PsyberSpace® - we help you understand your world
by Leslie Poston, Research Psychologist: Applied Psychology, Media Psychology, Organizational Psychology
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Recent episodes
Moral Licensing: How Doing Good Gives People Permission to Be Worse
May 4, 2026
12m 01s
The Death of Serendipity: What Algorithmic Personalization Is Doing to Your Mind
Apr 27, 2026
19m 30s
From the Rape Academy to Your Living Room
Apr 20, 2026
14m 03s
When TV Makes Harm Look Normal: Why We Keep Watching
Apr 13, 2026
18m 17s
The Psychology of AI Slop: How Synthetic Junk Erodes Attention, Trust, and Meaning
Apr 6, 2026
18m 57s
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/4/26 | Moral Licensing: How Doing Good Gives People Permission to Be Worse | Moral Licensing: Why Doing Good Can Make Us Behave WorseHost Leslie Poston explains the phenomenon of moral licensing: after people do something that affirms their identity as a good person, the brain registers progress toward a moral goal, reducing self-regulatory effort and making later unethical choices more likely, sometimes in unrelated domains. Using a fitness “daily budget” analogy, the episode describes evidence from environmental psychology (green purchases followed by increased lying and cheating), research on racial bias (publicly demonstrating egalitarian credentials followed by more biased choices), activism (low-cost visible actions reducing motivation for harder follow-through), and organizational contexts (leaders with strong ethical self-identities engaging in minor violations because identity buffers self-concept). Poston emphasizes the effect is unconscious, doesn’t require bad intentions, and calls for attention to the misleading feeling of having “done your part.”00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup00:40 What Is Moral Licensing01:34 Virtue as a Budget02:46 Green Choices Backfire04:53 Licensing and Racial Bias06:58 Activism and Workplace Ethics08:28 Why the Brain Does It10:44 Spotting It in Yourself11:51 Wrap Up and Sign Off ★ Support this podcast ★ | 12m 01s | ||||||
| 4/27/26 | The Death of Serendipity: What Algorithmic Personalization Is Doing to Your Mind | The Cost of Losing Serendipity in Algorithmic DiscoveryHost Leslie Poston discusses how algorithmic recommendation systems have replaced everyday accidental discovery, reducing serendipity and narrowing what people encounter. The episode explains psychological and neuroscience research showing novelty’s role in motivation, attention, learning, and memory (including locus coeruleus activation), the inverted-U relationship between complexity and curiosity, and how habituation can flatten engagement when stimuli stay too familiar. Poston contrasts this with the mere exposure effect (Zajonc) and processing fluency, arguing platforms reinforce and shape preferences through repeated exposure, producing “adjacent novelty” rather than true surprise. She links personalization to self-concept via the looking-glass self and self-perception theory, describing identity-shaping pipelines, and argues personalization reduces shared cultural overlap, contributing to epistemological fragmentation. Practical suggestions include turning off autoplay, browsing physical spaces, reading outside one’s interests, and holding preferences lightly to preserve room for the unexpected.VOTE HERE UNTIL APRIL 30th! We're nominated for a Women in Podcasting Award!00:00 Welcome and Setup01:16 What Serendipity Means02:03 From Browsing to Algorithms03:10 Novelty and Learning Science05:12 Mere Exposure and Reinforced Taste07:48 Adjacent Novelty Trap09:29 Algorithms and Identity Mirrors11:55 Shared Culture and Fragmentation13:33 Agency and Slow Effects16:37 Reclaiming the Unexpected18:34 Closing Thoughts19:19 Outro and Subscribe ★ Support this podcast ★ | 19m 30s | ||||||
| 4/20/26 | From the Rape Academy to Your Living Room | Semantic Derailment and the Social Permission That Sustains Organized Sexual ViolenceHost Leslie Poston discusses a CNN investigation into an “online rape academy,” including a Telegram group called ZZZ where nearly 1,000 men allegedly coordinated drugging and sexual assault, shared footage, discussed substances and dosages, and advertised paid live streams; while ZZZ was taken down, the U.S.-hosted site Motherless remains public, drawing about 62 million visits in February and hosting 20,000+ videos tagged with phrases like “passed out” and “eyecheck.” Poston connects this to the Dominique Pelicot case and argues the network has migrated and grown, including related misogynistic trends on TikTok. She critiques the male-dominated focus on disputing the “62 million” figure as moral disengagement and “semantic derailment,” linking it to betrayal trauma, social invalidation, and women’s hypervigilance. Poston argues these reactions provide social permission that enables perpetrators and calls for sustained engagement and pressure so “shame must change sides.”VOTE HERE UNTIL APRIL 30th!00:00 Welcome to PsyberSpace00:30 CNN Rape Academy Exposed01:41 Motherless Still Online02:43 Pelicot Case Parallels03:46 The Numbers Distraction05:22 Moral Disengagement Explained06:49 Betrayal Trauma and Dismissal08:44 Invalidation and Hypervigilance10:23 Same System Continuum12:19 Community Collusion and Cover13:06 What Real Response Looks Like13:49 Closing and Call to Action ★ Support this podcast ★ | 14m 03s | ||||||
