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Dr Jodi Richardson
Anxiety, Author, Education Consultant, Inspirational Speaker, New Speakers, Online - Virtual Visits, Personal Development, Social Issues, Wellbeing
Dr Jodi Richardson is dedicated to elevating the mental health and wellbeing of others. She empowers parents, educators and other professionals with practical skills and techniques for maximising wellbeing and overcoming the inattention, overwhelm and avoidance that come with anxiety.
Where were you born?
I was born in the Frankston Hospital in Victoria. It’s a very special place for our family as it’s also where my husband Peter was born (17 days before me!), and where both of our children were born.
What other jobs have you had?
I began my professional career in the very rewarding role of a secondary teacher where I combined my passions for exercise, health and wellbeing with my penchant for science. I left teaching to work for Beyond Blue on the National Schools Based Initiative for the prevention of depression. Always the educator I’ve since worked as an Exercise Physiologist helping people elevate their mental health and wellbeing through exercise. All of these experiences, combined with extensive behavioural therapy training, have paved the way to my work now as an author, speaker and facilitator in all areas of mental health, wellbeing, happiness and high performance.
What themes are recurring in your work?
Mental health, wellbeing, exercise and teaching are the recurring themes in each chapter of my professional career. I feel privileged that each chapter afforded me new opportunities to inspire change and elevate mental health and wellbeing in people’s lives and those of their children and loved ones.
What have been the highlights of your career?
An extraordinary career highlight is the national and global impact of my co-written debut book Anxious Kids: How children can turn their anxiety into resilience. It quickly became a best-seller in Australia and has been translated into 6 languages to date. My latest book, Anxious Mums, has been translated into 3 languages to date too.
Other highlights include the Australia & New Zealand 12 City Anxious Kids Seminar Tour and speaking at the ProPsych Mental Health in Schools Conferences.
Where have your works been published?
Anxious Kids: How children can turn their anxiety into resilience has been published in:
Australia
New Zealand
China (Beijing Xiron)
Russia (Portal Publishing House)
Germany (Trias Verlag)
Romania (Curtea Veche)
Taiwan (Yuan-Liou Publishing Co Ltd)
Poland (Wydawnictwo eSPe)
Anxious Mums: How mums can turn their anxiety into strength has been published in:
Australia
New Zealand
Russia (Portal Publishing House)
Poland (Wydawnictwo eSPe)
Lithuania (VAGA)
What are you passionate about?
I’m deeply passionate about mental health and wellbeing and sharing the practical ways in which we can all dial down anxiety and boost happiness. My dedication to helping others stems from my own personal experiences with anxiety and depression as a child and an adult. I’ve also learned (and continue to learn) a myriad of impactful strategies that make a meaningful difference to mental health and quality of life for adults and children.
On top of all of this I’m passionate about my family, CrossFit, Karate, Matcha lattes and our Border Collie Dusty – plus I’ll cross the road to pat a cute pup!!
Haven’t I seen you before?
You might have! I’ve appeared on Australian national television programs including Sunrise, The Today Show, Weekend Today, Studio 10, ABC News Breakfast and The Morning Show. Nothing tests anxiety management strategies much more than live national TV! You may have also heard me talking all things anxiety and wellbeing on the radio as well as a number of top ranking podcasts including The You Project and Mamamia. My work has also been featured in the Herald Sun, The Age, Mindful Parenting or the Sydney Morning Herald.
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
I care deeply about people and positively impacting their lives over the long term, well beyond the time we spend together. I can only do this by having a good understanding of the challenges that bring us together in the first place. I’ll always take the time to learn about your audience, your objectives and what effective change looks like in the days, weeks and months following our time together. I look forward to meeting you.
Testimonials
“Dr Jodi came to my school to talk to Year 12 students about mental health awareness and what we should do if we’re feeling anxious at such a busy time in our lives. She made it fun and engaging. The hour felt like 15 minutes.
All my friends said they learned something they could use for the rest of their lives. She held the attention of all the students, making it entertaining and participative while giving us information and knowledge that we can use not only at school but to manage our feelings at home too.
She used examples that were relatable to us and explained that it’s ok to be anxious, you just have to know what to do. My friends and I were practising her breathing techniques on the way home from school later that day. I think every school kid would benefit from hearing Dr Jodi speak.”
“What a great impact you have had on our parents and staff. So many people have appreciated the ‘takeaways’ from your presentation. It’s the hot topic of conversation around here with lots of staff (and parents) asking if we will be doing it again!!
So thank you so much for the excellent information you shared. For me it was great to have someone so relatable sharing their knowledge and expertise – a mum, a teacher, a well-being guru, a member of our community and most importantly someone who is not just “talking the talk”, but “walking the walk”. Your honesty and openness made it so easy for families to connect with you and the messages you shared.”
“Thank you Dr Jodi Richardson for your engaging, insightful and authentic presentation to the staff at Aquinas College College today: “Boosting Staff Mental Health and Happiness”. We have some great ‘takeaway’ strategies to keep check of our stress levels and look after our wellbeing….and not to mention lots of laughs. What a positive way to start term 4!”