Can you be both a scientist and a mystic? In this extraordinary episode, Professor Selena Bartlett speaks with Dr. Anona Blackwell — a Lancet-published academic, former consultant physician, and author of From Medic to Mystic — about the turning point where evidence-based medicine no longer had all the answers.

Raised in rural poverty in Wales and rising to the heights of British medical academia, Dr. Blackwell quietly navigated a parallel world of intuitive experiences, energy healing, and psychic insight. For decades, she kept this side hidden. Now, at 75, she’s sharing it all — and helping rewire our understanding of medicine and healing.

In this conversation, we explore:

· The moments science couldn’t explain — and why she couldn’t ignore them

· How trauma, intuition, and healing intersect in clinical settings

· The courage it takes to speak about the unseen in a sceptical world

· Why the future of medicine must integrate both body and energy, logic and intuition

Dr. Blackwell’s story challenges the idea that you must choose between science and spirit. Instead, she shows us that healing lives at the intersection of both.

Her memoir, From Medic to Mystic, is available now.

https://www.amazon.com/Medic-Mystic-Academic-Physicians-Paranormal/dp/1068511001

Listen and discover what it really means to rewire medicine.

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In the rush to do more, fix more, and be more, we often forget the simplest truth:

When I sat down recently with Amanda Cooke—poet, writer, and creator of Reunion Songs—what unfolded wasn’t just an interview. It was a reconnection. A weaving back into something ancient and alive. Something that felt less like conversation and more like song.

A song that belongs to all of us.

Amanda Cook is a writer, poet and songwriter who grew up wild on Yuggera Turrbal country (Brisbane) and spent much of her adult life in cities far from home. After 25 years away, including six years in the middle of nowhere, she found herself back near where she began—realising that living wildly is not about escaping, but about remembering and reclaiming the life she longs for.

Her writing is rooted in everyday freedom, sacredness, mysticism and practical animism. Through poetry and personal essays, Amanda explores what it means to belong—to ourselves, to each other and to the greater web of life. When she is not writing, Amanda is close to home with her family, immersed in books, art, nature, music, poetry or dancing—anything that reconnects her inner and outer wildness.

The Beauty of Remembering

Amanda describes her book not in chapters, but in song cycles. Because the poems didn’t arrive in a straight line, they emerged like ripples. Whispers. Threads in the greater tapestry of the natural world—the web of life—calling her back to herself.

“The name Reunion Songs came from the joy of remembering. Remembering that I belong—not just to myself, but to the Earth, to others, to everything I thought I had lost.”

This isn’t just poetic language. It’s a biological truth. We now know through neuroscience that connection rewires the brain. That being seen, supported, and attuned to can restore nervous system balance. Being in nature, or even just thinking about it promotes a sense of calm.

Amanda’s poem Restoration Song captures this beautifully:

Take off your shoes now, you here in this body— the body of the Earth rising up to meet you, saying yes. This is where you belong. It’s never too late to remember what you’ve been waiting for.

What if healing is not something to achieve, but something to allow? What if it’s already here—beneath your feet, within your breath, in the rhythm of your heartbeat?

For Educators, Carers & Everyone Holding It Together

If you’re someone working on the frontlines—whether in a classroom, clinic, kitchen, or courtroom—this message is for you. You don’t need to push harder. You need a moment of grace. Amanda’s work in youth justice and my own work in neuroscience agree: people are not machines. We are relational, rhythmic beings. And we heal through connection, not perfection. Let Amanda’s words hold you, even if just for a moment:

“You’re doing a great job. What you do matters. Let yourself be held too.”

If you’re longing for a softer, wiser way to walk through this life, here’s where to begin:

• Listen to Amanda’s episode
• Read her poetry collection Reunion Songs (Amazon or ask your local shop)
• You can buy the book www.amandacooke.com
• Subscribe to her Substack: Alchemy in Between
• Substack link:https://amandacooke.substack.com/amandacooke.substack.com

Step outside. Take off your shoes. Let the Earth say yes to you again.

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When we visit the doctor, we routinely measure blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, weight, and heart rate. For years, we’ve known that early life experiences—especially stress and adversity—leave long-lasting marks on the nervous system. But we rarely stop to ask: How can we see those marks?

