Psych Attack

'Backrooms' is 2026 film, currently in cinemas. It is a sci-fi / horror / psychological thriller that is gripping and deeply unsettling. After watching it at the cinema this long weekend, I needed someone to discuss it with, and who better than my friend Dr Alexander De Foe. Tune in for a taster if you haven't seen the film but are curious about it. Don't worry - we let you know when to switch off...

In this episode, I catch up with Dominique Barker (CIO) for a deep dive on project management and leadership. We discuss: Dom's professional experience and project management origin story Implementing real change and making it stick Quantum thinking Failing fast and forward Harnessing executive sponsorship Providing just-in-time information Giving back to stakeholders Doing project management in y...

Snack Attacks are short segments taken from a full episode, so you can have a quick topic taster. This Snack Attack comes from episode 30 'Apple Cider Vinegar: Panel discussion about the Australian TV drama' Dr Suzie Gibson explains what we can learn about ourselves and the society we live in by analysing fictional texts. For links to related research articles and books mentioned in this Snack Att...

Snack Attacks are short segments taken from a full episode, so you can have a quick topic taster. This Snack Attack comes from episode 30 'Apple Cider Vinegar: Panel discussion about the Australian TV drama' I describe what parasocial relationships are and some interesting related research findings. I also share some of my own parasocial relationships. Dr Erica McIntyre and I discuss examples of p...

'Apple Cider Vinegar' is an Australian TV series that was released in 2025. It presents a dramatised version of the real world story of Belle Gibson, an Australian social media wellness influencer. In the series, Belle posts publicly about her experience of brain cancer and promotes alternative approaches to treatment to her millions of Instagram followers. And through a recipe app that was promot...

Are you a true crime enthusiast but an even bigger research methods nerd? I see you. If you have watched Mindhunters, read Silence of the Lambs, or are an old school Criminal Minds fan then you already know this study and this team of researchers. In the 1980s a team of FBI agents and researchers teamed up to advance what we knew about serial sexual offenders (serial killers). In this episode, Dr...

Professor Emeritus Gregory S. Aldrete explains some of the hallmarks of Ancient Roman psychology (i.e., their values and motivations). Greg shares rich context and examples, weaving together a story of similarities and differences between life in Ancient Rome and life now. We discuss a wide range of topics, from hand gestures used to compensate for lack of microphones in large arenas, tombstone en...

In this episode, I catch up with Rahim Thawer about his book The Mental Health Guide for Cis and Trans Queer Guys , which is currently on presale and is being released 1 June, 2025. The Mental Health Guide for Cis and Trans Queer Guys offers a safe, inclusive space to examine, understand, and heal from systemic and interpersonal threats to your mental well-being. Based on proven-effective cognitiv...

Dr Will Dobud shares insights about his experience of writing and publishing a non-fiction book - a lessons learnt kind of a chat. Rather than focusing on insights from the book content, we talk about the mechanics, processes, and experiences behind bringing together a non-fiction and mental health focused book. Will Dobud, PhD, MSW, is a Senior Social Work Lecturer at Charles Sturt University and...

In this episode, I catch up again with Dr Will Dobud about his latest book called 'Kids These Days' , which is currently on presale. ' Kids These Days' is essentially a protest for protecting the heroism and spirit of youth. Will co-authored 'Kids These Days' with Professor Nevin Harper from the University of Victoria in Canada. This anticipated book offers a frank exploration of the rising rates...

In this episode, I catch up with Rahim Thawer about envy and its impacts in our social and sexual lives. Rahim is a racialized, queer social worker who works as an instructor, psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, consultant, public speaker, podcast host , and writer . He calls Toronto home and currently teaches at The University of Alabama . His work explores the intersection of mental health and...

To round out 2024, I have created this highlights episode. This year, the 6 guests (from Australia, Finland and the U.S.) and I have covered: investigative interviewing for disclosures of maltreatment ( Episode 17 ) what sex therapy is, kink and paraphilias ( Episode 18 ) academic mental health ( Episode 19 ) self-advocacy and professional development and relationships ( Episode 20 ) human-dog rel...

