Speaking of Psychology

Latest Episodes:

How people respond to extreme weather risks, with Brett Gelino, PhD, and Gabrielle Wong-Parodi, PhD Nov 04, 2026

Show notes

Wildfires, hurricanes, heat waves and floods are growing more frequent and more costly, and communities are racing to adapt. But new infrastructure only helps if people use it, and warnings only work if people act on them. Gabrielle Wong-Parodi, PhD, of Stanford University, and Brett Gelino, PhD, of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, discuss what a climate-resilient community looks like; why repeated alerts can lose their urgency and how officials can convey risk without causing people to tune out; and how research can get into the hands of planners and emergency responders who need it.

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Helping humans and wildlife coexist, with Suzanne MacDonald, PhD Oct 28, 2026

Show notes

Many of us share our cities and neighborhoods with animals that lived there before we moved in, such as raccoons, turtles and crows. Suzanne MacDonald, PhD, of York University, discusses why some species thrive in urban environments while others struggle; how city living changes animal behavior; and how understanding animal cognition and behavior can help wildlife and humans coexist better.

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Why we complain and how to do it better, with Robin Kowalski, PhD Oct 21, 2026

Show notes

Whether it’s grumbling about a boss, the weather, or a spouse’s most annoying habit, we all complain. Robin Kowalski, PhD, of Clemson University, discusses why we complain; the difference between venting and complaining to get results; how to complain in a way that doesn’t wear people out; and how mindfulness can help you complain less.

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Beyond screen time: What makes educational technology effective, with Nicole Barnes, PhD Oct 14, 2026

Show notes

Digital tools now help teach students everything from spelling to math to science -- but flashy features don’t always translate to learning. Nicole Barnes, PhD, executive lead psychologist for education at the American Psychological Association and lead author of a new report on children’s and adolescents’ learning with educational technology, discusses how to tell the difference between engagement and real learning; why generative AI tools call for extra caution; and what teachers offer that technology can’t replace.

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Are you a workaholic or just a hard worker? With Malissa Clark, PhD Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Many of us have trouble switching off from work, whether it's staying late at the office, checking messages on vacation, or lying awake running through tomorrow's to-do list. Malissa Clark, PhD, of the University of Georgia, discusses how workaholism differs from simply working hard; why it's about more than hours on the clock; how it affects physical health, mental health and relationships; and how workplaces can encourage a healthier relationship with work.

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Can envy be good for you? With Jens Lange, PhD, and Sara Protasi, PhD Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

We've all felt a pang of envy watching a friend's success or a colleague's promotion. But does this much-maligned emotion deserve its negative reputation? Psychologist Jens Lange, PhD, and philosopher Sara Protasi, PhD, discuss the difference between envy and jealousy; why we're often most envious of the people closest to us; and how envy may, in the right circumstances, motivate us to grow.

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Are you burned out or ‘bored out’? With Lotta Harju, PhD, and Sharon K. Parker, PhD Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Burnout gets all the attention, but some employees struggle with a different problem: chronic boredom on the job, sometimes called "boreout." Lotta Harju, PhD, of EM Lyon Business School, and Sharon K. Parker, PhD, of Curtin University, discuss how boreout differs from burnout, how it can affect workers’ health and well-being, and what individuals, managers and organizations can do to design more engaging work.

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The Science of Suicide Prevention, with Matthew Nock, PhD Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

The U.S. suicide rate today is almost identical to what it was a century ago, even as death rates from many other causes have dropped. Matthew Nock, PhD, of Harvard University, discusses why it’s so hard to predict who will act on suicidal thoughts -- and when; how new tools, from electronic health records to smartphone sensors, are helping researchers understand risk in real time; what interventions show the most promise; why stigma and fear keep us from discussing suicide; and why open conversations are key to prevention.

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Why does music move us? With Robert Zatorre, PhD Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Why does music give many of us goosebumps, bring back vivid memories and make us want to dance -- but leaves some people cold? Robert Zatorre, author of “From Perception to Pleasure: The Neuroscience of Music and Why We Love It,” discusses how music engages the brain’s reward system; why expectation and surprise are a key part its appeal; what we can learn from musical anhedonia, or the inability to enjoy music; and how scientists are making strides in understanding music therapy and the healing potential of music.

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How teaching and learning will change in the age of AI, with C. Edward Watson, PhD, and Beth Schwartz, PhD Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Over the past several years, generative AI has moved into classrooms at lightning speed. C. Edward Watson, PhD, author of “Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning,” and Beth Schwartz, PhD, senior director of teaching and learning at APA, discuss how students and educators are navigating these changes; how AI can help or hinder learning; how teachers can redesign assignments and assessments; and what schools and universities should be teaching students about using AI responsibly.

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