psychologyofyour20s

When we first meet someone, the thing we instantly look for is a 'spark' - do a connect, are we attracted to each other, do we feel passion and fire and connection. What we often forget to look for is compatibility - does this person see me? Compatibility is the long term make or break of a relationship, regardless of how much intensity is there in the beginning. In today's episode, we break down the 5 biggest signs of emotional compatibility, including: 

• Why we should be searching for stillness over excitement
• What effortless communication should feel like 
• Do you need to have the same political views as your partner? 
• The 4 emotional languages 
• The secret power of laughter + so much more 

Finally, I share a brief compatibility checklist so you can judge a new relationship or connection for yourself. Listen now! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Youngest children have a reputation for being rebellious, rule breakers, sociable, charming, a bit spoiled and maybe even attention seekers. Is all of that true? And why is that the case? In today's episode, let's tackle the last sibling in our birth order series by deep diving in the psychology of birth order theory, alongside: 

• The biggest stereotypes about youngest children
• Why youngest children are treated and raised differently 
• What makes youngest children so successful in business? 
• Can we predict who youngest children will marry? 
• What struggles youngest children encounter in their families + much more! 

Listen now, youngest and all other siblings alike to learn more. 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Morning, weekly, day-time and night routines are something that successful people swear by. Whether it's a 5am wakeup followed by 45 minutes of meditating, or a structured skincare and journal routine, exercise and eating blocks, routines seem to provide what the modern world can't: certainty within the chaos. 

In today's episode, we break down the exact psychology behind why routine is so powerful, including: 

• Why routine makes us so productive
• Why routine makes us happier 
• The psychological and neurological impacts 
• The famous routines of 5 successful people 
• How to create a routine that actually works 
• Why we can't forget the need for spontaneity + more 

Listen now to create your greatest morning or night routine! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's episode is a rather personal, less psychological one. I want to talk about my fear of flying but also how I have managed to bring that fear back into my control and the huge list of tips I've put together along the way. In this episode we discuss:

• Where the fear of flying emerges from
• How a fear of the unknown or a lack of control contributes 
• The psychology of claustraphobia 
• How the pandemic made things worse for people 
• How I stopped avoiding flying + my biggest lessons
• My biggest tips for long haul flights

If you struggle getting on planes and feel like it's holding you back from adventure or travel, this episode is for you! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode I had the rare and wonderful opportunity to interview a personal hero of mine, the author of Big Magic and Eat Pray Love, writer, true creative and teacher, Elizabeth Gilbert. We discuss why the idea of 'purpose' is incorrect and making us confused and anxious, how to identify your calling, the difference between a career, hobby, job and calling, and how she managed setbacks and failure. 

We also discuss the creative process, her wisdom for imposter syndrome and how to let go of your worry and anxiety and have an authentic, true human experience. Listen now! 

Find Liz here: https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/ 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's an age old question - can men and women ever actually be friends? In today's episode we explore the social psychology and studies that help us understand why the genders sometimes have so much difficulty being close friends, as well as how to assert boundaries and keep friendships platonic, including: 

• The differences in male vs. female friendship style
• Why we prefer friends of the same gender 
• How romantic attraction ruins things 
• The checklist for healthy male-female friendship 
• How gender is creating more divide
• The benefits of having friends who are different to you + much more 

Listen now!

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone has an opinion, but are they all worth listening to? When we're not careful we can get carried away by imagining what people may or may not think about everything from our outfits, to our life choices, to our social media presence, to our relationship decisions. When we do, we become less in touch with our authentic, true self. It makes it harder for us to take action on what we want, and easier for us to go with the crowd. In today's episode, we talk about why that is, including: '

• The evolutionary purpose of considering others opinions of us
• The psychology of approval seeking behaviour 
• The influence of our childhood 
• The consequences of relying on external validation 
• How to decentre others opinions
• The 5/5/5 rule + much more

Listen now! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cortisol is the 'it' hormone of the moment. So many people are talking about cortisol face, cortisol weight gain, cortisol anxiety, but what is cortisols actual function and role and why are many of the myths that surround it, simply not true? In today's episode, we talk cortisol and our stress response, including: 

• Why cortisol isn't all bad
• The evolutionary function of cortisol  
• How cortisol levels become dysregulated 
• The link between cortisol and exercise
• The impact on weight, sleep, creativity, even emotional intelligence
• Why a supplement won't save you 
• The 4 best tips from doctors and endocrinologists 

