Podcasts · Science · Health & Fitness

Speaking of Psychology

American Psychological Association

300 episodes

"Speaking of Psychology" is an audio podcast series highlighting some of the latest, most important and relevant psychological research being conducted today. Produced by the American Psychological Association, these podcasts will help listeners apply the science of psychology to their everyday lives.

Episodes page 2 of 6

  1. How to raise grateful kids, with Andrea Hussong, PhD

    · 27 min · Episode 357

    Studies have shown that gratitude can help us cope with challenges and is good for our relationships and our health. But figuring out how to foster gratitude in kids isn't always easy or obvious. Andrea Hussong, PhD,…

  2. When sounds are unbearable: Understanding misophonia, with Heather Hansen, PhD

    · 37 min · Episode 356

    For people with misophonia, certain sounds – like chewing, coughing or pen clicking – can trigger strong emotional reactions including anxiety, disgust and rage. Heather Hansen, PhD, director of the Misophonia Research…

  3. Navigating the mental health impact of GLP-1s, with Rachel Goldman, PhD

    · 37 min · Episode 355

    Over the past several years, the rise of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy has changed the conversation around weight and obesity in the U.S. Rachel Goldman, PhD, talks about how GLP-1s work; the effects they can…

  4. Why humblebragging is never a good idea, with Övül Sezer, PhD

    · 43 min · Episode 354

    We all want to be liked and respected. But sometimes, our intuitions about how to make a good impression lead us astray. Övül Sezer, PhD, talks about common mistakes, including humblebragging and hiding our…

  5. Understanding trichotillomania (hair-pulling) and other body-focused repetitive behaviors, with Clare Mackay, PhD, and Suzanne Mouton-Odum, PhD

    · 37 min · Episode 353

    Body-focused repetitive behaviors such as hair pulling (trichotillomania) and skin picking are relatively common but remain stigmatized and misunderstood. Suzanne Mouton-Odum, PhD, and Clare Mackay, PhD, talk about why…

  6. Why we love to travel, with Andrew Stevenson, PhD

    · 37 min · Episode 352

    Are you dreaming of your next vacation? Many people see travel as a chance to escape their routines, explore new places and maybe even ‘find themselves.’ Andrew Stevenson, PhD, author of “The Psychology of Travel,”…

  7. Courage is taking a worthwhile risk, with Cynthia Pury, PhD

    · 38 min · Episode 351

    When we think of courage, we often picture dramatic, high-stakes moments, but courage comes into play not only in extraordinary situations but also in everyday life. Cynthia Pury, PhD, talks about physical, moral and…

  8. Dyslexia myths, misconceptions and facts, with Tim Odegard, PhD

    · 39 min · Episode 350

    Dyslexia is one of the most common learning differences, yet it’s still widely misunderstood. Tim Odegard, PhD, talks about how dyslexia is diagnosed and defined; his own experience growing up with dyslexia; how kids…

  9. Lefties, righties and mixed-handers: The psychology of brain asymmetry, with Sebastian Ocklenburg, PhD

    · 37 min · Episode 349

    Left-handers make up about 10.6 percent of the world’s population. Sebastian Ocklenburg, PhD, talks about why handedness and other brain asymmetries exist; the genetic and environmental factors that influence…

  10. Teens, AI and the science of risky decisions, with Valerie Reyna, PhD

    · 35 min · Episode 348

    You might think the best way to make decisions is to know all the facts. But psychologists’ research suggests that getting the “gist” – the core meaning behind the facts – is more important than focusing on every last…

  11. How to support children after traumatic events, with Robin Gurwitch, PhD

    · 31 min · Episode 347

    From hurricanes to wildfires to gun violence, trauma and disaster touch the lives of millions of children each year. Robin Gurwitch, PhD, discusses how disasters affect children’s mental health, how to support children…

