All In The Mind

Nine big myths about depression — busted

03 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Now that we're more comfortable talking about mental health, it's time to address some misconceptions.Is depression REALLY a chemical imbalance in th...

Think like a winner: performance psychology and lessons for everyday life

27 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Babies turn us into non-stop singing machines. Why?

20 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The diagnosis that inspired an album

13 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

ARIA-nominated musician Parvyn knows what it's like to lose touch with reality.Delusions, mania, psychosis — she's experienced it all, often while ...

How The Man Cave talks to teens about toxic masculinity

06 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

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 e...

A dad's attempt to understand toxic masculinity

30 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 un...

Gossip is fun! Gossip is bad! Gossip is… Good?

23 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 secre...

Only as good as your grades – why 'toxic achievement culture' can crush kids

16 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Hot and bothered

09 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 t...

The 5 things kids ask when they're grieving

02 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 the drive to be perfect is linked to eating disorders

25 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Aiming for perfect sounds like a good thing, right?But when perfectionism grows into hurtful self-criticism and unrelenting standards, it can be dama...

Mental illness ran in Meg's family. Suicide forced them to talk about it.

18 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 he...

Is life coaching legit?

11 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Social media abounds with mindset mentors, spiritual healers, influencers and more — many of who offer life coaching.Does anyone know what they're ...

The decades long feud of mind vs brain in AI

04 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 Sci...

ADHD, TikTok, Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria — meet Matilda's brain

28 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The confusion around concussions

21 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 h...

What psychosis feels like: The Tree of Ecstasy and Unbearable Sadness

14 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Artist Matt Ottley has been experiencing hallucinations since he was a child. Today, Matt takes us on a journey to understand what psychosis can fe...

A kid can't be diagnosed as a psychopath. Why?

07 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 un...

Seeing red — anger and aggression

30 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 aggre...

Introversion vs Extroversion Part II: Genes, gender and leadership

23 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Introversion vs Extroversion

16 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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.T...

Its not just mums that get perinatal depression and anxiety

09 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 th...

Nature prescriptions — just what the doctor ordered

02 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Is Stockholm Syndrome a sexist myth?

27 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 explo...

Hacking humans: social engineering and the power of influence

19 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Why do we sing to babies?

12 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The psychology of fashion — it's more than just clothes

05 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 e...

Murder, trauma and a different kind of grief — what true crime pods often overlook

29 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Toxic positivity — when happiness becomes harmful

22 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

Visualisation and values — goal setting like a winner

15 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

A winning mindset — how top athletes think

08 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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.

Can you smell yourself happy?

01 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Demystifying menopause

24 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 ma...

Danger and thrills: inside the mind of a high sensation seeker

17 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sky diving. Racing cars. Abseiling. Jumping into an ice bath.Depending on who you are, those activities either delight or horrify you.High sensation ...

The pleasure of pain

10 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Spicy food, scary movies, BDSM … why do humans sometimes chase painful experiences and how are they linked to pleasure?This episode was first broad...

'Like a bereavement every month' — the extreme emotions of PMDD

03 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Laura would spend weeks feeling normal — even happy. But like clockwork, every month, suddenly she would feel intense depression, making her unreco...

Hook me baby one more time: the psychology of pop music

27 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 probab...

What's been on Lynne Malcolm's mind (since leaving All in the Mind)

20 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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, appropri...

Whispers, taps and tingles — what is ASMR?

13 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was first broadcast in September 2021.Have you heard of ASMR?Whispery, clicky, crinkly videos are massive on YouTube - racking up milli...

What's the deal with EMDR?

06 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode deals with descriptions of abuse. Please take care while listening.Michael Baldwin cycled through seven therapists over 22 years. No one...

The human drive to connect – and divide

29 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 u...

Fantasy and make believe — how our brains interpret fiction

23 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A magical kingdom with ogres and fairies. A post-apocalyptic world ruled by machines. An underwater monster that resembles a dragon.These fictional w...

The one thing we've never spoken about

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist Elfy Scott grew up in a loving and tight knit family, but there was one topic they never spoke about, for a long time: her mother's schizo...

Does self-help ... help? The problem with pop psychology

08 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was first broadcast in June 2021. Have you ever tried a self-help book? Did it… well, help?On All in the Mind this week, why self-hel...