Listen now for your cortisol 101 lesson! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes our 20s feels more like a checklist than a decade: graduate, find dream job, meet life partner, secure friends, buy house. What happens when your perfect life plan suddenly crumbles underneath you and you are forced to start over? Today we discuss this common 20-something experience, including: 

• The 5 biggest ways we find ourselves starting over
• Why our fear of failure keeps us stuck 
• The psychology behind timeline comparison 
• The mindset shift you need for fresh starts 
• How to rebuild after a sudden change in course + so much more 

Listen now if you find yourself in the same boat and thank you to our lovely listener at the beginning of the episode for sharing her story. 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alcohol is one of societies most highly accepted and used drugs. But what is it's actual impact on our brains and our bodies, and what is the psychology behind why we use alcohol and why it makes us feel so good? In today's episode, let's break down the true psychology of alcohol, including: 

• Why we feel drunk and how alcohol is processed
• How alcohol influences our neurotransmitters and brain communication
• Why we experience hangxiety + blacking out
• What makes alcohol so addictive
• When to know you have a problem 
• How your health and your body changes when you go sober + what to expect
• The link between socialising and alcohol + more 

Listen now to learn the essentials about the relationship between you, your body, your emotions and that cheeky glass of wine. 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MY NEW PODCAST IS HERE!

Ready to take a fresh path to self-discovery? Every Monday, Jemma brings you a new mantra, breaking it down to show you how you can apply it to your own life. Whether you’re facing a major transition or looking to evolve your everyday routine, Mantra is the podcast for you. 

Join Jemma every week for reflections, practical tips, and personal insights that’ll inspire you to live with intention and unlock your true potential. Follow Mantra with Jemma Sbeg wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are often torn between passion versus practicality when it comes to our dreams and our careers. Do I take the steady job, or do I take a risk and pursue writing, music, art? In today's episode we discuss how to prioritise your creative passion no matter your circumstances and what barriers we tend to encounter, from money to time, nay-sayers and perfectionism. We discuss: 

• The four hurdles we face
• The psychology of perfectionism 
• My 1 month creative challenge 
• The psychology of ritual 
• How to find a creative community 
• What to know about your finances + more 

Listen now to be inspired to take your creative passion seriously!

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are writing and thinking about your goals all wrong and in today's episode I want to discuss how we can think about our goals in a manner that will make us more successful! Whether it's a fitness goal, financial, personal, career or relationship goal, this formula works for all of them. We discuss: 

• The 4 biggest psychological barriers to achieving our goals 
• How to articulate GOOD goals 
• The 'I am' vs. 'I want' philosophy
• How to action our goals 
• The power of the path of least resistance 
• Overcoming goal disengagement and reversal 

All of that and more! If you're ready to set good, actionable goals, this episode is for you! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Manifestation far more mystical than scientific, but there is some important psychology behind how it works and why. In today's episode we break down the exact science and research behind the power of manifestation and 5 important exercises that can help you create powerful, positive shifts in your love. This includes: 

• The roots of manifestation
• The science of the law of attraction and detachment 
• What is a self fulfilling prophecy? 
• How does positive thinking attract a positive reality? 
• The power of affirmations, scripted manifestation, music and more 

Listen now! 

Follow MANTRA: @mantraopenmind 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This year is your year for complete self trust, in all forms! The opposite of anxiety and doubt is self trust. This means we have confidence and clarity in our choices. we believe in our ability to overcome failure, we have a deep sense of self and we trust in our belief for our future.

Each year I like to set a theme for the 12 months to come. In today's episode I explain why a theme is essential and introduce this years theme: the theme of self trust. We will also break down what it means to build real self trust through three important practices, what erodes self trust and what a 2025 defined by self trust could bring. All of that and more, listen now! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we bring back an episode from 2022 on the psychology of New Years resolutions, the significance of the new year for making goals and promises to ourselves, why we set New Years resolutions, the typical reasons we tend to fail and how to be successful. We explore self efficacy, personal development theory and the psychology behind failure to understand how we can achieve our 2025 goals. Happy listening!

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to dating in our 20s, the entire experience seems like a bit of a maze and often leaves us questioning, is there a RIGHT way to be dating in our 20s? Should I be playing it casual, and just having fun, prioritise being single and getting to know myself, only dating people we want to marry, be looking for long term compatability? And what if you know exactly what you want, but are unsure how to get it? 

