All In The Mind

Many of us have felt self loathing at some point in our lives — maybe when you've failed at an important task at work, or lost an important relationship.

But some people hate themselves all the time — their inner monologue is a constant drumbeat of self-criticism and self-loathing. 

Where does this kind of all-encompassing self-hate come from? And is there a way to unlearn it?

We speak to psychiatrist Dr Blaise Aguirre, author of I Hate Myself: Overcome Self-Loathing and Realize Why You're Wrong About You. 

This episode discusses the topic of suicid...

Be honest, how many times have you checked your notifications in the last hour? Or opened a new, totally unrelated tab? Or stopped what you're doing even though you really need to do it?

Distractions are everywhere. And whether they're self-imposed or coming from our environment, it can be hard to focus.

Today, we explore the ramifications of our rapidly shrinking attention spans, debunk some myths about focus, and discuss the art of taking a break.

You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and...

Have you ever experienced "the ick"?

It's that sudden, visceral feeling of being put off by someone you're dating. Maybe it's their hat, a hobby or even the way they laugh.

Stories of the ick are prolific online, but it leaves us with a question - what causes it? 

To separate red flags from disgust, we get into the psychology of the ick - why you might feel icky, if it should be a deal breaker, and what it says about your own attachment style.

You can catch up on more e...

Developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey has seen a lot of kids with behavioural issue over the years, and there are ten things he wishes all parents understood about their kids mental health.

From insecure attachment to separation anxiety to emotional difficulties – he gives us the low down on why kids get labelled ‘bad’ – and what’s really going on (usually).

You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Austr...

Difficult people are everywhere. Maybe you're one of them, or maybe you're about to sit through an awkward holiday situation with someone you REALLY don't know how to handle.

This week, clinical psychologist Rachel Samson returns to answer all your questions on challenging people from the All in the Mind mailbox.

How do I deal with my coworker who's crossing boundaries? Should I try and make peace with my problematic family member?

We'll answer these questions and more — from how to avoid becoming a difficult person yourself, to the power of radical acceptance.

From the prohibition era in the US, to gun control in Australia, bans have been used throughout history to change behaviour. 

Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. Sometimes, they lead to a whole lot of unintended consequences.

With the social media ban for under-16’s taking effect this week, we uncover the three factors that can determine whether a ban is more likely to succeed or fail – and find out what the history of bans tells us about how effective this policy might be (or not).

Plus – how solid is the research on the lin...

The ABC's biggest investigative true crime podcast Unravel has just dropped their new season, Huntsman, and it's already rocketing up the podcast charts.

You might remember when former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn was convicted of murder in the High Country. The story made headlines when Lynn admitted to burning the campers' bodies to cover his tracks.

But behind the scenes, people who knew him years ago began talking and sending messages.

It sparked an ABC investigation that uncovered the full story of his dark past and his abusive relationship with his first wife...

When bad things happen, do you berate yourself or treat yourself with compassion? Do you journal, meditate, or listen to music?

Growing up, Sabrina McKenzie always turned to music to help her through her worst moments.

As she got older and began studying psychology, she realised what she felt when she listened to sad or angry songs ... was self-compassion.

In the field of positive psychology there’s plenty of research on how journalling and meditation can cultivate self-compassion (and plenty of research suggesting self-compassionate people are more mentally and physically healthy).

Bu...

We've come a long way in how we talk about mental health.

But while diagnoses like depression and anxiety can empower people to seek help and support — they also influence how we see ourselves and how others might see us, too.

Today, we investigate 'concept creep.' It's the idea that the labels we use to describe mental health are expanding and being applied to an ever-wider array of human behaviours.

We look at what's causing this, the impacts it might have (both positive and negative), and what it means for how we un...

You've probably experienced intrusive thoughts — bizarre, fleeting, sometimes inappropriate thoughts that cross your mind without warning. Although these can be weird to experience, they're totally normal.

But for people with obsessive compulsive disorder these thoughts can become inescapable — leading to worry, compulsions and shame.

Today we're talking about OCD, because it's often quite different from the stereotype of handwashing and lining up pencils. It can venture into taboo and dangerous thoughts, from paedophilia to violent harm. 

So what does living with these unwanted thoughts feel like? And how much can treatment improve OCD sympt...

According to consumer psychology, there's a recipe for being cool. And surprisingly, the ingredients are similar across a bunch of countries and cultures.

So today, we explore the concept of cool: what it says about our values and how it influences us. But be warned — if you try too hard to be cool, it might unravel your attempt before you even get there.

You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on th...

You know how certain people are just… difficult? Maybe they're prickly to be around, don't take feedback well, or act like a narcissist?

Today we're learning how to handle relationships with difficult people; from setting boundaries, to understanding the role of attachment and temperament on behaviour.

Plus, is it ever the right time to cut someone off completely? And what's a 'highly sensitive person' (HSP)?

Got a question about a difficult person in your life? Send us an email at mind_rn@abc.net.au with the subject line "mailbag episode: difficult people".

