The Rush

Nova Podcasts

The Rush looks at the different ways our brains get the biochemical rush we crave. Sugar. Fame. Fear. Stimulants. Sex. We all have some sort of behaviour that triggers our high. Part Louis Theroux, part Morgan Spurlock, The Rush takes you on a thrilling, experiential adventure into how, and why, we crave what we do.

Episodes

  1. 08/31/2021

    Algorithms: A Cloud Of Stimulation

    Over the past seven episodes, Josh has explored all the rushes that some crave and others despise. But what about the micro-rushes that almost all of us get every day? When we hear our phone ping with a social media notification, or lose countless hours in a video game, we are all getting sucked in to the intermittent rewards of the algorithm. Josh talks to a futurist, a data expert, a recovered video game addict, and a digital wellbeing expert to try and figure out why we've all become addicted and how we can break free. Dive deep into the rush... of algorithms. LINKS Josh Szeps @joshszeps Nova Podcasts Instagram @novapodcastsofficial Mark Pesce https://nextbillionseconds.com/ Cam Adair https://camerondare.com/  Chris Eade https://antisocial.io/  Dr Joanne Orlando https://www.joanneorlando.com.au/  CREDITS Host: Josh SzepsManaging Producer: Elle BeattieProducer: Amy KimballEditor: Adrian Walton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min

  2. 08/24/2021

    Fame: The Infinite Treadmill Of Status

    Have you ever wished you were famous? Millions of followers online, fans clamouring for selfies, private jets to the Bahamas... But why do we crave this intense level of attention? And how does it affect people when they receive it, especially when it's not intentional? Josh leaves no stone unturned as he speaks to reality star Charlotte Crosby, a philosopher, a fame psychologist, a man who helps people get famous, and a woman who became a meme... Dive deep into the rush... of fame. LINKS Josh Szeps @joshszeps Nova Podcasts Instagram @novapodcastsofficial Tim Dean http://www.ockhamsbeard.com.au/  Charlotte Crosby @charlottegshore Listen to Values And Vibrators with Charlotte Crosby https://bit.ly/values-and-vibrators  Silvia Bottini https://silviabottini.com/  Max Markson http://marksonsparks.com/  Dr Donna Rockwell http://www.donnarockwell.com/  CREDITS Host: Josh SzepsManaging Producer: Elle BeattieProducer: Amy KimballEditor: Adrian Walton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    24 min

  3. 08/17/2021

    Endurance: Finding The Flow State

    What do you think when you see someone on an early morning run, or drive past someone cycling down the highway to god knows where? Why do some people feel the need to push their bodies to the limit of physical exertion? Josh talks to marathon-running comedian Eddie Izzard, a self-confessed exercise addict, and takes on a six-week personal training course to try and figure it out. Dive deep into the rush... of endurance. LINKS Josh Szeps @joshszeps Nova Podcasts Instagram @novapodcastsofficial Dr. Tom Seabourne https://www.ntcc.edu/directory/seabourne-dr-tom  Eddie Izzard https://eddieizzard.com/en  Studio Athletica https://www.studioathletica.com.au/  CREDITS Host: Josh SzepsManaging Producer: Elle BeattieProducer: Amy KimballEditor: Adrian Walton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min

  4. 08/10/2021

    Drugs: Escaping Reality

    There are plenty of drugs both legal and illegal that people use every day. For some it's a casual thing, for others it's a debilitating practice that consumes their thoughts. Drugs appear to be a gateway to escaping reality, but is it really that simple? Josh talks with a recovered ice addict, the head of an addiction lab, and revisits his own past to find out more. Dive deep into the rush... of drugs. If this episode has affected you in any way, you can call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline for free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs on 1800 250 015, or chat online via The Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS) Web Chat https://yourroom.health.nsw.gov.au/getting-help/Pages/ADIS-Web-Chat.aspx  LINKS Josh Szeps @joshszeps Nova Podcasts Instagram @novapodcastsofficial Prof Andrew Lawrence https://florey.edu.au/science-research/scientist-directory/professor-andrew-lawrence  Australian Anti Ice Campaign https://australianantiicecampaign.org.au/  Naitonal Support Line 1800 NO TO ICE (1800 66 86 423) CREDITS Host: Josh SzepsManaging Producer: Elle BeattieProducer: Amy KimballEditor: Adrian Walton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    21 min

