All In The Mind

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 time. 

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:

• Presenter/Producer: Sana Qadar
• Producer: Rose Kerr
• Sound engineers: Tegan Nicholls and Ann-Marie de Bettencor

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 artificial intelligence, check out the latest season of Science Friction, Hello AI Overlords.

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!