In this episode, Paul will talk about the importance of having a positive mindset and being optimistic about life, approaching it from a positive point of view. He will also talk about the energy one has and what they can give out to the world around them through their mindset, their actions and their words.
Paul will talk about how for many years he struggled greatly and let himself down through his negative mindset and how it greatly affected himself and those close to him, eg, leading to divorce. He will also talk about how attending Complete Men on a regular basis has helped him greatly in filtering out and being aware of his negative thoughts and the positive environment provided at a Complete Mens group.
He will also discuss some of the following
- how having a positive mindset means making positive thinking a habit and continually looking for the positives in every situation good or bad.
- the importance of focussing on your self-talk and how we can be our worst critics and catastrophise situations.
- characteristics/traits associated with having a positive mindset eg, acceptance, optimism, resilience.
- health benefits of positive thinking eg, increasing one's lifespan, improved physical and psychological well-being, lower rates of distress and pain.
Paul will also share the inspirational story of Nathan Charles, a former professional Rugby Union player who defied science and has overcome challenges in his life to become the only professional athlete to play a contact sport with Cystic Fibrosis. Paul will talk about Cystic Fibrosis and the great work Nathan Charles does as an ambassador for Cystic Fibrosis Australia raising awareness of the condition. Nathan Charles story is one that exemplifies the power of having a positive mindset and is a story of true determination, grit, courage and a never give up attitude.
May 26 each year is 'Sixty Five Roses day', which is the National Day of Awareness for Cystic Fibrosis and people can purchase a bouquet, sell roses in the community or send virtual roses throughout the month to raise money. This money goes towards helping provide vital support services to people with CF and fund critical research.
Paul will also provide some tips on identifying negative thinking and focussing on positive thinking which includes
1. Focussing on good things in one's life.
2. Practicing Gratitude and starting everyday on a positive note eg, uplifting music, going for a walk.
3. Opening yourself up to humour
4. Spending time with positive people
5. Practicing positive self-talk
6. Identifying areas of negativity.

Sources
1.Mayoclinic.org ‘healthy lifestyles, stress management. Positive thinking. Stop negative talk to reduce stress.’ By mayo clinic staff. 3/2/2022.
2.Positive psychology.com ‘positive mindset: how to develop a positive mental attitude,’ by Courtney e. Ackerman M.A. 5/7/2018.
3.Song by Monty python “always look on the bright side of life”, source lyric find, written by eric idle.
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Charles
5.. Australia’s toughest sportspeople ‘Nathan Charles, rugby union’, by mick Collis,
affirm press, 2021.
7.https://www.cff.org/intro-cf/about-cystic-fibrosis
8. https://www.nathancharles.com.au/my-story
9. Sydney university football club ‘Nathan Charles appointed new executive general
manager,’ by sufc, 25/11/2022.
10 Australian Men’s health ‘how wallaby Nathan Charles tackled cystic fibrosis torepresent Australia,’ by men’s health staff 1/5/21.
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verity_Charles
12. https://www.cfwa.org.au/65roses2023/
13.Healthline.com ‘benefits of thinking positively and how to do it.’ By Adrienne Santos Longhurst, medically reviewed by timothy j. legge PhDPsyD. 21/2/2019.
Intro Music- Thrive by All Good Folks from album Music Vine
Outro Music- Revelations by Richard Smithson album Uppbeat

In this episode Paul will talk about what trauma is and how it affects people in different ways and what some of the causes of trauma are. Paul will also discuss
- emotional and psychological trauma and how it is caused by one-time events and ongoing, relentless stress.
- times when Paul has experienced some trauma and what helped him dealing with trauma.
- emotional and physical symptoms of trauma
- how one who suffers trauma can receive help and live a productive life
- the remarkable story of Tony Dell, a former Australian Cricketer who served in the army in the Vietnam War and his many years of living with undiagnosed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his time on the battlefield. He is now playing a tremendous role in raising awareness of PTSD in the community.
Paul will also discuss some Types of Treatment available for Trauma.
1. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
2. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing or EMDR
3. Somatic Therapies eg, acupoint stimulation, Reiki, sensorimotor psychotherapy.
4. Medications to help with anxiety, sleep, depression.
5. Self care eg, exercise, healthy diet, avoiding alcohol and drugs.
6. Mindfullness
7. Connecting with others and seeking support eg, support groups such as Complete Men.
Sources
1.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Dell
2.https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/tony-dell-4937
3.Podcast ‘once upon a time in the ashes, episode 9, tony dell’, 4/6/2021
4.One voice ‘tony dell lived experience 2021’, n.d.
5.Skysports.com ‘tony dell’s journey from ashes debutant to ptsd victim of vietnam war exported in new book’, by greg milam, 24/6/2021.
6.Twice shot ‘stand tall’, by tony dell founder of standtall4pts.org 17/10/2017.
7.The footyalmanac. Write from the heart. ‘Almanac life: tony dell-soldier in a baggy green finds peace at last’, by ron reed, 29/6/2021..
8. Help.Org.au 'emotional and psycological trauma', by Lawrence Robinson, Melinda Smith M.A and Jeanne Segal Ph.D 6/6/23.
9. American Psychological Association 'Trauma', August 2022.
10. Four Corners.com.au '5 Australian Immigration Success Stories', n.d
Intro music- Thrive by All Good Folks from album Music Vine
Outro music- Revelations by Richard Smithson.

In this episode Paul talks about the topic of happiness and how happiness is a choice and that it is far more important to focus on internal happiness rather than the external eg, money, love. Paul will also talk about the happiness he acquires by attending Complete Men's groups on a regular basis, especially through the connection he receives and the support. Some other information to do with happiness includes.
- how happiness is being present and accepting things the way they are.
- how wanting and desiring things all the time will take one away from being happy.
- the importance connection between gratitude and mindfulness in regard to happiness.
- how social and cultural factors influence how one thinks about happiness and that genetics and life experiences play a role.
- why happiness is important e.g., improves one's health, stronger friendships, more productive at work, coping better with stress.
Paul will also provide some useful tips on how to build happiness in one's life such as
1. building relationships and social connections
2. practicing appreciation and mindfulness regularly
3. practicing kindness, helping out others.
4. choosing a healthy lifestyle e.g., physical activity, adequate sleep, eating a healthy, balanced diet.
5. managing stress levels
6. using humor and doing things one enjoys and also what they are good at.
7. listening to uplifting, happy music e.g., create a happy playlist.
8. Communicating with others when feeling unhappy and attending support groups such as men's groups.
Sources

1.    Greatergood magazine. Berkeley university of California ‘happiness’, 2023

2.    https://thiswayup.org.au/what-is-happiness-and-why-is-it-important/

3.    https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/low-mood-and-depression/how-to-feel-happier

4.    The mindset mentor podcast “happiness-peace of mind”, by Rob Dial. 

5.    Thecreativesjournal.com ‘Karen Lethlean’, n.d.

Intro music- Thrive by All Good Folks from album Music Vine

Outro Music- Revelations by Richardd Smithson from Uppbeat.