The music that saves us

The music that saves us

Author: ABC Australia November 29, 2025 Duration: 29:36
When bad things happen, do you berate yourself or treat yourself with compassion? Do you journal, meditate, or listen to music? Growing up, Sabrina McKenzie always turned to music to help her through her worst moments. As she got older and began studying psychology, she realised what she felt when she listened to sad or angry songs ... was self-compassion. In the field of positive psychology there’s plenty of research on how journalling and meditation can cultivate self-compassion (and plenty of research suggesting self-compassionate people are more mentally and physically healthy). But Sabrina was shocked to learn there was no research on whether music could cultivate self-compassion. She decided to change that. Today: the songs that saved Sabrina, and the novel research looking for a link between music and self-compassion.  This episode touches on the topic of sexual abuse, please take care while listening. Guest: Sabrina McKenzie Associate Lecturer in music PhD candidate in music psychology University of Melbourne, Melbourne Conservatorium of Music Credits: Presenter/producer: Sana Qadar Senior producer: James Bullen Producer: Rose Kerr Sound engineer: Roi Huberman You can catch up on more episodes of the All in the Mind podcast with journalist and presenter Sana Qadar, exploring the psychology of topics like stress, memory, communication and relationships on the ABC Listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. Music to listen to: Why Trust You - Alice Cooper Now I Can Dance - Tina Arena This Is Me (Official Audio) — The Greatest Showman Cast "Saying Goodbye" — Ondara More information: Self-compassion as a predictor of interleukin-6 response to acute psychosocial stress A Systematic Review on Mediation Studies of Self-Compassion and Physical Health Outcomes in Non-Clinical Adult Populations Exploring the role of music listening in cultivating self-compassion Support: Lifeline 13 11 14

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
'My brain snapped': Harry's sudden psychosis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:07
Harry had been lucky. He'd never struggled with his mental health. Then, when he was 18, seemingly out of nowhere — he had his first psychotic episode. It was an abrupt change, with ripple effects across his family. Toda…
Age of rage: the psychology behind our moral outrage [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
Politics, war, abortion, gun control — why do some topics make us so outraged? One theory is that our preoccupation with preventing harm is to blame. So today, we examine how humans developed morality, why we differ in w…
The promise and perils of manifesting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
If you could manifest anything into your life, what would it be? A perfect partner, your dream house, winning the lottery? Manifesting promises a limitless potential of dreams to achieve — through methods like vision boa…
"Scarier than killer robots": why your brain isn't ready for AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
The AI revolution is coming. Your mind isn't ready for it. Cognitive neuroscientist Joel Pearson walks us through the many ways artificial intelligence is messing — and will mess — with our psychology. From falling in lo…
What influences your inner voice? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:05
That voice inside your head - where does it come from? We bring back a topic that was one of our most popular for a long awaited part two. Today, what shapes your internal chatter. This episode was first released in Marc…
Inside a sociopath's mind: "I'm capable of almost anything" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:06
Patric Gagne is a sociopath, but she doesn’t fit the stereotype. From a violent kid, to a PhD and author - we track the unusual story of a sociopath who learned to be 'good'. Plus, there's been some controversy and quest…
The skills supercommunicators use (and how you can learn them) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:05
What do working for the CIA, navigating hot button topics and talking to teenagers all have in common? They're all situations that supercommunicators excel at. Today, we explore how you can become a supercommunicator too…
The design tricks brands use to get you to buy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:36
What influences your shopping behaviour? Well, it's likely a mix of what you need, what's presented to you in store and probably some neuromarketing (which we've covered on our program before). But what about the role of…
When life is too loud: what are sound sensitivities? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:36
How do you feel as you move through a busy space — like an airport, a city street or a crowded shopping centre? For some of us, these spaces are energising — being among the rush of people and the noise of the crowds. Bu…
Should you do a 'dopamine detox'? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:39
Dopamine feels great, but is it always good for us? The answer is complicated, so today, we get into what dopamine actually does in the brain. How does it affect our motivation, movement and behaviour? And how does our e…