Today, I have on the hosts of Dateable to answer your biggest dating questions and conundrums and provide their advice from over two decades of learnings and knowledge, including: 

• How to tell if someone is right for you
• How to not rush into love 
• How to detach from the outcome of a first date 
• How to know what you want and how to get it 
• How to handle a good, not great relationship 
• How to rebound from a breakup + more 

Preorder How to be Dateable here: https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/166803042X?tag=simonsayscom 

Follow Julie & Yue here: @dateablepodcast

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Childhood is a funny thing. You can only really understand it in hindsight and as we become adults we begin to reconsider the ways in which our families have shaped us, for better or for worse. In today's episode, we break down the complicated ways we rethink our family dynamics in adulthood, including: 

• What happens when our family lets us down
• Our adult reaction to childhood trauma 
• Do we confront our family or move past it? 
• Dealing with emotionally immature parents 
• How to find closure on your own 
• Navigating difficult family dynamics around the holidays 

We welcomed on an amazing guest, Gwendloyn Watson, a Marriage and Family Therapist with an expertise in navigating complicated family dynamics and her family story to guide us through these topics. 

You can find Gwen here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwendolyn-watson-lmft-3520821a/ 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's we tackle a topic many of us face but rarely discuss openly: sexual shame and sexual confidence. What holds us back from having amazing sex? What emotional wounds stop us from asking for what we want? Why do we zone out when we're with someone we love? Why do we feel shame about having too much, or not enough sex? These are the questions we are going to ask today. 

We are jouned by renowned sex therapist Dr. Emily Jamea, to break down where sexual shame comes from—whether it’s past trauma, religious messaging, or societal pressures—and how it impacts our ability to experience pleasure.

Dr. Emily shares powerful advice on unlearning shame, building sexual confidence, and embracing your desires without fear or embarrassment. We also explore the psychology behind libido, its fluctuations in our 20s, and the role mental health, stress, and body image play in our relationships and sexual lives.

Buy The Anatomy of Desire here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Anatomy-Desire-Secrets-Connection-Cultivate-ebook/dp/B0CPWSJFML 

Follow Dr Emily here: @dremilyjamea 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we have on the most special guest of all: the listeners! I asked you all to send in your biggest 20-something dilemmas, the things that are leaving your confused, keeping you up and night, have you overthinking everything, and you delivered. Today we hear from seven of our listeners, and answer questions like: 

• Should I travel or save for a house?
• How do I know what to do with my life when there are so many options? 
• How do I express myself in my relationship? 
• What happens when I'm creatively burnt out? 
• How to make new friends as an adult, and so much more! 

Thank you to our beautiful listeners who contributed their dilemmas! Listen now!

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have been hearing a lot about the use of psychedelics to treat mental health in recent years, but what does that actually entail? What do psychedelics actually do to our brain? What would it feel like? What would it look like if psychedelics were as easily prescribed as antidepressants? What are we currently getting wrong about mental health? 

In this episode, we bring on an expert. Paul Austin, a psychedelics coach and the founder of Third Wave to explore the future of these drugs and their history, including: 

• The ancient tradition of psychedelics
• Why they are so transformative for depression and PTSD 
• The impact on the brain and neuroplasticity 
• The groundbreaking studies on their effectiveness
• The limitations and ethical considerations, and much more! 

Follow Paul here: @paulaustin3w

Buy his book on micro-dosing here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Microdosing-Psychedelics-Practical-Guide-Upgrade/dp/1980670919 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it mean to experience misogyny these days? Is it the typical locker room talk and exclusion, or does it go deeper than that? In today's episode, my guest and I discuss the many dimensions of misogyny, including: 

• Internalised misogyny and sexism from other women
• The psychology of the 'pick me' girl 
• Dating as a feminist 
• The ethics of cosmetic surgery 
• How to handle misogyny in the workplace, and much more...

Hannah Ferguson is the founder of Cheek Media and the author of two best-selling books, Bite Back and Taboo. She also hosts Big Small Talk, a wonderful news podcast. 

Follow Hannah here: @hannahferguson__ & @cheekmedia.co 

Buy her new book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Taboo-Conversations-never-about-relationships-ebook/dp/B0DCF8LNQK 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode we welcome on entrepreneur, founder and Hot, Smart, Rich icon, Maggie Sellers to discuss her formula and mindset for having it all, how she founded her business and her best tips for confidence + more.

