Everything's Psychology

a Behaviour podcast

Chatting with incredible minds about the psychology of our everyday world.

Join Paul Davies, behavioural psychologist, as chats with guests about the mechanisms of human behaviour and the motivations behind people’s actions.

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20 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes20

Newest first

Tuesday · 40 min
The Psychology of The Odyssey
Have you seen it yet? The film of the summer? Have you forked out for the most padded seats in the cinema to watch Christopher Nolan’s three-hour bum-numbing epic of Matt Damon struggling to get home in a world without satnav? If you have, did you sit there thinking: Why has a three thousand year old story got any relevance to today? Is there real psychology in here? Did the Greeks work something out about being human that we've ignored ever since? Well, these are exactly the questions my guest asks in their new book: The Odyssey Mindset. So, with me in this episode to discuss the psychology of The Odyssey is Dr Sam Akbar, clinical psychologist, Oxford classicist and author of the wonderful new book The Odyssey Mindset. – – – The Odyssey Mindset (Amazon UK): https://amzn.eu/d/0hprLgcy The Odyssey Mindset (Amazon US): https://a.co/d/07gDDhrD Follow Dr Akbar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drsam_akbar/ Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
July 21 · 55 min
The Psychology of Weight Loss
Are you on a diet? Have you got a shelf full of books to help you shed the pounds and get that summer beach bod or are you considering a weight loss jab such as Ozempic or Mounjaro? When the world seems to focus on the need to have a fit and firm body, what is this doing to people’s self-esteem and body image? With me on this episode are Dr Joanna Silver, a leading psychologist specialising in eating disorders, body image & mental health; and Matt White, author of The Snack Monkey: How to Stop Eating the Whole Packet. – – – Guests You can find more about Dr Joanna Silver on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-joanna-silver/ Or at Orri, the eating disorder clinic: https://www.orri-uk.com/team/dr-joanna-silver/ You can buy your copy Matt's book, The Snack Monkey, on Amazon or visit https://therealsnackmonkey.com/ – – – Other resources Get a copy of the book 'Self-Help Without The Hype' by Robert Epstein as a paperback here or as an eBook on Amazon. Share your email with me to have the chance of getting a physical copy of my new book, Behaviour First, when it comes out in October. Visit behaviourfirst.co.uk Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
July 7 · 52 min
The Psychology of Childhood
In a world of screens, social media, climate anxiety, and mental health awareness, what does the future of childhood and education look like? With me to discuss the psychology of childhood are Sue Roffey, founder of Growing Great Schools Worldwide and one of the UK's foremost voices on student, school, and community wellbeing, and Charlie Lewis, Professor of Psychology at Lancaster University, whose research spans child development, autism, the influence of advertising on children, and the future of childhood. – – – Guests More about Sue Roffey: https://www.sueroffey.com/ https://www.growinggreatschoolsworldwide.com/ Sue's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Sue-Roffey/author/B001HPB3TY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1782313230&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true ASPIRE Culture Cards: http://www.atmybest.com/aspire More about Charlie Lewis https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/psychology/about-us/people/charlie-lewis Charlie has co-written the book 'Developmental Psychology: A Sociocultural Approach‘ available from Sage Publishing in 2027. Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
June 23 · 56 min
The Psychology of James Bond
What kind of person is James Bond? What do audiences want from a Bond actor? What traits make someone convincing as the world's most famous spy? And how realistic is James Bond when compared to the psychological make-up of real-life spies? With me to discuss the psychology of James Bond are Calvin Dyson, one of the world's leading Bond commentators and the creator of one of YouTube's most-watched 007 channels, and Professor Adrian Furnham, Professor of Psychology and co-author of The Psychology of Spies and Spying. https://www.youtube.com/@calvindyson⁩ https://adrianfurnham.com/ https://amzn.eu/d/0aJcBKil Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
June 16 · 1 min
Season 2 Trailer
In season two, I'll be chatting with some fascinating guests about topics such as the psychology of childhood, the psychology of Harry Potter, the psychology of weight loss, and, by popular demand after last season’s episode on cats, the psychology of dogs. And this time, I need your help. If you have a question you’d like to ask a psychologist about any of the topics I’ve just mentioned, you can leave a voicenote which I’ll then play out on the episode. To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
May 6 · 34 min
The Psychology of The Met Gala
Every year, on the first Monday of May, something extraordinary happens. 450 of the world's most powerful, most beautiful, most photographed people climb a set of steps in Manhattan — and the internet collectively loses it’s mind. The Met Gala is billed as an exclusive charity fundraiser where tickets cost seventy-five thousand dollars. And yet somehow, it reaches billions of people sat at home in their tracksuits, who have never been within a mile of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. So, what’s going on? What does fashion communicate? Why do we feel so entitled to judge a celebs outfit? Why does a look that ‘understood the assignment’ give us a little hit of dopamine, while one that ‘played it safe’ feels like a personal disappointment? With me to discuss the psychology of the Met Gala and fashion is Professor Carolyn Mair, a cognitive psychologist and author of The Psychology of Fashion. – – – You can buy Carolyn's book, The Psychology of Fashion here >> https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-Fashion/Mair/p/book/9781032712529 And follow Carolyn on Instagram here >> https://www.instagram.com/psychologyforfashion/ Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
