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Everything's Psychology

Chatting with incredible minds about the psychology of our everyday world.  Join Paul Davies, behavioural psychologist, as chats with guests about the mechanisms of human behaviour and the motivations behind people’s actions.

a Behaviour podcast

A great way to catch up or a lazy way to squeeze out another episode? You decide!Here are some of the best bits of the podcast that I've cherry-picked from all six episodes of season/series two. And enjoy my tenuous segues from one episode to the next.Timestamps02:05 The Psychology of James Bond11:34 The Psychology of Childhood22:42 The Psychology of Weight Loss35:08 The Psychology of The Odyssey45:22 The Psychology of Dogs50:41 The Psychology of Harry PotterA massive thank you from me to Calvin Dyson, Adrian Fernham, Sue Roffey, Charlie Lewis, Joanna Silver, Matt White, Sam Akbar, Daniel Mills, Hanne Grice, Will Brooker and Nila Matthews for coming on. Now, go and listen to the full episodes. If you have any ideas for new episodes that I can include in the nest season, please let me know either by leaving me a voicenote or email me on paul@everythingspsychology.comSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Best of Season 2

In this episode, the boy who lived. Why does a story about a bespectacled wizard still have its hooks in millions of people decades on? And can Harry Potter teach us anything about belonging, prejudice, personality, fandom, and why we fall so hard for a world that just doesn't exist?With me to discuss the psychology of Harry Potter are Will Brooker, Professor of Film and Cultural Studies at Kingston University and author of Batman Unmasked and Why Bowie Matters and Nila Matthews, psychologist and former guide at the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour in London.My guests:Professor Will Brooker – https://www.willbrooker.comBatman Unmasked – https://amzn.eu/d/0eGjvBO1Why Bowie Matters – https://amzn.eu/d/09ItaMjtNever Ending Watchmen – https://amzn.eu/d/01XoPpjLBBC article on Will's time living as David Bowie: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20160112-what-i-learned-when-i-lived-as-david-bowieNila Matthews – https://awakeningflow.com/Nila's muggle life: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilamatthews/Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Harry Potter

This has been the most requested topic after I previously did the psychology of cats; it’s the psychology of dogs. We think we know them better than any creature on earth, but what is actually going on behind those adorable eyes? Do they love us as completely as we think, and how much of canine psychology involves the human at the other end of the lead?With me to unpack the psychology of dogs are Professor Daniel Mills, Professor of Veterinary Behavioural Medicine at the University of Lincoln and co-author of Life Skills for Puppies and Being Your Cat; and Hanne Grice, Trainer and Clinical Animal Behaviourist and author of Playing With Your Dog. Professor Daniel Mills https://staff.lincoln.ac.uk/dmillshttps://companionanimalconsulting.com/Life Skills for Puppies – https://amzn.eu/d/0hM7uuB2Being Your Cat – https://amzn.eu/d/0111gvvHHanne Gricehttps://www.hannegrice.com/Clothing range - https://shophannegrice.com/Playing With Your Dog - https://amzn.eu/d/00skqksBSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Dogs

Have you seen it yet? The film of the summer? Have you forked out for the most padded seats in the cinema to watch Christopher Nolan’s three-hour bum-numbing epic of Matt Damon struggling to get home in a world without satnav?If you have, did you sit there thinking: Why has a three thousand year old story got any relevance to today?Is there real psychology in here?Did the Greeks work something out about being human that we've ignored ever since?Well, these are exactly the questions my guest asks in their new book: The Odyssey Mindset. So, with me in this episode to discuss the psychology of The Odyssey is Dr Sam Akbar, clinical psychologist, Oxford classicist and author of the wonderful new book The Odyssey Mindset.– – –The Odyssey Mindset (Amazon UK): https://amzn.eu/d/0hprLgcyThe Odyssey Mindset (Amazon US): https://a.co/d/07gDDhrDFollow Dr Akbar on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drsam_akbar/Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of The Odyssey

