RELATE PODCAST
Being Human
Acceptance: Why do we struggle with it (with Ajahn Brahmali)
In this episode of Being Human, Sandy Clarke discusses the concept of acceptance with Ajahn Brahmali - a Buddhist monk from Bodhinyana monastery, Perth. They discuss why acceptance can be difficult to work toward and how to overcome the obstacles that get in our way.
Our 50th episode: In conversation with Prof Jeanne Watson
In this episode, Jeanne Watson talks about her beginnings as a fresh psychologist, under the wing of Dr. Laura Rice - former colleague of Carl Rogers - and how EFT has evolved since its early days. She and Dr. Chua also share an illuminating conversation on the process of therapy and how it can guide people to create and navigate their process of life and living.
In the spotlight: Tackling peripartum depression in Malaysia (with Sarimah Ibrahim)
n this episode of Being Human, Sarimah Ibrahim joins Dr. Chua Sook Ning and opens up about her life and struggles with peripartum depression - a crucial issue in women's mental health in Malaysia.
Understanding youth mental health using IPT (with Dr. Laura Dietz)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning hosts Dr. Laura Dietz - a a leading expert in Family Based Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) for depressed preadolescents aged 8-12 years. They discuss what makes IPT effective in treating mental health problems in young people, and how it can also help to enable families to improve communication and strengthen their bonds.
Regret: The road to improvement (with Dr. Robert Leahy)
Dr. Chua Sook Ning hosts Dr. Robert Leahy - psychologist and author whose book, If Only...Finding Freedom From Regret, helps us to develop what he calls "adaptive humility" that helps us accept our imperfections and humans who always have the capacity to learn and grow.
Youth mental health in Malaysia (with Syed Saddiq
In this episode of the Being Human podcast, Dr. Chua Sook Ning sits down with Syed Saddiq, a prominent Malaysian politician and the founding member of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA). They delve into various topics, including his journey into public service, the challenges he faced as a young MP, and his thoughts on youth mental health in Malaysia.
Learning to lean into anxiety (with Keanu Azman)
In this episode, Dr. Chua talks to media personality, Keanu Azman, about his struggles with anxiety, and how he learned to cope with - and learn from - his experience with anxiety.
Transforming emotional pain (with Dr. Ladislav Timulak)
In this episode, Dr. Chua talks to Dr. Ladislav Timulak about the messages our emotions send to us and how we can use that knowledge to cultivate a more self-compassionate perspective.
Facing the storm: How do we cope with life's toughest challenges? (with Dr. Ray Owen)
In this episode, mental health counsellor Sandy Clarke sits down with Dr. Ray Owen, the author of 'Facing the Storm' and explores how to navigate through pain and despair, loss and uncertainty.
Overcoming challenges and growth (with Anthea Ong)
In this episode, Dr Chua Sook Ning talks to Anthea Ong, a former Nominated Member of Parliament for Singapore about the challenges and difficulties she fas faced in life and how she used these experiences to connect with and serve others in deep and meaningful ways through her various passions.
The search for meaning: Suicide and the human condition (with Dr. Emmy van Deurzan)
In this episode, Dr Chua Sook Ning hosts renowned existential philosopher and psychotherapist, Dr. Emmy van Deurzen, to discuss the personal, social, and existential factors that can contribute to having suicidal thoughts and feelings.
The transformative role of peer support in mental health (with Lisa Archibald)
In this episode, Dr Chua Sook Ning is joined by Lisa Archibald, co-director of Intentional Peer Support, to talk about the importance of peer support within mental health and the role it can play in building stronger, connected, and healthier communities.
How lived experience can transform health services (with Dr. Rayner Tan)
In this episode, Dr Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Rayner Tan to discuss the importance of taking a wider perspective on mental health, and how including the insights and contributions of those with lived experience across a variety of health issues can inform, transform, and improve existing health services.
Navigating ruptures in therapy (with Dr. Christopher Muran)
In this episode, Dr Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Christopher Muran to discuss the therapeutic alliance, the common ruptures that arise in therapy sessions, and how to repair those ruptures.
The role of relationships in CBT (with Dr. Allen Miller)
In this episode, Dr Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Allen Miller, the Program Director at the Beck Institute to discuss the importance of the relationship between therapists and their clients in order for effective CBT to take place.
The power of feeling our feelings (with Dr. Leslie Greenberg)
In this episode, Dr Chua Sook Ning is joined by the creator and co-developer of Emotion Focused Therapy, Dr. Leslie Greenberg. In this discussion, he shares his insights on why we often reject and recoil what we feel.
How should media in Malaysia report suicide? (with Norman Goh)
In this episode, Dr Chua Sook Ning is joined by political analyst, producer, and former independent journalist Norman Goh to discuss the importance of ethical reporting when addressing suicide.
The six moments of overcoming OCD (with Dr. Reid Wilson)
It is estimated that around 100 to 150 million people throughout the world live with OCD, with the most common treatment being ERP (exposure with response prevention). In this episode, Dr Chua Sook Ning talks to Dr. Reid Wilson about the nature of OCD and "The 6-Moment Game" he shares to help people overcome OCD, moment-by-moment.
