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Every episode
Speaking of Psychology
30 episodes
Encore: Why psychopathy is more common than you think, with Abigail Marsh, PhD
Aug 12, 2026 · 44 min
Most of us think we know what a psychopath looks like. The word brings to mind images of horror movies and criminals. But psychopathy is far more common than most people realize, and actually hard to recognize in other people. Abigail Marsh, PhD, of Georgetown University, 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…
Encore: How living with secrets can harm you, with Michael Slepian, PhD
Aug 5, 2026 · 25 min
We all keep secrets—on average, people have about 13 secrets at any one time, five of which they have never told another person. Psychologist Michael Slepian, PhD, of Columbia Business School, 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. Learn…
Encore: Why you should aim to be a “good enough” parent, with Tim Cavell, PhD, and Lauren Quetsch, PhD
Jul 29, 2026 · 44 min
Being a parent can be tough these days. Dozens of books and articles offer competing answers to questions from how to help siblings get along to how much screen time is too much, and every decision you make feels important. It's no wonder that many parents feel tired, stressed, and unsure of whether they're doing a good job. Tim Cavell, PhD, and Lauren Quetsch, PhD, authors of Good Enough Parenting: A Six-Point Plan for a Stronger Relationship With Your Child, talk about what “good enough p…
AI “de-skilling”: What happens when we offload our work to AI? With Brooke Macnamara, PhD
Ep 389 · Jul 22, 2026 · 35 min
From writing emails to analyzing medical images, AI is becoming a routine part of many people's work. These tools can boost productivity and free us from tedious tasks -- but what happens when we start relying on them for skills that once required years of practice to develop? Brooke Macnamara, PhD, discusses the psychology of 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; a…
Social media, looksmaxxing, and why men struggle with body image, with Roberto Olivardia, PhD
Ep 388 · Jul 15, 2026 · 45 min
For years, body image concerns and eating disorders were viewed as problems that primarily affected girls and women. But boys and men also struggle with body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia -- often in ways that go unnoticed. Roberto Olivardia, PhD, a clinical psychologist at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School, discusses muscle dysmorphia; why body image disorders in men are frequently overlooked; how social media, the "manosphere," and trends like looksmaxxing are…
Rethinking sleep and mental health, with Philip Gehrman, PhD
Ep 387 · Jul 8, 2026 · 31 min
Too often, we treat sleep as something we can sacrifice when life gets busy. But a growing body of research finds that sleep is essential to both mental and physical health -- and that sleep problems can be a cause, not just a consequence, of conditions like depression and anxiety. Philip Gehrman, PhD, discusses what happens in the brain while we sleep; how insomnia and disrupted circadian rhythms affect mental health; why psychologists are paying more attention to sleep; and what all of us can…
Why listening well is harder -- and more powerful -- than you think, with Guy Itzchakov, PhD
Ep 386 · Jul 1, 2026 · 45 min
Most people think they’re good listeners. But really listening well is harder than it seems. 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 during disagreements; and whether AI chatbots will ever be good listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
“Sharenting”: What happens when children's lives are shared online? With Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, PhD
Ep 385 · Jun 24, 2026 · 24 min
From ultrasound photos to graduation pictures, many parents share their children's lives online. For some families, these posts help maintain connections with friends and relatives or build supportive parenting communities. But what does it mean for children to grow up with a digital footprint that begins, in some cases, before they are even born? Keneisha Sinclair-McBride, PhD, discusses the psychology of "sharenting," the privacy and safety risks of sharing in the age of AI, and how families c…
Multisensory perception: How sight, sound and touch shape what we taste, with Charles Spence, PhD
Ep 384 · Jun 17, 2026 · 41 min
Why does seafood taste better at the beach? Why are so many snacks crunchy? Can the color of a room or the music in the background change the way we experience what we eat and drink? Charles Spence, PhD, head of the Crossmodal Research Laboratory at the University of Oxford, discusses the science of multisensory perception and how our senses work together to shape flavor; why food is the ultimate multisensory experience; and how insights from this research can help people eat more mindfully and…
Why midlife may be your prime time, with Margie Lachman, PhD
Ep 383 · Jun 10, 2026 · 31 min
For many adults, midlife is a time of competing responsibilities: raising children, helping parents and managing careers, all while confronting their own aging. Yet psychologists increasingly see these years not as a period of crisis or decline but one of growth and opportunity. Margie Lachman, PhD, author of Primetime: A New Vision for Midlife, discusses the science of midlife, including why people often become more confident and resilient in middle age, how caring for others can be both stress…
How children learn culture — and create it, with Dorsa Amir, PhD
Ep 382 · Jun 3, 2026 · 43 min
