Show Notes
This is Episode 25 of PsychCrunch, the podcast from the British Psychological Society's Research Digest, sponsored by Routledge Psychology. Are our personalities set in stone, or can we choose to change them? In this bonus episode, Matthew Warren talks to former Research Digest editor Christian Jarrett about his new book Be Who You Want: Unlocking the Science of Personality Change. Christian discusses the evidence-based methods you can use to alter your personality, whether you're an introvert who wants to become the life of the party, or you simply wish you were a little more open to new experiences. He also explains how our personalities evolve over the course of our lifespans, even when we're not consciously trying to change them, and ponders how they might be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Be Who You Want: Unlocking the Science of Personality Change is out on May 18th in the United States and May 20th in the United Kingdom. Episode credits: Presented by Matthew Warren. Mixing and editing by Jeff Knowler. PsychCrunch theme music by Catherine Loveday and Jeff Knowler. Art work by Tim Grimshaw. Work discussed in this episode includes: Merely desiring to alter your personality is not enough, and may backfire unless you take concrete action to change Longest ever personality study finds no correlation between measures taken at age 14 and age 77 Here's How Our Personality Changes As We Age Other background reading A little discussed effect of therapy: it changes your personality Here's How Personality Changes In Young Adulthood Can Lead To Greater Career Satisfaction When Deciding How To Improve Our Personalities, Moral Character Is Not A Priority New insights into lifetime personality change from "meta-study" featuring 50,000 participants
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In this episode of PsychCrunch, we're at the Leverhulme Centre for Space and Humanity, based at Space Park in Leicester. Join Dr Jon Sutton and Dr Zoe Swann Baillie as they discuss resilience, the physical challenges of microgravity, working as a crew, and how the humanity in these topics can inform those of us on terra firma. We also hear from researchers who have an association with the Centre: Dr Valerie van Mulukom (Oxford Brookes University) and Professor John Maltby (University of Leicester) on integrating morality research into spaceflight, and hopes for future links between our discipline and the stars. The British Psychological Society is pleased to announce that it will be a Project Partner for the Leverhulme Centre for Space and Humanity.
In this episode of PsychCrunch, join our host, Tabby Taylor Buck, as she explores cutting-edge and historical approaches to voice hearing therapies. Come along for an insider look at the hallucination-mimicking AVATAR2 trial as Tabby sits down with Trial Coordinator Dr Clementine Edwards, then take a tour of the Mental Health Museum in Wakefield with her, Museum Curator Jane Stockdale, and Museum Officer Sally Evans. Learn what it's like to hear voices from Dr Andrew Grundy (Lived Experience Researcher, Manchester University), and what exactly schizophrenia, voice hearing, and psychosis mean with Dr Chris Taylor (University of Sheffield). This is Episode 47 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society's Research Digest, sponsored by Zanda. Episode Credits: Hosted by Tabby Taylor Buck. Audio wizardry by Jeff Knowler. Edited by Emma Barratt. Produced by Tabby Taylor Buck. Hungry for more? Check out this piece from Ben Gray, Peer Support Worker at EPUT (Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust), in which he gives a unique account of how hearing voices support sessions can provide inspiration and hope. Or head over to The Psychologist and explore. We're always interested in hearing from you. If you'd like to get in touch, you can find us on BlueSky @ResearchDigest. 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
When people hear 'forensic psychology' they might think of true crime documentaries or Silence of the Lambs – but the reality is much more about people, the systems they live in, and chances to change. In this episode, Ella Rhodes speaks to forensic psychologists Dr Rachel Worthington and Dr Geraldine Akerman to talk about how people end up in prison, why reoffending happens, what actually helps people move on. This is Episode 46 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society's Research Digest, sponsored by Zanda. Episode Credits: Hosted by Ella Rhodes. Edited by Emma Barratt. Audio wizardry by Jeff Knowler. Missed previous episodes? Get up to date via our PsychCrunch collection page. Want to learn more? Check out The Psychologist's Guide to Prisons, or hear from Dr Emma Palmer and Dr Ruth Hatcher, forensic psychologists at the University of Leicester, on why we need better support through the prison gateway.
We all love psychology, but it feels safe to say that most of us probably would love it more if it did some things differently. For many, psychology would benefit from a revolution (or two). In this episode, we share hot takes on the matter from the expert contributors to the March 2026 issue of our magazine, The Psychologist. What do they believe needs a revolution within the discipline? And should we call for revolutions at all? Special thanks to our guests: Audrey Linden, Jamie Cummins, Marcus Munafo, Margarita Panaiyoutou, Madeleine Pownall, Richard Wiseman. Thanks also to those who contributed via LinkedIn. This is Episode 45 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society's Research Digest, sponsored by Zanda. Episode Credits: Hosted and edited by Emma Barratt. Audio wizardry by Jeff Knowler. Produced by Jon Sutton. Missed previous episodes? Get up to date via our PsychCrunch collection page. Want to learn more? Check out our guests' manifestos in full in the March 2026 issue of The Psychologist.
Living with a life-limiting condition comes with a plethora of psychological consequences. When the condition is rare, having psychologists in your corner can mean even more. This episode, we speak with Dr Sarah Gunn, Lecturer at the University of Leicester and expert on the psychology of Huntington's disease, about her research journey and how her work supports those with the condition. Join her and Dr Jon Sutton, Editor for the Psychologist, in conversation as they explore what psychologists can do when nothing can be done. This is Episode 44 of PsychCrunch, the podcast of the British Psychological Society's Research Digest, sponsored by Zanda. Episode Credits: Hosted by Dr Jon Sutton. With contributions by Ella Rhodes. Audio wizardry by Jeff Knowler. Edited by Emma Barratt. Not done learning? Find out more about how psychologists conceptualise living with a chronic illness with this piece from Emily Reynolds. Or learn why the world needs more health psychologists in our conversation with Professor Aimee Aubeeluck. 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