Websites and Courses
Australian Psychological Society (APS)
(The) Australian Institute: Public Policy Think Tank with excellent webinars and resources
https://australiainstitute.org.au/
Brach, Tara
Dr Tara Brach is trained psychologist and a very experienced meditation teacher. Her teachings “blend Western psychology and Eastern spiritual practices, mindful attention to our inner life, and a full, compassionate engagement with our world”. She offers access to many free and other resources.
Centre for Wellbeing Science
https://education.unimelb.edu.au/cpp/research
University of Melbourne - Melbourne Graduate School of Education with a focus on research workshop and tools on Wellbeing science
Dare to Lead
https://brenebrown.com/hubs/dare-to-lead/
“A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential.” Dr Brene Brown
Evolve Communities: Becoming an Ally to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
https://www.evolves.com.au/becoming-an-ally/
“Here at Evolve, we’ve adopted the Allies model of Re-evaluation Counselling (RC) to encourage individuals to become allies to Australia’s Indigenous peoples as part of our Cultural Awareness Training. The response we’ve received from participants so far has been nothing short of fantastic. Through this amazing tool we’ve reignited people’s passion for social justice and reconciliation as they realise they can apply their passion and commitment in a practical, measured way.”
Fierce Self-compassion
https://self-compassion.org/fierce-self-compassion/#
“If tender self-compassion is metaphorically like a parent soothing his crying child, fierce self-compassion is like Momma Bear who ferociously protects her cubs when threatened, or catches fish to feed them, or moves them to a new territory with better resources” Dr Kristin Neff
Foundations of Well-Being 2.0
https://www.rickhanson.net/online-courses/the-foundations-of-well-being/
This course warmly, systematically and scientifically works through 12 Strengths or Pillars of Well -Being that include: Compassion, Mindfulness, Learning, Grit, Gratitude, Confidence, Calm, Motivation, Intimacy, Courage, Aspiration and Generosity.
Greater Good Magazine: Science-based Insights for a Meaningful Life
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/
A simply fabulous site
(The) Global Institute for Women’s Leadership
“Chaired and founded by the Hon. Julia Gillard AC, GIWL brings together rigorous research, practice and advocacy to better understand and address the causes of workplace gender inequality, women's underrepresentation in leadership positions across sectors and countries, and the way gender negatively impacts the evaluation of women leaders.”
Invitas “Conversational Leadership”
“Conversational Leadership emphasizes keen attention, self-discipline, and a certain kind of artistry in engaging with others. It does not mean indulging in endless talking but rather identifying and engaging with the crucial and often courageous exchanges that facilitate meaningful change.”
Marginalian (the)
https://www.themarginalian.org/
“a free Sunday digest of the week's most mind-broadening and heart-lifting reflections spanning art, science, poetry, philosophy, and other tendrils of our search for truth, beauty, meaning, and creative vitality”
Michin, Tim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoEezZD71sc
9 life lessons - His speech is well worth a listen.
Positive Neuroplasticity
https://www.positiveneuroplasticity.com/
Learning to understand the science and how to develop enduring positive strengths - Dr Rick Hanson
Self-compassion
Whyte, David
David Whyte is a poet and author writing about identity, striving, loss and happiness. “He is the author of ten books of poetry, three books of prose on the transformative nature of work, a widely acclaimed book of essays and an extensive audio collection”
Books & Articles
Benjamin, R., Haliburn, J., & d King, S. (Eds). 2019). Humanising Mental Health Care in Australia: A guide to Trauma-informed approaches. New York: Routledge.
Boyle, M., & Johnstone, L. (2020. A Straight Talking Introduction to the Power Threat Meaning Framework: An Alternative to Psychiatric Diagnosis. Great Britain: PCCS Books.
Brown, B. (2018). Dare to lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. London: Vermilion.
Callaghan, P., with Uncle Paul Gordon. (2022). The Dreaming Path: Indigenous Thinking to Change Your Life. Sydney, Australia: Pantera Press.
Cantwell, J. (2015). Leadership in Action. Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne University Press.
Ferguson, K. (2023). Head & Heart: The Art of Modern leadership. Australia: Viking.
Ferguson, K., & Fox, C. (2018). Women Kind: Unlocking the Power of Women supporting Women. Sydney, Australia: Murdoch Books.
Ford, C. (2016). Fight Like A Girl: Raise Voices. Raise Courage. Raise The Flag. Sydney, Australia: Allen & Unwin.
Garnaut, R. (2019). Super-power: Australia’s Low-Carbon Opportunity. Victoria, Australia: La Trobe University Press
Glllard, J., & Okonja-Iweala, N. (2020). Women and leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons. Australia: Vintage.
