Our fear of being alone forever and never finding the right one is scary, but it's also pretty natural. Whether you have never dated before, or are worried that you have missed your chance for true, long term love, it can be hard to imagine ourselves finding the right person without getting really caught up in the dating process. Today, let's talk about how to overcome your fear of being alone or ending up single, including: The fear of missing out The impact of social pain The societal narrativ...
Aug 02, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast One of the biggest questions we seem to encounter in our 20s and beyond is: what is my calling? What is my purpose, my mission, my passion? So many of us are left feeling panicked and like we are wasting time looking for the answer. Shouldn't this be obvious? Shouldn't I know by now? Actually, finding your purpose is not as simple as it looks, but in today's episode we dive into the Japanese concept of Ikigai: What are you good at? What do you love doing? What does the world need? What can you g...
Jul 30, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Resentment is sometimes labelled as an ugly or bad emotion, something that is derived from a sense of entitlement. In actuality, resentment is a really useful emotion, it serves as an emotional alarm, it teaches us what we value, and it can help us understand our own expectations and sense of self worth even more. Despite that, when we don't manage our resentment well it can also come to harm our relationships or cause us to be too rash. In today's episode, we break down the psychology of resent...
Jul 26, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast Survival mode is, at its core, a stress response. When our minds and our bodies are put under extreme stress or believe we are in danger, we can enter a state where all we care about is getting through the next day. This can turn us into a person we're not and make us lose the enjoyment and love for life, but also feel overwhelmed by constant panic and anxiety. In today's episode, we discuss how to break free of survival mode, the difference between our learning brain and our survival brain, why...
Jul 23, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast We all want long lasting, passionate, meaningful love and in our 20s it can hard to figure out exactly how to find that. With so many 'rules' around what to do, pacing, when to become exclusive, when to say 'I love you', when to move in together, it seems the secret is to go slow and build emotional intimacy. In other words, embrace the power of the slow burn, the 'slowmance' and low pressure beginnings. In this episode we are joined by Hinge's Love & Connection Expert, Moe Ari Brown as they...
Jul 18, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast Is the secret to a happier, less stressful, more connected life actually play? A lot of the research is telling us so! As we get older sometimes we lose a bit of our joy, awe and wonder, and the time we have for our friendships becomes more restricted by work, obligations, distance, commitment and seriousness. In today's episode, let's talk about why the solution to that may be to bring back adult playdates, including: The psychology behind why play is important The loneliness epidemic Why our s...
Jul 16, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our self doubts are what is keeping us in our own way. It is the foundation for our inner critic to tell us: you're not good enough, you're not talented enough, intelligent beautiful, hardworking to have the life and success you want. When we let our self doubts take control, it often means that we end up self handicapping or sabotaging before we get to the start line. In today's episode we are going to talk about the psychology of self doubt and how to silence those false beliefs, including: Th...
Jul 13, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today on the podcast we are talking about toxic positivity and the problem with always being positive and putting a fluffy, warm, positive spin on things. Often our unrealistic optimism comes from a good place and our desire to be happy all the time but any person knows that isn't always possible. We break down: The reason we gravitate towards toxic positivity What toxic positivity looks like The impact of wellness and self help content The consequences for our mental health The consequences for...
Jul 09, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast We all know what red flags are, they tend to be universal at any age, but there are some redflags that are specific to our 20s, certain features of a relationship during this decade to look out for even if they don't look concerning at first. On today's episode we talk about the five biggest red flags for relationships in our 20s, including: Relationships that stop you from having experiences Relationships that cause emotional chaos Relationships that don't celebrate or encourage you All or noth...
Jul 05, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast The period after graduation can be really difficult, filled with emotions like grief, anxiety, worry about the future, loneliness and nostalgia as we leave the structure and comfort of college and university for the big, confusing real world. In today's episode we break down the psychology of the post-graduation blues, including: What defines this experience How long does it last? The loss of friends as well as security and stability What triggers our unease How we can embrace the fear and uncer...