Maggie created a unique space on the internet that helps women break into the male dominated spaces of investing, tech and entrepreneurship whilst not sacrificing their authenticity. In this episode we talk about how we can be hot by mastering the psychology of confidence and self-assurance; smart by challenging our beliefs and creating a nuanced media diet; and finally, rich by knowing how to make our money work for us and rethinking our financial habits. This episode will inspire you to get ahead whilst still prioritising what's important to you. 

Follow Maggie here: @maggiesellers

Subscribe to Hot, Smart, Rich: https://hotsmartrich.beehiiv.com/ 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our very first guest of the holiday season, I invited on Dr Lisa Miller - a professor at Columbia University, author, clinical psychologist and researcher to discuss her profound work on the intersection between spirituality and mental health. 

Our spiritual health is often the dimension of wellbeing we neglect the most, but in this episode we uncover why having a strong belief system, sense of purpose, oneness and path is invaluable, especially in our 20s. This includes: 

• The distinction between religion and spirituality
• What brain scans say about the importance of a higher power or meaning 
• 3 practices to improve your spiritual core 
• Why your spiritual core is so essential in your 20s 
• Why we resist spirituality and how this harms us 

Dr Lisa was an incredible and inspiring guest, her book is called The Awakened Brain. 

You can follow her her: @dr.lisamiller

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a lot of terrible news out there, so much so that we could spend every hour of every day reading it and still not be done. What's worse is that we can now access that news at any time, any where, any place from our phones and this has lead to a phenomena known as doomscrolling. Doomscrolling may feel comforting, but it leads to more existential anxiety, stress and apathy. It's not great for our mental health. Today we break down: 

• What are the different types of doomscrolling
• Why do anxiety and doomscrolling actually feed off eachother 
• How social media and the infinite scroll keeps us addicted to negative news
• The consequences for our psychology 
• How to maintain better news and social media hygiene 
• The best practices for being informed but not overwhelmed

For my fellow doomscrollers who can't look away from the end of the world, this episode is for you.

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best things in life aren't always the easiest and it's often this exertion and extra effort that holds us back from diving in or fully committing. Whether it's a new routine, an ambitious study schedule or workout plan, knowing how we can use psychology and neuroscience to make hard tasks easier is incredibly valuable. In today's episode we discuss: 

• The 5 minute rule 
• The power of a persona 
• Using mental imagery and visualisation to do hard things 
• The power of learned industriousness 
• The 3 forms of motivation to know and implement 

This episode will make all the hard things you've been putting off infinitely easier. Listen now! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friendships are hard. Add in distance and they can get even harder at times. But long distance friendships seem like a fact of life in our 20s as people scatter for school, work, travel, and just because they want to. Whilst it's said that some 50% of these relationships fail, I want to give you the tools to help your long distance friendships succeed. In this episode we discuss: 

• The psychological challenges of long distance friendships
• How friendship is influenced by proximity and convenience 
• My 4 ingredient friendship formula 
• The BEST practical tips for maintaining connection 
• What to do when the friendship feels over 

Hope you enjoy, and make sure you send to your long distance pal! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Public speaking is one of our biggest fears as a species - some 75% of us list public speaking as our biggest and greatest fear. In today's episode, I want to discuss why that is and where this fear stems from, socially, psychologically and evolutionary, but also how we can transform our attitude to public speaking and excel, including tips based in psychology such as: 

1. Creating a persona and modelling a hero
2. Embracing flow rather than a need for structure 
3. The power of slowing down 
4. Anxiety and pacing 
5. Anchoring yourself to your audience 

Listen now if you're ready to master your next speech or presentation!