| 4/13/26 | When TV Makes Harm Look Normal: Why We Keep Watching | The Ethics of Reality TV: Deception, Conflict, and What We NormalizeHost Leslie Poston examines the ethical and psychological costs of reality and reality-adjacent TV that relies on deception or engineered conflict, arguing the key issue is whether harm is built into a show’s format rather than whether it is scripted. Using Jury Duty as an example of compromised informed consent and Survivor as an example of formats that reward manipulation, humiliation, and betrayal, she asks what it does to participants and to audiences when cruelty is reframed as “gameplay.” She discusses contestant harms (disorientation, stress, surveillance, reputational damage through editing, and minimal compensation) and viewer effects (social learning, desensitization, parasocial attachment, and moral distancing). She contrasts Squid Game as an explicit critique of exploitation and argues profit, contracts, and aftercare do not equal ethical permission, calling for standards centered on consent, dignity, and psychological safety.VOTE HERE UNTIL APRIL 30th!00:00 Reality TV Ethics01:47 Harm Built In03:41 Deception and Consent06:12 Survivor and Cruelty08:18 Contestant Fallout10:57 How Viewers Change13:19 Culture and Squid Game15:11 Profit Over People16:21 Better Standards18:00 Closing and Callouts ★ Support this podcast ★ | 18m 17s | ||||||
| 4/6/26 | The Psychology of AI Slop: How Synthetic Junk Erodes Attention, Trust, and Meaning | AI Slop and Your Brain: Attention, Fatigue, and the Erosion of MeaningHost Leslie Poston explains how “AI slop” is industrial-scale synthetic content optimized for volume and fast reactions rather than accuracy or usefulness, ranging from keyword-stuffed articles and fake reviews to fabricated quotes, fake images, and targeted deepfake audio/video. She argues it exploits cognitive shortcuts like attentional capture and processing fluency, creating decision fatigue, weakening deliberate “system two” thinking, and making it harder to suppress irrelevant junk. Repetition fuels the illusory truth effect, increasing perceived accuracy even with fact-check labels and eroding a shared factual baseline. Platforms’ variable-ratio, slot-machine-like feeds reward engagement regardless of truth, selecting for reaction-triggering slop and crowding out careful human work, with documented economic harms to creators and a sense of hollowness or “existential vacuum” for audiences. Poston recommends protecting cognitive resources by spending less time in algorithmic feeds, curating sources, seeking deeper work, and notes a Wharton paper on “cognitive surrender,” plus her 2026 Women in Podcasting nomination.VOTE HERE UNTIL APRIL 30th! 00:00 What AI Slop Looks Like01:09 Industrial Scale Deception03:04 Brain Shortcuts Exploited04:52 Decision Fatigue Online06:35 Illusory Truth Effect09:14 Slot Machine Feeds11:35 Emotional Meaning Drain13:45 Creators and Authenticity15:06 Verification Tax and Society16:10 Protect Your Attention17:53 Cognitive Surrender Study18:22 Wrap Up and SupportWharton Paper on Cognitive Surrender ★ Support this podcast ★ | 18m 57s | ||||||
| 3/29/26 | Meta Lost. Now What? | Meta Verdicts, Kids’ Harm, and the Push for Age VerificationHost Leslie Poston reviews two jury verdicts finding Meta liable for harming children: a New Mexico case ordering $375 million in civil penalties for concealing knowledge about child sexual exploitation and mental health impacts, and a Los Angeles negligence case where Meta and YouTube were found liable and Kaylee was awarded $6 million for worsened anxiety and depression from compulsive use starting at ages 6 and 9. Poston cites internal Meta research (Project Myst) and communications likening effects to drugs and gambling, arguing the fine is negligible versus Meta’s $201B revenue. She critiques rapid policy pivots to age verification and digital ID laws, describing requirements like government ID uploads and biometrics via third parties as surveillance, easily bypassed with VPNs, and harmful to those needing anonymity. She notes Meta’s lobbying and covert funding for age-verification groups, and offers questions about beneficiaries, fit to harm, psychology of surveillance, non-technological causes, exposure, and real accountability.00:00 Welcome and Overview00:30 Jury Verdicts Against Meta01:41 Evidence and Accountability Gap03:00 Policy Pivot to Age Verification04:11 Surveillance and Anonymity Risks06:01 Why Our Brains Accept Bad Fixes08:34 Meta Lobbying and Hidden Incentives09:40 Five Questions to Ask12:34 Closing Thoughts ★ Support this podcast ★ | 13m 03s | ||||||
| 3/23/26 | The 100% Myth: Why Giving Everything Is Costing You Everything | Why “Give 100%” Is Corrosive: Sustainable Performance, Burnout, and Reserve CapacityHost Leslie Poston examines the phrase “give 100%” in American work culture, tracing it to Protestant work-ethic theology and arguing it became a management tool that moralizes maximum output despite lacking empirical support. The episode contrasts this norm with research on sustainable performance, citing shorter-workweek trials. Poston explains how “100%” ignores unequal baselines via allostatic load, highlights commute and remote-work effects, and details autistic burnout and masking costs. Drawing on Christina Maslach’s burnout research and WHO recognition, the script argues burnout is organizational, not personal, and advocates structural changes and operating below maximum (e.g., “give 60%”).00:00 Why Give 100%01:06 Protestant Work Ethic03:18 No Evidence Just Inherited04:20 The Math of Depletion04:52 Four Day Week Proof06:59 Reserve Beats Extraction07:49 Unequal Starting Baselines08:08 Allostatic Load Explained10:25 Remote Work Stress Relief11:42 Neurodivergent Hidden Costs13:14 Masking and Autistic Burnout15:39 Self Care Myth16:15 Maslach Burnout Research19:32 Why the Norm Persists20:04 Sustainable Performance Science21:38 A Question for Yourself22:26 Evidence Based Changes22:59 Give 60% Closing23:11 Sign Off ★ Support this podcast ★ | 23m 21s | ||||||
