Contemporary Psychology

25/09/2025

Matthew McConaughey: The Silent Crisis No One Is Talking About | The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett

In this candid and expansive conversation, actor Matthew McConaughey opens up about the hidden costs of fame, the role of resistance in growth, and the importance of connection, faith, and authenticity in shaping a life of meaning.

🎯 Key Takeaways

The myth of self reliance - McConaughey argues that extreme independence often leads to isolation. The silent crisis is the way people lose their connections, feel invisible, and avoid admitting they need others.

Faith and meaning - He explores a nuanced view of faith, portraying it not as blind belief but as a companion to inquiry and existential grounding when science alone cannot answer what sustains the soul.

Turning away from validation - One of McConaughey’s boldest moves was rejecting lucrative roles to preserve his integrity. He sees resistance, choosing discomfort over compromise, as a critical tool for protecting identity.

Fatherhood as purpose - He shares that becoming a father was not just a life goal but a north star. His reflections on his own father’s absence shaped how he experiences responsibility, presence, and legacy.

Embrace the struggle - McConaughey reframes hardship as essential soil for growth. He warns against a life without challenge, calling struggle a teacher in developing strength, clarity, and character.

“You cannot build yourself in the absence of resistance.”

Why this matters
In a culture that glorifies grit, performance, and self sufficiency, McConaughey’s reflections cut through illusion. He invites listeners to question how much authenticity is sacrificed for success and how much connection is lost in the pursuit of independence. His story reminds us that thriving is not about doing it all alone. It is about being real, wrestling with belief, and anchoring life in relationships, purpose, and integrity.

What to do next

Reflect on where you have avoided dependence or admitting need. Who could you invite deeper into your life?

Revisit areas where you have compromised values for reward. What small act of resistance could preserve your integrity?

Consider your spiritual or existential foundation, whether faith, ethics, or purpose. What anchors you when logic falls short?

Think about legacy through relationships, not just achievements. How do you want to show up for others over the long term?

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMzxNfX-uAg

25/09/2025

Stress is often seen as something to avoid, yet it can reveal more about us than we realise. It highlights what matters, uncovers our coping styles, and when approached with intention, helps build resilience and adaptability.

In our latest blog, we explore how stress can act as a mirror for values, patterns, and boundaries. Recognising stress as information, rather than an enemy, creates space for stronger self-awareness and sustainable performance.

Read more here: https://www.contemporarypsychology.com.au/what-we-can-learn-about-ourselves-from-stress/

18/09/2025

The Imperfects - Why Does Life Feel Harder at 40?

In this reflective and compassionate episode Dr Emily Musgrove explores why life often begins to feel heavier in your 40s, unpacking emotional, relational and identity-challenges that many people face mid-life.

🧠 Mid-Life as a Transition, Not a Crisis – Dr Emily reframes “mid-life” (roughly ages 35-70) not as a breakdown, but as a phase of growing awareness. As life demands accumulate the underlying tensions we may have been avoiding become harder to ignore.

🔍 The Pressure of Unresolved Expectations – Around this age many people feel the weight of unfulfilled “shoulds” - things they believed by now they’d have worked out. Whether partner, purpose, stability, identity, or legacy - there is often discomfort in what we have versus what we imagined.

🙋 Identity, Purpose and What the Soul is Yearning For – Dr Emily discusses what it means to notice the inner longings that have been sidelined. What legacy do you want to build, what meaning feels true to you now, what parts of self have been quieted?

🤝 Confronting the Narrative of “I Should Have It All Sorted” – The episode encourages turning away from societal stories that demand perfection or having all the answers by 40. That narrative often causes suffering and comparison. There’s permission here to be messy, to be in process.

💬 Real Lives, Real Struggles – Josh shares personal stories of feeling stuck, the ache of seeing peers seem ahead, the fear of what’s slipping away, and of learning to hold space for grief and uncertainty. The conversation is tender, full of empathy, not fixes.

🌱 What Helps: Intentional Choices Toward Meaning and Hope – The episode ends by emphasising practices like self-compassion, exploring what matters most, investing in relationships, tending to inner life, learning to ask “what do I want”, not what I think I should want.

Why this matters
Many people in their 40s feel increased pressure from within and without, they start noticing gaps between who they are and who they thought they’d be. Facing that can feel scary but it can also be deeply freeing when done with intention.

What to do next
Notice the stories you tell yourself about where you “should” be.
Reflect on parts of your life that feel empty or misaligned.
Try small experiments or changes that bring more of what you value into daily life.
Reach out for community, therapy, or trusted conversation about this period of life, to both share the load and gain clarity.

Essential listening for anyone in their late 30s-50s, or anyone supporting someone who is, who wants to move through this phase with awareness, meaning, and gentler self-expectations.

🎧 Watch or listen to the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6tdU-r5k4o

18/09/2025

Change is inevitable in any professional journey. Whether it is a career shift, moving into leadership, or balancing personal and professional responsibilities, transitions can feel destabilising when they affect how you see yourself.

Identity is not a rigid label, it is an evolving story. When you align your next chapter with your values, embrace emotions as part of the process and seek out support, you create continuity even in the face of change.

