Episode notes
Nature is good for our wellbeing. But how much green space does a community need, before you can see a wellbeing boost? And how do we encourage people to spend more time outdoors? This episode first aired in September 2023. In celebration of National Science Week, make sure to vote in ABC Radio National's poll for Australia's most amazing wildflower. Guests: Belinda McCawley Founder, Mindful in Nature Dr Xiaoqi Feng Professor of Urban Health and Environment School of Population Health, University of New South Wales (UNSW) Founding Co-Director of PowerLab Josh Brown Co-founder, Deadly Ed…
Podcast
All In The Mind
ABC Australia · Health · English
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,…
More from All In The Mind All episodes →
-
18 Sep 2026 · 30 min
Hypochondria and cyberchondria: the many ways to worry about health
How do you know if you have health anxiety? For mental health nurse Sarah, she had real health concerns, but they were coupled with panic, spiralling worries and late nights googling her symptoms. So how can you tell if your concerns are causing more harm than good? Today, we're demystifying health anxiety. From the impact it has on individuals, to family and friends, to the flow on effects it can have on the medical system. And don't worry, there is good news - it is treatable, so we'll explore what to do if you're feeling overwhelmed by health anxiety. Guests: Sarah (pseudonym) Mental…
-
11 Sep 2026 · 30 min
Burnout: the warning signs and how to stop it
Sally Gould was a couple of years into her dream job as a paramedic when it all started to fall apart. It wasn’t the trauma and injury she was exposed to on shifts that was getting to her. It was everything else - the hours, the nonsense callouts, the bullying. The experience would leave her isolated and thinking of suicide. But she found a way back. Today, an episode for those of you who fear you’re burning out - or have burnt out. We hear about the personality traits that put you at higher risk of burnout, how to protect yourself and getting back on the path back to good health. Guests:…
-
4 Sep 2026 · 30 min
When meditation goes wrong: part two
Meditation sickness, meditation-related adverse effects or meditators in distress – you probably haven't heard these terms, even if you do meditate. Yet research finds adverse effects occur in half of all meditators. For one in 10, it impairs their functioning or lasts more than a month. Experts say many people can benefit from meditation, but it can also come with harms. Today, the second episode of a two-part special on the research into those harms and the personal stories of those who've experienced them. You can hear part one of the series here. Guests: Willoughby Britton Associate…
-
28 Aug 2026 · 30 min
When meditation goes wrong: part one
Meditation has a lot of benefits, but could it also have risks? Over the past decade, meditation and mindfulness have been promoted to reduce stress and increase relaxation. But there is another story of meditation that rarely gets told... one that involves anxiety, insomnia — even psychosis. Today, how one person went from being an evangelical mindfulness meditator, to a leading researcher on the adverse effects of meditation. Guests: Willoughby Britton Associate professor, Brown University Medical School and director of the Clinical and Affective Neuroscience Lab Pawan Sharma Assistant…
-
21 Aug 2026 · 30 min
Why do we crave closure?
Closure can feel like the ultimate solution to help us heal. But is it all it's cracked up to be? Today, we learn about ambiguous loss — the type of grief that comes without closure. We know navigating uncertainty is tricky, so what practical steps can we take to process this kind of loss? A heads up, this episode touches on some heavy topics around loss and trauma. Guests: Carly Dober Psychologist Dr Pauline Boss Professor emeritus, University of Minnesota Author, Myth of Closure: Ambiguous Loss in a Time of Pandemic Author, Change and Ambiguous Loss: Learning to Live with Unresolved Grief…
-
7 Aug 2026 · 30 min
Dark tourism, selfies and moral outrage
Since the days of gladiator battles and public hangings, dark tourism — our attraction to places linked to death and despair — has been a part of human behaviour. But there's something in the 21st century that's causing debate… Selfies. Digital media isn't all bad though. It's also creating opportunities for authentic storytelling. Today, we examine what dark tourism is, if it's ethical, and when it is (and isn't) appropriate to snap a selfie. This episode first aired in June 2024. Guests: Dr Craig Wight, Associate Professor, Business School, Edinburgh Napier University Dr Nicole Basaraba,…
-
31 Jul 2026 · 30 min
From gaming addiction to healthy gamer: Dr K's story
Why is gaming addictive? How do you know if it's a problem? And what should parents do if they're worried about their kids' gaming habits? This week, psychiatrist and author Dr Alok Kanojia (Dr K) unpacks gaming addiction. Long before Dr K was the co-founder of Healthy Gamer, he had his own story of addiction — playing for 20 hours a day and failing out of uni. How did he turn his own struggles into a global online community supporting gamers? And what practical advice does he have for gamers (and the parents raising them) who want to find a balance? Guest: Dr Alok Kanojia (Dr K)…
-
24 Jul 2026 · 31 min
How can I become more securely attached?
Whether you're anxious or avoidant, there are steps you can take to make your relationships more secure. And the benefits extend beyond dating — finding secure people can help you build a community and maybe even live longer. Today, neuroscientist, psychiatrist and author Dr Amir Levine joins Sana to discuss all things secure attachment. From tiny meaningful moments with strangers, to prioritising the right people in your life, Amir shares his top advice for anyone wanting to change their attachment style. Guest: Dr Amir Levine Psychiatrist Neuroscientist Associate Professor of Clinical…
-
17 Jul 2026 · 29 min
Oppositional defiant disorder and bad behaviour in schools
Aggression, not listening, interruptions ... bad behaviour is on the rise in schools. What's causing this trend? Is it parenting styles or the pandemic? Nurse Erin has had plenty of challenges with her son, leaving her family at the end of their tether. But one therapy just clicked. Today, a family's story of oppositional defiant disorder and giving Parent-Child Interaction Therapy a go. Can coaching parents through one-way mirrors and ear pieces help build stronger relationships? And why is PCIT so effective for kids with ODD? Guests: Erin Nurse and mother PCIT participant Professor Eva…
-
10 Jul 2026 · 30 min
We're all stressed. What should we do about it?
How stressed have you been lately? Are you heading towards burn out? Time and time again, Dr Rangan Chatterjee has seen chronic stress wreak havoc on his patients' lives — contributing to autoimmune disorders, gut problems, low libido and more. But the most devastating blow struck his own family, when his father's punishing work schedule forced him to medically retire in his 50s. It’s an experience that led Rangan to rethink his own work and approach to medicine. Today, Dr Chatterjee, a GP and host of a mega popular wellbeing podcast, shares his story, as well as strategies for better…
Take it with you
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
