Why are we so drawn to stories about transformation? About leaving the ordinary world, facing a crisis, and returning changed?

From King Lear to The Lion King, from Harry Potter to The Hunger Games, the same plot shape appears again and again: a lone hero sets off on a journey, struggles, grows, and triumphs.

This structure — famously named The Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell — has come to dominate the way we tell stories. But why? Why this structure? And what does its popularity say about us, psychologically?

In this episode, I’m joined by writer and radio producer Eliane Glaser, whose Aeon article “Our Narrative Prison” unpacks the history, psychology, and cultural consequences of the Hero’s Journey.

Together, we’ll explore how the monomyth taps into deep behavioural drivers — and whether it’s time to rethink the stories we live by.

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You'll find Eliane's article here: https://aeon.co/essays/why-does-every-film-and-tv-series-seem-to-have-the-same-plot

You can find out more about Eliane and her books here: https://www.elianeglaser.com/

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You can watch the video of this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingsPsychology

I chat with Dr Paul Sacher about the state of AI within the behavioural sciences. Should we be scared how AI will be used or excited about the opportunities it opens for research and the application of psychology?

Paul is an AI and Behavioural scientist, CEO of Sacher.ai, and a senior lecturer in AI and behavioural science in the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London.

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You can watch the video of this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingsPsychology

Do habits really take 66 days to form? Should you rely on willpower? How does a psychologist approach overcoming their own bad habits and starting good ones?

Professor Ben Gardner leads us through the intricate world of habits, exploring their definitions, the distinction between habits and routines, and the psychological mechanisms behind habitual behaviour. 

Professor Gardner shares insights from his extensive research, highlighting the importance of instigation habits that trigger actions and the role of willpower in habit formation and the need for a nuanced understanding of habits to effectively implement behaviour change in daily life. 

Find out more about Ben's work at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/benjamin-gardner

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You can watch the video of this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingsPsychology

This episode dives into the complexities of cat behaviour.

Dr Claude Béata, animal behaviouralist and author of The Interpretation of Cats, emphasises cats dual role as both predator and prey and how this distinction can help us understand these most wonderful creatures. 

Our discussion also covers the importance of experience in shaping behaviour, the nuances of attachment and over-attachment, and therapeutic approaches that prioritise positive reinforcement. Additionally, the conversation highlights the various aspects of cat behaviour, including litter box preferences, the debate between indoor and outdoor living, the fascination with cardboard boxes, the impact of breeding practices, and the challenges of adopting rescue cats.

Go order a copy of Dr Béata's book, The Interpretation of Cats and Their Owners. It's a fascinating, enjoyable, and enlightening book for all cat lovers. 😻

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You can watch the video of this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingsPsychology

What is vulnerability and how does it affect people differently? How should consumer organisations, such as banks be catering for people with characteristics of vulnerability?

I chat with Dr Chris Fitch from the Money Advice Trust about the impact of being vulnerable and some of the innovative ways organisations are changing to be inclusive and accessible.

Find out more about the Money Advice Trust here

Listen to Chris's podcast ‘Vulnerability Matters’ on Soundcloud or search for Vulnerability Matters wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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You can watch the video of this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingsPsychology

I'm joined by Dr Lori Beth Bisbey, a psychologist, a sex & intimacy coach, host of the A to Z of Sex podcast and star of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment on Channel 4. 

We talk about the psychology behind people's sexual kinks and fetishes, if engaging in kinky behaviour is healthy for relationships, and if such behaviour should be seen as ‘normal’.

You can find out more about Lori Beth at her website www.drloribethbisbey.com

You can listen to the A to Z of Sex podcast here

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You can watch the video of this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingsPsychology

Professor Ian Walker, Professor of Psychology and Head of the School of Psychology at Swansea University, talks to me about the psychology of cycling. We also discuss how you can change people's transport behaviour, what it means to be a ‘mindful traveller’, and if it's actually safer not to wear a helmet when cycling.

Find out more about Professor Walker's work at www.drianwalker.com

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You can watch the video of this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingsPsychology

I chat with renowned psychologist Professor Robert Epstein about how search engines are modern Skinner boxes, manipulating our choices and even our beliefs. Hear about how his research over the last 12 years shows how tech corporations such as Google and Facebook are employing techniques from behaviourism to manipulate our beliefs and opinions to influence global politics and beyond.

In the show, Robert mentions the following websites:

http://myprivacytips.com/

https://aibrt.org/

https://americasdigitalshield.com/

Robert's choice of browser: https://brave.com/

Robert's choice of email: https://proton.me/mail

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You can watch the video of this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingsPsychology

Dive into the science that shapes our lives as I chat to experts to uncover unexpected areas where psychology influences us.

Are search engines manipulating your beliefs? Could getting kinky improve your relationship? And why do people become obsessed with cycling?

From vulnerability to vampires, and from cats to craft beer, subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts to explore if actually, Everything’s Psychology.

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You can watch the video of this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingsPsychology

It's time for a makeover, and a new name.

I want the podcast to be able to dive into the psychology behind our everyday lives and speak with incredible minds about a range of amazing topics. Limiting the podcast to the areas of psychology that influences design is too narrow and so I want to expand it. And with that, I felt that it needed a name change.

So, welcome to Everything’s Psychology! 

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You can watch the video of this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@EverythingsPsychology