All In The Mind

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!

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 athlete's mindset. Part one is called A winning mindset ? how top athletes think.  

If you have a topic idea for All in the Mind, reach out to us via email at [email protected] 

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.

If you liked this episode, you might like one of our past episodes about the isolation we all experienced during the pandemic. It's called The brain in isolation. 

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

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

In this episode we touch on a previous story, Introversion vs Extroversion. If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love that one too. 

Parasocial relationships can be intense ? and we all have them to some degree. Whether you're a Swiftie, a fan of the Matildas or just watch the local news every night.

But what its like to be on the receiving end of millions of parasocial relationships?

For Blair Joscelyne AKA Moog, one half of Mighty Car Mods, it took some unexpected steps to cope.

If you're interested in what it's like to be famous, you'll love our episode The dark side of fame and what it does to the brain.

We all have moments in our lives when we feel an unconscious pull towards a certain decision.

Should you walk down that dark alley? Does that person seem a bit off? Why is that giving me the heebie-jeebies?

For Isla Lucas, a gut feeling while on holiday saved her life? Or did it?

We take a look at the science and fantasy of intuition.

If you liked this episode, you'll love our episode on The Pleasure Of Pain

Now that we're more comfortable talking about mental health, it's time to address some misconceptions.

Is depression REALLY a chemical imbalance in the brain? What's the difference between being depressed and distressed? And are psychedelics the solution we've been waiting for?

Today, Professor Ian Hickie breaks it all down and reveals the biggest myths about depression.

What does it take to go from second place, to first? Good, to great?

This episode was first broadcast in July 2023. It's part one of our two parter on performance psychology. Part two is called Visualisation and values ? goal setting like a winner.

A founding member of the band Gang of Youths. A single mum from Adelaide. A dad of two in Brisbane. What do all these people have in common?

They all have young kids, and they all sing to them constantly!

This week we ask: why do babies turn us into non-stop singing machines? Where does this instinct come from and what purpose does it serve?

This episode was first broadcast in August 2023.

ARIA-nominated musician Parvyn knows what it's like to lose touch with reality.

Delusions, mania, psychosis ? she's experienced it all, often while on tour.

Despite processing these experiences on her debut solo album 'Sa', she's never spoken publicly about her mental health ? until now.

This episode was first broadcast in March 2023.

As a teen, Hunter Johnson wanted to be the best at sport, the best at getting girls, and the best at getting attention. But one moment would change everything for him ? forcing him to rethink his ideas about masculinity. Now, he's paying it forward.

Last week, we explored why toxic masculinity is tricky to talk about. Today, we hear from someone having that conversation daily ? shifting the focus from toxic behaviours and beliefs ? to emotional intelligence.

This episode was first broadcast in February 2023.

Do you get defensive when you hear the term toxic masculinity?

You wouldn't be the only one, if so.

In this episode, we follow one dad's attempts to understand where internet algorithms are sending his son? and ask, how do we deal with toxic masculinity, when the very term has become contested?

This episode was first broadcast in February 2023.

Sex, scandal, money and misdeeds. All elements of good gossip.

So why do we love the gossip, but not the gossiper?

And why are we invested in the secrets of celebrities, even though they're strangers?

This episode was first broadcast in February 2023.

The best grades, the best schools, the best sports programs, the best universities ? sure, it's great for students to strive for success. But when does the pressure to succeed become too much?

American journalist Jennifer Wallace says 'toxic achievement culture' is harming the mental health of many students.

Is this a uniquely American phenomenon?

We all tend to get a bit cranky when the weather turns super hot, but did you know heatwaves can worsen certain mental health conditions?

We explore the troubling ways heat can affects our mental health and behaviour.

Just a heads up, this episode touches on the topic of suicide. Please take care.

Talking about death and grief is hard for anyone, let alone children.

But children do experience grief and often have questions they want to ask.

Today, how to talk to kids about death, loss and grief. 

