Moments in Mind
Tune in to hear clinicians share the moments that changed their lives—and the lives of their clients. In each episode, you’ll meet someone who makes a profound difference in other people’s wellbeing every single day.
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Season 3
Episode 1
33 MIN • 16 SEP 2026
The amazing science of learning with Jared Cooney Horvath
Moments in Mind is back, and we’re starting season three with an absolute cracker: neuroscientist and educator Dr Jared Cooney Horvath.
Jared takes us on an illuminating tour of the learning process. He starts with a provocation: teachers, he argues, don’t actually need to know anything about the brain. Learning is a psychological phenomenon—the brain is simply the engine underneath it. What teachers really need to understand is the learning process itself.
Real learning, he says, takes time and friction. And the single greatest driver of it? The relationship between a teacher and a student—something measurable, biological and irreducibly human.
Jared shares the breakthrough story that crystallised his thinking: a struggling school in Australia that was weeks from closure until its principal decided to focus not on pedagogy or technology, but on learning itself. Within two years, the school had been utterly transformed, with teachers and children thriving.
The episode closes with Jared’s vision of a flourishing school in 10–15 years’ time: less technology, more genuine human interaction and a return to the kind of collective learning that allows students to push back against ideas—and think for themselves. Read more.
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
The Learning Blueprint for Teachers
SPEAKERS
Dr Jared Cooney Horvath, Neuroscientist and Educator
Episode 2
23 MIN • 16 SEP 2026
Michael Carr-Gregg on teens, tech and turning points
Few psychologists can trace their life’s work back to a single, shattering moment. But Michael Carr-Gregg can. As a teenager, he was given eight weeks to live. Brutal, unfractionated radiotherapy saved his life – and marked the beginning of a quite remarkable story.
Michael’s mission became Canteen, the organisation he founded to give young people a voice and the support of one another. And that shaped his four-decade career as one of Australia’s most prominent adolescent psychologists – a clinician, author, broadcaster, policy reformer, and now Order of Australia recipient.
In this episode, Michael shares the philosophy that has sustained him across decades of demanding clinical work with teens: “Showing up is important. If I can let them be heard, seen and understood – that’s 50% of the therapy,” he tells podcast host Andy McLean.
Michael shares a series of anecdotes – including moments of levity and clarity where he learned from the young people he supports. He provides practical, unflinching views on the biggest challenges facing teachers, teens and parents today. And he makes the case for universal standardised assessments.
Michael also takes us inside the campaign to remove mobile phones from Australian schools, and Australia’s world-first social media ban for under-16s, which is now inspiring policy change across Europe. Read more.
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
SPEAKERS
Michael Carr-Gregg, Psychologist
Episode 3
27 MIN • 16 SEP 2026
Samudragupta Bora makes a difference from day one
Samudragupta (Sam) Bora begins our episode by sharing a vivid childhood memory: learning to ride a bike, wondering what would happen if he let go…and the subsequent crash! Sam’s sense of curiosity and adventure never left him. Indeed, it has informed his globetrotting career researching and improving the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm and vulnerable infants.
In this episode, Sam—Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and Founding Director of the Health Services Research Center at University Hospitals Research & Education Institute, Ohio—shares insights from a career that has taken him from Australia to Africa, the US and beyond.
Sam describes the high-pressure, high-stakes environment of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), as well as the extraordinary skill, compassion and teamwork he sees in these workplaces. He also explains how an infant’s outcomes are shaped by what happens after they leave the NICU: follow-up care programs, neurodevelopmental monitoring, standardised assessments and family support.
Sam describes the families he has met in places like Ghana and Zimbabwe, where resources are limited but love never is. He talks about working with local clinical teams that have built follow-up care programs that now run independently—something others might once have thought impossible.
Sam’s philosophy is grounded in the idea that health research must translate into tangible improvements in real-life clinical care, ensuring the same high standard of care regardless of where in the world it is delivered. This conviction has taken him from training medical students at Case Western Reserve University to the NICUs of Africa, driving his work to build self-sufficient systems of care for the world’s most vulnerable infants.
This conversation with Sam demonstrates the transformative power of neonatal research and care—and the value of always remaining curious. Read more.