| 3/16/26 | Why Common Sense Isn't Common | Common Sense or Power Move? The One Question That Reveals the DifferenceHost Leslie Poston argues that “common sense” is often used to end conversations and universalize one person’s perception rather than provide evidence. She explains this through naïve realism (people experience their perceptions as objective reality), embodied cognition (gut intuitions shaped by bodily and lived experience), and positionality (social location shapes what becomes perceptually salient). She cites the “WEIRD” problem in psychology showing many supposedly universal findings don’t generalize across cultures, and connects “common sense” to Gramsci’s hegemony, where dominant-group assumptions become normalized as natural and inevitable. Without endorsing relativism, she notes motivated reasoning can make conclusions feel obvious before scrutiny. She closes with a practical test for sussing out “common sense” claims.00:00 Common Sense Setup02:04 Obvious as Default03:27 Naive Realism Lens06:17 Embodied Intuition08:28 Positional Blind Spots10:04 WEIRD Not Universal14:08 Common Sense as Power17:16 Not Relativism18:03 Motivated Reasoning20:10 One Key Question21:13 Practical Takeaways23:56 Closing and Next Week ★ Support this podcast ★ | 24m 13s | ||||||
| 3/9/26 | Your AI Best Friend Is Lying To You | When AI Becomes a Confidant: Loneliness, Engagement Incentives, and the Risks of Chatbot “Support”Host Leslie Poston examines why so many adults and teens are using LLM chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude as friends, therapy substitutes, or romantic stand-ins, linking it to eroding community, expensive and inaccessible mental health care, and tech incentives optimized for engagement. Citing Meta’s engagement-driven practices and data harms as an example of industry patterns, she argues similar incentives shape AI “support” tools with little clinical oversight. She discusses attachment theory, parasocial dynamics, and research showing dependency trajectories and correlations between higher daily AI use and greater loneliness and reduced real-world socialization, with chatbots tending to validate rumination rather than promote reappraisal. She highlights lethal failure cases involving suicide encouragement and prolonged affirmation during crises, notes harms also affect adults, critiques child-focused age-verification bills as privacy-eroding surveillance, and points to targeted interventions (e.g., NY’s AI companion requirements) and clinicians asking about AI use, emphasizing real community connection as the root solution.00:00 AI as Confidant01:28 Why People Turn to Bots02:56 Engagement First Tech History05:40 Psychology of AI Attachment07:49 Dependence and Loneliness Data10:29 When Affirmation Turns Deadly12:47 Adults at Risk Too15:36 Child Safety Bills and Age Checks19:23 What Actually Helps21:39 Closing and Call to Action ★ Support this podcast ★ | 22m 15s | ||||||
| 3/2/26 | Forever Wars Shrink the Future: What Endless War Does to the Human Mind | Forever War and the Stolen FutureHost Leslie Poston examines a hidden psychological cost of “forever wars”: they don’t just create fear and grief, they change how people relate to time—shrinking hope, planning, and the ability to believe in tomorrow. She explains how chronic threat and recurring escalation can trap individuals and whole societies in emergency mode, erode trust in institutions, and create a sense of democratic powerlessness, citing January 2026 U.S. polling from Quinnipiac showing over 85% of voters opposed military action against Iran. The episode also explores how constant media exposure, moral implication in state violence, and the normalization of instability shape adults and children alike. Poston closes by arguing that resilience isn’t enough without public conditions that restore agency—real ceasefires, accountability, and functioning community supports that make a future feel livable again.00:00 Welcome and Setup00:48 War Shrinks Tomorrow02:11 Defining Forever War03:19 Powerlessness and Consent04:26 Future Orientation Explained06:22 Foreshortened Future08:17 Time Disorientation09:57 Cascading Social Damage13:14 Politics and Authoritarian Drift14:16 Media Exposure and Implication16:19 Children Inherit Instability18:10 Expanding the Future Again20:14 Closing and Call to Action ★ Support this podcast ★ | 20m 30s | ||||||
