The Psychology of your 20s
iHeartPodcasts
A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.
My book is out NOW: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean
For business enquires please email psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
My book is out NOW: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean
For business enquires please email psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
45 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 48min
400. 15 things everyone should do in their 20s
They list 15 unconventional priorities for your 20s, from living away from home to taking big risks while stakes are low. Topics include real money lessons, quitting dependencies, and doing yearly challenges. Other highlights: doing a social audit, deep love and solitude experiments, documenting your life, and creating a loose aspirational life plan.
39 snips
Mar 23, 2026 • 48min
399. The psychology of exercise
They unpack why movement can calm the brain and act as emotional release. The conversation explores endorphins, endocannabinoids and the biology behind the runner’s high. You’ll hear how walking influences vision and threat processing, how exercise reshapes the brain over time, and when movement shifts from self-care into obsession. Practical pointers on rebuilding a healthier relationship with movement are also discussed.
41 snips
Mar 21, 2026 • 23min
398. 5 ways to get unstuck in your 20s
Conversation about why feeling stuck in your twenties can feel claustrophobic and surprisingly common. A simple three-column mind map is shared as a clarity tool. The idea of committing to a six-month challenge gets explored. Reasons to stop seeking outside advice and to quit social media are discussed. Small adventures and novelty are recommended to reset perspective.
31 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 37min
397. The psychology of office politics
Explores the hidden dynamics of workplace influence and the informal networks that really shape decisions. Breaks down five sources of power you can use ethically. Looks at how social exchange, exclusion, envy, gossip, and scarcity drive behaviour. Shares practical habits to get ahead without compromising values and signs it might be time to move on.
56 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 35min
396. Homesickness
A deep dive into homesickness as nostalgia, grief and a stress response. Exploration of place attachment and why certain locations feel like part of our identity. Discussion of delayed homesickness, the honeymoon phase, and personality differences in emotional intensity. Practical tips for building a sense of home and timing frameworks to decide whether to stay or move on.
13 snips
Mar 15, 2026 • 33min
395. Is depression just a chemical imbalance?
They explore the origins of the chemical imbalance idea and how serotonin became shorthand for depression. The rise of Prozac and marketing that shaped public belief gets unpacked. Evidence for antidepressants versus placebo and why effects vary by severity are discussed. The conversation shifts to social, psychological, and environmental drivers and why multi-layered treatment often works best.
11 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 39min
394. What is the pursuer-distancer relationship dynamic?
They unpack the pursuer-distancer relationship pattern and what each partner’s behavior looks like. The psychology behind why opposites attract and how attachment and nervous systems lock people into the cycle is explored. The conversation covers how the pattern burns people out, when it becomes harmful, and practical steps for change and healing in your 20s.
54 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 37min
393. The psychology of stoicism
An engaging tour of Stoicism’s origins, core beliefs about control and interpretation, and the three pillars of logic, physics, and ethics. The four cardinal virtues—wisdom, courage, justice and temperance—are unpacked. Research links Stoic attitudes to reduced anxiety, better pain outcomes, and therapeutic approaches. Practical practices like negative visualization and gratitude are explored for life in your twenties.
27 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 39min
392. Why is whimsy so powerful
They unpack what whimsy means and why playful rituals are resurging in culture. Neuroscience of play, stress, and brain plasticity gets a clear breakdown. The episode explores neuroaesthetics and how small acts of joy can protect mental health. Listeners hear concrete, low-cost whimsy ideas and tips for making play a daily ritual.
32 snips
Mar 2, 2026 • 43min
391. The unconscious vs. conscious mind
They unpack the split between deliberate thinking and fast, automatic processing. Ancient ideas and Freud’s topographical model are traced to modern research. You hear how habits, advertising, and early learning shape automatic responses. Practical steps for spotting and reshaping runaway patterns are previewed in short, actionable segments.