March 31 · 1 hr 3 min
The Psychology of Cats (Archive Episode)
The most popular episode of 2025 was about the psychology of cats 😻 Dr Claude Béata, animal behaviouralist and author of The Interpretation of Cats, emphasises cats dual role as both predator and prey and how this distinction can help us understand these most wonderful creatures. Go order a copy of Dr Béata's book, The Interpretation of Cats and Their Owners. It's a fascinating, enjoyable, and enlightening book for all cat lovers. 😻 Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
March 17 · 1 hr 11 min
The Psychology of Investing (Archive Episode)
How do your behavioural biases impact investment decisions? Are financial advisers affected by these psychological biases? What practical steps are there for individuals looking to improve their investing strategies or just get started? More about Daniel Crosby: https://orion.com/thought-leader/daniel-crosby The Behavioral Investor (Amazon): https://amzn.eu/d/b4ginLa The Soul of Wealth (Amazon): https://amzn.eu/d/aN5qEY1 Daniel's podcast, “Standard Deviation” (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/show/1uQPuBpfpomaUNkwY7SkcH?si=ce80c36049934500 Follow Daniel on X: https://x.com/danielcrosby Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
March 3 · 1 hr 21 min
The Psychology of Habits (Archive Episode)
Do habits really take 66 days to form? Should you rely on willpower? How does a psychologist approach overcoming their own bad habits and starting good ones? Professor Ben Gardner leads me through the intricate world of habits, exploring their definitions, the distinction between habits and routines, and the psychological mechanisms behind habitual behaviour. Find out more about Ben's work at: https://www.surrey.ac.uk/people/benjamin-gardner Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
February 17 · 1 hr 21 min
The Psychology of Search Engines (Archive Episode)
Going back to the very first episode of Everything's Psychology, where I talk with Professor Robert Epstein about the psychological techniques Google employs in its search engine. Are you being manipulated by search engines? What is Google's policy on human manipulation? What can you do to protect yourself? Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
February 3 · 38 min
Bias: Present Bias
My final short story on behavioural biases. This week, the story focuses on the power of today over tomorrow by looking at present bias. Present bias describes our tendency to give greater weight to rewards available now, while undervaluing the costs those choices impose on our future. And, in this story, I try to take this idea to its extreme. I hope these little psychological stories have been enjoyable for you. I'm taking a little break now to organise and record more interviews. Coming up in Season Two of Everything's Psychology will be: The psychology of the menopause, the psychology of watches, and the psychology of dogs as well as many more. Over the next few weeks, I'll re-upload the most popular episodes from Season One and then be back in the spring with Season Two. Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
January 20 · 1 hr 6 min
Bias: Revenge
Another short story involving a behavioural bias. This week, the bias is revenge. Maybe not considered by behavioural scientists as one of the core cohort of behavioural biases, revenge certainly fits the bill. It makes people act irrationally and often behave against their own self-interest. While I did write this week's story, it is a retelling of Roald Dahl's short story "William & Mary." I used Dahl's original story to practice my own writing, using the narrative of the original as scaffolding for my modern adaptation. If you have never read the original, I urge you to buy the book “Kiss Kiss” where this, and many other wonderfully imaginative stories, were originally published. Thanks for listening. Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
January 6 · 21 min
Sticking to New Year's Resolutions
Happy New Year! Have you set yourself a resolution? If so, in this episode, I share how a behaviourist psychologist would approach sticking to them and sailing past Quitters Day on January 17th. The principles are taken from a book called Self-Help Without The Hype by Professor Robert Epstein. I was honoured to have written the foreword to the new edition last year, in which I reflect on how the world has changed since the book's original release in 1996, yet the general lessons within the book remain unchanged. The new edition is currently on offer for the new year. Grab a copy for your Kindle on Amazon. Amazon (UK): https://amzn.eu/d/flAlEYl Amazon (US): https://a.co/d/6naeckR Or you can buy a printed version here: https://books.by/pauldavies Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
Dec 23, 2025 · 44 min
Bias: Choice Overload
Something different for Christmas. I share a short story based on a behavioural bias. This week, the story is called Spaghetti Sauce and is about choice overload. Choice is a paradox. We convince ourselves that we want it, and certainly rebel when it’s taken away from us, but when we get too much of it, we regularly struggle to make a choice. This story follows a young girl in Atlanta as she struggles with the choices of daily life, with dire consequences. Spaghetti Sauce was written by me, Paul Davies, and forms part of a book I'm writing called ‘Bias: Twelve Tales of Influence’. Would I love your feedback? Hmm? If it's positive or constructive, then I think so. If you don't like it, that's of course fine, but please keep it to yourself and don't break the little writing confidence I have. More interview episodes will be coming in the New Year. Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
