Best George Mackay Browns Podcasts (2025)

1
Why nature is good for your brain, with Marc Berman, PhD 41:08

3d ago41:08

41:08

In an age of increasing distractions, researchers have found that spending time in nature can be an antidote that helps us restore our focus and attention. Marc Berman, PhD, talks about why natural environments are “softly fascinating” and why that’s beneficial for the brain; why even cold, rainy walks can be good for you; whether bringing nature i…

1
How to raise grateful kids, with Andrea Hussong, PhD 26:40

9d ago26:40

26:40

Studies have shown that gratitude can help us cope with challenges and is good for our relationships and our health. But figuring out how to foster gratitude in kids isn't always easy or obvious. Andrea Hussong, PhD, talks about why gratitude matters; how to help kids feel thankful, recognize generosity and think about others; and how to respond pr…

1
When sounds are unbearable: Understanding misophonia, with Heather Hansen, PhD 36:35

18d ago36:35

36:35

For people with misophonia, certain sounds – like chewing, coughing or pen clicking – can trigger strong emotional reactions including anxiety, disgust and rage. Heather Hansen, PhD, director of the Misophonia Research Network, talks about scientists’ evolving understanding of misophonia; what’s happening in the brain when someone hears a trigger s…

1
Navigating the mental health impact of GLP-1s, with Rachel Goldman, PhD 37:21

25d ago37:21

37:21

Over the past several years, the rise of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy has changed the conversation around weight and obesity in the U.S. Rachel Goldman, PhD, talks about how GLP-1s work; the effects they can have on mental health; what questions to ask if you’re considering trying these medications; how weight loss can shift people's rela…

1
Why humblebragging is never a good idea, with Övül Sezer, PhD 43:03

1M ago43:03

43:03

We all want to be liked and respected. But sometimes, our intuitions about how to make a good impression lead us astray. Övül Sezer, PhD, talks about common mistakes, including humblebragging and hiding our accomplishments; whether the rules of making a good impression are different on social media; and how to “brag wisely” by sharing your journey …

1
Understanding trichotillomania (hair-pulling) and other body-focused repetitive behaviors, with Clare Mackay, PhD, and Suzanne Mouton-Odum, PhD 36:49

1M ago36:49

36:49

Body-focused repetitive behaviors such as hair pulling (trichotillomania) and skin picking are relatively common but remain stigmatized and misunderstood. Suzanne Mouton-Odum, PhD, and Clare Mackay, PhD, talk about why these behaviors occur and how they relate to grooming and emotion regulation; how living with BFRBs affects people’s lives and ment…

1
Why we love to travel, with Andrew Stevenson, PhD 37:23

2M ago37:23

37:23

Are you dreaming of your next vacation? Many people see travel as a chance to escape their routines, explore new places and maybe even ‘find themselves.’ Andrew Stevenson, PhD, author of “The Psychologyof Travel,” talks about whether travel makes us happier, how technology and social media are changing the experience of travel, why we get post-vaca…

1
Courage is taking a worthwhile risk, with Cynthia Pury, PhD 37:40

2M ago37:40

37:40

When we think of courage, we often picture dramatic, high-stakes moments, but courage comes into play not only in extraordinary situations but also in everyday life. Cynthia Pury, PhD, talks about physical, moral and psychological courage; whether courage necessarily involves overcoming fear; how our cultural and social viewpoints shape what we see…

1
Dyslexia myths, misconceptions and facts, with Tim Odegard, PhD 39:05

2M ago39:05

39:05

By American Psychological Association

1
Lefties, righties and mixed-handers: The psychology of brain asymmetry, with Sebastian Ocklenburg, PhD 36:46

2M ago36:46

36:46

Left-handers make up about 10.6 percent of the world’s population. Sebastian Ocklenburg, PhD, talks about why handedness and other brain asymmetries exist; the genetic and environmental factors that influence handedness; whether there’s any truth to the stereotype that lefties are more creative; why “pawedness” is common in cats, dogs, and other no…

1
Teens, AI and the science of risky decisions, with Valerie Reyna, PhD 34:33

2M ago34:33

34:33

You might think the best way to make decisions is to know all the facts. But psychologists’ research suggests that getting the “gist” – the core meaning behind the facts – is more important than focusing on every last detail. Valerie Reyna, PhD, talks about why gist matters; how it explains why teens make so many risky decisions; how understanding …

