The Psychology of your 20s

AI has transformed the way we work, the way we ask questions, and the way we function as a society. But what impact has it had on our minds? In today’s episode, we’re unpacking the ways that this new-found convenience has come at a cognitive cost.
We explore:
• Why a wider focus on productivity has increased our use of AI
• How the ease of this technology stops us using our brains
• When AI is wrong, misleading or incomplete
• The ELIZA effect
• The dangers of using it to replace human interaction
• Where it can be useful, and how wonder keeps our brains alive
If you’re both amazed and slightly unsettled by AI, this episode is for you.
Watch on Netflix

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: [email protected]

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone wants a village? No one wants to be a villager? In a world obsessed with protecting our peace, optimising our time, and cutting off anything that feels draining ... have we accidentally made friendship optional? In this episode, we’re unpacking the psychology behind friendship and why the best ones sometimes make you work harder.
We explore:
The viral idea that “inconvenience is the cost of community”

The 4 psychological pillars of lasting friendships

How much time it actually takes to build a close friend

The rise of therapy-speak and how “boundaries” can sometimes become disguised avoidance

Why conflict isn’t the end of a friendship
6 practical ways to “be a villager”

When to kick someone out of the village...

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re asking for too much, giving too much, or slowly drifting from the people you care about, this episode is for you.

Watch on Netflix

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: [email protected]

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finally sharing all the details of the last few months ... and what a recent announcement means for the podcast going forward! Happy listening!

Watch on Netflix

Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: [email protected]

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dating and sex can feel like they come with a hidden rulebook. You’re meant to be adventurous but not too adventurous, confident but not reckless, and always somehow immune to consequences. So the potential of catching an STI – whether it’s a scare, a diagnosis, or a message from a clinic – can feel not only a health impact, but also a judgement on our character.
In this episode, we’re unpacking the psychology of STIs in our 20s why they carry so much shame, how stigma shapes the stories we tell ourselves, and what it looks like to navigate disclosure with self-respect.
We explore:
• How common STIs really are
• The most common infections in our 20s
• The difference between treatable and manageable
• The role of sexual shame and purity culture
• How shame drives secrecy and avoidance
• When and how to tell a partner, and what to do if you face rejection
If you’ve ever felt panicked, embarrassed, or stuck in your head about sexual health, this episode is for you.
Watch on Netflix
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
For business: [email protected]

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One minute it’s exciting, the next it’s endless options, half-conversations, and the dismissive feeling of being judged (or ignored) by people who don’t actually know you. In this episode, we’re getting into seven tips for surviving dating apps in your 20s, while looking at what they’re designed to do, why they can leave you feeling burnt out, and how to use them in a way that protects your confidence rather than draining it.
We explore:
• How dating apps are designed to be addictive
• The rules to stick by to keep your sense of self
• The importance of a clear and honest profile
• Why they’re not a replacement for meeting in real life
• Why you shouldn’t take anything personally
• How to take a step back to avoid burnout
If you’re in a cycle of deleting and redownloading Hinge every few weeks, this episode is for you.
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Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
For business: [email protected]

The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.