Extreme emotional turmoil, fears of abandonment, huge amounts of stigma… These factors can make navigating a career when you have borderline personality disorder really tricky. But Rosie and Enya are making it happen.

Today, how to navigate your working life when you have BPD.

We hear from Enya, a listener who works on fishing boats while receiving treatment for her BPD, and Rosie, a teacher and author who decided to disclose her diagnosis with her workplace. How has borderline personality disorder impacted their careers? And what advice does an occupational therapist have for people with BP...

Long before Sarah's daughter Chloe Hayden became an award-winning actress starring in Netflix's Heartbreak High, she was a kid facing immense struggles. Chloe was sensitive to smells, lights and foods; she had no friends; she hated school.

Sarah never suspected Chloe was autistic, but that’s only because her idea of what autism looked like came from the film Rain Man.

Sarah is now a social worker and equine assisted therapist, working with neurodiverse families.

In this episode, Sarah shares her family’s story, her advice for parents navigating school refusal and food aver...

We've all dreamt of lobbing our smartphone into the ocean and going off grid.

So what happens when you follow through with it?

For the final episode of Brain Rot, we speak to the people who decided they'd had enough.

From a French village, to Gen Z 'luddites' in New York City and a group of parents in regional Victoria, there are clubs, campaigns and even laws dedicated to a smartphone-free life.

But in 2025, how do you pull it off? And is it actually worth it?

This episode originally...

Plenty of people will say they are addicted to the internet. But how well-recognised, scientifically, is an addiction … to your screen?

In episode four of Brain Rot, we dig into how behavioural addictions work.

And we hear from self-described internet addicts about the treatment programs helping them manage their relationship with technology.

This episode originally aired on Brain Rot, a series of the ABC podcast Science Friction. Sana will be back with all-new episodes of All in the Mind in mid-October.

Guests:

Jillian and Kate

Internet and Tech...

We're trusting tech with more tasks than ever — including the ones our brains once did.

We're Googling things we used to know, taking screenshots of things we'll instantly forget, and hoarding all kinds of data we'll never check again.

On this episode of Brain Rot: is tech giving your brain a holiday, or putting it out of a job?

You'll also meet a guy who's turned the tables, by using AI to help recover his lost memories.

This episode originally aired on Brain Rot, a series of the ABC podcast Science Fric...

Whether it’s social media, the omnipresent smartphone or AI companions, in recent decades the way we relate to each other has been completely up-ended.

In episode two of Brain Rot, we explore the potential implications that tech poses to human relationships.

Worldwide estimates suggest there are around one billion users of AI companions — people using software or applications designed to simulate human-like interactions through text and voice.

So if the uptake of these AI companions is as rapid as is being reported, what are the ramifications? And could AI companions be both a ca...

Everyone seems to have a hunch that their phone is destroying their attention span, but is there any science to back it up?

In episode one of Brain Rot, we’re doing our best to focus on the topic of attention for a full 25 minutes — and find out what's actually happening in your brain every time your phone buzzes or dings.

Is brain rot a real thing? Or just another moral panic?

And how do you know when your own screen use has gone too far?

This episode originally aired on Brain...

Revenge feels sweet... At least for a moment. James Kimmel Jr knows that better than most.

As a lawyer, he made a career out of helping clients get payback. But the drive for revenge started to eat away at him, threatening to destroy his work life and relationships.

Coming back from the brink, he started to wonder — why are we drawn to payback? What impacts does it have on the brain? And can revenge ever be addictive?

In this episode, we explore some of the neuroscience of revenge: what's going on in the br...

Five years of unpaid taxes. Homework handed in on the last day of an extension. Some people are champion procrastinators.

Why? And what does task paralysis (sometimes called ADHD paralysis) have to do with it?

Today: the personality traits that make you more prone to procrastination, the types of tasks we're most likely to put off, and what to do if your to-do list sends you into fight-or-flight mode.

You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of...

If you opened up a magazine in the 2000s, you'd likely be met by countless images of celebrities on their worst days. And the conversation accompanying those images? Pretty toxic.

We've come a long way in how we talk about mental health since then, but how did we get here? What changed?

Today, we reflect on the cruelty of tabloid culture and how the internet shifted the narrative about mental health.

If you want to hear more about our relationship with celebrities, check out our episode Moog became a Youtube megastar — and it me...

When was the last time you decluttered? Was it a satisfying process, or did it fill you with dread?

Where you sit on the clutter spectrum differs person to person, so today, we investigate if decluttering is worth the hype. 

Why can it be so hard for some people? Could there be a way to reduce clutter before it builds up?

And what's the relationship between hoarding disorder and clutter? 

If you want to hear more about our relationship with objects, check out Why do we love collecting?

Guests:

Can serial killers ever learn empathy? Is their psychology similar to mass shooters? Why are they almost always men?

Welcome to All in the Mind’s first ever ‘mailbag’ episode!

These are just some of the many questions you sent us after our recent episode on serial killers, called Where have all the serial killers gone?