Jul 02, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Very few of us ever receive an education on coping. We are taught bad things happen, we are taught pointless math equations, we are taught to grin and bear it, but not effective psychological ways of integrating stressful, painful, frustrating experiences. In this episode, we break down the psychology of coping mechanisms, including: Problem focused vs. emotion focused coping Maladaptive vs. adaptive coping Our most common defence mechanisms How to stop numbing ourselves to our experiences How t...
Jun 28, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Conversations seem like they should be the easiest thing in the world, but we all know that sometimes that is not the case! Mental distractions, running out of things to talk about, feeling a bit off, all some of the roadblocks we face. In today's episode we break down FIVE tips to have better conversations: The 2:1 question ratio The fast friends protocol Story topping and bright siding The 5 minute urge The liking gap Listen now for more so we can all be having better conversations in whatever...
Jun 25, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Love bombing has been a hot topic as of recent, but what does it ACTUALLY mean or entail? In today's episode we are breaking down all of the psychology of love bombing, including: The cultish origin of love bombing The three stages of love bombing Why people love bomb? The interaction between narcissism and love bombing Intensity addiction and love bombing The five questions for determining: is it love or lovebombing? We also dive into why it can be so easy to get swept up by these individuals a...
Jun 21, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast Since the beginning of this show I've been super open about my mental health so I thought I'd share an update (the bad, the good and the really good). Let's normalise talking openly and honestly about what we're going through even when its not pretty or aesthetic. Thank you for all the support! Mental Health support in your area: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...
Jun 18, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast The thought of having children in our 20s feels like an incredibly adult decision, and is one a lot of us probably don't consider. We want to protect our youth and our freedom a little bit longer, or perhaps have decided we probably will never want children. But whether you want to have children or not, having a clear understanding of your future intentions or choices, your reproductive health, the kind of person who might make a good partner, and therefore parent, is important. More information...
Jun 14, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Struggling with our self worth can often impact how deserving we feel of love. This sense that we may be 'unloveable' causes us to miss out on healthy, fulfilling relationships, self sabotage and stay with people who don't deserve us. In today's episode, we discuss: The origins of why we feel unworthy of love Childhood wounds Early romantic scripts and teen romance Repeated rejection and shame The consequences of feeling unloveable Repetition of toxic relationships How to restore or rediscover y...
Jun 11, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast All of us have insecurities when it comes to our appearance, but what happens when these become obsessive and a point of fixation? In today's episode we break down the psychology and pathology of body dysmorphia, including: The origins in childhood experiences Family history and influence The differences in expression between men and women The relationship between body dysmorphia and cosmetic surgery The influence of toxic gym, diet culture and 'bigorexia' How false beliefs influence behaviour D...
Jun 07, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast We all want to be happier, but are probably sick of hearing about 'exercising more, eating better, sleeping 8 hours'. In today's episode we break down FIVE evidence based tips that are simple, accessible, actionable and inexpensive for becoming a happier person and the research that proves it: Focus on platonic love over romantic love Small acts of kindness + how we are spending our money wrong and why its making us less happy The importance of a project The healing power of nature + what bacter...
Jun 04, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Going 'no contact' after a breakup or relationship breakdown is promoted as one of the best ways to move on from an ex. But why is that the case, and what is the psychology? Is it always that easy? In today's episode we break down the psychology of going 'no contact': why it works, the science, when it's necessary and how to stay committed, even when it feels impossible. Listen now! Our notebooks are OUT NOW: https://the-psychology-of-your-20s.myshopify.com/ Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg...
May 31, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast You're not imagining it! The job market is getting harder, especially for 20-somethings who are entering the job market for the first time and trying to find their path. In today's episode we break down the psychological toll that the job hunt takes on us, the constant rejections, unrewarded effort, resentment and frustration. We also discuss why our generation has it tougher and it's not just a you problem but also how to improve your odds and keep your head up! All that and more, listen now :)...
