[109] - Your host on Radio 3AW - Australia Overnight - Talk Back Radio 11/01/2024

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift workers often normalise exhaustion and dismiss serious sleep disorders as just part of the job, but this mindset endangers health, safety, and performance. Sleep problems beyond normal shift-related fatigue require medical attention, not just acceptance or medication. • Five common sleep disorders affecting shift workers: Shift Work Sleep Disorder, Insomnia, Sleep Apnea, Restless Leg Syndrome, and Circadian Rhythm Disorders • Relying on sleep medi...

28 Syys 202515min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Flexibility and communication are the keys to maintaining strong family connections while navigating the unique challenges of first responder relationships. Police Social Worker Alana Russell brings her expertise both as a therapist and police wife to share practical strategies for balancing work demands with family needs. • First responder relationships require different approaches than textbook relationship advice • Emotional unavailability and distan...

25 Syys 20251h 10min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Confirmation bias is shaping our world in ways many don't realise, especially through social media algorithms designed to keep us scrolling and engaged with content that reinforces our existing beliefs. • Social media platforms track what you click, like, comment on, and even how long you hover over posts • Algorithms feed you more of what you've shown interest in, creating echo chambers where everyone thinks the same way • During COVID, people were div...

21 Syys 202518min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Roger Sutherland addresses the critical need for shift worker education and support in 24-7 workplaces, introducing an innovative Shift Work Champions model that trains staff to become wellbeing leaders for their peers. • Shift work organisations face three major problems when workers aren't supported: increased unplanned leave, rising staff turnover, and more workplace accidents • The cost of doing nothing is already visible in safety reports, budgets,...

18 Syys 202517min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Former police officer Roger Sutherland shares his journey from workplace trauma to healing through breathwork techniques. His four-decade career in law enforcement left him with anxiety and trust issues, but learning proper breathing patterns helped restore his mental wellbeing. • Proper breathing directly communicates with our autonomic nervous system that we are safe • Breathing in through the nose for four counts and out through pursed lips for eight...

17 Syys 202540min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift work can slowly eat away at your health if you don't understand how to work with your body's natural circadian rhythm. Getting the fundamentals right from the start helps shift workers thrive instead of just survive. • Understanding your circadian rhythm is critical—your body has a biological day and night • Light is the biggest factor in regulating your body clock—get morning sunlight and avoid blue light after dark • Melatonin is not just for sl...

14 Syys 202518min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift work doesn't have to control your life when you learn to focus only on what you can control. Roger Sutherland shares his transformative experience from 40 years in frontline policing and how the practice of "controlling the controllables" changed everything. • Understanding that complaining about rosters, management, and colleagues changes nothing but drains your energy • Recognizing when things are living "rent-free" in your head • Practical ways...

11 Syys 202513min

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift work disrupts eating patterns, but understanding the difference between time-restricted eating and intermittent fasting can make a huge impact on your health, energy, and weight. In this episode, I break down why aligning meals with your biological day—not your shift roster—is the real key. You’ll learn: Why time-restricted eating works with your circadian rhythm while intermittent fasting often doesn’tHow front-loading calories earlier in the day ...

7 Syys 202516min