Panicky. Irrational. Impulsive. These are the traits that have long been associated with crowd behaviour. But modern crowd science suggests that’s an incomplete, if not inaccurate picture. From crowd crushes to terrorist attacks, we take a closer look at how people really behave in crowds, and what you can do to keep yourself safe in one. Want to l…

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Schooler—top 100 cognitive scientist, consciousness researcher, and OG mind explorer—to unpack one of the most provocative theories of self-awareness: Nested Observer Windows. What if your mind isn’t a single stream of thought… but a mosaic of smaller minds, each with its own experience? We go deep on why …

Whether it's stamps, figurines, antiques or toys, plenty of people love collecting. But why? What are the psychological drivers behind the hobby? How much is marketing influencing us, and is there a risk of collecting turning into hoarding? If you enjoy the show or if you have feedback you'd like to share, please check out our survey here. Guests: …

In this episode: Sean Dadashi, the founder of the mental health AI app Rosebud, joins us to unpack the collapse of traditional therapy—and why LLMs might become your next therapist. We dive into how childhood trauma, spiritual epiphanies, and ancient Buddhist practices shaped Sean’s journey… and how AI is now helping people do the inner work that h…

Over years of clinical practice, psychologist Dr Mary Anderson started to notice a peculiar pattern across her many clients. Despite being impressive high achievers on the outside, inside they were struggling with burnout, imposter syndrome, anxiety and self-criticism. So she set out to develop a guide for these high achievers. A framework to suppo…

If you're watching sport or browsing social media, odds are you will come across gambling ads. If you work in an office, you might've joined Melbourne Cup or footy tipping comps. In Australia, it can feel like gambling is everywhere. Today, we look at how everything from video games to shopping sites seem to be priming us for betting-like behaviour…

In this episode: Dylan’s estrogen levels spike out of nowhere, so he turns to GPT-4.5 for medical advice. Shockingly, it works better than any doctor he’s ever had. Is this the future of healthcare? We dive into how body fat messes with your hormones, why GPT might be the best primary care physician on the planet, and what happens when AI outperfor…

For years, psychologist Patricia Harney avoided true crime podcasts and documentaries. They hit too close to home. Recently she's been testing the waters, and noticing these whodunnit shows often leave out a crucial element of the story. This episode was first broadcast in July 2023 Take our listener survey here: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/pMNc8…

In this episode: the new OpenAI O3 model just hit a 136 IQ - genius territory. Is this the moment we crossed into AGI? We explore what it really means for AI to be "smarter" than most humans, why sex robots are getting scarily good at emotional manipulation, and whether AI relationships could replace human connection entirely. Follow Dilan: https:/…

All in the Mind is doing its first-ever listener survey — can you tell us a bit about who you are and why you listen? We'd love to understand you better! We’ve kept the survey snappy — it's only seven questions. We’re especially keen to know the age range of our listeners. Take the survey here: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/pMNc8TK7b7 And you can a…

Chat bots as therapists. Apps that can track your mood and behaviour, offering earlier detection of psychiatric illness. There's a lot happening at the nexus of mental health and AI – some of it promising, some of it perilous. Today, science writer and author of The Silicon Shrink, Daniel Oberhaus, takes us on a journey through this emerging space.…

In this episode we dive into a brain-computer interface that gives a paralyzed woman her voice back, the terrifying rise of microplastics in human brains, and a musician “resurrected” using lab-grown neurons. We also explore dolphin language models, uploading your mind, and the question: are humans still the most conscious beings on Earth? Follow D…

The brain might be an undiscerning blob that makes up just two per cent of your body, but what it does for you is extraordinary. How much about the day-to-day workings of the brain do we fully understand, and what does the future of medicine have in store for it? In this recording of our live show from the World Science Festival Brisbane, we explor…

In today's episode we talk about, extinct species revived in real labs, AI predictions for 2027 and the ethical chaos of raising a conscious machine Follow Dilan: https://x.com/dilan Follow Ben: https://x.com/btaubster Listen to our podcast on your favorite podcast app: www.almostgotitpod.com 00:00 – Intro: Dire Wolves, Conscious AI & WTF Is Happen…

Madi's had 25 rental applications rejected. Seen absolute horror houses while searching for a rental. It's all driving her to despair. Today, how housing insecurity can alter our sense of agency and how we perceive the world around us. This episode was first broadcast in May 2024.By Australian Broadcasting Corporation

What happens when you find out you have cancer at 20... and then live for over a decade believing it never went away? This week’s episode is a raw, unfiltered dive into the chaos and beauty of life in the age of AGI.Follow Dilan: https://x.com/dilanFollow Ben: https://x.com/btaubster Listen to our podcast on your favorite podcast app: www.almostgot…

