Earlier this year, the Netflix program Baby Reindeer brought stalking firmly back into the zeitgeist - sparking discussion about the psychology of people who stalk and the impact it has on victims. So what goes on in the mind of a stalker? How do the various types, from incompetent suitor to intimacy seeker, differ? And what should you do if you think you have a stalker ..read more

Attachment theory is a foundation of modern psychology — a framework for understanding human relationships and how we connect other people. But has social media taken this concept — grounded in decades of research — too far? Scroll through Instagram or TikTok for too long, and you might think that if you have a certain attachment style, you're fundamentally unlovable — or that you need to steer clear of people who are avoidant, anxious or not secure enough. Today, what we get wrong about attachment styles. Plus, the experiments that helped discover them in the first place ... and how a better ..read more

How would you describe your parents? Nobody's perfect, of course, but some parents leave more of a mark than others. Today, we revisit the life-long impact of having 'emotionally immature' parents, as Dr Lindsay Gibson's book hits bestseller lists. This episode was first broadcast in May 2021. If you're looking for another episode to listen to, why not check out Milgram Shock and Stanford Prison — what we misunderstand about the most infamous experiments in psychology ..read more

Can't sleep? Worries keeping you up at night? It might be time to look to the stars. For National Science Week, we're investigating the relationship between the night sky and mental wellbeing. So can spending time under the night sky give you a mood boost? And if it does … why? Looking for more nature in your life? Check out our episode Nature prescriptions — just what the doctor ordered ..read more

It sounds like fantasy, but the manipulation of dreams is now possible — and it's thanks to a well known video game, Tetris. So what does Tetris have to do with dreaming, and could companies use this to shape what we see when we sleep? Want to learn more about dreams? Check out our episode 'As real as waking life' — exploring lucid dreams. Hear our first episode about Tetris: Why people are playing Tetris to treat their trauma.  ..read more

For people with PTSD, flashbacks can be an unwelcome and distressing experience. To tackle this problem, researchers have turned to Tetris.  Yep - the falling blocks puzzle game from the 80s. Today, we discover how Tetris can be used to treat trauma.  If you'd like to listen to more All in the Mind, check out our episode The confusion around concussions.  ..read more

The siren has sounded. The scores are even. A footy player has one final chance to kick an easy goal to get his team into the finals. He’s right in front of the goals. He lines up. Kicks. Misses. The pressure of such a moment was phenomenal, and the player choked under it. So what happens in the brain during such intense periods? Why can some people remain calm while others can’t handle it? If you're keen to listen to another episode, check out Wanted: Unicorns. Mission: Mars ..read more

What if your entire understanding of the world — your beliefs, how you parent, how you work, how you interact with friends at the pub — all came crashing down? For Stephanie, Jules and Joel — who are all former conspiracy theorists — that was their reality. And digging their way out of the conspiracy rabbit hole came with a whole lot of challenges. Today on All in the Mind: falling into and out of conspiracy ... and rebuilding your life after breaking free. And if you enjoyed listening, you should go back and check out our earlier episode on how to help conspiracy theorists ..read more

After enduring years of abuse, Robyn Westgate was jailed for the murder of her husband. Now out of prison, she runs training programs that aim to reduce domestic violence. Robyn says the key is empowering people to be better bystanders. Today, one woman's story from domestic violence survivor to domestic violence consultant, and the importance of speaking up. Please note this episode includes graphic descriptions of sexual assault and domestic violence. It may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening. Resources: 1800 Respect Men's Referral Service ..read more

Since the days of gladiator battles and public hangings, dark tourism — our attraction to places linked to death and despair — has been a part of human behaviour. But there's something in the 21st century that's causing debate… Selfies. Digital media isn't all bad though. It's also creating opportunities for authentic storytelling. Today, we examine what dark tourism is, if it's ethical, and when it is (and isn't) appropriate to snap a selfie. If you're keen for another episode of All in the Mind, check out You've got the music in you.  ..read more