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Speaking of Psychology

Speaking of Psychology

American Psychological Association 430 episodes Latest May 29, 2026

"Speaking of Psychology" is an audio podcast series produced by the American Psychological Association that highlights the latest, most important, and relevant psychological research being conducted today. The podcasts help listeners apply the science of psychology to their everyday lives.

Episodes

Why midlife may be your prime time, with Margie Lachman, PhD Jun 10, 2026 1870 For many adults, midlife is a time of competing responsibilities: raising children, helping parents and managing careers, all while confronting their own aging. Yet psychologists increasingly see these years not as a period of crisis or decline but one of growth and opportunity. Margie Lachman, PhD, author of Primetime: A New Vision for Midlife, discusses the science of midlife, including why peop
How children learn culture — and create it, with Dorsa Amir, PhD Jun 3, 2026 2567 Which aspects of human cognition are universal and which are shaped by the culture we grow up in? Dorsa Amir, PhD, director of the Mind & Culture Lab at Duke University, talks about how children learn cultural norms around things like sharing, risk-taking and cooperation; what she’s learned from her work with the Shuar people in the Ecuadorian Amazon; why children’s “peer cultures” may play a bigg
Introducing: Call to Mind May 29, 2026 3181 Today, we're sharing an episode of another podcast we think you'll enjoy: Call to Mind, from American Public Media. Call to Mind is American Public Media's initiative to foster new conversations about mental health. This episode, The Strain of Stress, looks at the many pressures Americans are facing today, how chronic stress can affect both mental and physical health, and how to manage the strain
How to feel more loved, with Harry Reis, PhD May 27, 2026 1764 Even in our closest relationships, we can sometimes feel misunderstood and disconnected. Relationship researcher Harry Reis, PhD, coauthor of How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most, talks about the difference between being loved and feeling loved; the five “mindsets” that help people build stronger relationships; and why listening, vulnerability and curiosity a
Why being ‘a little more social’ makes us happier than we expect, with Nicholas Epley, PhD May 20, 2026 2396 From chatting with a stranger on the train to reaching out to an old friend, everyday social interactions make us happier than we realize. Yet many people avoid these moments because they expect them to feel awkward or uncomfortable. Nicholas Epley, PhD, author of ‘A Little More Social,’ discusses why people consistently underestimate how much they’ll enjoy all kinds of social interactions; the ps
‘Bossware’ and burnout: The psychology of workplace surveillance, with Tara Behrend, PhD May 13, 2026 1703 From keystroke trackers and webcam monitoring to GPS devices, an increasing number of us -- across a wide range of jobs -- are being monitored while we work. Tara Behrend, PhD, discusses why employers use these tools; how constant monitoring changes workers’ behavior and attention and how it can increase stress and burnout; the growing role of AI in collecting and analyzing employee data; and whet
Debunking psychology myths and misconceptions, with Erin Smith, PhD May 6, 2026 2025 From the idea that we only use 10% of our brains to the belief that each of us has an optimal learning style that helps us learn best, many popular “facts” about human behavior aren’t actually true. Yet they persist, even among students who have studied psychology. Erin Smith, PhD, explores why misconceptions about the mind are so widespread and how repetition and social influences reinforce fals
Managing stress in turbulent times, with Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, and Georges C. Benjamin, MD May 1, 2026 1435 From societal division to economic uncertainty to global conflict, we are living in stressful times. In this special episode of Speaking of Psychology, Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, CEO of the American Psychological Association, and Georges C. Benjamin, MD, CEO of the American Public Health Association, discuss how chronic societal stress can “get under the skin,” harming the mental and physical healt
It takes courage to be creative, with Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD Apr 29, 2026 2052 Creativity isn’t just about making art or music -- it's about how we approach problems, respond to challenges and turn our ideas into reality. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle, PhD, author of “The Creativity Choice,” discusses the many forms of creativity; why it takes courage to be creative; how social environments can either stifle or spark ideas; the role of human innovation in a world increasingly resha
Invisible scars: Recognizing and treating medical trauma, with James C. Jackson, PsyD Apr 22, 2026 2225 Every year, millions of people go through harrowing medical experiences, from a stay in the ICU to a difficult childbirth to the frustration of dealing with chronic pain. These experiences can leave scars on our minds as well as our bodies. Psychologist James C. Jackson, PhD, author of “Reclaiming Your Life from Medical Trauma,” talks about why medical trauma is so often overlooked, what kinds of
Tip or skip? What drives our tipping behavior, with Michael Lynn, PhD Apr 15, 2026 1582 Tipping has long been a part of service culture in the U.S., but in the last few years, the number of places where we're asked to tip has multiplied. Social psychologist and tipping researcher Michael Lynn, PhD, discusses “tip creep” and how digital payment screens are reshaping expectations; why social norms drive our tipping behavior; how tipping norms vary from country to country; how biases af
The psychology of spending, debt and budgeting, with Abigail Sussman, PhD Apr 8, 2026 2054 Buy now, pay later plans have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, adding yet another variable to consider when making spending decisions. Abigail Sussman, PhD, discusses the psychological biases that influence how we spend, budget and borrow, including why splitting payments can make purchases feel more affordable, why we underestimate irregular expenses, and why many people carry debt eve

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