Dr. Marianne Reddan, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, USA. Joins Sahir and Olivia to talk about social factors which influence pain. We try to improve our understanding of what pain is, how emotional pain is different from physical pain and how acute pain works differently from chronic pain. We cover factors such as peoples relationships, economic status, gender and race…
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#18. Neuropsychology in Context – Dr. Carolyn Wilshire
Dr. Carolyn Wilshire is a neuropsychologist who examines the cognitive processes and neural systems involved in high-level mental functions (such as motivation and planning). Her work aims to critically analyze difficult-to-diagnose health complaints and provide context to health psychology, psychopathology and neuropsychology. As these are all fancy words Dr. Wilshire joined Alex and Sahir to help us understand what neuropsychologists do, common media misconceptions and…
#17. Language and Culture in Child Development – Associate Prof. Mele Taumoepeau
Associate Professor Mele Taumoepeau of Victoria University of Wellington joins Olivia and Sahir to talk about the use of language in child development and differences in growing up between cultures. Assoc Prof. Taumoepeau speaks to why babies so much better at picking up languages and how different cultures influence child development as well as her research about the benefits and problems of being from bi-…
#16. Being Creative – Prof. Vlad Glaveanu
What do we mean when someone is creative? Professor. Vlad Glaveanu from Dublin City University video called in to talk about his work with creativity, imagination, culture, societal changes and possibility. We cover topics like the factors useful to creativity, types of creative identities, creativity and culture and Prof. Vlad's recent work on possibility and researching memes. Prof. Vlad Glaveanu's webpage Support us and reach…
#15. How to stop a Murderer – Prof. Adrian Raine
Dr. Adrian Raine, is one of the leading voices in neurocriminology. He was the first scientist to use neuroimaging to study the brains of murderers and is noted for his research on the neurobiological causes violent behaviour in children and adults. He currently holds the chair of Richard Perry University Professor of Criminology & Psychiatry in the Department of Criminology of the School of Arts…
#14. Why do we perform rituals? – Dr. Johannes Karl
Dr. Johannes Karl, Assistant professor in Psychology at the Dublin City University, Ireland, joins us to talk about what rituals are, why they come about and what benefits they provide. Dr. Karl's research covers topics including Mindfulness, Contemplative Practice, Rituals and Non-Ordinary Experience, Personality and Values, and rituals across cultures. Support us and reach out!Instagram: @thesmoothbrainsocietyTikTok: @thesmoothbrainsocietyTwitter/X: @SmoothBrainSocFacebook: @thesmoothbrainsocietyMerch and all other links: Linktreeemail: thesmoothbrainsociety@gmail.com
#13. Religion – Dr. Aiyana Willard
Dr. Aiyana Willard, Senior lecturer at the Centre for Culture and Evolution at Brunel University London and research associate at the Institute for Cognitive and Evolutionary Anthropology at Oxford. Dr. Willard along with Feryl Badiani, PhD student focusing on Hinduism in India, talk to us about what religions are, why they exist, the reasons for some religions being more successful than others and what explains…
#12. Panel Discussion: Queering Psychology
For Pride month at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington, post-graduate students at the School of Psychology held an event showcasing their research and sharing their experiences as members of the rainbow community. To continue the discussions started, students Clare Bradley, Lee Bravestone, Tatyana King-Finau and Maggie Shippam along with Dr. Gloria Fraser, Research Fellow at VUW, join us this episode and cover a wide…
#11. Mental Health Awareness Special with Youthline, Bravely and Jasmin Shoukri
Aotearoa New Zealand celebrated Mental Health Awareness week 2022 from the 28th of September to the 2nd of October. To pay tribute to the work done by people who do not fit directly under the traditional psychologist, psychiatrists and therapist roles, we had 3 interviews with guests covering different styles of support work and mental health resources available to communities. This episode contains discussions on…
#10. Drugs 101: Psychedelics – Prof. Bart Ellenbroek
The criminalization of multiple recreational drugs in the 1970s also led to a reduction in the research on them. Research on psychedelics (example, LSD and magic mushrooms) had previously shown to be beneficial in certain mental health treatments. In the past 20 years, clinical and pre-clinical research on psychedelics has picked up again. Professor Bart Ellenbroek, Head of the Behavioural Neurogenetics lab at Victoria University…
