Alle afleveringen
474 afleveringen, van nieuw naar oud
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471. The psychology of weddings
19 oktober 2026 · 43 min
Why is there so much pressure for your wedding to be the best day of your life? And what happens when that pressure gets in the way of actually enjoying it? Today, we’re unpacking the psychology of weddings: the expectations, money, family dynamics and friendship tensions that come with saying “I do”. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
We explore:
Why the “perfect wedding” can leave us feeling disappointed
How weddings became such extravagant events
Social media, comparison and the pressure to spend more
The surprising relationship between wedding spending and divorce
Why weddings can expose cracks in our friendships
The psychology of elopements ...
Whether you’re planning a wedding, attending your sixth this year or wondering whether to skip the whole thing, let’s talk about keeping the celebration from overshadowing the relationship.
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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470. Are the love languages a big myth?
17 oktober 2026 · 27 min
Do you really have a love language? And does learning your partner’s actually make your relationship better? In this bonus episode of our debunking psychology series, we unpack the truth behind one of the most popular ideas in modern dating. We explore: Lees meer
Where the five love languages came from and their religious roots
The controversial advice in Gary Chapman’s original book
What the research actually says about love languages and relationship satisfaction
Why lasting love might need a “balanced diet” of affection
Partner responsiveness and what it means to feel understood, valued and cared for
Find all episodes of DEBUNKING PSYCHOLOGY: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com 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.
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469. The psychology of embarrassment
15 oktober 2026 · 43 min
We blush, we look away, we replay the moment for hours (or years) after it happened, becoming convinced that everyone noticed far more than they probably did. Embarrassment is an interesting and complex emotion, but it can help us recognise social expectations and communicate how our behaviour affects others. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
We explore:
• When we first develop the capacity to feel embarrassed
• Why we blush and the role of embarrassment in trust
• Why some of us feel embarrassment more than others
• The role of rumination
• The psychological and social role of embarrassment
• How we can form a better relationship with itFollow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
Our favourite sources:
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fa0025403
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-psychiatry/article/not-intended-still-embarrassed-social-anxiety-is-related-to-increased-levels-of-embarrassment-in-response-to-unintentional-social-norm-violations/F4143AB3B88D41FB18F9962696A77151
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/desc.70024
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.
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468. The psychology of brain fog
12 oktober 2026 · 36 min
Brain fog is so much more than just feeling tired. It's that frustrating feeling of knowing what you want to say or do, but your brain simply won't cooperate. And whilst it's incredibly common, we're only just beginning to understand what actually causes it. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
In today's episode, we're breaking down the fascinating new research behind brain fog, including:
The three main causes of brain fog, from physical depletion to cognitive overload and neurological disruption
Why chronic stress, anxiety and mental load can leave your brain feeling exhausted
The surprising links between brain fog, inflammation, long COVID and gut health
Why women may be more susceptible to brain fog
The science of sleep, nutrition and the brain's natural cleaning system
What actually helps clear brain fog, beyond just drinking more water and getting more rest
Extra links:
Brain fog and trauma: HERE
Brain fog and ADHD: HERE
Brain fog and food: HERE
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.
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467. The psychology of the cab theory
8 oktober 2026 · 42 min
Does the taxi cab theory actually explain why some people suddenly become ready to settle down, or is it just another dating myth? Lees meer
In this episode, we’re breaking down the psychology behind the infamous, Sex and The City taxi cab theory and asking whether timing really can determine who we end up with. We explore commitment readiness, the social clock, why our relationship priorities change as we age, and the painful psychology of watching someone give their next partner everything they refused to give you.
Watch on Netflix: HERE
We discuss:
• The psychology behind the taxi cab theory
• Why someone can suddenly become “ready” for commitment
• The foster girlfriend phenomenon
• Why timing matters, but compatibility matters more
• How to tell when someone is genuinely serious about you
• Why waiting for someone’s “light to switch on” can keep you stuckFollow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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466. How your environment programs your behaviour (and how to deprogram yourself)
5 oktober 2026 · 43 min
How much of your behaviour is really “you” - and how much has been shaped by the environments around you? In this episode, we explore how childhood, relationships, social expectations, habits and physical spaces can influence the way we think, feel and behave. From nervous-system responses and beliefs about what is possible for us, to the people we pursue, the habits we repeat and the versions of ourselves that present in different places, we look at the psychology of how environments programme our behaviour. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
We explore:
● What our ‘environment’ can include
● Impacts of childhood experiences on our nervous system
● Where our belief of what it possible or attainable comes from
● How relational environments shape our pursuit of love
● How our environment shapes our habits
● The impact of our physical environment on our personalitiesFollow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
Our favourite sources:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2009.02309.xhttps://psycnet.apa.org/record/2017-33544-001
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.883795/full
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-08705-013
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.
