The Psychology of your 20s

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Latest Episodes:

437. The psychology behind feeling 'too much' Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

At some point in most of our lives, most of us have felt that we are ‘too much’. We might feel that we are too loud, have too many opinions, are too extroverted, too needy, or generally take up too much emotional ‘space’. In this episode, we explore what this feels like when it bleeds into our personal and professional lives, the impact of suppressing emotions upon our immune system, and look at some methods to unlearn and reconfigure our relationship with the ‘too much’ label.

We unpack:
• Why society likes to shame people who are confident and outspoken
• The psychology of ‘Tall Poppy Syndrome’, and why women are particularly vulnerable
• How being shamed and shut down as children makes us feel ‘too much’ later in life
• The link between suppressing our emotions and our immune system
• How we can unlearn the belief that we are ‘too much’

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

Our favourite sources:

https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_are_confident_people_so_polarizing

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4212945/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXo5rB3jtOe/?img_index=20&igsh=emNnMDNlZzFoeDZm

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

436. The psychology of sibling rivalry Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

In many ways, sibling rivalry is an integral part of growing up in a multiple-child household – the arguments, the jealousy, the competition. But as we explore in this episode, those sibling dynamics often don’t stop in childhood, but actually following us into our 20s and adulthood, shaping how we see ourselves, relate to our families, and how we carry old roles.

We explore:
• Why a level of rivalry is developmentally expected
• The evolutionary perspective on resource competition
• The role of birth order and family roles
• How sibling rivalry can transpire in adulthood
• How to begin acknowledging and rewriting old roles

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

Our favourite sources:
https://prevention.psu.edu/news/the-psychology-behind-sibling-rivalry/

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10567-011-0104-5

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0192513X211064876

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-016-0429-2

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

435. The pain of outgrowing your old life Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

There comes a point in all of our lives where we realise we've outgrown who we used to be. Sometimes it happens all at once, due to a breakup, a move, a loss, or a major life change. Other times (most of the time), it's much quieter. As painful as that can feel, it's also one of the clearest signs that you're evolving.

In this episode, we explore the psychology of outgrowing your old life, why change can feel so much like grief, and how to let go of the past without fearing the future.

We explore:

The psychology of liminality and the space between who you were and who you're becoming
The seven stages of outgrowing your old life
Why we cling to the past through nostalgia, the endowment effect and status quo bias
When you know a chapter is over
How to embrace change and build a future you're excited to grow into

Happy listening!

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

434. "I lost my brother at 16 to suicide, it shouldn't have happened" ft. Ben West Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

TW: Discussions of suicide.

This week, I'm joined by mental health campaigner Ben West for one of the most moving conversations we've ever had on the show. At 18, Ben lost his brother to suicide. He has taken that experience and decided to change the lives of thousands, if not millions with his 'Reasons to Stay' campaign.

In this episode we discuss:

Why grief changes over time
How to find purpose after unimaginable heartbreak
The psychology of hope and why strangers can save lives
What supporting someone through suicidal thoughts actually looks like
Ben's incredible initiative, Reasons to Stay, and the millions of people it's already reached
His two personal rules for protecting his own mental health
Why healing isn't about 'moving on' but learning to carry what you've lost

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Preorder Ben's book: HERE

Follow Ben: HERE

If you need help, it is available. You are NEVER alone. Please find some further resources HERE.

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

433. I'm ready to leave London Jun 27, 2026

Show notes

Giving you all an update on my life and my future in London.

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

432. How to rebuild your attention span Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

Many of us feel that our attention spans are nothing like they used to be. So many of us can recall a time when we would read books for hours with ease, concentrate for hours, focus on a movie without going on our phone. But not any more.

In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind our dwindling attention spans, via the consumption of endless content, task switching, lack of sleep and more. But there’s hope - we also look at practical ways that we can all work on retraining our brains towards healthier, more sustainable and enjoyable focus.

