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PODCAST

What"s going on up there?

Pearn Kandola LLP

A podcast exploring the psychology behind current events, daily decision-making, and the ideas that frame our thinking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

science social sciences

All Episodes

10:54

Is AI Making Us Lazy Thinkers?

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/09/18

AI can write an article, solve a problem, or plan our holiday in seconds. But as we rely on it more, are we becoming lazy thinkers? In this week’s episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Dr Jo Kandola to explore what the research tells us about AI and cognition. Together, they unpack the psychology of cognitive offloading, why our brains love shortcuts, and what happens when AI boosts our performance without improving our capability. They also discuss what AI could mean for creativity,

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11:57

The Inner Critic: Understanding Shame

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/09/11

Shame is one of our most powerful emotions yet one of the least talked about, particularly at work.In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Louise Weston to explore the psychology of shame, including why feedback can sometimes feel like a judgment of who we are, rather than something we have done. They unpack the difference between guilt and shame, how shame can trigger defensiveness or withdrawal, and why it can get in the way of learning.They also share practical ways to spot

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11:54

Navigating Unpredictable Times

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/09/04

In a world where unexpected events can dominate the news cycle and disrupt our working lives, how does unpredictability affect us? This week, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Stuart Duff to explore why sudden change can leave us anxious, stressed and struggling to switch off. From unsettling global headlines to unexpected decisions at work, they unpack why unpredictability can heighten anxiety, reduce our sense of control and leave us worrying long after the working day ends. Stuart also

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9:14

The Surprising Psychology of Swearing

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/08/28

Swearing: bad habit, emotional release, or performance booster? This week, Grace and Professor Binna Kandola OBE unpack the surprising psychology of swearing. From tolerating pain to pushing through a physical challenge, research suggests that a well-timed swear word can do more than let off steam: it may reduce self-doubt, increase confidence, and help us get out of our own way. But it is not a free pass to swear whenever we like. Context, audience, and intention all matter, and the same words that

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9:02

Why We’re So Quick to Judge

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/08/21

Why are we so quick to assume that someone’s actions reflect who they are, rather than what might be happening around them?In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist James Meachin to explore the fundamental attribution error – our tendency to explain other people’s actions through their personality, intentions, or character, while overlooking situational pressures and context.From missed deadlines and unanswered messages to first impressions and public stereotypes, James unpacks why

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11:39

Why We Make Bad Decisions

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/08/14

Most poor decisions are not made by reckless people. They are made by capable people at the wrong moment – when they are tired, stressed or have consumed alcohol. In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Louise Weston to look beyond the headlines about drinking in Parliament to ask a bigger question: what gets in the way of good judgement? Together, they explore how fatigue, stress and cognitive overload can make us more reliant on assumptions and mental shortcuts, and what

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9:55

The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/08/07

Conspiracy theories are everywhere. They come up in everyday conversation, online, and increasingly in mainstream debate. We have seen claims that COVID vaccines were being used to implant tracking devices, that climate change is a hoax created by hidden interests, or that major events like 9/11 were secretly planned from the inside. But what makes them so compelling? In this episode, Grace is joined by Professor Binna Kandola OBE to explore why these ideas are so appealing right now. Not by asking

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10:04

Why Do We Dream?

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/07/31

Why do we dream — and do our dreams really mean anything?From flying through the air to your teeth falling out, dreams can feel intensely real, even when they make no logical sense.In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Dr Jo Kandola to explore the psychology behind our dreams. They examine what happens in the brain during sleep and why dreams can be so strange.Drawing on Freud’s influential ideas alongside contemporary dream research, they explore the role of REM sleep, where

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11:08

New Leader, Same Problems?

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/07/24

When performance slips, replacing the person at the top can feel like the obvious answer. From Prime Ministers and CEOs to football managers, leadership turnover is often seen as the fastest route to change.But does changing a leader actually improve performance, or does it simply create the feeling that something is being done?In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Stuart Duff to unpack why we are so quick to replace leaders. Together, they explore the psychological forces

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5:15

Why Making Mistakes Can Make You More Likeable

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/07/17

Do mistakes make us look bad, or more human?In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist James Meachin to explore why a small blunder can sometimes increase likeability rather than damage it. Drawing on classic research into the pratfall effect, they discuss how mistakes can make highly capable people seem more relatable, approachable, and real.A sharp, practical conversation on why mistakes are not always a problem, and why your response can matter just as much as the blunder