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| 2/23/26 | What the Epstein Network Tells Us About Power, Complicity, and the Psychology of Betrayal | Losing Our Heroes: The Epstein Files, Elite Complicity, and the Psychology of Looking AwayHost Leslie Poston discusses the psychological impact of seeing the names of people you once admired or trusted in the Epstein files. Poston examines why revelations connected to the Epstein files can feel psychologically destabilizing, especially when they involve admired public figures and trusted institutions. Drawing on research in power and social perception, implicit cognition, moral disengagement, parasocial relationships, and betrayal trauma, the episode explores how people and systems can minimize harm, avoid accountability, and sustain “looking away,” and discusses grief, anger, and disillusionment as part of responding clearly to what the files document.00:00 Welcome + Content Warning: Losing Our Heroes in the Epstein Revelations00:50 What the Epstein Files Really Represent (Not a ‘Scandal’)02:30 The Eugenics Ideology Behind the Network’s Power03:34 Why It Went On for Decades: Power, Attention, and Elite Blindness05:11 Implicit Cognition & ‘Motivated Not Knowing’ Among Ethical Public Figures08:25 How Media & Religion Train Us to Soften Abuse (Moral Disengagement)11:25 Parasocial Grief, Cognitive Dissonance, and Identity Shame13:57 Betrayal Trauma: Survivors, Institutions, and Why Accountability Matters16:02 Recovering After Disillusionment: Grief, Anger, and Clear-Eyed Demands18:06 Closing ★ Support this podcast ★ | 18m 21s | ||||||
| 2/16/26 | Courage is Contagious: The Psychology of Collective Efficacy | Sustained Resistance: How Communities Keep Showing Up Under RepressionHost Leslie Poston closes PsyberSpace’s three-part series on American authoritarianism by focusing on the psychology of sustained resistance. Drawing on findings that real-world bystander intervention occurs in most incidents, she distinguishes one-time helping from long-term collective action and uses Minneapolis as an example of ongoing community response to state violence. She reviews research suggesting risk can increase commitment when paired with anger at repression and a belief that participation matters, and argues effective resistance relies on pre-existing collective efficacy built through repeated small acts of trust and mutual aid. She references Havel’s idea of “living in truth,” where refusing to perform compliance with obvious lies creates a growing space where propaganda fails. Poston also outlines factors that sustain activism under repression: emotional solidarity, alternative information/documentation sources as “epistemic infrastructure,” tactical flexibility, and the belief that others share one’s perception of reality. She also discusses the danger of pluralistic ignorance and discusses Erica Chenoweth’s research on civil resistance, including the higher historical success of nonviolent movements and cautions about overinterpreting the 3.5% threshold and changing success rates in the 2010s. Poston emphasizes diverse roles and tactics (street protest, documentation, legal support, sanctuary, labor action, and local noncooperation) and ends with practical guidance: build community relationships before crisis, maintain reality-testing against gaslighting, and choose an appropriate role to make dissent visible.00:00 Welcome Back + What This Finale Covers01:05 Beyond the Bystander Effect: What Sustained Resistance Requires02:41 Risk, Anger, and Why Danger Can Fuel Commitment03:47 Collective Efficacy: The Trust Built Before the Crisis05:41 “Living in Truth”: Refusing to Perform the Lie07:35 4 Keys to Staying Engaged Under Repression10:17 Mass Participation, Nonviolence, and Diversity of Tactics12:15 Practical Takeaways: Build Community, Protect Reality, Find Your Role14:29 Series Wrap-Up + Final Thoughts and Next Episode Tease ★ Support this podcast ★ | 15m 12s | ||||||
| 2/9/26 | The War on What You Saw: The Psychology of Gaslighting at Scale | The Power and Purpose of Obvious Lies in Authoritarian RegimesIn this episode of PsyberSpace®, host Leslie Poston explores why authoritarian regimes tell obvious lies that contradict available video evidence and their psychological impact on the public. The discussion digs into how such lies serve to dominate rather than persuade, sorting the population, degrading shared reality, and forcing individuals to either accept the lie, stay quiet, or openly reject it. The episode also touches on concepts like institutional gaslighting, epistemic violence, and moral injury, highlighting the social costs and potential resilience strategies against these tactics. The upcoming part three will focus on the psychology of resistance and collective action.00:00 Introduction to Authoritarian Lies00:36 The Psychology Behind Obvious Lies01:44 Propaganda and Domination02:25 Sorting the Population03:08 Degrading Shared Reality03:37 Forcing a Choice04:22 Institutional Gaslighting05:05 Epistemology of Ignorance06:32 Racist Gaslighting08:02 Moral Injury and Exhaustion10:14 The Cost of Dissent12:27 Social Connection as Resistance14:22 The Power of Documentation14:53 The Vulnerability of Obvious Lies15:24 Looking Ahead: The Psychology of Resistance15:46 Conclusion and Sign Off ★ Support this podcast ★ | 16m 03s | ||||||
| 2/2/26 | When They Come For You: The Psychology of Expanding Violence | Understanding American Authoritarianism Short Series Part 1 of 3: Expansion of State ViolenceIn the first part of a special three-episode series on PsyberSpace®, host Leslie Poston examines the psychology of authoritarianism with a focus on the expansion of state violence in the United States. Highlighting the significance of understanding how psychological patterns predict such outcomes, Leslie discusses recent events involving federal immigration agents and names the victims to humanize the statistics. She delves into various research by black scholars and others on moral exclusion, implicit bias, police violence, and the mechanisms behind systematic racism. The episode underscores the importance of recognizing and acting against the contraction of the moral circle and prepares the audience for the next episode on the psychology of manufactured reality.00:00 Introduction to American Authoritarianism01:11 Documenting State Violence03:02 Moral Exclusion and Dehumanization05:43 Intersectionality and Systemic Racism06:37 Expanding Carceral State11:21 Survivor Psychology and Clarity13:13 Conclusion and Next Episode PreviewResearch will be added to PsyberSpace later this week ★ Support this podcast ★ | 13m 48s | ||||||
