyone wanting to better understand their skin, reduce overwhelm, and make informed choices about skin treatments during midlife.

Bio:

Liv has been a part of the makeup and beauty industry since 2008, starting out in makeup and all things creative but quickly fell in love with the bridal industry. Over time, Liv saw so many brides who on their wedding day had wished their skin was better. It may have been texture, break outs, clarity and fine lines, or a mix of all of them, and it quickly became apparent that by the time these ladies got to Liv for makeup, the time for skin preparations had passed and makeup could only do so much.

The drive to help these women turned from makeup and cover ups to prevention by opening Oak & Eve Beauty where we could help make their skin as good as possible, so they felt confident even without the makeup.

18 years later Liv is proud to be the owner at Oak & Eve Beauty and lead a team of 8 women who are equally passionate about skin health, wellbeing and confidence in their own skin.

Links:

https://www.oakandevebeauty.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/oakandevebeauty/

https://www.facebook.com/oakandevebeauty/

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

In this episode of Mind Your Being, Cass is joined by Professor Belinda Beck, a world-leading researcher in bone health and exercise science, to explore how our bones truly respond to movement, nutrition, and lifestyle across the lifespan.

Prof. Beck explains why it’s never too late to strengthen your bones, the types of exercise that actually stimulate bone growth, and why many commonly recommended “gentle” activities aren’t enough to protect against osteoporosis.

She shares the groundbreaking findings from her LIFTMOR clinical trial, which showed that even post-menopausal women with osteoporosis were able to improve bone density safely — with the right exercise, the right supervision, and the right program.

The conversation also explores how these findings translate into real-world improvements in strength, balance, confidence, and quality of life, why fall prevention is so critical as we age, and how the evidence-based ONERO program was developed to bring this research into the community.

If you’re in midlife and want practical, science-backed guidance to support long-term strength, mobility, and independence, this episode is for you.

Biography:

Belinda Beck is a Professor of Exercise Physiology at Griffith University (Gold Coast, QLD) and Director of The Bone Clinic in Brisbane. Her work, primarily related to the effects of mechanical loading on bone, includes a series of clinical trials (the LIFTMOR and MEDEX-OP trials) that changed the way osteoporosis is managed with exercise.

In 2015, she established The Bone Clinic, a translational research facility and clinical practice in Brisbane providing the ONERO® exercise program for osteoporosis which has been licenced for delivery around the world.

She has been awarded almost $8M in research funding and has published over 150 papers and chapters in the field.

Links:

https://onero.academy/locations/

https://onero.academy/

Onero Online

Osteoporosis Prevention - Healthy Bones for Life without Fracture

High‐Intensity Resistance and Impact Training Improves Bone Mineral Density and Physical Function in Postmenopausal Women With Osteopenia and Osteoporosis: The LIFTMOR Randomized Controlled Trial

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

This is our first episode back after the festive season, and it’s designed to feel like a gentle exhale.

As we step into a new year, this short solo episode offers a softer, more realistic approach to health, wellbeing, and behaviour change — without pressure, guilt, or all-or-nothing thinking.

Rather than pushing New Year’s resolutions, we explore the idea of intentions: why they’re often more flexible, sustainable, and aligned with how we actually live, especially in midlife. You’ll hear practical, evidence-based insights into how behaviour change really works, where the science meets compassion.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why New Year’s resolutions can feel rigid and overwhelming
• The difference between resolutions and intentions — and why intentions tend to stick
• How to start small and build habits that create confidence
• Habit stacking and why anchoring new habits to existing routines works
• Why motivation often follows action (not the other way around)
• Finding your personal “why” for change — without being hard on yourself

I also share my own health intentions for the year ahead, including sitting less, building strength, supporting energy levels, and what I’m learning along the way — including a very human gym story that reminds us progress isn’t linear.

If you’re starting the year feeling tired, unsure, or already behind, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone — and that meaningful change can begin exactly where you are.

Small, kind, consistent steps really do add up.

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

The festive season is often portrayed as joyful and magical — but for many people, it can also feel overwhelming, stressful, and lonely.

