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PODCAST

PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world

Dr. Leslie Poston, Research Psychologist: Applied Psychology, Media Psychology, Organizational Psychology

PsyberSpace® is a weekly psychology podcast for curious people who want to understand why the world feels the way it does, online and offline. The show helps you name what you’re seeing and feeling, understand the science behind it, and figure out what to do next. If you"ve ever wondered what makes "reply guys" tick, why we fall for emotionally manipulative language in politics, why meetings suck, why comfort can keep us stuck, why limerence hits so hard, or how music and media reshape your brain,

science social sciences

All Episodes

27:14

Why Hard Work Doesn't Always Pay Off: The Psychology...

PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world ·

2025/07/21

The Myth of Meritocracy: Unpacking Workplace InequalityIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the illusion of meritocracy in the workplace. Despite the comforting narrative that hard work leads to success, systemic biases and structural inequalities often shape career outcomes more than individual effort. The episode digs into psychological concepts like the just world hypothesis and fundamental attribution error, and cultural factors such as the American Dream and

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28:30

You're Not Imagining It: How Your Workplace Is...

PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world ·

2025/07/13

Understanding Workplace Gaslighting: Causes, Effects, and SolutionsIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the psychological concept of gaslighting, with a focus on its manifestation in the workplace. Leslie digs into how workplace gaslighting mirrors interpersonal abuse, creating a toxic environment where employees doubt their reality. Examples include management minimizing concerns, contradicting realities, and fostering toxic positivity. The episode also discusses the

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26:32

Your Nervous System vs. The News Cycle: Why Normal...

PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world ·

2025/07/06

Coping in an Age of Chaos: Understanding Adaptive StrategiesIn this episode, host Leslie Poston digs into the multifaceted science of coping amidst today’s turbulent world. With constant exposure to political violence, environmental disasters, and social instability, many struggle to maintain mental well-being. Leslie explores the psychology behind coping, referencing the work of Richard Lazarus, Susan Folkman, and Bruce McEwen on stress responses. She discusses the roles of problem-focused

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25:33

Everyday Eugenics: The Psychology of Who We Let Die

PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world ·

2025/06/30

The Quiet Reality of Everyday EugenicsIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the pervasive issue of everyday eugenics embedded in our society. Unlike historical instances marked by overt brutality, today's eugenics are subtle and ingrained in policies, healthcare, media, and cultural mindset. Leslie explores how the worth of individuals is unjustly tied to their productivity, leading to harmful social and systemic practices that marginalize people unable to meet those

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23:16

Alone Together in the Empire: The Psychology of...

PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world ·

2025/06/23

Capitalism Stole Your Support SystemIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the emotional ramifications of systemic abandonment by protective institutions, especially in response to the US's recent unprovoked attack on Iran. The discussion explores the psychological effects of community collapse, the lack of a communal safety net, and the individualist culture that exacerbates feelings of powerlessness and disconnection. Drawing on political and developmental

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21:12

Why You Get Your Best Ideas in the Shower - The...

PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world ·

2025/06/16

Unlocking Creativity: The Science Behind Shower Thoughts and InsightIn this episode of Psyberspace, hosted by Leslie Poston, the discussion revolves around the phenomenon of insight—those unexpected bursts of clarity often experienced during mundane tasks like showering. Leslie explains how these 'shower thoughts' are the result of the brain's default mode network (DMN) becoming active during periods of rest. This network facilitates creative connections by allowing the brain to make novel

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22:05

Bad, Not Broken: The Psychology of Excusing Harm

PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world ·

2025/06/09

Unpacking the Misuse of Mental Illness Labels in SocietyIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the harmful cultural habit of attributing acts of cruelty, violence, and abuse of power to mental illness. Leslie discusses the psychological reasons behind this impulse, the impact it has on our perceptions of justice and morality, and how it reinforces harmful stereotypes and biases. The episode digs into cognitive dissonance, the just world hypothesis, and the fundamental

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22:06

Childhood Trauma: The One Test You Don't Want to ACE

PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world ·

2025/06/02

Understanding the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Pathways to HealingIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) test, a 10-question survey that uncovers the hidden impacts of childhood trauma on adult health and well-being. Leslie explains how high ACE scores correlate with numerous physical and mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, chronic illnesses, and reduced life expectancy. The episode explores

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22:06

The Paradox of Progress - Why Success Makes Us Forget

PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world ·

2025/05/26

The Paradox of Progress: Why We Forget What WorksIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the 'Paradox of Progress,' a psychological phenomenon explaining why society and individuals often dismantle the systems that made their successes possible. The episode explores this paradox in various realms including public health, civil rights, economics, and climate policy. The discussion reveals how our brains' tendency to forget problems once they are resolved leads to

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25:26

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

PsyberSpace® - we help you 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® - we help you 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® - we help you 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® - we help you 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® - we help you 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® - we help you 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® - we help you 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® - we help you 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® - we help you 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® - we help you 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® - we help you 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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127 results

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