A Podcast S01
Experience
Analysing Newsmakers

Psychoanalysing the news, one story at a time.

About the show

Analysing the human experience one news story at a time

Each week self-confessed, people-obsessed, news-junkies, Peter Kinderman and Hilary Jeffs talk through the headlines to demystify human behaviour. Insightful and opinionated Peter and Hilary banter their way through not only what drives us but also why we react the way that we do.

Peter is a clinical psychologist and a former President of the British Psychological Society whilst Hilary is a broadcaster and communications expert.

Meet the hosts

The format

A look at the News. A resignation at the top of politics, a World Cup, a viral moment. The headline is our way in to a robust discussion on human behaviour.

Concept of the Week. Peter introduces a psychological concept each week to get you thinking about how we tick.

The Triple T. Our Tips to Try: bitesize wellbeing suggestions to help you in life.


Latest episode · Out now

Episode four is live

Series 1 · Episode 4 · 10 August 2026 64 mins

Even James Bond Steps on a Banana Skin

Results day, disappointment and Freshers' Week

A practical guide to A-level results day and the leap to university, for anyone with a teenager in the house and for the teenagers themselves.

0:00 / 1:03:38

Across Series One

The questions behind the headlines

Leadership & charisma

Why do we fall for charismatic leaders when life feels unstable? What separates confidence from competence, and why does a politician who can't tell a story struggle to keep the room? The psychology of power, persuasion and political communication.

Belonging & identity

Football crowds, fandom, in-groups and out-groups. What sport, celebrity culture and viral moments reveal about our deep need to belong, and what happens to the people who feel shut out.

Money, fame & happiness

Does more money actually make you happier? What does sudden fame do to a person? The behavioural science of wealth, status and wellbeing, tested against whatever the week's news throws up.

What it means to be human

Every week Experience with Peter and Hilary will discuss what it means to be human, through a discussion of the news, the Concept of the Week and The Triple T, our wellbeing practical tips to try. If you have a suggestion for a story we should discuss, or any questions, please get in touch: hello@experiencepodco.com.

Visit the Media Library


Your hosts

Two people, two lenses, one story.

Hilary Jeffs, co-host of the Experience podcast

Hilary Jeffs

Communications

Hilary is a presenter and strategic communications coach. She has advised senior business leaders, politicians and celebrities, and devised the Experience podcast after finding herself getting ever more frustrated by the headlines and the behaviours driving them.

Professor Peter Kinderman, co-host of the Experience podcast

Peter Kinderman

Clinical Psychology

Practising clinical psychologist, former President of the British Psychological Society, and 35 years in front-line mental health care. Peter applies psychology to everyday life, out loud this time.

Questions, answered

About the podcast

What is the Experience podcast about?

Experience is a weekly British podcast about the psychology behind the news. Each episode, the hosts pick stories from the news and work out what's really going on: why the people involved behaved the way they did, and what it says about the rest of us.

Who hosts Experience?

Hilary Jeffs, a broadcaster and strategic communications expert, and Professor Peter Kinderman, a practising clinical psychologist and former President of the British Psychological Society. One brings the communications lens, the other the clinical one, and they don't always agree.

When do episodes come out?

The pod comes out weekly on a Tuesday. If you have a question or suggestion for Peter and Hilary, please contact us at hello@experiencepodco.com.

Where can I listen?

Experience is on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with YouTube to follow, and wherever you usually get your podcasts. You will also find every episode and clip in the Media Library.

Do I need to know anything about psychology?

No. The show is made for anyone curious about why people do what they do. When a psychological concept comes up, Peter explains what the evidence actually shows.

Out now · New episodes every Tuesday

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