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PODCAST

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World

If you"ve ever wondered what makes "reply guys" tick, why we fall for emotionally manipulative language in politics, why meetings suck, or how music can reshape your brain, we have the answers! Tune in to PsyberSpace™ every Monday morning and understand your world a little better each week. PsyberSpace explores the evolving landscape where psychology, media, culture, and digital technology converge. Each episode unpacks the impact of tech on our minds, our culture, our work, and our society. We

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All Episodes

25:26

Outsourcing Our Minds: AI, Learning, and the...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/05/19

The Cognitive Cost of AI: A Deep Dive into Learning and DevelopmentIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping cognition, particularly in education. The discussion focuses on the developmental impact of AI on children and the cognitive trade-offs associated with relying on AI tools. The episode delves into the science behind why traditional methods like handwriting are essential for learning, memory, and cognitive development. It also

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23:12

The War on Empathy: Why Authoritarians Fear It

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/05/12

Empathy Under Fire: Understanding Its Crucial Role and Strategic ErosionIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the psychological phenomenon of empathy, distinguishing it from sympathy and underscoring its pivotal role in moral reasoning, cooperation, and human survival. The episode explores the three types of empathy—cognitive, emotional, and compassionate—and how they are neurologically grounded. Leslie discusses the alarming trend of empathy being framed as a

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31:19

Words They Don’t Want You to Say: The Psychology of...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/05/05

The Power of Language: Unveiling the Psychology of Linguistic ControlIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the psychology behind the control and censorship of language, examining how it impacts us psychologically, socially, and politically. The discussion touches on historical and contemporary examples, including the strategic choice of words in South American dictatorships, the erasure of terms like 'diversity' and 'gender' in the U.S., and the euphemistic language

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33:46

First, Do Harm: The Dark Side of Psychology's...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/04/28

Unearthing Psychology's Shadow: A Critical ExaminationIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the dark history of psychology, exploring its entanglements with colonialism, racism, sexism, and eugenics. The episode sheds light on how psychological theories and practices have upheld oppressive systems and sometimes caused harm. Poston emphasizes the importance of acknowledging these historical abuses to build a more ethical, inclusive, and just field. The episode also

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20:17

LOL at Democracy? How Memes Normalize Authoritarianism

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/04/21

The Dangers of Trivializing Fascism: How Memes Shape Our PoliticsIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the often overlooked impact of political memes on our digital and real-world environments. While memes may seem harmless or even humorous on the surface, they can trivialize serious issues such as authoritarianism and fascism, thereby dulling societal urgency and fracturing crucial coalitions. Leslie digs into the psychology and neuroscience behind these digital

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22:38

Uncertain Times: How We Make Decisions When We Don't...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/04/14

Navigating Uncertainty: Understanding Its Impact on Decision MakingIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the complexities of uncertainty and its effects on decision-making. Leslie explores the psychological and physiological responses to uncertainty, including the role of the amygdala and the concept of Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU). The discussion encompasses cognitive biases like the availability heuristic and ambiguity aversion, and the differential impact of

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22:16

United in Opposition: How the Psychology of...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/04/07

Unraveling Fan Psychology in Social Movements: Insights from the Hands-Off ProtestIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the intersection of fan behavior and social movements, using her early research and the recent Hands-Off protest as case studies. Poston digs into the mechanisms behind successful progressive movements, highlighting the power of collective identity, symbolism, and anti-fandom in mobilizing people. Drawing comparisons with the Women's March, she

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38:12

The Persuasion Matrix - When Marketing Becomes...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/03/31

Marketing and Propaganda UnveiledIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the pervasive challenge of marketing and propaganda, drawing parallels between commercial and ideological influence. She discusses the psychological mechanisms behind effective marketing and propaganda, including social proof, scarcity, authority, and identity-based persuasion. The episode explores real-world examples, such as the tobacco industry's misinformation campaigns and tech companies' use

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23:26

The Science of Trust: Building Psychological Safety...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/03/24

Enhancing Workplace Dynamics: The Critical Role of Psychological SafetyIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the concept of psychological safety in the workplace. She explains its definition, importance, and methods to cultivate it amidst personal and corporate politics. Drawing on insights from cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and social learning theory, Leslie discusses how psychological safety reduces cognitive load, fosters creativity, and enhances team

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23:38

Frayed Connections: The Psychology of Friendships in...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/03/17

The Psychology of Digital Friendships: Navigating Connections in the Digital AgeIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the profound psychological mechanisms underlying friendships in the digital era. The episode digs into how technology affects emotional labor, reciprocity, and vulnerability in relationships. Highlighting research by Dr. Jeffrey Hall, Dr. Sherry Turkle, Dr. John Cacioppo, and others, Leslie discusses the impact of social media platforms like Facebook,

