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:

Outwardly impressive, losing it on the inside? The cognitive distortions of a high achiever May 11, 2025

Show notes

Over years of clinical practice, psychologist Dr Mary Anderson started to notice a peculiar pattern across her many clients.

Despite being impressive high achievers on the outside, inside they were struggling with burnout, imposter syndrome, anxiety and self-criticism.

So she set out to develop a guide for these high achievers. A framework to support their success ... without sacrificing their mental health.

If you loved this episode, you should listen to our story on controlling the chatter in your head.

And if you haven't already, please take a moment to fill out our listener survey! It's only seven questions and we'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

Guests:

Dr Mary AndersonPsychologist; Author, The Happy High Achiever

Extra Information:

The Happy High Achiever - Pan Macmillan Australia

Ads, sports and games: how gambling infiltrated Australian culture May 04, 2025

Show notes

If you're watching sport or browsing social media, odds are you will come across gambling ads. If you work in an office, you might've joined Melbourne Cup or footy tipping comps.

In Australia, it can feel like gambling is everywhere.

Today, we look at how everything from video games to shopping sites seem to be priming us for betting-like behaviours, and how the ubiquity of gambling ads is influencing young people in particular.

And if you haven't already, please take a moment to fill out our listener survey! It's only 7 questions and we'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.

Guests:

Dr Hannah PittVicHealth Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute for Health Transformation Deakin University

Dr Anastasia HronisClinical psychologistLecturer, University of Technology Sydney

Nic BloomMental health first aid trainerWellbeing facilitator and speaker

Credits:

Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar
Senior producer: James Bullen
Producer: Rose Kerr
Sound engineer: Ann-Marie de Bettencor

Resources:

Gambling Help Online or over the phone 1800 858 858
Lifeline resources

Extra information:

A different kind of grief — what true crime pods often overlook Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

For years, psychologist Patricia Harney avoided true crime podcasts and documentaries. They hit too close to home.

Recently she's been testing the waters, and noticing these whodunnit shows often leave out a crucial element of the story.

This episode was first broadcast in July 2023

Take our listener survey here: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/pMNc8TK7b7

Love us? Hate us? Take our short audience survey and tell us! Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

All in the Mind is doing its first-ever listener survey — can you tell us a bit about who you are and why you listen? We'd love to understand you better!

We’ve kept the survey snappy — it's only seven questions. We’re especially keen to know the age range of our listeners.

Take the survey here: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/pMNc8TK7b7

And you can always reach us at mind_rn@abc.net.au

On behalf of the team, thank you!

The silicon shrink – the worrying side of AI in mental health Apr 20, 2025

Show notes

Chat bots as therapists. Apps that can track your mood and behaviour, offering earlier detection of psychiatric illness.

There's a lot happening at the nexus of mental health and AI – some of it promising, some of it perilous.

Today, science writer and author of The Silicon Shrink, Daniel Oberhaus, takes us on a journey through this emerging space. We'll look at the potential benefits, the major limitations and the ethics of adding AI into our mental health mix.

And just a heads up, this episode touches on the topic of suicide, please take care while listening.

Guest:

Daniel OberhausScience writerAuthor, The Silicon Shrink: How Artificial Intelligence Made the World an Asylum

Credits:

Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar
Senior producer: James Bullen
Producer: Rose Kerr
Sound engineer: Isabella Tropiano

Extra info:

Meta preys on insecure teens, whistleblower says - The Australian
Meta whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams says company targeted ads at teens based on their ‘emotional state’ - Yahoo Finance
Comments on Research and Ad Targeting - Meta

Resources:

Dissecting the brain - live at the World Science Festival Brisbane Apr 13, 2025

Show notes

The brain might be an undiscerning blob that makes up just two per cent of your body, but what it does for you is extraordinary.

How much about the day-to-day workings of the brain do we fully understand, and what does the future of medicine have in store for it?

In this recording of our live show from the World Science Festival Brisbane, we explore the wonder of brain surgery, advances in neurotech, and whether we could one day preserve consciousness and ‘live’ forever.

Keen to listen to another episode? Why not check out Can we trust our memories?

How the housing crisis is warping people's view of the future Apr 06, 2025

Show notes

Madi's had 25 rental applications rejected. Seen absolute horror houses while searching for a rental. It's all driving her to despair.

Today, how housing insecurity can alter our sense of agency and how we perceive the world around us.

This episode was first broadcast in May 2024.

Fighting for focus in the age of distraction Mar 30, 2025

Show notes

Be honest, how many times have you checked your notifications in the last hour? Or opened a new, totally unrelated tab? Or stopped what you're doing even though you really need to do it?

Distractions are everywhere. And whether they're self-imposed or coming from our environment, it can be hard to focus.

Today, we explore the ramifications of our rapidly shrinking attention spans, debunk some myths about focus, and discuss the art of taking a break.

Want to hear more? Check out our episode, When doom scrolling leads to actual harm.

Guests:

Dr Emma Fitzgerald Clinical Neuropsychologist

SebEmma's son and distracted teenager

Gloria Mark, PhDChancellor's Professor Emerita, University of California, IrvineAuthor, Attention Span

Credits:

Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar
Senior producer: James Bullen
Producer: Rose Kerr
Sound engineer: Bella Tropiano

Extra info:

Gloria's The Future of Attention substack

Smartphones in the nursery: Parental smartphone use and parental sensitivity and responsiveness within parent–child interaction in early childhood (0–5 years): A scoping review Ditching your smartphone won't stop you being distracted, study finds

The magic of memory - live at Podfest Mar 23, 2025

Show notes

How strong is your memory?

Whether you're frequently forgetful or eager to improve, there are ways you can train your brain to recall faster and remember better.

This week, we bring you our live show from Podfest at the Adelaide Festival, featuring neuropsychologists, memory athletes, and even some listeners!

If you'd like to check out another episode, why not listen to Is life coaching legit?

Could AI keep you company as you age? Mar 16, 2025

Show notes

Dementia usually involves a decline in your ability to remember, think and reason over time. And those with dementia are at a high risk of feeling socially isolated, lonely and depressed.

As artificial intelligence systems get better and better, researchers are investigating whether AI companion bots could help improve the lives of those with dementia.

The combination might sound counterintuitive, but researchers reckon these chatbots have some advantages over human companionship.

So, what does a conversation with an AI companion sound like? How might they help? And what do the real people these AI companions are based on think of the experience?

Today, former host of All in the Mind Lynne Malcolm reports on the developing field of AI companions for people with dementia.

If you're looking for something to listen to next, check out our episode with Lynne What's been on Lynne Malcolm's mind (since leaving All in the Mind).

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