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465. The psychology of the placebo effect
4 oktober 2026 · 32 min
In this bonus episode, we’re looking at the placebo effect - what it is, how it became an important part of medical research, and why an inactive treatment can sometimes produce genuine changes how we feel, and what this tells us about the relationship between the brain, body and experience of receiving care. Lees meer
The FULL Debunking Psychology playlist: HERE
We explore:
• How placebos became an important part of scientific research
• Some of the earliest placebo experiments
• Why our expectations can change the way we experience symptoms
• Whether the placebo effect produces real, biological changes
• Why the ritual of receiving care may itself influence how we feel
• Whether placebo effects represent genuine, lasting changeFollow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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464. The psychology of cults
1 oktober 2026 · 56 min
From abusive MLM’s and wellness programs to doomsday sects and UFO religions, we’re all fascinated by cults. Their mystery offers us a way to explore the darkest recesses of human behaviour, while remaining seemingly out of their reach. But how do we actually define a cult? Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
In this episode, we look at popular examples of cults, understand how they’re organised and recruit followers, and examine what makes some people so vulnerable to joining. We unpack:
• How a cult is defined, featuring the BITE model of authoritarian control
• What makes cult leaders so distinctive - and dangerous
• The (often surprising) tactics cults will employ to get people to join
• How people behave during and in the aftermath of leaving a cult
• Why there are cults all around us today, and people are still drawn to themFollow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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463. The 5 reasons you’re not as behind as you think
28 september 2026 · 48 min
In our 20s, we’re all vulnerable to feeling that we’re falling behind. Whether it be chasing the perfect job, relationship, friends, living situation, trip abroad, or something else, we’re led to believe that there’s a certain window of time that we should be achieving certain milestones within. In this episode, we unpack: Lees meer
• Why social media makes us compare ourselves with ‘the best’
• The figures behind what people in their 20s really have - and don’t
• How milestone anxiety and the social clock make us panic
• How we can reframe envy as a useful compass
• Why life circumstances mean we might have a different ‘starting line’ to other people
• Why you’re not delulu - things really are getting harder!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://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40888380/
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/uk/savings/average-savings-by-age-in-uk/
https://jessup.edu/blog/cultural-impact/why-do-adults-adhere-to-a-social-clock/#:~:text=Social%20psychologist%20Bernice%20Neugarten%20identified,purchase%20a%20home%2C%20and%20retireThe 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.
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462. The truth about the Stanford Prison Experiment
27 september 2026 · 29 min
The Stanford Prison Experiment is one of the most famous studies in psychology, but also one of the most controversial. In this bonus episode, we look at what actually happened in the basement of Stanford University in 1971. Lees meer
We explore:
The landscape of psychological research at the time of the study
How participants were selected and assigned roles
The theatrical procedure of the study
The unexpected outcomes and why it was stopped early
Ethical lessons around consent and researcher responsibility
Why the study is so influential to our understanding of institutions, power and authority
The Debunking Psychology series: HERE
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:
http://pdf.prisonexp.org/ijcp1973.pdf
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/heroism-science/vol10/iss1/5/
https://gen.medium.com/the-lifespan-of-a-lie-d869212b1f62The 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.
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461. 10 things I NEEDED 21 year old me to know
24 september 2026 · 38 min
If I could sit down with my 21-year-old self, there are a few things I would definitely want to say. Today, I'm going to say them, like 'don't even THINK about moving in with that guy, use your savings account, care less about grades' and a few more. I also asked you guys, the listeners, about your biggest regrets from your early 20s so we can all learn from each other (how nice is that). Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
We discuss:
Why the right relationship should expand your life, not shrink it
Why you shouldn’t rush into adulthood
Financial avoidance and learning to actually save
Why audacity can matter just as much as hard work
Caring less about grades and more about experience
Why nobody can tell you exactly how to live your 20s
Happy listening and drop yours below!
