The Psychology of your 20s

Copyright: 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia

Latest Episodes:

135. Emotional eating Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

Our relationship with food is so much more psychological then it appears to be, and the evidence for that can be seen with emotional eating. Sometimes we eat as a way to process or regulate our emotions, rather than from actual hunger. This can disrupt our relationship with food and lead us to develop unhealthy coping mechanisms. In today's episode, we discuss:

The psychology behind emotional eating
Why we emotionally eat
The impact of our hormones and stress response
How diet culture is putting food in control
The truth about intuitive eating
Tips to manage your emotional eating
And more!

I also share my own journey with emotional eating and how my relationship with food has evolved in my 20s. Listen now.

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/

Follow me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s

For help: https://butterfly.org.au/?gclid=CjwKCAjwvrOpBhBdEiwAR58-3AO4fboC3MOLarMlVv5a-GZOaOwWQVSLDtvuPrq4qOLM0zJwFiWt2xoCsHQQAvD_BwE

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

134. The psychology behind the "ick" Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

You're dating someone new and suddenly, they show up to a date wearing crocs, or wear goggles to the beach and you get the ick. You immediately lose all attraction to them, you feel the immediate need to end the relationship, why is that? In this episode we break down some of the surprising psychology behind the ick, including the links to our intuition, emotional unavailability, rejection sensitivity and more, but also why the ick isn't always a death sentence. We also discuss why we voluntarily give ourselves the ick towards the people we're interested in and how we can use it to detach from people who may not be good for us. All of that and more! Listen now.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

133. Feeling lost after university and career anxiety Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

The post graduation blues can leave us feeling incredibly anxious, aimless and stuck, battling with the question of 'what next'? We are faced with a number of significant changes and transitions such as increasing distance between us and our friends, financial anxiety and having to make significant career decisions. All of this can culminate is a sense of choice overload and paralysis, but also a overwhelming sense of nostalgia to return back to the 'good old days'. In this episode, we break down exactly why you may be feeling lost after university and how to find a sense of meaning and purpose when it comes to post graduation life, and manage the career anxiety that comes with our 20s. Listen now!

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

132. The psychology of Taylor Swift Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Taylor Swift is possibly the most famous person in the world right now, beloved by millions, streamed by billions, her eras tour may have even saved the US economy. What is it about her as an artist, a celebrity and a person that is so uniquely captivating? How has she continued to reach new heights, new fans and achieve such career longevity? And why do so many of us feel an emotional connection to her and her music, despite never having met her?

In this episode we discuss all of the underlying psychology behind the success and obsession with Taylor Swift; not just as a musician, but as a brand and a business, maybe even a friend, including:

Parasocial relationships and celebrity worship syndrome
The power of escapism and story telling
The psychology behind our music preferences
The formula for celebrity relatability and authenticity
In group and out groups
The impact of her 'eras' and use of easter eggs for creating novelty and newness for her fans, and
Why we are so obsessed with celebrity gossip

Taylor Swift is more than an artist. For many swifities, she is a lifestyle and an idol whose music has been a part of our lives since we were kids or teenagers, bookmarking certain chapters and milestones as we have grown up alongside her. Today, let's break down the psychology behind everything we love, and sometimes dislike about Taylor Swift.

Follow the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jemmasbeg/

Support my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

131. Why does life feel boring? Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

We have all had that experience of feeling bored with our everyday life, whereby we look around and our daily experiences have lost some of the colour and excitement. Why is that the case? Psychology can provide some explanations including:

A lack of novelty and new experiences
Seasonal affective disorder
Overstimulation from our phones and social media
Social comparison
The benefits of a dopamine detox

We discuss all these reasons and more, as well as what we can do to change that! How can we break out of this boredom cycle and feel like our lives and everyday experiences are meaningful by embracing the beauty of an anti-routine, challenging ourselves to try new things once a week, keeping ourselves open to opportunities (even ones that are scary) or even trying a dopamine detox. Listen now for when life feels boring!

