We spend a lot of time on this podcast exploring what's happening on the inside - our thoughts, our nervous system, our stress and worry. But what about the world around us? Today, Dr Jodi Richardson is joined by registered landscape architect and founder of Otara, Debbie Laporte, to explore how the spaces we inhabit - especially outdoor spaces - have a profound impact on our mental health and wellbeing.
With over twenty years of experience designing school grounds, nature play areas and community environments across Australia and Europe, Debbie brings a fascinating perspective on why so many of us are struggling...and why the answer might be closer than we think.
In this conversation, Jodi and Debbie discuss:

Why humans are spending more time indoors than ever before, and what that's costing us mentally and emotionally
The concept of nature deficit disorder and the growing movement of doctors prescribing time in nature
What nature play actually is (and why it's not just for kids!)
The powerful role of choice and risk in play, and what that means for raising resilient children
Simple, low-cost ways to improve your outdoor spaces so you actually want to use them
Why even five minutes outside can completely reset your mood and productivity

Whether you have a big backyard or just a front doorstep, this episode will leave you looking at the spaces around you in a whole new way - and feeling inspired to get outside.

Find Debbie and her work at www.orterra.com.au or on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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If you’ve been feeling more anxious, foggy, flat or just not quite yourself lately — this conversation could be the missing piece.

Dr Jodi Richardson sits down with nutritionist Ali Tehan to explore the powerful connection between gut health, mood and mental clarity — especially during perimenopause and menopause.

Ali shares how changes in hormones can impact your gut microbiome, and in turn, your anxiety, energy levels, digestion and overall wellbeing. Together, they break down the science of the gut-brain connection into simple, practical steps you can actually apply in your everyday life.

In this episode, they cover:

- Why anxiety and brain fog can spike during this stage of life.

- How the gut-brain axis influences mood and stress the key role of fiber, plant diversity and whole foods.

- What’s really harming your gut health (and what helps).

- The difference between probiotics and prebiotics small, realistic changes that can make a big impact.

Plus, Ali shares where to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed — including how to assess your own gut health and build better habits without overhauling your entire life.

If you’re looking for practical ways to feel more energised, clear-headed and in control of your health, this episode is packed with insights to get you started.

Find Ali Tehan online:
Website: https://www.alitehan.com.au

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_tehan_nutritionist/

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:

https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQ

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of her conversation with Dr Jodi Richardson on Well, Hello Anxiety, Australia’s leading play-at-work expert Dara Simkin dives deeper into how play can transform the way we think, work, and connect.

Dara breaks down Dr Stuart Brown’s play personalities—including the creator, competitor, explorer, joker, kinesthetic, collector, storyteller and director—and explores how understanding your dominant styles can help you bring more play into everyday life (even in small, “mundane” moments like changing your coffee order or talking to a stranger).

The conversation also unpacks why most of our days are actually improvised, yet we’ve never been taught how to do it well. Dara introduces the powerful “Yes, and” vs “Yes, but” exercise, revealing how a single word shift can completely change collaboration, energy, and creativity in conversations and workplaces.

They also explore:

Why play is essential for mental health, creativity, and resilience
How workplace “play” often fails when it becomes performative instead of meaningful
The importance of permission, space, and spark in creating playful work environments
Why seriousness does NOT equal success
How energy, bandwidth, and burnout are connected to how we live and work
The idea of “vitamin C” (connection) and intelligent optimism in navigating modern life

Dara also reflects on how play isn’t optional—it’s fundamental. As she shares, when we lose play, we lose access to creativity, hope, and flexible thinking.

👉 Learn more about Dara’s work: https://culturehero.co

👉 Explore the book Full Stack Human: https://fullstackhumanbook.com

👉 Available at Amazon, Booktopia, gimmicks readings and your local bookstore

Connect with Dr Jodi Richardson:

https://linktr.ee/drjodirichardson?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAabqDVAw_zhoG3IXGRhgjn-J14BFJy50ztJbCHywMfZobVH12nX1USMbisI_aem_QViUbKkXHlwbD3y4kGcvGQ

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.