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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460. The psychology of 'good girl' syndrome
21 september 2026 · 44 min
Many of us are conditioned to believe that being described as kind, nice, accommodating and generous are the key to overall happiness. But when these traits veer into Good Girl Syndrome, we can be left with a pathological need to please others, be hypervigilant towards others’ emotions, and ultimately suppress how we really feel. In this episode, we explore the origins of Good Girl Syndrome, understand the mental and physical cost of emotional suppression, and learn how to challenge this early social conditioning. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
We unpack:
Why women are particularly vulnerable to Good Girl Syndrome
How trying to be liked shows up personally and professionally
The link between a high score on the Silencing the Self Scale and depression
Why it can be harder to break Good Girl habits as we get older
The ways we can challenge Good Girl Syndrome traits
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
Our favourite sources:
https://reachlink.com/advice/general/good-girl-syndrome-why-compliance-destroys-mental-health/
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/relationships/a34642791/good-girl-complex/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362662346_Appendix_A_The_Silencing_the_Self_ScaleThe 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.
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459. I'm so tired of being ambitious
17 september 2026 · 33 min
Ambition feels like my entire personality and I'm trying to fix that. Who are we beyond our ambition? In a world that only cares about success, output and productivity, what do we feel like we'll lose when we slow down? Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
In this episode I explore:
The psychology of highly ambitious people
The lies that ambition tells us
How ambition steals your joy
How to value yourself beyond your output
What matters more than ambition
The way to slow ambition and why it builds more
If you can relate, this is the episode for you!
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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458. Can embracing stress actually help us?
14 september 2026 · 37 min
Stress has a reputation for burning us out, torching our relationships and even causing our lives to end prematurely. But not all stress is created equal. In this episode, we explore the difference between eustress - good stress - and distress, understand why our experience of stress is rooted in our perception of it, and understand how we can harness stress as a powerful force for motivation, energy and well-being. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
We unpack:
• The difference between eustress - good stress - and distress
• Why avoiding stress can actually cause cognitive decline
• The dangers of too much stress on our bodies and minds
• The Yerkes-Dodson law and the ‘sweet spot’ of stress
• How we can reframe our approach to stress to create our own ‘biology of courage’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.youtube.com/watch?v=RcGyVTAoXEU&vl=en
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8384975/
https://www.healthline.com/health/yerkes-dodson-lawThe 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.
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457. The psychology of 'false' memories
12 september 2026 · 30 min
We treat our memories like a reliable recording of the past. We remember what happened, how we felt, where we were, and what was said. But what if our account is more like a subjective recollection of events? In this episode, we explore the concept of false memories – how they form, why this matters in our everyday lives, and their more serious potential impacts. Lees meer
We explore:
• The cognitive mechanisms behind false memories
• The misinformation effect and the car crash study
• Why our memories are open to imagination, repetition and social influence
• Potential consequences of false memories in news reporting and eyewitness testimony
• The importance of ethical therapeutic practices and memoryWatch 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://innocenceproject.org/dna-exonerations-in-the-united-states/ https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/memory-mind-and-media/article/fake-memories-a-metaanalysis-on-the-effect-of-fake-news-on-the-creation-of-false-memories-and-false-beliefs/B6A66A305AFD6724E1C1C56A68BB5CF2https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0021-9010.83.3.360
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022537174800113?via%3Dihub
https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/BF03196174
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.
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456. Why does feeling sad sometimes feel so good?
10 september 2026 · 32 min
Why does feeling sad sometimes feel... so good? Whether it’s putting on the saddest song you know, rewatching a movie that always makes you cry, indulging in a little self-pity or finally letting yourself have a good sob, there is something strangely satisfying about sadness. And psychology may be able to explain why. Lees meer
In this episode, we explore the surprising psychological value of sadness, including:
Why sadness can sometimes feel pleasurable
The psychology of sad songs and sad movies
The tragedy paradox
Why a good cry can feel so cathartic
Emotional suppression and why it exhausts us
Hedonic adaptation and why happiness loses its intensity
The surprising appeal of self-pity
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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455. Why does time start flying in our 20s?