  5. 08/03/2021

    Sex: The Pursuit Of Pleasure

    At face value it seems obvious why sex gives us a rush. But what is it about certain activities, objects, and settings that take it to the next level? And what happens when the pursuit of these things goes too far? Josh gets himself tied up, talks to a few experts and a dominatrix, to understand why we seek out so many avenues of pleasure.  Dive deep into the rush... of sex. LINKS Josh Szeps @joshszeps Nova Podcasts Instagram @novapodcastsofficial Studio Kink https://www.studiokink.com/  Dr. Lauren Rosewarne https://laurenrosewarne.com/  Paula Hall https://www.paulahall.co.uk/  Eva Oh https://www.eva-oh.com/  CREDITS Host: Josh SzepsManaging Producer: Elle BeattieProducer: Amy KimballEditor: Adrian Walton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min

  6. 07/27/2021

    Adrenaline: Risk Is The Price Of Admission

    Adrenaline inducing experiences are one of the most divisive rushes around. Why do some people get such a thrill from diving head first off a cliff into the ocean, while others are content with the deep end of their local swimming pool? Josh talks to a BASE jumper, a sensation-seeking expert, and puts himself 39-stories up in the air to try and find out... Dive deep into the rush... of adrenaline. LINKS Josh Szeps @joshszeps Nova Podcasts Instagram @novapodcastsofficial Sean Chuma https://www.seanchuma.com/  Dr Ken Carter https://www.drkencarter.com/  Dreamworld https://www.dreamworld.com.au/  CREDITS Host: Josh SzepsManaging Producer: Elle BeattieProducer: Amy KimballEditor: Adrian Walton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 min

  7. 07/20/2021

    Sugar: The Good-Girl Heroin

    We've all heard of the 'sugar rush' but what is it about sweet treats that we just can't resist? And what happens if we keep saying yes to our cravings? Josh consults the experts, hears the highs and lows of a self-confessed sugar addict, and is treated to a decadent tasting at a French restaurant. Dive deep into the rush... of sugar. LINKS Josh Szeps @joshszeps Nova Podcasts Instagram @novapodcastsofficial Dr Amy Reicheldt https://amyreichelt.com/  Jen @fatgirlexperiencingthin Chez Pascal https://www.chezpascal.com.au/  CREDITS Host: Josh SzepsManaging Producer: Elle BeattieProducer: Amy KimballEditor: Adrian Walton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    23 min

  8. 07/13/2021

    Fear: Falling Through Levels Of Horror

    Why do some people love scary movies? Whether they claim to be true or not, what is it about ghost stories and tales of the supernatural that give us such a thrill? Josh talks to fear experts, and tries to tempt the spirits with a late night ghost tour. Dive deep into the rush... of fear. LINKS Josh Szeps @joshszeps Nova Podcasts Instagram @novapodcastsofficial Margee Kerr @margeekerrhttp://margeekerr.com/  Q Station https://www.qstation.com.au/  CREDITS Host: Josh SzepsManaging Producer: Elle BeattieProducer: Amy KimballEditor: Adrian Walton Find more great podcasts like this at novapodcasts.com.au See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 min

  9. TRAILER

    Coming Soon: The Rush

    The Rush... Coming Soon  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 min

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Rush looks at the different ways our brains get the biochemical rush we crave. Sugar. Fame. Fear. Stimulants. Sex. We all have some sort of behaviour that triggers our high. Part Louis Theroux, part Morgan Spurlock, The Rush takes you on a thrilling, experiential adventure into how, and why, we crave what we do.

Information

  • Channel
    Nova Podcasts
  • Creator
    Nova Podcasts
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Nova
  • Show Website
    The Rush

More From Nova Podcasts