https://youtu.be/Mwssp8pTbKY Join us in this insightful episode as we dive into the world of emotion regulation and attentional deployment with Dr. Daniel Rojas Líbano of Universidad Diego Portales. Santiago, Chile. Discover how shifting focus can…
Browsing CategoryBlog Posts
#72. Touching a Nerve – Adarsh Makdani
https://youtu.be/wghENojuBaw In this fascinating episode we dive into the world of somatosensation with Adarsh Makdani, a researcher at Liverpool John Moores University. Discover the intricacies of mechanosensory receptors, the science behind pain and itch, and…
#71. A Child’s Rights: Politics, Law & Sex Crimes – Dr. Pantea Javidan
https://youtu.be/PoDViXeKvfw Content warning: This episode discusses child sexual exploitation, trafficking, and trauma. What does the law really say about protecting children — and who does it leave behind? This week on Smooth Brain Society, Dr….
#70. Autism, Deception, and the Justice System – Tiegan Blackhurst
https://youtu.be/GVwNLDe9ZOQ Can autistic adults lie—and detect lies—like everyone else? And what happens when the justice system misreads autism traits as deception? In this episode, we sit down with Tiegan Blackhurst, a doctoral researcher at Lancaster…
#69. How Creativity Really Works – Dr. Keith Sawyer
https://youtu.be/gySrrD3p84s What is creativity, really? In this episode of the Smooth Brain Society, we dive deep with Dr. Keith Sawyer—MIT-trained computer scientist, jazz pianist, and leading creativity researcher and Professor in Educational Innovations at the…
#68. Why Adults Struggle to Learn Languages (and Kids Don’t) – Dr. Kate Messenger
https://youtu.be/GarU6U0pl-M?si=yB3J9VDBJUDeZ12n In this in-studio episode of Smooth Brain Society, Sahir and Neil are joined by Dr. Kate Messenger as they explore the fascinating world of language acquisition. They discuss why children seem to pick up…
#67. Motivations Behind The Protein Transition – Dr. Chris Bryant
https://youtu.be/C5WQDmmYKvI In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Bryant—executive director of Bryant Research and an expert in alternative proteins—to unpack the science, psychology, and politics behind the future of food. From lab-grown meat and…
#66. Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations – Prof. Dr. Christopher J. Hopwood
https://youtu.be/luZYFQaBMz4 What factors underpin how we treat animals? In this episode, Prof. Dr. Christopher J. Hopwood of the University of Zurich and the Editor-in-Chief of Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations. Talks about his research related…
#65. Mainstreaming of the Far-Right – Dr. Aaron Winter
https://youtu.be/qKH2UcDo73s In this powerful episode, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Winter, senior lecturer in sociology at Lancaster University and Director of the Centre for Alternatives to Social and Economic Inequalities (CASEI), to unpack the…
#64. Funding the Future: Women’s Sport in New Zealand – Erin Roxburgh
https://youtu.be/e5e0ug8ox_o What does it take to elevate women's sport? We dive into the unique landscape of women's sports in New Zealand with special guest Erin Roxburgh, Deputy Chair of Women in Sport NZ. Erin, is…
#63. Sex Disclosures in Romantic Relationships – Katie Knowles
https://youtu.be/QMrxoicl_3E?si=uUmH72lR5kVssmND How much do we really talk about sex in our relationships — and when should we? In this episode, Sahir and Olivia sit down with relationships researcher Katie Knowles to unpack the psychology of…
#62. Epilepsy Explained – Professor Tony Marson
https://youtu.be/PbCvvu67WHM?si=FvVJPgWgJozIWLoa Professor Tony Marson of the University of Liverpool talks to Beth and Sahir about Epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which are sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain. We discuss the…
#61. Memory and Healthy Ageing – Dr. Dorothy Tse
https://youtu.be/lw0vjHjsWOw?si=FguddvKnLNfIHBXe In the build to the International Festival of Neuroscience being held in Liverpool from the 27th to 30th of April, 2025. We spoke to Dr. Dorothy Tse of Edge Hill University about her incredible…
#60. Psychopathy, Relationship Satisfaction and Career Success – Aaron Hissey
Individuals' psychopathic personality traits can have negative effects on the people around them. Aaron Hissey of Victoria University of Wellington discusses his research on whether the negativity of someone's psychopathic personality crosses over to their…
#59. Understanding Autism – Dr. Calum Hartley
https://youtu.be/U4TWgGue4nw?si=JKdxBpY57yLlV2x3 Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. Dr. Calum Hartley of Lancaster University talks us through…
#58. SAFE: Supporting BlAck Families AffEcted by psychosis – Angela Kibia
https://youtu.be/z0rYLe_7aXM?si=Tx_5CIWX5qTPwhBq Angela Kibia, Researcher at King's College London, talks about the work being carried out by the SAFE project aimed towards developing education and group support for Black families and carers supporting a relative with…
#57. I Am But More Than A Refugee – Behrouz Boochani and Abdul Samad Haidari
https://youtu.be/1FFNLbqnLnI?si=X6AYUhtejD6LBse9 Behrouz Boochani and Abdul Samad Haidari speak about their journeys as refugees, the systems which demonize asylum seekers as criminals, Manus Prison Theory and structural oppression, and the role of art, literature and storytelling…
#56. D-CYPHR: The Power of Spit – Dr. Anna Moore and Elizabeth Mordey
https://youtu.be/0O2s8LD45fI?si=CBjLfFRsPG9XPLaK “You’re a hero. It’s in your DNA.” The NHS and NIHR BioResource has started a nationwide movement for ages 0 – 15 to help health research. Dr. Anna Moore, University of Cambridge, and Elizabeth…
#55. Arti’s Twinkle: Shining a Light on Parental Alcohol and Drug Use for Children – Dr. Cassey Muir and Josie Brookes
https://youtu.be/5Mr9A8ak3DQ Children and young people whose parents use substances often feel alone in their experiences, with very few people to trust or talk to. Parents and caregivers mention uncertainty on how and when to have…
#54. Self-Injury and Emotion Regulation – Dr. Kealagh Robinson
https://youtu.be/5lVWht8Vl3I?si=rQ4HqdWvli8_ucUX Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a self-inflicted act that causes pain or superficial damage but is not intended to cause death. Dr. Kealagh Robinson, of Massey University, works in emotion and emotion regulation, with a…