7 september 2026 · 41 min
It’s a known fact that time moves faster as we get older, but what does this really mean, and can we slow it down? In this episode, we’re going to try to make sense of why flies as we enter our 20s - from memory, to novelty, eye movements and the effects of COVID. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
We explore:
Different types of time: measured vs. perceived
What makes time feel fast and slow?
The effect of the pandemic
The relationship between time and age
How social media is making time go faster
The 4 ways we can feel like we have more time
Happy listening!
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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454. The oedipus complex
6 september 2026 · 31 min
The Oedipus complex is one of Freud’s most renowned and shocking ideas. In this episode, we dive into the origins of the theory and whether anything really remains once its gendered assumptions and controversial sexual claims are stripped away. Lees meer
We explore:
- How the Greek tragedy of Oedipus inspired Freud’s theory
- What Freud meant by unconscious childhood desire and parental rivalry
- The importance of the phallic stage
- How Freud believed it was resolved - and what fixation was thought to mean for adulthood
- His problematic gendered ideas
- The scientific and ethical problems surrounding the theory
- How modern psychoanalysis has reinterpreted Oedipal ideasWatch 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://lacanianworksexchange.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/19260101-The-Flight-from-Womanhood-The-Masculinity-Complex-in-Women-as-Viewed-by-Men-and-by-Women-Karen-Horney-IJP-7-p324-339.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.2167-4086.2004.tb00151.x
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0033-3204.32.4.535
https://www.routledge.com/The-Oedipus-Complex-A-Contemporary-Introduction/Rohleder/p/book/9781032495651
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.
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453. 7 facts you need to know about your brain
3 september 2026 · 50 min
There are a surprising number of myths and misconceptions about the brain, particularly with regards to its development in our 20s. In this episode, we unpack a number of surprising facts and studies about the brain so that we can in turn better understand how to make the most of our 20s. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
We unpack:
• The science of neuroplasticity and how our brain can rewire itself
• Why, on a cognitive level, a broken heart may not be so different from a broken arm
• How much of our brains we really use (hint - it’s more than 10%!)
• The gut-brain axis and why poor gut health can cause depression - not the other way around
• Why our brain needs to forget to function properly
• The real age our brain stops developingFollow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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452. How to get better at being alone
31 augustus 2026 · 47 min
The fear of missing out or not seizing every moment are some of the biggest worries we experience in our 20s. However, spending time alone isn’t the same as being lonely or doing nothing - in fact, it’s quite the opposite. In this episode, we explore why we resist being alone - but why learning to do so is psychologically positive, and can even be a superpower. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
• Why we culturally and socially villainise solitude
• How constantly being online interrupts our ability to be truly alone
• The creative and emotional benefits of spending time alone
• Why our capacity to be alone is a reflection of our overall maturity
• How we can embrace the power of solitudeFollow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
Our favourite sources:
https://spsp.org/news-center/character-context-blog/social-costs-seeking-solitude
https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts?language=en
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/feb/02/quiet-please-the-remarkable-power-of-silence-for-our-bodies-and-our-mindsThe 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.
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451. Why you need to stop psychoanalysing the people you date
27 augustus 2026 · 52 min
Dating can bring out the psychologist in us. One delayed reply, one vague comment, and we try to decode someone’s attachment style, childhood wounds, and capacity for commitment. But while psychological language can help us make sense of relationships, it can also become a way to avoid the much harder truth - sometimes we simply don’t know yet. In this episode we look at why overanalysing feels so reassuring, especially when we have been hurt before, and how the search for hidden meaning can distract us from direct communication, being present, and the person actually in front of us. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
We explore:
• The difference between noticing patterns and control rumination
• Why dating uncertainty makes labels feel so appealing
• Why overanalysing often comes from fear rather than insight
• Why this can stop us from being vulnerable ourselves
• Why behaviour matters more than the story behind it
• How to slow the spiral and regain clarity, communication, and self-trustFollow 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/how_to_stop_overthinking_your_relationship
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352250X16300306?via%3Dihub
https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.75.2.545
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1996-01742-003The 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.
