Shrink Space
by Rob Patterson, Ph.D. David Colarossi, Ph.D.
Latest episode
2026 Midterm Elections: Did Democrats Win or Trump Lose? | Shrink…
2026 Midterm Elections: Did Democrats Win or Trump Lose? | Shrink…
About this podcast
Join Dr. Rob Patterson and Dr. David Colarossi, two friends and psychologists, as they explore the intricacies of the human mind with humor, heart, and a side of friendly banter. In each episode, they debate key psychological concepts, shedding light on the fascinating principles that shape our everyday lives. From unraveling the mysteries of human behavior to diving into the latest research—or just having a good laugh along the way—Shrink Space is your go-to podcast for a lively mix of insights, spirited debates, and plenty of laughs that will make you think twice about what makes us tick.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 84 episodes
- 2026 Midterm Elections: Did Democrats Win or Trump Lose? | Shrink Space E.84 · 43 minDid Democrats win, or did Trump lose? The 2026 Midterm Elections delivered unexpected results, raising questions about why voters changed course. Psychologists David Colarossi…
- Rebuilding Relationships With Adult Children | Psychologists Discuss Colin Gosselin & Amy Acton | Shrink Space E.83 · 48 minCan relationships between parents and adult children be repaired after years of conflict and estrangement? How do families rebuild trust, and should every relationship be…
- Does America Want to Watch an Execution? | Shrink Space E.82 · 51 minDoes America want to watch an execution? Pete Hegseth's plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood shooter, raise questions about capital punishment and…
- The Cornell 7: Why Did No One Intervene?| Shrink Space E.81 · 1 h 5 minIn this episode of Shrink Space, David and Rob take on the Cornell 7 case, the allegations of a sexual assault at a Cornell fraternity party, through a psychological lens. We get…
- Macklemore vs Sheeran: Speak Up or Shut Up | Shrink Space E.80 · 52 minMacklemore vs. Ed Sheeran has reignited the debate over whether musicians and other public figures should speak up about politics. Rob and Dave discuss the expectations placed on…
- Strange Obsession with Murderers: Psychology of “Murderabilia” | Shrink Space E.79 · 41 minWhy are we so fascinated by serial killers? Inspired by a traveling serial killer exhibit, Dave and Rob explore the psychology behind our fascination with murderers and the…
- Our Obsession With True Crime and the Psychology Behind It | Shrink Space E.78 · 46 minWhy are we so obsessed with true crime? In this episode of Shrink Space, Dave and Rob explore the psychology behind our fascination with true crime and why stories about real…
- The Lindsay Clancy Case | Shrink Space E.77 · 40 minThe Lindsay Clancy trial has raised so many difficult questions. Was she psychotic? Is she responsible for what happened? Did she know what she was doing? In this episode…
- Why We Care if AI Made It | Shrink Space E.76 · 46 minWould you like a song less if you found out it was made entirely by AI? Why can learning that something was created with AI change how we feel about it, even when we still enjoy…
- Self Harm in the Public Sphere | Shrink Space E.75 · 46 minContent Warning: This episode discusses self-harm and self-harming behaviors. If this type of content may be triggering or upsetting for you, please take care of yourself and…
- What Happens When We Outsource Being Human? | Shrink Space E.74 · 47 minWhat happens when we start outsourcing parts of being human? AI can write our emails, answer our questions, help us study, recommend what to watch, and even provide…
- Rules of Grief | Shrink Space E.73 · 47 minGrief is something every one of us will experience, yet no one really teaches us how to handle it. If you've ever wondered, "Am I grieving the right way?" or "Will this ever get…
- The Hidden Force Holding Society Together | Shrink Space E.72 · 47 minWhat holds society together? In this episode, we explore social cohesion, the invisible force that helps people trust one another, cooperate, and feel a sense of belonging. We…
- The Rise of Self-Diagnosing | Shrink Space E.71 · 45 minWhy are so many people diagnosing themselves with ADHD, autism, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health conditions? In this episode, psychologists Dave and Rob discuss the rise…
- Why Too Many Choices Makes Us Miserable | Shrink Space E.70 · 46 minWhy do more choices often make us feel worse? In this episode of Shrink Space, we explore choice overload, decision fatigue, and the paradox of choice. Learn why too many options…
- The Seven Deadly Sins of Self Help | Shrink Space E.69 · 51 minSelf-help is everywhere right now, but does it actually hold up when you look at it through a psychological lens? Psychologists Rob and Dave explore self-help culture…
- Money Doesn’t Motivate People (The Way You Think) | Shrink Space E.68 · 39 minWe’re told money is what drives us. But is it? In this episode of Shrink Space, we talk about what actually motivates people, why chasing more never seems to feel like enough…
- Why High Performers Feel Like Frauds | Shrink Space E.67 · 34 minImposter syndrome can make even capable people doubt themselves. In this episode, we unpack why it happens, what it actually means, and how to tell the difference between…
- Is AI Making Us Dumber? | Shrink Space E.66 · 50 minIs AI making us dumber or enhancing us? In this episode of Shrink Space, we explore how artificial intelligence is changing the way we think, work, and make decisions. As AI…
- How To Be More Creative | Shrink Space E.65 · 44 minWhy are some people more creative?Dave and Rob visited SXSW and got thinking about what drives creativity. Is it incentives, mindset, or something deeper?In this episode, they…