Aiming for perfect sounds like a good thing, right?

But when perfectionism grows into hurtful self-criticism and unrelenting standards, it can be damaging for your mental health. 

And it turns out, perfectionism is linked to an already complex group of mental illnesses.

Today, the role perfectionism plays in eating disorders.

Please take care while listening if this topic is sensitive for you. And if you would like support, the Butterfly Foundation has a national support helpline for body image issues or eating disorders. You can reach them on 1800 33 4673 or head to their website. 

Pulitzer prize finalist Meg Kissinger grew up in the 1960's and 70's, steeped in feelings of shame and guilt about the mental illness that plagued her family.

Now a journalist covering mental health, she's made it her mission to share stories of lost loved ones and the systems that failed them.

This episode explores the topic of suicide. Please take care while listening and don't hesitate to reach out for support if you need it. You can reach Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Social media abounds with mindset mentors, spiritual healers, influencers and more ? many of who offer life coaching.

Does anyone know what they're talking about?

To imagine the future of artificial intelligence, it's important to reflect on some of the big moments in it's past.

This week, James Purtill from Science Friction brings us a story of competition, surprise and thinking machines.

This is the only time you'll hear Science Friction in the All in the Mind feed. To hear the full six-part series on AI, Hello AI Overlords, search for Science Friction in your podcast feed.

TikTok is a mixed bag when it comes to mental health content. Great at raising awareness and building community, but not always accurate or evidence based.

Journalist Matilda Boseley sees both sides ? but she says TikTok was the push she needed to seek out a formal diagnosis.

Concussions are hard to diagnose, often get missed, and not always 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.

Artist Matt Ottley has been experiencing hallucinations since he was a child. 

Today, Matt takes us on a journey to understand what psychosis can feel like, through storytelling and musical composition. 

As a toddler, Nicole's son was extremely aggressive.

As he got older, his behaviour worsened.

In this episode from our archives, we examine 'callous unemotional traits' ? the early warning signs of psychopathy that emerge in childhood.

This episode was first broadcast in December 2022. 

What happens when we let our most destructive emotion dominate?

On All in the Mind this week, we explore why we get angry, how you might control aggression and whether it can ever be ... useful.

This episode was first broadcast in February 2022. 

In part two of our look at introversion and extroversion, we dive into the science and psychology of personality.

How do we develop these traits? How much are our genes responsible? 

The way brains of introverts and extroverts differ will probably surprise you.

This episode was first broadcast in August 2022. 

Jessica Pan was a life-long shy introvert and for the most part she was happy with this aspect of her personality ? until the loneliness crept it.

This week on All in the Mind, the first of two episodes exploring introversion and extroversion.

The benefits and downsides of each, how these traits impact our mental health and whether we change, if we want to.

This episode was first broadcast in August 2022.

1 in 10 dads experience perinatal depression and anxiety, and more seem to be willing to reach out for help.

Chris Jephcott wishes he'd been one of them.

If this episode raises any issues for you, you can reach out to:

Lifeline13 11 14

Beyond Blue1300 22 4636

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia)1300 726 306

Nature is good for our wellbeing. But how much green space does a community need, before you can see a wellbeing boost?

And how do we encourage people to spend more time outdoors?

A bank heist, a hostage drama and a dubious diagnosis.

It's 50 years since the robbery that inspired the term 'Stockholm Syndrome', and today we explore the origins of the proposed condition  - and probe the many problems with that label. 

Chris Hadnagy?s job involves breaking into break into banks. But he?s not after money, gold or jewels. He?s searching for weaknesses ? in systems, in security, and in people. 

And he doesn?t use weapons or threats of violence to get past guards and into vaults. He uses a smile - and a few tricks from his toolbox of psychology and social engineering techniques.

Chris is the founder and CEO of Social Engineer LLC and lectures about social engineering around the globe.

On All in the Mind this week, the psychology of influence and what makes some people more vulnerable to being ?hacked? than others. 