Are you on a diet? Have you got a shelf full of books to help you shed the pounds and get that summer beach bod or are you considering a weight loss jab such as Ozempic or Mounjaro? When the world seems to focus on the need to have a fit and firm body, what is this doing to people’s self-esteem and body image? With me on this episode are Dr Joanna Silver, a leading psychologist specialising in eating disorders, body image & mental health; and Matt White, author of The Snack Monkey: How to Stop Eating the Whole Packet.– – –GuestsYou can find more about Dr Joanna Silver on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-joanna-silver/Or at Orri, the eating disorder clinic: https://www.orri-uk.com/team/dr-joanna-silver/You can buy your copy Matt's book, The Snack Monkey, on Amazon or visit https://therealsnackmonkey.com/– – –Other resourcesGet a copy of the book 'Self-Help Without The Hype' by Robert Epstein as a paperback here or as an eBook on Amazon.Share your email with me to have the chance of getting a physical copy of my new book, Behaviour First, when it comes out in October. Visit behaviourfirst.co.ukSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Weight Loss

In a world of screens, social media, climate anxiety, and mental health awareness, what does the future of childhood and education look like?With me to discuss the psychology of childhood are Sue Roffey, founder of Growing Great Schools Worldwide and one of the UK's foremost voices on student, school, and community wellbeing, and Charlie Lewis, Professor of Psychology at Lancaster University, whose research spans child development, autism, the influence of advertising on children, and the future of childhood.– – –GuestsMore about Sue Roffey:https://www.sueroffey.com/https://www.growinggreatschoolsworldwide.com/Sue's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Sue-Roffey/author/B001HPB3TY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1782313230&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueASPIRE Culture Cards: http://www.atmybest.com/aspireMore about Charlie Lewishttps://www.lancaster.ac.uk/psychology/about-us/people/charlie-lewisCharlie has co-written the book 'Developmental Psychology: A Sociocultural Approach‘ available from Sage Publishing in 2027.Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Childhood

What kind of person is James Bond? What do audiences want from a Bond actor? What traits make someone convincing as the world's most famous spy? And how realistic is James Bond when compared to the psychological make-up of real-life spies?With me to discuss the psychology of James Bond are Calvin Dyson, one of the world's leading Bond commentators and the creator of one of YouTube's most-watched 007 channels, and Professor Adrian Furnham, Professor of Psychology and co-author of The Psychology of Spies and Spying.https://www.youtube.com/@calvindyson⁩  https://adrianfurnham.com/https://amzn.eu/d/0aJcBKilSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of James Bond

In season two, I'll be chatting with some fascinating guests about topics such as the psychology of childhood, the psychology of Harry Potter, the psychology of weight loss, and, by popular demand after last season’s episode on cats, the psychology of dogs.And this time, I need your help. If you have a question you’d like to ask a psychologist about any of the topics I’ve just mentioned, you can leave a voicenote which I’ll then play out on the episode. To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychologySend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Season 2 Trailer

Every year, on the first Monday of May, something extraordinary happens. 450 of the world's most powerful, most beautiful, most photographed people climb a set of steps in Manhattan — and the internet collectively loses it’s mind.The Met Gala is billed as an exclusive charity fundraiser where tickets cost seventy-five thousand dollars. And yet somehow, it reaches billions of people sat at home in their tracksuits, who have never been within a mile of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.So, what’s going on? What does fashion communicate? Why do we feel so entitled to judge a celebs outfit? Why does a look that ‘understood the assignment’ give us a little hit of dopamine, while one that ‘played it safe’ feels like a personal disappointment?With me to discuss the psychology of the Met Gala and fashion is Professor Carolyn Mair, a cognitive psychologist and author of The Psychology of Fashion.– – –You can buy Carolyn's book, The Psychology of Fashion here >> https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-Fashion/Mair/p/book/9781032712529And follow Carolyn on Instagram here >>  https://www.instagram.com/psychologyforfashion/Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of The Met Gala

The most popular episode of 2025 was about the psychology of cats 😻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. 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. 😻Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Cats (Archive Episode)