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Solo travelling is something that we romanticise a lot in our 20s and is a big thing on many of our bucket lists. It can be such a transformative experience, it allows you to listen to your intuition better, explore the places you've always dreamed about without waiting for others and builds a unique kind of confidence. In today's episode, we break down the psychology of solo travelling, including: 

• What personality traits make a good solo traveller
• Why are we so drawn to solo travelling 
• The 4 major psychological benefits of solo travelling in our 20s 
• The most common challenges we face when solo travelling 
• How to overcome those challenges 
• The post solo travelling hangover and much more 

Listen now! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of us try to convince ourselves we can be friends with our ex in the immediate aftermath of a breakup, but is that necesserily the best idea? In 2022 I did an episode with my ex-boyfriend talking about how a friendship was totally possible, well since then it is obvious to say that I have changed my mind, and in this episode I give my reasons, including: 

• Why we (mistakedly) try to stay friends with our exes 
• The types of relationships where this feels possible 
• The consequences 
• How it impacts our new relationships, self esteem, and ability to find closure
• How to be friends with an ex if you MUST BE 
• Essential boundaries for a friendship with your ex

This episode is the only time I have redone/revised an episode so we hope you enjoy. 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us have been facing increasing levels of political anxiety in the past days and weeks. It seems that the world has never been more divisive and polarised and there is a lot that we are uncertain and fearful of. In today’s episode we talk about how we can acknowledge that the future feels scary, but still find an internal sense of safety and peace, including:

• The value of stoic principles and focusing on what you can control
• The psychology of a strong belief system
• The power of staying present and grounding ourselves
• Overcoming doomscrolling and being informed but not overwhelmed
• How to talk about politics in a healthy way

I know this time feels very scary and uncertain but I hope this tiny slice of the internet makes you feel safe and seen, love Jemma.

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all know the stereotypes about the eldest child, the youngest and the only child, but the middle child often seems to be left out, and not just from our conversations on birth order theory, but also seemingly from the family sometimes. In today's episode, we putting a spotlight on the middle children, including how their position in the family makes them so agreeable, why they often become the conflict mediators, and how this can build resentment later in life. 

We also discuss why middle children feel so unseen, but also are the most independent, how they behave in friendships, relationships, in the workplace, and what happens when there are multiple middle children, as well as how to reparent your middle child. Listen now! 

PREORDER MY BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The idea of a 'soft life' originated from a group of Nigerian influencers who chose the term to describe a way of living that was comfortable, joyful, minimised stress whilst prioritised self care and simple beauty, in comparison to hustle culture, burnout and urgency. In today's episode we are going to go through 5 practical tips to make this gentle life your reality, including: 

1. The 'Picture This' exercise
2. The new way to approach your To Do list 
3. How to organically regulate your nervous system
4. Creation over consumption 
5. Rethinking our ideas for success

I also have a special announcement at the beginning of the episode! Thank you again for all the support.

Preorder my book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/755841/person-in-progress-by-jemma-sbeg/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your hobbies may be just as important as your friendships in your 20s. But whilst you may dedicate 10-15 hours a week to your friends, most of us can go a week or two without actually performing our hobbies. Why is that, and what is the consequence?In today's episode we break down the psychology of why our hobbies are so important, including: 

• The debate around what makes a hobby 
• How many hobbies do you actually need? 
• How much time should you spend doing your hobbies? 
• The Rule of Four for hobbies
• The psychological benefits 
• The 3 major reasons we struggle to perform our hobbies
• How to find time, inspiration and motivation for your hobbies, and more

Listen now if you want to make more of your leisure time! 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daydreaming can be a perfectly normal part of life - zoning out in the shower, before we fall asleep, on the train to work. But some of us cross over into dangerous territory or what we call maladaptive daydreaming where we can't pull ourselves away from the fantasy. We feel disconnected and it makes our real life feel so much less bright and enjoyable. It can cause us a lot of distress and distraction. Why is that? And why can't we stop ourselves? In today's episode, we break down: 

• What makes daydreaming 'maladaptive' or 'excessive' 
• What are the signs + the 16 item scale for maladaptive daydreaming
• The impact on our emotional health 
• Maladaptive daydreaming and creativity 
• Maladaptive daydreaming, trauma, anxiety and OCD 
• Is daydreaming a form of escapism?
• How to turn daydreaming into intentional visualisation 

Thank you to our listeners who contributed their perspective. Happy listening! 