Dec 9, 2025 · 44 min
The Psychology of Time
In this episode of Everything’s Psychology, I sit down with Richard D. Gross, author of The Psychology of Time, to unpack how our minds construct the very thing we live inside of: time. From internal body clocks and ‘mind time’ to cultural attitudes and our awareness of mortality, we explore why time can race, crawl, or seem to stand still. You’ll learn why your brain is always half a second late, yet your experience still feels live and continuous. You’ll hear how extreme situations – from car crashes to psychedelic trips – can make seconds feel like minutes, and why the memory of an event, not the event itself, often stretches time. You’ll discover why age, culture, and even gender can reshape your sense of time – and what that means for how you plan and live your life. Grab a copy of The Psychology of Time here: From Routledge: https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-Time/Gross/p/book/9781032696195 From Amazon (UK): https://amzn.eu/d/gwqdR92 From Amazon (US): https://a.co/d/b3MSis7 This episode is sponsored by At My Best: www.atmybest.com Use code Everything10 to get 10% off all At My Best tools. Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
Nov 25, 2025 · 56 min
The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories
Was the moon landing mankind’s giant leap, or was it Hollywood's greatest special effect? Was the global vaccine rollout an elaborate scheme by Bill Gates to implant microchips in all of us? And do the condensation trails you see behind aeroplanes in the sky contain chemicals to keep the population docile? Let's be honest, a small part of us loves a good conspiracy theory. They’re exciting. They make the world feel a little less random. But why are these ideas so sticky? What makes us want to believe the unbelievable, and is there a fine line between enjoying a wild theory and falling down a rabbit hole of misinformation? With me to discuss the psychology of conspiracy theories is Professor Jan-Willem van Prooijen, who is Head of Social Psychology at Free University Amsterdam. The second edition of his book, The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories is out in December published by Routledge. Links Order The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories – https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychology-of-Conspiracy-Theories/vanProoijen/p/book/9781032868585 Find out more about Professor Jan-Willem Van Prooijen – https://www.janwillemvanprooijen.com/ Play the online fake news game – https://www.getbadnews.com Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
Nov 11, 2025 · 58 min
The Psychology of Sport
What makes a great athlete? Why do some sports professionals rise to the occasion, while others crumble under pressure? Do the lessons from sports transfer to other areas of our lives, such as business or parenting? With me to discuss the psychology of sport, is Dr Jim Taylor. Jim holds a PhD in Psychology, has written 18 books including The Complete Guide to Cycling Psychology and Train Your Mind for Athletic Success, and he is the co-founder of Mindto, a start-up developing an app that empowers athlete performance, well-being, and mental health. www.drjimtaylor.com www.mindto.io The Complete Guide to Cycling Psychology (Amazon UK) Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
Oct 28, 2025 · 50 min
The Psychology of Podcasts
Why do people start a podcast? I chat with host of the Growth Mindset Psychology podcast, Sam Webster Harris, about his motivations for launching a podcast and why, after 500+ episodes, he's still doing it. We chat about the psychology of motivation, self-determination, signalling theory, and whether there's a hierarchy of influencers. Listen to the Growth Mindset Psychology website on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2rQ6Aug8EBudJMSBYTi8nM?si=5db3dfbf082943cc Catch Sam's new podcast, How to Change the World: The History and Future of Innovation here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Fj3eFjEoAEKF5lWQxPJyT?si=8a7d052ef9704634 Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
Oct 21, 2025 · 35 min
Psychbite: Celebrity Traitors
What psychology have we seen in the first four episodes of the Celebrity Traitors? Were we right in our predictions? Now that we've seen how the celebs are playing the game, who do I think will make it to the end? Don't forget to listen to last week's episode where I chat with three psychologists from the University of Chester about the psychology in the show. And check out their own podcast, ‘The Psychology of The Traitors’ on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/show/4mlX6OZRgRodLBmkNZrfuj?si=8bdc0c98286e4993 Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology
Oct 14, 2025 · 1 hr 6 min
The Psychology of The Traitors
With the celebrity version of The Traitors UK starting on October 8th, I talk with three psychologists from Chester University about the psychology used in the show as a whole, how contestants have played the show previously, and how the gameplay will change with celebrities in the Traitor house. Listen to Lisa, Clea, and Kevin breakdown each new episode of the Celebrity Traitors on their own podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4mlX6OZRgRodLBmkNZrfuj?si=4513f5ce732344bb Professor Lisa Oakley: https://www.chester.ac.uk/staff-directory/loakley/ Dr Clea Wright: https://www.chester.ac.uk/staff-directory/cleawright/ Dr Kevin Hochard: https://www.chester.ac.uk/staff-directory/khochard/ Send us Fan Mail To leave a voicenote, just visit speakpipe.com/everythingspsychology