| 1/27/26 | Your Data Is Already Breached: Why Age Verification Makes It Worse | The Illusion of Digital Safety: How Age Gates and Digital IDs Miss the MarkIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the ineffectiveness and risks of age gates and digital ID verification systems aimed at protecting children online. Highlighting global legislative attempts and their unintended consequences, Poston argues that these measures often exacerbate digital risks while failing to address root causes such as inadequate parental capacity, literacy deficiencies, and systemic economic struggles. The episode challenges the moral panic around social media's impact on youth mental health, pointing out that true protection requires structural change rather than symbolic, ineffective solutions.00:00 Introduction and Data Breach Experiment01:09 Global Push for Age Gates and Digital ID Verification02:24 Moral Panic and Media Influence02:51 Scientific Evidence on Social Media and Youth Wellbeing07:02 The Real Issues: Parenting Capacity and Literacy Crisis09:35 The Illusion of Control: Age Gates and Surveillance14:09 Effective Solutions and Structural Change15:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts ★ Support this podcast ★ | 17m 56s | ||||||
| 1/19/26 | Why Does Debating Bad Ideas Make Them Stronger? | The Hidden Dangers of Debate: Why It Can Legitimize Bad IdeasIn this episode of PsyberSpace®, host Leslie Poston explores the unintended consequences of debate formats in media, arguing that they often function as tools to distribute and legitimize harmful ideas rather than dismantling them with facts. Poston discusses psychological principles such as social proof, the illusory truth effect, and the continued influence effect to explain why debates can amplify bad ideas. She advocates for alternative approaches such as weight of evidence framing, pre-bunking tactics, and audience-centered harm reduction to effectively combat misinformation and reduce harm.00:00 Introduction to Debate Content01:14 The Unseen Consequences of Debates02:06 The Psychology Behind Debate Failures04:13 False Balance in Media05:44 The Illusory Truth Effect07:43 Debate as Entertainment09:38 Incentives and Bad Faith Tactics14:13 Strategies for Harm Reduction16:20 Practical Tips for Responding to Misinformation18:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts ★ Support this podcast ★ | 19m 44s | ||||||
| 1/12/26 | When "No" Stops Mattering: The Psychology of Stolen Consent | The Erosion of Consent in the Digital AgeIn this episode of PsyberSpace®, Leslie Poston discusses the systematic erosion of consent both online and offline, and its devastating psychological consequences. Key topics include non-consensual AI-generated sexual imagery, the mass theft of creative work to train AI systems, the exploitation of vulnerable individuals for social media content, and the influence of manosphere ideology on young men. Poston explores the dehumanization and objectification that results from these trends, the psychological theories behind them, and provides insights into moral disengagement and learned helplessness. The episode concludes with strategies for resisting these harmful practices and emphasizes the importance of maintaining and teaching respect for consent.00:00 Introduction to the Erosion of Consent01:15 Understanding Objectification and Its Harms02:25 AI and Non-Consensual Imagery05:20 Data Colonialism and Creative Theft07:52 Exploitation for Social Media Clout11:01 Manosphere Ideology and Consent14:52 Surveillance and Privacy Violations18:46 Psychological Consequences of Consent Erosion23:08 Paths to Resistance and Hope26:36 Conclusion and Call to ActionResearch will be added to the PsyberSpace.com main website ★ Support this podcast ★ | 27m 17s | ||||||
| 1/5/26 | Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, EMDR, and Beyond: Real Talk on Mental Health Modalities | PsyberSpace® on Navigating Therapy: Finding the Right Modality and Therapist for Your Mental HealthIn this episode of PsyberSpace®, host Leslie Poston kicks off season three with an in-depth exploration of several of the many therapy modalities available to you. Leslie discusses that therapy isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, emphasizing the importance of finding the right match between therapeutic modalities, the therapist, and individual needs. The episode covers various therapeutic approaches including CBT, DBT, psychodynamic therapy, EMDR, somatic experiencing, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, highlighting their benefits, limitations, and suitable candidates. Additionally, Leslie highlights the importance of community-based healing and the ethical considerations surrounding therapy. The episode offers practical advice on finding, vetting, and (if needed) firing therapists, and underscores the need for personalized and culturally sensitive therapeutic practices.00:00 Introduction to Season Three: Therapy Insights01:47 Setting the Context: Western Psychology vs. Indigenous Knowledge04:37 Exploring Therapeutic Modalities: CBT and Its Limitations07:28 Diving into DBT: Emotional Regulation and Skills-Based Therapy08:39 Unpacking Psychodynamic Therapy: Deep Self-Understanding09:54 EMDR: Trauma-Focused Therapy11:45 Body-Centered Therapies: Somatic Approaches13:48 Psychedelic Assisted Therapy: Emerging Field and Ethical Considerations17:23 Community-Based Healing: Beyond Individual Therapy20:58 Finding the Right Therapist: Questions and Red Flags26:20 Firing Your Therapist: When and How to Move On28:50 Conclusion: Your Healing JourneyVisit the main web site at PsyberSpace.com for the research and to comment on each episode. Research may take 48 hours to upload to the site, as we work to help make real research accessible and to defeat AI slop and AI fake citations. ★ Support this podcast ★ | 30m 16s | ||||||