Be honest, how many times have you checked your notifications in the last hour? Or opened a new, totally unrelated tab? Or stopped what you're doing even though you really need to do it? Distractions are everywhere. And whether they're self-imposed or coming from our environment, it can be hard to focus. Today, we explore the ramifications of our r…

In this we dive into the mind-blowing world of artificial organs, near-death experiences, and the science-meets-mysticism rabbit hole of consciousness and rebirth. From synthetic hearts that go woosh to Buddhist views of memory transfer at death, this episode unpacks the future of humanity - one organ at a time. Follow Dilan: https://x.com/dilan Fo…

How strong is your memory? Whether you're frequently forgetful or eager to improve, there are ways you can train your brain to recall faster and remember better. This week, we bring you our live show from Podfest at the Adelaide Festival, featuring neuropsychologists, memory athletes, and even some listeners! If you'd like to check out another epis…

Dementia usually involves a decline in your ability to remember, think and reason over time. And those with dementia are at a high risk of feeling socially isolated, lonely and depressed. As artificial intelligence systems get better and better, researchers are investigating whether AI companion bots could help improve the lives of those with demen…

Manus AI might be the most powerful AI product we’ve ever tested. In this episode, we break down how it builds full-fledged products in minutes. We also dive into AI’s role in drug discovery, including BRP, a newly found peptide that could eliminate obesity without side effects. Plus, we explore a bigger question: Are we on the verge of becoming go…

In this episode of Almost Got It (AGI), we explore the world’s first neuron-based computer, discuss kung fu-trained humanoid robots, and debate whether AI could ever be truly alive. Follow Dilan: https://x.com/dilan Follow Ben: Chapters: 0:00 - Welcome to Almost Got It (AGI) 0:32 - Meet the Hosts: Ben Taubert & Dilan Dane 1:13 - The World’s First N…

Have you ever experienced "the ick"? It's that sudden, visceral feeling of being put off by someone you're dating. Maybe it's their hat, a hobby or even the way they laugh. Stories of the ick are prolific online, but it leaves us with a question - what causes it? To separate red flags from disgust, we get into the psychology of the ick - why you mi…

NASA wants to send humans to Mars in the next decade or so. But can our minds handle it? We talk to a NASA psychologist and retired astronaut about the psychological challenges people already face on long-duration space missions — and find out what it will take to get to Mars. This episode was first broadcast in March 2024. Looking for another epis…

Join us for a live episode of All in the Mind at Podfest in Adelaide this March. You can enter to win tickets here. Many of us have felt self loathing at some point in our lives — maybe when you've failed at an important task at work, or lost an important relationship. But some people hate themselves all the time — their inner monologue is a consta…

Developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey has seen a lot of kids with behavioural issue over the years, and there are ten things he wishes all parents understood about their kids mental health. From insecure attachment to separation anxiety to emotional difficulties – he gives us the low down on why kids get labelled ‘bad’ – and what’s really goi…

There are some decisions in life that can be trickier to navigate. Do you want to get married? Should you change careers? Do you want a baby? Parenthood is a choice more vexed than ever in a world threatened by climate change, political instability and cost-of-living crises. So how can people approach this choice? And if you're lucky enough to have…

Harry had been lucky. He'd never struggled with his mental health. Then, when he was 18, seemingly out of nowhere — he had his first psychotic episode. It was an abrupt change, with ripple effects across his family. Today, the shock of experiencing psychosis, why you're most likely to get it when you're young, and how you can recognise the signs an…

Politics, war, abortion, gun control — why do some topics make us so outraged? One theory is that our preoccupation with preventing harm is to blame. So today, we examine how humans developed morality, why we differ in what we consider right and wrong, and how that drives us to moral outrage. And after all of that, we'll find out how to have better…

If you could manifest anything into your life, what would it be? A perfect partner, your dream house, winning the lottery? Manifesting promises a limitless potential of dreams to achieve — through methods like vision boards and affirmations. But does manifesting actually help us realise our goals? Is it harmless fun? Healthy positive thinking? Or c…

The AI revolution is coming. Your mind isn't ready for it. Cognitive neuroscientist Joel Pearson walks us through the many ways artificial intelligence is messing — and will mess — with our psychology. From falling in love with AI to unforgettable deep fakes, we dive into an uncertain future and what you can do to prepare for it. This episode was f…

That voice inside your head - where does it come from? We bring back a topic that was one of our most popular for a long awaited part two. Today, what shapes your internal chatter. This episode was first released in March 2024. Our original episode on chatter is called Controlling the chatter in your head, if you liked this episode you'll love that…