In this final episode of the year, Cass offers a gentle pause in the December busyness and explores why this time of year can be emotionally demanding. From work pressures and financial stress to family dynamics, perfectionism, and unmet expectations, this episode unpacks the hidden load many people carry during the holidays.

Cass discusses:

• Why holiday stress is so common
• The pressure of perfection and expectation vs reality
• Navigating tricky family dynamics and setting healthy boundaries
• How to protect your nervous system during emotionally charged gatherings
• The impact of loneliness at the festive season and why it matters for our health
• The importance of kindness, compassion, and our shared common humanity
• Supporting others who may be grieving during this time of year

This episode also reflects on the journey of creating Mind Your Being in its first year and shares a preview of upcoming topics in 2026.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, another tradition, or none at all, this episode is an invitation to slow down, reset, and approach the season with greater gentleness — for yourself and for others.

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

In this warm and deeply informative episode, I share a conversation with Clinical Psychologist Dr David Cooper, an OCD specialist, researcher and adjunct lecturer at UNSW, to unpack what OCD really is — beyond the stereotypes of neatness, order, and perfectionism.

Together, we explore the many ways OCD can show up, why intrusive thoughts feel so distressing, and how shame often stops people from seeking help.

I also share my own experience living with OCD — the shame, the internal battles, and the exhaustion of compulsions that can unfold in a split second.

Dr Cooper explains:
• What OCD actually is
• Why intrusive thoughts feel so real and emotionally overwhelming
• The many forms OCD can take — including harm OCD, existential, moral, relationship and taboo thoughts
• Common and misunderstood OCD presentations
• How shame and secrecy keep OCD stuck
• The evidence-based treatments that genuinely help, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
• Practical ways to seek the right support

Whether you live with OCD, love someone who does, or simply want to better understand this complex and widely misunderstood condition, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and hope.

Bio

Dr David Cooper is a clinical psychologist and adjunct lecturer at the University of New South Wales. His clinical work focuses on helping people with obsessive-compulsive disorder and other life problems that keep repeating. He is involved in scientific research on how we can improve treatment for OCD and he maintains an online directory to help people in Australia connect with clinicians who have expertise in OCD. He works in private practice in Kiama, on the south coast of NSW.

Links mentioned during the episode:

https://ocd.org.au/directory

https://iocdf.org

https://soocd.com.au

Link to Paper published by Gayle Maloney:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2025.104878

Maloney G, Arntz A, Pittenger C. The imagery rescripting protocol for obsessive-compulsive disorder (ImRs-OCD): A decade of iterative refinement in treatment sequencing following ERP. Behav Res Ther. 2025 Dec;195:104878. doi: 10.1016/j.brat.2025.104878. Epub 2025 Oct 2. PMID: 41092684.

Keywords: OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, OCD symptoms, intrusive thoughts, compulsions, ERP therapy, Exposure and Respon

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

In this short solo episode, Cass offers a calming guided meditation to support the awareness practice explored in The Mindful Midlife Series (Episodes 13, 14 & 15).

This meditation is based on the classic ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) technique Leaves on a Stream — not Cass’s creation, but her gentle take on the well-loved practice. Through simple visualization, you’ll learn to observe your thoughts without getting caught up in them.

A soothing technique that supports mindfulness, emotional regulation, and soothing an overthinking mind to help you reconnect with a sense of calm.

Perfect for a quick reset or a mindful moment during a busy day.

Take a breath, settle in, and let’s begin.

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

In Part 3 of the Mindful Midlife Series, we take the insights from the last two episodes even deeper. You’ll learn how self-compassion, mindful breathing, and gentle awareness practices can help you loosen the grip of negative thoughts, calm your nervous system, and let go of perfection.

Midlife is often full of competing demands, shifting identities, and rising pressure — but it can also be a powerful time to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Join Cass for a grounding, practical episode filled with simple tools you can use anytime to feel more balanced, more present, and more supported within yourself.

A beautiful listen for anyone wanting more clarity, calm, and compassion in their midlife chapter.

Dr Kristin Neff's Self-Compassion Website:

https://self-compassion.org/the-research/

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.