We've come a long way in how we talk about mental health. But while diagnoses like depression and anxiety can empower people to seek help and support — they also influence how we see ourselves and how others might see us, too. Today, we investigate 'concept creep.' It's the idea that the labels we use to describe mental health are expanding and being applied to an ever-wider array of human behaviours. We look at what's causing this, the impacts it might have (both positive and negative),...

How clear is your inner voice? Do you internally narrate your life? And do you get songs stuck in your head? Almost all of us can imagine sounds in our minds. But a small part of the population don't have internal auditory imagery — a phenomenon called anauralia. Today, we explore the experience of anauralia, in an episode from Radio New Zealand's Our Changing World. Our Changing World is produced and presented by Claire Concannon and Ellen Rykers for RNZ. The original version of this...

Music is a universal feature of the human experience — present from our very first cultures and civilisations. But do the features of particular songs and styles translate across cultural boundaries? Like, is a lullaby recognisable even when it's from a different culture? Can you identify a love song in another language? Today, we explore the special relationship between music and our minds, in an episode from Radio New Zealand's Our Changing World. Our Changing World is produced and...

Laura would spend weeks feeling normal — even happy. But like clockwork, every month, suddenly she would feel intense depression, making her unrecognisable to herself and friends. It took her nearly two decades to identify what was causing this rollercoaster of mood: PMDD, AKA Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. So what is it about hormones that make some people feel such intense emotions? And why is PMDD still so misunderstood? This episode touches on the topic of suicide. Please take care...

Professor Chris French has been studying the paranormal for decades. But — he’s a sceptic. In an All in the Mind Halloween special, we explore the psychology behind our spooky encounters. What's going on in your brain when you see a ghost? How do people talk to the dead? And why would a sceptic study the paranormal?

How many hours have you spent on your phone today? And do you feel like it's too many? A growing movement of people are going without their smartphones and computers in favour of just about anything that doesn't have a screen. They say it's giving their lives more meaning — and improving their mental health. This week, meet the digital minimalists ditching their devices, and how you can do it too. Want to hear more about the impact social media is having on your mental health? Check out...

We don't remember everything that happens to us — so why do we remember what we remember? And the memories we do lock away aren't always accurate or trustworthy. This week, we're talking about the fallibility of memory and why sometimes it's healthy to forget. We'll also get into how to remember special moments more clearly, and here's a hint — you might want to put down your camera sometimes. If you're looking for something to listen to next, check out our episode Overcoming resentment...

We know running is good for the body, but what about the brain?  Hear from people who love running about the psychological tools they use to stay active, including some advice from a professor who's taught their entire class to run a marathon.  Looking for something to listen to next? Check out our episode Why being a beginner is good for you.

This week we're talking about something intimate … And at-times taboo … Masturbation. From self-love, to disordered behaviour, and back again, how our perceptions of masturbation have changed over the course of history and why it's still linked to shame and confusion for some. Also — why do humans (and other animals) m********e in the first place? Just a heads up, if the topic didn't give it away, this episode may not be suitable for little ones. After listening, why not check out Sex is...

It's human nature to form groups — families, friends, online communities. We love to be surrounded by people similar to us. But that can also make us discriminatory and defensive. And social media makes that instinct worse. Today, we look at how our brains evolved to connect and divide, and what that means for the problems we face in our modern world. This episode was first broadcast in April 2023. Looking for something to listen to next?  Check out another All in the Mind episode, The...

When you think about pillars of health a few things might come to mind — nutrition, exercise, connectedness. But there's something many of us miss off that list — sleep. Insomnia does so much more than make us cranky, it's closely tied to our mental health. Not just how we feel on a day to day basis, but our likelihood of developing depression. This week, what happens when you don't get enough sleep; the effect on your brain and why it's so impactful on your mental health. If you'd like to...

Earlier this year, the Netflix program Baby Reindeer brought stalking firmly back into the zeitgeist - sparking discussion about the psychology of people who stalk and the impact it has on victims. So what goes on in the mind of a stalker? How do the various types, from incompetent suitor to intimacy seeker, differ? And what should you do if you think you have a stalker?