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Rajan Darjee is back on the show, answering these questions and a whole lot more.

And can we ask a favour? As this is our first mailbag episode, we’d love to know you...

Have you ever felt like things were not quite real?

That you were no longer connected to your body or didn’t know who you were?

Nathan Dunne felt this way for years. And it’s never quite stopped affecting the way he sees himself or the world around him.

Today, depersonalisation disorder — and what we know about its symptoms, causes and treatments.

And a heads up, this episode discusses heavy topics such as suicide. Please take care while listening.

You can catch up on more episodes of the All in...

Love it or hate it, there are reasons you might read your star sign and relate to what it says about you as a person.

We all fall into cognitive traps — but if we’re aware of them, is it such a bad thing to indulge in your daily horoscope, or a tarot card reading?

Today, we delve into the occult, to understand why some people seek messages from the universe, and if it can play a role in therapeutic care.

If you want to hear more about otherworldly beliefs, check out our epis...

The backpacker killer. The Claremont killer. Ted Bundy. The crimes serial killers commit linger in our memories for decades.

But when was the last time you heard about an active serial killer in the news?

In our final episode of Criminal Psychology, we probe the lead-crime hypothesis, find out about 'chemical castration' and ask — where have all the serial killers gone?

And a heads up that this episode explores some heavy themes including sexual assault, child abuse, suicide and murder. It also contains the names of Aboriginal people who have died. Please take ca...

What drives some people to steal compulsively?

This week, as part of our special four-part series Criminal Psychology, we're talking about kleptomania and the impact it can have on a person's life.

We speak to someone who’s been diagnosed with kleptomania about their experiences; from their urges to steal, to the guilt and shame they feel.

We also chat to a psychiatrist about what treatment looks like for people with kleptomania.

Guests:

Lynn

Dr Sam ChamberlainProfessor of Psychiatry, University of Southampton 

Credits:

Australians know the devastation of bushfires all too well. So why would anyone deliberately light a fire?

In this episode of Criminal Psychology, our new four-part series on unusual crimes and unusual minds, we're exploring the psychology of arson.

Answering questions like, how does it relate to pyromania? What do we know about the profile of a typical arsonist? And how do investigators track down the source of a blaze?

Guests:

Dr Paul ReadClimate criminologist

Dr Nichola TylerSenior lecturer, forensic psychologySwinburne University of Technology

Richard WoodsDirector, Wildfire...

Why would any parent lie about their child's health? Or worse, intentionally make their child sick?

In episode one of Criminal Psychology, our new four-part series on unusual crimes and unusual minds, we dive into a disorder that’s long been sensationalised in the media: Munchausen by Proxy – and ask: how do these parents get away with their lies? Can their behaviour ever be reformed?

Guests:

Brenda Bursch, PhDDirector, Pediatric Psychology in Outpatient Subspecialty Pediatrics ProgramProfessor of Clinical Psychiatry & Biobehavioral SciencesProfessor of Clinical PediatricsDavid Geffen School of Medicine,University of California, Los Angeles

On All in the Mind, we investigate why people behave the way they do. But there are some perspectives we don't often hear about.

Introducing Criminal Psychology, a special series diving into just that.

On this four-episode series, we'll cover arson, kleptomania, serial killers and Munchausen by proxy as we look at what drives people to the extremes of human behaviour.

And we'll examine how our understanding of the human mind can better help us to prevent harm.

Whether you're a dedicated fan of true crime or curious about the inner...

Time and time again, Dr Rangan Chatterjee has seen chronic stress wreak havoc on his patients' lives — contributing to autoimmune disorders, gut problems, low libido and more.

But the most devastating blow struck his own family, when his father's punishing work schedule forced him to medically retire in his 50s.

It’s an experience that led Rangan to rethink his own work and approach to medicine.

Today, Dr Chatterjee, a GP and host of a mega popular wellbeing podcast, shares his story, as well as strategies for better managing stress in your own life...

Loneliness hurts. And we know it's bad for us, worse than smoking or obesity. Even though a third of us are lonely, we're embarrassed to say so. 

So, what would happen if we talked about our loneliness openly? And how can we build more meaningful connections?

This week we have a special episode from our friends at Ladies, We Need To Talk.

Host Yumi Stynes speaks to women who are lonely, one within a marriage and one hoping to find a partner, to understand the toll it can take. Plus, psychologist Dr Bella I...

Concussions are hard to diagnose, often get missed, and don't always get taken seriously.

And if you're not a professional athlete, it can be surprisingly hard to get clear information on how to manage and recover afterwards. Why?

The brain is your most important organ, after all!

This week, we try and make sense of the confusion around concussions.

This episode was first broadcast in October 2023.

Guests:Dr Lewis FreethPsychiatrist

Kate

Naznin Virji-BabulPhysical therapist and neuroscientistAssociate Professor, Department of Physical Therapy Faculty of MedicineUniversity of...