1
How to support children after traumatic events, with Robin Gurwitch, PhD 31:12

3M ago31:12

31:12

From hurricanes to wildfires to gun violence, trauma and disaster touch the lives of millions of children each year. Robin Gurwitch, PhD, discusses how disasters affect children’s mental health, how to support children and teens in the aftermath of disasters, and how parents can talk to their children about traumatic events in the news. Learn more …

1
Financial scams: Why some older adults are at risk, with Duke Han, PhD 24:46

3M ago24:46

24:46

Financial scams targeting people over age 60 cost victims more than $3.4 billion in 2023. Neuropsychologist Duke Han, PhD, talks about why some older adults are at risk, financial vulnerability as an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, and how people can protect themselves and their loved ones from falling victim to a scammer. Learn more about your …

1
Hot flashes, heart health and hormones: Rethinking menopause, with Rebecca Thurston, PhD 33:18

3M ago33:18

33:18

For many women, the shifting hormones of midlife bring troubling symptoms like hot flashes, mood and memory changes. Now, researchers are learning more about the short- and long-term health effects of menopause. Clinical health psychologist Rebecca Thurston, PhD, discusses links between menopause symptoms and long-term cardiovascular and Alzheimer’…

1
Why “boy" culture is creating a crisis of connection, with Niobe Way, PhD 41:52

3M ago41:52

41:52

Many boys form deep friendships in childhood. But as they become teens, they report fewer close, rich friendships. Niobe Way, PhD, author of “Rebels With a Cause: Reimagining Boys, Ourselves and Our Culture,” discusses “boy" culture; why boys are naturally as emotionally intelligent as girls; the societal pressures that lead to disconnection among …

1
Why numeracy counts in everyday life, with Ellen Peters, PhD 35:22

4M ago35:22

35:22

From deciding whether to buy a house to weighing the risks and benefits of taking a new medication, many important life decisions hinge on understanding numbers, statistics and probability. Ellen Peters, PhD, author of “Innumeracy in the Wild: Misunderstanding and Misusing Numbers” discusses what it means to be numerate; how numeracyaffects people’…

1
Encore - How science can help you change your behavior for the better, with Katy Milkman, PhD 43:42

4M ago43:42

43:42

What can you learn from the science of behavior change that can help you make the changes you want to see in your life? Katy Milkman, PhD, a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and author of the book How to Change: The Science of Getting From Where You are to Where You Want to Be, discusses the importance of accurately…

1
Encore -- Why we choose to suffer, with Paul Bloom, PhD 23:18

4M ago23:18

23:18

Why do people like to watch scary movies or listen to sad songs? Why do we run marathons and raise children, even though both of those pursuits come with struggle and pain? Paul Bloom, PhD, discusses why suffering is linked to meaning in life, the connection between pleasure and pain, and the difference between chosen and unchosen suffering. Please…

1
Encore -- Why is it so hard for adults to make friends? With Marisa Franco, PhD 32:14

4M ago32:14

32:14

As an adult, making new friends—and maintaining old friendships—can be tough. Life is busy and friends end up taking a backseat to other relationships and responsibilities. Marisa Franco, PhD, psychologist and friendship expert, talks about how to make new friends and strengthen and rekindle old friendship ties, why Americans’ friendship networks a…

1
What the movies get right (and wrong) about relationships, with Paul Eastwick, PhD, and Eli Finkel, PhD 38:47

5M ago38:47

38:47

For many of us, movies offer our earliest lessons in love and help shape our expectations about what romance and relationships might look like. Relationship researchers Paul Eastwick, PhD, and Eli Finkel, PhD, are cohosts of the podcast “Love Factually,” where they use psychology to dissect their favorite rom coms. They talked to “Speaking of Psych…

1
Can AI help solve the mental health crisis? With Vaile Wright, PhD 30:27

5M ago30:27

30:27

People are increasingly turning to chatbots for mental health advice and support – even as researchers work to develop safe, evidence-based AI mental health interventions. Vaile Wright, PhD, discusses the promises, limitations and risks of AI in mental health; how AI tools are already being used in mental health care; how these tools could help exp…

