PsychTalks
Episodes
Hidden biases in humans and machines: Can we really be fair?
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We like to think we’re fair. But what if our minds and our machines don’t always agree? In this special bonus episode of PsychTalks, hosts...
Do we ever stop being curious?
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We said the season was over – but when the chance to sit down with Professor Alison Gopnik comes along, you make an exception. In this bonus epi...
Shelf deception: How does marketing on packaged foods influence us?
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are we really making healthy choices for our children in the supermarket? Or are we being nudged by bright colours, on-pack claims and fruit-filled im...
Why is misinformation so powerful?
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Misinformation and disinformation now pose some of the biggest global risks to democracy and public trust. Associate Professor Piers Howe explains how...
How does power and influence shape our lives?
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Want tips on how to use power and influence more effectively - whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team, or asking your preschooler to br...
Can self-compassion help us better navigate menopause?
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What are the mental health impacts of menopause and how are they connected with our ideas about ageing? Dr Lydia Brown shares insights from her resear...
How does language shape the way we think?
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do the names of colours, kinship terms and legal jargon tell us about the human mind? Dr Frank Mollica explores language as a cognitive tool &nda...
Are some people just nicer?
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do some people seem naturally kind or generous? Professor Luke Smillie breaks down personality traits like empathy, honesty and compassion –...
Can social media bans protect young minds?
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Will the Australian government really lock under-16s out of TikTok? Associate Professor Scott Griffiths returns to PsychTalks to unpack Australia&rsqu...
How does Ozempic affect the brain in binge eating disorder?
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Could Ozempic do more than help with weight loss? Dr Trevor Steward is uncovering the science behind what’s happening in the brain when people t...
Why do we keep secrets?
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Unlock the psychological reasons behind why we hold onto secrets. Associate Professor Katie Greenaway and Valentina Bianchi explore the emotional cost...
Can bots improve our mental health?
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Discover how the AI revolution is entering the world of psychology and clinical practice. Professor Simon Dennis shares his quest to craft AI-driven t...
Could cognitive neuroscience influence how we teach and learn?
10 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do 'brain-training' apps or mindfulness exercises really boost our capacity to learn? Professor Iroise Dumontheil shares her research into why we diff...
Sleep and pain: What’s keeping you up at night?
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Managing pain can be part of life for many of us. Professor Amy Jordan and Associate Professor Natalia Brumley unlock the intriguing relationship betw...
Can we improve PTSD treatments?
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
PTSD is the second most common mental health disorder. Current treatments work for about half of those affected, but are there better options? Profess...
Are household inequities ruining your sex life?
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Studies show there is still a significant gender imbalance in taking on domestic chores and managing a home in most heterosexual relationships. But ca...
How do teenage brains work?
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Explore the fascinating world of adolescent brain development and inhibition with Dr Sarah Tashjian. Find out how different parts of the brain mature ...
What do athletes need for good mental health?
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Excitement is building for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games – but how do its elite competitors cope with the stress of performing with the eyes of th...
What can we do about vaping?
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
E-cigarette use, or vaping, has quickly become a regular habit for many teenagers in Australia and around the world. Associate Professor Michelle Jong...
Is screen time bad for kids?
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve all heard the old saying that watching too much TV rots your brain. How much truth is there to this – especially when it comes to kids payin...
Do trigger warnings work?
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today, trigger or content warnings pop up in much of the media we consume, and have spread to universities and classrooms. But are these warnings actu...
Is TikTok toxic for our body image?
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We've heard that social media can warp perceptions about our bodies, dieting and appearance. So what happens when TikTok invents a new type of algorit...
Bonus episode: mindfulness and meditation
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
User Experience Researcher and Certified Meditation Teacher Nerida Lennon shares the full version of her loving kindness style meditation exercise. As...
Mindfulness and meditation: the search for authenticity
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mindfulness and meditation are ancient practices that can now be accessed via your smart phone. Mindfulness is everywhere: there’s mindful learning,...
Can big data unlock human psychology?
12 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today, big data is exploited by corporations and misused by hackers, usually to make money. And we're practically inundated with instances of online p...
How scary ads can change our behaviour
29 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Government and advocacy groups want us all to make healthier and safer choices. Yet, changing undesirable behaviour is notoriously challenging. Why th...
Bonus episode: scary ads
29 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We've discovered what makes a good fear appeal ad, but what about the ones that miss the mark? Hear our expert Associate Professor Cassie Hayward's ta...
Why do we fall for misinformation?
15 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Misinformation is being weaponised in the media and politics, and many fall down the conspiracy theory spiral. In what ways do our brains predispose u...