Avoiding your emotions is generally a recipe for disaster — but Ethan Kross makes a case for occasional 'strategic' avoidance.

He’s a professor of psychology from the University of Michigan, and he’s appeared in some of our most popular episodes: Controlling the chatter in your head and What influences your inner voice? Controlling 'chatter' part two.

He’s back to share more tools for taking charge of your emotions.

Guests:

Ethan Kross, PhDProfessor of Psychology and Management, University of MichiganAuthor, Shift: Managing Your Emotions—So They Don't Manage You

Credits...

Panicky. Irrational. Impulsive. These are the traits that have long been associated with crowd behaviour.

But modern crowd science suggests that’s an incomplete, if not inaccurate picture.

From crowd crushes to terrorist attacks, we take a closer look at how people really behave in crowds, and what you can do to keep yourself safe in one.

Want to listen to more All in the Mind? Check out our episode, Can music inspire mania?

Guest:

Associate Professor Milad HaghaniPrincipal Fellow in Urban Resilience & MobilityUniversity of Melbourne

Credits: 

Whether it's stamps, figurines, antiques or toys, plenty of people love collecting. But why?

What are the psychological drivers behind the hobby? How much is marketing influencing us, and is there a risk of collecting turning into hoarding?

If you enjoy the show or if you have feedback you'd like to share, please check out our survey here.

Guests:

Sam ToddContent creator and collector

Professor Nick NeaveDirector of the Hoarding Research GroupDepartment of Psychology, Northumbria University

Associate Professor Louise GrimmerTasmanian School of Business and EconomicsUniversity of Tasmania<...

Over years of clinical practice, psychologist Dr Mary Anderson started to notice a peculiar pattern across her many clients.

Despite being impressive high achievers on the outside, inside they were struggling with burnout, imposter syndrome, anxiety and self-criticism.

So she set out to develop a guide for these high achievers. A framework to support their success ... without sacrificing their mental health.

If you loved this episode, you should listen to our story on controlling the chatter in your head.

And if you haven't already, please take a moment to fill out...

If you're watching sport or browsing social media, odds are you will come across gambling ads. If you work in an office, you might've joined Melbourne Cup or footy tipping comps.

In Australia, it can feel like gambling is everywhere.

Today, we look at how everything from video games to shopping sites seem to be priming us for betting-like behaviours, and how the ubiquity of gambling ads is influencing young people in particular.

And if you haven't already, please take a moment to fill out our listener survey! It's only 7 questions and we'd...

For years, psychologist Patricia Harney avoided true crime podcasts and documentaries. They hit too close to home.

Recently she's been testing the waters, and noticing these whodunnit shows often leave out a crucial element of the story.

This episode was first broadcast in July 2023

Take our listener survey here: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/pMNc8TK7b7

All in the Mind is doing its first-ever listener survey — can you tell us a bit about who you are and why you listen? We'd love to understand you better!

We’ve kept the survey snappy — it's only seven questions. We’re especially keen to know the age range of our listeners.

Take the survey here: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/pMNc8TK7b7

And you can always reach us at mind_rn@abc.net.au

On behalf of the team, thank you!

Chat bots as therapists. Apps that can track your mood and behaviour, offering earlier detection of psychiatric illness.

There's a lot happening at the nexus of mental health and AI – some of it promising, some of it perilous.

Today, science writer and author of The Silicon Shrink, Daniel Oberhaus, takes us on a journey through this emerging space. We'll look at the potential benefits, the major limitations and the ethics of adding AI into our mental health mix.

And just a heads up, this episode touches on the topic of suicide, please take ca...

The brain might be an undiscerning blob that makes up just two per cent of your body, but what it does for you is extraordinary.

How much about the day-to-day workings of the brain do we fully understand, and what does the future of medicine have in store for it?

In this recording of our live show from the World Science Festival Brisbane, we explore the wonder of brain surgery, advances in neurotech, and whether we could one day preserve consciousness and ‘live’ forever.

Keen to listen to another episode? Why not check out...

Madi's had 25 rental applications rejected. Seen absolute horror houses while searching for a rental. It's all driving her to despair.

Today, how housing insecurity can alter our sense of agency and how we perceive the world around us.

This episode was first broadcast in May 2024.

Be honest, how many times have you checked your notifications in the last hour? Or opened a new, totally unrelated tab? Or stopped what you're doing even though you really need to do it?

Distractions are everywhere. And whether they're self-imposed or coming from our environment, it can be hard to focus.

Today, we explore the ramifications of our rapidly shrinking attention spans, debunk some myths about focus, and discuss the art of taking a break.

Want to hear more? Check out our episode, When doom scrolling leads to actual harm.

...

How strong is your memory? 

Whether you're frequently forgetful or eager to improve, there are ways you can train your brain to recall faster and remember better. 

This week, we bring you our live show from Podfest at the Adelaide Festival, featuring neuropsychologists, memory athletes, and even some listeners!

If you'd like to check out another episode, why not listen to Is life coaching legit?