1
Why can’t you remember being a baby? With Nicholas Turk-Browne, PhD 41:42

5M ago41:42

41:42

Why can’t you remember your first birthday party? Or the house you lived in at age 2? Nicholas Turk-Browne, PhD, talks about new studies that suggest that babies and toddlers may form early memories; why we aren’t able to retrieve them as adults; and how evolving brain imaging techniques could help answer these questions – and help us understand mo…

1
How to be happier, with Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD 34:30

5M ago34:30

34:30

Want to be happier? Some of our happiness level is due to genes or life circumstances, but research shows much of it is within our control. Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD, talks about the habits and mindsets that lead to lasting happiness, the complex relationship between money and happiness, whether technology is making us less happy, and whether it’s pos…

1
The psychology of wealth, empathy and entitlement, with Paul Piff, PhD 44:00

6M ago44:00

44:00

Can money make you mean? Most of us like to think we’d stay grounded if we were to become wealthy, but psychologists’ research suggests that money, status and power shape people’s beliefs and behavior – sometimes in surprising ways. Paul Piff, PhD, of the University of California, Irvine, talks about money, fairness and empathy; the relationship be…

1
Coping with job insecurity, with Mindy Shoss, PhD 34:35

6M ago34:35

34:35

Between economic uncertainty, the rise of AI and major changes in government policy, many U.S. workers feeling stress. A recent survey found more than half of U.S. workers report stress due to job insecurity. Mindy Shoss, PhD, talks about the future of work, including how AI and technology may reshape job roles; how job insecurity affects mental an…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

George Mackay Browns Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Speaking of Psychology

American Psychological Association

1
Gousters, Glims and Veerie-orums

Kolekto

1
Greenvoe

St Magnus Players

1
Stromness Hometown

Kolekto

1
Why nature is good for your brain, with Marc Berman, PhD 41:08

1
How to raise grateful kids, with Andrea Hussong, PhD 26:40

1
When sounds are unbearable: Understanding misophonia, with Heather Hansen, PhD 36:35

1
Navigating the mental health impact of GLP-1s, with Rachel Goldman, PhD 37:21

1
Why humblebragging is never a good idea, with Övül Sezer, PhD 43:03

1
Understanding trichotillomania (hair-pulling) and other body-focused repetitive behaviors, with Clare Mackay, PhD, and Suzanne Mouton-Odum, PhD 36:49

1
Why we love to travel, with Andrew Stevenson, PhD 37:23

1
Courage is taking a worthwhile risk, with Cynthia Pury, PhD 37:40

1
Dyslexia myths, misconceptions and facts, with Tim Odegard, PhD 39:05

1
Lefties, righties and mixed-handers: The psychology of brain asymmetry, with Sebastian Ocklenburg, PhD 36:46

1
Teens, AI and the science of risky decisions, with Valerie Reyna, PhD 34:33

1
How to support children after traumatic events, with Robin Gurwitch, PhD 31:12

1
Financial scams: Why some older adults are at risk, with Duke Han, PhD 24:46

1
Hot flashes, heart health and hormones: Rethinking menopause, with Rebecca Thurston, PhD 33:18

1
Why “boy" culture is creating a crisis of connection, with Niobe Way, PhD 41:52

1
Why numeracy counts in everyday life, with Ellen Peters, PhD 35:22

1
Encore - How science can help you change your behavior for the better, with Katy Milkman, PhD 43:42

1
Encore -- Why we choose to suffer, with Paul Bloom, PhD 23:18

1
Encore -- Why is it so hard for adults to make friends? With Marisa Franco, PhD 32:14

1
What the movies get right (and wrong) about relationships, with Paul Eastwick, PhD, and Eli Finkel, PhD 38:47

1
Can AI help solve the mental health crisis? With Vaile Wright, PhD 30:27

1
Why can’t you remember being a baby? With Nicholas Turk-Browne, PhD 41:42

1
How to be happier, with Sonja Lyubomirsky, PhD 34:30

1
The psychology of wealth, empathy and entitlement, with Paul Piff, PhD 44:00

1
Coping with job insecurity, with Mindy Shoss, PhD 34:35

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