All In The Mind

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?

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.

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 week, the psychology of influence and what makes some people more vulnerable to being ‘hacked’ than others.  This episode was first broadcast in August 2021.

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

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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 mental health struggles and suicide. Please take care while listening.

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.

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.

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 while listening.

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.

Lynne Malcolm is used to being in the host's seat, but today, the tables are turned. She's back on All in the Mind to discuss her new book, appropriately titled All in the Mind. So what did she learn through 9 years of interviews? How did the show help her process her own mental health? Lynne reflects on her expansive career at the ABC and the personal connections she made along the way.

This episode was first broadcast in September 2021. Have you heard of ASMR? Whispery, clicky, crinkly videos are massive on YouTube - racking up millions of views. The idea is that these sounds elicit a certain tingly, calming sensation in some people. So what is ASMR and what does the science tell us about it? Is it real … or pseudoscience? And why do some people get the opposite reaction – irritation rather than these pleasant tingles?

This episode deals with descriptions of abuse. Please take care while listening. Michael Baldwin cycled through seven therapists over 22 years. No one could help him overcome the trauma of his childhood — until he tried EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy). But why would eye movements help a person process their trauma? It sounds fantastical. Is it?

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. In this episode, we look at how our brains evolved to connect and divide, and what that means for the problems we face in our modern world.

A magical kingdom with ogres and fairies. A post-apocalyptic world ruled by machines. An underwater monster that resembles a dragon. These fictional worlds might only be described by words, but the images they create in our minds feel so real. Why are our brains so good at creating imaginary images? Producer Rose Kerr explores how an author's words translate into the mind's of readers.

Journalist Elfy Scott grew up in a loving and tight knit family, but there was one topic they never spoke about, for a long time: her mother's schizophrenia. Now, Elfy is sharing her family's story, and interrogating why stigma so often silences conversations about complex mental health disorders.

This episode was first broadcast in June 2021.  Have you ever tried a self-help book? Did it… well, help? On All in the Mind this week, why self-help sometimes falls short ... and the problem with pop psychology more generally.

A lot of us would like to think we could spot a scam a mile away. Spelling errors, suspicious email addresses and requests for money… all tip offs that something isn't right. But none of us are immune to scammers' psychological tricks – not even psychologists. In this episode, forensic neuropsychologist Dr Stacey Wood reveals the tricks and techniques scammers use, and what makes us most vulnerable to their tactics.

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. We get advice on making nighttime more restful — beyond the standard 'don't look at your phone before bed.' (Though that's important too).

Doing something that goes against your beliefs feels pretty bad, right? But what if those beliefs are stopping you from doing something good for you? Producer Rose Kerr investigates the role cognitive dissonance plays in our lives: how it can lead to some creative mental gymnastics, and when it can be harnessed for good.

ARIA-nominated musician Parvyn knows what it's like to lose touch with reality. Delusions, mania, psychosis — she's experienced it all, often while on tour. Despite processing these experiences on her debut solo album 'Sa', she's never spoken publicly about her mental health — until now.

This episode was first broadcast in February 2022.  Most of us have an inner voice – it reminds you to pick up milk on your way home, helps problem solve, or rehearse what you’re going to say. But there are times that helpful voice veers into harmful chatter.

As a teen, Hunter Johnson wanted to be the best at sport, the best at getting girls, and the best at getting attention. But one moment would change everything for him — forcing him to rethink his ideas about masculinity. Now, he's paying it forward. Last week, we explored why toxic masculinity is tricky to talk about. Today, we hear from someone having that conversation daily — shifting the focus from toxic behaviours and beliefs … to emotional intelligence.

Do you get defensive when you hear the term toxic masculinity? You wouldn't be the only one, if so. In this episode, we follow one dad's attempts to understand where internet algorithms are sending his son… and ask, how do we deal with toxic masculinity, when the very term has become contested?

From phantom limbs to Alice in Wonderland syndrome — why does the brain sometimes mess up its awareness and understanding of the body it belongs to? Neuroscientist and author of Body Am I, Moheb Costandi explains.

Sex, scandal, money and misdeeds. All elements of good gossip. So why do we love the gossip, but not the gossiper? And why are we invested in the secrets of celebrities, even though they're strangers?

