Art as Creative Expression: Drawing the Human Spirit with Godwin Bradbeer PART ONE | Deep Thinking

Step into the extraordinary world of one of Australia's most celebrated figurative artists. Godwin Bradbeer, winner of the prestigious Dobell Drawing Prize and former Head of Drawing at RMIT University, shares profound insights into the transformative power of art and creative expression.

In this captivating conversation, discover how large-scale figurative drawing becomes a meditation on the human condition, why technical mastery serves deeper spiritual purposes, and how four decades of artistic dedication has shaped one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Australian art.

🏆 ABOUT GODWIN BRADBEER: Born in New Zealand in 1950, Godwin Bradbeer has established himself as one of Australia's seminal drawing-based artists. His monumental figurative works—some reaching ceiling height in his Melbourne warehouse studio—are held in prestigious collections including the Australian National Gallery, National Gallery of Victoria, and Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Are your impossibly high standards actually sabotaging your success? If you've ever felt paralyzed by the fear of not being "good enough" or found yourself procrastinating on important tasks because they won't be perfect, you're not alone—and the latest research reveals why this pattern is more damaging than you think.

GUEST INTRODUCTION

Meet Professor Tracey Wade, an internationally recognized expert in perfectionism research from Flinders University. Her groundbreaking work has transformed our understanding of how perfectionism develops, manifests across different life domains, and connects to serious mental health conditions including eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Professor Wade's research has been published in numerous prestigious journals, and she has developed evidence-based treatment approaches that are helping people worldwide break free from perfectionism's grip.

Join Dr. Steven Stolz in an illuminating conversation with world-renowned trauma expert Professor Sandy McFarlane AO as they explore the complex landscape of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) beyond military contexts. This comprehensive episode delves into the neurobiological mechanisms of trauma, evidence-based treatment approaches, and the evolving understanding of PTSD in civilian populations.

Professor McFarlane, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Adelaide and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, shares decades of groundbreaking research and clinical insights. From bushfire survivors to military veterans, discover how trauma impacts the brain, why some individuals develop PTSD while others don't, and what cutting-edge treatments offer hope for recovery.

Key Topics Covered: PTSD symptoms and diagnosis, trauma triggers and flashbacks, neurobiological mechanisms, memory processing, treatment approaches including CBT, EMDR, and neurofeedback, medication strategies, prevention techniques, and emerging digital health interventions.

In this comprehensive exploration of stress science, Dr. Steven Stolz unravels the complex relationship between stress, performance, and wellbeing. Discover why not all stress is created equal, how your body's ancient survival systems operate in modern life, and evidence-based strategies to transform stress from enemy to ally. Drawing on groundbreaking research from Robert Sapolsky, Kelly McGonigal, and other leading stress researchers, this episode provides a sophisticated understanding of stress physiology and practical tools for building genuine resilience.

Perfect for: Professionals dealing with workplace pressure, anyone seeking science-backed stress management, and curious minds wanting to understand the fascinating biology of human stress response.

Are you tired of failed diets and conflicting nutrition advice? Join Dr. Steven Stolz and nutrition expert Dr. Ahmad Saedisomeolia as they expose the truth behind diet culture myths and reveal evidence-based weight loss strategies that actually work.

In this game-changing interview, Dr. Ahmad—with decades of research at McGill University and as Associate Professor at Education Centre of Australia—separates nutrition science from marketing hype to help you achieve sustainable weight loss without obsessing over calories.

🎧 What You'll Discover:

• Why the Food Pyramid failed and what nutrition guidelines actually work

• The calorie counting trap and why it sabotages weight loss

• How your genetics affect weight (and when they don't matter)

• Evidence-based weight loss strategies for lasting results

• Why BMI is misleading and better ways to measure health

• The truth about trending diets: keto, intermittent fasting, Mediterranean

• How modern lifestyle sabotages healthy eating (and how to fix it)

• Food psychology secrets: why you crave certain foods and how to change

• Pharmaceutical weight loss options like semaglutide (pros and cons)

The gut-brain connection and its impact on mood and weight

In this compelling interview, we speak with Professor Gordon Parker AO, Scientia Professor of Psychiatry at UNSW and founder of the globally recognized Black Dog Institute. With over five decades of clinical experience and groundbreaking research, Professor Parker reveals crucial insights about workplace burnout that everyone should know.