| 12/23/25 | Going No Contact: Why Adult Children Are Choosing Their Mental Health Over Family | Navigating Family Estrangement During the HolidaysIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the trending issue of family estrangement, especially relevant during the holiday season. With so many adults experiencing estrangement, Poston dives into the research findings from the Cornell Reconciliation Project and other studies. The episode discusses the perspectives and reasons behind estrangement both from adult children and the parents' viewpoints, highlighting cultural shifts and the need for emotional intelligence. The show also covers the misconceptions around 'Parental Alienation Syndrome,' the impact of estrangement during holidays, and potential pathways to reconciliation.00:00 Introduction to Family Estrangement01:11 The Prevalence of Estrangement03:18 Understanding the Reasons for Estrangement05:24 Parental Perspectives on Estrangement06:59 The Controversy of Parental Alienation08:39 Cultural Shifts and Emotional Health10:32 Pathways to Reconciliation12:56 The Emotional Impact of Holidays14:02 Final Thoughts and Takeaways ★ Support this podcast ★ | 15m 43s | ||||||
| 12/16/25 | When Trust in Research Breaks: How Engineered Doubt Unravels Our Sense of What’s Real | The Impact of Engineered Doubt on Trust and KnowledgeIn this episode of PsyberSpace™, hosted by Leslie Poston, the focus is on the concept of trust in a rapidly changing world. Leslie digs into how societal trust is being undermined by 'engineered doubt', the deliberate creation of uncertainty by powerful forces that aim to destabilize public confidence in research, expertise, and evidence. The episode discusses the emotional and psychological impacts of this phenomenon on both the general public and researchers, the role of political pressure and misinformation, and how AI technologies amplify the problem. Leslie emphasizes the importance of recognizing these tactics, maintaining awareness, and finding reliable sources to rebuild trust. The episode serves as a guide to understanding the complex dynamics of trust in an age of misinformation and political manipulation.00:00 Introduction to PsyberSpace00:28 The Erosion of Trust in Modern Society02:18 Engineered Doubt: Creating Uncertainty02:47 Political Pressure on Research04:56 The Silence Within the Research Community08:16 The Role of AI in Amplifying Doubt08:52 Health Consequences of Engineered Doubt09:24 The Psychological Impact of Trust Erosion10:15 Researchers Under Siege11:50 The Collective Impact of Engineered Doubt13:15 Finding Anchors in a Sea of Doubt14:20 Conclusion and Call to ActionResearch list will be on the main PsyberSpace™ site tomorrow ★ Support this podcast ★ | 14m 58s | ||||||
| 12/9/25 | Stop Thinking: How Clever Phrases Hijack Your Brain | Recognizing and Countering Thought Limiting PhrasesIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston discusses 'thought limiting phrases'—statements that superficially seem wise but actually discourage critical thinking. These phrases often shut down debate, simplify complex issues, and create false equivalencies, benefiting those who want to avoid scrutiny. Leslie explores examples in technology, privacy, workplace dynamics, politics, and more, highlighting their psychological appeal and social impact. The episode also provides strategies for recognizing and challenging these phrases to promote deeper inquiry and nuanced understanding.00:00 Introduction: AI vs. Calculator00:39 Welcome to PsyberSpace00:48 Understanding Thought Limiting Phrases02:13 Examples in Technology and Progress03:42 Privacy and Surveillance Phrases04:19 Workplace and Fatalism Phrases05:06 Political and Personal Responsibility Phrases06:34 Information Landscape Phrases07:42 Cognitive Mechanisms Behind Thought Limiting Phrases11:25 Deep Dive: AI is Just a Tool16:25 Fighting Back Against Thought Limiting Phrases19:47 Conclusion and Call to Action ★ Support this podcast ★ | 21m 37s | ||||||
| 12/2/25 | Limerence: When Obsession Masquerades as Love | Understanding Limerence: The Psychological and Neurological PerspectivesIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston digs into the phenomenon of limerence, a state of intense, often obsessive longing that is frequently mistaken for love. Leslie explores how limerence manifests and differs from love and lust, particularly in neurodivergent individuals and those with trauma. The discussion covers the impact of modern technology and social media in intensifying these feelings. Practical advice is offered for managing and overcoming limerence, emphasizing the importance of grounding oneself in reality and seeking support when needed.00:00 Introduction to Limerence00:42 Understanding Limerence02:27 Limerence in Neurodivergent Individuals07:22 The Role of Social Media09:14 Parasocial Relationships and Limerence10:52 The Emotional Impact of Limerence12:53 Breaking the Limerent Loop15:48 Factors Contributing to Limerence16:57 Conclusion and Resources ★ Support this podcast ★ | 18m 12s | ||||||