  12. Financial scams: Why some older adults are at risk, with Duke Han, PhD

    · 25 min · Episode 346

    Financial scams targeting people over age 60 cost victims more than $3.4 billion in 2023. Neuropsychologist Duke Han, PhD, talks about why some older adults are at risk, financial vulnerability as an early sign of…

  13. Hot flashes, heart health and hormones: Rethinking menopause, with Rebecca Thurston, PhD

    · 33 min · Episode 345

    For many women, the shifting hormones of midlife bring troubling symptoms like hot flashes, mood and memory changes. Now, researchers are learning more about the short- and long-term health effects of menopause.…

  14. Why “boy" culture is creating a crisis of connection, with Niobe Way, PhD

    · 42 min · Episode 344

    Many boys form deep friendships in childhood. But as they become teens, they report fewer close, rich friendships. Niobe Way, PhD, author of “Rebels With a Cause: Reimagining Boys, Ourselves and Our Culture,” discusses…

  15. Why numeracy counts in everyday life, with Ellen Peters, PhD

    · 35 min

    From deciding whether to buy a house to weighing the risks and benefits of taking a new medication, many important life decisions hinge on understanding numbers, statistics and probability. Ellen Peters, PhD, author of…

  16. Encore - How science can help you change your behavior for the better, with Katy Milkman, PhD

    · 44 min

    What can you learn from the science of behavior change that can help you make the changes you want to see in your life? Katy Milkman, PhD, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and author…

  17. Encore -- Why we choose to suffer, with Paul Bloom, PhD

    · 23 min

    Why do people like to watch scary movies or listen to sad songs? Why do we run marathons and raise children, even though both of those pursuits come with struggle and pain? Paul Bloom, PhD, discusses why suffering is…

  18. Encore -- Why is it so hard for adults to make friends? With Marisa Franco, PhD

    · 32 min

    As an adult, making new friends—and maintaining old friendships—can be tough. Life is busy and friends end up taking a backseat to other relationships and responsibilities. Marisa Franco, PhD, psychologist and…

  19. What the movies get right (and wrong) about relationships, with Paul Eastwick, PhD, and Eli Finkel, PhD

    · 39 min · Episode 342

    For many of us, movies offer our earliest lessons in love and help shape our expectations about what romance and relationships might look like. Relationship researchers Paul Eastwick, PhD, and Eli Finkel, PhD, are…

  20. Can AI help solve the mental health crisis? With Vaile Wright, PhD

    · 30 min · Episode 341

    People are increasingly turning to chatbots for mental health advice and support – even as researchers work to develop safe, evidence-based AI mental health interventions. Vaile Wright, PhD, discusses the promises,…

  21. Why can’t you remember being a baby? With Nicholas Turk-Browne, PhD

    · 42 min · Episode 340

    Why can’t you remember your first birthday party? Or the house you lived in at age 2? Nicholas Turk-Browne, PhD, talks about new studies that suggest that babies and toddlers may form early memories; why we aren’t able…

  22. How to be happier, with Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD

    · 35 min · Episode 339

    Want to be happier? Some of our happiness level is due to genes or life circumstances, but research shows much of it is within our control. Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, talks about the habits and mindsets that lead to…

  23. The psychology of wealth, empathy and entitlement, with Paul Piff, PhD

    · 44 min · Episode 338

    Can money make you mean? Most of us like to think we’d stay grounded if we were to become wealthy, but psychologists’ research suggests that money, status and power shape people’s beliefs and behavior – sometimes in…

  24. Coping with job insecurity, with Mindy Shoss, PhD

    · 35 min · Episode 337

    Between economic uncertainty, the rise of AI and major changes in government policy, many U.S. workers feeling stress. A recent survey found more than half of U.S. workers report stress due to job insecurity. Mindy…

  25. “Dad brain”: How becoming a parent changes the brain, with Darby Saxbe, PhD

    · 36 min · Episode 336

    Becoming a parent is a huge life transition. Now, researchers are finding evidence that parenthood actually changes the brain – and these changes happen to fathers as well as to mothers. Darby Saxbe, PhD, talks about…

