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
20 snips
Apr 4, 2026 • 35min
403. How to do hard things (using psychology)
They break down psychological tricks to make daunting tasks feel doable. Short-start hacks like the five minute rule and mood timing are explored. Visualization, adopting a persona, and learned industriousness get airtime. Motivation types and smart reward systems are discussed to help you stick to routines and big projects.
7 snips
Apr 2, 2026 • 48min
402. Why trauma bonding feels so much like love ...
A clear breakdown of how abusive relationships form and why they can feel like love. Short scenes on love-bombing, hot-and-cold cycles, and the brain chemistry that keeps people hooked. Practical signs to spot a trauma bond and concrete steps to begin separating and rebuilding identity. Gentle warnings about the emotional and physical fallout and where to find support.
26 snips
Mar 30, 2026 • 47min
401. The psychology of microtrends
A lively dive into why microtrends explode and fade so fast. Short trend life cycles, fast fashion factories, and social contagion explain the churn. The episode also explores dopamine-driven shopping, dark marketing tactics, and why people in their twenties feel pressure to conform. It ends with a look at microtrend fatigue and the move toward lasting personal 'vibes'.
131 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.
52 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.