This episode was first broadcast in August 2021. 

A founding member of the band Gang of Youths. A single mum from Adelaide. A dad of two in Brisbane. What do all these people have in common?

They all have young kids, and they all sing to them constantly!

As part of our exploration of sound and noise for Science Week, we ask: why do babies turn us into non-stop singing machines? Where does this instinct come from and what purpose does it serve?

For more Science Week stories, head to abc.net.au/science

Fashion can embody a lot: status, identity, belonging...

A great outfit makes us feel confident, but the fashion industry can be harmful to our self esteem. 

So what does fashion say about us? And why as humans do we even care about clothes?

For years, psychologist Patricia Harney avoided true crime podcasts and docos. 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.

We're urged to stay positive and keep up a cheerful disposition ... but sometimes things are just awful, aren?t they?

On All in the Mind this week we look at why we engage in toxic positivity, why it's so damaging when we do and whether something called 'tragic optimism' could be the antidote.

This episode was first broadcast in February 2022. 

In your mind's eye, can you see yourself achieving your dream goal? Can you imagine what it would feel like? Who you'd be talking to when you achieve it?

Turns out the more you can imagine, the better your shot at achieving you goal.

But that's not the whole story?

This is part two of our two-parter on performance psychology.

What does it take to go from second place, to first? Good, to great?

This is part one of our two parter on performance psychology.

What's your favourite smell? And why is it your favourite?

Maybe it reminds you of a special moment, a particular place or a loved one.

But can you use these scents to make yourself? Happier? And what happens if we lose our sense of smell altogether?

Whether you're 19 and never given it a thought, or 40 and starting to wonder, menopause is an unavoidable part of life for half the population.

But many of us are shaky on the details of what to expect ? apart from hot flashes/flushes, maybe.

Former model Ali Daddo was one of those people: totally unprepared, and caught off guard when it hit. She's on a mission to make sure other women are more informed ? and therefrom more empowered ? than she was.

Just a heads up, this episode touches on mental health struggles and suicide. Please take care while listening.

Sky diving. Racing cars. Abseiling. Jumping into an ice bath.

Depending on who you are, those activities either delight or horrify you.High sensation seekers love the thrill, and that leads some to extreme sports, others to crime.

Marley Duncan can tell you first hand: option one is way better.

Just a note, this episode contains strong language and swear words.

Spicy food, scary movies, BDSM ? why do humans sometimes chase painful experiences and how are they linked to pleasure?

This episode was first broadcast in March 2022.

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. 

What's the most catchy song you can think of? Is there a moment that makes you suddenly pay attention, mesmerised by the melody or beat?

You're probably reflecting on a song's hook.

But why do hooks capture our minds and memories?

A music psychologist and musicologist share their thoughts on the power of hooks.

In this episode you'll hear Tim and Jadey cover pop songs which Sana credits at the end of the episode. To see the written credits, head to our website. 

Lynne Malcolm is used to being in the host's seat, but today, the tables are turned. She's back on All in the Mind to discuss her new book, appropriately titled All in the Mind. So what did she learn through 9 years of interviews? How did the show help her process her own mental health?

Lynne reflects on her expansive career at the ABC and the personal connections she made along the way.

This episode was first broadcast in September 2021.

Have you heard of ASMR?

Whispery, clicky, crinkly videos are massive on YouTube - racking up millions of views.

The idea is that these sounds elicit a certain tingly, calming sensation in some people.

So what is ASMR and what does the science tell us about it?

Is it real ? or pseudoscience? And why do some people get the opposite reaction ? irritation rather than these pleasant tingles?

This episode deals with descriptions of abuse. Please take care while listening.

Michael Baldwin cycled through seven therapists over 22 years. No one could help him overcome the trauma of his childhood ? until he tried EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy).

But why would eye movements help a person process their trauma? It sounds fantastical. Is it?

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.

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