How do your behavioural biases impact investment decisions?Are financial advisers affected by these psychological biases?What practical steps are there for individuals looking to improve their investing strategies or just get started?More about Daniel Crosby: https://orion.com/thought-leader/daniel-crosbyThe Behavioral Investor (Amazon): https://amzn.eu/d/b4ginLaThe Soul of Wealth (Amazon): https://amzn.eu/d/aN5qEY1Daniel's podcast, “Standard Deviation” (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1uQPuBpfpomaUNkwY7SkcH?si=ce80c36049934500Follow Daniel on X: https://x.com/danielcrosbySend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Investing (Archive Episode)

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 me through the intricate world of habits, exploring their definitions, the distinction between habits and routines, and the psychological mechanisms behind habitual behaviour. Find out more about Ben's work at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/benjamin-gardnerSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Habits (Archive Episode)

Going back to the very first episode of Everything's Psychology, where I talk with Professor Robert Epstein about the psychological techniques Google employs in its search engine. Are you being manipulated by search engines?What is Google's policy on human manipulation?What can you do to protect yourself?Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Search Engines (Archive Episode)

My final short story on behavioural biases. This week, the story focuses on the power of today over tomorrow by looking at present bias.Present bias describes our tendency to give greater weight to rewards available now, while undervaluing the costs those choices impose on our future. And, in this story, I try to take this idea to its extreme.I hope these little psychological stories have been enjoyable for you. I'm taking a little break now to organise and record more interviews. Coming up in Season Two of Everything's Psychology will be: The psychology of the menopause, the psychology of watches, and the psychology of dogs as well as many more.Over the next few weeks, I'll re-upload the most popular episodes from Season One and then be back in the spring with Season Two.Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Bias: Present Bias

Another short story involving a behavioural bias. This week, the bias is revenge.Maybe not considered by behavioural scientists as one of the core cohort of behavioural biases, revenge certainly fits the bill. It makes people act irrationally and often behave against their own self-interest.While I did write this week's story, it is a retelling of Roald Dahl's short story "William & Mary." I used Dahl's original story to practice my own writing, using the narrative of the original as scaffolding for my modern adaptation. If you have never read the original, I urge you to buy the book “Kiss Kiss” where this, and many other wonderfully imaginative stories, were originally published.Thanks for listening.Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Bias: Revenge

Happy New Year! Have you set yourself a resolution? If so, in this episode, I share how a behaviourist psychologist would approach sticking to them and sailing past Quitters Day on January 17th.The principles are taken from a book called Self-Help Without The Hype by Professor Robert Epstein. I was honoured to have written the foreword to the new edition last year, in which I reflect on how the world has changed since the book's original release in 1996, yet the general lessons within the book remain unchanged.The new edition is currently on offer for the new year.Grab a copy for your Kindle on Amazon.Amazon (UK): https://amzn.eu/d/flAlEYlAmazon (US): https://a.co/d/6naeckROr you can buy a printed version here: https://books.by/pauldaviesSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Sticking to New Year's Resolutions

Something different for Christmas. I share a short story based on a behavioural bias.This week, the story is called Spaghetti Sauce and is about choice overload. Choice is a paradox. We convince ourselves that we want it, and certainly rebel when it’s taken away from us, but when we get too much of it, we regularly struggle to make a choice. This story follows a young girl in Atlanta as she struggles with the choices of daily life, with dire consequences.Spaghetti Sauce was written by me, Paul Davies, and forms part of a book I'm writing called ‘Bias: Twelve Tales of Influence’.Would I love your feedback? Hmm? If it's positive or constructive, then I think so. If you don't like it, that's of course fine, but please keep it to yourself and don't break the little writing confidence I have. More interview episodes will be coming in the New Year.Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Bias: Choice Overload