Dementia usually involves a decline in your ability to remember, think and reason over time. And those with dementia are at a high risk of feeling socially isolated, lonely and depressed.

As artificial intelligence systems get better and better, researchers are investigating whether AI companion bots could help improve the lives of those with dementia.

The combination might sound counterintuitive, but researchers reckon these chatbots have some advantages over human companionship.

So, what does a conversation with an AI companion sound like? How might they help? And what do the real people these...

Have you ever experienced "the ick"?

It's that sudden, visceral feeling of being put off by someone you're dating. Maybe it's their hat, a hobby or even the way they laugh.

Stories of the ick are prolific online, but it leaves us with a question - what causes it? 

To separate red flags from disgust, we get into the psychology of the ick - why you might feel icky, if it should be a deal breaker, and what it says about your own attachment style.

If you want to hear more a...

NASA wants to send humans to Mars in the next decade or so. But can our minds handle it?

We talk to a NASA psychologist and retired astronaut about the psychological challenges people already face on long-duration space missions — and find out what it will take to get to Mars.

This episode was first broadcast in March 2024.

Looking for another episode to listen to next? Check out Dark tourism + selfie sticks = moral outrage.

Join us for a live episode of All in the Mind at Podfest in Adelaide this March. You can enter to win tickets here.

Many of us have felt self loathing at some point in our lives — maybe when you've failed at an important task at work, or lost an important relationship.

But some people hate themselves all the time — their inner monologue is a constant drumbeat of self-criticism and self-loathing. 

Where does this kind of all-encompassing self-hate come from? And is there a way to unlearn it?

We speak to psych...

Join us for a live episode of All in the Mind at Podfest in Adelaide this March. You can enter to win tickets here.

Many of us have felt self loathing at some point in our lives — maybe when you've failed at an important task at work, or lost an important relationship.

But some people hate themselves all the time — their inner monologue is a constant drumbeat of self-criticism and self-loathing. 

Where does this kind of all-encompassing self-hate come from? And is there a way to unlearn it?

We speak to psych...

Developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey has seen a lot of kids with behavioural issue over the years, and there are ten things he wishes all parents understood about their kids mental health.

From insecure attachment to separation anxiety to emotional difficulties – he gives us the low down on why kids get labelled ‘bad’ – and what’s really going on (usually).

Looking for something to listen to next? Check out our episode, Wanted: Unicorns. Mission: Mars.

All in the Mind is heading to Podfest in Adelaide this March. You can enter to win tickets here.

There are some decisions in life that can be trickier to navigate. Do you want to get married? Should you change careers? Do you want a baby?

Parenthood is a choice more vexed than ever in a world threatened by climate change, political instability and cost-of-living crises. 

So how can people approach this choice? And if you're lucky enough to have a choice, how do you make peace with your decision?

Decision coach Merle Bombardieri has been working with couples on this very topic for decades — today, we ask her about the tools, tip...

Harry had been lucky. He'd never struggled with his mental health.

Then, when he was 18, seemingly out of nowhere — he had his first psychotic episode.

It was an abrupt change, with ripple effects across his family.

Today, the shock of experiencing psychosis, why you're most likely to get it when you're young, and how you can recognise the signs and support a loved one.

If you'd like to hear more about this topic, we have an episode called A musician processes her bipolar diagnosis.

Extra resources:

Politics, war, abortion, gun control — why do some topics make us so outraged?

One theory is that our preoccupation with preventing harm is to blame.

So today, we examine how humans developed morality, why we differ in what we consider right and wrong, and how that drives us to moral outrage.

And after all of that, we'll find out how to have better conversations with people you disagree with (even if you're feeling outraged).

If you want to hear more about that, check out The skills supercommunicators use, which you can le...

If you could manifest anything into your life, what would it be? A perfect partner, your dream house, winning the lottery?

Manifesting promises a limitless potential of dreams to achieve — through methods like vision boards and affirmations.

But does manifesting actually help us realise our goals? Is it harmless fun? Healthy positive thinking? Or can manifestation lead the brain down some dark alleys that you might not expect?

In this episode we mention another episode called Visualisation and values — goal setting like a winner. It's part two of our two part series on the a...

The AI revolution is coming. Your mind isn't ready for it.

Cognitive neuroscientist Joel Pearson walks us through the many ways artificial intelligence is messing — and will mess — with our psychology.

From falling in love with AI to unforgettable deep fakes, we dive into an uncertain future and what you can do to prepare for it.

This episode was first broadcast in April 2024.

If you'd like to hear more from Joel, he featured on our episode about intuition called When to trust your gut instinct, and when to ignore it.

That voice inside your head - where does it come from? 

We bring back a topic that was one of our most popular for a long awaited part two. 

Today, what shapes your internal chatter.

This episode was first released in March 2024.

Our original episode on chatter is called Controlling the chatter in your head, if you liked this episode you'll love that one!

Patric Gagne is a sociopath, but she doesn’t fit the stereotype.