The question is not how to avoid change, but how to navigate it in a way that strengthens your identity rather than weakens it.

Read the full article here: https://www.contemporarypsychology.com.au/how-to-navigate-change-without-it-affecting-your-sense-of-identity/

11/09/2025

Mel Robbins on Designing Your Life

In this episode, Mel Robbins walks through a structured process for intentionally crafting your life rather than letting circumstance dictate your path. She emphasises clarity, small action, mindset shifts and consistent review as key pillars in designing a life that aligns with your deepest values.

🚦 Clarify your values and priorities – Robbins starts with encouraging listeners to get very clear on what truly matters to them. This means listing values, reflecting on what gives you energy, identifying what drains you, and deciding what you want more of in life. Without this clarity, it’s easy to chase goals that don’t feel fulfilling.

🎯 Define your life vision – She suggests imagining a 10-year version of yourself with full permission to dream, anchoring that with your values. The vision frames where you want your personal, professional and relational life to go. From there, you can work backwards to identify shorter-term goals that make sense.

✨ Set action-oriented goals – After you know values and vision, Robbins advises breaking down the big picture into achievable steps. Use tiny weekly or daily goals that move you toward your vision while being realistic and measurable. She emphasises consistency and forward motion over perfection.

🗣️ Mindset and narrative work – Robbins highlights how internal stories, i.e. what you say to yourself about your potential, your fears, your capacity—shape your reality. She encourages listeners to notice limiting beliefs and reframe them. Gratitude, positive self-talk, and treating failure as feedback rather than a verdict are among the mindset shifts she proposes.

“Designing your life isn’t about having all the answers now, it’s about making choices that move you closer to what really matters.”

Why this matters
Many people achieve success but still feel stuck or unfulfilled, often because they haven’t aligned their outer lives with their inner values. Robbins’ process gives you tools to close that gap, helping high achievers make decisions with clarity, reduce wasted effort, and build a life that feels like their own.

What you can do next:

Take an hour to write down your top 3-5 values and what a life lived by them would look like in 10 years.

Pick one small goal this week, even one habit, that moves in that direction.

Monitor your internal dialogue: notice fear or comparison, pause, and rephrase in alignment with what you want to build.

Essential listening for anyone who feels their life has drifted away from what matters, or who wants a practical roadmap for building purpose, not just checking boxes.

🎧 Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKkjU63iAVY

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It...

11/09/2025

In our latest blog, we explore why rest is not just recovery but an essential tool for productivity. For many professionals, rest can feel like an indulgence or something to fit in at the end of the workday. Yet science shows that downtime is what keeps your brain sharp, creative, and resilient.

From supporting the prefrontal cortex to reducing cortisol and boosting problem-solving, rest is what allows high achievers to sustain their performance without burning out. The key is reframing rest as a tool, not a reward.

Read the full article here: https://www.contemporarypsychology.com.au/why-rest-is-a-productivity-tool-not-a-reward/

05/09/2025

Arthur Brooks on "Your Instincts Know What You Want" | A Bit of Optimism Podcast

In this meaningful and elegantly nuanced episode, author and Harvard professor Arthur Brooks explores how tuning into our instincts can help us align life decisions with our deeper values and true purpose.

🚦 Instincts as Internal Compass – Brooks argues that intuition is not random, it is shaped by life experience and informs our deepest desires. Paying attention to these internal signals helps guide choices toward authentic fulfilment.

🎯 Beyond Overthinking – He explains how excessive analysis can drown out instinct. Overthinking often leads to indecision or pursuing paths driven by societal expectations instead of personal meaning. Trusting instincts can counteract this inertia.

✨ Testing with Discernment – Impulse or instinct is not the same as rash action. Brooks recommends pausing and testing instincts through small experiments or low-risk steps that help validate whether a path truly resonates over time.

🗣️ Voice of the Inner Archer – He likens instinct to an inner archer aiming toward what matters. Rather than crafting future goals from scratch, we can let instincts inform us of the areas where our energy, skills and purpose naturally converge.

“Listen to the quiet pull toward what matters; your instincts know more than your checklist does.”

Why this matters
Many professionals fall into the trap of defining success by external markers titles, income, or approval, while feeling disconnected from what truly energises them. Learning to trust instincts creates a bridge between achievement and fulfilment.

What to do next:

Notice moments when you feel quietly drawn or curious, even if unsure why.

Try small actions, such as a conversation, a creative project, or a conversation that tests whether the instinct holds.

Reflect on outcomes and refine your sense of what aligns with your purpose.

Essential listening for anyone seeking clarity amid high expectations or craving more alignment between what they do and who they want to be.

🎧 Watch or listen to the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gydPHELj7jE

BitOfOptimism

Your instincts aren’t just whispers. They’re a compass pointing you toward the life you’re meant to live. But in a world obsessed with speed, metrics, and ou...

04/09/2025

In our latest blog, we explore why achievements do not always translate into fulfilment, particularly for high-achieving professionals.

The pursuit of success can create cycles of perfectionism, comparison and emotional exhaustion. Goals that are misaligned with personal values may look impressive yet feel empty. Psychology helps us understand why this happens, and offers practical ways to reconnect with purpose and balance.

