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:

Does self-help ... help? The problem with pop psychology Apr 09, 2023

Show notes

This episode was first broadcast in June 2021.

Have you ever tried a self-help book? Did it… well, help?

On All in the Mind this week, why self-help sometimes falls short ... and the problem with pop psychology more generally.

Scam psychology – how scammers get in our heads (and wallets) Apr 02, 2023

Show notes

A lot of us would like to think we could spot a scam a mile away. Spelling errors, suspicious email addresses and requests for money… all tip offs that something isn't right.

But none of us are immune to scammers' psychological tricks – not even psychologists.

In this episode, forensic neuropsychologist Dr Stacey Wood reveals the tricks and techniques scammers use, and what makes us most vulnerable to their tactics.

The battle for better sleep Mar 26, 2023

Show notes

Do you wake up each morning refreshed and well slept? Or are you the kind of person who tosses and turns for ages before falling asleep, ruminating on all of your missteps and stresses from the day?

If you chose option two, this episode is for you. We get advice on making nighttime more restful — beyond the standard 'don't look at your phone before bed.' (Though that's important too).

Cognitive dissonance and mental gymnastics Mar 19, 2023

Show notes

Doing something that goes against your beliefs feels pretty bad, right? But what if those beliefs are stopping you from doing something good for you?

Producer Rose Kerr investigates the role cognitive dissonance plays in our lives: how it can lead to some creative mental gymnastics, and when it can be harnessed for good.

A musician processes her bipolar diagnosis Mar 12, 2023

Show notes

ARIA-nominated musician Parvyn knows what it's like to lose touch with reality.

Delusions, mania, psychosis — she's experienced it all, often while on tour.

Despite processing these experiences on her debut solo album 'Sa', she's never spoken publicly about her mental health — until now.

Controlling the chatter in your head Mar 05, 2023

Show notes

This episode was first broadcast in February 2022.

Most of us have an inner voice – it reminds you to pick up milk on your way home, helps problem solve, or rehearse what you’re going to say.

But there are times that helpful voice veers into harmful chatter.

Teen boys, modern masculinity and The Man Cave Feb 26, 2023

Show notes

As a teen, Hunter Johnson wanted to be the best at sport, the best at getting girls, and the best at getting attention. But one moment would change everything for him — forcing him to rethink his ideas about masculinity. Now, he's paying it forward.

Last week, we explored why toxic masculinity is tricky to talk about. Today, we hear from someone having that conversation daily — shifting the focus from toxic behaviours and beliefs … to emotional intelligence.

Why talking about toxic masculinity is getting trickier Feb 19, 2023

Show notes

Do you get defensive when you hear the term toxic masculinity?

You wouldn't be the only one, if so.

In this episode, we follow one dad's attempts to understand where internet algorithms are sending his son… and ask, how do we deal with toxic masculinity, when the very term has become contested?

Your body, your brain, your self Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

From phantom limbs to Alice in Wonderland syndrome — why does the brain sometimes mess up its awareness and understanding of the body it belongs to?

Neuroscientist and author of Body Am I, Moheb Costandi explains.

The Paradoxes of Gossip Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

Sex, scandal, money and misdeeds. All elements of good gossip.

So why do we love the gossip, but not the gossiper?

And why are we invested in the secrets of celebrities, even though they're strangers?