  26. Attachment bonds: Understanding our closest relationships, with Ximena Arriaga, PhD

    · 36 min · Episode 335

    What makes us feel secure, safe and supported in our relationships with partners, friends and family? Ximena Arriaga, PhD, talks about how early and ongoing life experiences shape our bonds with others, why our…

  27. Time going too fast? How to slow it down, with Ruth Ogden, PhD

    · 36 min · Episode 334

    Why does time fly when you’re having fun – and slow to a crawl when you’re not? Ruth Ogden, PhD, talks about how our experiences and emotions influence our sense of time, why time seems to go by faster as we get older,…

  28. Building resilience in the face of adversity, with George Bonanno, PhD

    · 36 min

    No one gets through life without encountering adversity. But many people survive terrible things without lasting trauma. George Bonanno, PhD, talks about how humans cope with extreme life events, the factors that lead…

  29. Digging out: Can we help people with hoarding disorder? With Mary E. Dozier, PhD

    · 31 min

    Hoarding disorder affects about 2 percent of the population and is more common among older adults. Psychologist Mary E. Dozier, PhD, talks about the causes of hoarding disorder, its links to other mental health…

  30. How moms can help their daughters build a healthy body image, with Janet Boseovski, PhD, and Ashleigh Gallagher, PhD

    · 42 min · Episode 331

    Girls begin receiving messages that will shape their body image as young as preschool. Janet Boseovski, PhD, and Ashleigh Gallagher, PhD, author of “Beyond Body Positivity: A Mother's Science-Based Guide for Helping…

  31. What drives people to extremism? With Arie Kruglanski, PhD, and Sophia Moskalenko, PhD

    · 39 min

    The word “extremist” might call up images of violence or terrorism. But extreme behaviors are all around us and can be a force for good as well as destruction. Arie Kruglanski, PhD, and Sophia Moskalenko, PhD, talk…

  32. Why do we cry? With Lauren Bylsma, PhD

    · 26 min · Episode 329

    Pain, sadness, joy, awe – under the right circumstances, any of these emotions can bring on tears. Lauren Bylsma, PhD, talks about why crying evolved, the psychological and social purposes of tears, why some people cry…

  33. Meat and morality: Will people eat lab-grown meat? With Matti Wilks, PhD, and Daniel Rosenfeld, PhD

    · 37 min · Episode 328

    Advocates of cultured meat say that it could help solve many environmental and animal welfare problems. But psychologists have found that some consumers say they’d be reluctant to try it. Matti Wilks, PhD, and Daniel…

  34. The psychology of swearing, with Richard Stephens, PhD

    · 33 min

    What’s your first reaction when someone cuts you off in traffic or you stub your toe? Do you let out a choice word or two? Richard Stephens, PhD, talks about the psychology of swearing, including his research on why…

  35. Keeping your brain healthy as you age, with Vonetta Dotson, PhD

    · 40 min · Episode 325

    What are the most important things you can do to reduce the risk of dementia and keep your brain healthy as you grow older? Neuropsychologist Vonetta Dotson, PhD, talks about what a healthy brain looks like; why you’re…

  36. The rise of ‘therapy speak,’ with Taisha Caldwell-Harvey, PhD, and Erin Parks, PhD

    · 34 min · Episode 325

    Do you think your ex is probably a narcissist? Do you worry that your boss is gaslighting you? In recent years, these words and others have entered the vocabularies of millions of Americans. Dr. Taisha Caldwell-Harvey,…

  37. Understanding paranoia and extreme mistrust, with Daniel Freeman, PhD

    · 33 min · Episode 324

    For years, paranoia was seen a symptom of severe mental illness only. But in recent decades, some psychologists have begun to think about it differently. Daniel Freeman, PhD, author of “Paranoia: A Journey Into Extreme…

