Are we really making healthy choices for our children in the supermarket? Or are we being nudged by bright colours, on-pack claims and fruit-filled imagery? Associate Professor Helen Dixon and Jane Martin unpack the psychology, policy and packaging that influence what ends up in our shopping trolleys. They highlight the subtle strategies used to market commercial infant and toddler foods, and discuss what can be done to support parents in making informed choices. Kids are Sweet Enough (Food for Health Alliance)

Misinformation and disinformation now pose some of the biggest global risks to democracy and public trust. Associate Professor Piers Howe explains how misinformation and disinformation spreads, and the subtle but influential ways they can shift public opinion, disrupt elections and damage society. With the rise of AI and sophisticated campaigns, he explains why it's more important than ever to stay informed, think critically and understand the science behind persuasion.

Want tips on how to use power and influence more effectively - whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team, or asking your preschooler to brush their teeth? Professor Jennifer Overbeck unpacks what sets power apart from influence, how persuasion works, and why gender, identity and context matter.

What are the mental health impacts of menopause and how are they connected with our ideas about ageing? Dr Lydia Brown shares insights from her research on self-compassion and how it can help those managing the psychological challenges of menopause. Whether you’re approaching menopause or simply interested in evidence-based strategies for a healthy outlook on ageing, this conversation offers practical and deeply human advice for navigating change.  Resources mentioned in this episode: Australian Menopause Society Jean Hailes Centre for Women's Health

What do the names of colours, kinship terms and legal jargon tell us about the human mind? Dr Frank Mollica explores language as a cognitive tool – shaped by culture, adapted for purpose, and far from universal. We dive into how children learn language, how it evolves and why legal language is so confusing. Along the way, we challenge common assumptions about how we think, communicate and learn.

Why do some people seem naturally kind or generous? Professor Luke Smillie breaks down personality traits like empathy, honesty and compassion – and how they shape behaviour. Tune into this thoughtful discussion about the ‘prosocial personality’ and discover whether people can become more altruistic over time. 

Will the Australian government really lock under-16s out of TikTok? Associate Professor Scott Griffiths returns to PsychTalks to unpack Australia’s proposed social media ban. He breaks down the psychological harms driving the policy, the challenges and possible pathways to secure enforcement, and what anxious parents can do to protect kids’ mental health online. 

Could Ozempic do more than help with weight loss? Dr Trevor Steward is uncovering the science behind what’s happening in the brain when people take drugs like Ozempic. His research queries how these medications influence appetite, food-related thoughts, and their potential to turn down the dial on binge eating disorder.  Read more in Dr Steward's article for Pursuit.

Unlock the psychological reasons behind why we hold onto secrets. Associate Professor Katie Greenaway and Valentina Bianchi explore the emotional costs and benefits of keeping secrets. Discover who we often confide in and hear a clinical psychologist’s perspective on being a professional secret-keeper. And take this survey at keepingsecrets.org to compare your secrets with others. 

Discover how the AI revolution is entering the world of psychology and clinical practice. Professor Simon Dennis shares his quest to craft AI-driven tools for therapy. Can bots help address the shortage of mental health professionals by providing affordable, 24/7 support? And what are the ethical, practical and philosophical questions behind using therapist bots as part of therapy treatment? Find out more about Simon's AI-driven cognitive behavioural therapy tools.  Please be advised that this episode discusses suicide and suicide ideation. 

Do 'brain-training' apps or mindfulness exercises really boost our capacity to learn? Professor Iroise Dumontheil shares her research into why we differ in our ability to control our attention, thoughts and behaviour. Hear how these differences impact on our learning and whether cognitive training enhances outcomes in education. Discover how insights from cognitive neuroscience might reshape the future of education by enabling personalised learning.

Managing pain can be part of life for many of us. Professor Amy Jordan and Associate Professor Natalia Brumley unlock the intriguing relationship between sleep and pain. Find out how different types of pain affect sleep quality, if gender is a factor, and in what ways exercise, blue light and social media consumption might have an impact.

PTSD is the second most common mental health disorder. Current treatments work for about half of those affected, but are there better options? Professor Kim Felmingham breaks down exposure therapy and explores if pharmacological-based interventions such as MDMA/ecstasy are really the answer. Plus find out what her studies on exercise reveal about this promising potential line of treatment. Visit the Phoenix Australia website for more information about PTSD and current research trials. 

Studies show there is still a significant gender imbalance in taking on domestic chores and managing a home in most heterosexual relationships. But can this divide also dampen things in bedroom? Dr Emily Harris discusses why women usually take on more, the structural barriers to change and practical strategies for couples. To find out more about her research, visit Emily's website. 

Explore the fascinating world of adolescent brain development and inhibition with Dr Sarah Tashjian. Find out how different parts of the brain mature during adolescence, the crucial role of sleep and the surprising science behind how teens make decisions. Get science-backed tips on how best to talk to teens about risky behaviours and challenges in their formative years. For recommendations on teens use of social media, check out the American Psychological Association’s Health Advisory on Social Media Use in Adolescence: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/09/protecting-teens-on-social-media

Excitement is building for the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games – but how do its elite competitors cope with the stress of performing with the eyes of the world upon them? This special episode launching series 3 of PsychTalks unpacks Dr Courtney Walton's latest research into athletes’ mental health. Hear about the strides being made in the professional care of our athlete superstars and how best to support your kid in sport.

