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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

25:17

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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25:44

Microjoys and Mini-Moments—The Psychology of Tiny...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/09/16

The Power of Micro Joys: Building Psychological Resilience through Tiny PleasuresIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the concept of micro joys—small, spontaneous moments of delight that contribute significantly to our mental well-being. Contrary to the cultural emphasis on major achievements and peak experiences, micro joys provide a sustainable foundation for psychological resilience. Backed by research in positive psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral science,

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39:03

When Hate Speaks: The Psychology of Stochastic Terrorism

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/09/12

PsyberSpace: Understanding the Psychology of Stochastic TerrorismIn this special episode of PsyberSpace, hosted by Leslie Poston, the focus is on the psychology of stochastic terrorism, particularly in the wake of the shooting of political pundit Charlie Kirk. The episode explores how public figures use mass communication to incite violence indirectly through loaded language and dehumanizing rhetoric. It looks into the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, including moral disengagement and

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23:29

Sneaky Grief - The Losses That Linger, the Systems...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/09/07

Unseen Grief: Navigating Disenfranchised and Ambiguous LossIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the often overlooked and invalidated forms of grief that extend beyond traditional mourning. Discussing the concept of 'disenfranchised grief,' the episode delves into how economic systems and societal norms suppress acknowledgment of certain types of loss. From the unexpected death of a first love to ongoing ambiguous losses, Poston examines how these unacknowledged forms

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28:06

Hoarding Power: The Billionaire Brain and the...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/08/31

Billionaire Hoarding: A Psychological ExplorationIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the provocative idea that billionaire behavior may resemble a form of hoarding disorder, typically seen in people unable to part with physical objects. The discussion gets into the clinical understanding of hoarding, its evolutionary basis, and how similar psychological patterns might drive compulsive accumulation of wealth, power, and resources at a global scale. The episode

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23:39

Why Some People Want the World to Burn

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/08/25

The Psychology Behind Apocalyptic Thinking and Why It’s DangerousIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the growing phenomenon of apocalyptic thinking, exploring its psychological, sociological, and cultural roots. The episode examines why some people are drawn to the idea of societal collapse and how this mindset is manifesting in modern times through various ideologies and policies. Leslie discusses historical and contemporary examples, the role of trauma, and the

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25:44

The Comfort Trap: Why Ease Is the Enemy of Progress

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/08/18

The Comfort Trap: How Familiarity Hampers Growth and ProgressIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the concept of comfort and how it acts as a hidden barrier to personal and societal growth. Despite its allure, comfort can prevent individuals from taking risks, learning, and embracing change. The episode digs into the psychological and neurological reasons behind our preference for comfort, and its impact on behaviors, relationships, and social structures. Poston

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24:58

The Voice Inside Your Head: Who's Really Running the...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/08/11

The Secret Life of Your Inner Monologue: Navigating and Harnessing Your Inner VoiceIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the concept of the inner monologue, discussing its origins, functions, and variations across individuals and cultures. The episode digs into the impact of internal speech on decision making, emotional regulation, and self-identity. Leslie also addresses how disorders like ADHD and anxiety affect inner voices, offering practical strategies for

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32:34

She Leads: What Psychology Reveals About Women and Power

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/08/04

The Science Behind Women’s Superior Leadership: Breaking Biases and Embracing EffectivenessIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the compelling evidence showing that women tend to be better leaders than men. The discussion includes statistics indicating that countries led by women have fewer conflicts and better crisis management. It digs into decades of research from organizational psychology, showing women outscore men in key leadership competencies such as empathy,

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29:28

Media As Resistance: The Psychology of Necessary...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/07/27

Navigating Media Consumption for Psychological Well-Being and ResistanceIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the critical issue of media consumption in the age of information overload and crisis. With facts being scrubbed from official sources and reality under attack, Poston examines the role of independent journalism and social media as lifelines to truth. The episode digs into the psychology of how we consume media, the distinction between staying informed and

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11:16

Your Brain on Easy Mode: AI, Comfort, and the Cost of...

PsyberSpace: Understand Your World ·

2025/07/24

Unmasking the Dangers of 'Preventing Woke AI': A Critical AnalysisIn this midweek special of PsyberSpace, Leslie Poston addresses a significant news event: the Trump administration's signing of a federal AI action plan as well as an executive order called 'Preventing Woke AI.' Focusing on generative AI, LLM AI, and NLP AI, Poston discusses the implications of how AI, optimized for ease, can subtly reprogram societal norms and reinforce biases. The episode underscores the threat of

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27:14

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

PsyberSpace: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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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