May 28, 2024•38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our mother wounds represent the unprocessed trauma and insecurities we pick up from the dynamic we each have with the women who raise us and shape us. In today's episode we break down the psychology of our mother wounds including their origin, their impact and their manifestation, from our body confidence to our competition with other women, our ability to trust and connect, our fear of disapproval and chronic people pleasing. We also explore ways to heal this wound, both in collaboration with o...
May 24, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast We often think the secret to not being passive in our lives is to fill up our days, set countless goals, always be striving for progress and productivity. What if we told you the secret was slowing down? In today's episode I am joined by Caroline and Ann Catherine from Girls with Goals as we discuss: What it beens to be passive vs. active vs. intentional How to create momentum Why big, long term goals aren't the secret to success How to develop a healthier relationship with yourself and your spa...
May 20, 2024•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode we're going old school, back to a good old fashioned chatty sit down episode and life update. I have been recovering from a pretty terrible bout of tonsilitis and it's made me realise...I have a toxic relationship with productivity. Even when I'm sick I can't slow down, and I don't think I'm alone. We also discuss how I'm finding living alone, a little relationship update and how it feels to have finished my book! All that and more, listen now! Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemm...
May 17, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast How can you tell if you're codependent or just really close to someone? If you are enmeshed or just reliant on their support? Feeling happy and stable in a loving relationship, or losing your independence? There are a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings when it come to codependent relationships, especially in our 20s and in today's episode we break down all you need to know and more, including: The roots of codependency in childhood and attachment theory Signs of codependency Codependenc...
May 14, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast So many of us are struggling to stay focused and concentrate in an environment of constant distraction and temptation and it's causing a lot of us to feel unproductive and undisciplined. In today's episode we break down why our attention spans seem to be rapidly declining, we discuss: The Gold Fish myth The average attention span from 2004-2017 The impact of short form content The impact of COVID lockdowns Overstimulation and rising ADHD diagnoses Attentional cycles and our circadian rhythm Tips...
May 10, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Attachment theory is often misunderstood but when we have the correct knowledge and information it can transform how we relate to others. In today's episode we break down one of these styles, the avoidant attachment, along with it's two components: avoidant dismissive and avoidant fearful. We discuss how this style develops, its expression, the difference in prevalence and behaviours between men and women and how we can move forward and heal an avoidant pattern. We are joined in today's episode ...
May 07, 2024•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast We have a lot of opportunities to feel behind in our 20s, especially when it comes to our careers, our finances and our relationships. In todays episode we break down why so many of us (roughly 80% of 20 something year olds) feeling like we're falling short of expectations, as well as how we can manage these feelings and enjoy our path through life without comparing it to someone others. We discuss: The competitiveness of this generation The wunderkind phenomena Career anxiety and starting over ...
May 03, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast We have found some pretty amazing ways to observe human behaviour and from it, discovered some especially interesting things about how we operate, who we are at our core, our irrational beliefs and so much more. In today's episode, we break down five of my favourite psychology studies of all time from jam, to mental escapism and binge watching TV, how many friends we actually need, the healing power of nature and the origins of imposter syndrome. Listen now! Study One: The Stanford Jam Experimen...
Apr 30, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Finding the joy in your own company is one of the most healing, rewarding and fulfilling things we can do. It's also really difficult in an age of FOMO, constant distraction, stimulation and fear of boredom or loneliness. In today's episode we break down exactly why you need to fall back in love with your alone time, the amazing benefits and HOW to do it. Listen now! Follow us on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...
Apr 26, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Social comparison is the thief of joy - it will make us question everything that we have, doubt our own abilities, steal our sense of gratitude and peace. It also sometimes feels impossible to escape, especially in our 20s when we look to others for confirmation that we are doing something right. In today's episode we break down the 5 rules you need to stop comparing yourself to others and embrace the benefits of healthy social comparison, this includes: Don't unfollow, don't suppress, recognise...
Apr 23, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
