Divination isn’t scientific, but can it ever be therapeutic?

Divination isn’t scientific, but can it ever be therapeutic?

Author: ABC Australia July 26, 2025 Duration: 34:04
Love it or hate it, there are reasons you might read your star sign and relate to what it says about you as a person. We all fall into cognitive traps — but if we’re aware of them, is it such a bad thing to indulge in your daily horoscope, or a tarot card reading? Today, we delve into the occult, to understand why some people seek messages from the universe, and if it can play a role in therapeutic care. If you want to hear more about otherworldly beliefs, check out our episode Spooky science: What's behind a paranormal experience? And Soul Search also has an episode called Astrology and tarot — telling the future, or connecting with the present? Guests: Professor Susan Krauss Whitbourne Professor Emerita of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst Ryan Findlay Psychotherapist and tarot reader Credits: Presenter: Sana Qadar Reporter/producer: Shelby Traynor Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Simon Branthwaite Extra information: When It Comes to Personality Tests, a Dose of Skepticism Is a Good Thing Why You Might Not Want to Trust a Personality Test – Psychology Today The validity of astrological predictions on marriage and divorce: a longitudinal analysis of Swedish register data Even the stars think that I am superior: Personality, intelligence and belief in astrology The Power of Rituals – Psychology Today

Ever wondered what's really happening inside your head? Each week, All In The Mind from ABC Australia ventures into the complex landscape of human thought and feeling. This isn't just a dry science lecture; it's a thoughtful exploration of the experiences that shape us, hosted by curious minds who know how to tell a compelling story. You'll hear conversations that bridge the gap between scientific research and the messy reality of daily life, delving into topics as diverse as the mechanisms of memory, the challenges of breaking an addiction, or the ethical puzzles posed by artificial intelligence. The discussions are grounded and accessible, making the inner workings of the brain relevant to anyone interested in health, behaviour, or simply understanding themselves a little better. By tuning into this podcast, you join a community considering how our mental universe influences everything from our personal fitness to our social connections. It’s a weekly opportunity to pause and reflect on the fascinating forces-both biological and psychological-that drive what we do and who we are. The production brings together expert insights with genuine human stories, creating a space where complex ideas about the mind and behaviour are unpacked with clarity and depth.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

All In The Mind
Podcast Episodes
Loneliness — you're not alone, from Ladies, We Need To Talk [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:04
Loneliness hurts. And we know it's bad for us, worse than smoking or obesity. Even though a third of us are lonely, we're embarrassed to say so. So, what would happen if we talked about our loneliness openly? And how can…
The confusion about concussions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:03
Concussions are hard to diagnose, often get missed, and don't always get taken seriously. And if you're not a professional athlete, it can be surprisingly hard to get clear information on how to manage and recover afterw…
Managing your emotions so they don't manage you [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:16
Avoiding your emotions is generally a recipe for disaster — but Ethan Kross makes a case for occasional 'strategic' avoidance. He’s a professor of psychology from the University of Michigan, and he’s appeared in some of…
Do people really behave differently in a crowd? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:25
Panicky. Irrational. Impulsive. These are the traits that have long been associated with crowd behaviour. But modern crowd science suggests that’s an incomplete, if not inaccurate picture. From crowd crushes to terrorist…
Why do we love collecting? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
Whether it's stamps, figurines, antiques or toys, plenty of people love collecting. But why? What are the psychological drivers behind the hobby? How much is marketing influencing us, and is there a risk of collecting tu…
Ads, sports and games: how gambling infiltrated Australian culture [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:45
If you're watching sport or browsing social media, odds are you will come across gambling ads. If you work in an office, you might've joined Melbourne Cup or footy tipping comps. In Australia, it can feel like gambling i…
A different kind of grief — what true crime pods often overlook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:56
For years, psychologist Patricia Harney avoided true crime podcasts and documentaries. They hit too close to home. Recently she's been testing the waters, and noticing these whodunnit shows often leave out a crucial elem…
Love us? Hate us? Take our short audience survey and tell us! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
All in the Mind is doing its first-ever listener survey — can you tell us a bit about who you are and why you listen? We'd love to understand you better! We’ve kept the survey snappy — it's only seven questions. We’re es…
The silicon shrink – the worrying side of AI in mental health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
Chat bots as therapists. Apps that can track your mood and behaviour, offering earlier detection of psychiatric illness. There's a lot happening at the nexus of mental health and AI – some of it promising, some of it per…