Making big decisions

Making big decisions

Author: ABC Australia November 20, 2021 Duration: 29:07

Career, family, relationships - how do we think about big decisions and in turn how do they shape our lives? And what makes a 'good decision?'

On All in the Mind this week, we hear from three people who have faced big life decisions and an expert who researches life's choices and how we can make better ones.


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: 251

All In The Mind
Podcast Episodes
'Refrigerator mothers' and the history of autism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
On All in the Mind this week, the early history of autism.With historian of science Professor Marga Vicedo we learn about the blame that was cast on mothers, the fight to get adequate help and support for families, and t…
Can you change your personality? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:03
Have you ever wanted to change your personality?Many people do - studies find we're keen to become more extroverted, more agreeable and more conscientious.But what does the evidence say about whether people do change? An…
Natural disasters: how floods and fires shape the psyche [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
Two disasters, two years apart - the ongoing mental health impact on survivors and what the research can tell us about the different ways people respond to these life-changing events.
'I'm going to cook my baby' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:21
Dolls can tell us a lot about how kids see the world – especially when it comes to race.One American researcher spent months watching pre-schoolers play with dolls and what she observed shocked her.Plus, did you know the…
The vicious cycle of alcohol and anxiety [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
Anxiety and alcohol misuse are a common pairing. How do the two egg each other on and what can be done to halt the cycle?Plus, the personality traits that shape our likelihood of harmful alcohol use.
Grief and the pandemic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:43
Grief is deeply painful but it's something the majority of us …eventually … find ways to live with.But research is starting to emerge on how the pandemic may have changed the way we grieve - making the experience more in…
Co-morbidity: why one mental illness can lead to more [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
About one in five Australians experience a mental illness in any given year. But what about when mental health issues occur ... together?On All in the Mind this week, we look at a massive Scandinavian epidemiological stu…
What happens when our minds wander? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
What are the constructive things our minds do when they wander?And when does mindwandering cross over … into not-so-constructive territory?
Why heartbreak hurts so bad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:44
If you’re lucky enough to have fallen in love at some point in your life, you’ve probably also had your heart broken.The experience can be excruciating, protracted, disorienting … but can it cause you lasting psychologic…