Send us a text Episode 29: Your Professor Knows You Used ChatGPT - Here’s How 🎙️ Can your professor really tell if you used ChatGPT on your last assignment? Spoiler alert: Yes...and it's more often than you think. In this eye-opening episode of Psychology for Students, Professor Jeff Hastings breaks down how educators are detecting AI-generated work in the classroom - and why it matters more than just grades. From writing patterns and AI “tells” to the neuroscience of learning, this epi...

Send us a text 🎙️ BONUS EPISODE – From Campus to Career (Audio Sample) Podcast: Psychology for Students Hosted by: Professor Jeff Hastings Today’s episode is a little different. Instead of our usual psychology deep dive, I’m sharing an exclusive audio sample from a book I co-wrote with my stepson, Maxwell V. Sweet, called From Campus to Career: A Step-by-Step Guide to Better Grades, a Better Career, and a Brighter Future. Whether you're in high school, college, or guiding someone who is, th...

Send us a text Episode 27: The Psychology Behind Picking the Right Major: How Choosing Early Builds Confidence, Momentum, and Long-Term Success Choosing a college major isn’t just a box to check—it’s a powerful decision that shapes your academic focus, career trajectory, and personal growth. In this episode, Professor Jeff Hastings breaks down the psychology behind major selection and explains why picking a path early—even if it’s not perfect—can dramatically increase motivation, confid...

Send us a text 🎙️ Episode 26: How ChatGPT Will Destroy the World: But It’s Not How You Think Professor Jeff Hastings takes on the real threat of artificial intelligence in this powerful episode — and it’s not what most people think. While science fiction imagines ChatGPT becoming self-aware and destroying humanity, Hastings argues that the true danger is far more human: we might stop thinking for ourselves. In this thought-provoking discussion, Professor Hastings explains how generative AI ac...

Send us a text Description: Feeling mentally drained, emotionally exhausted, or like you’re running on empty in college? You’re not alone—and you’re not just “bad at managing stress.” This episode of Psychology for Students breaks down the real psychology of academic burnout, why it’s more than just being tired, and how to start healing. You’ll learn how chronic academic pressure, technology overload, isolation, and unrealistic expectations create a perfect storm—and what to do about it. Bas...

Send us a text Episode 24: How to Build Real Confidence (Without Faking It) Confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build. In this episode of Psychology for Students, we’re breaking down what real self-confidence looks like and how you can grow it, even if you struggle with anxiety or self-doubt. You’ll learn: Why confidence matters more than talentThe difference between self-confidence and self-esteemA step-by-step Confidence Plan you can start using today10 science-ba...

Send us a text Episode 23: Antidepressants Unpacked – What They Are, How They Work, and What You Should Know In Episode 23 of Psychology for Students, we take a deep dive into one of the most widely discussed—and misunderstood—tools in mental health treatment: antidepressants. From SSRIs to MAOIs, we explore how these medications work in the brain, when they’re most effective, and what the research really says about their benefits and limitations. You'll also learn why consulting a lice...

Send us a text The Truth About Depression: Pain, Healing, and the Power to Stay In this deeply personal and compassionate episode, Professor Jeff Hastings takes an unflinching look at depression—what it is, why it happens, and most importantly, how healing begins. Drawing on science, personal stories, and the wisdom of thought leaders like the Dalai Lama and Dr. Carol Dweck, this episode explores the biology, psychology, and lived experience of depression with clarity, empathy, an...

Send us a text Episode 21: The Future of Education Starts Now - A Call to Action for Faculty, Leaders, and Institutions Mental health is at crisis levels. Students are overwhelmed, disconnected, and drowning in the noise of tech addiction, trauma, and social pressure - while academic systems remain largely unchanged. In this urgent follow-up to Episode 20, Professor Jeff Hastings speaks directly to educators, administrators, and institutional leaders about what must change—and what’s po...

Send us a text Episode 20: Breaking the Silence — Youth Mental Health, Identity, and the Hidden Crisis of Exploitation and Trafficking In this powerful episode of Psychology for Students, Professor Jeff Hastings shines a light on the escalating mental health crisis facing teens and young adults today. As we mark Mental Health Awareness Month, we unpack the alarming rise in anxiety, depression, and suicide rates—and explore what’s really driving this surge, from tech addiction and social...

