Episodes
Social media abounds with mindset mentors, spiritual healers, influencers and more — many of who offer life coaching. Does anyone know what they're talking about?
Published 11/11/23
To imagine the future of artificial intelligence, it's important to reflect on some of the big moments in it's past. This week, James Purtill from Science Friction brings us a story of competition, surprise and thinking machines. This is the only time you'll hear Science Friction in the All in the Mind feed. To hear the full six-part series on AI, Hello AI Overlords, search for Science Friction in your podcast feed.
Published 11/04/23
TikTok is a mixed bag when it comes to mental health content. Great at raising awareness and building community, but not always accurate or evidence based. Journalist Matilda Boseley sees both sides – but she says TikTok was the push she needed to seek out a formal diagnosis.
Published 10/28/23
Concussions are hard to diagnose, often get missed, and not always taken seriously. And if you're not a professional athlete, it can be surprisingly hard to get clear information on how to manage and recover afterwards. Why? The brain is your most important organ, after all! This week, we try and make sense of the confusion around concussions.
Published 10/21/23
Artist Matt Ottley has been experiencing hallucinations since he was a child.  Today, Matt takes us on a journey to understand what psychosis can feel like, through storytelling and musical composition. 
Published 10/14/23
As a toddler, Nicole's son was extremely aggressive. As he got older, his behaviour worsened. In this episode from our archives, we examine 'callous unemotional traits' — the early warning signs of psychopathy that emerge in childhood. This episode was first broadcast in December 2022. 
Published 10/07/23
What happens when we let our most destructive emotion dominate? On All in the Mind this week, we explore why we get angry, how you might control aggression and whether it can ever be ... useful. This episode was first broadcast in February 2022. 
Published 09/30/23
In part two of our look at introversion and extroversion, we dive into the science and psychology of personality. How do we develop these traits? How much are our genes responsible?  The way brains of introverts and extroverts differ will probably surprise you. This episode was first broadcast in August 2022. 
Published 09/23/23
Jessica Pan was a life-long shy introvert and for the most part she was happy with this aspect of her personality – until the loneliness crept it. This week on All in the Mind, the first of two episodes exploring introversion and extroversion. The benefits and downsides of each, how these traits impact our mental health and whether we change, if we want to. This episode was first broadcast in August 2022.
Published 09/16/23
1 in 10 dads experience perinatal depression and anxiety, and more seem to be willing to reach out for help. Chris Jephcott wishes he'd been one of them. If this episode raises any issues for you, you can reach out to: Lifeline 13 11 14 Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) 1300 726 306
Published 09/09/23
Nature is good for our wellbeing. But how much green space does a community need, before you can see a wellbeing boost? And how do we encourage people to spend more time outdoors?
Published 09/02/23
A bank heist, a hostage drama and a dubious diagnosis. It's 50 years since the robbery that inspired the term 'Stockholm Syndrome', and today we explore the origins of the proposed condition  - and probe the many problems with that label. 
Published 08/27/23
Chris Hadnagy’s job involves breaking into break into banks. But he’s not after money, gold or jewels. He’s searching for weaknesses – in systems, in security, and in people.  And he doesn’t use weapons or threats of violence to get past guards and into vaults. He uses a smile - and a few tricks from his toolbox of psychology and social engineering techniques. Chris is the founder and CEO of Social Engineer LLC and lectures about social engineering around the globe. On All in the Mind this...
Published 08/19/23
A founding member of the band Gang of Youths. A single mum from Adelaide. A dad of two in Brisbane. What do all these people have in common? They all have young kids, and they all sing to them constantly! As part of our exploration of sound and noise for Science Week, we ask: why do babies turn us into non-stop singing machines? Where does this instinct come from and what purpose does it serve? For more Science Week stories, head to abc.net.au/science
Published 08/12/23
Fashion can embody a lot: status, identity, belonging... A great outfit makes us feel confident, but the fashion industry can be harmful to our self esteem.  So what does fashion say about us? And why as humans do we even care about clothes?
Published 08/05/23
For years, psychologist Patricia Harney avoided true crime podcasts and docos. They hit too close to home. Recently she's been testing the waters, and noticing these whodunnit shows often leave out a crucial element of the story.
Published 07/29/23
We're urged to stay positive and keep up a cheerful disposition ... but sometimes things are just awful, aren’t they? On All in the Mind this week we look at why we engage in toxic positivity, why it's so damaging when we do and whether something called 'tragic optimism' could be the antidote. This episode was first broadcast in February 2022. 
Published 07/22/23
In your mind's eye, can you see yourself achieving your dream goal? Can you imagine what it would feel like? Who you'd be talking to when you achieve it? Turns out the more you can imagine, the better your shot at achieving you goal. But that's not the whole story… This is part two of our two-parter on performance psychology.
Published 07/15/23
What does it take to go from second place, to first? Good, to great? This is part one of our two parter on performance psychology.
Published 07/08/23
What's your favourite smell? And why is it your favourite? Maybe it reminds you of a special moment, a particular place or a loved one. But can you use these scents to make yourself… Happier? And what happens if we lose our sense of smell altogether?
Published 07/01/23
Whether you're 19 and never given it a thought, or 40 and starting to wonder, menopause is an unavoidable part of life for half the population. But many of us are shaky on the details of what to expect — apart from hot flashes/flushes, maybe. Former model Ali Daddo was one of those people: totally unprepared, and caught off guard when it hit. She's on a mission to make sure other women are more informed – and therefrom more empowered – than she was. Just a heads up, this episode touches on...
Published 06/24/23
Sky diving. Racing cars. Abseiling. Jumping into an ice bath. Depending on who you are, those activities either delight or horrify you. High sensation seekers love the thrill, and that leads some to extreme sports, others to crime. Marley Duncan can tell you first hand: option one is way better. Just a note, this episode contains strong language and swear words.
Published 06/17/23
Spicy food, scary movies, BDSM … why do humans sometimes chase painful experiences and how are they linked to pleasure? This episode was first broadcast in March 2022.
Published 06/10/23
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...
Published 06/03/23
What's the most catchy song you can think of? Is there a moment that makes you suddenly pay attention, mesmerised by the melody or beat? You're probably reflecting on a song's hook. But why do hooks capture our minds and memories? A music psychologist and musicologist share their thoughts on the power of hooks. In this episode you'll hear Tim and Jadey cover pop songs which Sana credits at the end of the episode. To see the written credits, head to our website. 
Published 05/27/23