Where do you draw the line between brainwashing… and influence? Thought control… and mere suggestion? From the Korean War, to The Beatles, to current day, we trace the sometimes scary/sometimes weird history of brainwashing.

This episode was first broadcast in September 2022.  You might not think of yourself as a negotiator but big or small we all negotiate daily. Getting better at it could make your life easier. So what's the most effective way to negotiate? Is playing hardball ever a useful strategy? And what do you do when you're at a power disadvantage?

This episode was first broadcast in May 2022.  On All in the Mind this week, the early history of autism. With historian of science Professor Marga Vicedo we learn about the blame that was cast on mothers, the fight to get adequate help and support for families, and the movement that one mother, Clara Park, helped spark.

This episode was first broadcast in March 2022.  Why do we laugh, and what makes something funny? A psychologist, a neuroscientist and satirist Mark Humphries weigh in on humour and the brain.

Over summer, we're sharing some of our favourite episodes of the year. This one was first broadcast in April 2022.  Anxiety and alcohol misuse are a common pairing. How do the two egg each other on and what can be done to halt the cycle? Plus, the personality traits that shape our likelihood of harmful alcohol use.

This summer, we're sharing some of our favourite episodes of the year. This episode was first broadcast in April.  What are the constructive things our minds do when they wander? And when does mindwandering cross over … into not-so-constructive territory? Guests: Professor Moshe Bar Cognitive Neuroscientist, Bar-Ilan University; Author, Mindwandering: How It Can Improve Your Mood and Boost Your Creativity Producer: James Bullen Sound Engineer: Roi Huberman

As a toddler, Nicole's son was extremely aggressive. As he got older, his behaviour worsened. In our final episode of the year, we examine 'callous unemotional traits' — the early warning signs of psychopathy that emerge in childhood.

This episode was first broadcast in November 2021.  Are your colleagues rude? Do people regularly ignore each other or dismiss opinions in meetings? Ever gotten an all caps email? On All in the Mind this week, we examine the toxic effects of rude behaviour. And are we getting more rude as a society?

If you open any social media app, you're likely to eventually come across videos of people discussing trauma.  The hashtag TraumaTok has billions of views...   So how did trauma take over the internet? And what effect is it having on our mental health? Technology Reporter Ariel Bogle investigates.

When you get nervous, can you feel it in your stomach?  The gut-brain connection is something many of us have experienced but probably not given much thought to.  Research into this connection has led to the rise of a seemingly unexpected treatment for IBS: hypnotherapy.  Producer Danni Stewart investigates how Irritable Bowel Syndrome can be treated.

If the only certainty is uncertainty, how do we manage our anxieties about the unknown? Today we explore why the mind struggles with uncertainty and what we can do to manage it.

Before she was Dr Alix Woolard, Alix was a teenager grappling with a traumatic event in her family. It would affect her mental health dramatically, leaving her unsure of her path ahead. Now, Dr Alix Woolard researches childhood trauma and it's lifelong impacts. This episode deals with mental health and discusses suicide. Please listen with care.

Have you ever thought, I wonder what it's like being famous? Maybe it's something you've always dreamed of, or maybe it's your worst nightmare. Being famous is something many people aspire to, but the reality can be isolating. This week, producer Jennifer Leake looks at what fame does to a person's psychology.

What makes people do evil things? Psychologist Stanley Milgram wanted to understand if people could be led to do awful things, just by being told to do them. The experiment he would devise to test this would become one of the most infamous examples of unethical studies in the field of psychology: The Milgram Shock Experiment. But Professor Alex Haslam says that's not the full picture… And the findings are misunderstood.

Learning chess with his young daughter kickstarted a life-long journey of learning for Tom Vanderbilt. Here's what he discovered about being an adult beginner, its benefits, and how kids and adults learn differently.

With relatively benign intentions, Wendell Johnson devised an experiment that would go on to be dubbed the Monster Study, inflicting terrible harm on a group of vulnerable and unsuspecting children.

Popular culture is endlessly fascinated with cults, and they have to capacity to make ordinary people do unthinkable things. So how do cults reel people in and what does it take to leave?

What goes on in the multilingual mind? And what does it mean to 'lose' your language?