Psychologists discuss the necessity of hope in challenging times, including its difference from optimism. They explore the consequences of losing hope and how it can be nurtured and cultivated. The power of hope is examined, including its role in navigating adversity and inspiring social change.

Sander van der Linden, PhD, researcher at Cambridge University, discusses the prevalence of misinformation, why it spreads like a virus, and strategies to combat it. He explores the impact of generative AI technology, recognizing and combating false political information online, the disparities between traditional media and social media in fact-checking, and the role of community leaders in spreading accurate information.

Dr. Kim Mueser discusses the progress in treating serious mental illness, the role of medication and psychosocial interventions, the importance of meaningful work in recovery, and the truth about the connection between violence and mental illness. He also explores early intervention for psychosis, the role of family support, and the correlation between poverty and mental illness. Additionally, he highlights the potential for psychologists to provide effective treatments and the need for policy improvements.

Charles Duhigg and Michael Yeomans discuss how to improve communication by understanding goals, building rapport, and having productive disagreements. They explore different types of conversations and the importance of aligning goals, as well as strategies for building trust and connection. They also share transformative lessons in communication, including asking follow-up questions and reciprocating vulnerability.

William Haley, PhD, discusses the mental and physical health effects of caregiving, interventions to support caregivers, and how society could better support caregivers. They also explore the concept of age-friendly and dementia-friendly communities, compare caregiving support in different countries, and discuss the importance of preparing for future caregiving responsibilities.

Psychologist Dean McKay, PhD, and OCD advocate Uma Chatterjee debunk myths about OCD and discuss effective evidence-based treatments. They explore the onset and development of OCD in children, the impact of comorbidities on well-being, and ongoing research in the field.

Coltan Scrivner, expert in psychology of horror and true crime, talks about why people are drawn to horror, true crime and scary genres; and whether terrifying entertainment can be good for mental health. He also discusses the paradox of enjoying horror movies, the impact of technology on health, and the connection between morbid curiosity and horror. Additionally, he explores the interpretation of scores on the morbid curiosity scale, busts the stereotype that horror fans lack empathy, and highlights personality traits associated with horror movie enjoyment.

Dr. Mark Blagrove discusses the origin and purpose of dreams, the connection between dreams and waking life, common dream themes, differences in dream recall frequency, nightmares and their correlations with anxiety and depression, the possibility of animals dreaming, and the importance of different types of dreamers.

Psychologists Rebecca Tukachinsky Forster and Karen Dill-Shackleford discuss the benefits of parasocial relationships, how they differ from fandom, and what happens when a parasocial relationship goes sour. They also explore the impact of AI and robots on human relationships, teenage celebrity crushes, the prevalence of celebrity obsession, and how the portrayal of characters by actors can impact perception.

Dr. Molly Jameson, a Professor of Mathematics at the University of Northern Colorado, discusses the origins and impact of math anxiety, distinguishing it from general dislike for math. She explores how math anxiety can affect education and career choices, both in children and adults. The podcast also covers interventions for pre-service elementary teachers with high math anxiety, aiming to increase math interest and confidence.