<description>&lt;p&gt;How does reading shape our mind and spirit? Why do novels make us feel more human? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In front of a live audience at the Hay Festival of Literature &amp;amp; Arts, Claudia Hammond looks at the science of what reading does to the mind and explores the profound impact it can have on our lives and well-being. 
 
She is joined on stage by award-winning novelist and travel writer Joanna Kavenna; Dr Paula Byrne, Jane Austen biographer, writer and co-founder of ReLit: The Bibliotherapy Foundation and Ben Alderson-Day, Professor in Psychology at Durham University and lead researcher on ReaderBank, an ongoing research project studying reading, imagination and wellbeing.
 
With these leading experts in psychology and the literary world, she examines the range of imaginative experiences that fiction readers have, whether novels can deepen our capacity for empathy and the therapeutic effect of reading on our minds.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Claudia Hammond 
Producer: Helena Selby
Editor: Ilan Goodman 
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth&lt;/p&gt;</description>

What does reading novels do for our minds, our imaginations and our well-being?

How does reading shape our mind and spirit? Why do novels make us feel more human? In front of a live audience at the Hay Festival of Literature &amp; Arts, Claudia Hammond looks at the science of what reading does to the mind and explores the profound impact it can have on our lives and well-being. 
 
She is joined on stage by award-winning novelist and travel writer Joanna Kavenna; Dr Paula Byrne, Jane Austen biographer, writer and co-founder of ReLit: The Bibliotherapy Foundation and Ben Alderson-Day, Professor in Psychology at Durham University and lead researcher on ReaderBank, an ongoing research project studying reading, imagination and wellbeing.
 
With these leading experts in psychology and the literary world, she examines the range of imaginative experiences that fiction readers have, whether novels can deepen our capacity for empathy and the therapeutic effect of reading on our minds.Presenter: Claudia Hammond 
Producer: Helena Selby
Editor: Ilan Goodman 
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth

How does reading fiction impact our imagination and mental health?

<description>&lt;p&gt;What would you say is the difference between the mind and the brain? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Claudia delves into this complex question after listener Paul got in touch to ask about Near Death Experiences. What can they tell us about the mind, the brain and who we are? Anil Seth, Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex and author of Being You tackles this profound topic. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Studio guest Catherine Loveday discusses brand new research on how exactly the brain brings old memories from our pasts into our minds. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And Anita got in touch after hearing our discussion of knowledge theft, asking what motivates idea-stealing and whether it’s always intentional. Lillian Ellis, Assistant Professor at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia shares the evidence on 'cryptomnesia' - the common act of plagiarising ideas unconsciously.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Erika Wright
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Studio engineers: Mary Stone and Sue Maillot&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Should All In The Mind really be called 'All In the Brain'?

What would you say is the difference between the mind and the brain? Claudia delves into this complex question after listener Paul got in touch to ask about Near Death Experiences. What can they tell us about the mind, the brain and who we are? Anil Seth, Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Sussex and author of Being You tackles this profound topic. Studio guest Catherine Loveday discusses brand new research on how exactly the brain brings old memories from our pasts into our minds. And Anita got in touch after hearing our discussion of knowledge theft, asking what motivates idea-stealing and whether it’s always intentional. Lillian Ellis, Assistant Professor at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia shares the evidence on 'cryptomnesia' - the common act of plagiarising ideas unconsciously.Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Erika Wright
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Studio engineers: Mary Stone and Sue Maillot

What do out-of-body experiences tell us about consciousness?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Everyone experiences unwanted thoughts from time to time. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But how does it feel to be trapped in a constant cycle of intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This is the reality of life for many people with obsessive compulsive disorder, a common - but commonly misunderstood - mental health condition. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;So today we’re dedicating the programme to understanding OCD and how it’s treated.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We’ll visit Britain’s only inpatient unit, Seacole Ward at Springfield Hospital in London, where we’ll meet Albert and Emily who explain what it’s like when life is governed by OCD, and consultant psychiatrist Dr Ilenia Pampaloni who likens intensive treatment to "bootcamp" where patients must face their worst fears 24 hours a day.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We're also joined in the studio by Dr Bruce Clark, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital in London, to tackle some ingrained OCD stereotypes and dissect the common phrase, "I'm a bit OCD". &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Bruce offers advice on how to spot early signs of OCD and what we should do if we’re worried - and explains how he stays hopeful because the condition is so treatable.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Sound engineers: Giles Aspen &amp;amp; Tim Heffer &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Details of organisations offering information and support with obsessive-compulsive disorder are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline&lt;/p&gt;</description>

We take a deep dive into treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Everyone experiences unwanted thoughts from time to time. But how does it feel to be trapped in a constant cycle of intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours?This is the reality of life for many people with obsessive compulsive disorder, a common - but commonly misunderstood - mental health condition. So today we’re dedicating the programme to understanding OCD and how it’s treated.We’ll visit Britain’s only inpatient unit, Seacole Ward at Springfield Hospital in London, where we’ll meet Albert and Emily who explain what it’s like when life is governed by OCD, and consultant psychiatrist Dr Ilenia Pampaloni who likens intensive treatment to "bootcamp" where patients must face their worst fears 24 hours a day.We're also joined in the studio by Dr Bruce Clark, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital in London, to tackle some ingrained OCD stereotypes and dissect the common phrase, "I'm a bit OCD". Bruce offers advice on how to spot early signs of OCD and what we should do if we’re worried - and explains how he stays hopeful because the condition is so treatable.Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Sound engineers: Giles Aspen &amp; Tim Heffer Details of organisations offering information and support with obsessive-compulsive disorder are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

Overcoming OCD

<description>&lt;p&gt;Claudia Hammond and guests offer insights into tackling knowledge theft and discourteous emails. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dr Emma Russell, occupational psychologist and reader in occupational and organisational psychology from the University of Sussex, has insights into perpetrators of disrespectful emails. And studio guest Dr Pete Olusoga, senior lecturer in psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, tells Claudia about new research into knowledge theft and how to make repairs if it happens.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And Dr Madoka Kumashiro, from Goldsmiths, University of London, will discuss the Michaelangelo phenomenon – the idea that spending time with people who bring out the best in us helps to reveal our ideal inner self. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And finally, Pete Olusoga has research on mind-blanking which is increasingly thought to be a distinct brain state, different to mind-wandering or sleep.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Lorna Stewart and Gerry Holt
Studio Managers: Giles Aspen and Mary Stone
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Content Editor: Ilan Goodman&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Facing impolite emails, tackling knowledge theft, and mind blanking.

Claudia Hammond and guests offer insights into tackling knowledge theft and discourteous emails. Dr Emma Russell, occupational psychologist and reader in occupational and organisational psychology from the University of Sussex, has insights into perpetrators of disrespectful emails. And studio guest Dr Pete Olusoga, senior lecturer in psychology at Sheffield Hallam University, tells Claudia about new research into knowledge theft and how to make repairs if it happens.And Dr Madoka Kumashiro, from Goldsmiths, University of London, will discuss the Michaelangelo phenomenon – the idea that spending time with people who bring out the best in us helps to reveal our ideal inner self. And finally, Pete Olusoga has research on mind-blanking which is increasingly thought to be a distinct brain state, different to mind-wandering or sleep.Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producers: Lorna Stewart and Gerry Holt
Studio Managers: Giles Aspen and Mary Stone
Production Coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Content Editor: Ilan Goodman

Toxic work behaviours, mind blanking, and why spending time with friends makes you more yourself

<description>&lt;p&gt;How can we feel ok in a world that isn’t? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With multiple global crises going on at the same time, it can make many of us feel very uncertain and anxious. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;But why are we affected by events happening so far from home - and what can we do to help ourselves feel better in difficult times? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Clinical psychologist Linda Blair and Channel 4 News international editor Lindsey Hilsum share their wisdom.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;And should we plan in 20 minutes a day just for worrying? That’s the idea of a “worry window”, where we block off a time to get all our worrying done in one so we can enjoy the rest of our day. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Daryl O’Connor, professor of psychology at the University of Leeds, brings us the evidence. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Also this week, can we really be addicted to social media? &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Claudia tasks Andy Przybylski, professor of human behaviour and technology at the University of Oxford, with answering this surprisingly tricky question.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Studio engineer: Steve Greenwood&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Details of organisations offering support with some of these issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline&lt;/p&gt;</description>

And should we plan in 20 minutes a day dedicated to worrying?

How can we feel ok in a world that isn’t? With multiple global crises going on at the same time, it can make many of us feel very uncertain and anxious. But why are we affected by events happening so far from home - and what can we do to help ourselves feel better in difficult times? Clinical psychologist Linda Blair and Channel 4 News international editor Lindsey Hilsum share their wisdom.And should we plan in 20 minutes a day just for worrying? That’s the idea of a “worry window”, where we block off a time to get all our worrying done in one so we can enjoy the rest of our day. Daryl O’Connor, professor of psychology at the University of Leeds, brings us the evidence. Also this week, can we really be addicted to social media? Claudia tasks Andy Przybylski, professor of human behaviour and technology at the University of Oxford, with answering this surprisingly tricky question.Presenter: Claudia Hammond
Producer: Gerry Holt
Editor: Ilan Goodman
Production coordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
Studio engineer: Steve GreenwoodDetails of organisations offering support with some of these issues are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

How to be OK in a world that isn’t

The show on how we think, feel and behave. Claudia Hammond delves into the evidence on mental health, psychology and neuroscience.

All in the Mind

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