Psychologically Speaking with Leila Ainge
A psychologist's insight into the fascinating world of human behaviour without the jargon, with Psychologist & coach, Leila Ainge. Blending scientific research with real experiences, Leila is on a mission to reframe outdated notions of imposter syndrome. Psychologically Speaking delves into Leila's own ground-breaking research, exploring what drives those pesky fraudulent feelings in entrepreneurs, the unexpected advantages, and how you can actually leverage imposter moments to your benefit (yes, really). This podcast is for anyone who has ever felt like a fraud, just moments away from being 'found out'. This podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative
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43. Animation, Ambition, and the 2026 Plan with Duncan Caterall-Mason
<p>In this episode of Psychologically Speaking: The Goal Experiments, animator and filmmaker Duncan Catterall-Mason talks to Leila Ainge on what it really takes to build a sustainable freelance career in the creative industries. They talk about ambition and burnout when you’re raising a family and trying to carve out time to network.</p><p>Duncan shares his 16-year journey in animation and visual effects, why he’s shifting toward a premium service model, and what launching a new showreel by December will unlock for his growth in 2026. We dig into the psychology of social proof, the realities of clie...
42. The Psychology of Goal Setting: Flexibility, Identity & Belonging
<p>Why do some goals stick while others fade?</p><p>In this episode, psychologist Leila Ainge explores the psychology behind effective goal-setting — blending insights from real conversations with three guests and research on motivation, social identity, and resilience.</p><p>You’ll hear how Rebecca, Jen, and Darren each navigate creative ambition, self-belief, and belonging, and how their stories reveal the deeper psychological forces shaping success.</p><p>Expect practical reflection points on:</p>The difference between approach and avoidance motivationWhy flexible four-week check-ins outperform rigid plansHow your social identity shapes confidence and actionWhat it means to design goals that...
41. Drawing Belonging: Darren Scotland on ambition and place, the goal experiments
<p>Designer and illustrator Darren Scotland, founder of Ace of Place, joins psychologist Leila Ainge to talk about creative ambition, belonging, and the self-doubt that often comes with growth.</p><p>Darren’s 2026 goal is to grow his business from a solo studio into a collaborative creative brand — one that celebrates homes, buildings, and the stories that make them meaningful. Together, he and Leila unpack what it means to balance ambition with authenticity, to manage fear of failure, and to build systems strong enough to hold a bigger vision.</p><p>This conversation explores:</p>How our sense of place shap...
40. From Procrastination to Publication — with Rebecca Slater
<p>In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge talks with Rebecca Slater, who’s setting a powerful goal for 2026: to write her first book.</p><p>Together they explore what it really takes to move from wanting to doing — overcoming procrastination, creating time, and building habits that last. Rebecca shares how shifting her mindset, using community support, and redefining success are helping her take the first steps toward authorship.</p><p>This episode looks closely at the psychology of writing goals, the myth of the “perfect time,” and how accountability and self-compassion can turn creative aspirations into act...
39. Jen Vaughan on Balancing Nurture and Profit, The Goal Experiments
<p>In this first conversation of The Goal Experiments, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge speaks with yoga teacher Jen Vaughan about the tension between giving and receiving, authenticity and marketing, nurture and profit.</p><p>Together, they unpack what happens when care is your craft: how to claim space, ask for fair payment, and show up as your whole self without feeling like you’ve lost something in the process.</p><p>We follow Jen as she sets her first 2026 “goal-resolution”:</p>Claim space and set clearer boundariesAsk for testimonials and feedbackExperiment with authentic marketing that reflects who she really is<br...
Women, Ambition & the Profit Silence
<p>In this episode, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge explores the quiet tension many women experience in business — the space between ambition and the pressure to be “good.” Drawing on findings from Good Girl Economics, her research collaboration with Nicky Denson-Elliott, Leila examines why conversations about profit, visibility, and ambition can feel uncomfortable for women, even in supportive entrepreneurial spaces.</p><p>Listeners will hear how gendered expectations and internalised narratives shape pricing decisions, confidence, and self-presentation — and why women often soften their ambition in order to belong. Leila highlights the gap between what women say they value and how they beh...
Your secret weapon against burnout and stress
<p>Welcome to my favourite field, yes.. you heard that right. In this episode I'm talking about the suprising benefits of noticing a tree, field or bit of nature near to you. </p>
How to Stop Over-Striving and Start Feeling Fulfilled
<p>What’s the real difference between joy, fulfilment, and striving? In this episode, psychologist Leila Ainge explores the psychology behind our endless chase for more—and why true joy often hides in life’s quieter moments. Drawing on research into hedonic adaptation and flow, Leila unpacks how to tell the difference between healthy ambition and the anxiety of overstriving. You’ll learn how to savour success, sustain motivation, and find balance between progress and peace.</p><p>Plus—Leila shares exciting news about Season 4 of Psychologically Speaking and a live Joy Experiment you can join to put the science of joy int...
Unfiltered & Unapologetic: Women in Focus with Karen Staniland-Platt
<p>What does it really mean to be seen? In this episode of Psychologically Speaking, I sit down with Karen Staniland- Platt, a Manchester-based photographer and writer who’s passionate about capturing women as they truly are.</p><p>We talk about what happens when women step in front of the camera: the nerves, the joy, the shift in self-image that can follow. Our conversation ranges from the pressures of social media filters to the liberation of candid photography, and why authenticity is such a powerful antidote to perfection.</p><p>Karen also shares the story behind the Passion and Pu...
You are not that important: finding Joy and doing weird stuff with Hannah Isted.
<p>Leila and Hannah explore the themes of joy, productivity, and marketing strategies. They discuss the importance of celebrating small wins, the awkwardness of creating B-roll content, and the psychological aspects of anticipation and joy. Hannah shares her journey of developing a 10-minute marketing approach, emphasizing the power of timers and gamification in overcoming procrastination. The discussion also touches on the significance of nostalgia in marketing and the impact of seasonality on business strategies. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the importance of finding joy in both personal and professional endeavors.</p><p>Hannah Isted is the founder of HI Communications, supporting...