| 11/24/25 | How to Spot Weaponized Therapy Speak | Therapy Speak: Understanding Its Positive Impact and Identifying Its MisuseIn this episode of PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores the mainstream adoption of 'therapy speak,' explaining its beneficial role in self-understanding and mental health awareness. The script discusses the expansion of psychological terminology into everyday conversations and its revolutionary impact on self-diagnosis, especially among marginalized communities. However, it also addresses the potential misuse of therapy language in relationships, politics, and workplaces to avoid accountability and manipulate others. Leslie outlines how to spot these manipulations and emphasizes the importance of using psychological awareness responsibly to facilitate growth and understanding.00:00 Introduction to Therapy Speak00:35 The Rise of Therapy Speak in Everyday Life01:39 The Benefits of Self-Diagnosis02:00 The Dark Side: Weaponizing Therapy Speak02:29 Historical Context and Concept Creep04:14 The Digital Revolution and Mental Health07:24 Recognizing Weaponized Therapy Speak in Relationships11:03 Therapy Speak in Politics14:13 Therapy Speak in the Workplace17:33 Framework for Identifying Weaponized Therapy Speak19:14 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources:Cloitre, M., Stolbach, B. C., Herman, J. L., van der Kolk, B., Pynoos, R., Wang, J., & Petkova, E. (2009). A developmental approach to complex PTSD: Childhood and adult cumulative trauma as predictors of symptom complexity. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 22(5), 399-408.Haslam, N. (2016). Concept creep: Psychology's expanding concepts of harm and pathology. Psychological Inquiry, 27(1), 1-17. Haslam, N., McGrath, M. J., Viechtbauer, W., & Kuppens, P. (2020). Harm inflation: Making sense of concept creep. European Review of Social Psychology, 31(1), 254-286.Haslam, N., Tse, J. S. Y., & De Deyne, S. (2021). Concept creep and psychiatrization. Frontiers in Sociology, 6, 806147. Hudon, A., Perry, K., Plate, A. S., Doucet, A., Ducharme, L., Djona, O., Testart Aguirre, C., Evoy, G., Stip, E., & Abdel-Baki, A. (2025). Navigating the maze of social media disinformation on psychiatric illness and charting paths to reliable information for mental health professionals: Observational study of TikTok videos. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27, e64225. Kirkpatrick, C. E., & Lawrie, L. L. (2024). TikTok as a source of health information and misinformation for young women in the United States: Survey study. JMIR Infodemiology, 4, e54663. McGrath, Melanie & Haslam, Nick. (2020). Development and validation of the Harm Concept Breadth Scale: Assessing individual differences in harm inflation. PLOS ONE. 15. e0237732. 10.1371/journal.pone.0237732. McCashin, D., Coyle, D., & Murphy, C. M. (2023). Using TikTok for public and youth mental health: A systematic review and content analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 26, 279-306.Omidbakhsh Z, Mohammadi Z, Soltanabadi S. Childhood Maltreatment and Complex PTSD: A Systematic Literature Review. Trauma Violence Abuse. 2025 May 18:15248380251320985. doi: 10.1177/15248380251320985. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40383965.Cai, D. (2023, June 26). Esther Perel Thinks All This amateur Therapy-Speak is Just Making Us Lonelier. Vanity Fair. Retrieved from https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2023/06/esther-perel-amateur-therapy-speakRameckers SA, van Emmerik AAP, Bachrach N, Lee CW, Morina N, Arntz A. The impact of childhood maltreatment on the severity of childhood-related posttraumatic stress disorder in adults. Child Abuse Negl. 2021 Oct;120:105208. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105208. Epub 2021 Jul 28. PMID: 34332332.Spinazzola, J., Hodgdon, H., Liang, L. J., Ford, J. D., Layne, C. M., Pynoos, R., ... & Kisiel, C. (2014). Unseen wounds: The contribution of psychological maltreatment to child and adolescent mental health and risk outcomes. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 6(S1), S18-S28.Turuba, R., Cormier, W., Zimmerman, R., Ow, N., Zenone, M., Quintana, Y., ... & Barbic, S. (2024). Exploring how youth use TikTok for mental health information in British Columbia: Semistructured interview study with youth. JMIR Infodemiology, 4, e53233.Vylomova, E., Murphy, S., & Haslam, N. (2019). Evaluation of semantic change of harm-related concepts in psychology. In Proceedings of the 1st International Workshop on Computational Approaches to Historical Language Change (pp. 29-34). Association for Computational Linguistics.Yeung, A., Ng, E., & Abi-Jaoude, E. (2022). TikTok and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A cross-sectional study of social media content quality. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 67(12), 899-906. ★ Support this podcast ★ | 20m 21s | ||||||
