Two Old Psychologists Talking About Stuff

How to stay sane in an insane world

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMT

So how are you settling in to 2026? How are you feeling about world events and the future prospects of our societies and our species? Unfortunately, there is a lot of data suggesting that anxiety is on the rise, and that many people are increasingly uneasy about the state of the world. Against a backdrop of polarised opinion, political tension, and rapid technological advances, it can be hard to find peace and purpose, and many of us are feeling it. In this episode, our two old psychologists wrestle with some of these issues and discuss what Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) might tell us about how to navigate life in the context of these external challenges, as well as our internal reactions to them.

If you want to find out more about our chosen charity for Podcasthon 2026, you can do that at the wonderful Level Water.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

Two old psychologists look back at 2025

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:33:00 GMT

So, there goes 2025. Was it a vintage year or one we would rather consign to the dustbin of history? In this episode, Rich and Ray round off Season Two by picking over the bones of 2025, selecting their noteworthy moments of the year in terms of their professional lives, the news, wider culture, entertainment, and sport. As always, there is a psychological angle and a sprinkle of good humour over everything. It's surely the only podcast episode you can find that covers U.S. politics, prog rock, women's rugby, and risotto all in one hour. Go on...give it a listen!

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

How acceptance can set you free

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 07:33:00 GMT

It can seem deeply counter-intuitive to work on accepting the discomfort that comes from the presence of unwanted thoughts or feelings. Nevertheless, there is a significant amount of psychological research pointing to the benefits of acceptance, rather than other common responses like avoiding or fighting such experiences. In this episode, Rich and Ray dive into the concept of acceptance, defining it, discussing how it can help in a range of situations, and demonstrating some quick and easy acceptance practices that listeners can take away and make use of. Along the way, you can learn why 'Inside Out' just might be the best movie ever made (aside from the original Star Wars film, obviously).

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

Manchester, here we come!

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 07:03:00 GMT

Rich and Ray are joined by Dr Dawn Johnson, President of the UK and Ireland chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS), to discuss the forthcoming conference in Manchester on 14-16 November 2025. It is the major meeting place for anyone interested in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and we would love to meet some our listeners there. Please do come and say hello!

You can find out more and book tickets for one, two, or all three days of the conference at www.acbsukandireland.com

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

How to respond to your self-critical thoughts

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 07:03:00 GMT

Following on from the previous episode, in which Rich and Ray took a theoretical and philosophical look at what is meant by 'the self', this episode is all about how to respond more healthily to the barrage of self-critical thoughts that most of us experience on a regular basis. As ever, our two old psychologists look at this issue through the lens of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), exploring a range of metaphors and techniques for managing self-criticism. They explore why they never talk about 'self-esteem' with their clients, the power of perspective-taking, container metaphors, and physicalising exercises. If all of that wasn't enough, their trademark digressions take in the joys of historical re-enactment, the impact of the killing of Charlie Kirk, the end of the world, and octopuses.

The book that Rich co-wrote with Joe Oliver on this subject, 'The Mindfulness and Acceptance Workbook for Self-esteem', can be found here, along with some free guided meditations and downloadable tools.

If you want to read the Baumeister et al (2003) review of self-esteem interventions, you can find that here

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

Who am 'I', and what is 'the self'?

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 07:00:01 GMT

In this episode, Rich and Ray take on the tricky problem of trying to understand what psychologists mean they talk about 'the self'. Is there really a 'me' in here or is it all just an illusion? In an effort to make such a deep and foundational concept understandable to the audience they provide one example of how 'the self' is made sense of, drawing on the theory and practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). They begin a conversation around how to help people who are struggling with identity and self-criticism, although since the topic is so big and important, this will be continued in next month's episode. Speaking of identity, for some light relief, this episode also contains references to our two psychologists' terrible fashion choices.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

What are values and why do they matter?

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 07:00:00 GMT

In this episode, Rich and Ray discuss the concept of values, which is a core component of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). They explore how to define personal values, and how they are different from goals, rules, or the kind of 'values' that corporations like to display in their marketing. Our two old psychologists demonstrate a few quick and easy experiential exercises that can help clarify values, and talk about how values might translate into actions. Be aware that this episode is not all sweetness and light as the pair also have a bit of a rant about call centres, automated checkout machines, and the behaviour of pesky young people at gigs.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

Fans, fanaticism, and fandom

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 06:30:00 GMT

Rich and Ray, take a psychological angle on what it means to be a fan of something. Where does the word come from? What does it really mean? This episode dives into the function of fan behaviour and the wider context of fandom, exploring a little of our hosts' own history with fanaticism. Listeners should be warned that the episode contains more than the occasional reference to 1970s Doctor Who. Never have our old psychologists sounded so old.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

That 'free will' episode

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 06:00:03 GMT

Are you interested in understanding why you have no control over what you do and why that might even be a good thing? This episode explores the age old philosophical and scientific question regarding to what extent human beings are able to exercise free will. Are we free agents doing whatever we choose, or are our actions largely determined by biological drives and environmental influences beyond our control? After teasing the audience for several episodes, Rich finally lays out the argument for determinism, and asks Ray to consider that seeing the world in this way might just make it a better place for everyone.

