Ep 42: What makes hobbies healing?
PsychCrunch
In this episode of PsychCrunch, Tabby Taylor Buck delves into the world of unconventional therapeutic activities, guided by the latest psychological research and insights from practitioners in the field. She explores how innovative approaches are reshaping what therapy can look and feel like. Tabby begins with a spot of climbing therapy, and then turns to the imaginative world of structured roleplay, as Dr. Sören Henrich discusses the therapeutic potential of Dungeons & Dragons. Next, Professor Jo Williams offers insight into animal-assisted interventions, shedding light on the...
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Ep 41: What makes a successful transition to school?
PsychCrunch
Most of us remember what it was like to start school. Intimidating new places, being unsure of the schedule, lots of new potential friends — and maybe a few foes. It’s a huge moment for kids, and their families, that brings with it a lot of big, complex challenges. In this episode, Jon Sutton chats with Professor Claire Hughes, Deputy Director of the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge, about the hurdles families face when children start school, what it means to be ‘school ready’, and more. This is Episode 41 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British...
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Ep 40: Kink, community, and transformation
PsychCrunch
The massive variety of human sexual interests is a little mind-boggling. As what we consider to be sexually typical continues to be expanded and shaped by the internet and popular culture, psychologists are making efforts to research kinks and members of the kink community like never before. Join Ella Rhodes in conversation with Liam Wignall (Senior Lecturer at Brighton University and committee member of the BPS’s Sexualities Section) about his work exploring community in these underground spaces, links with neurodivergence, and the ways modern technology is transforming the scene — as...
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Ep 39: Why it's worth embracing uncertainty
PsychCrunch
There’s no question that we find ourselves in uncertain times. Looking at current events and wondering about what the future may hold can leave us feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed, to say the least. But uncertain times aren’t always the ominous force we make them out to be. In fact, research suggests that they can create unique opportunities for growth and transformation that we wouldn’t otherwise encounter. This episode, Ella Rhodes chats with Maggie Jackson — author of Uncertain and expert on uncertainty — unpacking how uncertainty shapes our lives. Together, they...
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Ep 38: Nothing about us without us
PsychCrunch
In years gone by, the norm for psychological research was to design studies from the outside looking in. Acting as observers of particular populations, there was generally an expected separation between the researcher and the researched. More recently, however, there’s been a shift. For decades, the rallying cry “nothing about us without us” has been used by the disability rights movement to communicate the idea that no policy should come to pass without their full and direct participation. This important approach has made its way to psychological research, and as it gathers momentum,...
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Ep 37: Talking with patients about sad, bad and difficult things
PsychCrunch
This is Episode 37 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest, sponsored by Routledge Psychology. [Content warning: This episode centres around cancer. As such, it makes references to medical events and themes that some listeners may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.] In the face of significant medical challenges, we would all hope for compassionate, informative communication from medical professionals and those close to us. Sometimes, though, the reality falls short of that expectation. This episode, Editor of The Psychologist, Dr Jon...
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Ep 36: The secrets of dreams and nightmares
PsychCrunch
This is Episode 36 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest, sponsored by Routledge Psychology. Why do we dream? And what business does a good dream have turning into a nightmare? In this episode, Ella Rhodes embarks on an exploration of our non-waking life. In it, she speaks with Director of the Swansea University Sleep Laboratory, Professor Mark Blagrove, about his research and latest theories about the origins of dreams. Research Clinical Psychologist Dr Bryony Sheaves of Oxford University also shares her expert insights into why we have...
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Ep 35: Why do we enjoy playing with fear?
PsychCrunch
This is Episode 35 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest, sponsored by Routledge Psychology. From haunted houses to scary movies, many of us find a thrill in a good scare. But… isn’t that a bit counter-intuitive? In this episode, we ask why so many of us are drawn to things that should make us run a mile, and whether we can use fear to help us better cope with day-to-day anxiety. Host Ella Rhodes speaks with Director of The Recreational Fear Lab, Dr Mathias Clasen, and Cambridge University PhD student Lucie Daniel-Watanabe to discover why fear...
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Ep 34: How do you make friends as an adult?
PsychCrunch
This is Episode 34 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society’s Research Digest, sponsored by Routledge Psychology. Despite it being easier than ever to communicate, so many of us find it challenging to make new friends – especially as we get older. Opening up conversations with strangers can leave us feeling like a bother, and fizzle into nothing more than a one-off interaction. The loneliness this can create isn’t just a passing sting, it can have ongoing impacts to both our mental and physical health. So, in this episode, Ginny Smith asks: just how do we make...
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Ep 33: Have you experienced the unseen other?
PsychCrunch
Have you ever had the feeling that there was someone – or something – nearby? Perhaps you were in bed falling asleep when you suddenly became convinced that a person was standing next to you, even though you couldn’t actually ‘see’ or ‘hear’ anyone at all. Or maybe you were out in the wilderness, with no-one for miles around, and couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was following you. In this episode, Dr Jon Sutton, editor of The Psychologist magazine, talks to , Associate Professor at Durham University, about the phenomenon of the 'felt presence' – that often eerie...
info_outlineIn this episode of PsychCrunch, Tabby Taylor Buck delves into the world of unconventional therapeutic activities, guided by the latest psychological research and insights from practitioners in the field. She explores how innovative approaches are reshaping what therapy can look and feel like.
Tabby begins with a spot of climbing therapy, and then turns to the imaginative world of structured roleplay, as Dr. Sören Henrich discusses the therapeutic potential of Dungeons & Dragons. Next, Professor Jo Williams offers insight into animal-assisted interventions, shedding light on the psychological mechanisms that underpin them. Finally, the conversation plunges into cold water. Professors Mark Wetherell and Mike Tipton discuss the psychological and physiological impact of cold water swimming, exploring how cold water immersion may help with stress adaptation and improve mood.
Throughout the episode, Tabby and her guests explore a central question: Are these diverse interventions tapping into unique mechanisms, or are they all accessing shared core ingredients that promote psychological wellbeing?
This is Episode 42 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society's Research Digest, sponsored by Zanda.
Episode Credits:
Produced and hosted by Tabby Taylor Buck.
Edited by Emma Barratt.
Hungry for more?
Read about how Dungeons & Dragons shaped psychologist Dr Sören Henrich’s identity and connections in academia.
Or hear about how our current media landscape makes this the ‘golden age of play for adults’ with this piece from Dave Neale.
Find these and much, much more over at The Psychologist.
PsychCrunch is brought to you by Zanda, the all-in-one practice management software designed for psychologists. With telehealth, easy mobile access, and automated tools, including online scheduling and reminders, Zanda helps you run your practice, your way. Find out more at ZandaHealth.com