In this episode of Everything’s Psychology, I sit down with Richard D. Gross, author of The Psychology of Time, to unpack how our minds construct the very thing we live inside of: time. From internal body clocks and ‘mind time’ to cultural attitudes and our awareness of mortality, we explore why time can race, crawl, or seem to stand still.You’ll learn why your brain is always half a second late, yet your experience still feels live and continuous.You’ll hear how extreme situations – from car crashes to psychedelic trips – can make seconds feel like minutes, and why the memory of an event, not the event itself, often stretches time.You’ll discover why age, culture, and even gender can reshape your sense of time – and what that means for how you plan and live your life.Grab a copy of The Psychology of Time here:From Routledge: https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-Time/Gross/p/book/9781032696195From Amazon (UK): https://amzn.eu/d/gwqdR92From Amazon (US): https://a.co/d/b3MSis7This episode is sponsored by At My Best: www.atmybest.comUse code Everything10 to get 10% off all At My Best tools.Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Time

Was the moon landing mankind’s giant leap, or was it Hollywood's greatest special effect? Was the global vaccine rollout an elaborate scheme by Bill Gates to implant microchips in all of us? And do the condensation trails you see behind aeroplanes in the sky contain chemicals to keep the population docile?Let's be honest, a small part of us loves a good conspiracy theory. They’re exciting. They make the world feel a little less random. But why are these ideas so sticky? What makes us want to believe the unbelievable, and is there a fine line between enjoying a wild theory and falling down a rabbit hole of misinformation?With me to discuss the psychology of conspiracy theories is Professor Jan-Willem van Prooijen, who is Head of Social Psychology at Free University Amsterdam. The second edition of his book, The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories is out in December published by Routledge.LinksOrder The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories – https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-Conspiracy-Theories/vanProoijen/p/book/9781032868585Find out more about Professor Jan-Willem Van Prooijen – https://www.janwillemvanprooijen.com/Play the online fake news game – https://www.getbadnews.comSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories

What makes a great athlete? Why do some sports professionals rise to the occasion, while others crumble under pressure? Do the lessons from sports transfer to other areas of our lives, such as business or parenting?With me to discuss the psychology of sport, is Dr Jim Taylor.Jim holds a PhD in Psychology, has written 18 books including The Complete Guide to Cycling Psychology and Train Your Mind for Athletic Success, and he is the co-founder of Mindto, a start-up developing an app that empowers athlete performance, well-being, and mental health.www.drjimtaylor.comwww.mindto.ioThe Complete Guide to Cycling Psychology (Amazon UK)Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Sport

Why do people start a podcast? I chat with host of the Growth Mindset Psychology podcast, Sam Webster Harris, about his motivations for launching a podcast and why, after 500+ episodes, he's still doing it. We chat about the psychology of motivation, self-determination, signalling theory, and whether there's a hierarchy of influencers.Listen to the Growth Mindset Psychology website on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2rQ6Aug8EBudJMSBYTi8nM?si=5db3dfbf082943ccCatch Sam's new podcast, How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT?si=8a7d052ef9704634Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Podcasts

What psychology have we seen in the first four episodes of the Celebrity Traitors? Were we right in our predictions? Now that we've seen how the celebs are playing the game, who do I think will make it to the end?Don't forget to listen to last week's episode where I chat with three psychologists from the University of Chester about the psychology in the show. And check out their own podcast, ‘The Psychology of The Traitors’ on Spotify.https://open.spotify.com/show/4mlX6OZRgRodLBmkNZrfuj?si=8bdc0c98286e4993Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Psychbite: Celebrity Traitors

With the celebrity version of The Traitors UK starting on October 8th, I talk with three psychologists from Chester University about the psychology used in the show as a whole, how contestants have played the show previously, and how the gameplay will change with celebrities in the Traitor house.Listen to Lisa, Clea, and Kevin breakdown each new episode of the Celebrity Traitors on their own podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4mlX6OZRgRodLBmkNZrfuj?si=4513f5ce732344bbProfessor Lisa Oakley: https://www.chester.ac.uk/staff-directory/loakley/Dr Clea Wright: https://www.chester.ac.uk/staff-directory/cleawright/Dr Kevin Hochard: https://www.chester.ac.uk/staff-directory/khochard/Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of The Traitors

In this episode, I expand on last week's interview with the details of a 2025 research paper that examined the influence of erotic content platforms, such as OnlyFans, on teenagers.You can read the full paper here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12119-025-10389-2. Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