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10:38

What Makes a Good Astronaut? Psychology in Space

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/07/10

What does it really take to be a good astronaut?In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Louise Weston to explore the psychology of space work, from the personality traits linked to astronaut success to the team dynamics that shape performance in isolated, high-pressure environments.Drawing on research from space missions and Mars simulation studies, they discuss how communication, conflict, stress and motivation influence team effectiveness, and why diverse crews perform better

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11:22

Penalty Pressure: The Psychology of Scoring

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/07/03

One player. One ball. One kick. Millions watching. With the World Cup in the knockout stages, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Stuart Duff to explore the psychology of penalty taking — one of the most intense moments in sport. Because standing on the penalty spot is about far more than football. It’s about what happens when the pressure is overwhelming, the stakes are high, and there is nowhere to hide. Drawing on the research of Professor Geir Jordet and his book Pressure, they unpack why

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8:45

Why Does Everything Feel Harder In A Heatwave?

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/06/26

If you’re reading this in the middle of a heatwave, you’ve probably already noticed your brain isn’t firing on all cylinders. The good news is, it’s not just you.In this episode, Grace is joined by Professor Binna Kandola OBE to explore the growing body of research showing that as temperatures rise, our ability to do demanding mental work can start to decline.Together, they unpack why complex cognitive tasks are especially vulnerable, what this means for organisations and education, and how heat is

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9:06

Have We Met Before? Remembering Names and Faces

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/06/19

We’ve all had that awkward moment where we recognise someone instantly, but their name has completely vanished.Why does that happen? And are we really worse with names than faces, or does it just feel that way?In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Dr Jo Kandola explore one of the most relatable mysteries of human memory. From everyday social slip-ups to the psychology of recognition and recall, they unpack why names can be so difficult to remember and what that reveals about how

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9:31

Football Fever: The Psychology of the World Cup

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/06/12

The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest in history — but beyond the viewing figures and commercial spectacle, what does it do to us psychologically? In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Professor Binna Kandola OBE to explore the psychology behind the world's biggest sporting, and emotional, event. Drawing on research from the 2018 FIFA World Cup, they examine how expectation gaps shape supporter wellbeing, why moderate hope tends to produce healthier emotional outcomes than

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6:30

Is Getting 'Triggered' Destroying Your Resilience?

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/06/05

Over the past decade, words like 'triggered' have become part of everyday speech, and the psychology behind that shift is more significant than it might seem.In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist James Meachin to explore why the language we use to describe our emotions can profoundly shape how we experience them and, in turn, undermine our resilience.Drawing on insights from ancient Greek philosophy through to modern psychology, they examine how our internal dialogue often has

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10:06

Beyond the Divide: Can We Reverse Polarisation?

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/05/29

We're more divided than ever – and mostly avoiding the conversations that could change that.Research shows that a single civil conversation reduces polarisation more than people expect. Not a debate. Not a lecture. Just a chat.In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Louise Weston to explore the psychology behind polarisation. Together, they unpack the "online disinhibition effect", the algorithms that reward outrage over nuance, and the new research that proves talking across

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10:30

Can You Really Spot a Liar? The Psychology of Deception

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/05/22

Do you really know when you're being lied to? Most of us believe we do, but research suggests we're far worse at detecting deception than we'd like to think. This week, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Stuart Duff to explore the fascinating psychology of lying. Together they examine what we mean by lying, the line between a white lie and calculated manipulation, and what personality can reveal about how, and why, people deceive. Drawing on the latest behavioural science, they also challenge

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8:27

Why You’re Always Bored: Digital Overstimulation...

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/05/15

We've never had more ways to entertain ourselves. So why are so many of us more bored than ever? This week, Grace sits down with Chartered Psychologist Dr Jo Kandola to explore the paradox of modern boredom: how the very devices designed to keep us entertained are rewiring our brains to crave constant stimulation and are ultimately making the problem worse. From the way social media is fuelling a boredom epidemic, to the point at which scrolling stops being a distraction and starts becoming an

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9:24

Is Eurovision rigged?

What"s going on up there? ·

2026/05/08

Behind the glitz and glamour of Eurovision lies one question – how fair is the voting?This week, Grace is joined by Professor Binna Kandola OBE ahead of this year's event to explore the science behind the scores. Together, they unpack what the data reveals about recurring voting patterns, how ‘framing effects’ shape the way we judge performances, and what Eurovision ultimately tells us about the way people think, feel, and connect across countries.Whether you're a lifelong Eurovision fan or a

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30 results

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