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PODCAST

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World

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

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

27:17

When "No" Stops Mattering: The Psychology of Stolen...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2026/01/12

The Erosion of Consent in the Digital AgeIn this episode of PsyberSpace®, Leslie Poston discusses the systematic erosion of consent both online and offline, and its devastating psychological consequences. Key topics include non-consensual AI-generated sexual imagery, the mass theft of creative work to train AI systems, the exploitation of vulnerable individuals for social media content, and the influence of manosphere ideology on young men. Poston explores the dehumanization and

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30:16

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, EMDR, and Beyond: Real...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2026/01/05

PsyberSpace® on Navigating Therapy: Finding the Right Modality and Therapist for Your Mental HealthIn this episode of PsyberSpace®, host Leslie Poston kicks off season three with an in-depth exploration of several of the many therapy modalities available to you. Leslie discusses that therapy isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, emphasizing the importance of finding the right match between therapeutic modalities, the therapist, and individual needs. The episode covers various therapeutic

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15:43

Going No Contact: Why Adult Children Are Choosing...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/12/23

Navigating Family Estrangement During the HolidaysIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the trending issue of family estrangement, especially relevant during the holiday season. With so many adults experiencing estrangement, Poston dives into the research findings from the Cornell Reconciliation Project and other studies. The episode discusses the perspectives and reasons behind estrangement both from adult children and the parents' viewpoints, highlighting cultural

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14:58

When Trust in Research Breaks: How Engineered Doubt...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/12/16

The Impact of Engineered Doubt on Trust and KnowledgeIn this episode of PsyberSpace™, hosted by Leslie Poston, the focus is on the concept of trust in a rapidly changing world. Leslie digs into how societal trust is being undermined by 'engineered doubt', the deliberate creation of uncertainty by powerful forces that aim to destabilize public confidence in research, expertise, and evidence. The episode discusses the emotional and psychological impacts of this phenomenon on both the general

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21:37

Stop Thinking: How Clever Phrases Hijack Your Brain

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/12/09

Recognizing and Countering Thought Limiting PhrasesIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston discusses 'thought limiting phrases'—statements that superficially seem wise but actually discourage critical thinking. These phrases often shut down debate, simplify complex issues, and create false equivalencies, benefiting those who want to avoid scrutiny. Leslie explores examples in technology, privacy, workplace dynamics, politics, and more, highlighting their psychological appeal and

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18:12

Limerence: When Obsession Masquerades as Love

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/12/02

Understanding Limerence: The Psychological and Neurological PerspectivesIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the phenomenon of limerence, a state of intense, often obsessive longing that is frequently mistaken for love. Leslie explores how limerence manifests and differs from love and lust, particularly in neurodivergent individuals and those with trauma. The discussion covers the impact of modern technology and social media in intensifying these feelings. Practical

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20:21

How to Spot Weaponized Therapy Speak

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/11/24

Therapy Speak: Understanding Its Positive Impact and Identifying Its MisuseIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the mainstream adoption of 'therapy speak,' explaining its beneficial role in self-understanding and mental health awareness. The script discusses the expansion of psychological terminology into everyday conversations and its revolutionary impact on self-diagnosis, especially among marginalized communities. However, it also addresses the potential misuse of

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16:15

From Entropy to Action: Hope, Tactics, and Knowing...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/11/21

Finding Reasonable Hope in the Entropy AgeIn this final episode of the 'Entropy Age' series on PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores strategies for maintaining hope and taking action amidst systemic chaos and decay. She discusses the psychological underpinnings of hope, the impact of systemic entropy on the nervous system, and the concept of tactical whimsy. Poston emphasizes the importance of building small, supportive rituals and finding your role in collective action. The episode

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15:27

Living in Entropy: Power in the Entropy Age, or Who...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/11/21

Psychological Patterns of Power in the Entropy AgeWelcome back to PsyberSpace with Leslie Poston. In this fourth episode of a five-part series on living through the entropy age, we dig into the psychology of power in chaotic times. We explore how social dominance orientation, hoarding mindsets, and authoritarian tendencies allow some leaders to thrive amidst instability. We also discuss mechanisms of moral disengagement that turn harmful actions into perceived necessities, and the

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14:57

Living in Entropy: Epistemic Entropy, When Truth...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/11/20

Understanding Epistemic Entropy: Navigating Information Chaos in the Digital AgeIn the third part of the PsyberSpace series on entropy, host Leslie Poston delves into 'epistemic entropy,' exploring how your sense of reality is impacted by chaotic information systems and media. The episode discusses the brain's role as a prediction machine, the strain caused by conflicting information, and the concept of epistemic injustice. Leslie also examines how digital platforms shape our thought