Patric Gagne is a sociopath, but she doesn’t fit the stereotype. From a violent kid, to a PhD and author - we track the unusual story of a sociopath who learned to be 'good'. Plus, there's been some controversy and questions about the veracity of her PhD - so, we fact checked it. This episode was first released in May 2024. Need something to listen…

What do working for the CIA, navigating hot button topics and talking to teenagers all have in common? They're all situations that supercommunicators excel at. Today, we explore how you can become a supercommunicator too. This episode was first broadcast in February 2024. Why not check out Introversion vs Extroversion. If you enjoyed this episode, …

What influences your shopping behaviour? Well, it's likely a mix of what you need, what's presented to you in store and probably some neuromarketing (which we've covered on our program before). But what about the role of product designers? Today, we get into the psychology of design and the battle designers face balancing innovation with our human …

How do you feel as you move through a busy space — like an airport, a city street or a crowded shopping centre? For some of us, these spaces are energising — being among the rush of people and the noise of the crowds. But for others, these situations can be a little much. And for some neurodivergent people — especially those with sensory issues — b…

Dopamine feels great, but is it always good for us? The answer is complicated, so today, we get into what dopamine actually does in the brain. How does it affect our motivation, movement and behaviour? And how does our environment influence that? Plus, should we be detoxing from dopamine ... and why are people raw dogging flights? If you're looking…

We've come a long way in how we talk about mental health. But while diagnoses like depression and anxiety can empower people to seek help and support — they also influence how we see ourselves and how others might see us, too. Today, we investigate 'concept creep.' It's the idea that the labels we use to describe mental health are expanding and bei…

How clear is your inner voice? Do you internally narrate your life? And do you get songs stuck in your head? Almost all of us can imagine sounds in our minds. But a small part of the population don't have internal auditory imagery — a phenomenon called anauralia. Today, we explore the experience of anauralia, in an episode from Radio New Zealand's …

Music is a universal feature of the human experience — present from our very first cultures and civilisations. But do the features of particular songs and styles translate across cultural boundaries? Like, is a lullaby recognisable even when it's from a different culture? Can you identify a love song in another language? Today, we explore the speci…

Laura would spend weeks feeling normal — even happy. But like clockwork, every month, suddenly she would feel intense depression, making her unrecognisable to herself and friends. It took her nearly two decades to identify what was causing this rollercoaster of mood: PMDD, AKA Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. So what is it about hormones that make …

Professor Chris French has been studying the paranormal for decades. But — he’s a sceptic. In an All in the Mind Halloween special, we explore the psychology behind our spooky encounters. What's going on in your brain when you see a ghost? How do people talk to the dead? And why would a sceptic study the paranormal?…

How many hours have you spent on your phone today? And do you feel like it's too many? A growing movement of people are going without their smartphones and computers in favour of just about anything that doesn't have a screen. They say it's giving their lives more meaning — and improving their mental health. This week, meet the digital minimalists …

We don't remember everything that happens to us — so why do we remember what we remember? And the memories we do lock away aren't always accurate or trustworthy. This week, we're talking about the fallibility of memory and why sometimes it's healthy to forget. We'll also get into how to remember special moments more clearly, and here's a hint — you…

We know running is good for the body, but what about the brain? Hear from people who love running about the psychological tools they use to stay active, including some advice from a professor who's taught their entire class to run a marathon. Looking for something to listen to next? Check out our episode Why being a beginner is good for you.…

This week we're talking about something intimate … And at-times taboo … Masturbation. From self-love, to disordered behaviour, and back again, how our perceptions of masturbation have changed over the course of history and why it's still linked to shame and confusion for some. Also — why do humans (and other animals) masturbate in the first place? …

It's human nature to form groups — families, friends, online communities. We love to be surrounded by people similar to us. But that can also make us discriminatory and defensive. And social media makes that instinct worse. Today, we look at how our brains evolved to connect and divide, and what that means for the problems we face in our modern wor…

When you think about pillars of health a few things might come to mind — nutrition, exercise, connectedness. But there's something many of us miss off that list — sleep. Insomnia does so much more than make us cranky, it's closely tied to our mental health. Not just how we feel on a day to day basis, but our likelihood of developing depression. Thi…

Earlier this year, the Netflix program Baby Reindeer brought stalking firmly back into the zeitgeist - sparking discussion about the psychology of people who stalk and the impact it has on victims. So what goes on in the mind of a stalker? How do the various types, from incompetent suitor to intimacy seeker, differ? And what should you do if you th…

Attachment theory is a foundation of modern psychology — a framework for understanding human relationships and how we connect other people. But has social media taken this concept — grounded in decades of research — too far? Scroll through Instagram or TikTok for too long, and you might think that if you have a certain attachment style, you're fund…