The Francesca Psychology Podcast

Alain de Botton, philosopher and founder of The School of Life, offers a compact guide to relationships and self-understanding. He discusses how problems spark insight. He explains attachment styles, why we repeat childhood patterns, and how dating mistakes and vulnerability shape attraction. He also covers loneliness, what makes people lovable, and how to decide whether to stay or leave.

Robert Greene, bestselling author and thinker on power and human behavior. He explores what true power looks like and how to become irreplaceable. He maps seduction archetypes and modern dating shifts. He explains reading masks, recognizing manipulation, and why people feel more timid today.

Jonny Thomson is a British philosopher, author, and educator known for making philosophy practical and accessible. He is the founder of Mini Philosophy, a popular platform that breaks down complex philosophical ideas into clear, relatable insights for everyday life.Check him out: https://miniphilosophy.substack.com/00:00 Intro02:20 What inspired you to study philosophy05:20 How philosophy shows up in our daily lives08:50 Philosophical issues in the modern world13:05 What is power?15:20 How to change someone's mind22:17 4 rules of a good debate34:20 The dizziness of freedom41:22 How to have transformational conversations47:55 How to spot intelligent people53:16 How someone can manipulate you56:30 The dead cat theory58:55 How to make hard choices01:06:45 The serious man01:13:05 The Fig Tree Theory01:16:55 The 3 pillars of happiness01:19:55 The hedonic treadmill01:2315 How to increase your happiness baseline01:16:55 The 3 pillars of happiness01:2315 How to increase your happiness baseline01:25:48 Gratitude Exercise01:26:53 How to cultivate creativity

Tim Fletcher is a researcher and counselor with over 30 years of experience, specialising in the field of Addiction and Complex Trauma recovery. I’m launching a course on FINDING LOVE that explains how to heal unhealthy patterns and find a healthy relationship. Join waitlist here - https://tr.ee/bIUJlW-oyZ1:1 Life Coaching - https://tr.ee/7S2Xi6rtodFREE QUIZ: The 5 Patterns Blocking Healthy Love - https://tr.ee/ZVRec4up_VFREE CBT eBook - https://tr.ee/eziT_m9aymNew Book Waitlist - https://tr.ee/9EWZAp0OZm00:00 Intro02:08 What Is Complex Trauma?08:33 Dissociating As A Trauma Response12:09 Can You See Trauma in Someone's Eyes?17:00 Family Roles Created by Trauma26:15 Why Trauma Creates Deep Shame32:00 Low self worth vs shame34:20 Why Trauma Makes You Feel Like a Burden41:19 Rebuilding Your Identity After Trauma50:10 How Trauma Affects Relationships53:30 How Wound Of Abandonment Ruins Relationships55:05 How To Heal Wound Of Abandonment58:55 Why Trauma Makes You Feel Like You Don’t Belong01:01:39 Feeling Like An Outcast Like A Kid01:05:15 How To Recover From Bullying01:06:46 Trauma & Intimacy01:13:37 Healing Your Intimate Life After Trauma01:20:35 How to Let Go of a Relationship01:24:22 What Is Maladaptive Daydreaming?01:27:25 Scenarios Before Bed01:31:38 The Foundation of Trauma Healing01:37:49 Signs You’re Healing From Trauma

Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA officer and founder of EverydaySpy.com, shares astonishing insights from the world of espionage. He discusses how his new book, Shadow Cell, reveals CIA methods, including how to recruit operatives and build believable aliases. Bustamante delves into the nuances of seduction and honey traps, explaining their psychological mechanics. He also offers techniques for reading people and detecting lies, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence in both interrogation and everyday interactions.

Dr. Shadé Zahrai, a behavioural researcher and peak performance educator, shares her insights on boosting credibility and confidence at work. She discusses the importance of self-trust over mere confidence and outlines practical tricks like vocal pauses and body language to enhance presence. Listeners learn about the two types of charisma—captivating and magnetic—and strategies for navigating interviews and asserting boundaries with colleagues. Additionally, she tackles how to handle condescension and reclaim credit for one’s ideas in the workplace.

Dr. Alok Kanojia, also known as Dr. K, is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and co-founder of Healthy Gamer, focusing on modern mental health challenges. In this conversation, he shares his journey from gaming addiction to integrating spirituality with psychiatry. He explores how to find purpose by building it internally through choices and connections. Dr. K also discusses the loneliness epidemic, social skills, and practical dating advice, emphasizing that attraction is about vision and handling difficulties, not just looks.

Anna Runkle, the Crappy Childhood Fairy, helps people heal from childhood trauma. She discusses how childhood neglect impacts our ability to connect and the signs of being ostracized in youth. Anna breaks down self-isolation and offers strategies to combat it, emphasizing the importance of cultivating 'connectability.' She also explains limerence and trauma bonds, guiding listeners on how to recognize healthy relationships. With practical tips for finding your community, Anna empowers others to embrace their true selves and foster deeper connections.

Chase Hughes, a behavior profiling and influence expert with a military background, shares insights into nonverbal communication. He explores how to elicit information without direct questions and decode personality through facial expressions. Chase also discusses techniques for reading group dynamics and differentiating attraction cues between genders. Highlighting the ethics of influence, he emphasizes intent behind manipulation. Listeners learn quick personality reads and powerful habits to project confidence and authenticity.

Case Kenny is a mindfulness expert, the author of That’s Bold of You, and the host of the popular podcast New Mindset, Who Dis? He has over 1.3M followers on instagram where he shares short affirmations and mantras. His new book The Opposite of Settling is also coming out this year in August.