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  Can Social Media Really Ruin Your Focus? | Pt 3 28.07.2026 30Min.

  Is social media really ruining our attention spans? In Part 3 of the Figuring It Out podcast, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates put some of the biggest claims about focus and distraction to the test in Myth, Fact or It's Complicated. Can you train yourself to focus? Is social media really to blame? And what does the evidence actually say?No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Can I Focus On Everything Except What Actually Matters? | Pt 2 27.07.2026 23Min.

  Why is it so much easier to focus on random things or a new hobby than an important deadline? In Part 2 of the Figuring It Out podcast, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates answer a listener's dilemma about why our brains are drawn to distractions, what's really happening when we struggle to focus, and what the science says we can actually do about it.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Has Your Attention Span Actually Got Worse? | Pt 1 27.07.2026 26Min.

  Do you feel like you can't concentrate the way you used to? In Part 1 of the Figuring It Out podcast, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the science of attention, whether our attention spans have actually got shorter, and why modern life makes it feel harder than ever to concentrate. They also unpack one of the internet's biggest myths about attention and reveal what the evidence really says.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.We're not here to give medical advice, we're just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It's Complicated.Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Welcome to Figuring It Out 22.07.2026

  Welcome to the Figuring It Out podcast with Dr Alex George and Dr Kathryn Bates.After four incredible years of The Stompcast, Dr Alex George is putting down his stomping boots to figure out life's biggest questions. Joining him is Dr Kathryn Bates, a research scientist at King's College London specialising in development and mental health.Together, they combine medicine and the latest research to explore the questions we all ask about our minds, our relationships, our choices and our health.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.New episodes arrive every week in three parts from Monday to Wednesday.Listen to this short trailer to find out what you can expect, then follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Can A Bad Person Really Change? | Pt 3 21.07.2026 19Min.

  Where there's a will, there's a way. Therapy can change your personality. Dr Alex George and Dr Kathryn Bates put these common claims to the test in Part 3 of Myth, Fact or It's Complicated.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we’re just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How Do I Know I'm Making the Right Choice? | Pt 2 20.07.2026 29Min.

  How do we know we’re making the right choice? Do we have free will over our choices or is it all predetermined? In Part 2, Alex and Kathryn work through a listener's dilemma about moving away for a new job and reflect on some of the biggest choices and failures in their own lives.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we’re just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  How Much Of Who You Are Is Actually Your Choice? | Pt 1 19.07.2026 39Min.

  How much of who we are is actually our choice? Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the science of how we come to be: are we a product of our experiences? Is our personality set in stone or does it change?No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. Alex and Kathryn also reveal their personality test results. You can take the same test here too: https://openpsychometrics.org/tests/IPIP-BFFM/.We're not here to give medical advice, we’re just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Can Déjà Vu Predict the Future? | Pt 3 14.07.2026 15Min.

  Are we only using 10% of our brains? Does déjà vu mean something is wrong with our brains? Can dreams predict the future? Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates figure out whether these common statements about the brain are Myth, Fact or It’s Complicated in Part 3. No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we’re just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Do I Always Feel Like Something Bad Is Going To Happen? | Pt 2 13.07.2026 18Min.

  Is it intuition, anxiety or something else? In Part 2, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore why our brains sometimes convince us that something bad is about to happen.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we’re just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Does Déjà Vu Feel So Real? | Pt 1 12.07.2026 22Min.

  Have you ever been somewhere new and felt completely certain you've been there before? In Part 1, Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the science of déjà vu, why it feels so real and what our brains are actually doing when it happens.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out. We're not here to give medical advice, we’re just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.Each episode arrives in three parts from Monday to Wednesday. Part One tackles the Big Question. Part Two answers a real dilemma sent in by a listener. Part Three puts the most common claims to the test in Myth, Fact and It’s Complicated. Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Does Dating Again Help You Get Over Heartbreak? | Pt 3 07.07.2026 23Min.

  Does heartbreak make you stronger? Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates work through Myth, Fact or It's Complicated on whether time heals all wounds, getting back on the dating scene, and whether you can actually be addicted to a person.We're not here to give medical advice, we’re just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.New episodes arrive every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday tackles the Big Question, Tuesday answers a real listener dilemma, and Wednesday separates Myth, Fact and It's Complicated on the most common claims surrounding the week's topic.Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Why Can't I Stop Thinking About My Ex? | Pt 2 06.07.2026 25Min.

  Why can't I stop thinking about my ex? Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates answer a listener's dilemma about still thinking about an ex more than a year after a breakup. They explore why our brains struggle to let go, whether it's normal to still miss someone, and what can actually help you move forward.We're not here to give medical advice, we’re just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.New episodes arrive every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday tackles the Big Question, Tuesday answers a real listener dilemma, and Wednesday separates Myth, Fact and It's Complicated on the most common claims surrounding the week's topic.Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Can You Die From A Broken Heart? | Pt 1 05.07.2026 32Min.

