JOY Drive

15 Mar 2026

Dr Madeleine Fraser: Positive Affirmations, Self Talk and the Psychology of What Helps

Mental Health, Psychology, Social Sciences

Positive affirmations promise confidence, calm and a better mindset, but do they genuinely improve how we feel about ourselves? Madeleine Fraser explains what the research shows about affirmations, why they sometimes backfire for people already feeling low, and why self-compassion and realistic self-talk may be far more powerful.

Guest: Dr Madeleine Fraser, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Australian Catholic University

Presenter: Warren Andrew

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 11:50 — 16.3MB)

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15 Mar 2026

Associate Professor Micah Goldwater: Why Rational People Still Believe in Superstitions

Popular Culture, Social Sciences, Society & Culture

Most of us consider ourselves rational, yet superstitions still shape everyday behaviour. Psychologist Micah Goldwater explains why scientific thinking and ...

15 Mar 2026

Associate Professor Lauren Rosewarne: Why Some Gen Z Men Are Returning to Traditional Gender Views

LGBTIQA+ Community, Popular Culture, Social Media, Society & Culture

New research suggests some Gen Z men are expressing more traditional views about gender roles than older generations. Associate Professor ...

15 Mar 2026

Ben Cork: What the Pride in Sport Survey Reveals About Inclusion in Australian Sport

LGBTIQA+ Community, Professional, Society & Culture, Sports & Recreation

New results from the Pride in Sport Index survey reveal how LGBTQIA+ players, coaches and volunteers are experiencing sport across ...