Why do we crave closure? episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 21, 2026 · 29 MIN

Why do we crave closure?

from All In The Mind · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Closure can feel like the ultimate solution to help us heal. But is it all it's cracked up to be?Today, we learn about ambiguous loss — the type of grief that comes without closure. We know navigating uncertainty is tricky, so what practical steps can we take to process this kind of loss?A heads up, this episode touches on some heavy topics around loss and trauma.Guests:Carly DoberPsychologistDr Pauline BossProfessor emeritus, University of MinnesotaAuthor, Myth of Closure: Ambiguous Loss in a Time of Pandemic Author, Change and Ambiguous Loss: Learning to Live with Unresolved GriefCredits:Presenter/producer: Sana QadarSenior producer: James BullenProducer: Rose KerrSound engineer: Roi HubermanMore information:The psychology of closure — and why some need it more than othersMotivated closing of the mind: "seizing" and "freezing"Beyond dogmatism: The need for closure as related to religionNeed for cognitive closure, tolerance for ambiguity, and perfectionism in medical school applicantsAmbiguous lossTo explore more great episodes from the award-winning psychology podcast All in the Mind with host Sana Qadar, download the ABC Listen app (Australia) or search 'ABC All in the Mind podcast' wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find more episodes on mental health, trauma, attachment theory, wellness hacks, and family relationships. You'll also hear interviews with experts like Esther Perel, Billy Garvey and Ethan Kross. All in the Mind is created for ABC's Radio National by specialist journalists and reporters at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Aug 21, 2026

Embed this episode

Ready to play

Why do we crave closure?

0:00 29:36

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of All In The Mind?

This episode is 29 minutes long.

When was this All In The Mind episode published?

This episode was published on August 21, 2026.

Can I download this All In The Mind episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!