Speaking of Psychology Episodes

Suzanne MacDonald, PhD, discusses why some species thrive in urban environments while others struggle.

Robin Kowalski, PhD, discusses why we complain; the difference between venting and complaining to get results.

Nicole Barnes, PhD, discusses how to tell the difference between engagement and real learning, why generative AI tools call for extra caution, and what teachers offer that technology can’t replace.

Malissa Clark, PhD, discusses how workaholism differs from simply working hard

Psychologist Jens Lange, PhD, and philosopher Sara Protasi, PhD, discuss the difference between envy and jealousy.

Lotta Harju, PhD, and Sharon K. Parker, PhD, discuss how boreout differs from burnout, how it can affect workers’ health and well-being, and what individuals, managers, and organizations can do to design more engaging work.

Robert Zatorre, PhD, discusses how music engages the brain’s reward system.

Matthew Nock, PhD, discusses why it’s so hard to predict who will act on suicidal thoughts.

Edward Watson, PhD, and Beth Schwartz, PhD, discuss how AI can help or hinder learning; how teachers can redesign assignments and assessments; and what schools and universities should be teaching students about using AI responsibly.

Galena Rhoades, PhD, discusses why people cheat; infidelity in the age of dating apps, social media, and AI chatbots; what makes some betrayals harder to overcome than others; and how psychologists help individuals and couples begin to heal after an affair.

Daniel Wann, PhD, talks about why being a fan of a sports team is usually good for people’s mental health.

Abigail Marsh, PhD, discusses what researchers have learned about the causes of psychopathy and effective treatments for it, how to recognize psychopathy in those around you, and her work exploring the emotional processes and the brain differences that underlie both psychopathy and its opposite, extraordinary altruism.

Michael Slepian, PhD, talks about what types of secrets people keep, why keeping a secret bottled up inside can harm us, how keeping secrets—or sharing them—affects people’s relationships with each other, how we decide whom we can trust with our secrets, and whether other people can tell when we’re holding something back.

Tim Cavell, PhD, and Lauren Quetsch, PhD, talk about what “good enough parenting” means and why nurturing the parent-child relationship is parents’ most important job.

Brooke Macnamara, PhD, discusses cognitive offloading; what early research suggests about AI's effects on learning, memory, and expertise; why novices and experts may be affected differently by AI tools; and how workers can use AI in ways that support, rather than undermine, their long-term skill development.

Roberto Olivardia, PhD, discusses why body image disorders in men are frequently overlooked and how social media, the 'manosphere,' and trends like looksmaxxing are shaping young men's ideas about appearance and masculinity.

Philip Gehrman, PhD, discusses what happens in the brain while we sleep; how insomnia and disrupted circadian rhythms affect mental health; and why psychologists are paying more attention.

Guy Itzchakov, PhD, talks about what distinguishes high-quality listening from just staying quiet while someone else talks; how feeling heard affects speakers’ emotions, attitudes and relationships; why high-quality listening can reduce defensiveness.

Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, PhD, discusses the psychology of “sharenting,” the privacy and safety risks of sharing in the age of AI, and how families can balance connection and community with children's need for autonomy and control over their own stories.

Charles Spence, PhD, discusses the science of multisensory perception.

Margie Lachman, PhD, discusses why people become more confident and resilient in middle age, how caring for others can be both stressful and rewarding, and why the choices we make in our 40s and 50s can have an outsized impact on our health and cognitive functioning later in life.

Dorsa Amir, PhD, talks about how children learn cultural norms around things like sharing, risk-taking and cooperation, and why children’s peer cultures may play a bigger role in human development than we realize.

Harry Reis, PhD, discusses how to feel truly loved through listening, vulnerability, and five mindset shifts for stronger relationships.

Nicholas Epley, PhD, discusses why people consistently underestimate how much they’ll enjoy all kinds of social interactions.

Tara Behrend, PhD, discusses how constant monitoring changes workers’ behavior and attention, how it can increase stress and burnout; the growing role of AI in collecting and analyzing employee data; and whether any laws regulate the kinds of data employers can collect.