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450. The psychology of the quarter life reinvention
24 augustus 2026 · 31 min
In this episode, we explore the psychology of the quarter life reinvention: the period that can come after the confusion, uncertainty and identity crisis of our early and mid-20s, when things finally begin to fall into place. We look at how the quarter life crisis can transform us, the stages we move through, and why sometimes everything has to fall apart before we can rebuild a life that feels more like our own. Lees meer
We explore:
• The difference between a quarter life crisis and a quarter life reinvention
• The ‘locked in’ and ‘locked out’ forms of the quarter life crisis
• The four stages of the crisis
• The signs that you’re entering your reinvention era
• How experimentation, risk taking and new experiences help us rebuild
• The role of narrative psychology and rewriting the story you tell about your life
• Why learning to tolerate uncertainty may be the key to finally moving forwardWatch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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449. The psychology of your shadow self
23 augustus 2026 · 33 min
What is the shadow self? And how do we meet ours? In today's episode we explore what it means to get curious about the shadow parts of ourselves. We take a grounded look at shadow work - where the idea came from, the layers of our psyche, and how the repressed parts of ourselves show up. Lees meer
We explore:
• What Jung meant by the shadow and the persona
• How the dark or disowned parts of ourselves can develop
• Why anger, neediness, ambition, or confidence can feel uncomfortable to acknowledge
• The role of projection, triggers and repeated patterns
• How to approach shadow work cautiously and with curiosityWatch 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:
The book I spoke about: HERE
The YouTube video: HERE
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.
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448. The psychology of reputation
20 augustus 2026 · 43 min
We're talking about reputation. On a fundamental level, our reputations are a signal of our qualities that make us worth associating with, and we tend to spend a large amount of time ruminating and even obsessing over what others think of us. In this episode, we explore why we need reputations as social creatures, understand why we can misinterpret others’ reputations, and think about what we can do to repair a bad reputation. Lees meer
We unpack:
• Where our reputations come from
• Why two people can view the same person so differently
• The halo effect and how appearance biases our perception of others
• How our reputations can change over time
• Why we shouldn’t always believe what others say
• How we can repair a bad reputationWatch 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://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8487743/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/ecology-of-minds/202509/what-makes-a-good-reputation https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349443219_The_halo_effect
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.
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447. The psychology of PMOS/PCOS ft. Dr Hazel Wallace
17 augustus 2026 · 1 uur 15 min
I was recently diagnosed with PMOS, and with that came a lot of questions: why is my body like this, what caused it, will I be able to have kids, how can I fix it? There's a lot of information (and misinformation) online, so today I decided to sit down with an expert to ask all my burning questions on this condition. Lees meer
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Dr Hazel Wallace is a medical doctor, registered associate nutritionist, women's health expert, author and founder of the platform, The Food Medic. In this episode, we discuss:
The origins of PMOS/PCOS
Why we had to change the PCOS name
What causes PMOS and whether it's genetic
How PMOS intersects with psychology and mental health
The 5 things you should and shouldn't do if you have PMOS
What actually helps
How to deal with medical dismissal and misinformation
Happy listening!
Dr Hazel's book HERE
Follow Dr Hazel HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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446. The psychology of Stockholm Syndrome
15 augustus 2026 · 31 min
The term “Stockholm Syndrome” is used to explain why someone might defend, protect, or feel attached to a person who has harmed them - but why does this happen? In this bonus episode, we explore where the term came from, some famous cases, and how the mind functions to keep us safe. Lees meer
We explore:
• The 1973 bank robbery
• Famous cases linked to Stockholm syndrome
• The role of appeasement
• How it relates to trauma bonding
• Why dependence breeds attachment
• How those experiencing Stockholm syndrome are supportedWatch 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://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0447.2007.01112.xhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008066.2022.2161038
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1080/00048670701261178
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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445. Your guide to nervous system regulation
13 augustus 2026 · 53 min
Tips for nervous system regulation are everywhere right now - from breathwork and cold plunges to conversations about burnout, anxiety, and trauma. But what does it actually mean to be regulated, and are we sometimes turning healing into another thing to obsess over? In this episode, we take a grounded, research-informed look at what your nervous system is really trying to do, why fight-or-flight is not the enemy, and how stress, trauma, lifestyle, and hypersensitivity can shape the way we feel in our bodies. Lees meer
We explore:
• What the window of tolerance can teach us about overwhelm and shutdown
• Why your nervous system is trying to protect you
• The role of trauma, chronic stress, and lifestyle factors in dysregulation
• What a regulated nervous system can actually feel like
• How hypersensitivity can keep us stuck in symptom-monitoring
• Why sleep, safety, nourishment, connection, and routine matter more than expensive wellness toolsWatch 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.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.31887/DCNS.2006.8.4/jbremner
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005789413000191?via%3Dihub
https://academic.oup.com/sleep/article/44/6/zsaa289/6053003
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTJAjx-AGAoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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444. The psychology of angel numbers
10 augustus 2026 · 43 min
Angel numbers have a way of showing up just when we need them. 111 symbolises new beginnings. 444 means divine protection. Why does our mind pay such close attention to these numbers, what is the history, and what is their impact from a psychological standpoint? In today's episode, we break down: Lees meer
The ancient origins of angel numbers
Why the founder of angel numbers now regrets them
The meaning behind some of the most significant angel numbers
Why our brain pays close attention to symbolism
The emotional comfort of angel numbers
Why people feel threatened by angel numbers
When angel numbers can become harmful
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
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.