Our Patreon if you want to support the show: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

130. Relationship anxiety and being 'forever single' in your 20s ft. Katy Bellotte Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

On today's episode we bring on the wonderful, Katy Bellotte, to discuss everything love, dating and relationship in our 20s. We discuss what it feels like to have never had a relationship in your 20s, the milestone anxiety and societal pressure that makes us to feel like we need to settle for someone we're not fully committed to, feeling behind and what it feels like to finally find the one. Katy also talks moving to New York City, what it's like to live your life online and managing expectations around social media. Listen now!

Follow Katy: https://www.instagram.com/katybellotte/?hl=en

Follow The Psychology of your 20s: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

129. The psychology of oversharing Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

We all know the feeling of oversharing at a party or work function and feeling the sting of embarrassment and shame the next day. So why do we feel the need to overshare with others, even though it has emotional and mental consequences? In this episode we explore the psychology of oversharing, from the difference between trauma dumping and authenticity, why oversharing soothes our social anxiety or can be used subconsciously to fast-track a relationship. We also discuss the links to ADHD and the emotional aftermath, particularly the experience of a 'vulnerability hangover', as well as my 5 key tips to stop oversharing. Listen now.

Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

128. When it's time to walk away from a relationship Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

One of the hardest dilemmas we have to face is when it's time to walk away from someone you still love because you know the relationship isn’t right for you. We can often find ourselves stuck in a constant battle between knowing what is right, and what our heart wants us to do. In this episode we break down the five key signs its time to walk away, particularly for those of us in our 20s, and why these reasons matter the most, exploring ideas of:

Fatal Attraction Theory
The biology behind our 'gut instinct'
The Reciprocity Principle
Equity Theory
Sunk costs
Expectant thinking
Fear of being lonely or of the unknown

We also explore why we find it so difficult, the reasons that hold us back, including as the stigma around being the one to initiate the breakup and feeling like a failure for your relationship not working out.

You should not be with someone who is not adding to your life in your 20s. This is your time to be your own person, to prioritise exactly what is going to make YOU happy, not stay out of obligation or because of fear, family pressure or expectations. Is this the life you want, with this person? Are they making you the best version of yourself? Are they making you happy? Why don’t you deserve someone who does, even if it takes a while and is a bit scary.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/

Resources:

https://www.whiteribbon.org.au/helplines/

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/domestic-violence-and-abuse.htm

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

127. Can we be too self aware? Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

This is a question I have been asking myself a lot recently as someone who is VERY invested in the self-help space. Have we reached a point where we are too aware of our problems, faults, thoughts, actions and behaviours? Self awareness can free us from so many mental restrictions, it allows us to make better decisions, be a better friend, a better person, invest in our dreams and values. But at some point, we can reach a stage where we are too invested in self-reflection and introspection that it interrupts our enjoyment of the moment, can isolate us or even result in obsessive overthinking and rumination. In this episode we explore what it means to be self-aware and how online self help content might be causing us more harm than good. Listen now.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/

Consider supporting me on Patreon if you enjoy my content: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

126. How to heal a fear of abandonment Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Many of us battle with a deep-rooted fear and anxiety that those we love will leave us. Maybe we have been hurt in a past relationship, or witnessed a messy divorce or the passing of ones we love and we have unconsciously learned to associated vulnerability, intimacy and love with pain and disappointment. This fear of abandonment can cause us to sabotage otherwise perfectly healthy relationships or to push people away out of an irrational fear they will leave us, only to end up just as alone as if they had. In this episode we explore the following:

What is the root cause of the fear of abandonment?
The different types of abandonment reactions - the saboteur, the clingy, the avoidant and the serial dater
Links to codependency and emotional unavailability
How to heal our abandonment wounds

We all want to accept others into out lives and trust the people we love will stay by our side so if you're struggling with an irrational fear or anxiety of abandonment, listen now.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatpsychologypodcast/

If you enjoy this content, please consider subscribing to my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThePsychologyofyour20s

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Psychology of your 20s

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected