Sana Qadar

Sydney

Host + producer, All in the Mind, ABC @RadioNational. Co-host, Eyes On Gilead @SBS. Torontonian 🇨🇦 in Sydney. Tweets my own views, not the ABC’s.

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Articles

Dissecting the brain - live at the World Science Festival Brisbane - ABC listen

1 week ago | abc.net.au | Sana Qadar

The brain might be an undiscerning blob that makes up just two per cent of your body, but what it does for you is extraordinary. How much about the day-to-day workings of the brain do we fully understand, and what does the future of medicine have in store for it? In this recording of our live show from the World Science Festival Brisbane, we explore the wonder of brain surgery, advances in neurotech, and whether we could one day preserve consciousness and ‘live’ forever.
Fighting for focus in the age of distraction

3 weeks ago | abc.net.au | Sana Qadar

Be honest, how many times have you checked your notifications in the last hour? Or opened a new, totally unrelated tab? Or stopped what you're doing even though you really need to do it? Distractions are everywhere. And whether they're self-imposed or coming from our environment, it can be hard to focus. Today, we explore the ramifications of our rapidly shrinking attention spans, debunk some myths about focus, and discuss the art of taking a break. Want to hear more?
The magic of memory

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Sana Qadar

How strong is your memory? Whether you're frequently forgetful or eager to improve, there are ways you can train your brain to recall faster and remember better. This week, we bring you our live show from Podfest at the Adelaide Festival, featuring neuropsychologists, memory athletes, and even some listeners!If you'd like to check out another episode, why not listen to Is life coaching legit?
Self-hatred can be linked to mental illness. What causes it and how can it be treated?

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Anna Salleh |Sana Qadar |James Bullen

Imagine you're at a dinner party having a good time chatting to people and then suddenly … splash!You knock your glass of red wine all over the plush cream carpet. You feel awfully embarrassed, and absolutely hate yourself in that moment. You do eventually forgive yourself. After all, you're only human and can be a klutz sometimes. But some people experience a much more toxic form of self-loathing than this.
Could AI keep you company as you age?

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Sana Qadar

Dementia usually involves a decline in your ability to remember, think and reason over time. And those with dementia are at a high risk of feeling socially isolated, lonely and depressed. As artificial intelligence systems get better and better, researchers are investigating whether AI companion bots could help improve the lives of those with dementia. The combination might sound counterintuitive, but researchers reckon these chatbots have some advantages over human companionship.
The ick: dating, disgust and evolutionary psychology

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Sana Qadar

Have you ever experienced "the ick"? It's that sudden, visceral feeling of being put off by someone you're dating. Maybe it's their hat, a hobby or even the way they laugh. Stories of the ick are prolific online, but it leaves us with a question - what causes it? To separate red flags from disgust, we get into the psychology of the ick - why you might feel icky, if it should be a deal breaker, and what it says about your own attachment style.
Can humans make it to Mars without losing their minds?

1 month ago | abc.net.au | Sana Qadar

NASA wants to send humans to Mars in the next decade or so. But can our minds handle it? We talk to a NASA psychologist and retired astronaut about the psychological challenges people already face on long-duration space missions — and find out what it will take to get to Mars. This episode was first broadcast in March 2024. Looking for another episode to listen to next? Check out Dark tourism + selfie sticks = moral outrage.
Do your hate yourself?

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Sana Qadar

Many of us have felt self loathing at some point in our lives — maybe when you've failed at an important task at work, or lost an important relationship. But some people hate themselves all the time — their inner monologue is a constant drumbeat of self-criticism and self-loathing. Where does this kind of all-encompassing self-hate come from? And is there a way to unlearn it?
'Bad behaviour' or just misunderstood? What to know about kids' mental health

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Sana Qadar

Developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey has seen a lot of kids with behavioural issue over the years, and there are ten things he wishes all parents understood about their kids mental health. From insecure attachment to separation anxiety to emotional difficulties – he gives us the low down on why kids get labelled ‘bad’ – and what’s really going on (usually). Looking for something to listen to next? Check out our episode, Wanted: Unicorns. Mission: Mars.
The baby decision - how to decide when you can't decide - ABC listen

2 months ago | abc.net.au | Sana Qadar

There are some decisions in life that can be trickier to navigate. Do you want to get married? Should you change careers? Do you want a baby? Parenthood is a choice more vexed than ever in a world threatened by climate change, political instability and cost-of-living crises. So how can people approach this choice? And if you're lucky enough to have a choice, how do you make peace with your decision?