PsychTalks

Can your lifestyle choices affect your child’s brain?

Before you’re even born, your parents’ health is already shaping your future wellbeing. Welcome to the world of epigenetics: where environmental factors – stress, diet and infection – leave molecular marks on genes, altering their expression across generations. Professor Anthony Hannan from the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health shares how a father’s health can impact offspring development, why our hunter-gatherer brains struggle with modern life and how precision medicine could transform future healthcare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are children trying to tell us when they struggle at school?

Many children are struggling to attend school, but what if we've been getting the story wrong? In this episode of PsychTalks, Associate Professor Sarah Knight and Natasha Staheli explore how children's distress is often mistaken for misbehaviour and why terms like "school refusal" can fail to capture the reality of many children's actual experiences, especially the role of neurodivergence and impact of masking. Together, they look at what parents and educators can do to better support children so they feel safe, understood and ready to learn. Yellow Ladybugs is a non-government organisation, dedicated to the happiness, success and celebration of autistic girls, women and gender diverse individuals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do so many drivers say "sorry mate, I didn't see you"?

If you’ve ever looked directly at a motorcyclist while driving – yet completely failed to see them – you’re not alone. The phenomenon is so common, riders refer to it as a “smidsy” (or, “sorry mate, I didn’t see you”.) Professor Kristen Pammer and Dr Angus McKerral discuss the cognitive demands of driving; explaining how inattentional blindness can render a motorcyclist invisible and exploring the promises and pitfalls of self-driving cars. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is cycle syncing science or social media hype?

‘Cycle syncing’ has exploded online, promoting the idea that women can optimise their wellbeing by planning everything from workouts to work commitments around their menstrual cycles. But what does the science actually say? Dr Lindsie Arthur cuts through the pop psychology hype and discusses the current research around hormones, behaviour and performance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is alcohol dependence about more than willpower?

Alcohol is a normal part of life for many Australians. But why do some people develop problems with drinking while others don't? Dr Antoinette Poulton unpacks the link between impulsivity and hazardous drinking, and explains why our decisions around alcohol are shaped by much more than willpower. From personalised feedback to smartphone-based interventions, we explore how researchers are finding new ways to help people better understand their drinking and make lasting changes. Relevant links: Learn more about Antoinette's research: She is currently recruiting for a study charting cannabis use form and method in Australia, to assist with future app development: https://go.unimelb.edu.au/gnf2 For other current projects: https://hesterlab.org/projects If you have concerns about your own or someone else's drinking, you call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 or visit Daybreak at hellosundaymorning.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Why are Australians so addicted to sports betting?

Online sports betting is now part of everyday life in Australia. But how do betting apps actually work, and why are they so hard to ignore? In this episode, Dr Daniel Bennett explores the psychology behind modern betting products, and how they are designed to keep people hooked. He explains how features like in-play betting, cash-out options and constant advertising shape our behaviour – often in ways we don't notice. Dr Bennett also discusses the risks of gambling, including who is most affected and why, and what can be done to reduce harm. Related links: A Better Bet: How Australia Should Prevent Gambling Harm (2024 report by the Grattan Institute) The 4 Corners report about the NT Racing and Wagering Commission. If you or anyone you know needs support or help for gambling, please contact Gambling Help Online (or on 1800 858 858). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Hidden biases in humans and machines: Can we really be fair?

We like to think we’re fair. But what if our minds and our machines don’t always agree? In this special bonus episode of PsychTalks, hosts Professor Nick Haslam and Associate Professor Cassie Hayward are joined by Professor Mahzarin Banaji (Harvard University), one of the world’s leading researchers on implicit bias. Drawing on decades of research across psychology, neuroscience and artificial intelligence, Professor Banaji explains how bias can shape judgments and decisions without our awareness – even when we genuinely value fairness and accuracy. She explores how these hidden processes affect everyday life, social institutions and the technologies we are increasingly relying on. Recorded during Professor Banaji’s visit to the University of Melbourne as a Miegunyah Distinguished Visiting Fellow, this conversation asks what it really means to take responsibility for bias and how a clearer understanding of the human mind might help us build a more just and accountable world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do we ever stop being curious?

We said the season was over – but when the chance to sit down with Professor Alison Gopnik comes along, you make an exception. In this bonus episode, we’re delighted to welcome one of the world’s most influential developmental psychologists for an extended conversation on how our minds grow and change over the lifespan. Drawing on her work on children as “little scientists,” the explore–exploit dilemma and her gardener-versus-carpenter model of parenting, Alison reflects on why play, risk and exploration matter so much in childhood. We also explore caregiving as a form of intelligence – one that becomes increasingly important in later life – and what elders, grandparents and even orcas can teach us about care, culture and human flourishing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Shelf deception: How does marketing on packaged foods influence us?

