Well, hello anxiety with Dr Jodi Richardson

In Part 2 of her conversation with Dr Jodi Richardson on Well, Hello Anxiety, Australia’s leading play-at-work expert Dara Simkin dives deeper into how play can transform the way we think, work, and connect.

Dara breaks down Dr Stuart Brown’s play personalities—including the creator, competitor, explorer, joker, kinesthetic, collector, storyteller and director—and explores how understanding your dominant styles can help you bring more play into everyday life (even in small, “mundane” moments like changing your coffee order or talking to a stranger).

The conversation also unpacks why most of our days are actually improvised, yet we’ve never been taught how to do it well. Dara introduces the powerful “Yes, and” vs “Yes, but” exercise, revealing how a single word shift can completely change collaboration, energy, and creativity in conversations and workplaces.

They also explore:

Why play is essential for mental health, creativity, and resilience
How workplace “play” often fails when it becomes performative instead of meaningful
The importance of permission, space, and spark in creating playful work environments
Why seriousness does NOT equal success
How energy, bandwidth, and burnout are connected to how we live and work
The idea of “vitamin C” (connection) and intelligent optimism in navigating modern life

Dara also reflects on how play isn’t optional—it’s fundamental. As she shares, when we lose play, we lose access to creativity, hope, and flexible thinking.

👉 Learn more about Dara’s work: https://culturehero.co

👉 Explore the book Full Stack Human: https://fullstackhumanbook.com

👉 Available at Amazon, Booktopia, gimmicks readings and your local bookstore

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQ
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In this powerful Part 1 conversation on Well, Hello Anxiety, Dr Jodi Richardson is joined by Melbourne-based guest Dara Simkin—founder of Culture Hero, co-author of Full Stack Human: The Mindset Upgrade You Need to Stay Human in a World Ruled by Technology, and Australia’s leading play-at-work specialist.

Together, they unpack why so many of us feel overwhelmed, anxious, and “frazzled” in 2026—even when life on paper looks fine. Dara explores how our nervous system, shaped for survival in a very different world, is now constantly reacting to modern-day stressors like financial pressure, global uncertainty, and nonstop information overload.

At the heart of this conversation is a surprising antidote: play. Dara explains why play isn’t something we “earn” after work, but a vital biological and emotional reset that helps regulate the nervous system, reduce cortisol-driven stress states, and bring us back into connection, presence, and adaptability. She also introduces the idea of “intelligent optimism,” “strategic hope,” and why curiosity and small, playful moments can shift how we experience daily life.

Jodi and Dara also explore the tension between growth and fear, the subconscious drivers behind anxiety and achievement, and why we often mistake survival patterns for personality traits.

This episode also introduces Dara’s work in organisations through Culture Hero and her research-backed approach to play, belonging, and adaptability.

Dara Simkin is a Melbourne-based consultant, speaker, and author, originally from the US, and brings a deeply human, practical lens to navigating modern anxiety and change.

📘 Learn more about Full Stack Human: https://fullstackhumanbook.com

Part 2 continues next week, where Dara shares practical, real-life ways to integrate play into everyday routines to help calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety.
Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQ
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, host Dr Jodi Richardson continues unpacking the realities of online safety with cyber safety expert Susan McLean.
From the alarming reality of online grooming to the simple but crucial “4 F’s” framework — flattery, favouritism, forbidden fruit and fear — Susan breaks down exactly how predators operate, and how parents can recognise the warning signs early.
This episode dives into:
Why grooming can happen in as little as days
How to actively (and appropriately) monitor your child’s online world
The truth about platforms like Roblox
Why digital gift cards and in-game currency are a major red flag
The growing concern around tracking in teen relationships and coercive control
How to start age-appropriate conversations that actually stick
Susan shares practical, no-nonsense advice to help parents stay informed, involved and empowered — because when it comes to online safety, doing nothing is not an option.
Learn more + connect:
Susan McLean: https://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au
Book: Growing Up Digital (available via Amazon & Booktopia)
Google | Snapchat | Meta
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Dr Jodi Richardson is joined by cyber safety expert Susan McLean for a powerful and eye-opening conversation about the realities of raising kids in a digital world.
From the illusion of online anonymity to the very real risks of sextortion, Susan shares what every parent needs to understand about how children are navigating life online - and why being “safe at home” doesn’t always mean being safe on the internet.
With over three decades of experience, including her time as a former Victoria Police officer in the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigation Unit, Susan brings practical, no-nonsense advice to help families stay informed, aware and proactive.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why kids behave differently online—and the truth about digital footprints
What sextortion is, how it happens, and why teen boys are increasingly being targeted
The legal realities around sharing explicit images
Why “one conversation” isn’t enough when it comes to online safety
How to create ongoing, everyday conversations that actually protect your child
This is an essential listen for any parent wanting to better understand the risks—and how to support their kids with confidence, clarity and care.
Resources & Links:Find Susan McLean’s book Growing Up Digital: Helping Your Kids and Teens Navigate Life Online via her website:Cyber Safety Solutions – https://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au
Also available at major retailers including Amazon and Booktopia.

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQ
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Jodi Richardson is joined by family therapist, educator and author Lisa Taylor for a deeply honest and eye-opening conversation about parenting, anxiety, and the hidden patterns shaping our family lives.
After more than 25 years working with families, Lisa shares one powerful truth: it’s not about learning more parenting strategies… it’s about understanding ourselves first.
Together, Jodi and Lisa explore how parenting can stir our deepest fears, why our reactions often come from our own childhood “heart prints,” and how shifting from control to connection can transform our relationships with our kids.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
Why parenting triggers anxiety and big emotional reactions
What “heart prints” are—and how they shape your responses
The difference between reacting to your child vs responding to them
Why behaviour always equals a need
How curiosity, courage and connection can change everything
The three core emotional needs we all share: to feel seen, heard and loved
PLUS, Lisa shares practical ways to pause in the moment, create more emotional “bandwidth,” and move away from the pressure of perfect parenting.
This is a powerful reminder that we’re not just raising children—we’re growing ourselves too.
🔗 Connect with Lisa Taylor
Website: https://strengtheningfamiliesaustralia.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisataylor.ou
Facebook & LinkedIn: Lisa Taylor

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:
https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQ
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.