PsychBite: OnlyFans Influence on Teens

Valued this year at $8 billion, OnlyFans is the video hosting site generating significant media interest, with celebrities using it to support their other work.I chat with Dr Anna Kelberg about why people put themselves on cams, and whether it's just for the money. Also, is paying for a subscription to an OnlyFans provider considered cheating on your partner? And, is OnlyFans something which young people view as empowering or exploitation?– – –Find out more about Anna's work at https://www.annakelberg.com/Anna's research into sex webcammers: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1173902/fullAnna's thoughts on infidelity: https://www.annakelberg.com/blog-posts/cheater-cheater-pumpkin-eaterThe paper I mentioned from Guadalajara from Anguita & Romero: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12119-025-10389-2Research into sexual attitudes and characteristics of OnlyFans users: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9330933/Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of OnlyFans

I share my framework to help companies struggling to persuade their customers to make decisions that will make them better off. I share how mapping customer communications to a psychological model helps promote action.For more on the Behaviour Relay, email paul@behaviour.co.ukGet updates and freebies from my upcoming book at behavebook.comSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Psychbite: Motivating people to invest

In this episode, I explore the intricate relationship between psychology and investing with Dr. Daniel Crosby. We discuss how behavioural biases impact investment decisions, the importance of understanding these biases, and the role of financial advisors in guiding investors. We end by recommending practical steps for individuals looking to improve their investing strategies – or just get started.More about Daniel Crosby: https://orion.com/thought-leader/daniel-crosbyThe Behavioral Investor (Amazon): https://amzn.eu/d/b4ginLaThe Soul of Wealth (Amazon): https://amzn.eu/d/aN5qEY1Daniel's podcast, “Standard Deviation” (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1uQPuBpfpomaUNkwY7SkcH?si=ce80c36049934500Follow Daniel on X: https://x.com/danielcrosbySend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Investing

In this shorter episode, I share a few more ideas from psychology that relate to last week's topic of sexual violence. I also give an update on which episodes have proven to be the most popular to date.If you have an idea for an episode, please let me know at paul@everythingspsychology.com or DM me on any of the social channels.📺  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@everythingspsychology📷  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingspsych💃🏻  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@everythingspsych☁️  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/everythingspsych.bsky.social🤬  X: https://x.com/everythingsPsySend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Psychbite: What's been the most popular episode so far?

In this episode, we dip our psychological toes into the world of sociology and gender studies by chatting with Professor Alison Phipps (Newcastle University) about sexual violence.It's certainly a serious topic, but we try to tackle it with humour as Alison and I are old school friends who can be open and honest with each other. I ask Alison to summarise her last book, ‘Me Not You: The Trouble with Mainstream Feminism’ and also her upcoming book, ‘Sexual Violence in Racial Capitalism’, and I get to ask lots of ‘dumb’ questions in my attempt to understand this complex topic.Show linksFind out more about Alison and her work here: https://phipps.space/‘Me Not You’ by Alison Phipps‘Sexual Violence in Racial Capitalism’ by Alison Phipps‘Abolition Feminism Now’ by Angela Davis and othersSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Sexual Violence

In this shorter episode, I discuss my interview with David Cohen on the psychology of vampires and delve a little deeper into the groups of people who identify themselves as real-life vampires or drink blood.– – –The Psychology of Vampires by David Cohen (Routledge Publishing)Psychologists on Psychology by David CohenLaycock, J. (2010) Real Vampires as an Identity Group: Analyzing Causes and Effects of an Introspective Survey by the Vampire Community https://doi.org/10.1525/nr.2010.14.1.4Kendegar, A. (2021). From the urge to see one’s own blood to the urge to drink it: Can hemomania be specified as an impulse control disorder? Two case reports. https://doi.org/10.1080/10550887.2021.1897200Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Psychbite: Let there be blood

