The Applied Mind

Eddie Jones

Raw conversations with leading researchers, scientists, psychologists and athletes. From mental health and neuroscience to extreme sports, creativity, and culture, each episode unpacks evidence-based insights with researchers, clinicians, and fascinating everyday people. Expect curious questions, honest conversations, and practical takeaways you can actually use—whether you’re chasing personal growth, better communication, or just want to understand why we do what we do. This is for you.

Afleveringen

  1. 16 uur geleden

    #11 - Professor Nikola Bowden - Why Cancer Is So Hard to Treat: Melanoma, Ovarian Cancer and the Future of Drug Repurposing

    The future of cancer treatment may already exist. In this episode of The Applied Mind I sit down with Professor Nikola Bowden, a cancer researcher at the University of Newcastle whose work focuses on personalised cancer treatment, DNA repair, melanoma, ovarian cancer and drug re-purposing. Her research explores how existing drugs can be used in new ways to treat cancers that are resistant to standard therapies.  We unpack what cancer actually is, why it is so difficult to treat, and how DNA damage, UV exposure, immune response, and treatment resistance all play a role. Nikola explains how melanoma develops, why ovarian cancer is often detected late and why repurposing older drugs may offer a faster and more patient-centred path forward than waiting decades for entirely new treatments. We also explore the realities of cancer research funding, the role of pharmaceutical companies, philanthropy and government, the unexpected history of drug repurposing and what it takes to move a discovery from the lab into a clinical trial. This conversation is a clear and accessible look at the science of cancer, but also the human side of research: patients, urgency, hope and the drive to find better options when current treatments are not enough. Topics covered include: cancer basics, melanoma, ovarian cancer, UV damage, DNA repair, immunotherapy, drug repurposing, clinical trials, patient-centred research, funding, personalised medicine and the future of cancer treatment. Link to Professor Bowden's University Profile: https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/nikola-bowden

    1 u 12 m
  2. Solo Sessions #01: The Psychology of People-Pleasing (And How to Break the Cycle)

    6 feb

    Solo Sessions #01: The Psychology of People-Pleasing (And How to Break the Cycle)

    People-pleasing isn’t just about being “too nice.” For many of us, it’s a learned survival strategy. In the very first episode of Applied Mind: Solo Sessions, Eddie unpacks the psychology behind people-pleasing — why it forms, why it feels so hard to stop, and how it’s often rooted in attachment patterns, fear of abandonment, and nervous system responses rather than personality flaws. This episode explores how people-pleasing shows up in everyday life — at work, in friendships, in relationships — and why it can quietly erode self-esteem, create imbalance, and leave you feeling exhausted, resentful, or invisible. Through relatable scenarios and grounded psychological explanations, Eddie breaks down concepts like anxious attachment, the fawn response, emotional suppression, and why logic alone doesn’t calm attachment anxiety. Most importantly, this episode isn’t about “fixing” yourself. It’s about understanding why your system learned these patterns and how real change comes from creating safety, self-awareness, boundaries, and authenticity — not self-criticism. In this episode, we cover: What people-pleasing really is (and what it isn’t) How fear of abandonment and attachment shape our behaviour Why people-pleasing can feel automatic and hard to stop The fawn response and emotional suppression How over-giving impacts relationships Practical strategies for setting boundaries without guilt The difference between being kind and abandoning yourself This episode is grounded in psychological research and lived experience. It’s not therapy or professional advice — but it is an honest, compassionate deep-dive into a pattern many of us struggle with, especially in our twenties. If you’ve ever said yes when you meant no, felt anxious about disappointing others, or struggled to feel safe being fully yourself — this one’s for you.

    28 min.
  3. #07 - Ashleigh Chapman - Understanding Domestic Violence & Coercive Control.

    14-11-2025

    #07 - Ashleigh Chapman - Understanding Domestic Violence & Coercive Control.

    Domestic and family violence isn’t always loud, obvious, or physical. Much of the harm happens in the quiet — through patterns of control, isolation, monitoring, and fear that slowly shape a person’s entire world. In this episode, I sit down with Ashleigh Chapman, a Specialist Domestic and Family Violence Counsellor with nearly a decade on the frontline, to unpack what coercive control really looks like and why it’s so often misunderstood. Ashleigh breaks down how control develops long before any visible abuse occurs, the psychological tactics that keep people stuck, why leaving can be the most dangerous time, and the common misconceptions that prevent friends, families, and communities from recognising what’s happening. This conversation is honest, confronting, and deeply human. Whether you’re learning for the first time or want a clearer understanding of DFV, Ashleigh offers insight that cuts through the noise and gives shape to an issue many people struggle to see. If at any point this episode feels heavy or brings something up for you, please reach out for support — we’ve included relevant services in the show notes. Support Links: 1800RESPECT is the major referral resource- families may contact the hotline and they will link in with local support services. Relationships Australia is where Ashleigh also refers couples for DFV related counselling.  https://www.anrows.org.au/ Hotline Power & Control Wheel: At The Hotline, our frame of reference for describing abuse is the Power and Control Wheel created by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project in Duluth, MN.https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/power-and-control/ What is coercive control: https://www.relationshipsvictoria.org.au/news/what-is-coercive-control/ White Ribbon Helplines: https://whiteribbon.org.au/helplines/ Support Service: Confidential information, counselling and support service. 1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence. https://1800respect.org.au/ Australian Government Serviceshttps://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/family-and-domestic-violence

    1 u 22 m
  4. #04 - Professor Alan Brichta - The Hidden Sense: Vestibular Science and Why It Matters More Than You Think

    11-09-2025

    #04 - Professor Alan Brichta - The Hidden Sense: Vestibular Science and Why It Matters More Than You Think

    Tucked away deep in the hardest part of the skull hides the vestibular system, the mysterious unsung hero of the senses. Professor Alan Brichta is its number one fan. Most of us never think about balance until we lose it. But behind every step you take, every glance you stabilise, and every movement you make, there’s a silent system at work: the vestibular system. In this episode I sit down with Professor Alan Brichta, a leading neurobiologist from the University of Newcastle, to explore the science of balance—and why it matters more than we realise. Alan’s groundbreaking research has redefined what we know about the brain’s “hidden sense.” From pioneering semi-intact inner ear models to uncovering how the brain talks back to the ear through efferent pathways, his work sheds light on a system that connects motion, emotion, and cognition. We dive into: The biology of balance—why the vestibular system is the unsung hero of everyday movement. How efferent feedback reveals a two-way dialogue between brain and ear. What happens when the balance system malfunctions—vertigo, dizziness, and their psychological toll. The surprising links between vestibular dysfunction, anxiety, and sense of self. How balance training could support healthy ageing, concussion recovery, and even elite performance. Whether you’re a neuroscientist, a psychologist, an athlete, or simply someone who’s ever felt dizzy, this conversation will change the way you think about balance and the brain.

    1 uur

Info

Raw conversations with leading researchers, scientists, psychologists and athletes. From mental health and neuroscience to extreme sports, creativity, and culture, each episode unpacks evidence-based insights with researchers, clinicians, and fascinating everyday people. Expect curious questions, honest conversations, and practical takeaways you can actually use—whether you’re chasing personal growth, better communication, or just want to understand why we do what we do. This is for you.