That’s where the eye comes in.

Why the Eye Reveals the Brain

The corneal nerve plexus is a dense network of sensory nerves at the front of the eye.
It’s part of the peripheral nervous system, which connects directly to the brain.

Emerging research shows that these corneal nerves reflect the state of the broader nervous system, including:

• Stress load
• Inflammatory markers
• Neurodegenerative changes

In other words:
When we look at the eye, we’re not just seeing vision structures—we’re seeing a living map of how the brain and body have been shaped over time.

I had the fortunate opportunity to do study leave at UC Berkeley in the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, a research project with Drs Katie Edwards and Luisa Holguin Colorado and Kerri Gillepie at QUT and Dr Suzanne Fleiszig and Dr David Evans at UC Berkeley.

Why Isn’t Nervous System Analysis Routine?

Here’s the bigger question.

When we visit the doctor, we routinely measure blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, weight, and heart rate.
But the nervous system—the control center of our entire body—is rarely assessed in standard care.

Why?

We know that chronic stress increases risk for mental illness, metabolic disease, cardiovascular conditions, and cognitive decline. We know that early life stress reshapes neural pathways and immune responses.
Yet we lack accessible, affordable, and scalable tools to routinely check the health of the nervous system.

That’s what makes the eye so exciting. It offers a non-invasive, real-time window into nervous system health—and a chance to shift medicine toward prevention and early detection, rather than just reacting to crisis.

In this episode we discuss:

• How the eye reveals hidden stress
• What we’re learning about the links between early life adversity and neural health
• Why public engagement is critical as we develop these new tools

This is a conversation not just for scientists, but for everyone who cares about mental health, brain health, and the future of healthcare. I’d love to hear what excites or concerns you about this emerging field. When we truly see how early life shapes the brain, we can no longer treat people as just symptoms or diagnoses.

It opens a new kind of care:
Asking what happened to you? not just what’s wrong?
Making nervous system health part of routine care
Prioritising prevention, resilience, and healing

By measuring the hidden imprints of experience, we can design treatments that help rewire the brain, not just manage symptoms.

This isn’t just science. It’s a transformation in how we care for people.

Let’s build that future, together.

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SEEN is a groundbreaking feature-length documentary—and now a powerful podcast companion—that explores the untold story of how healing our own childhood wounds can transform the way we parent. At the heart of this series lies a bold and hopeful message: when parents confront and rewire their own coping mechanisms, it doesn't just change their lives—it reshapes their children's developing brains.

Through raw, unfiltered conversations with real parents, experts, and neuroscientists, SEEN uncovers the science behind trauma, attachment, and emotional regulation. This isn’t just another parenting podcast. It’s a deeply personal, scientifically grounded journey into how healing ourselves can create ripple effects for generations to come.

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or simply curious about how our pasts shape our futures, SEEN offers a roadmap to emotional liberation, stronger family connections, and a new vision of what’s possible.

Join us as we illuminate the path forward—one story, one breakthrough, one brain at a time.

Hailey Bartholomew is an award-winning director, writer, and cinematographer known for her emotionally resonant storytelling and distinctive visual style. With a passion for capturing the extraordinary in the everyday, her work blends vulnerability, beauty, and authenticity in a way that leaves a lasting impact.

As Director of Seen the Film (2025), a groundbreaking documentary exploring the neuroscience of parenting and personal healing, as well as Ageless (2023), and My Happy Heart (2019). As the founder of creative studio You Can’t Be Serious, Hailey is committed to making work with heart—projects that move people, spark conversations, and create change.

Hailey’s films reflect her deep belief in the power of real stories, told with honesty and care. Whether behind the camera or leading a creative team, her work continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Connect with Hailey here:

https://youcantbeserious.com.au/about/

#SEENtheFilm

#DocumentaryWithHeart

#StorytellingThatMatters

#BehindTheScenes

#IndependentFilm

#FilmWithPurpose

#WomenInFilm

#DirectorSpotlight

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📌 Key Insight:
Modern parenting often prioritises convenience and safety over challenge and growth. But kids need opportunities to struggle, try, fail, and try again to build the emotional muscles they’ll need for life.