From a violent kid, to a PhD and author - we track the unusual story of a sociopath who learned to be 'good'.

Plus, there's been some controversy and questions about the veracity of her PhD - so, we fact checked it.

This episode was first released in May 2024.

Need something to listen to next? Check out our episode Why heartbreak hurts so bad.

What do working for the CIA, navigating hot button topics and talking to teenagers all have in common? They're all situations that supercommunicators excel at.

Today, we explore how you can become a supercommunicator too. 

This episode was first broadcast in February 2024. 

Why not check out Introversion vs Extroversion. If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love that one too. 

What influences your shopping behaviour? Well, it's likely a mix of what you need, what's presented to you in store and probably some neuromarketing (which we've covered on our program before).

But what about the role of product designers? 

Today, we get into the psychology of design and the battle designers face balancing innovation with our human need for the familiar. And given all the ways design can manipulate us into wanting something, what role will AI play in the future of design?

Extra information:

The Psychology Behind Design: A Marketing P...

How do you feel as you move through a busy space — like an airport, a city street or a crowded shopping centre?

For some of us, these spaces are energising — being among the rush of people and the noise of the crowds. But for others, these situations can be a little much. 

And for some neurodivergent people — especially those with sensory issues — being in these public spaces can be utterly overwhelming, even harmful. That's a problem when you want or need to use them just like everybody else.

Today, audio engineer and producer Amelia Ge...

Dopamine feels great, but is it always good for us?

The answer is complicated, so today, we get into what dopamine actually does in the brain.

How does it affect our motivation, movement and behaviour? And how does our environment influence that?

Plus, should we be detoxing from dopamine ... and why are people raw dogging flights?

If you're looking for something to listen to next, check out our episode, Nine big myths about depression — busted.

We've come a long way in how we talk about mental health.

But while diagnoses like depression and anxiety can empower people to seek help and support — they also influence how we see ourselves and how others might see us, too.

Today, we investigate 'concept creep.' It's the idea that the labels we use to describe mental health are expanding and being applied to an ever-wider array of human behaviours.

We look at what's causing this, the impacts it might have (both positive and negative), and what it means for how we un...

How clear is your inner voice? Do you internally narrate your life? And do you get songs stuck in your head?

Almost all of us can imagine sounds in our minds. But a small part of the population don't have internal auditory imagery — a phenomenon called anauralia.

Today, we explore the experience of anauralia, in an episode from Radio New Zealand's Our Changing World.

Our Changing World is produced and presented by Claire Concannon and Ellen Rykers for RNZ.

The original version of this episode was first broadcast on RNZ as Th...

Music is a universal feature of the human experience — present from our very first cultures and civilisations.

But do the features of particular songs and styles translate across cultural boundaries? Like, is a lullaby recognisable even when it's from a different culture? Can you identify a love song in another language?

Today, we explore the special relationship between music and our minds, in an episode from Radio New Zealand's Our Changing World.

Our Changing World is produced and presented by Claire Concannon and Ellen Rykers for RNZ.

The clips from the Na...

Laura would spend weeks feeling normal — even happy. But like clockwork, every month, suddenly she would feel intense depression, making her unrecognisable to herself and friends.

It took her nearly two decades to identify what was causing this rollercoaster of mood: PMDD, AKA Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

So what is it about hormones that make some people feel such intense emotions? And why is PMDD still so misunderstood?

This episode touches on the topic of suicide. Please take care while listening and don't hesitate to reach out for support if you need it. You can...

Professor Chris French has been studying the paranormal for decades. But — he’s a sceptic.

In an All in the Mind Halloween special, we explore the psychology behind our spooky encounters.

What's going on in your brain when you see a ghost? How do people talk to the dead?

And why would a sceptic study the paranormal?

How many hours have you spent on your phone today? And do you feel like it's too many?

A growing movement of people are going without their smartphones and computers in favour of just about anything that doesn't have a screen.

They say it's giving their lives more meaning — and improving their mental health.

This week, meet the digital minimalists ditching their devices, and how you can do it too.

Want to hear more about the impact social media is having on your mental health? Check out our episode When doom sc...

We don't remember everything that happens to us — so why do we remember what we remember?

And the memories we do lock away aren't always accurate or trustworthy.

This week, we're talking about the fallibility of memory and why sometimes it's healthy to forget.

We'll also get into how to remember special moments more clearly, and here's a hint — you might want to put down your camera sometimes.

If you're looking for something to listen to next, check out our episode Overcoming resentment with gratitude.

We know running is good for the body, but what about the brain? 

Hear from people who love running about the psychological tools they use to stay active, including some advice from a professor who's taught their entire class to run a marathon. 

Looking for something to listen to next? Check out our episode Why being a beginner is good for you.

This week we're talking about something intimate … And at-times taboo … Masturbation.

From self-love, to disordered behaviour, and back again, how our perceptions of masturbation have changed over the course of history and why it's still linked to shame and confusion for some.

Also — why do humans (and other animals) masturbate in the first place?