Which aspects of human cognition are universal and which are shaped by the culture we grow up in? Dorsa Amir, PhD, director of the Mind & Culture Lab at Duke University, talks about how children learn cultural norms around things like sharing, risk-taking and cooperation; what she’s learned from her work with the Shuar people in the Ecuadorian Amazon; why children’s “peer cultures” may play a bigger role in human development than we realize; and why parents can take comfort from the vast variety…
Introducing: Call to Mind
May 29, 2026 · 53 min
Today, we're sharing an episode of another podcast we think you'll enjoy: Call to Mind, from American Public Media. Call to Mind is American Public Media's initiative to foster new conversations about mental health. This episode, The Strain of Stress, looks at the many pressures Americans are facing today, how chronic stress can affect both mental and physical health, and how to manage the strain. You’ll hear from two familiar voices: Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Associ…
How to feel more loved, with Harry Reis, PhD
Ep 381 · May 27, 2026 · 29 min
Even in our closest relationships, we can sometimes feel misunderstood and disconnected. Relationship researcher Harry Reis, PhD, coauthor of How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most, talks about the difference between being loved and feeling loved; the five “mindsets” that help people build stronger relationships; and why listening, vulnerability and curiosity are key to feeling more loved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why being ‘a little more social’ makes us happier than we expect, with Nicholas Epley, PhD
Ep 380 · May 20, 2026 · 40 min
From chatting with a stranger on the train to reaching out to an old friend, everyday social interactions make us happier than we realize. Yet many people avoid these moments because they expect them to feel awkward or uncomfortable. Nicholas Epley, PhD, author of ‘A Little More Social,’ discusses why people consistently underestimate how much they’ll enjoy all kinds of social interactions; the psychology behind small talk and deep conversations; how technology is changing the way we connect; an…
‘Bossware’ and burnout: The psychology of workplace surveillance, with Tara Behrend, PhD
Ep 378 · May 13, 2026 · 28 min
From keystroke trackers and webcam monitoring to GPS devices, an increasing number of us -- across a wide range of jobs -- are being monitored while we work. Tara Behrend, PhD, discusses why employers use these tools; how constant monitoring changes workers’ behavior and attention and 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis…
Debunking psychology myths and misconceptions, with Erin Smith, PhD
May 6, 2026 · 34 min
From the idea that we only use 10% of our brains to the belief that each of us has an optimal learning style that helps us learn best, many popular “facts” about human behavior aren’t actually true. Yet they persist, even among students who have studied psychology. Erin Smith, PhD, explores why misconceptions about the mind are so widespread and how repetition and social influences reinforce false beliefs; discusses the role of psychology education in debunking myths and shaping critical thinkin…
Managing stress in turbulent times, with Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, and Georges C. Benjamin, MD
May 1, 2026 · 24 min
From societal division to economic uncertainty to global conflict, we are living in stressful times. In this special episode of Speaking of Psychology, Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, CEO of the American Psychological Association, and Georges C. Benjamin, MD, CEO of the American Public Health Association, discuss how chronic societal stress can “get under the skin,” harming the mental and physical health of individuals and communities. They also explore the toll on healthcare workers and share researc…
It takes courage to be creative, with Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD
Ep 377 · Apr 29, 2026 · 34 min
Creativity isn’t just about making art or music -- it's about how we approach problems, respond to challenges and turn our ideas into reality. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD, author of “The Creativity Choice,” discusses the many forms of creativity; why it takes courage to be creative; how social environments can either stifle or spark ideas; the role of human innovation in a world increasingly reshaped by AI; and practical strategies for moving past creative blocks. Learn more about your ad choice…
Invisible scars: Recognizing and treating medical trauma, with James C. Jackson, PsyD
Apr 22, 2026 · 37 min
Every year, millions of people go through harrowing medical experiences, from a stay in the ICU to a difficult childbirth to the frustration of dealing with chronic pain. These experiences can leave scars on our minds as well as our bodies. Psychologist James C. Jackson, PhD, author of “Reclaiming Your Life from Medical Trauma,” talks about why medical trauma is so often overlooked, what kinds of experiences can cause it, and what interventions and treatments can help people heal. Learn more abo…
Tip or skip? What drives our tipping behavior, with Michael Lynn, PhD
Apr 15, 2026 · 26 min
Tipping has long been a part of service culture in the U.S., but in the last few years, the number of places where we're asked to tip has multiplied. Social psychologist and tipping researcher Michael Lynn, PhD, discusses “tip creep” and how digital payment screens are reshaping expectations; why social norms drive our tipping behavior; how tipping norms vary from country to country; how biases affect who gets tipped more; and whether tipping is a fair way to compensate people. Learn more about…
The psychology of spending, debt and budgeting, with Abigail Sussman, PhD
Ep 374 · Apr 8, 2026 · 34 min