Let’s flip the script—and raise a generation built on connection, competence, and confidence.

In this gripping conversation, we’re joined by Nicole Runyon, LMSW—psychotherapist, parent coach, and author of Free to Fly: The Secret to Fostering Independence in the Next Generation—to unpack the Netflix series Adolescence and the uncomfortable truths it holds up to modern parenting.

Nicole brings over two decades of experience in child and adolescent mental health and a rare ability to help adults step inside the minds of today’s kids. Together, we dive into the deeper layers of Jamie’s story and what it reveals about a world where kids grow up online, alone, and often unseen.

We explore:

• Why this isn’t just a mental health crisis—it’s a crisis of adult power
• How convenience culture is sabotaging childhood
• The dark role of algorithms, and where adult responsibility still lies
• The myth of safety behind closed doors
• Why therapy alone can’t fix what community and connection must
• Practical steps for adults to reclaim authority in a digital world
• And what kids actually need—beyond screens, labels, or diagnoses

Nicole’s insight is both provocative and empowering. If you’re ready for a conversation that moves beyond blame and into bold, practical change—this episode is for you.

Top 5 Foundations for Healthy Brain and Child Development (0–18 years)

1. Attachment and Safety (0–18 months)
   • Prioritise bonding, physical affection, eye contact, and consistent caregiving.
   • Love, hugs, and a safe environment are essential to wire the brain for trust and connection.
2. Will and Authority (18 months–3 years)
   • Respect toddlers’ emerging independence while setting firm boundaries.
   • Let them try things on their own, even if frustrating, and allow space for tantrums. This builds frustration tolerance and emotional regulation.
3. Autonomy and Independence (3–5 years)
   • Encourage self-help skills like dressing, zipping coats, and managing tasks.
   • Let children take risks and experience challenge—don’t over-index on safety.
   • Social-emotional learning and confidence emerge from doing, not avoiding struggle.
4. Confidence and Competence (5–12 years)
   • Confidence grows by overcoming hard things—not from trophies or rewards.
   • Avoid constant praise and incentives; instead, promote perseverance and self-worth through effort and resilience.
5. Identity Development (12–18 years)
   • A secure sense of self is built on the foundation of earlier stages.
   • Without real-world confidence, teens look to social media influencers to tell them who they are.
   • This can lead to distorted identity formation and vulnerability to mental health trends online.

📌 Key Insight:
Modern parenting often prioritises convenience and safety over challenge and growth. But kids need opportunities to struggle, try, fail, and try again to build the emotional muscles they’ll need for life.

Support the show

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Anthony England, Director of Innovation at Pymble Ladies’ College, discusses a bold grassroots initiative to reclaim childhood from the grip of digital addiction. With screen time skyrocketing and mental health declining, Anthony and his team took action—rolling out over 800 custom-managed smartphones designed to grow with students, limit harmful content, and foster real-world connection.

Pymble has chosen a new and courageous path—one that protects wellbeing while preparing students to thrive in a complex digital world.

At the centre of this conversation is the Pymble Wise Phone Initiative, launching in 2025. This school-wide program will provide a wiser mobile phone choice to students in Years 4 to 8, replacing traditional smartphones with custom-managed devices that grow with the child. Designed to be boring by design—but brilliant in impact—these phones limit harmful content while enabling connection, safety, and gradual digital independence.

We dive into:

• Why they created affordable, safe phones that don’t steal attention
• How a $5 alarm clock and a Wi-Fi timer can transform home tech habits
• The ripple effects: more sleep, stronger friendships, time for hobbies and outdoor play
• The digital licence approach: like P-plates for phones, helping students earn responsibility
• How joy is being restored—through go-karts, bikes, and parent-child pledges to live life well

This initiative is not about restriction—it’s about protection and empowerment. By uniting the school and home in a shared mission, Pymble is creating a spring-free trampoline for digital life—a safe ecosystem where children can grow stronger, not more stressed.

