PsychTalks
This is PsychTalks: a podcast that deep dives into groundbreaking research in psychology. Hear psychology and neuroscience experts unpack how our minds work – and discover how these insights can enrich your own life and help others. Made by the University of Melbourne’s School of Psychological Sciences.
Episodes
Before you’re even born, your parents’ health is already shaping your future wellbeing. Welcome to the world of epigenetics: where environmental factors – stress, diet and infection – leave molecular marks on genes, altering their expression across generations.
Professor Anthony Hannan from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health shares how a father’s health can impact offspr...
Many children are struggling to attend school, but what if we've been getting the story wrong?
In this episode of PsychTalks, Associate Professor Sarah Knight and Natasha Staheli explore how children's distress is often mistaken for misbehaviour and why terms like "school refusal" can fail to capture the reality of many children's actual experiences, especially the role of neurodivergence and impact of masking.
Together, they look ...
If you’ve ever looked directly at a motorcyclist while driving – yet completely failed to see them – you’re not alone. The phenomenon is so common, riders refer to it as a “smidsy” (or, “sorry mate, I didn’t see you”.)
Professor Kristen Pammer and Dr Angus McKerral discuss the cognitive demands of driving; explaining how inattentional blindness can render a motorcyclist invisibl...
‘Cycle syncing’ has exploded online, promoting the idea that women can optimise their wellbeing by planning everything from workouts to work commitments around their menstrual cycles. But what does the science actually say?
Dr Lindsie Arthur cuts through the pop psychology hype and discusses the current research around hormones, behaviour and performance.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Alcohol is a normal part of life for many Australians. But why do some people develop problems with drinking while others don't?
Dr Antoinette Poulton unpacks the link between impulsivity and hazardous drinking, and explains why our decisions around alcohol are shaped by much more than willpower.
From personalised feedback to smartphone-based interventions, we explore how researchers are finding new ways to help people ...
Online sports betting is now part of everyday life in Australia. But how do betting apps actually work, and why are they so hard to ignore?
In this episode, Dr Daniel Bennett explores the psychology behind modern betting products, and how they are designed to keep people hooked. He explains how features like in-play betting, cash-out options and constant advertising shape our behaviour – often in ways we don't notice. D...
We like to think we’re fair. But what if our minds and our machines don’t always agree?
In this special bonus episode of PsychTalks, hosts Professor Nick Haslam and Associate Professor Cassie Hayward are joined by Professor Mahzarin Banaji (Harvard University), one of the world’s leading researchers on implicit bias.
Drawing on decades of research across psychology, neuroscience and artificial intelligence, Profes...
We said the season was over – but when the chance to sit down with Professor Alison Gopnik comes along, you make an exception. In this bonus episode, we’re delighted to welcome one of the world’s most influential developmental psychologists for an extended conversation on how our minds grow and change over the lifespan.
Drawing on her work on children as “little scientists,” the explore–exploit d...
Are we really making healthy choices for our children in the supermarket? Or are we being nudged by bright colours, on-pack claims and fruit-filled imagery?
Associate Professor Helen Dixon and Jane Martin unpack the psychology, policy and packaging that influence what ends up in our shopping trolleys. They highlight the subtle strategies used to market commercial infant and toddler foods, and discuss what can be done to support par...
Misinformation and disinformation now pose some of the biggest global risks to democracy and public trust.
Associate Professor Piers Howe explains how misinformation and disinformation spreads, and the subtle but influential ways they can shift public opinion, disrupt elections and damage society. With the rise of AI and sophisticated campaigns, he explains why it's more important than ever to stay informed, think critically and un...
Want tips on how to use power and influence more effectively - whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team, or asking your preschooler to brush their teeth? Professor Jennifer Overbeck unpacks what sets power apart from influence, how persuasion works, and why gender, identity and context matter.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
What are the mental health impacts of menopause and how are they connected with our ideas about ageing? Dr Lydia Brown shares insights from her research on self-compassion and how it can help those managing the psychological challenges of menopause. Whether you’re approaching menopause or simply interested in evidence-based strategies for a healthy outlook on ageing, this conversation offers practical and deeply human advice ...
What do the names of colours, kinship terms and legal jargon tell us about the human mind? Dr Frank Mollica explores language as a cognitive tool – shaped by culture, adapted for purpose, and far from universal.
We dive into how children learn language, how it evolves and why legal language is so confusing. Along the way, we challenge common assumptions about how we think, communicate and learn.
See omnystudio.com/listener for...
Why do some people seem naturally kind or generous? Professor Luke Smillie breaks down personality traits like empathy, honesty and compassion – and how they shape behaviour. Tune into this thoughtful discussion about the ‘prosocial personality’ and discover whether people can become more altruistic over time.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Will the Australian government really lock under-16s out of TikTok? Associate Professor Scott Griffiths returns to PsychTalks to unpack Australia’s proposed social media ban. He breaks down the psychological harms driving the policy, the challenges and possible pathways to secure enforcement, and what anxious parents can do to protect kids’ mental health online.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Could Ozempic do more than help with weight loss? Dr Trevor Steward is uncovering the science behind what’s happening in the brain when people take drugs like Ozempic. His research queries how these medications influence appetite, food-related thoughts, and their potential to turn down the dial on binge eating disorder.
Read more in Dr Steward's article for Pursuit.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Unlock the psychological reasons behind why we hold onto secrets. Associate Professor Katie Greenaway and Valentina Bianchi explore the emotional costs and benefits of keeping secrets. Discover who we often confide in and hear a clinical psychologist’s perspective on being a professional secret-keeper. And take this survey at keepingsecrets.org to compare your secrets with others.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy ...
Discover how the AI revolution is entering the world of psychology and clinical practice. Professor Simon Dennis shares his quest to craft AI-driven tools for therapy. Can bots help address the shortage of mental health professionals by providing affordable, 24/7 support? And what are the ethical, practical and philosophical questions behind using therapist bots as part of therapy treatment?
Find out more about Simon's AI-driven co...
Do 'brain-training' apps or mindfulness exercises really boost our capacity to learn? Professor Iroise Dumontheil shares her research into why we differ in our ability to control our attention, thoughts and behaviour. Hear how these differences impact on our learning and whether cognitive training enhances outcomes in education. Discover how insights from cognitive neuroscience might reshape the future of education by enabling pers...
Managing pain can be part of life for many of us. Professor Amy Jordan and Associate Professor Natalia Brumley unlock the intriguing relationship between sleep and pain. Find out how different types of pain affect sleep quality, if gender is a factor, and in what ways exercise, blue light and social media consumption might have an impact.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.