Just a heads up, if the topic didn't give it away, this episode may not be suitable for little ones.

After listening, why not check out Sex is Weird, a series from our fellow science podcast, What the Du...

It's human nature to form groups — families, friends, online communities. We love to be surrounded by people similar to us.

But that can also make us discriminatory and defensive. And social media makes that instinct worse.

Today, we look at how our brains evolved to connect and divide, and what that means for the problems we face in our modern world.

This episode was first broadcast in April 2023.

Looking for something to listen to next?  Check out another All in the Mind episode, The Certainty Myth.

When you think about pillars of health a few things might come to mind — nutrition, exercise, connectedness. But there's something many of us miss off that list — sleep.

Insomnia does so much more than make us cranky, it's closely tied to our mental health. Not just how we feel on a day to day basis, but our likelihood of developing depression.

This week, what happens when you don't get enough sleep; the effect on your brain and why it's so impactful on your mental health.

If you'd like to learn more about sleep, chec...

Earlier this year, the Netflix program Baby Reindeer brought stalking firmly back into the zeitgeist - sparking discussion about the psychology of people who stalk and the impact it has on victims.

So what goes on in the mind of a stalker? How do the various types, from incompetent suitor to intimacy seeker, differ? And what should you do if you think you have a stalker?

Attachment theory is a foundation of modern psychology — a framework for understanding human relationships and how we connect other people.

But has social media taken this concept — grounded in decades of research — too far?

Scroll through Instagram or TikTok for too long, and you might think that if you have a certain attachment style, you're fundamentally unlovable — or that you need to steer clear of people who are avoidant, anxious or not secure enough.

Today, what we get wrong about attachment styles. Plus, the experiments that helped discover them in the first place ... and how...

Do you know your love language? 

Maybe you've done an online test — tested your partner — spent time talking it over — even made decisions about your relationship on the basis of your love language.

But where did this concept of love languages even come from? And how good is the evidence that backs it up?

Today, two research psychologists go deep on the concept of love languages — and what they really mean for your relationships.

Want more relationship content from All in the Mind? Check out our episode Why heartbreak hurts so bad.

How would you describe your parents?

Nobody's perfect, of course, but some parents leave more of a mark than others.

Today, we revisit the life-long impact of having 'emotionally immature' parents, as Dr Lindsay Gibson's book hits bestseller lists.

This episode was first broadcast in May 2021.

If you're looking for another episode to listen to, why not check out Milgram Shock and Stanford Prison — what we misunderstand about the most infamous experiments in psychology.

Can't sleep? Worries keeping you up at night? It might be time to look to the stars.

For National Science Week, we're investigating the relationship between the night sky and mental wellbeing.

So can spending time under the night sky give you a mood boost? And if it does … why?

Looking for more nature in your life? Check out our episode Nature prescriptions — just what the doctor ordered.

It sounds like fantasy, but the manipulation of dreams is now possible — and it's thanks to a well known video game, Tetris.

For people with PTSD, flashbacks can be an unwelcome and distressing experience. To tackle this problem, researchers have turned to Tetris. 

The siren has sounded. The scores are even. A footy player has one final chance to kick an easy goal to get his team into the finals.

He’s right in front of the goals. He lines up. Kicks. Misses. The pressure of such a moment was phenomenal, and the player choked under it.

So what happens in the brain during such intense periods? Why can some people remain calm while others can’t handle it?

If you're keen to listen to another episode, check out Wanted: Unicorns. Mission: Mars.

What if your entire understanding of the world — your beliefs, how you parent, how you work, how you interact with friends at the pub — all came crashing down?

For Stephanie, Jules and Joel — who are all former conspiracy theorists — that was their reality.

And digging their way out of the conspiracy rabbit hole came with a whole lot of challenges.

Today on All in the Mind: falling into and out of conspiracy ... and rebuilding your life after breaking free.

And if you enjoyed listening, you should go back and check out our earl...

After enduring years of abuse, Robyn Westgate was jailed for the murder of her husband. Now out of prison, she runs training programs that aim to reduce domestic violence.

Robyn says the key is empowering people to be better bystanders.

Today, one woman's story from domestic violence survivor to domestic violence consultant, and the importance of speaking up.

Please note this episode includes graphic descriptions of sexual assault and domestic violence. It may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening.

Resources:

1800 Respect

Men's Referral...

Since the days of gladiator battles and public hangings, dark tourism — our attraction to places linked to death and despair — has been a part of human behaviour.

But there's something in the 21st century that's causing debate… Selfies.

Digital media isn't all bad though. It's also creating opportunities for authentic storytelling.

Today, we examine what dark tourism is, if it's ethical, and when it is (and isn't) appropriate to snap a selfie.

If you're keen for another episode of All in the Mind, check out You've got the music in you. 

Do you wake up each morning refreshed and well-slept? Or are you the kind of person who tosses and turns for ages before falling asleep, ruminating on all of your missteps and stresses from the day?