  Can heartbreak actually break your heart? Dr Alex George and research scientist Dr Kathryn Bates explore the science of heartbreak, rejection and emotional pain. They explain why the brain processes heartbreak in similar ways to physical pain, what heartbreak does to your body, and what research says about recovering after a breakup.We're not here to give medical advice, we’re just two friends exploring the science and figuring out life together. If you have any concerns about your health, please speak to your doctor.No lectures. No easy answers. Just two people trying their best to figure it out.New episodes arrive every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Monday tackles the Big Question, Tuesday answers a real listener dilemma, and Wednesday separates Myth, Fact and It's Complicated on the most common claims surrounding the week's topic.Have a question or dilemma you'd like us to tackle in a future episode? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at hello@figuringitoutpod.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pt 3: The Habits That Changed Everything | Toddla T 30.06.2026 17Min.

  In the final part of Toddla's stomp with Alex, they discuss the habits, routines and mindset shifts that have helped Toddla build a healthier, happier life.He reflects on what changed after his ADHD diagnosis, his relationship with his wife Annie MacManus and their two children, and what true contentment looks like today.Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pt 2: ADHD, Addiction & Finally Getting Answers | Toddla T 29.06.2026 31Min.

  In part 2, Toddla T opens up to Dr Alex about how ADHD is his superpower and how during one of the most successful parts of his career, he was going through the darkest part of his life.After a lifetime of not understanding where his lack of focus was coming from, Toddla was diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood.You’ll hear T speak about his general anxiety disorder, known as GAD, the ADHD symptoms he’s experienced throughout his life, as well as his diagnosis experience and his journey in finding the right medication balance for him.Toddla also shares how his self-soothing with alcohol was in fact the depths of addiction and how he subsequently became sober in order to improve both his health and lifestyle, especially as a father.Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pt 1: The Conversation That Changed Dr Alex’s Life | Toddla T 28.06.2026 25Min.

  Last week we shared the final ever episode of The Stompcast. Before we introduce what's coming next, we're revisiting one of the most important conversations Dr Alex has ever had.Looking back, this episode with Toddla T became a genuine turning point. It inspired Alex to seek an ADHD assessment, stop drinking alcohol, and ultimately changed the direction of his life.In part one, Toddla reflects on balancing work, family and the pressures of success, while sharing how his priorities have shifted over the years.Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pt 3: The Final Episode of the Stompcast | Jane George 24.06.2026 30Min.

  TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness.In part three, Dr Alex George and his mother Jane explore how their family has learned to have open and honest conversations about mental health. They discuss the pressures of perfectionism, the importance of being vulnerable, and how to recognise the signs that someone may be struggling.Plus, Jane shares why learning to fail well is one of life’s most valuable lessons, and reflects on what she’s most grateful for in her life.The resource Jane mentions in this part is jaaq.appFollow @knitformentalhealth and support Jane’s work here.Resources:SamaritansShoutCALMPapyrusOrder Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pt 2: Navigating Suicide Grief and Raising £100k for Mental Health | Jane George 23.06.2026 31Min.

  TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness.In part two, Dr Alex George and his mother Jane open up about the devastating loss of their brother and son, Llŷr,  who died by suicide in 2020. They reflect on the reality of navigating grief after suicide, the impact it has had on their family, and how they have each found ways to move forward whilst keeping Llŷr’s memory at the heart of everything they do.Plus, Jane shares the story behind Knit for Mental Health, the incredible initiative she launched with her husband Anthony, and reveals how the project has gone on to raise an incredible £100,000 for charity!Follow @knitformentalhealth and support Jane’s work here.Resources:SamaritansShoutCALMPapyrusOrder Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pt 1: Dr Alex’s Mum on Love Island, ADHD and Growing Up | Jane George 22.06.2026 35Min.

  TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness.To mark the final episode of the Stompcast, Dr Alex George is joined by a very special guest: his mother, Jane George.In part one, Jane reflects on Alex’s childhood, shares what it was like watching her son appear on Love Island, and reveals her reaction when Alex first told her about his ADHD diagnosis…Plus, Jane and Alex revisit some of their favourite family memories, explore the role nature has played throughout their lives and discuss why spending time outdoors remains so important to them.Follow @knitformentalhealth and support Jane’s work here.Resources:SamaritansShoutCALMPapyrusOrder Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Pt 3: Can One Person Really Change Government Policy? | Ben West 17.06.2026 17Min.

  TW: This episode contains reference to suicide and mental illness.In part three, Ben West and Dr Alex George discuss what it’s really like to be a mental health activist in today’s world, the challenges of driving meaningful policy change and whether either of them could ever see themselves stepping into politics…Plus, in this penultimate episode of Stompcast, Alex shares his favourite place he’s ever been out stomping.Resources:SamaritansShoutCALMPapyrusFollow @iambenwest, check out his incredible project Reasons to Stay, and pre-order his latest book Reasons to Stay: Lessons of Hope from a World that Cares. (By using our affiliate bookshop you’ll help fund Stompcast by earning a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too!)Order Alex’s latest book Am I Normal? - out now!Order Happy Habits - out now! Follow the podcast on Instagram @thestompcastGet the new, pocket guide version of The Mind Manual nowDownload Mettle: the mental fitness app for men Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.