From clarifying values to protecting time for rest and investing in relationships, the blog outlines steps that support both professional performance and long-term well-being.

Read the full article here: https://www.contemporarypsychology.com.au/the-psychology-behind-why-success-can-feel-empty/

29/08/2025

Esther Perel on The Relationship Crisis No One Talks About That’s Killing Your S*x Life (via The Diary of a CEO podcast)

In this thought-provoking and culturally relevant episode, psychotherapist Esther Perel unpacks the hidden forces eroding intimacy, desire, and connection in modern relationships.

🚦 The Decline of Social Skills – Perel explains how digital interactions and constant swiping are weakening the subtle skills of vulnerability and presence that sustain attraction. With too much choice and too little depth, online dating often breeds detachment instead of connection.

🎯 The S*xual Recession – Despite unprecedented access to potential partners, younger generations are experiencing less partnered s*x than before. Rising solo habits and technology-driven stimulation are reshaping how the brain responds to intimacy, making emotional closeness harder to sustain.

✨ Attention as the New Currency – Phones and digital distractions compete with relationships, draining the focus needed for real seduction and emotional presence. Perel stresses that authentic attention is essential for intimacy to thrive.

🗣️ Rethinking Desire and Connection – Themes explored include masculinity in flux, recovering trust after infidelity, and why rebuilding emotional connection is as important as restoring physical intimacy.

💬 “We are longing for connection yet losing the very skills that make connection possible.”
💬 “Your phone is not seducing you, but it is consuming your attention in ways that undermine intimacy.”

📢 Essential listening for anyone navigating intimacy struggles or seeking to understand how modern culture is reshaping desire and connection.
🎧 Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCaFWrT0j-g&t=26s

If you are noticing distance or disconnection in your own relationships, speaking with a psychologist can help you understand the patterns at play and rebuild both trust and desire in a safe, supportive space.

Book your session today: https://www.contemporarypsychology.com.au/book-online/

*xualRecession

Swipe left, feel empty, and wonder why? Esther Perel reveals the hidden truths behind the dating crisis, loneliness, and the shocking decline in s*x and inti...

28/08/2025

In our latest blog, we explore why motivation alone is not enough to sustain performance and wellbeing, especially in demanding professional environments.

Motivation tends to fade when rewards disappear or stress builds, but purpose provides a steadier guide. By connecting your work and life to core values, purpose creates clarity, resilience and long-term fulfilment.

The blog offers practical steps for identifying values, setting meaningful goals and building supportive routines, helping professionals align their daily actions with what matters most.

Read the full article here: https://www.contemporarypsychology.com.au/why-purpose-outlasts-motivation-in-work-and-life/

21/08/2025

Dr Rhonda Patrick on Aging, Longevity & Brain Health (via The Diary of a CEO podcast)

In this informative and deeply practical episode, biomedical scientist Dr Rhonda Patrick brings research-driven guidance on optimising longevity, cognitive vitality, and holistic wellness.

🚦 Fitness as the Foundation – Dr Patrick emphasises cardiovascular fitness as the top predictor of lifespan, sharing science-backed protocols—from Norwegian 4×4 training to HIIT—to rejuvenate heart health and physical stamina.

🎯 Nutrient Imperatives for Mental Clarity – Key nutrients like magnesium, vitamin D, creatine, choline, omega-3s and even the role of fibre in toxin elimination are discussed in detail, alongside how deficiencies can increase dementia and cancer risk.

✨ Harness Episodic Fasting & Metabolic Switches – Explore the science behind intermittent fasting, autophagy, exogenous ketones, and their effects on cellular youth, neuroprotection, and life expectancy.

🗣️ Lifestyle & Environment in Focus – Topics include reducing sedentary risk, benefits of red/light therapy, infrared versus traditional saunas, and minimising microplastic exposure for better hormonal and metabolic outcomes.

💬 “Cardiorespiratory fitness is the number‑one predictor of lifespan” and “Vitamin D deficiency affects 70 % of the U.S. population and significantly raises dementia risk.” These insights frame aging as a modifiable biological process.

📢 Essential listening for anyone wanting proactive strategies to enhance longevity, preserve brain function, and build resilient health.
🎧 Watch here: https://lnkd.in/gKhuwbfh

If you're ready to put these strategies into action—boost fitness, manage nutrients, optimise metabolic wellness, booking a personalised session could help transform these insights into your daily routine. Our clinicians can craft a tailored plan that aligns with your lifestyle and biological needs.

Book your session today: https://lnkd.in/gHJcaUcm

We’re wired to chase the next spark—scrolling, swiping, refreshing—but some of our brightest ideas sneak in when we stop chasing, let boredom settle in, and ...

21/08/2025

In our latest blog, we unpack practical psychological tools for major life and career moves. From clarifying your values to running small experiments and scheduling recovery, the piece outlines steps you can use right away to reduce uncertainty and make more sustainable decisions.

Read the full article here: https://www.contemporarypsychology.com.au/how-psychology-can-help-when-you-are-considering-a-major-life-or-career-move/