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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…

All In The Mind

by ABC Australia · English · Health

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

  1. 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:…

  2. 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…

  3. 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…

  4. 14 Aug 2026 · 30 min

    Why should I spend time in nature?

    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…

  5. 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,…

  6. 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)…

  7. 2 Oct 2026 · 30 min

    Is AI the end of creativity and cognition?

    As the headlines get scarier, a neuroscientist and an English professor weigh in on some of our big questions about AI. From cognitive offloading to memory and creativity, we'll examine what AI can offer and what should be kept for human minds. Sophie Gee and Reuben Rideaux appear in Where's the AI Off Switch? on 4 October, co-presented with The University of Sydney, as part of Curious at the Sydney Opera House. Guests: Professor Sophie Gee Department of English, Princeton University Co-director, Eleos Collaboration, University of Sydney Dr Reuben Rideaux Cognitive neuroscientist Senior…

  8. 25 Sep 2026 · 30 min

    Trying to read more? Your brain will thank you

    Reading is good for you, but fiction has added benefits. So how does reading work in the brain? Why are stories so impactful? And why, in this era of book clubs and booktok, are literacy rates not thriving? Get your votes in for Radio National's Top 100 Books Countdown before October 1st. Guests: Professor Genevieve McArthur Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy, ACU Director of Research Translation, Dyslexia SPELD Foundation Dr Lili Yu Senior Lecturer, School of Psychological Sciences Macquarie University Centre for Reading Dr Raymond Mar Professor of Psychology York University…

  9. 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…

  10. 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…

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