Why are we so obsessed with vampires?In this episode, I'm joined by psychologist and author David Cohen. We chat about his book The Psychology of Vampires (Routledge, 2019) and David unpacks what vampires really represent in the human mind—from repressed desires and forbidden sexuality to our deepest fears about death, power, and emotional dependency.We delve into how Freud, Jung, and modern psychological theories help explain the vampire’s grip on our imagination—and why this mythical figure has evolved from a terrifying predator to a tortured, seductive anti-hero in today’s pop culture.You can order a copy of the Psychology of Vampires directly from RoutledgeFind out more about David's books and films hereAnd you can contact David on dcpsychologynews@gmail.comSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Vampires

If you haven't listened to the previous interview episode with Dr Janina Scarlet on the idea of Superhero Therapy then instead get the cheat sheet with all the best bits here. Also, I extrapolate from Superhero Therapy to Bandura's Bobo doll experiments from the 1960s, behavioural noise from Daniel Kahneman, and I also share a couple of super resources for you to dive into.ResourcesSuperhero Therapy for Anxiety and Trauma by Dr Janina Scarlet: https://amzn.eu/d/1SX8xbvBandura's Bobo Doll Experiment: https://www.simplypsychology.org/bobo-doll.htmlNoise by Daniel Kahneman: https://amzn.eu/d/jjm6eorOur Superheroes, Ourselves by Robin Rosenberg: https://amzn.eu/d/d4SVYXUOxford Risk study (2021) into decision noise for financial advice: https://www.oxfordrisk.com/blog-posts/adviser-noise-in-retirement-income-adviceHero Cards: www.loveherocards.comSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

PsychBite: Super Psychology

In this episode, discover the innovative concept of superhero therapy with Dr. Janina Scarlett. Her work with military personnel, adults, and children integrates pop culture heroes into evidence-based therapy to help individuals cope with anxiety, trauma, and other mental health challenges.Links from the episodeDr Janina Scarlet's website: https://www.superhero-therapy.com/The Superhero Therapy podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1NLrbC0hDBF4TPZe5t8G4aDr Scarlet's online courses on Pesi.com Paper on the effectiveness of Avatar Therapy in people with psychosisSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Superhero Therapy

This is the first of shorter episodes to sit in-between the main interview episodes. It means you'll now get an Everything's Psychology episode every week.Here, I dig a little deeper into the psychology behind the Hero's Journey and share a couple of academic studies which reveal the power of storytelling.– – –Here's some links which I mention:Christopher Vogler's 7-page memo on the relevance of the hero's journey in screenwriting: https://livingspirit.typepad.com/files/chris-vogler-memo-1.pdfEgan, L.C., Santos, L.R. and Bloom, P. (2007) ‘The Origins of Cognitive Dissonance’, Psychological Science, 18(11), pp. 978–983.Kirkpatrick, L. A., & Epstein, S. (1992). Cognitive-experiential self-theory and subjective probability: Further evidence for two conceptual systems. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 63(4), 534–544. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.63.4.534McAdams, D.P. (2001) ‘The Psychology of Life Stories’, Review of General Psychology, 5(2), pp. 100–122. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.5.2.100.McAdams, D.P. (2019) ‘“First we invented stories, then they changed us”: The Evolution of Narrative Identity’, Evolutionary Studies in Imaginative Culture, 3(1), pp. 1–18. Available at: https://doi.org/10.26613/esic.3.1.110.Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

Psychbite: The Power of Stories

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.– – –You'll find Eliane's article here: https://aeon.co/essays/why-does-every-film-and-tv-series-seem-to-have-the-same-plotYou can find out more about Eliane and her books here: https://www.elianeglaser.com/Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of the Hero's Journey

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.Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Artificial Intelligence

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-gardnerSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Habits

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. 😻Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Cats

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 hereListen to Chris's podcast ‘Vulnerability Matters’ on Soundcloud or search for Vulnerability Matters wherever you listen to your podcasts.Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Vulnerability

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/mailSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Search Engines

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.comYou can listen to the A to Z of Sex podcast hereSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Kink & Fetish

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.comSend us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology

The Psychology of Cycling & Behaviour Change

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.Send us Fan MailTo leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology