What is beauty, and just how subjective is it? Dr. Aenne Brielmann joins us this week to discuss how our minds react when we see or find something beautiful. Ava and Beth discuss the age old question in terms of how emotion affects perception, and further dive into the philosophy of beauty.

How do you handle tough emotions? Do you deal with things on your own or with support from others? Dr. Razia Sahi joins us to explore why leaning on others might be more powerful than we think. She shares her research on social emotion regulation, showing that when someone helps us reframe a difficult situation, it can be even more effective than doing it alone, and how the emotional benefits can last well beyond the moment. From reappraisal and validation to hand-holding and voice tone, we explore the many ways others can help us navigate difficult emotions. Beth and Ava discuss differences in how people might prefer to give and receive social support.

What really is addiction—and can we actually get addicted to our phones? Dr. Keanan Joyner joins us to discuss how addiction works from both a biological and social lens. He shares insights from his lab’s research on drug use, genetics, and disinhibition, and explains why substance abuse isn’t just about individual choice. Ava and Beth also discuss screen use, dopamine, and what counts as “real” addiction. Plus, Dr. Joyner shares why EEG studies often exclude Black participants, and what his lab is doing to change that.