All In The Mind

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:

Inside a sociopath's mind: "I'm capable of almost anything" Dec 29, 2024

Show notes

Patric Gagne is a sociopath, but she doesn’t fit the stereotype.

From a violent kid, to a PhD and author - we track the unusual story of a sociopath who learned to be 'good'.

Plus, there's been some controversy and questions about the veracity of her PhD - so, we fact checked it.

This episode was first released in May 2024.

Need something to listen to next? Check out our episode Why heartbreak hurts so bad.

The skills supercommunicators use (and how you can learn them) Dec 22, 2024

Show notes

What do working for the CIA, navigating hot button topics and talking to teenagers all have in common? They're all situations that supercommunicators excel at.

Today, we explore how you can become a supercommunicator too.

This episode was first broadcast in February 2024.

Why not check out Introversion vs Extroversion. If you enjoyed this episode, you'll love that one too.

The design tricks brands use to get you to buy Dec 15, 2024

Show notes

What influences your shopping behaviour? Well, it's likely a mix of what you need, what's presented to you in store and probably some neuromarketing (which we've covered on our program before).

But what about the role of product designers?

Today, we get into the psychology of design and the battle designers face balancing innovation with our human need for the familiar. And given all the ways design can manipulate us into wanting something, what role will AI play in the future of design?

Extra information:

The Psychology Behind Design: A Marketing Perspective See the Yamaha Silent Violin

When life is too loud: what are sound sensitivities? Dec 08, 2024

Show notes

How do you feel as you move through a busy space — like an airport, a city street or a crowded shopping centre?

For some of us, these spaces are energising — being among the rush of people and the noise of the crowds. But for others, these situations can be a little much.

And for some neurodivergent people — especially those with sensory issues — being in these public spaces can be utterly overwhelming, even harmful. That's a problem when you want or need to use them just like everybody else.

Today, audio engineer and producer Amelia Geiss takes you inside their mind — for a first-hand perspective of what it's like to move through public spaces as someone with sound sensitivities.

We'll hear about how these sensitivities manifest in the brain — strategies for managing them — and building public spaces that are accessible for everyone.

If you're looking for something to listen to next, why not check out our episode, How the drive to be perfect is linked to eating disorders.

Should you do a 'dopamine detox'? Dec 01, 2024

Show notes

Dopamine feels great, but is it always good for us?

The answer is complicated, so today, we get into what dopamine actually does in the brain.

How does it affect our motivation, movement and behaviour? And how does our environment influence that?

Plus, should we be detoxing from dopamine ... and why are people raw dogging flights?

If you're looking for something to listen to next, check out our episode, Nine big myths about depression — busted.

Trauma or a tough time? How our mental health labels are changing over time Nov 24, 2024

Show notes

We've come a long way in how we talk about mental health.

But while diagnoses like depression and anxiety can empower people to seek help and support — they also influence how we see ourselves and how others might see us, too.

Today, we investigate 'concept creep.' It's the idea that the labels we use to describe mental health are expanding and being applied to an ever-wider array of human behaviours.

We look at what's causing this, the impacts it might have (both positive and negative), and what it means for how we understand mental health conditions.

Looking for something to listen to next? Check out our episode about parasocial relationships: Moog became a Youtube megastar — and it messed with his mental health.

Anauralia: what's it like to have no inner monologue? Nov 17, 2024

Show notes

How clear is your inner voice? Do you internally narrate your life? And do you get songs stuck in your head?

Almost all of us can imagine sounds in our minds. But a small part of the population don't have internal auditory imagery — a phenomenon called anauralia.

Today, we explore the experience of anauralia, in an episode from Radio New Zealand's Our Changing World.

Our Changing World is produced and presented by Claire Concannon and Ellen Rykers for RNZ.

The original version of this episode was first broadcast on RNZ as The puzzle of the silent mind.

Special thanks to Auckland University Student Chamber Orchestra, for allowing use of their recording of Beethoven's 5th symphony.

Can you recognise a love song in any language? Nov 10, 2024

Show notes

Music is a universal feature of the human experience — present from our very first cultures and civilisations.

But do the features of particular songs and styles translate across cultural boundaries? Like, is a lullaby recognisable even when it's from a different culture? Can you identify a love song in another language?

Today, we explore the special relationship between music and our minds, in an episode from Radio New Zealand's Our Changing World.

Our Changing World is produced and presented by Claire Concannon and Ellen Rykers for RNZ.

The clips from the Natural History of Song project used in this episode are available online under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

The original version of this episode was first broadcast on RNZ as Our Musical Minds.

Girl, Interrupted: the extreme emotions of PMDD Nov 03, 2024

Show notes

Laura would spend weeks feeling normal — even happy. But like clockwork, every month, suddenly she would feel intense depression, making her unrecognisable to herself and friends.

It took her nearly two decades to identify what was causing this rollercoaster of mood: PMDD, AKA Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

So what is it about hormones that make some people feel such intense emotions? And why is PMDD still so misunderstood?

This episode touches on the topic of suicide. Please take care while listening and don't hesitate to reach out for support if you need it. You can reach Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

It was first broadcast in June 2023.

Looking for something to listen to next? Why not check out Demystifying menopause.

Spooky science: What's behind a paranormal experience? Oct 27, 2024

Show notes

Professor Chris French has been studying the paranormal for decades. But — he’s a sceptic.

In an All in the Mind Halloween special, we explore the psychology behind our spooky encounters.

What's going on in your brain when you see a ghost? How do people talk to the dead?

And why would a sceptic study the paranormal?

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