THRIVING MINDS PODCAST
Do you want to learn how to build resilience, boost your cognitive performance, and achieve mental agility? Then it's time to discover the exciting world of brain health and fitness with Thriving Minds. Hosted by renowned neuroscientist Professor Selena Bartlett, Thriving Minds is a podcast dedicated to exploring the latest advances in brain science education.
With decades of experience studying addiction, stress, and mental health, Professor Bartlett is a true expert in her field. And she's on a mission to empower people to take control of their mental and physical well-being. So what makes Thriving Minds so unique?
It's not just about theory – it's about practical tips and simple tools that you can use to improve your brain health and fitness right now. From understanding how stress wires the brain, the power of cold exposure, nutrition and exercise and connection.
Thriving Minds is also a deep dive into cutting-edge brain science and digital technology. From neuroplasticity to brain imaging, Professor Bartlett and her team are at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field. They're exploring the latest research and innovations and sharing their insights with listeners around the world.And the best part?
Let's make brain health everyone's business. They're inspiring people to take action and create a culture of mental fitness, where people prioritise their brain health as much as their physical health.
Tune in to the podcast and discover the secrets of brain health and fitness. Whether you're looking to boost your cognitive performance, reduce stress, or improve your overall well-being, Selena and her team are here to help you thrive.
The opinions expressed in the podcast are Selena Bartlett's personal opinion and her guests. They are for general informational purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, psychology or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The opinions in the podcast do not reflect the opinion of Queensland University of Technology.
THRIVING MINDS PODCAST
Episode #216 Will Agency become the word for 2026? Raising Screen Smart People with Dr Mark Williams
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What does it really mean to raise a screen-smart child in a world that is designed to capture their attention?
In this important and timely conversation, I sit down with Dr Mark Williams to discuss his new book with Gavin McCormack, exploring the science, the reality, and the responsibility we all share when it comes to children and screens.
Drawing from their new book Screen Smart Children, we go beyond fear and blame to unpack what is actually happening in the developing brain. We talk about attention, emotional regulation, sleep, learning, and how constant digital stimulation is shaping the way children think, feel, and connect.
This is not about removing technology. It is about understanding it.
Together, we explore:
- What screens are doing to the brain during critical periods of development
- Why children struggle to switch off and what that means for behaviour
- The link between screen use, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation
- How schools and families can respond in a practical, balanced way
- What “screen smart” actually looks like in real life
Dr Mark Williams brings deep expertise in cognitive neuroscience, helping us understand attention and memory in a distracted world. He collaborated with Gavin McCormack, bringing decades of experience in education, working directly with children, teachers, and families across the globe.
What emerges is a clear and hopeful message: we are not powerless. With the right knowledge and small, consistent changes, we can reshape children’s environments and support healthier brain development.
This episode is for parents, educators, and anyone who cares about the next generation.
Because this is not just about screens.
It is about the kind of minds we are shaping for the future.
📘 Resources & Links
Thriving Minds Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/article/edit/7457652593234919424/
Thriving Minds in the Age of AI
https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/0999099779?ref=yb_qv_ov_prnt_dp_rw
Book: Screen Smart Children
- https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Screen-Smart-Children/Mark-A-Williams/9781761639715
- https://www.amazon.com.au/Screen-Smart-Children-helping-switches/dp/1761639714
Dr Mark Williams
https://www.drmarkwilliams.com/
Gavin McCormack
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavinmccormack/
#ScreenSmartChildren
#ThrivingMinds
#Neuroscience
#DigitalWellbeing
#ChildDevelopment
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Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com