  38. Email, Slack, Zoom and text: How to master virtual communication, with Andrew Brodsky, PhD

    · 38 min · Episode 323

    Between email, Zoom, Slack, and just walking down the hall, workplaces these days offer people more ways than ever to communicate with their virtual -- and in-person -- colleagues. Andrew Brodsky, PhD, author of “Ping:…

  39. Mind over Mars: The psychology of space exploration, with Suzanne Bell, PhD

    · 41 min · Episode 322

    Astronauts on a future mission to Mars will face many challenges, including three years in a tiny spacecraft and a Mars habitat, with just a few other crew members and a 22-minute delay for any communication back to…

  40. Why are more adults being diagnosed with ADHD? With Russell Ramsay, PhD

    · 40 min · Episode 321

    For many years, ADHD was seen as a disorder of childhood. But in recent years, an increasing number of adults have been diagnosed with it as well. Clinician and researcher Russell Ramsay, PhD, discusses what’s driving…

  41. Yuck! What disgusts us and why, with Paul Rozin, PhD

    · 34 min

    “Disgusting” is a flexible word – it could describe everything from a putrid smell to your least-favorite food to a behavior you find immoral. But what does it really mean to be disgusted? Paul Rozin, PhD, talks about…

  42. How to say ‘no’: The power of defiance, with Sunita Sah, PhD

    · 38 min · Episode 319

    How often do you “go along to get along,” or say yes when you really want to say no? Organizational psychologist Sunita Sah, PhD, author of “Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes,” talks about why it can be…

  43. Understanding and treating chronic pain, with Rachel V. Aaron, PhD

    · 35 min · Episode 318

    Each year, more than 50 million U.S. adults experience chronic pain. Increasingly, researchers and patients are finding that behavioral treatments and therapies can be an important part of pain treatment. Pain…

  44. How to be an inspiring leader, with Adam Galinsky, PhD

    · 39 min · Episode 317

    What’s the difference between an inspiring boss and an infuriating one? What qualities do the best coaches, teachers and mentors share? Adam Galinsky, PhD, author of “Inspire: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself…

  45. Can we prevent school shootings? With Dewey Cornell, PhD

    · 37 min · Episode 316

    From Columbine to Sandy Hook to Uvalde, the list of schools and communities devastated by gun violence grows every year. Dewey Cornell, PhD, an expert in school violence prevention, discusses how schools can respond…

  46. Why do some of us age faster than others? With Terrie Moffitt, PhD

    · 33 min · Episode 315

    The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study has been tracking the health and life experiences of more than 1,000 New Zealanders since 1972. Terrie Moffitt, PhD, a professor of psychology at Duke…

  47. Dry January: Why more people are taking a break from alcohol, with Richard de Visser, PhD

    · 36 min · Episode 314

    Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has called to add cancer warnings to alcohol labels. For many people, “Dry January” offers a chance try out a low- or no-alcohol life. Health psychologist Richard de Visser, PhD, talks…

  48. Encore - Why we get conned and how to avoid it, with Daniel Simons, PhD, and Christopher Chabris, PhD

    · 35 min

    From Ponzi schemes to email phishing identity thieves, the world can seem full of people who want to deceive us. Daniel Simons, PhD, and Christopher Chabris, PhD, co-authors of Nobody’s Fool: Why We Get Taken In and…

  49. Encore - What is borderline personality disorder? With Carla Sharp, PhD

    · 37 min

    Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is one of the most frequently diagnosed personality disorders, and one of the most misunderstood. Carla Sharp, PhD, of the University of Houston, discusses how BPD is diagnosed,…

  50. Dreams, nightmares and sleepwalking: What can happen while we sleep, with Antonio Zadra, PhD

    · 42 min · Episode 313

    Our dreams can be exhilarating, surprising, terrifying, even mundane. But where do they come from and what, if anything, do they mean? Dream researcher Antonio Zadra, PhD, talks about why some people remember their…

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