Have we forgotten how to think for ourselves?

In this episode, Amy speaks with critical thinking and human skills expert, speaker and author Bethan Winn, whose book The Human Edge: Critical Thinking in the Age of AI explores how we can reclaim the essential skills that make us human - curiosity, courage, creativity and conversation.

Bethan shares her journey from teaching in London to moving to Perth, Australia, and building a business that helps people think more clearly and confidently.

A health scare became her career turning point, leading to a keen interest in how we form beliefs, make decisions and question assumptions.

Amy and Bethan discuss what critical thinking really means, how conversation can be used as a thinking tool, the role of curiosity in learning, and why overthinking can sometimes hold us back.

They touch on the risks of outsourcing our judgment to AI, the problem with education systems that reward the "right" answer, and the value of sitting with discomfort and uncertainty.

If you've ever felt overwhelmed by information, stuck in indecision, or simply curious about how to think more clearly in a noisy world, this conversation will help you rediscover the lost art of thinking for yourself.

Key points:

• Bethan's journey from teaching to focusing on critical thinking

• We're often taught what to think, not how to think

• Critical thinking blends courage, curiosity and humility

• The pressure of standardised tests can stifle creativity in education

• Conversation helps us challenge our own assumptions

• Overthinking can paralyse us, sometimes all we need to ask is "What's the next right thing?"

• AI can assist but should not replace human thinking

• Human connection is vital in a technology-driven world

For more information:

Bethan Winn https://www.bethanwinn.com.au/

Part 2: Moral Codes & Living on your own terms

In Part 2 of my conversation with Maz Farrelly, we move beyond the world of television and into the personal. We talk about reinvention, how to know when to walk away, and how to build a life that actually feels like yours.

Maz shares her decision to leave her successful TV career and how bowl of beads in Fiji helped her decide what to do next.

We discuss what it means to live by a moral code, and how her upbringing shaped the values she now brings into every room.

She shares her journey to Australia and how a 3 week visit turned into a more permanent move. We also talk about the power of saying "I don't want this anymore" and acting on it.

Plus, you'll hear the story she's most proud of which left her more inspired than any industry award.

This second half of the conversation is thoughtful, inspiring and filled with life lessons.

You'll laugh, you might tear up and you'll definitely walk away feeling braver.

Tune in to hear:

• Why Maz walked away from a successful TV career

• The simple check-in questions she asks herself every year

• A moving story of impact beyond the screen

• Her family's influence on her values and voice

• What to stop worrying about by the time you hit 40
  

Find out more about Maz:

Part 1: The Truth About Reality TV & How to Cut Through the Noise

What does it take to really have the X Factor?

Maz Farrelly has shaped some of the biggest TV shows of our time, from Big Brother to The X Factor, and has worked with global icons from Beyoncé to Prince Charles.

Maz knows how to grab an audience's attention and hold it. Her content has been watched over 8 billion times!

She's an 'Olympic-level storyteller', which is why this is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. We didn't want to cut it; we could have chatted for hours longer.

After years in the TV industry, Maz now brings her storytelling skills into boardrooms, onto stages and into big businesses around the world; helping companies win attention, master storytelling, elevate customer experience and lead like a rock star.

In this first part episode, Maz takes us behind the curtain of reality TV - how she got into the industy, the rise of reality TV and what it taught her about human behaviour.

As someone who grew up watching these shows, Amy found it fascinating to hear how they were created.

She also shares the "doom message" she gave contestants before they entered the public eye, the hard truth about chasing fame, and why being "interesting" is a skill - especially when everyone is shouting.

Maz shares her personal journey, hilarious moments to thought-provoking reflections, this episode is packed with straight-talking wisdom and media-savvy gold.

• How Big Brother broke the rules and changed TV forever

• The unseen consequences of reality TV fame

• What Maz told contestants before they signed up to the shows

• Why charisma and authenticity aren't always the same

• The three-question test she uses to decide if something's "interesting"
  
  

And be sure to tune in for Part 2: Moral Codes, Reinvention & Living on Your Own Terms

Find out more about Maz: