Psychologically Speaking with Leila Ainge

In this first conversation of The Goal Experiments , psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge speaks with yoga teacher Jen Vaughan about the tension between giving and receiving, authenticity and marketing, nurture and profit. Together, they unpack what happens when care is your craft: how to claim space, ask for fair payment, and show up as your whole self without feeling like you’ve lost somethin...

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking , psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge talks with Rebecca Slater , who’s setting a powerful goal for 2026: to write her first book. Together they explore what it really takes to move from wanting to doing — overcoming procrastination, creating time, and building habits that last. Rebecca shares how shifting her mindset, using community support, and re...

In this episode, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge explores the quiet tension many women experience in business — the space between ambition and the pressure to be “good.” Drawing on findings from Good Girl Economics , her research collaboration with Nicky Denson-Elliott, Leila examines why conversations about profit, visibility, and ambition can feel uncomfortable for women, even in support...

Welcome to my favourite field, yes.. you heard that right. In this episode I'm talking about the suprising benefits of noticing a tree, field or bit of nature near to you.

What’s the real difference between joy, fulfilment, and striving? In this episode, psychologist Leila Ainge explores the psychology behind our endless chase for more —and why true joy often hides in life’s quieter moments. Drawing on research into hedonic adaptation and flow , Leila unpacks how to tell the difference between healthy ambition and the anxiety of overstriving. You’ll learn how to sav...

What does it really mean to be seen? In this episode of Psychologically Speaking , I sit down with Karen Staniland- Platt, a Manchester-based photographer and writer who’s passionate about capturing women as they truly are. We talk about what happens when women step in front of the camera: the nerves, the joy, the shift in self-image that can follow. Our conversation ranges from the pressures of s...

Leila and Hannah explore the themes of joy, productivity, and marketing strategies. They discuss the importance of celebrating small wins, the awkwardness of creating B-roll content, and the psychological aspects of anticipation and joy. Hannah shares her journey of developing a 10-minute marketing approach, emphasizing the power of timers and gamification in overcoming procrastination. The discus...

Wow, There's a big debate around being a generalist vs niching down, but this conversation with Katie proves that it takes specialist knowledge about specific industries and types of organisations to be a generalist in HR. I loved this chat so much. Katie Elliott is a CIPD qualified HR consultant and the founder of HR Katie. She has spent more than a decade working in HR, starting in rec...

In this short episode, I’m taking you with me, literally, on a run. 🏃‍♀️ I share some reflections on mindset , what it really takes to do hard things , and how I’ve been finding my way back to the joy of running after losing it for a while. If you’ve ever felt stuck, slowed down, or unsure how to keep going, this one’s for you. Think of it as a moving conversation, part psychology, part personal...

Ever feel like the imposter experiences are stealing your joy? In this episode of Psychologically Speaking , Leila Ainge unpacks the link between imposter phenomenon (known as syndrome) and joy, and why feelings of being a fraud can leave us drained instead of delighted. Drawing on psychology research and coaching practice, she explores the role of self-promotion, comparison, and community support...

Hello, in this episode you are getting a joyful mixed bag including the latest research on autistic joy, what we can take from two pictures in the National Portrait gallery. Leila delves into the concept of joy, distinguishing it from happiness and exploring its complexities. She discusses various psychological theories of joy, including the broaden and build theory, flow theory, and self-determin...

In this conversation, Leila and Lisa explore the themes of joy, personal spaces, and the impact of nature on wellbeing. They discuss the importance of creating environments that spark joy, the connection between nature and mental health, and the significance of community and connection in both personal and professional lives. Lisa shares her journey of transitioning from a corporate career to inte...

In this opening episode of The Joy Experiments , Leila Ainge speaks with brand strategist Ange Friesen about the messy, beautiful process of chasing joy in the middle of change. From swapping city life in London for a countryside Airbnb (complete with cows and no coffee machine) to redefining work, routine, and identity, this conversation explores how joy doesn’t always look how we expect — and wh...

Welcome to Season 3 of Psychologically Speaking , hosted by psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge. This season, we explore joy not as a feeling to define, but as an experience that moves us, connects us, and shapes how we live and work. In this short teaser episode, Leila shares the story behind choosing joy as her word of the year, the psychology of positive emotions, and why joy matters more t...

In this Season 2 finale of Psychologically Speaking , Leila reflects on the space between intention and action the often messy, foggy middle that so many of us occupy quietly. She shares listener insights, one reader’s poetic take on language and liminality, and introduces the psychology of emotional granularity (via Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett) to help us name and navigate our emotional states with...

In this episode, I share a small but eye-opening story that begins with a single word: lacuna . What started as a moment of academic frustration turned into a reflection on the way we, as adults, often skim rather than fully engage — with words, ideas, and even our own decisions. I explore how our reading habits reflect something deeper: a psychological tendency to stay safe, to avoid uncertainty,...

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila Ainge delves into the theme of tiredness, exploring its various forms and the impact it has on our lives. She discusses the emotional, social, creative, spiritual, physical, and mental aspects of tiredness, emphasizing the importance of understanding these different types to prevent burnout. Leila also highlights the significance of making intenti...

How our need for external validation fuels overwork summary In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila explores the intricate relationship between human behavior and the use of lists. She delves into why we love lists, the psychological benefits they provide, and the potential pitfalls that can lead to overwhelm. The conversation also touches on the unique challenges faced by individuals w...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Psychologically Speaking , I reflect on a milestone moment delivering a leadership workshop on imposter phenomenon and the realization that I had already arrived . Inspired by Ilona Maher’s bold stance on owning success, I explore what it means to trust your expertise and step confidently into the spaces you’ve worked hard to enter. We also dive into Margaret At...

In this conversation, Leila Ainge discusses the importance of mental flexibility and resilience, particularly in the context of running and personal growth. She emphasizes the need to navigate self-doubt and challenges without succumbing to societal pressures for transformation. Leila advocates for starting from one's current position and using existing skills as a foundation for growth, rather th...

Transformation stories are everywhere—before-and-afters, glow-ups, success arcs. But what if real self-love isn’t about reinventing yourself —but about being present where you are, without pressure? This episode unpacks how social media, self-help culture, and gendered resilience narratives push us toward self-optimization at the cost of self-acceptance . We explore the psychology of storytelling...

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking , host Leila Ainge sits down with Katie Cope, founder of Keppel Leopard Creative, to explore the intricate world of brand identity, storytelling, and the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. Katie shares her journey from redundancy to building a branding agency that empowers women to embrace their authentic selves in business. The conversation dives...

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila Ainge delves into the themes of human behavior, accountability, and personal growth. She reflects on her experiences with goal setting and introduces a new pod feature, a book review, looking at Neurodiversity Coaching, emphasizing the importance of clean language interviewing in coaching practices. The episode encourages listeners to explore thei...

In todays episode I’m chatting to Tessa and Bre who, discuss their research at the University of California Santa Cruz, on body doubling, how folk – especially those with ADHD, use it as a tool for productivity and social interaction. Our conversation looks at the benefits of body doubling, its community-driven nature, different types of body doubling and of course cyber, the role of technology in...

In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, Leila Ainge explores the intricate relationship between accountability and motivation through the lens of self-determination theory. She shares her personal journey of goal setting in running, emphasizing the importance of social support and relationships in achieving personal goals. The discussion highlights the psychological needs of autonomy, compete...