Why We Make Bad Decisions

Why do some answers feel right before we have properly thought them through? In this episode of What’s going on up there?, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist James Meachin to explore the psychology of fast, intuitive thinking. From falling for a convincing headline to making assumptions about someone we have just met, we all rely on fast, automatic thinking every day. It helps us navigate a busy world, but it can also catch us out. Grace and James unpack why our brains take mental shortcuts, when trusting your gut can be helpful, and when it might be worth stopping to think again.

What can an ancient Greek story reveal about the realities of leadership today? In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Louise Weston to explore the leadership lessons hidden in the Odyssey. Odysseus is celebrated for his intelligence and strategic thinking, but his journey also raises questions about trust, communication, decision-making, and the impact leaders can have on those around them. From perilous choices at sea to a mysterious bag of wind, Louise examines why this nearly 3,000-year-old story still has something to say about leading through uncertainty, pressure and complexity. A podcast exploring the psychology behind current events, daily decision-making, and the ideas that frame our thinking. Brought to you by the expert team of chartered business psychologists at Pearn Kandola LLP. Find out more at pearnkandola.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ageing happens to all of us, every day. Yet many of us are taught to see it as a story of inevitable decline: slower thinking, less energy and fewer possibilities. But what if the way we think about getting older shapes how we experience it, and even how long we live? In this episode, Grace is joined Professor Binna Kandola OBE to explore the psychology of ageing. They discuss how the stereotypes we absorb throughout life can become self-fulfilling, influencing our confidence, behaviour, health and wellbeing as we grow older. Drawing on research into self-perceptions of ageing, Binna explains why more positive attitudes towards getting older are associated with longer, healthier lives, and why it’s never too early, or too late, to challenge the assumptions we hold about age.

From the thrill of a new car to the life-changing prospect of a lottery win, we often assume we know exactly how future events will make us feel. But are we as good at predicting our emotions as we think? This week, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist James Meachin to explore the psychology of affective forecasting — our ability to predict how we’ll feel in the future. Together, they unpack what the research reveals about how we anticipate the impact of major life events, why we can overestimate how long feelings will last, and how our often-overlooked resilience shapes our emotional experiences. James also shares practical advice for using these insights to make more informed choices and improve day-to-day wellbeing.

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. The people around us can influence the information we receive, the opportunities we hear about and whether we feel safe enough to speak up. In this bonus Psychological Safety Week episode, Grace and Chartered Psychologist Louise Weston explore social capital: the value held in our relationships, networks and connections. From the “old boys’ network” to everyday introductions, they examine how connections can open doors, build trust and support psychological safety at work. Louise also shares practical ways we can broaden our networks and use our own influence to build more inclusive, connected and psychologically safe workplaces.