Ego/Id: The Psychology of Everything

Why does being left out feel so personal? Why can ghosting or exclusion stick with us so deeply? And what is the real difference between social exclusion, loneliness, rejection, and FOMO?We sat down with social psychologist Dr. Michael Bernstein to unpack the science of belonging and what happens when that belonging feels threatened. We explored why humans are wired for connection, how exclusion shapes the way we think and behave, why social pain can feel surprisingly similar to physical pain, and how social media can intensify the fear of missing out.We also break down the difference between being directly rejected and being ignored, why ambiguity can be so hard to process, and what we can do to cope when exclusion shows up in everyday life.Whether you’ve felt left out by friends, overlooked in a group, ghosted, or caught in a comparison spiral online, this episode is for you.In this episode, we cover:What psychologists mean by social exclusionThe difference between exclusion, rejection, loneliness, and FOMOWhy humans are so sensitive to belonging threatsHow rejection changes attention, memory, and social perceptionWhy social pain can feel physically painfulThe impact of social media on FOMO and connectionGhosting vs direct rejectionSmall ways to help others feel includedWhy feeling left out is more common than most people thinkAbout our guestDr. Michael Bernstein is a social psychologist whose research focuses on social exclusion, ostracism, person perception, stereotyping, and how social experiences shape human behavior, cognition, and health.You can learn more about him HERECheck out his published academic work HEREGot questions? Shoot him an email!Enjoyed the episode? Please consider following and giving us a 5-star review! It really helps!

Dr. Boris Baer, an expert in evolutionary biology and insect behavior, shares insights into the fascinating world of bees and their complex social organizations. From decision-making to stress responses, bees offer valuable lessons for human systems and organizations. The conversation delves into the fascinating world of bees and their societal structures, drawing parallels to human society and evolution. It explores the themes of fairness, societal cooperation, and the implications of bee research on human understanding and behavior. The conversation also highlights the impact of bee research on sustainability and the interconnectedness of species.Connect with Dr. Baer:Center for Integrative Bee Research (CIBER)Scholarly work by Dr. BaerChapters00:00 The Extraordinary World of Bees05:10 The Journey to Studying Social Insects10:51 Culture and Personality in Bees19:53 Collective Decision-Making in Superorganisms26:09 The Role of the Queen and Caste System38:12 Fairness and Cooperation in Bee Societies44:25 Optimism for Humanity and Societal Evolution55:39 Fun Lightning Round: Insights into Bee Behavior and Psychology01:07:46 Reflections on Bee Societal Structures and Human Behavior

My conversation with Dr. Zach Soulliard centers on body image and LGBTQ+ identity. If you've ever been curious about how society shapes our body standards, struggled with body image yourself or want to learn how to be more mindful in how you compliment someone's appearance, then check out this episode!Connect with Zach and check out his work at the links below:Dr. Zach Soulliard Faculty ProfileMeet Zach and his Clinical PracticeThe BISQue LabThink you might have an eating disorder? Check out NEDA for more resources and support. Enjoyed the episode? Please consider following us here and on Instagram @ego.over.id for similar content and to support our mission!

Dr. Sheldon shares groundbreaking insights from his research on the self-determination theory, the hedonic adaptation prevention model, and his own journey from a rock band to distinguished academic.We break down some of the most common myths about happiness — including the false promise that more money equals more joy — and highlight the surprisingly small role income plays in our well-being.If you're tired of surface-level solutions and crave practical, science-based guidance for a happier life, this is your episode. Tune in, get inspired, and start making empowered choices today.Support Ego/IdIf you found this episode enjoyable or helpful:Like and subscribe to the podcastFollow us on Instagram for research breakdowns, clips, and upcoming episodesCheck out our Ego/Id pin, available now to support the launch of the showEvery pin helps fund the podcast, research-based content, and our mission to make psychology accessible without oversimplifying it.Learn more about Ego/Id HERE!

In this episode, we're focused on the psychology of women in leadership, exploring the impact of gender norms, stereotype threat, and the imposter phenomenon. It also addresses the challenges faced by women as the only woman in leadership roles and the misconceptions and biases prevalent in the field of leadership. The conversation explores gender bias in leadership, organizational strategies for equity, the difference between mentorship and sponsorship, skill sets in leadership, the cultural narrative and leadership, broadening the cultural narrative, and leadership development strategies.Chapters00:00 Psychological Effects of Being the Only Woman in Leadership29:23 Organizational Strategies for Equity38:30 Skill Sets in Leadership43:44 Cultural Narrative and Leadership51:30 Leadership Development StrategiesConnect with Dr. Tan:Dr. Sherylle Tan's InstagramCheck out her website at: www.sherylletan.comHer book: Women and Leadership: Journey Toward EquitySupport Ego/IdIf you found this episode enjoyable or helpful:Like and subscribe to the podcastFollow us on Instagram for research breakdowns, clips, and upcoming episodesCheck out our Ego/Id pin, available now to support the launch of the showEvery pin helps fund the podcast, research-based content, and our mission to make psychology accessible without oversimplifying it.Learn more about Ego/Id HERE!

Our conversation with Dr. Faraone explores the changing landscape of mental health care in the US, the complexities of ADHD, expanding access to care, new tools and interventions, and the underdiagnosis of mental health conditions.Dr. Stephen Faraone was recently presented with a lifetime achievement award for his work on ADHD. You can check out his book on navigating ADHD below and his other socials:Dr. Stephen Faraone Faculty ProfileNavigating ADHD Care: A Practical GuideThe ADHD Evidence Project (Featured Non-profit)Connect on LinkedIn

Mental health in the U.S. is at a crossroads.In this debut episode of The Psychology of Everything, we take a big-picture look at the State of Mental Health in 2026—what the data actually tells us, what’s changed in care, where the pushback is coming from, and how to navigate the growing wave of misinformation around mental health online.This conversation is grounded in research, shaped by real-world clinical experience, and designed to help you separate signal from noise in today’s mental health landscape.Resources & SupportIf you’re in the U.S. and experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.Support Ego/IdIf you found this episode enjoyable or helpful:Like and subscribe to the podcastFollow us on Instagram for research breakdowns, clips, and upcoming episodesCheck out our Ego/Id pin, available now to support the launch of the showEvery pin helps fund the podcast, research-based content, and our mission to make psychology accessible without oversimplifying it.Learn more about Ego/Id HERE!