Psychology Archives - The Podcast Browser

John Sellars – Stoicism Is Not What You Think

Interview with John Sellars about his book Stoicism Is Not What You Think. Clarifies pervasive misconceptions about Stoicism, distinguishing the colloquial “small s” stoicism from the comprehensive philosophical system. Highlights how Stoicism isn’t about emotionless repression but cultivating virtues like courage and justice – essential for a good life and self-control over ‘uncontrolled’ emotions such as anger and fear. Though deterministic, the philosophy empowers individuals through rational choice and personal character. Discvusses research finding benefits for well-being, increased agency, and reduced negative emotions.

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Marisa G. Franco – Worth

The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment

Interview with Marisa G. Franco about her book Worth: The New Science of Self-Esteem and Secure Attachment. Argues that self-worth is a stronger predictor of income than traditional metrics like SAT scores, as it dictates our ability to act on opportunities. Low self-worth, often rooted in past traumas, leads to self-sabotage, blocking career advancements and causing individuals to reject success, even hindering financial independence. This manifests as avoidance and anxiety in relationships, where perceived future rejection is a constant threat. Genuine self-worth involves acknowledging and managing emotions, fostering sensitivity and responsiveness to internal experiences. It allows for identity flexibility, enabling individuals to capitalise on privileges and make the most of life’s opportunities, leading to improved financial and personal outcomes, fostering mutuality in relationships, and promoting realistic self-assessment rather than ego-based fragility.

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Christopher Choukalas – Even the Darkest Night

A Father’s Journey of Hope and Healing from Paternal Depression

Interview with Christopher Choukalas about his book Even the Darkest Night: A Father’s Journey of Hope and Healing from Paternal Depression. Discusses paternal postnatal depression and the societal stigma that discourages men from openly discussing their struggles with fatherhood. Shares his personal journey through anxiety, panic attacks, and depression after childbirth, emphasising the importance of raw honesty. Underscores how a lack of peer support and the pressure to suppress emotions can exacerbate mental health challenges, affecting entire family units. Stresses the need for open dialogue and accessible mental health resources, including remote therapy, to normalise these experiences and foster healthier outcomes for fathers, partners, and children.

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Harry Reis – How to Feel Loved

The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most

Interview with Harry Reis about his book How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most, co-authored with Sonja Lyubomirsky. Discusses what love is, and what it is like to feel loved; the consequences of not feeling loved; whether there really is a loneliness epidemic, and what constitutes real connection; five misconceptions about what makes one feel loved; what it means to “be yourself”, and the importance of reciprocity; the five mindsets to help us get the love we crave; opening, undersharing, and oversharing; the influence of culture and gender differences; whether we can find real connection with AI chatbots; polyamory and other consensual non-monogamous relationships.

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Owen Fitzpatrick – Inner Propaganda

Leading Hearts and Minds Through Turbulent Times

Interview with Owen Fitzpatrick about his book Inner Propaganda: Leading Hearts and Minds Through Turbulent Times. Argues that we decide what feels true, then search for evidence that proves us right, rather than building our beliefs on facts, logic, and careful reasoning. This can reinforce limiting beliefs, fuel political polarization, and make us susceptible to propaganda. Explores how narratives shape our confidence, identity, and decisions – and what it takes to change them.

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Cate Hall – You Can Just Do Things

How High-Agency People Get What They Want Out of Life

Interview with Cate Hall about her book You Can Just Do Things: How High-Agency People Get What They Want Out of Life. Explores what it really means to become a high-agency person – someone who just does things. Unpacks why ambition isn’t the same as agency, how fear of embarrassment and an obsession with hard work hold us back, and why curiosity, unconventional thinking, and expanding your “surface area for luck” are the keys to creating extraordinary opportunities.Describes her journey from lawyer to professional poker player, overcoming addiction, and then becoming an entrepreneur – exemplifying exercising radical practicality, asking for ‘unreasonable’ things, and understanding that we have far more freedom than we typically use.

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See also the episode with co-author Sasha Chapin about his book All the Wrong Moves: A Memoir About Chess, Love, and Ruining Everything.

Carl Trueman – The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self

Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution

Interview with Carl Trueman about his book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution. Explores how expressive individualism, the idea that identity is formed internally and expressed outwardly, has reshaped Western culture, leading to a sexual revolution that has abolished traditional sexual codes. Discusses the rise of transgenderism as the latest iteration of this self-focused identity, the phenomenon of cultural amnesia, and the impact of these shifts on institutions like sports and religion. Draws on thinkers such as Charles Taylor and Philip Rieff to highlight the profound societal implications of these changes, emphasising the psychological and legal challenges to traditional notions of identity and morality.

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Ben Crowe – Where the Light Gets In

Simple, Playful and Profound Perspective Shifts to Change Your Life

Podcast | 27 January 2026 | 0h 39m | Listen Later | Podcasts | Spotify
Interview with Ben Crowe about his book Where the Light Gets In: Simple, Playful and Profound Perspective Shifts to Change Your Life. Delves into shifting perspectives from external to intrinsic motivations, emphasising the distinction between the ‘human doing’ and ‘human being’. Advocates replacing ‘to do’ lists with a ‘to be’ list, fostering self-acceptance, and celebrating imperfections. Champions transforming fear into play, embracing curiosity, and learning to harness intrinsic value by redefining success through fulfilment, not just achievement. Shares insights from working with athletes like Ash Barty and Stephanie Gilmore.

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