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25:41

The Risk Paradox: Why We Fear Sharks But Text While...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/03/10

Why Humans Struggle with Risk Assessment: Understanding Our Cognitive BiasesIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the complexities of human risk assessment. Despite relying on this critical cognitive skill every day, humans often misjudge risks due to emotional biases, misinformation, and stress. From relationships and work to financial decisions and global crises like Covid-19, Leslie explores how attachment styles, behavioral economics, media influence, and

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65:08

Mind Locked: The Surprising Psychology Behind Our...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/03/03

The Psychology of Changing Minds: Unpacking Cognitive Barriers and StrategiesIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs deep into the complex psychology behind changing minds in a divided society. The episode, which runs longer than usual at 60 minutes, explores how cognitive dissonance, confirmation bias, and identity protection influence our resistance to belief revision. Leslie discusses the neurological discomfort of encountering contradictory information, the role of group

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21:49

The Shadows Within: How Disgust and Shame Break Society

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/02/24

The Hidden Power of Disgust and Shame: Unveiling Ancient Emotions in Modern SocietyIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the psychological forces of disgust and shame, exploring their ancient roots and modern implications. The episode sheds light on how these emotions shape our identities, enforce social norms, and influence political and social landscapes. Through neuroimaging studies and research from sociology and psychology, Leslie explains how physical disgust

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30:26

Breaking the Cycle: Confronting and Changing Toxic...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/02/17

Navigating and Transforming Toxic WorkplacesIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the pervasive issue of toxic workplaces. The discussion covers identifying toxic behaviors such as micromanagement, harassment, and discriminatory practices and their detrimental effects on mental and physical health. The role of leadership, particularly toxic leaders, and their impact on workplace culture is highlighted. Strategies for survival and transformation are provided, including

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19:57

Extinction Burst: The Desperate Ways Extremists and...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/02/11

Extinction Burst: The Desperate Ways Extremists and their Movements React When Losing GroundIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the concept of extinction bursts—predictable patterns of intensifying behavior when long-standing negative behaviors lose effectiveness. Drawing on examples from political, social, and historical contexts, the episode explains how these bursts manifest in both individual and group behaviors, and why they're particularly relevant given

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23:10

Small Steps, Big Impact: Psychology To Help You Take...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/02/03

Harnessing Small Actions for Big Change in Overwhelming ChallengesIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores how to take meaningful actions when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. Through insights from various psychological studies, Leslie explains why our brains often shut down when faced with massive issues, and how small, strategic steps can break this paralysis. The episode dives into concepts such as learned helplessness, behavioral activation, and small wins,

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18:42

The Psychological Power of Art and Creativity: Why We...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/01/27

The Psychological Power of Art and Creativity: Exploring Why We CreateIn this episode of PsyberSpace, hosted by Leslie Poston, we explore the profound psychological impact of art and creativity. Using examples like Dylan Thomas's poem 'Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night' and Maya Angelou's 'Still I Rise,' the episode delves into why art moves us and how creativity nurtures our mental well-being. The discussion touches on how art activates brain reward centers, fosters empathy, and acts

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10:52

Shields Up: Recognizing and Resisting Propaganda in...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/01/20

Understanding and Resisting Authoritarian PropagandaIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston looks into the mechanisms of propaganda used by authoritarian regimes. The episode covers the psychological strategies behind media manipulation, revisionist history, and language control intended to mold public perception and behavior. Using historical and contemporary examples, Leslie highlights the importance of critical thinking and media literacy in recognizing and resisting these

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25:44

Busting Brain Busters: Unraveling Popular Psychology...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/01/14

Debunking Psychology Myths: From Brain Function to VaccinesIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston critically examines several long-standing psychology myths and their impacts. The discussion covers misconceptions such as the left-brained/right-brained theory, the myth that we use only 10% of our brain, the idea that opposites attract in relationships, and the belief that venting anger is beneficial. Further myths debunked include the notion that memory functions like a video

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22:24

Billionaire Brain: How Extreme Wealth Rewires Human...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/01/06

PsyberSpace S2E1: The Neuroscience of Wealth and PowerIn the season two opener of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores how extreme wealth and power transform the human mind. The episode gets into neuroscientific research revealing that power and wealth can rewire neural pathways, decrease empathy, alter decision-making, and increase risk-taking behaviors. Examples from real-world events, including actions by billionaires like Jeff Bezos, illustrate the psychological changes that

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78 results

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