
All In The Mind
All In The Mind is ABC RN's weekly podcast looking into the mental universe, the mind, brain and behaviour — everything from addiction to artificial intelligence.
Latest episodes

Apr 2, 2022 • 29min
What happens when our minds wander?
Discover the benefits of mind-wandering and how it impacts creativity and productivity. Dive into the default mode network and its role in mind-wandering. Explore the importance of memory in anticipating the future and how it affects decision-making processes. Learn about mind monitoring and its impact on mood. Hear about Professor Moshe Bar's experience with mindful meditation and its application in daily life. Understand how our minds adapt and perceive the environment based on our state of mind.

Mar 26, 2022 • 30min
Why heartbreak hurts so bad
Exploring the emotional and physical toll of heartbreak, the podcast discusses the effects on the brain and body, including Broken Heart Syndrome. It also explores the impact of loneliness on gene expression and inflammation, as well as the long-lasting effects of heartbreak on health. The chapter on the emotional experience of awe and reflections on personal growth after divorce provide additional insights.

Mar 20, 2022 • 29min
Hacking humans: social engineering and the power of influence
Chris Hadnagy, founder and CEO of Social Engineer LLC, discusses the psychology of social engineering and the power of influence. Topics include infiltrating a bank through phishing, the role of reciprocity in building trust, and the psychology behind manipulation and exploitation in social engineering attacks.

Mar 12, 2022 • 29min
Humour me: why we laugh and what counts as funny
Psychologist, neuroscientist, and satirist Mark Humphries discuss the history and perception of humor, theories of humor and punching up versus punching down, the measurement of humor styles, and the neuroscience of comedic improvisation.

Mar 9, 2022 • 8min
All In The Mind presents... What The Duck?!
Explore the unusual elements of the natural world with Ann Jones in What the Duck?! Hear about the misogynistic bird names and the significance of Indigenous names and land.

Mar 5, 2022 • 29min
The pleasure of pain
Why do humans seek pain? This podcast explores the concept of deriving pleasure from pain, including examples such as horror movies and intense exercise. It also discusses the value of effort and the satisfaction we find in working towards goals. Additionally, the podcast delves into the motivations behind difficult life-changing decisions, finding flow in one's life, and the importance of seeking out difficulties and challenges to find fulfillment and purpose.

Feb 26, 2022 • 29min
'Utterly catastrophic' — life with frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia is a challenging condition that is difficult to diagnose and impossible to cure. The podcast explores the impact of the disease on individuals and their caregivers, as well as the complex process of diagnosis. It also highlights the challenges in finding effective treatments for frontotemporal dementia and emphasizes the need for greater awareness and research. Personal stories of those affected by the condition showcase the struggles faced and the importance of love and dedication in the face of hardship.

Feb 19, 2022 • 29min
Seeing red — anger and aggression
Discover the impact of anger on individuals and society, the complexity of measuring and interpreting infants' expressions of anger, the differences in aggression between men and women, strategies for managing anger and reducing its intensity, and the activation of brain regions responsible for aggression and the evolutionary advantage of controlled anger.

Feb 12, 2022 • 31min
Toxic positivity — when happiness becomes harmful
Exploring toxic positivity and its damaging effects on our well-being, including how it is prevalent in advertising and social media. The podcast discusses the speaker's personal experience of losing their baby and how toxic positivity affected their relationships. It also highlights the importance of acknowledging negative emotions and having honest and empathetic conversations. The chapter concludes by discussing the fluctuating nature of happiness and the role of unhappiness in fostering gratitude.

Feb 5, 2022 • 29min
Controlling the chatter in your head
Psychologist Ethan Cross discusses the concept of chatter, the negative thought loop that impacts our thinking, relationships, and physical health. Strategies like distance self-talk and temporal distancing are effective in managing chatter. Leveraging relationships and implementing rituals can also help control inner chatter and manage stress.