October 21, 2026
Whether it’s grumbling about a boss, the weather, or a spouse’s most annoying habit, we all complain. Robin Kowalski, PhD, of Clemson University, discusses why we complain; the difference between venting and complaining to get results; how to complain in a way that doesn’t wear people out; and how mindfulness and journaling can help you complain less.
October 14, 2026
Digital tools now help teach students everything from spelling to math to science—but flashy features don’t always translate to learning. Nicole Barnes, PhD, executive lead psychologist for education at the American Psychological Association and lead author of a new report on children’s and adolescents’ learning with educational technology, discusses how to tell the difference between engagement and real learning; why generative AI tools call for extra caution; and what teachers offer that technology can’t replace.
October 7, 2026
Many of us have trouble switching off from work, whether it's staying late at the office, checking messages on vacation, or lying awake running through tomorrow's to-do list. Malissa Clark, PhD, of the University of Georgia, discusses how workaholism differs from simply working hard; why it's about more than hours on the clock; how it affects physical health, mental health, and relationships; and how workplaces can encourage a healthier relationship with work.
September 30, 2026
We’ve all felt a pang of envy watching a friend’s success or a colleague’s promotion. But does this much-maligned emotion deserve its negative reputation? Psychologist Jens Lange, PhD, and philosopher Sara Protasi, PhD, discuss the difference between envy and jealousy; why we’re often most envious of the people closest to us; and how envy may, in the right circumstances, motivate us to grow.
September 23, 2026
Burnout gets all the attention, but some employees struggle with a different problem: chronic boredom on the job, sometimes called “boreout.” Lotta Harju, PhD, of EM Lyon Business School, and Sharon K. Parker, PhD, of Curtin University, discuss how boreout differs from burnout, how it can affect workers’ health and well-being, and what individuals, managers and organizations can do to design more engaging work.
September 16, 2026
The U.S. suicide rate today is almost identical to what it was a century ago, even as death rates from many other causes have dropped. Matthew Nock, PhD, of Harvard University, discusses why it’s so hard to predict who will act on suicidal thoughts—and when; how new tools, from electronic health records to smartphone sensors, are helping researchers understand risk in real time; what interventions show the most promise; why stigma and fear keep us from discussing suicide; and why open conversations are key to prevention.
September 9, 2026
Why does music give many of us goosebumps, bring back vivid memories and make us want to dance—while leaving some people cold? Robert Zatorre, PhD, author of
From Perception to Pleasure: The Neuroscience of Music and Why We Love It
, discusses how music engages the brain’s reward system; why expectation and surprise are a key part its appeal; what we can learn from musical anhedonia, or the inability to enjoy music; and how scientists are making strides in understanding music therapy and the healing potential of music.
September 1, 2026
Over the past several years, generative AI has moved into classrooms at lightning speed. C. Edward Watson, PhD, author of
Teaching with AI: A Practical Guide to a New Era of Human Learning
, and Beth Schwartz, PhD, senior director of teaching and learning at APA, discuss how students and educators are navigating these changes; how AI can help or hinder learning; how teachers can redesign assignments and assessments; and what schools and universities should be teaching students about using AI responsibly.
This audio podcast series highlights some of the latest, most important, and relevant psychological research being conducted today.
Produced by the American Psychological Association, these podcasts will help listeners apply the science of psychology to their everyday lives.
The New York Times named Speaking of Psychology as second on their list of health podcasts that are “entertaining and enlightening but firmly grounded in science.”
Kim I. Mills created Speaking of Psychology in 2013 and took over as host in 2020. She is the former senior director of strategic external communications and public affairs for the American Psychological Association and spent 14 years as a reporter and editor for The Associated Press. Mills has also written for publications including The Washington Post, Fast Company, American Journalism Review, Dallas Morning News, and Harvard Business Review.
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