The power of presence in psychotherapy (with Dr. Shari Geller)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by author and clinical psychologist, Dr. Shari Geller, to talk about the power of presence in psychotherapy. They discuss how we can begin to be more present in a way that enlivens our personal and professional relationships.
Integrating Psychotherapy: Why every client needs a new therapy (with Dr. John Norcross)
In this episode of Being Human, John joins Dr. Chua Sook Ning to talk about the nature and importance of psychotherapy integration, and they discuss what therapists can do to better understand and help their clients, and cut therapy drop-out rates by up to 50%. John also shares insights on the key ingredients new therapists should develop if they want to become effective practitioners.
How your body clock affects relationships and mental health (with Dr. Holly Swartz)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Holly Swartz to explore the role of circadian rhythms and how they affect important aspects of our lives. They also discuss steps we can take to improve our mental health by establishing routines, and how relationships play an important function in the rhythm of our lives.
Are conspiracy theories a public. health concern? (with Dr. Frederick Philippe)
What makes some people believe in conspiracy theories while others don't? And how do conspiracy theories affect how we see and deal with public health issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic?
In this illuminating episode of Being Human, Dr Chua Sook Ning discusses these questions and more with Frederick Philippe - a professor and researcher in personality and social psychology at the University of Quebec at Montreal.
Empowerment & mental health in Malaysia (with YB Lim Yi Wei)
Since her election in 2018 to serve as Member of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly for Kampung Tunku, Y.B. Lim Yi Wei has been a strong advocate for youth and women empowerment, as well as improved mental health in Malaysia.
In this episode of Being Human, she talks to Dr. Chua Sook Ning about her journey from corporate life into politics and why the cause of increasing mental health support and services is close to her heart.
How to love your body (with Dr. Lisa Linardatos)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr Chua Sook Ning speaks to Dr Lisa Linardatos as they explore what it means to have a negative body image and what people can do to relate to themselves in healthier ways and cultivate acceptance of their bodies. In this illuminating conversation, Lisa shares her insights on what it means to be body-positive and how it can help people lead healthier and happier lives.
Understanding children's mental health (with Katyana Azman)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Katyana Azman, a Consultant Child Psychologist at Pantai Hospital, specialising in supporting children and adolescents with psychological and neurodevelopmental disorders. They discuss the impact on children's mental health as they adjusted to the 'new norms' of Covid-19 including extended lockdown periods, and how parents and caregivers can get help if they feel a child they support might have mental health issues.
A matter of death and life (in conversation with Dr. Irvin Yalom)
In this episode of Being Human, counsellor and Star columnist, Sandy Clarke, talks to Irvin Yalom about his relationship with his late wife, Marylin and their journey together through her illness.Irvin is an emeritus professor of psychiatry at Stanford University, an existential psychiatrist and pioneer of humanistic psychology, with a career spanning 60 years as an educator, writer, and psychotherapist.
The secret weapon to breaking mental health stigma (with Dr. Larry Davidson)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Larry Davidson - Professor of Psychology and Director of the Program for Recovery & Community Health in the Department of Psychiatry of the School of Medicine at Yale University. Larry shares his insights into how adopting a community-inclusive approach to mental health can transform lives by providing recovery-oriented, person-centered, and culturally-responsive care.
Almost Anorexic: Understanding atypical eating disorders (with Dr. Jennifer Thomas)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Jennifer Thomas to discuss what it means to have an atypical eating disorder, and some of the myths that surround eating disorders in general. They also talk about the steps people can take if they suspect they or someone they know has an eating disorder.
Making motivation stick: the importance of autonomy and playfulness (with Prof. Richard Koestner)
In this enlightening episode of Being Human, Dr Chua Sook Ning is joined by Richard Koestner - a professor of psychology at McGill University and expert on successful goal-setting, self-regulation, and internalising processes that motivate us in meaningful, lasting ways.
Exploring CBT: the litmus test of thoughts & beliefs (with Dr. Norman Cotterell)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr Norman Cotterell of The Beck Institute, who completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania under the supervision of Dr. Beck. They discuss the benefits of CBT, some of the misconceptions people hold about CBT, and how CBT can help us become our own therapists as we learn new skills and strategies to deal with the challenges and curve balls life can throw our way.
Challenging the stigma of mental health (with Dr. Pat Corrigan)
Dr. Chua Sook Ning hosts Pat Corrigan in this episode of Being Human to discuss prejudice and stigma of mental health. Pat is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the Illinois Institute of Technology and principal investigator of the National Consortium for Stigma and Empowerment. They also talk about their own experiences of mental health issues and highlight the importance of seeing people beyond the struggles they face.
Listening to the wisdom of our emotions (with EFT founder, Dr. Leslie Greenberg)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Leslie Greenberg - professor emeritus of psychology at York University in Toronto, one of the developers of Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). They discuss the inherent wisdom found in our emotions, and how we can distinguish between healthy and unhealthy emotional responses to help us better understand ourselves and foster deep and meaningful connections with others.
Faith, growth, and moving forward (with Y.B. Hannah Yeoh)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Y.B. Hannah Yeoh as she discusses her journey from lawyer to politician, discovering her faith, and the importance of mental health in Malaysia.
