A more philosophical episode, as we sit down with writer and artist Ike Curtis, discussing topics such as what goes on in the mind of a serial killer, whether religion eases fear of death and what it means to look at death after a “fulfilling l

Living on Shifting Sands

Jul 5th, 2020 37m 10s

34-year-old psychologist Ceara Rickard on recently receiving a terminal diagnosis. Ceara is a psychologist with strong interests in adult and youth mental health, recovery and social justice. Her most recent role involved working with young

Threshold

Jun 19th, 2020 26m 55s

After 20 years working as a senior executive in the corporate sector, a series of significant life events led Asher to shift gears. Whilst grieving the deaths of his sister and then mum, Asher was diagnosed with a progressive rare blood cancer.

Keep Breathing

Jun 19th, 2020 50m 25s

Kim speaks about the day 18 years ago that changed her life forever, when she accidentally killed a teenage boy whilst driving. Kim is joined by hosts Maddie and Jason, as well as her daughter, Renee (Jason’s partner). Instagram:@makingsenseof

Unspoken

May 12th, 2020 1h 4m

Rikki Stern is founder of Cancer Chicks Australia, a support group for young women aged 20-30 with cancer. With rawness, honesty and humour, 22-year-old Rikki shares her story living with Hodgkins Lymphoma. Instagram: @cancerchicksau Instag

Sic Itur Ad Astra

Sep 23rd, 2022 58m 18s

Ceara is a 37-year-old psychologist living with terminal illness. On this episode, Ceara speaks about facing her death, how she finds hope in uncertainty, and why she supports voluntary assisted dying. *Ceara is our first returning guest, and s

The Psychology of a Child Murderer: A Schema Therapy Lens

May 23rd, 2022 1h

Dr Lars Madsen is a forensic psychologist with 20+ years experience in the treatment of sexual and violent offending. On this episode, Lars shares anecdotes and insights from experiences across his career. He also discusses a case where he prov

Hard Cuddles

Apr 19th, 2022 53m 19s

James Harding had his own experiences in the criminal justice system. Now he’s a counsellor, and uses his experience to help criminals change their story. [Episode hosted by Maddie]. Instagram: @makingsenseofchaos Twitter: @msoc_pod SUPPORTS

Escaping the Diagnosis Trap

Mar 28th, 2022 55m 10s

In this episode we talk to Dr Ray Middleton on the consequences of medicalising psychological suffering into “mental disorders”. Ray is an independent trainer, speaker and writer, and a long-standing critic of the western diagnostic model of ps

Close Call

Mar 17th, 2022 1h 6m

Jess has a background in psychology and criminology, and works in the reintegration space with long term & serious offenders. Jess chats with Jason about the different perspectives of grief, and why we are who we are. *Apologies for the audio q

Bonus

A Moment in Time

Mar 13th, 2022 15m 24s

In this episode, hosts Jason & Maddie reflect on Brock's episode, sharing their personal reflections on suicide, loneliness and fear. Instagram: @makingsenseofchaos WARNING: This episode does contain heavy & potentially triggering content. SUP

Everything Happens for a Reason

Mar 6th, 2022 50m 35s

8 years on from his footy career, Brock McLean opens up about his battles off the field - bulimia, depression, anxiety and attempts at ending his life. TRIGGER WARNING: This episode describes heavy content. Instagram: @makingsenseofchaos SUPP

Living with Passion

Feb 17th, 2022 1h 4m

Emmy van Deurzen is one of the world’s most respected existential psychologists. This is a raw and intimate episode, where Emmy talks about death, love and how she makes meaning of life. Also discussed is society’s obsession with ‘being happy’,

The Calm & The Storm

Feb 13th, 2022 55m 58s

William Wainwright is a forensic psychologist with over 20 years experience in various settings, with a particular focus on sexual and violent offending. In this episode, we discuss the psychology behind sexually abusing a child, how offenders

This Too Shall Pass (Part 2)

Feb 1st, 2022 22m 49s

Part 2: We discuss with Noah Rasheta the notion of impermanence; that uncertainty is the only constant in life. We also discuss suicide, interdependence, doubt and the nature of introspection. Noah Rasheta is a Buddhist teacher, lay minister,

This Too Shall Pass (Part 1)

Jan 31st, 2022 36m 32s

Noah Rasheta is a Buddhist teacher, lay minister, and author, as well as the host of the Secular Buddhism podcast. In this episode, Noah talks about how Buddhism changed his relationship with suffering, including the way he processed his dad’s

Intimacy from Risky Conversations

Oct 16th, 2021 1h 3m

Paros (29) shares his story of living through his dad's terminal illness, from ages 17-20. Paros is director of Lost Motos, a NFP and community that focuses on facilitating a safe forum for men needing honest dialogue around mental health. SUP

The Ability to Adapt

Jun 28th, 2021 42m 9s

Dylan (26) and Jordan (24) lost their dad, Bentley, to bowel cancer 6 months ago. They’re also the founders of a brilliantly named YouTube series, “The C* Word”, where they speak about the challenges of living with a family member with cancer.

Waiting to Live

Jun 19th, 2021 44m 40s

Kate’s story is not grief due to a death, but due to the long-term incarceration of her brother overseas on a drug conviction. She describes the uncomfortable feelings of shame, guilt and compassion fatigue, and provides insight into the roles

Two Friends Ready to Die (Part 2)

May 25th, 2021 26m 54s

Part 2: A personal episode with hosts Maddie and Jason. Discussion on regrets, fear of loved ones dying and last conversations. Instagram: @makingsenseofchaos

Two Friends Ready to Die (Part 1)

May 21st, 2021 27m 18s

A personal episode with hosts Maddie and Jason. Discussion on regrets, fear of loved ones dying and last conversations. Instagram: @makingsenseofchaos

Bonus

Unedited

Apr 3rd, 2021 5m 52s

Host Jason on how he is trying to accept that everything comes to an end… how this brings him an overwhelming sense of isolation, despair and loss of control, but also a deeper level of freedom; knowing that every moment is a unique, temporary

Bonus

Contemplations on Purposelessness

Mar 24th, 2021 1m 23s

Host Jason on his own feelings of purposelessness… Let us know your thoughts by inboxing us at @makingsenseofchaos or [email protected] (we may share with your permission). Instagram: @makingsenseofchaos

Happiness: The Enemy of Meaning?

Mar 21st, 2021 42m 30s

Ittay, a Jewish educator & journalist, speaks to Maddie about finding meaning and purpose, and why he doesn’t want his kids "to just be happy". He also speaks about his journey following his father’s death from cancer when he was 21, and how re

Set in Stone

Feb 13th, 2021 41m 21s

Michael, aged 23, is currently in palliative care for treatment of brain cancer. He is also training to become a nurse, and also volunteers as a first aider with Ambulance Victoria, St John Ambulance & State Emergency Service. In this episode,