There are a few 'deeper dive' recommendations made in this episode, and these are as follows:

Determined by Robert Sapolsky

The Brain by David Eagleman

Free Will by Sam Harris

Living BIG by Brené Brown & Ashley Brown Ruiz

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

Why it's important to talk about death

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 12:54:42 GMT

Rich and Ray join Podcasthon 2025, focusing on Winston's Wish, a charity centered on supporting children childhood through grief. Drawing particularly upon Ray's extensive experience of working as a clinical psychologist with people at the end of their life, this episode explores the psychological themes around mortality, dying, and grief. Our hosts discuss why these issues can be so difficult for people to talk about, and just why it is so important for people to do so. As ever with this podcast, this episode filters the issues of loss and grief through the lens offered by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

Here are links to the books mentioned in the episode:

The End in Mind by Kathryn Mannix

Healthy Habits Suck by Dayna Lee Baggley

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

It's the end of the world as we know it...

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 08:00:04 GMT

In the first episode of season two, Rich and Ray catch up on recent developments in world politics, most notably, the apparent rise of populism and the re-election of Donald Trump to the US presidency. They explore the psychological conditions that play a role in nurturing these developments and consider some potential consequences. Aside from all of that, you can find out what happened when one old psychologist decided that it might be a good idea to experiment with growing his own fungi.

Ray's book recommendation was 'Entangled Life' by Merlin Sheldrake, which you can find here

Rich's recommended interview between Nihal Arthanayake and Gary Stevenson can be found on BBC Sounds here

The International IDEA democracy assessment pages are here

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

Get ready for that difficult second season...

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 09:00:03 GMT

After a short break, our two old psychologists are gearing up for a second season. Here's a quick outline of what they've got planned.

Four psychologists talking about Christmas

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 09:00:00 GMT

It's Christmaaaaaaas! In this bonus episode to round off season one, Rich and Ray are joined by Dr Rachel Black and Dr Dawn Johnson for a discussion of all things Christmassy. This episode discusses the enduring cultural popularity of Christmas as a festival, with reference to both religious and secular traditions. The group discuss all the highs and lows of the festive season, sharing some views on how people might usefully navigate Christmas and look after their wellbeing at the same time. You can even find out their favourite Christmas song choices and Christmas present experiences. So, come and join a bunch of psychologists talking about Christmas!

Dr Rachel Black appears courtesy of Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust and you can find more information about Dr Dawn Johnson at https://www.dawnjohnson.uk/

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

'Stuff', or, Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:00:01 GMT

Our hosts, Rich and Ray, conclude season one, and their journey through the show's title, by exploring an idea that sits deep within the DNA of modern psychotherapy, namely, that humans are not so much distressed by things, but rather, by what we think about things. Human minds have a remarkable ability to construct a version of reality that is so compelling, it can alter our perceptions of the real thing. This internal model of the world also drives much of our behaviour. Along the way, our two old psychologists also discuss topics as wide-ranging as cake, Richard Dawkins' new book, society's insatiable demand for feedback, and whether or not to eat offal.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

'About', or, the use of metaphors in therapy

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 08:00:00 GMT

This episode takes the journey through the show's title to a whole new level of tenuous, where Rich and Ray use the word 'about' as a gateway into discussing how humans make sense of the world by relating to ideas and events in terms of other ideas and events. This leads to a discussion about how this ability can be harnessed as a means of promoting insight and behaviour change in a psychotherapy context via the deliberate use of metaphor. On the way, you can also find out how our hosts coped when their respective holiday plans went wrong, and why Ray spent his big birthday sat on a baggage carousel at Gatwick airport.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

'Talking', or, the gift and the curse of language

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 08:00:00 GMT

This episode further continues the journey through the show's title, focussing on the unique communication abilities of human beings. Using the lens of Relational Frame Theory (RFT), Rich and Ray examine the structure and function of our capacity for language, and how it is that we can communicate so flexibly and at such scale. They also discuss why, at so many levels, we fail to communicate effectively with other. In this episode, you'll also learn about why September is such a big deal for Ray, and hear about Rich's experience of attending Pride in Belgrade.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

'Psychologists', or, have you got a couch?

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 08:00:00 GMT

This episode continues to unpack the contents of the show's title, focussing on the field of psychology and the work of psychologists. Our hosts reflect on the deeper influence of psychology in our lives, why they chose careers in psychology, myths and misconceptions about psychologists, and what makes the field eternally fascinating. Rich also shares his concerns on the increasingly polarized nature of public discourse, whilst Ray bangs on for three whole precious minutes about the joys of building a shed.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

'Old', or, the pros and cons of ageing

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:54:21 GMT

In this podcast episode, Rich and Ray discuss their recent observations, ranging from sports tournaments to significant political changes in the UK and US. They delve into societal perceptions of ageing, particularly in the context of productivity and respect. The conversation also highlights the age-related controversies in the US presidential election, contrasting the public's perception of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Drawing from their professional experience in physical and mental health care, our hosts provide insights into what we gain and lose as we age, using personal anecdotes to illustrate the process.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com

'Two', or, why connection matters

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 12:41:09 GMT

Join clinical psychologists Rich and Ray as they dive into the importance of human connection. From their serendipitous meeting at a psychology conference to forging a deep friendship, this episode explores why hanging out with others is vital. The duo discuss context in psychology, the cultural stories we tell ourselves about connection, and why solitary confinement is considered a severe punishment. Their humorous reflections reveal the innate social nature of humans and the quest for meaningful interactions.

If you want to send feedback, suggest topics for future episodes or make contact for any other reason, you can do so at 2oldpsychspod@gmail.com