Psychology and Stuff

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with Dr. Neema Trivedi-Bateman, senior lecturer in criminology at Loughborough University and founder of the Compass Project, an innovative intervention designed to strengthen moral development and promote prosocial behavior in young people. Neema shares how her research on empathy, shame, guilt, and decision-making ins...

What does it really mean to be “information literate” in a world overflowing with content? In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with UW–Green Bay Assistant Library Director Renee Ettinger to explore how students—and all of us—can better navigate today’s complex information landscape. Drawing on her work supporting research, teaching, and undergraduate scho...

What if your home isn’t just where you live—but something that actively shapes who you become? In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with UW–Green Bay psychology professor and environmental psychologist Dr. Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges to explore the powerful relationship between people and the places they inhabit. Drawing on her background in social ecology,...

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, Dr. Alison Jane Martingano sits down with Dr. Jason Harman, an Associate Professor of Psychology and Human Factors at Michigan Technological University, to explore how we learn from experience when making decisions. They discuss how memory, frequency, and feedback shape our choices over time, why early experiences can have such a lasting impact, and how rar...

After a stroke and kidney failure diagnosis, Drew Grove decided it was time to change his life. Returning to UW-Green Bay at 38, he pursued a psychology degree while balancing family, health challenges, and a drive to prove to himself he could succeed. Drew joins the podcast to talk about second chances, mentorship, burnout, and the powerful “aha” moments that come with learning—and helping others...

What if the key to finding a healthy relationship isn’t swiping more — but blocking more? In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with UW–Green Bay Professor and Associate Dean Jennie Young, creator of the viral Burned Haystack Dating Method. What began as a personal solution to dating app burnout has grown into a global feminist movement and a community of m...

In this episode, host Dr. Alison Jane Martingano sat down with Dr. Paul Belanger, faculty member in Applied Writing and English and Project Manager of UW-Green Bay’s AI Think Tank, to explore the promises, fears, and ethical tensions surrounding generative AI. Martingano and Belanger discuss whether today’s large language models are truly replicating human thought or merely mimicking patterns, why...

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with Dr. Illene Cupit to explore the psychology of childhood grief and the healing power of community. Dr. Cupit shares the story behind Camp Lloyd, a bereavement camp for children who have lost a loved one, and reflects on two decades of helping kids—and UW-Green Bay students—find connection, meaning, and joy after los...

Why does one negative moment stick with us while positive experiences fade so quickly? In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano welcomes back Dr. Ryan Martin – psychology professor, author of Emotion Hacks, and dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at UW-Green Bay – to explore new research showing how negative emotions linger longer than positive...

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Allison Jane Martingano sits down with UW–Green Bay psychology professors Dr. Jason Cowell and Dr. Todd Hillhouse for a fascinating deep dive into what we can—and can’t—learn from human and animal brains. Dr. Cowell discusses his work using EEG to study moral development, empathy, and self-regulation in both children and adults, including the practical...

In this myth-busting episode of Psychology & Stuff, Dr. Abigail Nehrkorn-Bailey dives into the science of aging and dismantles some of our culture’s most persistent misconceptions. She and host Dr. Alison Jane Martingano explore why aging isn’t just decline, how learning and brain development continue throughout life, and why older adults are often happier than we expect. They also discuss ageism,...

In this episode, mathematician and science communicator Dr. Tom Crawford—better known as Tom Rocks Maths—joins us to talk about breaking stereotypes in academia and making mathematics accessible to everyone. From viral YouTube videos to his work at Oxford and Cambridge, Tom shares how authenticity, curiosity, and creativity can turn even the most reluctant learner into a math enthusiast. Tom Rocks...

In this episode of Psych and Stuff, host Dr. Alison Jane Martingano sits down with Dr. Danielle Sneyd, assistant teaching professor of psychology at UW–Green Bay and self-proclaimed “myth buster.” Together, they take on some of psychology’s biggest misconceptions — from whether we only use 10% of our brains to the truth about learning styles, dream meanings, lie detectors, and more.