In this episode, I catch up with Dr Taylor A. Braund to hear about his research into digital phenotyping. In particular, we discuss the link between mental health symptoms and keystroke metadata from smartphones.   Dr Taylor A. Braund is a Research Fellow at Black Dog Institute and UNSW School of Clinical Medicine , Australia. To see more of Taylor’s work, you can reach out on LinkedIn or Twitter...

In this episode, I catch up with Dr Miiamaaria Kujala to hear about her research on human-dog relationships. Miiamaaria studies how humans understand dog communication, how dogs understand humans, and the factors affecting the interaction between the two species such as culture, human personality and dog behaviour. We discuss: - Her personal journey from philosophy to neuroscience and eventually t...

In this episode, I catch up with Dr Jade McEwen to hear about her professional and personal experiences of self-care, the benefits of being unapologetically self-promoting, and working out how to be heard in order to get the support you need.   Dr Jade McEwen is Assistant Director of Research, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Australia. To see more of Jade’s work, you can reach out on Linke...

In this episode, I catch up with Dr Marissa Edwards to hear about her journey advocating for better academic mental health and lessons she has learned along the way. We discuss: What academic mental health advocacy is and why it is important Our own personal challenges working in academia The difference between individual characteristics and systemic issues when it comes to academic mental health...

In this episode, I catch up with Dr Sarah Ashton to hear about her work in the area of sexual health and intimacy. In particular, we focus on kink and paraphilias, where they come from, as well how to treat a paraphilic disorder and work with clients experiencing shame. Dr Sarah Ashton is a registered psychologist, Board Approved Supervisor, training author, and the Director and Founder of SHIPS....

In this episode, I catch up with Associate Professor Lindsay Malloy to hear about her research in developmental psychology and the law. In particular, ways to improve investigative interviewing with people who have experienced maltreatment and. In this discussion, Lindsay explains some developmental differences when interviewing children, adolescents and older adults. Much of the conversation focu...

In this episode, I team up again with Dr Rachael Fox (journal editor and academic). We reflect on our publication experiences to share insights that will be especially useful for listeners new to publishing.   We discuss: ·      choosing a journal ·      the importance of scope, formatting, and proofing ·      what to consider when converting a dissertation or thesis into a publication ·      gett...

In this episode, I am have an artificial conversation with a researcher I refer to as Dr Chat GPT. If you haven't already come across Chat GPT, it is open access software online where you can type anything in and it will use artificial intelligence to feed a response back to you. When you give it some context, it can give you some really cool responses.   I have given Dr Chat GPT the context of be...

In this episode I catch up with Dr Rachael Fox, journal editor and academic, to discuss what publishing in psychology is and take a critical lens to highlight some issues and barriers to publishing.    We discuss: ·      critical and community psychological approaches to research ·      why people publish in psychology ·      common ways quality is thought about in psychological research and publi...

This episode focuses on Dr Abigail Alfrey’s research and practice on the ways animals can be involved in mental health practice. We discuss: (1) the significance of pets for people experiencing psychosis, (2) including dogs in cognitive assessment to improve testing experiences and outcomes for child clients, and (3) reducing practitioner burnout by promoting animals in the workplace. We touch sup...

This episode focuses on Dr Jasmine B. MacDonald’s research in trauma exposure and mental health in TV news workers. We discuss how camera operators and reporters have different kinds of trauma experiences, the importance of social support, substance use, and symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout.   Dr Jasmine B. MacDonald is Senior Research Officer, Australian Institute of Fam...

This episode and the last one focus on Dr Evita March’s research in the area of cyber psychology. In this second part of our discussion, we consider how the dark tetrad of personality can help us understand cyber dating abuse. Along the way, we consider the role of attachment style and jealousy in intimate partner violence and coercive control online.   Dr Evita March is a Senior Lecturer in psych...

This episode and the next one focus on Dr Evita March’s research in the area of cyber psychology. In this first part of our discussion, we start by using mate selection as an example of evolutionary psychology. We then go on to see how the dark tetrad of personality can help us understand antisocial online behaviours like trolling. In the next episode, we dive into Evita’s research on cyber dating...