All In The Mind

Dr Chris Mesagno, a sport psychologist who studies choking under pressure, and Caroline Anderson, performance psychologist for the Australian Olympic Team, talk through why high-stakes moments derail performance. Belinda Smith, ABC reporter, guides the narrative and interviews. They explore brain models of choking, traits linked to it, practical focus tools and acceptance-based strategies to manage intense anxiety.

Professor Sidney Dekker, expert on safety in complex systems, and Dr Nejc Sedlar, psychology researcher on normalization of deviance, join James Bullen, senior producer who recounts Challenger and other disasters. They unpack how small accepted shortcuts become normal, where this shows up in high-risk fields, and what organizational habits and pressures allow dangerous drift toward catastrophe.

A lively invitation to submit burning relationship questions for renowned therapist Esther Perel. Topics include family dynamics, sex and intimacy, friendship and betrayal. Clear instructions on how to send questions and whether names or locations can be used. A friendly final reminder to get submissions in.

Dr Patricia Zurita-Ona, a clinical psychologist and ACT author, explains why tiny annoyances can pile up into real stress. She explores why we overreact to minor hassles. She talks about how self judgment and rumination prolong distress. She introduces Acceptance and Commitment Therapy tools and shows how values and acceptance can change everyday responses to irritations.

Karl Andriessen, a suicide bereavement researcher, and Blake Johnston, former pro surfer turned mental health advocate, talk about loss after suicide. They explore shock, complicated grief, effects on families and children, why prevention hasn’t reduced rates, cultural impacts, and rebuilding life through community, routines and advocacy.

Amanda Stephens, Senior Research Fellow at Monash University Accident Research Centre, explains why driving sparks sudden anger. She explores how blocked goals, anonymity in city traffic and hostile attribution bias fuel aggressive reactions. The discussion also covers stress buildup, links between car status and behavior, common escalation patterns and practical ways to defuse road rage.

Dr. Mary Anderson, a clinical psychologist and author of The Happy High Achiever, shares valuable insights into the hidden struggles of high achievers, including burnout and imposter syndrome. She discusses cognitive distortions like all-or-nothing thinking and offers practical CBT strategies to combat self-criticism. Mary emphasizes the importance of separating self-worth from achievements and introduces the SELF self-care model—Sleep, Exercise, Look forward, Fuel—to enhance mental health, urging listeners to celebrate their victories and embrace curiosity.

Dr. Blaise Aguirre, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and Harvard Medical School professor, explores the depths of self-hatred and its origins. He explains how pervasive self-loathing differs from normal shame and reveals the impact of childhood trauma. Listing practical strategies, he emphasizes separating identity from learned self-hatred. Aguirre shares anecdotal success stories where reducing self-hate led to decreased suicidality, offering hope that these negative patterns can be unlearned. Ultimately, he reassures that self-love is a natural path back to a healthier self-view.

Gloria Mark, PhD, a leading researcher on digital distraction, and Dr. Emma Fitzgerald, a clinical neuropsychologist, delve into the chaos of modern attention spans. They reveal alarming data showing attention has plummeted from 2.5 minutes to about 47 seconds! Hear Emma’s personal battle with increasing distractibility and Gloria's insights on media multitasking among kids. They debunk myths about focus, emphasizing that constant attention is unrealistic. Practical strategies for regaining control and taking effective breaks are shared, making this discussion a must-listen!

In this fascinating discussion, clinical psychologist Adam Horvath and Professor Gery Karantzas delve into the elusive phenomenon of 'the ick' in dating. They explore how this visceral feeling of disgust can affect mate selection and relationship dynamics. Adam reveals that young women often experience it, tied to evolutionary pressures and personal attachment styles, while Gery highlights how physical traits like clumsiness can trigger it. They also examine the societal impacts of dating apps and the psychological complexities behind this sudden rejection.