Can your gut really talk to your brain? In this episode we chat with Julia Rode from Örebro University about the science behind the gut-brain connection. She explains how tiny microbes in your digestive system might shape how you feel, think, and handle stress — and what probiotics have to do with it all. If you’ve ever wondered how your belly and brain stay in sync, this one’s for you.

Is pain all in your head? Not exactly — but your brain definitely plays a starring role. In this episode psychologist Sofia Bergbom unpacks how our thoughts, emotions, and stress levels can shape our experience of physical pain. We talk about why some people bounce back from pain while others spiral, how mood and mindset affect recovery, and how validating someone's emotional pain is such a powerful tool in therapy. It’s a fresh, surprising take on something we all feel, but rarely understand.

What can tiny fish tell us about pollution? Quite a lot, actually. In this pilot episode of GPT Chats: Academia meets AI, we talk with Professor Steffen Keiter about how zebrafish help uncover the hidden dangers of chemicals in our environment — from microplastics to toxic legacies passed down through generations. It’s a deep dive (when Steffen isn't being interrupted by the AI) into how pollution today could be shaping life tomorrow, and in ways we’re only starting to appreciate.