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443. How to be more interesting
6 augustus 2026 · 52 min
I think we all instinctively know if we find someone interesting… or not. But how can we cultivate the skills of being interesting to others? In this episode, we break down the science behind what makes people interesting, talk about some easy things we can all do to tap into what already makes us unique, and focus on one of life’s greatest conversational hacks - learning how to be truly interested in others. Lees meer
We explore:
• Why we all love interesting people
• How ‘digital saturation’ is making us more bored, and boring
• The importance of asking open-ended questions to unlock better conversations
• Why being truly unique is a status symbol
• The power of learning to talk to strangers
• Why social skills are actually just social courageWatch 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://tedbauer.medium.com/are-people-more-boring-now-98105e03e20c
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-12130-004
https://thevectorimpact.com/how-to-be-more-interesting/
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.
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442. The psychology of insecurity
3 augustus 2026 · 50 min
If anyone tells you that they’re not even a little bit insecure, they’re lying, in denial, or both. It’s a fact of life that we all feel insecure at times - about how we look, behave, our achievements, and whether we are liked by others. In this episode, we examine the psychology behind common insecurities, recognise how we can be our own worst enemies, and consider the ways we can come to accept that we are all flawed, and might not actually need ‘fixing’. Lees meer
We unpack:
• The surprising evolutionary benefits that come with insecurity
• How our levels of insecurity change throughout our lives
• The ‘liking gap’, and why we think others like us less than they do
• How being insecure can feed insecurity, in a vicious cycle
• Why people pleasing and over confidence are often signs of insecurity
• How we can address insecurities that negatively impact our livesWatch 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.bps.org.uk/research-digest/insecurity-leads-us-underestimate-how-much-others-us
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228079585_Self-Esteem_Development_Across_the_Lifespan
https://www.centerforanxiety.org/what-is-hyper-independence-is-it-a-bad-thing/
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.
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The psychology of uncertainty
30 juli 2026 · 36 min
Uncertainty is the defining emotion of our 20s. Career paths, relationships, identity, purpose ... so much of this decade is marked by not knowing. Does that have to be as uncomfortable as we think it does? In today’s episode, we unpack the psychology of uncertainty: why our brains fear it, how it triggers anxiety and avoidance, and why trying to “figure it all out” might be doing more harm than good. Lees meer
We explore:
The neuroscience behind our discomfort with the unknown
Why perfectionism is often a mask for our fear of uncertainty
The cultural myths that make us believe we need a step-by-step life plan
How to assign meaning to uncertainty and build resilience through it
Practical strategies to take action even when the future feels unclear
If you've never felt more confused than you do now, and are unsure 'what's next', this episode is for you.
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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The 20 biggest mistakes people make in their 20s
27 juli 2026 · 43 min
Over the past 6 months I've been asking people: what is the biggest mistake you made in your 20s? I've heard from over 5'000 people, some of them 21, some of them 80 and I have combined all their responses to make the ultimate list of the 20 biggest mistakes people make in their 20s, for the people, by the people. Lees meer
From love, to career, to finances, going to college, friendship, taking risks: today we talk through the most common responses we received and what we can learn from these moments and regrets. Listen now!