Are we really making healthy choices for our children in the supermarket? Or are we being nudged by bright colours, on-pack claims and fruit-filled imagery? Associate Professor Helen Dixon and Jane Martin unpack the psychology, policy and packaging that influence what ends up in our shopping trolleys. They highlight the subtle strategies used to market commercial infant and toddler foods, and discuss what can be done to support parents in making informed choices. Kids are Sweet Enough (Food for Health Alliance) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Why is misinformation so powerful?

Misinformation and disinformation now pose some of the biggest global risks to democracy and public trust. Associate Professor Piers Howe explains how misinformation and disinformation spreads, and the subtle but influential ways they can shift public opinion, disrupt elections and damage society. With the rise of AI and sophisticated campaigns, he explains why it's more important than ever to stay informed, think critically and understand the science behind persuasion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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How does power and influence shape our lives?

Want tips on how to use power and influence more effectively - whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team, or asking your preschooler to brush their teeth? Professor Jennifer Overbeck unpacks what sets power apart from influence, how persuasion works, and why gender, identity and context matter. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Can self-compassion help us better navigate menopause?

What are the mental health impacts of menopause and how are they connected with our ideas about ageing? Dr Lydia Brown shares insights from her research on self-compassion and how it can help those managing the psychological challenges of menopause. Whether you’re approaching menopause or simply interested in evidence-based strategies for a healthy outlook on ageing, this conversation offers practical and deeply human advice for navigating change. Resources mentioned in this episode: Australian Menopause Society Jean Hailes Centre for Women's Health See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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How does language shape the way we think?

What do the names of colours, kinship terms and legal jargon tell us about the human mind? Dr Frank Mollica explores language as a cognitive tool – shaped by culture, adapted for purpose, and far from universal. We dive into how children learn language, how it evolves and why legal language is so confusing. Along the way, we challenge common assumptions about how we think, communicate and learn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Are some people just nicer?

Why do some people seem naturally kind or generous? Professor Luke Smillie breaks down personality traits like empathy, honesty and compassion – and how they shape behaviour. Tune into this thoughtful discussion about the ‘prosocial personality’ and discover whether people can become more altruistic over time. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Can social media bans protect young minds?

Will the Australian government really lock under-16s out of TikTok? Associate Professor Scott Griffiths returns to PsychTalks to unpack Australia’s proposed social media ban. He breaks down the psychological harms driving the policy, the challenges and possible pathways to secure enforcement, and what anxious parents can do to protect kids’ mental health online. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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How does Ozempic affect the brain in binge eating disorder?

Could Ozempic do more than help with weight loss? Dr Trevor Steward is uncovering the science behind what’s happening in the brain when people take drugs like Ozempic. His research queries how these medications influence appetite, food-related thoughts, and their potential to turn down the dial on binge eating disorder. Read more in Dr Steward's article for Pursuit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Why do we keep secrets?

Unlock the psychological reasons behind why we hold onto secrets. Associate Professor Katie Greenaway and Valentina Bianchi explore the emotional costs and benefits of keeping secrets. Discover who we often confide in and hear a clinical psychologist’s perspective on being a professional secret-keeper. And take this survey at keepingsecrets.org to compare your secrets with others. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Can bots improve our mental health?

Discover how the AI revolution is entering the world of psychology and clinical practice. Professor Simon Dennis shares his quest to craft AI-driven tools for therapy. Can bots help address the shortage of mental health professionals by providing affordable, 24/7 support? And what are the ethical, practical and philosophical questions behind using therapist bots as part of therapy treatment? Find out more about Simon's AI-driven cognitive behavioural therapy tools. Please be advised that this episode discusses suicide and suicide ideation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Could cognitive neuroscience influence how we teach and learn?

Do 'brain-training' apps or mindfulness exercises really boost our capacity to learn? Professor Iroise Dumontheil shares her research into why we differ in our ability to control our attention, thoughts and behaviour. Hear how these differences impact on our learning and whether cognitive training enhances outcomes in education. Discover how insights from cognitive neuroscience might reshape the future of education by enabling personalised learning. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Sleep and pain: What’s keeping you up at night?

Managing pain can be part of life for many of us. Professor Amy Jordan and Associate Professor Natalia Brumley unlock the intriguing relationship between sleep and pain. Find out how different types of pain affect sleep quality, if gender is a factor, and in what ways exercise, blue light and social media consumption might have an impact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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