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.