The 16 item scale here: https://traumadissociation.com/mds 

The Reddit help group: https://www.reddit.com/r/MaladaptiveDreaming/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes the loudest critic, our biggest hater is not someone we know, it is ourselves. We are the ones who are the first to judge ourselves, to shut ourselves and our ambitions down, to say the nastiest things. In today's episode we break down why we are our own worst critic, including: 

• How we learn self criticism in childhood
• The evolutionary component to criticism 
• The role of the super ego 
• The role of comparison 
• Why no one is really looking at your that closely 
• How to embrace radical self compassion and acceptance
• How to use cognitive diffusion, and much more 

This episode is a rerun whilst Jemma is recovering from an illness. We will be back on Friday with a brand new episode. 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our 20s it can feel like a mad rush to find the one. If you are single and dating, you know the experience of going on what seems like dozens of dates only to be disappointed and, at the end of the day, exhausted and yet you still haven't found someone. In this episode, we discuss why that is including: 

• The signs your experiencing dating burnout
• What dating burnout and traditional burnout have in common
• The role of swipe based dating apps 
• Why this occurs and the emotional impact 
• The psychology of a 'dating detox' 
• How to have FUN when dating and how to overcome dating burnout 

Listen now if nothing seems to be working when it comes too feeling frustrated and exhausted when it comes to dating in your 20s. 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At some stage in our 20s, all of us will experience what I call 'The Loneliest Chapter' - a period where we feel detached, disconnected and isolated. Whilst this experience can feel terrible and make us question our relationships, friendships and selves, it's an important rite of passage and actually ends up teaching us a lot. In today's episode we discuss: 

• What is the 'lonely' chapter of our 20s?
• My personal journey with loneliness 
• What are some signs you may be in it, right now? 
• Why does this occur? What creates this period? 
• How can we learn to tolerate and enjoy solitude? 
• What are the benefits of loneliness? 
• How can we make new friends and feel like we belong? 

All of that, and more...

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is the cost of caring too much for others? Always being the person to fix everyone's problems? Never needing anyone, but secretly loving that everyone else relies on you? Well, it turns out it can cost you and your relationships a lot, and may also be a sign of high functioning codependency. High functioning codependency is much more common amongst people who are overachieving, overgiving and who have few boundaries (even if they don't know it). 

In today's episode, we are joined by the originator of this term. Terri Cole is a psychotherapist and boundary expert who has been investigating this phenomena for years in her high functioning and highly successful clients. She shares the traits, behaviours, costs and ways to improve your high functioning codependency. This was one of my favourite episodes to date, happy listening!

Buy Terri's new book here:  https://www.soundstrue.com/products/too-much?srsltid=AfmBOor1-0MHrQayS-ZdUANvTC5qC-T4e1Bpxotu8cti1CqOVVizKO17 

Follow Terri here: @terricole 

Terri's resources: https://www.terricole.com/ 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shame follows us everywhere. So many of us are bound by shame about our past, our mistakes, our identity, our looks, our decisions and choices. This can make living a meaningful and fulfilling life incredibly difficult when you have your own personal, shame bully following you everywhere. In todays episode we learn: 

• How shame gets implanted in us
• The links between shame and trauma 
• Shame vs. guilt
• How shame manifests in hidden ways 
• What a life without shame could look like?
• How to release shame by communicating with your inner child 
• How to shut down shame spirals 
• My own personal story of body shaming 

Listen now! I hope this releases you from the heavy burden of shame.

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At some stage in our 20s we'll have to make a life changing decision where the right choice is not at all clear: stay or leave my job, the country, my relationships? We can become paralysed in that moment, unable to take a step forward, not realising that doing nothing is, in itself, a decision. In today's episode we break down: 

• Why we struggle to make hard decisions
• The paradox of choice 
• Indecisiveness and a lack of self trust 
• The 'Wisest Self' thought exercise
• The 10/10/10 rule for making hard decisions 
• The role of regret and fear 

Listen now if you're struggling with some hard choices in your 20s! 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The right person at the wrong time might be one of the saddest kinds of love stories we come across. This person may be perfect for us, our dream partner, but factors like distance, life, obligations, emotional readiness get in the way and mean that we can't be together. Despite knowing we can't be together, we can't let go and pine after this person, wondering what we could have done differently. Or is right person, wrong time, actually just a myth? Is there ever such a thing as the 'wrong time' for our soulmate? In this episode we discuss: 

• The obstacles that keep people apart
• The psychology of 'right person, wrong time'
• The cognitive biases that keep us attached to someone
• Why we feel more bonded with some people over others 
• Why 'right person, wrong time' may be a myth 
• How to get over this person you can't stop thinking about

Listen now!

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let's talk about what's been going on with my mental health recently and what's changed. This is a rather vulnerable episode so please check in with yourself before listening. 