#9. The Ancestors in Us – Dr. Richard Johnson
Dr. Richard Johnson, Lead of The Indian in Me project and Senior Lecturer in the School of Education Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia, talks to us about people coming from hyphenated ethnicities. Using his own example as an Anglo-Indian (people with British and Indian backgrounds) he goes through the challenges of identity faced by people from similar cultures, the influence of dominant cultures in…
#8. Offender Rehabilitation – Dr. Roxy Heffernan
Forensic Psychologist Dr. Roxy Heffernan discusses rehabilitation programs in the prison systems focusing on New Zealand. The two prevailing models of rehabilitation, the risk-need-responsivity models and the Good Lives Model. Her experiences of working with Ara Poutana Aotearoa (Department of Corrections New Zealand) and what steps we need to take to improve our current systems. Support us and reach out!Instagram: @thesmoothbrainsocietyTikTok: @thesmoothbrainsocietyTwitter/X: @SmoothBrainSocFacebook: @thesmoothbrainsocietyMerch and…
#7. A Concussion Discussion – Dr. Josh Faulkner
Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr. Josh Faulkner talks to us about traumatic brain injury (TBI) mainly focusing on mild injuries commonly known as concussions. We discuss what brain injuries look like, how Dr. Faulkner has used Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT therapy) with his patients and some of the latest research in the area and what it means for people dealing with the effects of a concussion….
#6. World Refugee Day: Whoever. Wherever. Whenever – Dr. Marieke Jasperse and Kodrean Eashae
As the 20th of June is World Refugee Day, we had Dr. Marieke Jasperse, Senior Advisor Trafficking in Persons, Immigration New Zealand and Kodrean Eashae, Host of Voice of Aroha, Wellington Access Radio come on. Our guests gave us an insight into the lived experiences of refugees in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world, the misconceptions which are prevalent in discussions around migrant resettlement…
#5. From the ground up: Māori and Community Based Research – Dr. Tia Neha
Dr. Tia Neha, Senior Lecturer in Māori and Indigenous Psychology at Victoria University of Wellington, speaks about community driven research with the example of her own doctoral studies within Māori communities, the importance of language, culture and relationships, the difference in techniques between indigenous research and western research and their place in science as a whole. Dr. Tia Neha's description of the Waiata (song) at…
#4. Born with it: Genetics and Genetic Counselling – Dr. Qurratulain Hasan
For our first international interview, we called in to Hyderabad, India and spoke to Dr. Qurratulain Hasan, Founder and President of the Board of Genetic Counselling, India. Dr. Hasan gave us an introduction into the field of genetic counselling, the relevance of genetics in public health setups across the world and the growing importance of it in medical setups. We also cover her international work…
#3. Relationships, red flags and love – Dr. Matt Hammond
Relationships researcher, Dr. Matt Hammond joined us to answer questions asked by our instagram followers about relationships. CW: The episode covers content on topics such as aggression/gaslighting/violence. If you are looking for assistance, here are links to some of the places mentioned in the podcast. https://www.wannatalkaboutit.com [this works internationally, it redirects you to specific helplines based on your location] https://www.2shine.org.nz/get-help/helpline/ or call 0508-744-633 [NZ based…
#2. The Anatomy of a Psychopath – Associate Prof. Hedwig Eisenbarth
Associate Professor Hedwig Eisenbarth talks to us about research on people with high psychopathic traits. What characteristics define a psychopath? are they built different? and what motivates them? Support us and reach out!Instagram: @thesmoothbrainsocietyTikTok: @thesmoothbrainsocietyTwitter/X: @SmoothBrainSocFacebook: @thesmoothbrainsocietyMerch and all other links: Linktreeemail: thesmoothbrainsociety@gmail.com
#1. Intro to social psychology: Political Psychology, Identity and Wellbeing – Prof. Marc Wilson
Discussion with Social and Political Psychologist, Associate Dean of Science at Victoria University of Wellington, Professor Marc Wilson. Prof, Wilson gives us an introduction to the world of social psychology through his own research covering attachment theory, political and social identity, conspiracy beliefs and youth wellbeing. We also talk about his work with reality television and science in the media. This episode contains discussions on…