Psychology & Neuroscience Episodes

This week, Cass and Dr Anastasia Hronis delve into the complexities of dopamine, its role in pleasure and motivation, and how modern conveniences can lead to excessive dopamine activation. Anastasia is the author of 'The Dopamine Brain' and she's here to assure you that you do not need a "Dopamine Detox". Instead, she discusses the importance of finding balance between hedonic and eudaimonic pleasures, the significance of identifying personal values, and practical strategies for managing dopamin...

Cass explores the concept of being fully committed to goals while remaining unattached to the outcomes. She discusses the balance between giving your all and not letting the results define your self-worth. Through examples and personal insights, Cass emphasises the importance of understanding commitment, non-attachment, and the role of personal values in achieving true fulfilment. The conversation also touches on spiritual concepts of ego and essence, encouraging listeners to find peace in their...

Cass talks with Jessica McGuire, a physiotherapist and author of The Nervous System Reset, about the importance of the nervous system in physical and emotional health. Jessica explains the role of the vagus nerve in regulating our emotions, balancing our physical health, and facilitating social interactions. She explains the different states of the nervous system and provides strategies for regulating a dysregulated nervous system. Connect with Jessica:www.jessicamaguire.comwww.instagram.com/rep...

In this solo episode, Cass explores the concept of narrative identity theory and how the stories we tell ourselves about our lives shape our sense of self and well-being. She discusses the importance of personal agency, belonging, redemption, meaning-making, and coherence in our life stories.Cass emphasises the power of reframing our narratives to focus on growth, learning, and positive outcomes rather than solely on suffering and struggle. She encourages listeners to reflect on their own narrat...

In this episode, Cass recaps what she covered in her live online workshop, "How to Cultivate Unshakeable Self-Confidence".She outlines the key difference between self-doubt and the imposter experience, which runs much deeper, and the importance of having tools and strategies which address both. She shares her views on the limitations of 'mindset' strategies for cultivating confidence and why emotional work, somatic (body based) tools, and strategies to mine your unconscious beliefs are all neces...

In this solo episode, Cass shares one of the common reasons people struggle to make progress on the things they say that want to achieve. "Competing commitments", sometimes called competing desires or conflicting values, are the (often unconscious) desires that run counter to your stated goal, and cause you to spin your wheels or sabotage your progress.When you uncover your competing commitments, you're in a position to examine the truth of your assumptions and resolve the inner conflict that's ...

Cass talks with fellow psychologist, Ariane Beeston about Ariane's experience of severe postpartum depression and psychosis. They discuss the feelings of failure that can prevent new mothers from asking for help, the lack of support available for mums beyond their babys' infancy, and the added shame of being a mental health professional experiencing mental illness.Ariane speaks candidly about how she was able to fool people into believing she was fine even when she wasn't, what it was like being...

Cass chats with Monique Mitchelson, a clinical psychologist and host of The Neurodivergent Woman podcast, about neurodiversity in women, specifically autism and ADHD. Monique shares that neurodivergence is often under-diagnosed, especially in girls and that many women are doing life in 'hard mode' when they don't have an accurate diagnosis.Monique shares some of the masking and compensatory strategies that neurodivergent individuals often use to navigate a neurotypical world. The conversation ex...

In this solo episode, Cass discusses the fear of making the wrong decision and the desire for certainty. Cass emphasises the importance of taking action as a way of gaining clarity, as well as the importance of getting comfortable with uncertainty. She also explores the role of the body in decision-making and suggests practicing feeling into what feels right or wrong. Cass encourages listeners to trust themselves and know that they will be okay regardless of the decision they make.Takeaways Fea...

Cass explains why 'mindset' approaches to overcoming self-doubt and imposter syndrome are limited and won't achieve a lasting transformation and what you need to do instead. She shares how imposter syndrome is an activation of your body's threat response triggered by a fear of judgement and rejection.She also explains that self-criticism can perpetuate imposter syndrome by keeping you stuck in a threat response, and the importance of self-acceptance and forgiveness, allowing you to return to a s...

Cass chats with Jodie Rogers, a counsellor, sexologist and the relationship coach featured in the hit series, "Love on the Spectrum". Jodi shares her journey of working with people with disabilities and the importance of access to sexuality education and relationship counselling. She discusses the challenges faced by autistic individuals in developing relationships particularly around trust and vulnerability. Jodie emphasises the shift in our understanding of neurodiversity, the evolution of lan...

If you're trying to break a habit, start a new one or achieve a goal, there are some very predictable stages everyone goes through during the process.In this episode, Cass shares the stages of change to help you identify where you're at, understand what to expect at each stage, and what to do if you have a setback or slip-up so you can get back on track quickly.Connect with Cass:www.crappytohappypod.comhello@crappytohappypod.com www.instagram.com/crappytohappypodwww.tiktok.com/crappytohappypod ...

