Richard Wiseman's On Your Mind

Richard Wiseman's On Your Mind

Why are some people so happy? How can you tell when politicians are lying? Why do long lists of questions hold our attention? Welcome to Richard Wiseman’s On Your Mind, the podcast that aims to answer a thousand questions about the human mind. A magician, academic and author, Richard holds the UK’s only professorship in the public understanding of psychology. Together with science journalist Marnie Chesterton, they take on all manner of questions from the public, celebrities and each other, on everything from ghosts to laughter, dreaming to luck, sleep to memory. 

Reviews:
40: Friendship
January 03, 2024
40
00:27:23

40: Friendship

Richard and Marnie turn the spotlight on friendship, revealing the secrets to small talk, what makes people likeable and how to turn acquaintances into friends. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richard? We’d love to hear from you - send a...

39: Can You Spot a Con?
December 27, 2023
39
00:28:27

39: Can You Spot a Con?

Richard and Marnie answer some more of your listener questions, delving into the psychology of the street con-artist, sleepwalking, the importance of a growth mindset, attention spans and much more. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richar...

38: Christmas
December 20, 2023
38
00:26:57

38: Christmas

Get into the festive spirit with Richard and Marnie, as they unwrap the psychology of gift giving, reveal why cracker jokes are so bad, look at what our Christmas decorations say about us and whether we find people with beards more trustworthy (spoiler alert, it doesn't bode well for Santa!). Do...

37: Are You a Blurter?
December 13, 2023
37
00:28:53

37: Are You a Blurter?

Richard and Marnie answer some of your listener questions that have been sent in over the season. Such as, why do some people have no filter when they speak? Does everyone have an inner voice? Which is more powerful, nature or nurture? And why do people pick their nose (how delightful!). Don't w...

36: Hidden Persuaders
December 06, 2023
36
00:25:40

36: Hidden Persuaders

Richard and Marnie reveal some of the hidden persuaders that affect our decision making. Are we really as rational as we think we are? Do our names affect our lives and how successful we are? And how are we swayed by advertising, without even realising it? Don't want to miss an episode? Follow t...

35: Richard's Favourite Studies
November 29, 2023
35
00:27:55

35: Richard's Favourite Studies

In this episode we explore Richard's favourite psychological studies. How does our pace of life affect us? Do we all have the potential to harm others? And how good are we at telling if politicians are lying? Find out why these studies and more made it into Richard's hall of fame. Don't want to ...

34: Mind Control
November 22, 2023
34
00:28:19

34: Mind Control

Can you control someone’s mind? Marnie takes a suggestibility test, Richard reveals the secrets of hypnosis and they explore whether mind control exists, plus how hypnosis can be used for good. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richard? We...

33: More Myths
November 15, 2023
33
00:26:45

33: More Myths

Join Richard and Marnie as they dispel some more psychological myths. Including, whether playing Mozart to a baby makes them more intelligent? Do people really leave their bodies during an out of body experience? And when it comes to decision making, are two heads better than one? Don't want to ...

32: Robin Ince & Curiosity
November 08, 2023
32
00:25:57

32: Robin Ince & Curiosity

In this special episode, Richard and Marnie are joined by comedian and author Robin Ince, as they explore the psychology of curiosity. They reveal why staying curious is good for your health, how it can be used to drive learning and Richard sets Marnie a surprising curiosity test. Don't want to ...

31: The Workplace
November 01, 2023
31
00:27:24

31: The Workplace

Join Richard and Marnie as they explore the psychology of the workplace. Richard reveals the secrets to the perfect job interview, what makes for a good manager and why open plan offices are a bad idea. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Ri...