| 11/21/25 | From Entropy to Action: Hope, Tactics, and Knowing When to Step Up (E5 of 5 in Series) | Finding Reasonable Hope in the Entropy AgeIn this final episode of the 'Entropy Age' series on PsyberSpace, host Leslie Poston explores strategies for maintaining hope and taking action amidst systemic chaos and decay. She discusses the psychological underpinnings of hope, the impact of systemic entropy on the nervous system, and the concept of tactical whimsy. Poston emphasizes the importance of building small, supportive rituals and finding your role in collective action. The episode offers insights into balancing self-care with social resistance, aiming to empower listeners to make meaningful changes even in turbulent times.00:00 Introduction to the Entropy Age Series00:28 Recap of Previous Episodes01:12 Exploring Reasonable Hope03:17 Understanding Self-Determination Theory04:49 Impact of Systemic Entropy on the Body07:20 The Role of Tactical Whimsy09:26 When to Move Beyond Small-Scale Actions13:06 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources:Bandura, A. (2000). Exercise of human agency through collective efficacy. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9(3), 75–78.Chenoweth, E., & Stephan, M. J. (2011). Why civil resistance works: The strategic logic of nonviolent conflict. Columbia University Press.Collins, P. H. (2009). Black feminist thought: Knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment (2nd ed.). Routledge.Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268.Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Self-determination theory: A macrotheory of human motivation, development, and health. Canadian Psychology, 49(3), 182–185.Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226.Fredrickson, B. L. (2013). Positive emotions broaden and build. In P. Devine & A. Plant (Eds.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 47, pp. 1–53). Academic Press.Haslam, S. A., Jetten, J., Postmes, T., & Haslam, C. (2009). Social identity, health and well-being: An emerging agenda for applied psychology. Applied Psychology, 58(1), 1–23.Haslam, Catherine & Cruwys, Tegan & Haslam, S. & Jetten, Jolanda. (2015). Social Connectedness and Health. 10.1007/978-981-287-080-3_46-2. Jetten, J., Haslam, C., & Haslam, S. A. (Eds.). (2012). The social cure: Identity, health and well-being. Psychology Press.McMillan Cottom, T. (2019). Thick: And other essays. New York, NY: The New Press.Porges, S. W. (2007). The polyvagal perspective. Biological Psychology, 74(2), 116–143.Sampson, R. J., Raudenbush, S. W., & Earls, F. (1997). Neighborhoods and violent crime: A multilevel study of collective efficacy. Science, 277(5328), 918–924.Snyder, C. R. (2002). Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Inquiry, 13(4), 249–275.Spade, D. (2020). Mutual aid: Building solidarity during this crisis (and the next). Verso.Spencer, R. C. (2008). Engendering the Black freedom struggle: Revolutionary Black womanhood and the Black Panther Party in the Bay Area, California. Journal of Women’s History, 20(1), 90–113.Ungar, M. (2011). The social ecology of resilience: Addressing contextual and cultural ambiguity of a nascent construct. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 81(1), 1–17. ★ Support this podcast ★ | 16m 15s | ||||||
| 11/21/25 | Living in Entropy: Power in the Entropy Age, or Who Thrives When Things Fall Apart (E4 of 5 in Series) | Psychological Patterns of Power in the Entropy AgeWelcome back to PsyberSpace with Leslie Poston. In this fourth episode of a five-part series on living through the entropy age, we dig into the psychology of power in chaotic times. We explore how social dominance orientation, hoarding mindsets, and authoritarian tendencies allow some leaders to thrive amidst instability. We also discuss mechanisms of moral disengagement that turn harmful actions into perceived necessities, and the psychological costs of this behavior on society. This episode provides insights into how these patterns shape the behavior of power-holders and offer a lens to understand current socio-political dynamics. Join us next time as we conclude the series by exploring responses to entropy and how small forms of order and resistance persist.00:00 Introduction to the Entropy Series00:33 Recap of Previous Episodes01:04 Exploring Power in Chaotic Conditions02:06 Hoarding Power in Decaying Systems05:17 Authoritarian Tendencies and Manufactured Order08:40 Mechanisms of Moral Disengagement11:46 The Psychological Costs of Power Hoarding13:54 Conclusion and Looking AheadResources:Altemeyer, B. (1996). The authoritarian specter. Harvard University Press. Bandura, A. (1999). Moral disengagement in the perpetration of inhumanities. Personality and Social Psychology Review, 3(3), 193–209. Christl, M. E., Pham, K. T., Rosenthal, A., & DePrince, A. P. (2024). When institutions harm those who depend on them: A scoping review of institutional betrayal. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. Advance online publication. Piff, P. K., Kraus, M. W., Côté, S., Cheng, B. H., & Keltner, D. (2010). Having less, giving more: The influence of social class on prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 99(5), 771–784. Piff, P. K., Stancato, D. M., Côté, S., Mendoza-Denton, R., & Keltner, D. (2012). Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 109(11), 4086–4091. Pratto, F., Sidanius, J., Stallworth, L. M., & Malle, B. F. (1994). Social dominance orientation: A personality variable predicting social and political attitudes. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 67(4), 741–763. Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (1999). Social dominance: An intergroup theory of social hierarchy and oppression. Cambridge University Press. Smith, C. P., & Freyd, J. J. (2014). Institutional betrayal. American Psychologist, 69(6), 575–587. Stenner, K. (2005). The authoritarian dynamic. Cambridge University Press. ★ Support this podcast ★ | 15m 27s | ||||||
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