Richard Wiseman's On Your Mind

Why are some people so happy? How can you tell when politicians are lying? Is it logical to carry a lucky charm? 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. This fact-filled, irreverent, interactive podcast is the ultimate guide to the human psyche and provides listeners with an invaluable toolkit for successful living. 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 text or voice message to @wisemanpod https://twitter.com/wisemanpod CREDITS Presented by Professor Richard Wiseman and Marnie Chesterton Produced by Kate White Executive Producers for Podimo: Jake Chudnow and Matt White Executive Producers for TellTale: Rami Tzabar & Jago Lee Music: For My Friend / Daniel Fridell & Sven Lindvall / courtesy of http://www.epidemicsound.com

Episodes

40: Friendship

January 3, 2024 • 27 mins

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 text or voice message to @wisemanpod, email kate.white@telltaleindustries.com or head to listentoonyourmind.com.

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39: Can You Spot a Con?

December 27, 2023 • 28 mins

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 Richard? We’d love to hear from you - send a text or voice message to @wisemanpod, email kate.white@telltaleindustries.com or head...

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38: Christmas

December 20, 2023 • 26 mins

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!).

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 ...

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37: Are You a Blurter?

December 13, 2023 • 28 mins

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 want to miss an episode? Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richard? We’d love to hear from you - se...

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36: Hidden Persuaders

December 6, 2023 • 25 mins

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 the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richard? We’d love to hear from you - send a text or voice message to @w...

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35: Richard's Favourite Studies

November 29, 2023 • 27 mins

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 miss an episode? Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richard? We’d love to hear from you - send a t...

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34: Mind Control

November 22, 2023 • 28 mins

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’d love to hear from you - send a text or voice message to @wisemanpod, email kate.white@telltaleindustries.com or head to ...

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33: More Myths

November 15, 2023 • 26 mins

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 miss an episode? Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richard? We’d love to hear from you - send a te...

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32: Robin Ince & Curiosity

November 8, 2023 • 25 mins

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 miss an episode? Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richard? We’d love to hear from you - send a te...

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31: The Workplace

November 1, 2023 • 27 mins

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 Richard? We’d love to hear from you - send a text or voice message to @wisemanpod, email kate.white@telltaleindustries.com or ...

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30: Adrian Owen & The Brain

October 25, 2023 • 26 mins

In this special episode about the brain, Richard and Marnie talk to cognitive neuroscientist Professor Adrian Owen about his ground breaking research. He then goes on to answer your questions about the brain, including can you train your brain? What happens when we meditate? And is there a higher state of consciousness?

Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richard?...

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29: Weird Studies

October 18, 2023 • 27 mins

Richard and Marnie take a look at some of the weird psychology studies that have been carried out over the years, from trying to weigh the soul, to the tale of the talking mongoose. Join them as they reveal the surprising impact that these strange cases actually had on today's world.

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...

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28: Nature & Animals

October 11, 2023 • 25 mins

Ever wondered what you can tell about a person's personality from their pets? What are the psychological benefits of owning a dog? In this episode, Richard and Marnie take a closer look at the psychology of pet ownership, as well as exploring how being in nature affects us.

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 text or v...

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27: The Power of Small Change

October 4, 2023 • 25 mins

Join Richard and Marnie as they discuss how small life changes can have a big impact, and why you might need to go on a digital detox. They provide top tips on how to start making lifestyle changes and reveal why starting small is key.

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 text or voice message to @wisemanpod, email kate....

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26: Psychics

September 27, 2023 • 25 mins

Richard and Marnie explore the world of psychic ability and take a closer look at how scientists test for extra sensory perception. They look at why psychic readings can seem so accurate and reveal some of the tricks of the trade.

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 text or voice message to @wisemanpod, email kate.whit...

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25: Jonathan Goodwin: Courage & Resilience

September 20, 2023 • 31 mins

In this special episode, Richard and Marnie talk to daredevil and escapologist Jonathan Goodwin. They explore the psychological lessons that can be found in Jonathan's incredible story of courage and resilience, after a catastrophic accident left him with life-changing injuries.

We're back to our normal format next week, with Richard and Marnie in the studio. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show (it's publi...

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24: Relationships

September 13, 2023 • 26 mins

Join Richard & Marnie as they discuss the psychology behind how to keep a long term relationship exciting, the best ways to communicate with your partner and whether small acts of romance add up. And if your partner starts to mark notches on the mantlepiece, then watch out!

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 text ...

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23: The Apollo Expedition

September 6, 2023 • 24 mins

In this episode we’re talking about the Apollo space mission and the psychological lessons we can learn from it. How does passion motivate us?
What are the secrets of success...and failure? And how to tread the line between risk and recklessness.

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 text or voice message to @wiseman...

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22: Pippa Evans & Improvising in Everyday Life

August 30, 2023 • 23 mins

In this second of our two special episodes from Edinburgh Festival, we talk to improv comedian Pippa Evans about how improv can help us in everyday life. Plus, how we can use these skills in our relationships and to be more successful.

We're back to our normal format next week, with Richard and Marnie in the studio. Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show (it's published weekly). Got a question for Richard? We...

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21: Jo Caulfield & The Psychology Of Stand-Up

August 23, 2023 • 28 mins

In this special episode, recorded at this year's Ediburgh Festival, we take a break from our usual question and answer format to talk to comedian Jo Caulfield about the psychological lessons that can be learned from stand-up comedy. Including the importance of keeping going when things get tough, the secret to being confident, and why you shouldn’t say yes to everything.

Don't want to miss an episode? Follow the show...

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Richard Wiseman's On Your Mind

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}40: Friendship

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}39: Can You Spot a Con?

38: Christmas

37: Are You a Blurter?

36: Hidden Persuaders

35: Richard's Favourite Studies

34: Mind Control

33: More Myths

32: Robin Ince & Curiosity

31: The Workplace

30: Adrian Owen & The Brain

29: Weird Studies

28: Nature & Animals

27: The Power of Small Change

26: Psychics

25: Jonathan Goodwin: Courage & Resilience

24: Relationships

23: The Apollo Expedition

22: Pippa Evans & Improvising in Everyday Life

21: Jo Caulfield & The Psychology Of Stand-Up

Popular Podcasts

40: Friendship

39: Can You Spot a Con?