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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The psychology of highly sensitive people
23 juli 2026 · 47 min
The life of the highly sensitive person is often misunderstood. Highly sensitive aren't just people who cry too much or get overwhelmed, take things too personally: they actually take in so much of the world that it can be too much. They feel everything, from joy to sadness, so immediately and profoundly. They are also so in tune with the emotions of all those around them that sometimes it can be too much. Today we break down the psychology of the highly sensitive person, including: Lees meer
What are the core assessment criteria for identifying if you're highly sensitive?
What causes someone to be highly sensitive?
The genetic, personality, parental and temperment contribution
The link between sensitivity, IQ, EQ and creativity + the gentle superpower of sensitive people
Do highly sensitive people have more empathy?
The link between neurodivergence and sensitivity
How to explain your sensitivity to others
How to make the world work for your gentle, feeling soul, and so much more!
This episode is FULL of tips, research and studies. Listen now!
The assessment: https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/
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.
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The psychology of confidence
20 juli 2026 · 47 min
You know when someone seems to breeze through life, can approach any social situation and challenge with such self-assured confidence? It seems innate - something they were born with. But what if that's not true? What if, instead of a fixed personal trait, confidence is actually a set of learnable abilities, a dynamic skill that anyone can cultivate, sharpen, and ultimately master? Today, we’re challenging the notion that confidence is a trait, and instead something you build. Lees meer
Things we discuss:
Why confidence is dynamic and adaptable
Self-efficacy as a driver of confidence
How "growth mindsets" can revolutionise your approach to challenges and setbacks
Understanding the locus of control to fuel or hinder your forward momentum
Actionable strategies to build your confidence from the ground up
If you’ve ever thought, “if only I was just born confident”, this episode is for you.
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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441. The Freud Episode
19 juli 2026 · 47 min
Sigmund Freud is one of the most famous and contested names in psychology. Often reduced to couches, cigars, dreams, sex, and blaming everything on your mother, Freud’s real story is much more complicated. In this bonus episode, we take a look at who Freud actually was - his medical background, the development of his method, and why his views are so context specific. Lees meer
We explore:
• The development of free association
• The role of dreams and transference
• Defence mechanisms and the unconscious
• The structural model of the human psyche
• Challenges to his theory
• Freud's legacy: Anna and modern-day psychoanalysisWatch 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.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559106/https://www.cureus.com/articles/303246-matters-of-the-mind-a-look-into-the-life-of-sigmund-freud#!/
https://www.freud.org.uk/2020/04/07/freud-at-home-sigmund-and-annas-studies/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15293843/
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.
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440. 7 psychology tips to hack your productivity
16 juli 2026 · 43 min
Productivity advice often tells us to push harder, wake up earlier, and squeeze more out of every hour. But in this episode, we take a different approach. Instead of treating productivity like a test of willpower, we look at the psychology behind focus, procrastination, energy, motivation, and rest - and why working with your brain is usually more effective than trying to bully it into action. Lees meer
We explore 7 tips for productivity, including:
• How small wins can create momentum
• Why the hardest task often needs to come first
• How to work with your natural energy patterns
• Habit stacking for boring tasks
• Why 20 focused minutes can be more useful than waiting for the perfect window
• How ‘shoot your shot’ days can move you closer to the life you want
• Why real rest is essential for sustainable productivityWatch 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://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0033-295X.84.2.191https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.674
https://www.ted.com/talks/saundra_dalton_smith_the_real_reason_why_we_are_tired_and_what_to_do_about_it
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.
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439. How to chase your dreams, and when to slow down ft. Grace Beverley
13 juli 2026 · 1 uur 1 min
TW: Discussions of miscarriage/pregnancy Lees meer
Grace Beverley is a founder, an entrepreneur, and a seasoned professional when it comes to pursuing the ideas your have, but also knowing when to slow down, recover from burnout and let yourself be vulnerable.
In today's episode we discuss her journey from studying music at Oxford to launching over five businesses, and her next chapter as a parent. We talk about:
The best career advice for your 20s
How to start a business and her biggest lessons from early failures
Why love should make you feel safe
Her pregnancy loss story
The importance of being vocal about what you believe in
How to recover from burnout
Listen now!