In this episode, host Dr. Alison Jane Martingano explores the psychology of human flourishing with Flourish FM hosts Dr. Jon Beale and Dr. Nick Holton. Together, they unpack what it really means to live a “good life” — from Aristotle’s classic philosophy to modern psychological research. The conversation dives into whether flourishing is a privilege, how culture shapes our definition of a good lif...

In this episode, host Dr. Alison Jane Martingano sits down with two licensed counselors from the UW–Green Bay Wellness Center, Illene Cupit and Michelle Gauger, to talk about what they’re seeing on the ground when it comes to student mental health. Recent global research shows a dip in happiness and a rise in stress, anxiety, and despair amongst young people. But are these trends showing up here o...

In this episode of Dr. Alison Jane Martingano welcomes Dr. Regan Gurung and Dr. Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges to explore the emerging science of eco-spirituality, which examines how experiences in nature can become a gateway to a deeper well-being and connection in the world. Dr. Gurung, a professor at Oregon State University, has authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles and 15 books, and had previous...

Join us in this episode where Dr. Alison Jane Martingano invites assistant professor of theatre and dance at UWGB, Alan Kopischke, to discuss the commonalities of those in theatre and psychology. They explore how understanding the emotions, values, and motives of others is important in both realms and how both disciplines can help the other better understand human behavior and emotion. The two als...

As the NFL Draft heads to the Green Bay community, host Dr. Alison Jane Martingano invites a panel of experts to explore the powerful impacts of sports fandom. Joining her in this episode are Dr. Cody Havard, professor of sports commerce; Dr. Galen Trail, renowned expert in sports consumer behavior and marketing; and Dr. Aaron Mansfield, professor of sports management. Together, they dive into how...

What makes UWGB and the students the students that go there great? In this special episode Dr. Alison Jane Martingano invites UWGB Chancellor Dr. Michael Alexander, and Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr. Ryan Martin, to answer that question. They discuss their roles at the university, the best parts about UWGB and its students, as well as the benefits of attending col...

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, Dr. Alison Jane Martingano features Dr. Kaanthan Jawahar, a Psychiatrist with expertise in alcohol-related brain damage. The impact of societal pressures, cultural norms, and myths are examined in the discussion around drinking. The two discuss differences in drinking culture between the United States and the United Kingdom - where Dr. Jawahar practices. In...

In this engaging episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Dr. Alison Jane Martingano sits down with Dr. Shannon Baird and Navy Special Operations Veteran Nikko Wheeler to discuss the psychology of Special Operations. They discuss the mental skills needed to be a part of a special operations team which include self-awareness and self-regulation. Dr. Baird explains the role of a cognitive enhancement p...

In this episode, Dr. Jason Cowell, and Dr. Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges, psychology professors at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, reflect on the understanding of morality. They discuss how situations, environments, and even certain times of the day influence the ability to act morally. The guests converse about what morality is and how culture as well as individual values can impact one’s sens...

In this episode, Brittany Berkovitz, Alicia Gerstner, and Courtney Covill, mental health professionals at The ATT Center for Counseling, reflect on navigating relationships and friendships. They discuss how self-love plays a role in both creating and maintaining social connections. The difficulties of dating apps, and the struggles of learning to put yourself out there are also points of conversat...

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, Dr. Alison Jane Martingano sits down with Amity Cooper a trained mental health professional, Lifebook facilitator, and entrepreneurial coach. They discuss the impact of technology on therapy, especially the use and ethical considerations of virtual reality.

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, Dr. Alison Jane Martingano discovers the critical role psychologists play in enhancing the mental performance of artists such as singers and dancers. The discussion features insights from Dr. Chelsea Wooding, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant and former competitive dancer with extensive experience in both athletics and the performing arts, and Dr. E...