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
SPEAKERS
Samudragupta (Sam) Bora, Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Episode 4
22 MIN • 16 SEP 2026
Emina McLean on classroom breakthroughs in language and literacy
When you consider her roots, it’s no wonder Emina McLean chose to dedicate her life to helping children find their way through language and literacy. Some of her favourite childhood memories are of the bedtime stories she enjoyed with her father.
In this episode, Emina—a language and literacy expert with nearly two decades of experience across primary, secondary and tertiary education—tackles some big questions: How early does literacy really begin? What can parents do in the early years? What should teachers look for as early markers of difficulty? And how do we build literacy programs in schools that don’t fade away after a year or two?
As well as describing the hallmarks of sustained systemic change, Emina discusses how conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia and autism can intersect with literacy, and why early detection and screening are so important.
For educators and parents, this is an episode that will speak to both the head and the heart. “Literacy is freedom,” Emina reflects. “It’s the greatest gift that gives children power and choice later in life.”
For those who have watched a struggling reader finally break through, this episode is a reminder of just how much is at stake—and just how important this work really is. Read more.
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
- CELF-5 A&NZ
- CELF-5 A&NZ Screening Test
- PPVT-5
- WIAT-III A&NZ
- Discover ADHD products and resources
- Discover Autism products and resources
- Browse Dyslexia assessments
SPEAKERS
Emina McLean, Language and Literacy expert
Episode 5
24 MIN • 16 SEP 2026
Sanne Fong on how occupational therapy transforms lives in Hong Kong
Sanne Fong begins our episode by sharing a vivid childhood memory: a playground, a dog and an ice cream cone shared in the Hong Kong sun. This early instinct to seek stimulation, connection and movement has informed Sanne’s career in occupational therapy.
In this final episode of season three, Sanne—Associate Program Leader of the Master of Occupational Therapy Program at the Education University of Hong Kong and Chair of the Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association—takes us on a tour of a career defined by diversity, care and humanity.
She describes the teenager with cerebral palsy and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis whom she supported through school and exams, and who went on to complete two master’s degrees and become a newspaper editor. She also shares the story of a friend and fellow advocate who was left quadriplegic after falling from a horse 40 years ago—and had an occupational therapist to thank for a page-turning tool that allowed him to experience the joy of reading.
Then there is the story of a young girl in a children’s hospital facing a life-threatening illness. Sanne and her colleagues gave the girl a reason to leave her ward and spend precious time with her father: she wanted to follow the progress of a seed she had planted in the hospital’s greenhouse.
Sanne’s occupational therapy philosophy is remarkably simple yet powerful: “Where there is a will, there is a way.” It is a conviction she applies equally to her patients and herself—and one that now drives her work educating the next generation of occupational therapists in Hong Kong.
This episode brings to life what occupational therapy really is and the many ways it can transform lives. Read more.
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
SPEAKERS
Sanne Fong, Associate Program Leader of the Master of Occupational Therapy Program at the Education University of Hong Kong, and Chair of the Hong Kong Occupational Therapy Association
Season 2
22 MIN • 16 DEC 2025
In this special bonus episode, we revisit the most powerful insights, heartfelt moments, and thought-provoking ideas from Season 2 of Moments in Mind, with Pearson Country Ambassador, Australia and VP Legal Taha Haidermota. From inspiring conversations with clinicians and educators to compelling breakthroughs in psychology and mental health, this compilation celebrates the voices and stories that shaped our second season.
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SPEAKERS
Taha Haidermota, Pearson Country Ambassador
24 MIN • 4 NOV 2025
We’ve saved one of our best conversations for last! In this season finale of Moments in Mind, Dr Oliver Suendermann takes us behind the scenes of Intellect in Singapore, one of the world’s fastest-growing mental health platforms. As Vice President, Clinical, Oliver spearheads efforts to dismantle stigma and radically scale access to mental healthcare by combining cutting-edgetechnology, cultural sensitivity and clinical excellence.
Oliver also shares anecdotes and learnings from his storied career, including spells at prestigious London institutions Bethlem Hospital (yes, the origin of the term “bedlam”) and The Priory. Along the way, he reflects on some remarkable moments from his career, includingtreating clients crippled by severe trauma and obsessional disorders.