We unpack:
• Why our attention spans have been eroded, particularly over the last 20 years
• How social media is designed to be like a slot machine
• The impact of ‘sleep debt’ and our attention spans
• Why the ‘switch-cost effect’ depletes our focus all the time
• How we can retrain our brains to focus

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

Our favourite sources:

https://time.com/6302294/why-you-cant-focus-anymore-and-what-to-do-about-it/

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/02/attention-span-focus-screens-apps-smartphones-social-media

https://thesciencesurvey.com/editorial/2024/02/12/the-problem-with-your-attention-span/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

431. Why a boring life is beautiful Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

What might be seen as a ‘boring’ life is often just a life that wouldn’t be as popular on Instagram. In a world that glamorises chaos, spontaneity and constant stimulation, we need to create lives that truly nourish us, provide safety, and align with who we really are. In this episode, we explore the psychology behind why so many of us begin craving calm as we get older, why that can feel oddly threatening, and why slowing down may be one of the best things we can do for our brains.

We explore:
• Why many of us start craving a more manageable, peaceful life
• Why this can create fear, guilt, or cognitive dissonance in our 20s
• The pressure from social media to make youth look chaotic and exciting
• The role of FOMO in feeling disconnected from our real preferences
• Why our brains crave novelty
• What a ‘boring’ life is actually made of: boundaries, routine, presence, and self-trust

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

Our favourite sources:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/development-and-psychopathology/article/abs/differential-changes-in-impulsivity-and-sensation-seeking-and-the-escalation-of-substance-use-from-adolescence-to-early-adulthood/3542107D68176F9B55BC0A2DB212C701

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563213000800

https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn1052

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1250830

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

430. The psychology of job interviews Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

When we go for a job interview, it can feel as if our entire existence is being judged. It can come down to the feeling of someone else getting to call the shots on whether we are intellectually competent at best, or personally desirable at worst. In this episode, we’ll explore why job interviews can feel so stressful, identify why positive first impressions are vital, and discuss some psychological hacks to help us nail them.

We explore:

• How job interviews trigger our need for social approval
• The Yerkes-Dodson Law, or how excessive pressure can make us perform worse
• Why we can’t trust our judgement about how an interview went
• Why being likeable makes it more likely you’ll get hired
• How easy psychological tricks can make us feel more confident

Our favourite sources:
https://www.catharticspacecounseling.com/blog/how-to-handle-uncertainty-without-losing-your-mind www.researchgate.net/publication/313878823_The_importance_of_first_impressions_in_a_job_interview

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/beyond-stress-and-burnout/202206/the-effects-of-stress-when-interviewing

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

429. The reality of chronic illness in your 20s ft. Nikki Lilly Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Living with a chronic illness in your 20s can feel like carrying an invisible weight that nobody else can see. Beyond the hospital appointments, surgeries, medications and diagnoses, there is a hidden psychological burden: the anxiety, grief, uncertainty, identity struggles and resilience required to keep moving forward when your body feels beyond your control.

In this week's episode, I sit down with content creator, advocate and broadcaster Nikki Lilly to discuss what it's really like growing up with a rare medical condition, navigating facial differences, online bullying, and building a meaningful life despite constant uncertainty.

We discuss:

The hidden psychological impact of chronic illness
Medical trauma, PTSD and the long road to healing
How chronic illness affects your relationship with your body
Online bullying, discrimination and appearance-based judgment
Plus her time at the Oscars and her vision for her future

Happy listening!

Watch on Netflix: HERE

Listen to Live A Little: HERE

Follow Lilly on Instagram: @nikkililly

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg

Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast

Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s

For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

428. The truth about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Jun 13, 2026

Show notes

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is one of the most famous theories in psychology. We've all seen the pyramid. We've all been told that before we can become our best selves, we need to climb through five levels of human needs, from food and safety all the way to self-actualisation. But what if that's not actually what Maslow believed?

In this bonus episode, as part of our series myth-busting psychology, we're uncovering the surprising truth behind one of psychology's most iconic ideas, including: