In Episode 09, I sit down with Associate Professor Darren Burke to explore the psychology of evolution, attraction and dark personality traits.

Darren is an Experimental and Biological Psychologist whose work examines how evolutionary pressures have shaped the way we see, think, learn and relate to one another. We unpack what evolutionary psychology actually is (and what it isn’t), why sexual dimorphism exists and how traits linked to attraction may function as signals of health, dominance or reproductive fitness.

We also explore the darker side of attraction — discussing traits associated with the Dark Tetrad (Narcissism, Machiavellians, Psychopathy, and Sadism), why they can sometimes appear appealing and how evolutionary theory helps explain both their persistence and their risks.

This episode challenges oversimplified narratives about “men vs women” and instead focuses on variability, function and the deeper psychological mechanisms that shape human behaviour.

If you’re interested in biology, social cognition, attraction or the evolutionary roots of personality — this conversation brings nuance to one of psychology’s most misunderstood areas.

People-pleasing isn’t just about being “too nice.” For many of us, it’s a learned survival strategy.

In the very first episode of Applied Mind: Solo Sessions, Eddie unpacks the psychology behind people-pleasing — why it forms, why it feels so hard to stop, and how it’s often rooted in attachment patterns, fear of abandonment, and nervous system responses rather than personality flaws.

This episode explores how people-pleasing shows up in everyday life — at work, in friendships, in relationships — and why it can quietly erode self-esteem, create imbalance, and leave you feeling exhausted, resentful, or invisible. Through relatable scenarios and grounded psychological explanations, Eddie breaks down concepts like anxious attachment, the fawn response, emotional suppression, and why logic alone doesn’t calm attachment anxiety.

Most importantly, this episode isn’t about “fixing” yourself. It’s about understanding why your system learned these patterns and how real change comes from creating safety, self-awareness, boundaries, and authenticity — not self-criticism.

In this episode, we cover:

• What people-pleasing really is (and what it isn’t)

• How fear of abandonment and attachment shape our behaviour

• Why people-pleasing can feel automatic and hard to stop

• The fawn response and emotional suppression

• How over-giving impacts relationships

• Practical strategies for setting boundaries without guilt

• The difference between being kind and abandoning yourself

This episode is grounded in psychological research and lived experience. It’s not therapy or professional advice — but it is an honest, compassionate deep-dive into a pattern many of us struggle with, especially in our twenties.

If you’ve ever said yes when you meant no, felt anxious about disappointing others, or struggled to feel safe being fully yourself — this one’s for you.

In this episode of The Applied Mind, I’m joined by Nicole Ennis-Oakes, clinical psychologist and Director of Neuronexus to unpack ADHD without the hype, oversimplification or misinformation.

We break down what ADHD actually is — and what it isn’t — exploring common misconceptions, why the condition is so often misunderstood and how it can profoundly impact attention, relationships, emotion regulation, identity and daily functioning across the lifespan.

Nicole brings a grounded, clinical lens to diagnosis and assessment, discusses why accurate profiling matters and explains how thoughtful planning and support can genuinely improve quality of life for neurodivergent individuals. We also touch on the broader neurodiversity framework, overlapping presentations and why “one-size-fits-all” approaches consistently miss the mark.

This conversation is for anyone who:

• Has ADHD or suspects they might

• Supports someone with ADHD

• Feels confused by conflicting information online

• Wants a clearer, evidence-based understanding of neurodiversity

No shortcuts. No buzzwords. Just clear psychology applied to real life.

Enjoy!

If you are interested in learning more - check out the following links!

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/attention-deficit-disorder-add-or-adhd

https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/adhd/what-is-adhd