Oliver vividly describes one memorable story, that of “Eric”, who was grappling with both genocide trauma and debilitating OCD. Through compassion, exposure therapy and trauma-focused interventions like imagery rescripting, Oliver helped Eric reclaim his life. It’s an inspiring reminder that—with the right care and support—some people can recover from mental disorders.
This episode is a fitting conclusion to season two. Ending on a note of hope and humanity, witha bold vision for the future: a world where taking care of your mental health is stigma-free and“as normal as brushing your teeth”. Read more
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
Wechsler Family of Assessments (e.g., WISC), Q-global, Q-interactive, Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, NEPSY-II, Delis–Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS)
SPEAKERS
Dr. Oliver Suendermann, Vice President - Clinical, Intellect
24 MIN • 21 OCT 2025
From formative experiences in her youth to lessons learned in her early career, educational psychologist Scarlet Leong opens up about the moments that have shaped her remarkable career. Along the way, she shares illuminating stories of some of the children she has helped, and she explains how standardised assessments help her to achieve “Oh, now I see!” moments for families.
Scarlet combines her clinical expertise with deep empathy as Senior Specialist Psychologist at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore. She describes how her investigative work puts together different pieces of the puzzle—such as behavioural observations, assessment scores and, crucially, noticing the WAY children complete assessments—to reveal how each child learnsbest.
Scarlet likens standardised assessments to “a GPS for learning”. They help to map the learningterrain for children, which then allows parents and educators to plot the best path to support their learning needs. When everyone has a better understanding of a child, then they canensure the child receives the right support.) Read more
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC), Q-interactive (iPad-based assessment platform)
SPEAKERS
Scarlet Leong, Senior Specialist Psychologist, Dyslexia Association of Singapore
29 MIN • 7 OCT 2025
From Singapore to Canada, psychologist Priscilla Lee proves that psychology is a truly global profession and one that transcends borders and cultures. In this episode of Moments in Mind, she shares the personal and professional experiences that shaped her career, from early memories of self-doubt in a high-achieving classroom to setting up her own therapy practice in Calgary.
Priscilla discusses her passion for helping neurodiverse clients, including twice-exceptional individuals, who are both gifted and experience learning differences. She explains how her clinical work goes beyond diagnosis, combining deep understanding of the brain with practical strategies that help clients realise their full potential.
Standardised assessments are a cornerstone of Priscilla’s practice. Whether it's identifying ADHD, autism or learning challenges, these tools reveal key information that allows her and her team to recommend meaningful support strategies. Priscilla describes therapy as a collaborative journey and one that involves the child, their family, and educators all working together.
As Priscilla explains it, “My job is to put myself out of a job.” For her, true success is when a client no longer needs her support, as they’ve developed the skills, confidence, and resilience to move forward on their own. Read more
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
Wechsler Family of Assessments (e.g., WISC), Q-global
SPEAKERS
Priscilla Lee, Psychologist, Innerlogue Therapy and Psychology
24 MIN • 23 SEP 2025
In this episode we meet the multi-talented clinical psychologist Adrian Toh, who is driving positive change for Singapore on several fronts.
As President of the Singapore Psychological Society, Adrian is advocating for regulation to set quality standards that will protect the public and elevate trust in the profession. As Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore, he’s helping to champion curiosity, compassion and cultural sensitivity among the next generation of psychologists. And as a clinical psychologist at The Other Clinic, Adrian goes to great lengths to ensure each individual client receives his full attention and expertise.
Adrian has enjoyed a varied and fascinating career that has included spells working in hospital, prison, education, clinics and more. In the podcast, he shares some moving recollections of working with clients, such as one who was struggling with chronic pain, and another who was battling OCD. Adrian describes some his motivations, strategies and breakthrough moments. And he explains how standardised assessments benefit clinicians and clients alike.
The breadth of his experience over the past two decades has given Adrian a bird’s eye view of how Singaporean attitudes have changed towards mental health. So, in this episode, he reflects on the bigger picture, considering where the profession has come from and where it’s headed next.(And for any younger psychologists listening, Adrian has some comforting advice to help you get through difficult phases of your career.) Read more
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS), Vineland, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI)
SPEAKERS
Adrian Toh, President, Singapore Psychological Society
27 MIN • 9 SEP 2025
Moments In Mind returns for season two with a heart-rending story that began many years ago in a primary school in southern India many years ago—and continues to this day in Singapore.Our guest is the amazing Cordilia Justin, Senior Principal Psychologist at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS).