E-cigarette use, or vaping, has quickly become a regular habit for many teenagers in Australia and around the world. Associate Professor Michelle Jongenelis talks about the rise of vaping and what steps the government needs to take to curb its widespread misuse. And we ask her: is there a better way to convince young people that vaping might not be the best idea? Discover more about this topic here. Featuring Associate Professor Michelle Jongenelis. Michelle is a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in health promotion and behavioural science.  Credits: Hosted by Associate Professor Cassie Hayward and Professor Nick Haslam. Produced by Carly Godden and Louise Sheedy. Mixed by David Calf. 

We’ve all heard the old saying that watching too much TV rots your brain. How much truth is there to this – especially when it comes to kids paying attention in school? Should parents feel guilty about their kids’ screen time? Associate Professor Katherine Johnson has the answers. Read about the featured study here. Featuring Associate Professor Katherine Johnson. Katherine's research is in the area of developmental cognitive neuroscience. Credits: Hosted by Associate Professor Cassie Hayward and Professor Nick Haslam. Produced by Carly Godden and Louise Sheedy. Mixed by David Calf. 

Today, trigger or content warnings pop up in much of the media we consume, and have spread to universities and classrooms. But are these warnings actually helping us? Do they make us avoid triggering material, or at least minimise the potential harm involved, if we do see it? This episode, featuring Dr Ella Moeck, invites you to rethink trigger warnings and how we might best deal with confronting topics in our everyday lives. Hosted by Associate Professor Cassie Hayward and Professor Nick Haslam. Produced by Carly Godden and Louise Sheedy. Mixed by David Calf.  Discover more about this topic: Meta analysis Instagram papers Art paper Featuring Dr Ella Moeck, Research Fellow in the Functions of Emotion in Everyday Life (FEEL) Lab at the University of Melbourne's School of Psychological Sciences. Ella’s research focuses on the intersection between cognition and emotion. Episode credits: Hosted by Associate Professor Cassie Hayward and Professor Nick Haslam. Produced by Carly Godden and Louise Sheedy. Mixed by David Calf. Music by Chris Falk.

We've heard that social media can warp perceptions about our bodies, dieting and appearance. So what happens when TikTok invents a new type of algorithm – one that's incredibly powerful at tapping into our inner desires and anxieties? Join us for a new series of PsychTalks and hear Dr Scott Griffiths chat about his astonishing study on how TikTok can harm those vulnerable to eating disorders.  Discover more about Scott’s research and check out the Butterfly Foundation. Featuring Dr Scott Griffiths, Psychology Researcher at the University of Melbourne’s School of Psychological Sciences. Scott specialises in body image and physical appearance. Episode credits: Hosted by Associate Professor Cassie Hayward and Professor Nick Haslam. Produced by Carly Godden and Louise Sheedy. Mixed by David Calf. Music by Chris Falk. 

User Experience Researcher and Certified Meditation Teacher Nerida Lennon shares the full version of her loving kindness style meditation exercise. As featured in the episode Mindfulness and meditation: the search for authenticity. 

Mindfulness and meditation are ancient practices that can now be accessed via your smart phone. Mindfulness is everywhere: there’s mindful learning, mindful parenting, mindful business leadership — even mindful soldiers. We’re told these practices reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and blood pressure. And they're being sold for billions. If something sacred has been co-opted by capitalism, is it still ‘good’ for us? Learn more about how to navigate the complex world of mindfulness and meditation, and what to look for if you're considering giving these practices a try. Hosted by Lynne Malcolm for the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. Featuring Associate Professor Nicholas Van Dam and Nerida Lennon, User Experience Researcher and Certified Meditation Teacher. Our production team is: Carly Godden (producer), Amy Bugeja and Mairead Murray (assistant producers), Arch Cuthburtson (sound engineer) and Chris Falk (music).

Today, big data is exploited by corporations and misused by hackers, usually to make money. And we're practically inundated with instances of online privacy violations and data breaches. But some experts believe we can better harness the power of big data for scientific research. By getting a fine-grained picture of individuals, big data research could vastly strengthen diagnosis and treatment of psychological conditions, such as bipolar disorder. This technology also puts the individual user back in control of their data — and even enables them to profit. Hosted by Lynne Malcolm for the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. Featuring Professor Simon Dennis and data security consultant Troy Hunt. Our production team is: Carly Godden (producer), Amy Bugeja and Mairead Murray (assistant producers), Arch Cuthburtson (sound engineer) and Chris Falk (music).

Government and advocacy groups want us all to make healthier and safer choices. Yet, changing undesirable behaviour is notoriously challenging. Why then are fear appeal ads – when done well – such an effective means to jump-start us into action? This episode looks at the ways the Victorian TAC — Transport Accident Commission — leverage fear appeal ads to reduce our road death tolls. Hosted by journalist Lynne Malcolm for the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. Featuring Associate Professor Cassie Hayward and TAC's Head of Road Safety Sam (Samatha) Cockfield. Our production team is: Carly Godden (producer), Amy Bugeja and Mairead Murray (assistant producers), Arch Cuthburtson (sound engineer) and Chris Falk (music).

We've discovered what makes a good fear appeal ad, but what about the ones that miss the mark? Hear our expert Associate Professor Cassie Hayward's take on the Australian Government's Covid-19 vaccination campaign.  

Misinformation is being weaponised in the media and politics, and many fall down the conspiracy theory spiral. In what ways do our brains predispose us to believe in misinformation? How is our current information environment – especially social media – aiding the spread of ‘fake news’? And can you actually convince true believers to let go of conspiracy theories? Hosted by journalist Lynne Malcolm for the Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences. Featuring Associate Professor Andrew Perfors and David Milner from The Shot. Our production team is: Carly Godden (producer), Amy Bugeja and Mairead Murray (assistant producers), Arch Cuthburtson (sound engineer), and Chris Falk (music).