In this episode, Cass explores the topic of mindfulness meditation and when it might not have positive benefits. She delves into the adverse effects of mindfulness and the importance of trauma-informed meditation training. She highlights the need for research on adverse experiences and clarifying the definition of adverse experiences when it comes to mindfulness.Cass explores the difference between intensive meditation retreats and brief mindfulness interventions, emphasising the need for proper...

Dr. Scott Lyons discusses the concept of drama addiction and how it can negatively impact relationships, causing fights, jealousy, and destructive patterns. People addicted to drama often seek chaos and attention, creating a cycle of drama in their lives. Scott and Cass discuss strategies for dealing with drama addiction, whether you see it in someone else or recognise this pattern in yourself.Buy the bookCheck out The Embody Lab Connect with Cass:www.crappytohappypod.comhello@crappytohappypod....

In this solo episode, Cass shares the definition of Learned Helplessness, how it was first identified by psychologists and how it might be impacting you or someone you know. Tune in to hear the power of 'Learned Optimism' as an antidote to Learned Helplessness and other strategies that can help you regain a sense of power and agency when things feel hopeless.Connect with Cass:www.crappytohappypod.comhello@crappytohappypod.com www.instagram.com/crappytohappypodwww.tiktok.com/crappytohappypod Joi...

At a time when the world feels more divided than ever, Cass shares the psychology of 'othering' and the biases that cause humans to turn on each other. She invites you to practice one of her favourite meditations known to increase compassion, reduce bias towards others, lower stress and promote healing.(Meditation starts around 17:05) Connect with Cass:www.crappytohappypod.comhello@crappytohappypod.com www.instagram.com/crappytohappypodwww.tiktok.com/crappytohappypod Join the free 7-day Happine...

Cass talks with existential therapist, Dr Sara Kuburic aka "The Millennial Therapist" about what it means to lose your Self and why it's so important to do the work of re-connecting with your true Self.Cass and Sara discuss: What self-loss is and how it happens The difference between inauthenticity and self-loss How we lose ourselves in relationships and when NOT to compromise The role of habits in shaping our identity Why we need to take individual responsibility for the life we have creat...

Why do we believe the things we do? Why do we struggle to believe 'nice' people can do bad things? What leads someone to believe conspiracy theories? In light of the accusations made against Russell Brand this week and his assertion that this is a plot by mainstream media to silence him, I'm unpacking the cognitive biases that influence people's willingness to believe certain information, the psychological needs we seek to satisfy by believing conspiracy theories and why it's so hard to change y...

Cass sits down with Dr Gwen Adshead, one of Britain's leading forensic psychiatrists who has spent 30 years providing therapy to violent criminals including killers, arsonists, stalkers, gang members and those who are normally labelled as 'monsters'.Gwen discusses the role of early childhood trauma in later violent crime, the devastating consequences of cutting funding to public mental health services, and she makes a compelling case that in the right circumstances, we all have within us the cap...

This week, Cass is talking about Parasocial Relationships; that is the one-sided relationship between a media figure and a fan. She discusses how even 'micro-influencers' can be the object of parasocial relationships and how social media has fuelled the intensity of those connections. Are they all bad though? Let's look at the benefits of parasocial interactions for both the public figure and the fan.You can download the Celebrity Attitude Scale HERE. Connect with Cass:www.crappytohappypod.comh...

Around 85% of women will become a mother and most agree that pregnancy and parenthood are experiences that profoundly change us physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually. Sadly though, mothers, minds and brains are mostly absent from popular pregnancy books and social media posts unless of course there is a discussion about what can go terribly wrong: baby blues, postnatal depression and of course the dreaded baby brain.Today, Dr. Sarah joins Cass to chat about the upside of pregnanc...

These days it seems like everyone is a Narcissist. The term 'narcissism' is a bit of a buzzword that is used to describe anyone who comes across as a little self absorbed, or 'full of themselves', but is that true? Is everyone a narcissist? And what is the distinction between a narcissist and the rest of us?In this episode, Cass breaks down: the DSM criteria for a diagnosis of Narcissism and how it is outdated the different presentations of Grandiose and Vulnerable Narcissism (or overt and cov...

Not all of us have experienced huge childhood trauma. We’ve not been neglected, or physically, emotionally, or sexually abused in our formative years, and even today, there may not be anything inherently wrong with our life. You likely have a roof over your heads, food in your belly, an incoming coming in; for which you feel like you should be grateful for... Yet there’s still a sense of not being entirely happy, feeling empty or anxious in some ways, and not feeling enough.If this is you, and e...

As promised, this week Cass gives us a little history lessons in modern psychology and the evolution of therapy over the last 30-40 years. We've certainly come a long way since the days of reward or punishment. But what are the modern approaches and how has therapy evolved throughout recent decades?Cass explains what Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), are and how these approaches fit within modern advances in neuroscience and nervous system regulation...