In this episode, Cordilia recalls how her twin sister struggled with her studies at school, and Cordilia’s chance discovery of a book in the school library that would change both of their lives forever. It’s a tale of love and hope that shows how much can be achieved when family members pull together to solve seemingly insurmountable challenges.
We also hear about some touching moments from Cordilia’s work at CPAS, where she supports people with cerebral palsy (and their families). Cordilia describes light bulb moments for children and parents, as well as for the allied health professionals who work alongside them. Her experiences underline how much can be achieved when you combine objective assessments, strong clinical skills and a determination to understand what makes each individual tick. Read more
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI)
SPEAKERS
Cordilia Justin, Senior Principal Psychologist at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS)
Season 1
28 MIN • 4 AUG 2025
In this special bonus episode, we revisit the most powerful insights, heartfelt moments, and thought-provoking ideas from Season 1 of Moments in Mind. From inspiring conversations with clinicians and educators to compelling breakthroughs in psychology and mental health, this compilation celebrates the voices and stories that shaped our first season.
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SPEAKERS
Mimma Mason
23 MIN • 8 JUL 2025
To wrap up season one of Moments in Mind, we meet Dr Nicole Carvill who runs Think Psychologists in Geelong, Australia. In conversation with host Andy McLean, Nicole shares some of the highlights from her decades working in the disability sector with neurodivergent children, young people, and their families and carers.
We learn about Nicole’s upbringing and how growing up with her late brother, who had a disability, gradually drew her towards specialising in her chosen field. She reflects on how becoming a parent to neurodivergent kids also influenced her professionally. And she explains what it means to run a warm and welcoming psychology clinic that views every child “through the lens of a psychologist and the heart of a parent”.
Along the way, Nicole shares some practical insights for clinicians, educators and families, and explains how she gets the maximum benefit from standardised assessments – before, during and after they are conducted. Nicole also reflects on the additional impact she made as an educator with Pearson Clinical professional development. Read more
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
ADHD Assessments, Academic Learning Assessments, Cogmed
SPEAKERS
Dr. Nicole Carvill, Psychologist, Think Psyschologist
Andy McLean, Host, Moments in Mind
22 MIN • 10 JUN 2025
In this illuminating episode, host Andy McLean sits down with Dr Renee Testa, a distinguished paediatric neuropsychologist from Melbourne, Australia. Together, they explore the world of childhood brain development, neurodiversity, and holistic care.
Along the way, they discuss some of the moments of challenge, breakthrough and joy that Renee has experienced working with children facing neurodevelopmental challenges—including conditions such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and developmental language disorders.
Whether you're a parent seeking guidance, an educator looking to better support neurodiverse learners, or a professional in the field of child development, this episode is filled with wisdom, empathy, and practical insights.
Renee emphasises the importance of taking a child-centred approach to neuropsychology. Diagnoses are just one important piece of the puzzle, she says. “It’s also about understanding each child’s unique needs and their own perspective,” she explains, highlighting the value of comprehensive assessments (e.g. cognitive potential, academic achievement) combined with considering a child’s social, emotional, and environmental circumstances.
Renee recalls one powerful story of a child who had been mislabelled by others as “unassessable” due to oral motor difficulties. With patience and trust, Renee uncovered the child's high cognitive potential, revealing that the true challenge was communication, not intelligence.
Informed by decades of experience, Renee shares her advice for those pondering a career in paediatric neuropsychology, and some practical tips for professionals who are new to using standardised assessments.
For families and educators, Renee’s story offers a message of hope: understanding a child’s unique cognitive and emotional profile can transform how they are supported, leading to stronger relationships and happier lives. She shares how helping families reframe behaviours often misinterpreted as laziness or defiance can open the door to meaningful interventions and a renewed sense of connection. Read more
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition: Australian and New Zealand Standardised Edition (WISC-V A&NZ), Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - Australian and New Zealand Standardised, Third Edition (WIAT-III A&NZ), Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, 3rd Edition (WRAML3)
SPEAKERS
Dr. Renee Testa, Neuropsychologist, The Child and Adolescent Neuropsychology Group
Andy McLean, Host, Moments in Mind
21 MIN • 6 MAY 2025
In this heartwarming episode of Moments in Mind, speech pathologist Binh Doan takes us on a remarkable journey from his childhood in Ho Chi Minch City to his adulthood in Sydney.
