All In The Mind
Hosted by ABC Australia
About this Show
Why do people lie? Why do relationships fall apart? Can trauma change your brain?
Every week on All in the Mind, award-winning journalist Sana Qadar explores the psychology behind the biggest questions in our lives — how we think, feel and behave.
Featuring leading experts like Esther Perel, Billy Garvey and Ethan Kross, you'll hear personal stories and practical insights that will leave you thinking long after the podcast ends.
Whether it's debunking pop psychology trends or translating the latest neuroscience research, more than 100,000 listeners join Sana each month to learn the best strategies for surviving life with your mental health intact.
All in the Mind is created for ABC's Radio National by specialist journalists and reporters at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and was awarded Best Health and Wellness podcast at the 2026 Australian Audio Awards
Latest Episodes
Mental health and the manosphere
This week, we unpack the appeal of masculinity influencers and the psychological needs they fulfil, like the need for certainty and a sense of purpose. Because interestingly, boys and men who consume manosphere content are more optimistic about their futures — but they're also m...
'Task paralysis' and overcoming procrastination
Five years of unpaid taxes. Homework handed in on the last day of an extension. Some people are champion procrastinators.Why? And what does task paralysis (sometimes called ADHD paralysis) have to do with it?Today: the personality traits that make you more prone to procrastinati...
What self-help advice is actually useful?
Today, we're making sense of the tips, tricks and treatments that the self-help landscape has to offer.So whether you're keen to try exposure therapy, tackle your need for validation or restructure your thinking, we'll unpack the psychology so you can improve your life.Guests:Dr...
Is AI the end of creativity and cognition?
As the headlines get scarier, a neuroscientist and an English professor weigh in on some of our big questions about AI.From cognitive offloading to memory and creativity, we'll examine what AI can offer and what should be kept for human minds.Sophie Gee and Reuben Rideaux appear...
Trying to read more? Your brain will thank you
Reading is good for you, but fiction has added benefits.So how does reading work in the brain? Why are stories so impactful? And why, in this era of book clubs and booktok, are literacy rates not thriving?Get your votes in for Radio National's Top 100 Books Countdown before Octo...
Hypochondria and cyberchondria: the many ways to worry about health
How do you know if you have health anxiety?For mental health nurse Sarah, she had real health concerns, but they were coupled with panic, spiralling worries and late nights googling her symptoms. So how can you tell if your concerns are causing more harm than good'oday, we're de...
Burnout: the warning signs and how to stop it
Sally Gould was a couple of years into her dream job as a paramedic when it all started to fall apart.It wasn’t the trauma and injury she was exposed to on shifts that was getting to her. It was everything else - the hours, the nonsense callouts, the bullying.The experience woul...
When meditation goes wrong: part two
Meditation sickness, meditation-related adverse effects or meditators in distress – you probably haven't heard these terms, even if you do meditate.Yet research finds adverse effects occur in half of all meditators. For one in 10, it impairs their functioning or lasts more than ...
When meditation goes wrong: part one
Meditation has a lot of benefits, but could it also have risks?Over the past decade, meditation and mindfulness have been promoted to reduce stress and increase relaxation.But there is another story of meditation that rarely gets told... one that involves anxiety, insomnia — eve...
Why do we crave closure?
Closure can feel like the ultimate solution to help us heal. But is it all it's cracked up to be?Today, we learn about ambiguous loss — the type of grief that comes without closure. We know navigating uncertainty is tricky, so what practical steps can we take to process this kin...
Why should I spend time in nature?
Nature is good for our wellbeing. But how much green space does a community need, before you can see a wellbeing boost?And how do we encourage people to spend more time outdoors?This episode first aired in September 2023.In celebration of National Science Week, make sure to vote...
Dark tourism, selfies and moral outrage
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 als...
From gaming addiction to healthy gamer: Dr K's story
Why is gaming addictive? How do you know if it's a problem? And what should parents do if they're worried about their kids' gaming habits?This week, psychiatrist and author Dr Alok Kanojia (Dr K) unpacks gaming addiction.Long before Dr K was the co-founder of Healthy Gamer, he h...
How can I become more securely attached?
Whether you're anxious or avoidant, there are steps you can take to make your relationships more secure. And the benefits extend beyond dating — finding secure people can help you build a community and maybe even live longer.Today, neuroscientist, psychiatrist and author Dr Amir...
Oppositional defiant disorder and bad behaviour in schools
Aggression, not listening, interruptions ... bad behaviour is on the rise in schools. What's causing this trend? Is it parenting styles or the pandemic?Nurse Erin has had plenty of challenges with her son, leaving her family at the end of their tether. But one therapy just click...