Buy now, pay later plans have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, adding yet another variable to consider when making spending decisions. Abigail Sussman, PhD, discusses the psychological biases that influence how we spend, budget and borrow, including why splitting payments can make purchases feel more affordable, why we underestimate irregular expenses, and why many people carry debt even when they have savings. She also shares research-based strategies to help you make more deliberate…
Why babies laugh, with Gina Mireault, PhD
Ep 373 · Apr 1, 2026 · 29 min
Before babies have the words to tell us what they're thinking, they can laugh. Developmental psychologist Gina Mireault, PhD, explains how she sets up a “baby comedy club” in her lab; what babies find funny and why; when babies start trying to make other people laugh; and what studying laughter can tell us about babies’ cognitive development and how they experience the world in their first year of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How accurate are our first impressions? With Nicholas Rule, PhD
Ep 372 · Mar 25, 2026 · 36 min
How much can you really tell about someone at first glance? Nicholas Rule, PhD, of the University of Toronto, talks about the science of first impressions: How your brain starts making judgments about other people in milliseconds--before you’re even aware of it--how accurate those judgments are and how they’re shaped by stereotypes and biases; the research on “gaydar”; to what degree you can pick up on traits like extraversion and trustworthiness; and the real-world consequences of our accurate…
Understanding Tourette disorder and other tic disorders, with John Piacentini, PhD
Mar 18, 2026 · 35 min
Tourette disorder and other tic disorders affect millions of people yet remain widely misunderstood. John Piacentini, PhD, director of the UCLA Child OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Clinic, explains the brain basis of Tourette disorder; talks about why tics are very common in young children; debunks common myths—such as the idea that Tourette disorder mainly involves uncontrollable swearing—and discusses how recent behavioral therapies are helping many patients manage tics. Learn more about your…
How to become more patient, with Sarah Schnitker, PhD
Ep 370 · Mar 11, 2026 · 35 min
Life is full of situations -- and people -- that try our patience, from a standstill traffic jam to an obstinate preschooler who won’t put on her shoes. Sarah Schnitker, PhD, talks about why patience can be so hard to come by; whether modern life and modern technology have made us less patient; the difference between patience and passivity; and cognitive strategies to build up your ability to be patient. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Incentivizing recovery: Why contingency management works to treat addiction, with Lara Coughlin, PhD, and Michael McDonell, PhD
Ep 369 · Mar 4, 2026 · 45 min
More than half of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. involve stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine. There are no medications to treat stimulant addiction, but there is a behavioral treatment that works: contingency management, which involves offering tangible, immediate rewards for abstaining from drugs. Lara Coughlin, PhD, and Michael McDonell, PhD, discuss why contingency management works and the psychological principles it’s based on; how it can be used to treat other addictions including…
Catching fire: What goes viral and why? With Jonah Berger, PhD
Ep 368 · Feb 25, 2026 · 42 min
Why do some ideas, products, news stories and trends spread like wildfire, while others disappear? Jonah Berger, PhD, discusses the science of what catches on; the psychological forces that drive word of mouth, including social currency and high-arousal emotions like awe and anger; whether online and offline sharing differ; and what his research can tell us about the spread of misinformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to build kids’ resilience, with Mary Alvord, PhD
Feb 18, 2026 · 35 min
From school pressures to friendship ruptures, all kids will face challenges as they grow. Mary Alvord, PhD, talks why building resilience is key to helping kids handle both everyday stresses and significant life setbacks; how to help children and teens develop foundational resilience skills like emotion regulation, problem solving and an “action mindset”; and how the Resilience Builder program is being scaled up to classrooms and schools to reach more kids who could benefit from it. Learn more a…
What relationship science says about finding love, with Paul Eastwick, PhD
Ep 366 · Feb 11, 2026 · 40 min
Popular culture often frames love and dating as a competitive marketplace shaped by evolution and rigid gender differences, but relationship science tells a different story. Paul Eastwick, PhD, talks about what the research says about attraction, compatibility and long-term bonding; why men and women are more alike than different in what they seek; how dating apps distort romantic expectations and how to use the apps better; and how evolutionary ideas about love and relationships can be misused…
The invisible work of being a daughter, with Allison Alford, PhD
Ep 365 · Feb 4, 2026 · 39 min
For many women, being a daughter is not just a family role – it’s a lifelong job. Dr. Allison Alford discusses what she calls “daughtering”: the work of managing family dynamics, from coordinating schedules to soothing emotions to worrying about a parent’s future. She discusses why these expectations fall on daughters; why the work often goes unrecognized; the role of birth order and “eldest daughter syndrome”; and how daughters and families can rethink their roles to make them sustainable and f…
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