In this episode, Rich and Ray take on the tricky problem of trying to understand what psychologists mean they talk about 'the self'. Is there really a 'me' in here or is it all just an illusion? In an effort to make such a deep and foundational concept understandable to the audience they provide one example of how 'the self' is made sense of, drawing on the theory and practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). They begin a conversation around how to help people who are struggling with identity and self-criticism, although since the topic is so big and important, this will be continued in next month's episode. Speaking of identity, for some light relief, this episode also contains references to our two psychologists' terrible fashion choices.

The book that Rich co-wrote with Joe Oliver on this subject, 'The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Self-esteem', can be found here, along with some free guided meditations and downloadable tools.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at [email protected]

In this episode, Rich and Ray discuss the concept of values, which is a core component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). They explore how to define personal values, and how they are different from goals, rules, or the kind of 'values' that corporations like to display in their marketing. Our two old psychologists demonstrate a few quick and easy experiential exercises that can help clarify values, and talk about how values might translate into actions. Be aware that this episode is not all sweetness and light as the pair also have a bit of a rant about call centres, automated checkout machines, and the behaviour of pesky young people at gigs.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at [email protected]

Rich and Ray, take a psychological angle on what it means to be a fan of something. Where does the word come from? What does it really mean? This episode dives into the function of fan behaviour and the wider context of fandom, exploring a little of our hosts' own history with fanaticism. Listeners should be warned that the episode contains more than the occasional reference to 1970s Doctor Who. Never have our old psychologists sounded so old.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at [email protected]

Are you interested in understanding why you have no control over what you do and why that might even be a good thing? This episode explores the age old philosophical and scientific question regarding to what extent human beings are able to exercise free will. Are we free agents doing whatever we choose, or are our actions largely determined by biological drives and environmental influences beyond our control? After teasing the audience for several episodes, Rich finally lays out the argument for determinism, and asks Ray to consider that seeing the world in this way might just make it a better place for everyone.

There are a few 'deeper dive' recommendations made in this episode, and these are as follows:

Determined by Robert Sapolsky

The Brain by David Eagleman

Free Will by Sam Harris

Living BIG by Brené Brown & Ashley Brown Ruiz

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at [email protected]

Rich and Ray join Podcasthon 2025, focusing on Winston's Wish, a charity centered on supporting children childhood through grief. Drawing particularly upon Ray's extensive experience of working as a clinical psychologist with people at the end of their life, this episode explores the psychological themes around mortality, dying, and grief. Our hosts discuss why these issues can be so difficult for people to talk about, and just why it is so important for people to do so. As ever with this podcast, this episode filters the issues of loss and grief through the lens offered by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Here are links to the books mentioned in the episode:

The End in Mind by Kathryn Mannix

Healthy Habits Suck by Dayna Lee Baggley

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at [email protected]

In the first episode of season two, Rich and Ray catch up on recent developments in world politics, most notably, the apparent rise of populism and the re-election of Donald Trump to the US presidency. They explore the psychological conditions that play a role in nurturing these developments and consider some potential consequences. Aside from all of that, you can find out what happened when one old psychologist decided that it might be a good idea to experiment with growing his own fungi.

Ray's book recommendation was 'Entangled Life' by Merlin Sheldrake, which you can find here

Rich's recommended interview between Nihal Arthanayake and Gary Stevenson can be found on BBC Sounds here

The International IDEA democracy assessment pages are here

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at [email protected]

After a short break, our two old psychologists are gearing up for a second season. Here's a quick outline of what they've got planned.

It's Christmaaaaaaas! In this bonus episode to round off season one, Rich and Ray are joined by Dr Rachel Black and Dr Dawn Johnson for a discussion of all things Christmassy. This episode discusses the enduring cultural popularity of Christmas as a festival, with reference to both religious and secular traditions. The group discuss all the highs and lows of the festive season, sharing some views on how people might usefully navigate Christmas and look after their wellbeing at the same time. You can even find out their favourite Christmas song choices and Christmas present experiences. So, come and join a bunch of psychologists talking about Christmas!

Dr Rachel Black appears courtesy of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and you can find more information about Dr Dawn Johnson at https://www.dawnjohnson.uk/

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at [email protected]

Our hosts, Rich and Ray, conclude season one, and their journey through the show's title, by exploring an idea that sits deep within the DNA of modern psychotherapy, namely, that humans are not so much distressed by things, but rather, by what we think about things. Human minds have a remarkable ability to construct a version of reality that is so compelling, it can alter our perceptions of the real thing. This internal model of the world also drives much of our behaviour. Along the way, our two old psychologists also discuss topics as wide-ranging as cake, Richard Dawkins' new book, society's insatiable demand for feedback, and whether or not to eat offal.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at [email protected]

This episode takes the journey through the show's title to a whole new level of tenuous, where Rich and Ray use the word 'about' as a gateway into discussing how humans make sense of the world by relating to ideas and events in terms of other ideas and events. This leads to a discussion about how this ability can be harnessed as a means of promoting insight and behaviour change in a psychotherapy context via the deliberate use of metaphor. On the way, you can also find out how our hosts coped when their respective holiday plans went wrong, and why Ray spent his big birthday sat on a baggage carousel at Gatwick airport.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at [email protected]