Send us a text 🎙️ Episode 19: Chapter 4 Review – Psychology Across the Lifespan In this special review episode, Angela takes you on a clear, engaging walkthrough of everything you need to know from Chapter 4: Psychology Across the Lifespan. From Piaget’s stages of cognitive development to Erikson’s psychosocial theory, we’ll explore how we grow, think, and change from infancy through adulthood. You’ll hear key concepts like object permanence, identity vs. role confusion, the impact of brain d...

Send us a text Episode 18: Love, Attraction, and Why We Choose the Wrong People In Episode 18, Professor Hastings and Angela dive into the psychology of attraction, love, and the hidden forces that influence our relationship choices. Why do smart, thoughtful people end up with partners who hurt them? How do attachment styles, trauma, and self-worth shape who we’re drawn to? And how can we break unhealthy patterns to build love that lasts? This episode blends insight, humor, and hope for anyon...

Send us a text Chapter 4: Development Across the Lifespan Becoming You: Navigating Identity, Love, and Growth in Emerging Adulthood In this episode, Professor Jeff Hastings explores the emotional highs and lows of young adulthood — from brain development and identity struggles to choosing the right friends and partners. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, lost, or unsure of your path, you’re not alone. Learn how to build self-awareness, choose relationships that support your growth, and take pow...

Send us a text Chapter 4: Development Across the Lifespan From Birth to Adulthood - Psychology Across the Life Span In this episode, Professor Jeff Hastings walks us through the incredible journey of human development - from the very first moments of life to late adulthood. We’ll explore how our bodies grow, how our minds evolve, and how early experiences can shape the way we see ourselves and others. From prenatal development and attachment theory to Piaget, Erikson, parenting styles, and e...

Send us a text In this review of Chapter 3, Angela (Jeff's AI Teaching Assistant) breaks down everything you need to know about consciousness — from attention, sleep, and dreaming to altered states like hypnosis and meditation. Learn how your brain creates awareness, why sleep is critical for memory and mental health, and how selective attention shapes your experience of reality. Plus, test your knowledge with a quick interactive quiz at the end. Whether you're prepping for a test or ju...

Send us a text We spend about one-third of our lives asleep — but what exactly is happening in the brain during all those hours of shut-eye? In this episode of Psychology for Students, we’re diving deep into the fascinating world of sleep and dreams. Join Professor Jeff Hastings and teaching assistant Angela as they explore the science behind why we sleep, what’s going on in the brain during different sleep stages, and why your dreams might be doing more emotional and mental work than you rea...

Send us a text In this episode of Psychology for Students, we explore one of the most important — and misunderstood — topics in psychology: attention. Professor Jeff Hastings and teaching assistant Angela break down how your brain decides what to notice and what to ignore, why multitasking is a myth, and how limited attention shapes your experiences, relationships, and success in school. We’ll discuss selective attention, inattentional blindness, change blindness, and the dangers of tas...

Send us a text In this episode of Psychology for Students, we kick off Chapter 3 by exploring one of the most fascinating and personal aspects of psychology — consciousness. But what exactly is consciousness, and why does it matter? We’ll break down the concept of awareness, explain how it exists on a spectrum from full alertness to deep sleep, and introduce the key ideas behind controlled versus automatic processing. Plus, we’ll take a look at Sigmund Freud’s influential theory of the ...

In this Chapter, we explore the fascinating world of consciousness — your moment-to-moment awareness of yourself and your environment. You’ll learn about the different states of consciousness, from being fully alert to dreaming, and how your brain cycles through these states each day. We’ll break down how substances like caffeine, alcohol, and THC alter conscious experience, and how practices like meditation and hypnosis can shift your awareness in powerful ways. This chapter also explains wh...

In this episode of Psychology for Students, Angela takes you through a detailed, easy-to-understand review of Chapter 2: The Role of Biology in Psychology from Psychology in Your Life, 4th Edition by Grison and Gazzaniga. We break down the key concepts you need to know for your quiz—but more importantly, we help you understand how these ideas apply to your real life. Learn how your nervous system works like your body’s communication network, how different parts of your brain function, and how...