✨ “We are choosing a new and courageous path to make the world a better place for our girls.” – Pymble Ladies’ College

💡 If you’re a parent, teacher, policymaker, or school leader searching for practical answers, this episode will inspire, inform, and empower you to take the next step toward a wiser digital future.

This is a hopeful and practical blueprint for schools, parents, and policymakers navigating the digital age. It’s not about banning tech but making it safer, smarter, and developmentally appropriate.

💡If you’re a parent, teacher, or school leader wondering how to make meaningful change, this episode will inspire and empower you with real-world solutions.

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‘Parents who are so worried about offending others by setting boundaries for their kids make it so easy for me to offend” : Relayed from repeat offender to Feather Berkower, expert in parenting safe children.

In an era where information is at our fingertips, one of the most critical skills for parents and educators in 2024 is empowering our children to navigate their world safely, especially when it comes to protecting them from sexual abuse. "Off Limits: A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Kids Safe from Sexual Abuse" is a groundbreaking resource that has become indispensable in achieving this goal.

Crafted by Feather Berkower, MSW, and Sandy K. Wurtele, Ph.D., two leading sexual assault prevention specialists, and featuring a foreword by Marilyn Van Derbur, former Miss America 1957, incest survivor, and motivational speaker, this book is a beacon of hope and empowerment. It equips us with the necessary tools and knowledge to act as the first line of defense in our children's safety.

"Off Limits" offers invaluable insights into:

• Age-appropriate sexual development,
• Body-safety rules,
• Effective communication strategies for discussing body safety,
• Screening questions for caregivers,
• Handling disclosures of sexual assault.

Parents who have embraced these strategies share transformative stories of improved communication and safety within their families. This guide is more than a book; it's a movement towards empowering our children with the understanding of their rights, the ability to recognize their instincts, and the courage to advocate for their privacy and safety.

To further facilitate these crucial conversations, the Parenting Safe Children "Conversation-Starter Cards" are an innovative tool, making it easier to discuss body safety with all caregivers involved in your child's life.

As we navigate the complexities of parenting and education in 2024, let's prioritize equipping our children with the skills to protect themselves. "Off Limits" and the accompanying conversation cards are essential tools in this mission, reminding us that prevention begins with education and that safeguarding our children is a collective effort.

👉 Check out the visuals for a sneak peek at the book and some of the powerful conversation cards!

Interested in making a difference in the lives of the children you care for? Click the link in bio to learn more about how you can integrate these critical resources into your family or classroom safety plan.

Together, we can ensure that all children are off-limits to sexual predators.

#ParentingSafeChildren #ChildSafety #OffLimits #PreventionIsPossible #EmpowermentThroughEducation #FamilySafety

https://parentingsafechildren.com/about/

Please join the #BEINGSEEN movement to safeguard children on-line.

Buy the book www.profselenabartlett.com and pass the word to as many parents as possible.

https://www.amazon.com/Being-Seen-Master-Parenting-Digital/dp/0999099736/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PZH7KRLUDEPY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CICkiFwRMe-5m1Zp0oWoR5Ln50Fl7i0ZQIgGDxKiUF8.pl_L_7uy2rp8KOfJpxEBEzvU5PfqTEQRg3O1zDe4Y_Y&dib_tag=se&keywords=being+seen+selena+bartlett&qid=1709953306&sprefix=being+seen%2Caps%2C321&sr=8-1

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In this episode, we dive into the revolutionary ideas of developmental psychologist Peter Gray, author of Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life. Gray challenges conventional education by making a bold case for self-directed, play-based learning – or "unschooling" – as the best path to prepare kids for a rapidly changing world.

Drawing on insights from anthropology, psychology, and history, Gray argues that unstructured play is essential for developing problem-solving skills, emotional resilience, and social competence. We’ll explore how freeing children from rigid educational systems can unlock their potential, foster independence, and nurture a lifelong love of learning.

Join us as we question the traditional schooling model and discover why trusting children to take charge of their learning could be the key to their happiness and success.

Learn about Dr Peter Gray here

https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/psychology-neuroscience/people/affiliated-and-emeritus/peter-gray.html

Learn about Sudbury Valley free to learn school here.

https://sudburyvalley.org/

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