Lifeline (AUS): 13 11 14

National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (US): 988 

Samaritans (UK): 116 123

Mental health resources (worldwide): https://www.helpguide.org/find-help 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Work makes up a large component of our lives. It's estimated that 1/3 of our waking lives will be spent working, so when that environment is toxic or harmful, it takes it's toll. Especially in our 20s, a toxic workplace can be quite a negative, formative experience and leave us with poor confidence, imposter syndrome and chronic burnout. In today's episode we discuss the psychological impact of bad jobs, including: 

• The burnout cycle
• Psychological enmeshment with a workplace
• Long term impact on self esteem and future employment 
• Tips for surviving a toxic workplace
• Tips on how to thrive afterwards, despite the trauma 

I also share my own lived experience with a toxic workplace and what I wish I'd known before. Listen now! 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When someone criticises us we naturally feel on edge and defensive. This is because criticism threatens our ego and our sense of self and so we have a very emotional reaction. But that doesn't have to be the case. In today's episode, we break down:

• What makes us so sensitive to criticism
• Hypercritical parenting and an aversion to feedback 
• Rejection sensitivity and criticism 
• The differences between criticism and feedback
• How to properly approach criticism
• When the criticism isn't worth your time

All of that and more as we unpack the psychology behind criticism. Listen now! 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If nothing else, our 20s are a time for reinvention and transformation. We become clearer and clearer about the version of us we want to be, and hopefully more confident around expressing our authentic elves, but sometimes this is interrupted by periods of boredom, stagnation, isolation and discomfort. These are all signs that something in our lives needs to change, and it needs to change now. In today's episode we break down five ways to reinvent yourself during your 20s, including: 

• Theory of opposites
• Visualisation and choosing the 'theme' for your next era
• The timeline for change 
• The power of risk + microrisks 
• Changing 'what if' thinking into 'what else' or 'so what?' + more 

Listen now when you're ready for transformation.

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Flirting! Usually thought of as something used to express romantic or physical interest may actually be the secret to unlocking more connections than you can ever imagine: platonic and romantic. In today's episode we break down the psychology of flirting, including how to gain confidence in your flirting ability, the flirt languages or styles, why flirting is all about connection and low expectations and, of course, how to bring back flirting into a long term relationship. 

We are joined by the Flirt Coach, Benjamin Camras, to be the expert on this episode. Benjamin has been a flirt coach for thousands, runs his own podcast on flirting, called Flirtations, and gives us his best tips and tricks for embracing the power of the 'flirt'. Listen now! 

Follow Benjamin here: @benjamincamras

Listen to Flirtations here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Ti023cM762SVaQOZrdWlv?si=4ab574c92b5f4339 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all get anxious at times, but what we forget in those moments is that anxiety is just there to protect us, it's trying to do its job, and the more we lean in and play along, the more we start to feel in control again. In today's episode, we break down the four ways I've made my anxiety work for me, including: 

• Turning anxiety into excitement
• The certainities list method
• The personification method 
• Channeling anxious energy into creative energy + more 

If you're someone who struggles with ongoing anxiety, this episode will hopefully provide you with a new perspective, or at least a refresher on what we do know about the way anxiety effects us. Listen now! 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast 

For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Limerance - the state of having undeniable feelings for someone who does not feel the same way - feels so much like love but can be so confusing, because deep down we know this person is probably not the one. Despite that we find it impossible to move on, impossible to disconnect or detach despite our best efforts because our affections for this person feel so permanently wired into our brain. Today we talk about why that may be, including: 

• The first ever studies into limerance
• The 4 stages of limerance 
• The addictive explanation for limerance 
• Limerance, attachment style, fantasy and ADHD
• What the long term emotional impacts of limerance are 
• How to recover + 4 tips for moving on

Listen now! 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast 

For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our attention is constantly being pulled in every direction: we're thinking about the past, overthinking the future, getting notifications from our phones, information from our environment. When was the last time you truly slowed down and enjoyed the present? When was the last time you savoured the moment like you do a nice meal, or a sleep in? Today we are discussing the power of mindfulness, and the power of staying present, including: 

• The three biggest enemies to staying present
• The psychology of disassocation
• The psychological benefits of living in the moment
• What the world's biggest happiness study says about staying present 
• The 3x3x3 mindfulness method 
• Embracing your 'romance' moments, and more 

Listen now to learn about the art of noticing, staying present, and feeling life fully. 

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg 

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast 

For business enquiries: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.