If you chose option two, this episode is for you. Two sleep experts share advice on making night-time more restful — beyond the standard 'don't look at your phone before bed.' (Though that's important too).

This episode was first broadcast in March 2023.

Looking for something to listen to next? Check out our episode, Busting bias: what works an...

Long before Bieber fever and Swifties, there was Lisztomania.

Franz Liszt was a Hungarian composer who inspired such intense fandom and frenzy that it was dubbed mania.

So, was it true mania? What caused fans to respond to him so passionately? 

And what can Lisztomania reveal about the way we talk about female obsession?

If you're looking for something to listen to next, check out our episode; Hook me baby one more time: the psychology of pop music.

For 8 months, images and videos of the carnage in Gaza have been flooding social media. They give a powerful view of what's happening to Palestinians on the ground – but they also have the potential to cause vicarious trauma.

Today – what is vicarious trauma, and why doomscrolling doesn't help.

Trans non-binary performer Dax has spent most of her life not loving who she sees in the mirror. That is, until earlier this year.

A few months ago, Dax finally experienced a particular kind of joy — gender euphoria. And it's transformed the way she sees herself.

So what is gender euphoria? Why is it so powerful for trans and non-binary people? And why are researchers keen to flip the script and talk about trans joy?

If you're looking for something to listen to next, check out our episode Taking back control of your ti...

Patric Gagne is a sociopath, but she doesn’t fit the stereotype.

From a violent kid, to now a PhD and author - we track the unusual story of a sociopath who learned to be 'good'.

Plus, there's been some controversy and questions about the veracity of her PhD - so, we fact checked it.

Need something to listen to next? Check out our episode Why heartbreak hurts so bad.

Guest:Patric Gagne, Author, Sociopath: A Memoir.

Credits:

Madi's had 25 rental applications rejected. Seen absolute horror houses while searching for a rental. It's all driving her to despair.

Today, how housing insecurity can alter our sense of agency and how we perceive the world around us.

If you're looking for something to listen to next, check out our episode, Is life coaching legit?

Have you ever experienced the feeling of awe?

Maybe it was sparked by an awesome view, a moving artwork or witnessing the birth of a child.

Today we follow one person's attempt at finding awe when she's never felt it before.

What does awe do to us? What benefits can it offer?

If you'd like to listen to more of All in the Mind, check out our episode Does guilt have a silver lining?

So you've got a loved one who's fallen deep down the conspiracy rabbit hole. Are they destined to stay there forever?

Today, we hear from a former conspiracy theorist and a social psychologist on what fuels these beliefs, how likely people are to change their minds, and what you can (and can't) do to help.

Want to listen to more All in the Mind? Check out our episode, The Certainty Myth. 

Over the last couple of weeks, schizophrenia has been appearing in headlines across the country as details of the Bondi Junction attack unfold.

Coverage of mental health conditions, especially one as complex as schizophrenia, can be shrouded in stigma.

So today, we revisit our conversation with journalist Elfy Scott, sharing the one thing her family never spoke about - her mother's schizophrenia. 

This episode was first broadcast in April 2023. 

If you're looking for what to listen to next, check out our episode ADHD, TikTok, Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria — meet Matilda's brain

The AI revolution is coming. Your mind isn't ready for it.

Cognitive Neuroscientist Joel Pearson walks us through the many ways artificial intelligence is messing — and will mess — with our psychology.

From falling in love with AI to unforgettable deep fakes, we dive into an uncertain future and what you can do to prepare for it.

If you'd like to hear more from Joel, he featured on our episode about intuition called When to trust your gut instinct, and when to ignore it.

And if you want to hear more about artif...

Researchers knew Susannah better than her own parents.

They may have even known her better than herself.

Today, how spending thirty years in a psychological study warped journalist Susannah Breslin's life.

If you enjoyed this episode and want to check out another, take a listen to Trauma, OCD and a PhD. 

Whether it's shaking hands or which side of the road to drive on, social norms dominate the way we behave.

But when norms change suddenly, you get chaos.

Just ask Sweden.

If you'd like to hear more from today's expert, Matt featured in an episode in 2021 called Neuromarketing — how brands target your brain. Check it out!

Have you ever looked at your pet and thought, what is going on inside your brain?

Today, we're heading to the World Science Festival Brisbane for All in the Mind live to discuss animal consciousness.

If you enjoyed this episode and are keen to listen to another, check out How our brain chemicals drive our behaviour. 

This episode was recorded live at the World Science Festival Brisbane. 

Popular culture is endlessly fascinated with cults, and they have the capacity to make ordinary people do unthinkable things.

Today - how cults reel people in, how coercive control keeps them there and what it takes to get out.

This episode was first broadcast in October 2022. 

And if you enjoyed listening, you should check out our episode The History of Brainwashing.

That voice inside your head - where does it come from? 

We bring back a topic that was one of our most popular for a long awaited part two. Today, what shapes your internal chatter.

Our original episode on chatter is called Controlling the chatter in your head, if you liked this episode you'll love that one!