In this heartfelt and honest conversation, Dr. Jodi Richardson sits down with accredited mental health social worker and couples/family therapist Marie Vakakis to discuss a challenge every parent faces: how do we support our children when we're struggling ourselves?

Marie shares practical strategies for parents who are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or burnt out. From the importance of self-compassion to finding the right words to communicate with your family, this episode offers permission to be human while still showing up for those we love.

Key topics include:

• Why self-compassion is the essential first step when you're struggling
• How to stop masking your emotions and start naming them (without oversharing)
• Simple phrases you can use to set boundaries and communicate your needs
• The hidden cost of the "I'm fine" response
• Why showing vulnerability actually builds connection with your children
• Practical tips for starting small when you've never talked about emotions before

Marie also shares insights about the dangerous fantasy of needing a "break" so badly that minor injury seems appealing—and what this really signals about our need for rest and support.

Whether you're navigating a difficult season or simply feeling the weight of daily life, this conversation offers both validation and practical tools for moving forward with more openness and less guilt.

Guest Bio: Marie Vakakis is an accredited mental health social worker and couples and family therapist. She runs The Therapy Hub in Footscray, Melbourne, and hosts two podcasts: "This Complex Life" and "Inside Social Work."

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful two-part conversation, Dr. Jody Richardson sits down with Gus Worland, co-founder of Gotcha4Life, to discuss the critical importance of mental fitness and authentic connection in preventing suicide.

Gus opens up about losing a close friend to suicide and shares what he's learned from speaking with people who've attempted to take their own lives—revealing that they didn't want to die, they just wanted the pain to stop. He emphasises the crucial difference between being at a 2-3 out of 10 versus an 8-9, and why building emotional muscle before crisis hits is essential.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why asking "are you thinking of taking your life?" is the first and most important question
• How to start deeper conversations with friends (hint: it doesn't have to be face-to-face)
• The difference between being good at giving help versus asking for it
• Why men need to move beyond the "she'll be right, mate" mentality
• Practical steps to identify and strengthen your village of support
• How vulnerability builds stronger friendships than years of surface-level connection

Gus shares real-time vulnerability during the episode, demonstrating exactly what he teaches—reaching out to his circle when facing a family emergency and receiving immediate support.

Content Warning: This episode discusses suicide and mental health challenges. If you're in crisis, please contact Lifeline (Australia): 13 11 14

Resources: Visit gotcha4life.org or download the Mental Fitness app to access free resources and tools.

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:

https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQ

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful two-part conversation, Dr. Jodi Richardson sits down with Gus Worland, co-founder of Gotcha4Life and mental health advocate, to discuss the urgent need for open conversations about suicide prevention and mental fitness in Australia.

After losing his dear friend and mentor to suicide, Gus dedicated his life to reducing Australian suicide deaths to zero. In this episode, he shares the shocking statistics—someone attempts to take their life every eight minutes in Australia—and explains why we must move from "man up and shut up" to "human up and speak up."

Gus discusses:

• The importance of building your "village" before you need it
• Why we need to make mental health about prevention, not just crisis
• How one vulnerable conversation on breakfast radio sparked a movement
• Practical ways parents can create space for honest conversations with their kids
• Why saying "I don't know" can be the most powerful thing a parent does
• The free Gotcha4Life mental fitness app and how it helps build emotional muscle

This conversation is filled with hope, practical advice, and a reminder that asking for help is the bravest thing you can do. Whether you're struggling yourself or want to be there for someone who is, this episode offers actionable steps to create genuine connections and save lives.

Resources mentioned:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Gotcha4Life Mental Fitness App (free download, no signup required)
• Gus Worland's TEDx talk (now available in 12 languages)

Content warning: This episode discusses suicide. Please take care when listening.

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:

https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQ

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.