The Psychology of your 20s

iHeartPodcasts
  • 4.8 (1.4K)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.    My book is out NOW: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean  For business enquires please email psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  

  1. 2D AGO

    399. The psychology of exercise

    We all know exercise is ‘good for us’, but why is it that a walk can calm your brain, why a workout can feel like emotional release, or why movement can become either self-care or self-punishment. In this episode, we unpack the psychology of exercise – what’s happening to our brains over time, where the ‘exercise as antidepressants’ claim came from, and what happens when it crosses into obsession. We explore:•        The role of endorphins and endocannabinoids•        How movement can regulate our emotions•        Identity and motivation in exercise•        How exercise changes our brains•        The role of exercise in treating depression•        How to build a healthier relationship with exercise Watch on Netflix Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  Our favourite sources:  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10813489/ https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/2/101.abstract https://insight.jci.org/articles/view/126190 The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min

  2. 4D AGO

    398. 5 ways to get unstuck in your 20s

    Feeling stuck in your 20s is a rite of passage, but it's can also feel deeply hopeless when nothing in your life seems to be moving or changing in the way you want it to. In today's episode, we break down some of the reasons we feel stuck and the five things you can do in the next 6 months to change that, including:  The 10 minute mind map tool to get you out of a funk  Why you need to stop asking other people for advice The 6 month challenge project  Plus so much more Happy listening!  The episode I mentioned: How to feel like yourself again The book I mentioned: The Anatomy of a Breakthrough Watch on Netflix   Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    23 min

  3. 6D AGO

    397. The psychology of office politics

    When we think about office politics, you might think gossip, favouritism, or power plays - the kind of behind-the-scenes drama that makes work feel draining. But office politics isn’t just about one-upmanship or ambition. At its core, it’s a very human process: how people build trust, navigate competition, and influence decisions in the workplace. In this episode, we break down the ‘unwritten’ dynamics of office politics - why they exist, how they affect your daily work life, and what you can do to navigate them without compromising your values. We explore:•        The types of influence and power at work that you can leverage for yourself•        Why office politics feels inevitable•        How to recognise unspoken rules and social dynamics•        Advice on office gossip•        The 5 things you should be doing at work to get ahead (ethically) If you want to go into the office with less dread and more clarity, this episode is for you. Watch on Netflix Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min

  4. MAR 16

    396. Homesickness

    Homesickness is more than just “missing home", it's a deep sense of nostalgia, grief, longing and also, as psychology will tell us, a unique kind of stress response. In this episode, we break down the psychology of homesickness: why our brains react so strongly when we leave familiar places, how place attachment shapes our sense of identity, and why nostalgia can make the past feel more perfect than it really was. We explore: What happens to your body and mind when you're away from home The psychology of place attachment and why certain locations feel like part of us Why homesickness often is delayed When homesickness is something to listen to ... and when it’s not 7 practical strategies to help you feel more at home in a new place Whether you’ve just moved across the world, across the country, or you’re feeling unexpectedly nostalgic for a life chapter that’s ended, this episode is for you. Watch on Netflix   Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min

  5. MAR 15

    395. Is depression just a chemical imbalance?

    The idea that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” is one of the most widely accepted explanations in modern mental health ... but is it actually true? In this bonus episode, we unpack where the chemical imbalance theory came from, how it became the dominant narrative around depression, and why many researchers today believe the story is far more complicated. Including:  The academic and applied history of this theory  What research says about antidepressants vs placebo Why the “low serotonin” explanation may be too simple The psychological and social drivers of depression Why meaning, connection, and environment matter for mental health Why depression treatment often works best when it’s multi-layered Happy listening! Watch on Netflix Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min

  6. MAR 12

    394. What is the pursuer-distancer relationship dynamic?

    When one person tries to get closer to someone else, and the other person pulls away in response, they might be experiencing a pursuer-distancer dynamic. This can create a very painful cycle, where communication breaks down, each side blames the other, and ultimately, nobody has their needs met. In this episode, we explore the stages of a pursuer-distancer cycle, unpack why we’re drawn to relationships like this, and learn how to break the cycle so we can enjoy more happy, fulfilled relationships. We explore:  What the pursuer-distancer dynamic looks like The psychology of why romantic opposites ‘attract’ What’s going on in the mind or a pursuer and distancer Pursuer-distancer burnout - and when the pursuer final quits... How we can heal a pursuer-distancer cycle Can pursuer-distancer dynamics work in our 20s? A note that this episode contains content about abusive relationships. Listen now! ORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/copy-of-book  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbegFollow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcastFor business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min

  7. MAR 9

    393. The psychology of stoicism

    If you heard someone described as stoic, you would probably imagine they were unemotional and repressed, with a stiff upper lip. But stoicism has a PR problem. In fact, stoicism can teach us a lot about letting go of outcomes, being more tolerant of others, and how to live a more fulfilled life. In this episode, we unpack the core pillars of this ancient philosophy, recognise how it has influenced world leaders to chronic pain patients, and explore how we can apply it in our day-to-day lives.   We explore:• The ancient origins of stoicism • Why people are turning to stoicism today• The four cardinal virtues of stoicism - wisdom, justice, courage and temperance• Why stoic mindsets scientifically impact the treatment of pain, palliative care, and more• How stoicism can be one of the most empowering mindsets to adopt in our 20s Listen now or watch on Netflix! ORDER MY BOOK: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/copy-of-book  Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbegFollow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcastFor business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    37 min

  8. MAR 5

    392. Why is whimsy so powerful

    We often dismiss the small, playful things we do to keep life joyful: collecting trinkets, baking for no reason, blowing bubbles, looking for magic. They’re labelled childish, unnecessary, or unserious. But psychology and neuroscience tell a very different story. Today, we're breaking down the psychology of whimsy, including: What “whimsy” actually is and why it’s trending again How play helps regulate your nervous system The neuroscience of stress, imagination and brain plasticity The science of beauty and the brain (neuroaesthetics) Why small acts of joy can be psychologically protective 15 whimsy activity ideas  Listen now!  Watch on Netflix   Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com    The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    39 min
See All (400)

Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
1,402 Ratings

About

A podcast that explains how everything is psychology. Even your 20s. Hosted by Jemma Sbeg, each Tuesday and Friday we deep dive into the science and psychology behind a topic, concept or universal experience that defines our 20s - from dating, to mental health, career anxiety, friendship, finances and all the growing pains associated with this decade. Listen now.    My book is out NOW: https://www.psychologyofyour20s.com/general-clean  For business enquires please email psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com  

Information

  • Channel
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    400
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    The Psychology of your 20s
  • Provider
    iHeartMedia + Entertainment, Inc

More From iHeartPodcasts

You Might Also Like