Attachment theory is a foundation of modern psychology — a framework for understanding human relationships and how we connect other people. But has social media taken this concept — grounded in decades of research — too far? Scroll through Instagram or TikTok for too long, and you might think that if you have a certain attachment style, you're fundamentally unlovable — or that you need to steer clear of people who are avoidant, anxious or not secure enough. Today, what we get wrong about...

Do you know your love language?  Maybe you've done an online test — tested your partner — spent time talking it over — even made decisions about your relationship on the basis of your love language. But where did this concept of love languages even come from? And how good is the evidence that backs it up? Today, two research psychologists go deep on the concept of love languages — and what they really mean for your relationships. Want more relationship content from All in the Mind? Check...

How would you describe your parents? Nobody's perfect, of course, but some parents leave more of a mark than others. Today, we revisit the life-long impact of having 'emotionally immature' parents, as Dr Lindsay Gibson's book hits bestseller lists. This episode was first broadcast in May 2021. If you're looking for another episode to listen to, why not check out Milgram Shock and Stanford Prison — what we misunderstand about the most infamous experiments in psychology.

Can't sleep? Worries keeping you up at night? It might be time to look to the stars. For National Science Week, we're investigating the relationship between the night sky and mental wellbeing. So can spending time under the night sky give you a mood boost? And if it does … why? Looking for more nature in your life? Check out our episode Nature prescriptions — just what the doctor ordered.

It sounds like fantasy, but the manipulation of dreams is now possible — and it's thanks to a well known video game, Tetris. So what does Tetris have to do with dreaming, and could companies use this to shape what we see when we sleep? Want to learn more about dreams? Check out our episode 'As real as waking life' — exploring lucid dreams. Hear our first episode about Tetris: Why people are playing Tetris to treat their trauma. 

For people with PTSD, flashbacks can be an unwelcome and distressing experience. To tackle this problem, researchers have turned to Tetris.  Yep - the falling blocks puzzle game from the '80s. Today, we discover how Tetris can be used to treat trauma.  If you'd like to listen to more All in the Mind, check out our episode The confusion around concussions. 

The siren has sounded. The scores are even. A footy player has one final chance to kick an easy goal to get his team into the finals. He’s right in front of the goals. He lines up. Kicks. Misses. The pressure of such a moment was phenomenal, and the player choked under it. So what happens in the brain during such intense periods? Why can some people remain calm while others can’t handle it? If you're keen to listen to another episode, check out Wanted: Unicorns. Mission: Mars.

What if your entire understanding of the world — your beliefs, how you parent, how you work, how you interact with friends at the pub — all came crashing down? For Stephanie, Jules and Joel — who are all former conspiracy theorists — that was their reality. And digging their way out of the conspiracy rabbit hole came with a whole lot of challenges. Today on All in the Mind: falling into and out of conspiracy ... and rebuilding your life after breaking free. And if you enjoyed listening,...

After enduring years of abuse, Robyn Westgate was jailed for the murder of her husband. Now out of prison, she runs training programs that aim to reduce domestic violence. Robyn says the key is empowering people to be better bystanders. Today, one woman's story from domestic violence survivor to domestic violence consultant, and the importance of speaking up. Please note this episode includes graphic descriptions of sexual assault and domestic violence. It may be distressing for some...

Since the days of gladiator battles and public hangings, dark tourism — our attraction to places linked to death and despair — has been a part of human behaviour. But there's something in the 21st century that's causing debate… Selfies. Digital media isn't all bad though. It's also creating opportunities for authentic storytelling. Today, we examine what dark tourism is, if it's ethical, and when it is (and isn't) appropriate to snap a selfie. If you're keen for another episode of All in...

Do you wake up each morning refreshed and well-slept? Or are you the kind of person who tosses and turns for ages before falling asleep, ruminating on all of your missteps and stresses from the day? If you chose option two, this episode is for you. Two sleep experts share advice on making night-time more restful — beyond the standard 'don't look at your phone before bed.' (Though that's important too). This episode was first broadcast in March 2023. Looking for something to listen to next?...

Long before Bieber fever and Swifties, there was Lisztomania. Franz Liszt was a Hungarian composer who inspired such intense fandom and frenzy that it was dubbed mania. So, was it true mania? What caused fans to respond to him so passionately?  And what can Lisztomania reveal about the way we talk about female obsession? If you're looking for something to listen to next, check out our episode; Hook me baby one more time: the psychology of pop music.