Why does mental health matter? (with YAM Tengku Puteri Iman)
In this episode of Being Human, Tengku Iman joins Dr. Chua Sook Ning, speaking candidly about her experience with anxiety and what inspired her to become a mental health advocate. She also offers her thoughts on how we can support each other in caring for and maintaining our emotional and psychological well-being.
Let's talk about mental health (with The Movembros)
They describe themselves as "just five guys from Malaysia, looking to (try) grow the most lush moustaches for a worthy Movember cause: mental health." In this episode of Being Human, these fantastic five - Ariff, Haris, Kaiza, Seth and Sul join Dr. Chua Sook Ning to discuss their work and why supporting mental health is a cause close to their hearts.
People-pleasing: Overcoming the struggle to say "No" (with Kavin Jay)
In this episode of Being Human, Kavin Jay joins host Dr Chua Sook Ning as they discuss his life as a comedian, the challenges that come with people-pleasing, and how to overcome the compulsion to tend to others' needs, often at the expense of our own well-being.
Reflections on mental health: In conversation with Dr. Chua Sook Ning
As we get settled into the New Year, Dr Chua Sook Ning - founder of Relate Malaysia and host of the Being Human podcast - joins mindfulness author, Star columnist, and counsellor, Sandy Clarke, as she reflects on her journey as a psychologist, and the journey of mental health in Malaysia.
Why do people self-harm? (with Dr. Nancy Heath)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Nancy Heath to explore what motivates people to use self-harm as a coping mechanism, and what we need to understand about the behaviour in order to better support people who self-harm. For more resources on self-harm, please visit http://sioutreach.org.
Are relationships key to resolving psychological problems? (with Dr. John Markowitz)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr John Markowitz to discuss the role relationships play in the issues we face, and how we can improve our relationships as a means to lessen our suffering and strengthen our connections and social support.
Understanding youth suicide in Asian cultures (with Dr. Frederick Leong)
Suicide rates in Malaysia over the past 10 years have been rising, particularly among young people...but what drives them to such pain in the first place? In this informative episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Frederick Leong, a professor of psychology at Michigan State University.
How to befriend your body (with Dr. Viren Swami)
In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Viren Swami, a social psychologist and expert on body image and human appearance joins Dr. Chua Sook Ning to discuss the factors that influence our body image, and what we can do to support ourselves and each other to rise above social and cultural ideals of physical appearance.
Suicide prevention: what's it all about? (Pheh Kai Shuen)
There has been a growing awareness of the need to understand suicide prevention in Malaysia. In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Pheh Kai Shuen - a clinical psychologist and the Head of Programme at the Department of Psychology and Counselling, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) to discuss how to support people in distress.
How does psychotherapy work? (with Dr. Bruce Wampold)
It's a question all good counsellors and clinicians ask themselves: What can I do to make my practice more effective for my clients? Answering these questions and more in this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Prof. Bruce Wampold, Emeritus Professor of Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin—Madison.
Anxiety - does it deserve the bad press it gets? (with Dr. Jon Abramowitz)
Anxiety can be something we want to avoid or get rid of - but is anxiety really the bad guy it's made out to be? Dr. Chua Sook Ning speaks to Dr. Jon Abramowitz to shine a light on the modern-day factors that have made anxiety a growing problem and why trying to get rid of anxiety makes us more anxious.
How to discover values that help you lead a meaningful life (with Dr. Steven C. Hayes)
How do we discover our values? Dr. Chua Sook Ning and Dr. Hayes discuss the importance of going beyond goal setting to create values that empower us to live life in a way that's purposeful and engaged.
How app-based technology is tackling eating disorders (with Dr. Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft)
How can we use technology to tackle the important public health issue of eating disorders? Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Ellen Fitzsimmons-Craft to discuss the causes and potential treatments of eating disorders.
Why do we do what we do (with Dr. Richard Ryan)
What motivates us to do our best in some areas of life, while in others we only give the bare minimum to get the job done? In this insightful episode of Being Human, Dr. Richard Ryan joins Dr. Chua Sook Ning to talk about three fundamental psychological needs that drive our motivation.
What does good therapy look like (with Dr. Alvin Ng)
What does good therapy look like - and how do we benefit from it? Answering these questions and more in Episode 4 of the Being Human podcast is Prof. Alvin Ng - Head of Psychology at Sunway University.
Making mental health work in Malaysia (with YB Michelle Ng)
How can we keep the momentum of mental health development in Malaysia? Joining Dr. Chua Sook Ning to explore these questions is Y.B. Michelle Ng, assemblywoman of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly for Subang Jaya.
Why should we care about psychology? (with Gary Yap)
Why is psychology important...and why should we care about it? In this episode of Being Human, Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by MY Psychology founder and clinical psychologist, Gary Yap.
How to make friends with our emotions (with Dr. Jeanne Watson)
Sometimes it's difficult to understand our emotions, let alone make friends with them. In this first episode of 'Being Human', Dr. Chua Sook Ning is joined by Dr. Jeanne Watson from the University of Toronto.
