Your Brain Is Ancient: Why Modern Life Feels So Hard

In this episode of The Aspiring Psychologist Podcast, we explore why modern life feels so overwhelming through the lens of evolutionary psychology and neuroscience. I’m joined by clinical psychologist Dr Matt Slavin, and together we discuss how our brains are still wired for survival in an ancient world, not the constant demands, uncertainty, and stimulation of modern society. We explore anxiety, negativity bias, rumination, avoidance, the impact of technology and news, lessons from the pandemic, parenting conversations about death, and how understanding our “ancient brain” can reduce shame and increase compassion. This episode is ideal for aspiring and qualified psychologists, therapists, and anyone interested in mental health, wellbeing, and why distress is a deeply human response rather than a personal failure.

Timestamps

1. 00:00 – Why our brains are ancient and modern life feels so hard
2. 01:08 – We discuss why understanding our evolutionary wiring really matters
3. 02:10 – Ancient survival drives and why they clash with modern expectations
4. 03:05 – Avoiding discomfort, uncertainty, and why that blocks the life we want
5. 05:29 – Maslow, privilege, and how self-actualisation is a modern luxury
6. 06:52 – Why our neurobiology hasn’t caught up with modern society
7. 08:03 – Negativity bias and why our brains are wired to spot danger first
8. 09:56 – Rumination, worry, and the exhaustion of a threat-focused mind
9. 12:02 – Loss, mortality, and how ancient humans related differently to suffering
10. 13:36 – News, technology, and constant activation of our threat systems
11. 16:11 – The pandemic as a leveller between clinicians and the people we serve
12. 19:42 – Functional contextualism and why behaviour makes sense in context
13. 21:22 – Nature-based practice and meeting clients as humans, not hierarchies
14. 23:18 – Legacy, meaning, parenting, and what we want to leave behind
15. 27:03 – Shame, compassion, and understanding survival strategies in mental health
16. 29:51 – Self-awareness, skills, and what really helps people live well

Links:

📲 Connect with Dr Matt Slavin: https://www.instagram.com/drmattslavin/

Check out Dr Matt's websites: http://www.drmattslavin.com/ https://getmentaladvantage.com/

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