Scam psychology – how scammers get in our heads (and wallets)

01 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A lot of us would like to think we could spot a scam a mile away. Spelling errors, suspicious email addresses and requests for money… all tip offs ...

The battle for better sleep

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 o...

Cognitive dissonance and mental gymnastics

18 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Doing something that goes against your beliefs feels pretty bad, right? But what if those beliefs are stopping you from doing something good for you?...

A musician processes her bipolar diagnosis

11 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

ARIA-nominated musician Parvyn knows what it's like to lose touch with reality.Delusions, mania, psychosis — she's experienced it all, often while ...

Controlling the chatter in your head

04 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was first broadcast in February 2022. Most of us have an inner voice – it reminds you to pick up milk on your way home, helps problem...

Teen boys, modern masculinity and The Man Cave

25 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 e...

Why talking about toxic masculinity is getting trickier

19 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 un...

Your body, your brain, your self

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From phantom limbs to Alice in Wonderland syndrome — why does the brain sometimes mess up its awareness and understanding of the body it belongs t...

The Paradoxes of Gossip

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

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 secre...

The History of Brainwashing

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Where do you draw the line between brainwashing… and influence?Thought control… and mere suggestion?From the Korean War, to The Beatles, to curre...

The Art of Negotiation: mind games and emotional intelligence

22 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was first broadcast in September 2022. You might not think of yourself as a negotiator but big or small we all negotiate daily.Getting ...

'Refrigerator mothers' and the history of autism

15 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was first broadcast in May 2022. On All in the Mind this week, the early history of autism.With historian of science Professor Marga Vi...

Humour me: why we laugh and what counts as funny

08 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was first broadcast in March 2022. Why do we laugh, and what makes something funny? A psychologist, a neuroscientist and satirist Mark ...

The vicious cycle of alcohol and anxiety

01 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Over summer, we're sharing some of our favourite episodes of the year. This one was first broadcast in April 2022. Anxiety and alcohol misuse are a ...

What happens when our minds wander?

25 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This summer, we're sharing some of our favourite episodes of the year. This episode was first broadcast in April. What are the constructive things o...

A kid can't be diagnosed as a psychopath. Why?

16 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As a toddler, Nicole's son was extremely aggressive.As he got older, his behaviour worsened.In our final episode of the year, we examine 'callous une...

The toxic effects of rudeness

09 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode was first broadcast in November 2021. Are your colleagues rude?Do people regularly ignore each other or dismiss opinions in meetings? E...

#TraumaTok: How trauma took over the internet

02 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you open any social media app, you're likely to eventually come across videos of people discussing trauma. The hashtag TraumaTok has billions of ...

Treating IBS with... Hypnotherapy?

25 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When you get nervous, can you feel it in your stomach? The gut-brain connection is something many of us have experienced but probably not given much...

The Certainty Myth

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If the only certainty is uncertainty, how do we manage our anxieties about the unknown?Today we explore why the mind struggles with uncertainty and w...

Trauma, OCD and a PhD

12 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Before she was Dr Alix Woolard, Alix was a teenager grappling with a traumatic event in her family.It would affect her mental health dramatically, le...

The dark side of fame and what it does to the brain

05 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever thought, I wonder what it's like being famous?Maybe it's something you've always dreamed of, or maybe it's your worst nightmare.Being f...

Milgram Shock and Stanford Prison — what we misunderstand about the most infamous experiments in psychology

29 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What makes people do evil things?Psychologist Stanley Milgram wanted to understand if people could be led to do awful things, just by being told to d...

Childhood attachment, animal rights and the 'pit of despair': Harry Harlow's unethical experiments

22 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Why being a beginner is good for you

15 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learning chess with his young daughter kickstarted a life-long journey of learning for Tom Vanderbilt. Here's what he discovered about being an adul...

Unethical experiments: the Monster Study

08 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With relatively benign intentions, Wendell Johnson devised an experiment that would go on to be dubbed the Monster Study, inflicting terrible harm on...

The psychological tricks that make cults so dangerous

02 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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

Language and loss

24 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What goes on in the multilingual mind? And what does it mean to 'lose' your language?

The Art of Negotiation: mind games and emotional intelligence

17 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You might not think of yourself as a negotiator but big or small we all negotiate daily and getting better at it could make your life easier.