🎧 What You'll Learn:

• The scientific difference between burnout and depression (and why misdiagnosis is common)

• How perfectionism and conscientiousness can make high-achievers more vulnerable to burnout

• The physiological stages of burnout and their impact on your brain and body

• Validated assessment tools including the Sydney Burnout Measure (SBM)

• Practical, evidence-based strategies for prevention and recovery

• How workplace cultures either protect against or accelerate burnout

Are your high standards helping you excel or secretly sabotaging your success? In this eye-opening episode of Deep Thinking, Dr. Steven Stolz explores the critical distinction between healthy striving and self-destructive perfectionism. Through compelling case studies featuring The Beatles' legendary creative tensions, Nine Inch Nails' Trent Reznor's artistic struggles, and relatable stories like "Andy the Academic" and "Mick the Magician," you'll discover the surprising psychology behind perfectionist tendencies.

Drawing on groundbreaking research from leading experts including Dr. Brené Brown, Drs. Gordon Flett & Paul Hewitt, and Professor Tracey Wade, this episode unpacks perfectionism as a multidimensional concept that impacts creativity, relationships, and mental wellbeing. Whether perfectionism manifests as external validation-seeking or internalized self-criticism, you'll learn evidence-based strategies to break free from these patterns while maintaining excellence without the psychological costs.

Perfect for anyone struggling with impossibly high standards, creative blocks, or helping others with perfectionist tendencies, this episode provides actionable insights to transform your relationship with achievement and self-worth.

We live in the most connected era in human history, yet loneliness has reached epidemic proportions. In this episode, Dr. Steven Stolz explores this modern paradox, examining why social media and digital connectivity often leave us feeling more isolated than ever. Discover the science behind loneliness and evidence-based strategies to build meaningful connections in our hyperconnected world.

Key Takeaways

• Biological Reality of Loneliness: Scientific evidence confirms loneliness as a universal human experience with measurable neurological and immunological effects

• Quality Over Quantity Principle: Research consistently shows that meaningful connections with few people better combat loneliness than numerous shallow interactions

• Patience and Intentionality Requirement: Long-term studies demonstrate that sustainable relationship building follows predictable phases requiring both deliberate action and realistic timelines

• Internal-External Balance: Psychological research confirms effective loneliness intervention requires both cognitive restructuring (internal) and behavioral engagement (external)

• Evidence-Based Intervention Efficacy: Clinical studies show implementing structured approaches can reduce subjective loneliness by 20-30% within 8-12 weeks when consistently applied

In this deep dive, Dr. Steven Stolz explores the science of attention and why it's increasingly under siege in our modern world. Drawing on cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and practical research, this episode examines how our attentional systems work, what undermines them, and evidence-based strategies to regain control of our most precious cognitive resource in an age of endless distraction.

Join Dr. Steven Stolz as he converses with sleep neuroscientist Dr. Mark Kohler about the crucial role of quality sleep in cognitive performance, emotional regulation, and physical health. This evidence-based discussion explores sleep architecture, brain restoration processes, and practical sleep optimization techniques. Dr. Kohler breaks down complex sleep science into accessible insights, offering research-backed strategies for improving sleep quality, understanding circadian rhythms, and enhancing brain function through better rest. Whether you're battling insomnia, experiencing sleep disruption, or simply curious about the science of restorative sleep, this conversation provides valuable knowledge for achieving deeper, more rejuvenating rest.

Burnout: When Your Mind Says No | Deep Thinking with Dr. Steven Stolz

In this premiere episode, Dr. Steven Stolz explores the psychology and reality of burnout—a condition affecting millions yet often misunderstood.

What you'll discover:

• Is burnout officially recognized as a psychological condition?

• Why has burnout become a modern epidemic?

• How to identify burnout before reaching breaking point

• Which workplace factors drive unprecedented burnout rates

• The connection between perfectionism and burnout

• Evidence-based strategies for recovery and prevention

Dr. Stolz breaks down complex research into practical wisdom, offering both intellectual framework and actionable strategies for overcoming burnout while maintaining excellence.