The Wellbeing Edge

Dr Carissa Gardiner: Timing Changes Everything With Sleep, Caffeine & Alcohol

Most of us have had a bad night's sleep after one too many coffees or a glass of wine, but Carissa has made it her life's work to actually measure what's happening and what the best steps are to enjoy a coffee and also get a good night of rest. Dr Carissa Gardiner. Carissa is a postgraduate research fellow with the SPRINT Research Centre at Australian Catholic University in Brisbane. Her work focuses on sleep, performance, and recovery, with a particular interest in how everyday substances like caffeine and alcohol influence these outcomes. She explores how the timing and use of these substances can be better aligned to support sleep and overall wellbeing, translating research into practical, real-world guidance that can be applied in daily life. Follow Dr Carissa Gardiner here on Instagram and LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/drcarissagardiner/ [https://www.instagram.com/drcarissagardiner/] https://www.linkedin.com/in/carissa-gardiner-b08b91267/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carissa-gardiner-b08b91267/] ACU: https://www.instagram.com/acuimages/ [https://www.instagram.com/acuimages/] https://www.linkedin.com/school/australian-catholic-university [https://www.linkedin.com/school/australian-catholic-university]/ [https://www.instagram.com/acuimages/] SPRINT Research Centre: https://www.instagram.com/sprint_research_center/ [https://www.instagram.com/sprint_research_center/] https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sprint-research-centre/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/sprint-research-centre/posts/?feedView=all]

Self Awareness, Stress, and Motivation

This episode dives into Self-Awareness, Stress, and Motivation, helping you to tune in to your body to help you make better decisions about energy, focus and motivation. Be prepared for self-reflection and questions that get you thinking about how your internal world influences your external experience.

Dr Kassia Beetham - Strength And Movement: Physical Wellbeing During Pregnancy

Dr Kassia Beetham is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and an Associate Professor at Australian Catholic University, where she is Course Coordinator of the Master of Clinical Exercise Physiology (Brisbane). In this episode, Dr Beetham walks me through the movement and exercise recommendations before, during and post-pregnancy, for optimal health for both the mother and the baby, including how to promote wellbeing at work for pregnant employees. Dr Beetham's research focuses on exercise physiology in pregnancy and postpartum, with particular emphasis on cardiovascular adaptations, placental function, and maternal health. Kassia is passionate about translating research into practice to support women’s health and wellbeing across the lifespan, and regularly works with clinicians, educators, and policymakers to improve evidence‑informed care. Her Instagram page, The Pregnancy Movement, aims to cut through the myths and shed light on Women's Health Physiology. Learn more here: https://www.instagram.com/thepregnancymovement/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepregnancymovement/]

A quick journey into interoception and social connection

In this episode I dive into some of the science and practices behind interoception, social connection, and co-regulation, highlighting how there's so much more than words when it comes to social dynamics and connection.

Dr. Stephen Mattarollo: When a leading researcher in chronic stress, inflammation, and cancer meets mindbody medicine for a chronic illness

What happens when you're a lead researcher, studying chronic stress, inflammation, the immune system, and cancer...and then unexpectedly develop your own debilitating chronic illness? Do you begin to question whether science really has all the answers to unlock human healing? This week we welcome Dr [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-mattarollo-59a394130/]Stephen Mattarollo [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-mattarollo-59a394130/] to the podcast - and I think you're going to love his story! Stephen has a background in immunology, with over 10 years’ experience as a biomedical researcher, leading a group in the field of cancer immunotherapy and neuroimmunology at the University of QLD. As a result of chronic illness, Stephen confronted his own beliefs about healing and now teaches mind/body practices, including qigong, breathwork, relaxation therapy and meditation. We discuss Stephen's research, the journey through his illness, and the full circle moment where he started applying the science of mindbody medicine to his own health challenges. Contact Stephen via his website: https://www.drsteveqigong.com/about [https://www.drsteveqigong.com/about] https://www.facebook.com/restorativeqigong [https://www.facebook.com/restorativeqigong]