In this episode, Kristin and Laura are joined by Amy and Jen to unpack their latest books Myths of Sport Performance and Women Working in Sport.

From gender bias in coaching to the emotional toll of surviving male-dominated spaces, we explore:

• Why performance myths won’t die — and who profits when they stay alive • The gap between academia and social media “truths”

• What’s missing from mainstream conversations about equity in sport

• Pregnancy, performance, and invisible barriers

• Why women still leave sport — and what happens when we stay

It’s part myth-busting, part storytelling, and all truth. Because women working in sport are not new — we’ve just never been listened to.

Socials/Links: https://linktr.ee/butwhy.pod

Myths of Sport Performance: https://www.sequoia-books.com/catalog/sport/

It’s our holiday party and we’re breaking down the science (and the BS) of New Year’s resolutions — all while sipping wine, comparing tattoos, and trying not to set anything on fire.

In this festive-but-serious episode, Kristin and Laura explore:
• Why so many resolutions fall apart by February
• How to make goals that actually work for you
• The psychology behind outcome, process, and open goals
• What neurodivergence, shame, and survival mode have to do with “laziness”
• Why self-acceptance — not pressure — is the key to real change

It’s part party, part pep talk, part therapy. Settle in with your weirdest wine glass, grab a snack you love, and remember: you’re not lazy. You’re tired, human, and trying your best.

Socials: https://linktr.ee/butwhy.pod

In this follow-up to our general burnout episode, Kristin and Laura explore what burnout looks like through a neurodivergent lens — and why it so often goes unrecognised, misdiagnosed, or misunderstood.

Between chaotic mornings, ADHD hyperfocus, executive dysfunction, and autistic masking, we unpack:
• What autistic and ADHD burnout really feel like
• The difference between executive dysfunction and laziness
• Why burnout in neurodivergent people is often mistaken for depression or anxiety
• How gender roles, stigma, and social expectations shape late diagnoses
• What it means to rest, recover, and set boundaries that actually work

It’s part research, part lived experience, and all honesty — with a few chaotic tangents and candle mishaps along the way. You’re not broken. You’re burnt out. And you’re not alone.

Socials: https://linktr.ee/butwhy.pod

We were going to do something light and fun. But then… we remembered we’re burnt out.

In this episode, Kristin and Laura explore the complex emotional, physical, and political layers of burnout — not just as a personal feeling, but as a symptom of the systems we live in. Between rainbow sightings, chaotic dog farts, and some very real science, we unpack:
• What burnout really is (and why most people don’t know)
• How capitalism, patriarchy, and perfectionism fuel exhaustion
• Why women experience burnout more — and feel guiltier for it
• The toxic myth of "time management" as a fix-all
• What rest actually looks like across different neurotypes

This is not a productivity episode. It’s a psychological deep-dive into why we’re all so tired, and what it might take to step off the treadmill — even just a little.

 Socials: https://linktr.ee/butwhy.pod

Why do we blame ourselves for things that aren’t really our fault?

In this deeply human (and deeply caffeinated) episode, Kristin and Laura explore the socioecological model — a powerful psychological framework that explains how our personal struggles are shaped by the people, places, and politics around us. With stories about concussion panic, dog therapy, sport sexism, and burnout, we unpack:
• Why self-blame misses the point
• How your workplace, relationships, and culture interact
• The difference between purpose and meaning (and why that matters)
• How stereotypes and policies trickle down into everyday life
• Why women get asked to make the tea — and what that really says

This episode is part psych theory, part personal spiral, part feminist reframe. If you’ve ever felt broken, too sensitive, or just exhausted by “doing it all,” this one’s for you. Because maybe it’s not you. Maybe it’s the system.

Socials: https://linktr.ee/butwhy.pod

Is it anxiety? Is it burnout? Or are you just human in a broken world?

In this vulnerable and wide-ranging episode, Kristin and Laura dive deep into what mental health really means — and why it’s often confused with mental illness. Through personal stories, psychology frameworks, and way too many Twilight references, they unpack:
• The difference between mental health, mental illness & compromised wellbeing
• Why mindfulness isn’t always the answer
• What self-compassion and small wins actually look like in practice
• How societal distrust and disconnection are shaping burnout
• The mental toll of misogyny, political fear, and online violence

This episode blends theory with lived experience — and it’s as much about surviving as it is about resisting. Because it turns out being "okay" isn’t the point. Being real might be.

Socials: https://linktr.ee/butwhy.pod

From silent meetings to shouty comment sections, what makes some spaces feel safe — and others, like you can’t speak at all?

In this episode, Kristin and Laura unpack the concept of psychological safety — not just as a corporate buzzword, but as a critical piece of being human. Rooted in decades of research and personal experience, they explore:
• What psychological safety really means (and what it doesn’t)
• Why diversity without inclusion isn’t progress
• How gender, power, and performance culture shape who gets heard
• The paradox of tolerance — and who really feels safe in a “free speech” world
• What it takes to show up fully, speak up meaningfully, and still feel like you belong

From elite sport to research teams, yoga classes to online spaces, this episode is a call to create environments that don’t just demand authenticity — but make it safe to live it.

Socials: https://linktr.ee/butwhy.pod

In Part 2 of our Halloween series, we move from broomsticks to boardrooms — exploring how the witch trials never truly ended. Kristin and Laura dive into how the image of the witch morphed into modern misogyny, media tropes, and political smear campaigns.

From Sabrina the Teenage Witch to Hillary Clinton, we unpack:

• How "witch" became a slur for powerful women

• Why women still fear being seen

• The cultural obsession with female purity, professionalism, and performance

• How capitalism co-opted the witch for wellness trends

• Personal stories of unmasking, self-censorship, and “too much-ness”

It’s a call to embrace your inner chaos, reject the rulebook, and ask: what if they were scared of us… for good reason? 

Socials: https://linktr.ee/butwhy.pod

TW: This episode contains mentions/discussions around difficult topics such as death, sexual assault, and assault more broadly.

Why were witches really hunted — and why does it still matter today? In this Halloween special of But Why: Real talk on messy minds and messier systems, psychologists Kristin and Laura explore the history of witch trials through a feminist and socio-political lens.

From medieval alewives to modern workplace misogyny, this episode digs into how “witch” became code for “woman who won’t comply.” You'll hear about:

• The real economic and political motives behind witch hunts

• Why women were demonized for healing, brewing beer, or living alone

• How modern media and politics still weaponize “witch” as a slur against powerful women

• Their personal reflections on authenticity, unmasking, and fear of being perceived

A mix of history, humour, trauma, and feminist rage — this one’s not just about witches. It’s about us.

TW: This episode discusses potentially distressing topics such as sexism and related topics (e.g., harassment or assault)

Why does sexism still feel so damn relentless in 2024? In this episode of But Why: Real talk on messy minds and messier systems, psychologists Kristin and Laura unpack ambivalent sexism — the sneaky blend of benevolent and hostile sexism that keeps gender roles tightly in place. With vulnerability, rage, humour, and research, they explore how we internalize misogyny, the emotional labour of calling it out, and why being “too much” is still punishable.

They also take a personal deep dive: when should you challenge sexism, and when is it safer to stay quiet? Whether you’re new to feminist thought or just need someone to validate your rage, this one’s for you.