Hamel, G & Zanini, M. (2020) Creating Organsizations as Amazing as the People Inside Them. Massachusetts, USA: Harvard Business Review Press, 368pp.
Hari, J. (2018). Lost Connections: Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Hope. London: Bloomsbury.
Jeste, D. V. & Lee, E. E. (2019). The Emerging Empirical Science of Wisdom: Definition, Measurement, Neurobiology, Longevity and Interventions. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, (27(3):p127-140.
Kaufman, S.B. (2020). Transcend: The New Science of Self Actualisation. Penguin Publishing Group.
Dr Kaufman is the Scientific Director of the Positive Psychology Centre at the University of Pennsylvania and he reviews the "latest research on attachment, connection, creativity, love, purpose and other building blocks of a life well lived”. He "provides a roadmap for finding purpose and fulfillment not by striving for money, success, or "happiness," but by becoming the best version of ourselves, or what Maslow called self-actualization. While self-actualization is often thought of as a purely individual pursuit, Maslow believed that the full realization of potential requires a merging between self and the world. We don't have to choose either self-development or self-sacrifice, but at the highest level of human potential we show a deep integration of both. Transcend reveals this level of human potential that connects us not only to our highest creative potential, but also to one another.
Kelter,D. (2023). Awe: The Transformative Power of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life. New York: Penguin Press.
You Tube conversation with this author:
Royal Arts Society (RSA) UK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wh7XDOKSYQ
The On Being Project USA. The thrilling new Science of Awe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-0JpJjPe74
Kornfield, J. (2017). No Time Like the Present: Finding Freedom, Love and Joy Right Where You Are. New York: Atria.
Obama, M, (2022). The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times. Audible: Read by the Author.
Mackay, H. (2020). The Inner Self: The Joy of Discovering Who We Really Are. Sydney, Australia:. Pan Macmillan.
Mate G., & Mate, D. (2022). the Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture. London: Vermillion.
McGonigal, K. (2012). The Willpower Instinct: How self-control works, Why it matters and What you can do to get more of it. New York: Avery.
Nekvapil K. (2022). Power: A Woman’s Guide to Living and Leading Without Apology. Australia: Penguin, Random House.
O’Rourke, C. (2022). Together we can: Everyday Australians doing amazing things to give our planet a future. Sydney, Allen & Unwin.
Tygielski, S.(2021). Sit down to Rise Up: How Radical Self Care Can Change the World. California: New World Library:
Collaborative Advocacy and Support
Climate Council
https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/
The Climate Council is an Australian leader in climate change communications. It is a non-profit organisation. It was formed in 2013 to provide independent evidence-based information and solutions to the climate crisis including reducing green house emissions.
Bush Heritage Australia
https://www.bushheritage.org.au/
“is an independent not-for-profit that buys and manages land for conservation and works in partnerships with Aboriginal people and the agricultural sector, to protect our irreplaceable landscapes and our magnificent native species forever.”
Photographers for Bush Heritage donated a number of the beautiful pictures for my second book “ I Am More Than My Trauma, Pain and Loss”. You can download this electronic book for free. There is no obligation, but you are encouraged to make a donation that you can afford to Bush Heritage Australia" see www.evolvewithtrauma.com.au
Plan International Australia
https://www.plan.org.au/about-us/
This is an international development organisation “striving for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls…. emergency response and long-term community development programs around the world, partnering with local leaders and community members to see change for the whole community.”
The Smith Family
https://www.thesmithfamily.com.au
"At The Smith Family, we believe that education is one of the world’s most powerful change agents. That’s why we focus on helping young Australians to overcome educational inequality caused by poverty.”
My husband, Dr Neville Higgins, and I have been sponsoring children with Plan International and The Smith family for decades.
International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA)
“IWDA is an Australian-based organisation, resourcing diverse women’s rights organisations primarily in Asia and the Pacific and contributing to global feminist movements to advance our vision of gender equality for all. We have worked for more than 35 years to defend and advance the rights of diverse women and girls ……… IWDA’s approach represents a third way between the models of women’s funds and international development NGOs: we resource the work of diverse women’s rights organisations, enable them to be more effective by providing support that goes beyond money, and we make our own contributions to feminist movements through advocacy, knowledge creation and translation”.
Documentaries
Live to Lead
This series features interviews with world leaders and influencers, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Greta Thunberg, Bryan Stevenson, Jacinda Ardern, Siya Kolisi, Gloria Steinem, and Albie Sachs.
https://www.netflix.com/au/title/81406763