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Grace on Instagram: @gracebeverley
Shop TALA: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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438. The secrets of therapy FROM a therapist ft. Dr Sandra Espinoza
11 juli 2026 · 48 min
We all know that therapy is amazing, in fact it’s life-changing for many people. But what does therapy actually do? And what makes a good therapist? Lees meer
In today’s episode we’re joined by Dr Sandra Espinoza, Associate Professor of the Couple and Family Therapy Program at Alliant University. Our discussion includes:
Her journey into helping others
Why the best therapists, go to therapy
What to look for in your therapist
Why we can’t just rely on our friends
Our greatest misconceptions around therapy
Why stigma and affordability continue to be the biggest barriers
How Alliant University is leading the next generation of helpers and therapists to support their communities
If you’ve ever considered therapy, been curious about therapy or want to be a therapist yourself, this is your ultimate guide.
Follow Dr Espinoza: HERE
Find out more about Alliant University: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
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.
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437. The psychology behind feeling 'too much'
9 juli 2026 · 49 min
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. Lees meer
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.
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436. The psychology of sibling rivalry
6 juli 2026 · 37 min
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. Lees meer
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 rolesWatch 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
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.
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435. The pain of outgrowing your old life
2 juli 2026 · 34 min
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. Lees meer
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.
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434. "I lost my brother at 16 to suicide, it shouldn't have happened" ft. Ben West
29 juni 2026 · 1 uur 2 min
TW: Discussions of suicide. Lees meer
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
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.
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433. I'm ready to leave London
27 juni 2026 · 33 min
Giving you all an update on my life and my future in London. Lees meer
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.
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432. How to rebuild your attention span
25 juni 2026 · 53 min
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. Lees meer
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 focusWatch 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/
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.
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431. Why a boring life is beautiful
22 juni 2026 · 28 min
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. Lees meer
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-trustWatch 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/3542107D68176F9B55BC0A2DB212C701https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0747563213000800
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn1052
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1250830
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.
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430. The psychology of job interviews
18 juni 2026 · 40 min
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. Lees meer
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 confidentOur favourite sources:
https://www.catharticspacecounseling.com/blog/how-to-handle-uncertainty-without-losing-your-mindwww.researchgate.net/publication/313878823_The_importance_of_first_impressions_in_a_job_interviewhttps://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
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.
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429. The reality of chronic illness in your 20s ft. Nikki Lilly
15 juni 2026 · 1 uur 12 min
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. Lees meer
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
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.
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428. The truth about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
13 juni 2026 · 24 min
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? Lees meer
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:
Why Maslow never actually drew a pyramid
The forgotten sixth level of the hierarchy
The Indigenous Blackfoot origins of the theory
Whether self-actualisation is really the highest human goal
Why the hierarchy isn't as rigid as we've been taught
What modern psychology says about the evidence behind Maslow's ideas
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.
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427. What to do when a 9-5 doesn't fulfil you?
11 juni 2026 · 39 min
Most of us will spend the majority of our adult lives working. So why does the traditional 9–5 leave so many people feeling exhausted, trapped, unfulfilled, or quietly wondering: is this really it? Lees meer
In this episode, we explore the psychology behind why the 9–5 can feel so unnatural for some people, why work often becomes the centre of our identity, and what to do when the life you've been told should make you happy simply doesn't.
This includes:
Why the 9–5 often feels so draining
The psychology of role engulfment and losing yourself to work
The personality traits that predict whether you'll enjoy traditional employment
The importance of hobbies, purpose, novelty, and community
When it's time to consider a different path
Practical advice for anyone dreaming of working for themselves
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
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.
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426. The psychology of superstition
8 juni 2026 · 46 min
Superstitions can seem irrational on the surface, but beneath them is something incredibly human - the need for meaning, comfort, and a sense of control in an uncertain world. In this episode, we explore the psychology of superstition - why the mind creates these beliefs, why they can feel so reassuring, and what they reveal about anxiety, ritual, hope, and the stories we inherit. Lees meer
We explore:
• Historical origins of common superstitions
• The role of pattern recognition and gut feelings
• How rituals soothe anxiety and create a sense of certainty
• When superstitions become self-fulfilling and shape performance
• How magical thinking overlaps with OCD and anxiety
• Why it's important to create our own magic in our 20sWatch 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.bps.org.uk/psychologist/everyday-magic-superstitionhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797610372631
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/behavioural-and-cognitive-psychotherapy/article/abs/magical-thinking-in-obsessivecompulsive-disorder-and-generalized-anxiety-disorder/AAA4404A26637024E2E5D01B3F133928
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.