Pleasure, pain, dopamine and the brain

10 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Addiction has long been a problem for humans, but smart phones and the internet have changed the game. So how can we find balance in a dopamine overl...

Busting bias: what works and what doesn't

03 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You've probably heard of unconscious bias but how are they formed and what can we do to stop the damage they can cause?

Introversion vs Extroversion Part II: Genes, gender and leadership

28 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What does neuroscience and psychology tell us about how these traits are developed?

Introversion vs Extroversion

20 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Are you outgoing or shy? there are pros and cons of each but is it possible to switch sides?

Can we 'unlearn' chronic pain?

13 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Few sensations are as primal, as fundamental to our very survival, as pain.But for a fifth of Australian adults, that useful protective mechanism lin...

The making of a magnificent memory

06 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anastasia Woolmer explains the techniques memory athletes use, and how you can apply them to everyday life.

Misadventures in multitasking

30 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How many times in a day are you doing just one thing?Or is it more common that you’re multitasking – maybe texting and walking? Reading while lis...

Neuromarketing — how brands target your brain

23 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Would you be able to tell the difference between a bargain bin red and a top drop? Or how about what separates a duck paté … from one made of...

The 'hidden histories' of autistic adults

16 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Over the past two decades, our cultural understanding of autism and what it means to be autistic has grown - though we have a long way to go. But the...

Taking back control of your time

09 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Our brains are easily distracted or overwhelmed. And that can make getting stuff done harder than it needs to be.This week, we look at methods and st...

Not broken, just wired differently: ADHD in adulthood

02 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine getting a diagnosis in adulthood that suddenly made so much of your life make sense.It explains why you’ve always had trouble being on time...

The secret life of secrets

25 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Slepian researches the psychology of secrets.But what he didn't know — until about a decade ago — was that his family had a major secret ...

Does guilt have a silver lining?

18 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Guilt and shame are often used interchangeably, but researchers in emotion and psychology say they are distinct – and often motivate people into ve...

How we make up our minds: Sydney Writers' Festival

11 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In the uncertain times we live in, how exactly are we meant to make up our minds?How do we weigh up pros, cons and risk factors, and how do stress an...

You've got the music in you

04 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Music is central to the human experience. We celebrate with it, commiserate through it - often some of our strongest memories are tied to it.On All ...

'Refrigerator mothers' and the history of autism

28 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

On All in the Mind this week, the early history of autism.With historian of science Professor Marga Vicedo we learn about the blame that was cast on ...

Can you change your personality?

21 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wanted to change your personality?Many people do - studies find we're keen to become more extroverted, more agreeable and more conscien...

Natural disasters: how floods and fires shape the psyche

14 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Two disasters, two years apart - the ongoing mental health impact on survivors and what the research can tell us about the different ways people resp...

The psychology of charitable giving

07 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The quirks of psychology that influence when we give to charity … and when we don't.

'I'm going to cook my baby'

30 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dolls can tell us a lot about how kids see the world – especially when it comes to race.One American researcher spent months watching pre-schoolers...

The vicious cycle of alcohol and anxiety

23 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Anxiety and alcohol misuse are a common pairing. How do the two egg each other on and what can be done to halt the cycle?Plus, the personality traits...

Grief and the pandemic

16 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Grief is deeply painful but it's something the majority of us …eventually … find ways to live with.But research is starting to emerge on how the ...

Co-morbidity: why one mental illness can lead to more

09 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

About one in five Australians experience a mental illness in any given year. But what about when mental health issues occur ... together?On All in th...

What happens when our minds wander?

02 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What are the constructive things our minds do when they wander?And when does mindwandering cross over … into not-so-constructive territory?

Why heartbreak hurts so bad

26 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re lucky enough to have fallen in love at some point in your life, you’ve  probably also had your heart broken.The experience can be excr...

Hacking humans: social engineering and the power of influence

20 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Hadnagy’s job involves breaking into banks. But he’s not after money, gold or jewels. He’s searching for weaknesses – in systems, in ...

Humour me: why we laugh and what counts as funny

12 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Why do we laugh, and what makes something funny? A psychologist, a neuroscientist and satirist Mark Humphries weigh in on humour and the brain.