After sharing tender recollections from his early years in Vietnam, Binh opens up about the difficulties of arriving in Australia alone as a teenager and attending high school with only a limited command of English. He explains how those formative experiences now guide him when he’s helping children and adults overcome language barriers.
Along the way, Binh relives his career highlights which illustrate the importance of early detection and intervention. And he reveals some of the methods that have led to breakthroughs for children and adults, including the integral role that standardised assessments play in his work. This is an episode that demonstrates the power of perseverance, even when the odds are stacked against you. Read more
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
Speech and Language Assessments, Cogmed
SPEAKERS
Binh Doan, Speech Pathologist, Speakable
Andy McLean, Host, Moments in Mind
26 MIN • 8 APR 2025
In this episode of Moments in Mind, we meet Renee Purcell, a psychologist based in southern Sydney, Australia who specialises in supporting children, their families, and caregivers. Renee's warm, genuine approach to psychology shines through as she shares poignant examples of how she engages clients and helps them overcome mental health challenges.
Renee's work stands out for its focus on meeting clients where they are–both literally and figuratively. Rather than conducting sessions solely in a clinical setting, Renee often takes her practice outdoors, into natural environments to facilitate therapeutic activities. Whether it's building sandcastles, kicking a soccer ball, or simply going for a mindful walk, Renee has found that immersing herself and her clients in nature can have a profoundly calming effect.
Renee's approach goes beyond just the physical setting. She also makes a concerted effort to connect with each young person on an individual level, taking the time to understand their unique interests and using that as a springboard for their work together.
For one client, it was a love of the Super Mario Bros. movie that provided the key to regulating his emotions during intense meltdowns at school. For another, it was a sensory fascination with a soft blanket that helped break down barriers and draw him into the therapeutic process.
Renee eschews clinical jargon in favour of plain English and her client-centered philosophy extends to her work with families, teachers and allied health professionals. Lasting change requires a coordinated effort, she explains, where everyone is on the same page and practicing the same techniques.
Of course, getting to that point is often no easy feat. Renee describes how many of the families she sees have already been on a challenging journey by the time they connect with her. But Renee approaches these situations with empathy and a determination to provide the tailored support each child and family needs.
Renee also explains the integral role that standardised assessments play in her work. Digital delivery of these helps engage children in the process, provides Renee with rapid results, and offers trusted validation of her hypotheses.
The podcast begins with a light-hearted anecdote from Renee’s early childhood and ends with Renee imagining her twilight years and the career highlights she will always remember. Read more
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition: Australian and New Zealand Standardised Edition (WISC-V A&NZ), Wechsler Individual Achievement Test - Australian and New Zealand Standardised, Third Edition (WIAT-III A&NZ), Sensory Profile 2, Q-interactive
SPEAKERS
Renee Purcell, Psychologist, Mindara Psychology
Andy McLean, Host, Moments in Mind
23 MIN • 11 MAR 2025
In this episode of Moments in Mind, we meet occupational therapist (OT) Lisa Bowker.
After sharing a little about her origin story and why she chose to become an OT, Lisa vividly describes the profound impact that OTs can have on the lives of their clients. She emphasises the importance of tailoring therapy to each client’s individual goals – such as a young woman’s desire to apply makeup independently – and how this has led to several breakthrough moments.
Lisa tells several remarkable stories of people’s courage and determination to fight back after serious injuries and during life-changing illnesses. This includes a tear-jerking moment when she helped a man with motor neurone disease to communicate his devotion for his wife.
Along the way, Lisa explains how she has used standardised assessments from early in her career, right up to the present day. And she reflects back on the moments that will stay with her forever.
This is a must-listen for anyone curious about the power of human beings to survive and strive, even in the most difficult circumstances. Read more
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FEATURED PRODUCTS
Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2), Adaptive Behavior Assessment System, Third Edition (ABAS-3)
SPEAKERS
Lisa Bowker, Occupational Therapist, The Holistic Network
Andy McLean, Host, Moments in Mind
Moments in Mind is also available to listen on your favourite streaming platforms: Amazon Music / Audible, Youtube, iHeartRadio, Deezer