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. 

This episode was first broadcast in March 2024.

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 Perspective

See the Yamaha Silent Violin

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 Geiss takes you inside their mind — for a first-hand perspective of what it's like to move through public spaces as someone with sound sensitivities. 

We'll hear about how these sensitivities manifest in the brain — strategies for managing them — and building public spaces that are accessible for everyone.

If you're looking for something to listen to next, why not check out our episode, How the drive to be perfect is linked to eating disorders.

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 understand mental health conditions.

Looking for something to listen to next? Check out our episode about parasocial relationships: Moog became a Youtube megastar — and it messed with his mental health.

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 The puzzle of the silent mind.

Special thanks to Auckland University Student Chamber Orchestra, for allowing use of their recording of Beethoven's 5th symphony.