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17:19

Living in Entropy: System Decay and Psyches Under...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/11/18

Navigating System Decay: Understanding Institutional Betrayal and Capitalist RealismIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the concept of the 'Entropy Age' and its impact on mental health. The discussion covers how the decay of institutions like governments, healthcare, education, and information systems affects people's mental models and trust. Key topics include collective trauma, institutional betrayal, and capitalist realism. The episode explains how layered

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15:33

Living in Entropy – When the Future Stops Feeling...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/11/17

Emotional Entropy: Coping with Psychological Strain in the Entropy AgeHost Leslie Poston of PsyberSpace introduces a five-episode series on the 'entropy age,' focusing on the psychological impact of living in an unstable world marked by late-stage capitalism, technological upheaval, and rising authoritarianism. This episode explores the concept of 'emotional entropy,' comparing it to physical entropy to describe the fraying of our inner lives. Key topics include existential anxiety,

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44:42

We're All Living in Different Realities (Literally)

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/11/03

The Brain's Reality: How Our Perception Shapes Our WorldIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores how our brains create different realities through predictive processing. The discussion includes concepts like the McGurk effect, the role of attention, and the impact of body states on perception. Poston explains how memory is a reconstruction influenced by current priors and how culture and language shape our prediction engines. The episode also addresses the implications

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25:19

The Bystander Effect Revisited: Courage Against...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/10/27

Unmasking the Bystander Effect: Courage in the Face of ThreatsIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston revisits the classic psychology concept of the bystander effect, challenging the common narrative of human apathy in groups. Starting with the infamous case of Kitty Genovese, Leslie digs into how exaggerations shaped public perception and spurred psychological research. The episode highlights recent studies showing that people often do intervene in emergencies, especially under

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24:30

The Psychology of Better Work: Why Remote Work, Rest,...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/10/20

Revolutionizing Work: Psychology's Role in Shaping the FutureIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the psychology and future of work. The discussion highlights the benefits of remote and flexible work, shorter work weeks, universal basic income, and the importance of rest in creating healthy and productive work environments. Leslie explains how outdated work models are being challenged by new data and psychological insights, emphasizing that autonomy, flexibility, and

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26:20

Why Your Surgeon Wears Special Socks: The Psychology...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/10/12

The Power of Talismans: Mind Over MatterIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the fascinating world of talismans, lucky charms, and rituals. While these objects may seem irrational at first glance, psychological and anthropological insights reveal they significantly alter how our brains handle risk, uncertainty, and stress. From ancient warriors to modern surgeons and athletes, humans have always used symbolic objects to manage anxiety and enhance performance. This

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21:13

The Psychology of Everyday Aesthetics: Why Your...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/10/06

The Psychology of Everyday Aesthetics: How Our Surroundings Shape Our Well-beingIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the psychological impact of everyday aesthetics on our emotions, focus, and overall well-being. From cozy cafes to well-lit offices, Leslie delves into the science behind how environmental cues like color, light, form, and texture affect our mental state and cognitive performance. The episode also discusses the importance of creating supportive

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28:49

The AI Transparency Trap: Why Honesty About AI Use...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/10/03

The Transparency Trap: How AI Disclosure Erodes TrustIn this special episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores a new study revealing that people who disclose AI use in professional settings are trusted significantly less than those who keep it a secret. This phenomenon is linked to identity protective cognition and professional identity threats. The discussion delves into how legitimacy and social norms shape trust dynamics, the role of cognitive dissonance, and systemic issues

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24:17

Frictionless and Forgettable: How Tech Undermines...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/09/29

The Cost of Convenience: How Technology is Redefining Connection and CreativityIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the impact of technological convenience on our emotional and cognitive lives. Inspired by a conversation with Jason Miller, Leslie explores how platforms like Facebook and generative AI tools are stripping away meaningful friction from our interactions, creativity, and mental tasks, leading to reduced emotional investment and cognitive development. The

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25:17

Stuck in the In-Between: The Psychology of Liminal...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/09/22

Exploring the Psychological Depths of Liminal SpacesIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the concept of liminal spaces — those transitional zones, both physical and psychological, where we feel suspended between the past and the future. The discussion explores various examples such as airports, traffic jams, dead malls, subways, hospitals, and even digital environments. These spaces challenge our sense of time, memory, and self, creating both potential for

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