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Why Voices Move Us: A Radio Day Special

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The Conception of the Modern Radio The 19th century was an era of myriad inventions. Early work by scientists like Heinrich Hertz proved the existence of electromagnetic waves. Guglielmo Marconi made a breakthrough in 1895, when he transmitted radio signals over several kilometres. Once it was discovered that electromagnetic waves could transmit signals through air, the idea of the radio was conceived. What began as a basic coded communication between ships and stations soon evolved into voice transmission across different media. As technology further progressed, radio became more and more accessible and portable. Large receivers were replaced by smaller transistor radios. This made it possible to listen to daily news, entertainment and music while travelling, working, or resting. Over time, radio stations improved sound quality and eventually expanded into digital formats, satellite broadcasting, online streaming, and podcasts. Despite the many structural changes that the radio has un...
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When Relationships Become Reels

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Written By Ms.Gurneet Kaur Jaitly, Counselling Psychologist RPS International, Gurgaon This Valentine’s Day, Log Off and Love Gently Love Didn’t Always Need an Audience Love once unfolded in private—through conversations, shared silences, misunderstandings, repair, and growth. Today, intimacy often enters the public sphere before it settles into the relationship itself. In an era of reels, stories, soft launches, and couple grids, love has quietly become content. Being loved is increasingly confused with being visible, reshaping how relationships are measured and validated. “Being seen online is not the same as being held emotionally.” When Love Becomes Content Sharing moments from a relationship isn’t inherently unhealthy. But when posting becomes proof of commitment, intimacy begins to live under pressure. Quiet questions emerge—Why didn’t they post me? Why didn’t they repost? Why does everyone else look happier? Over time, relationships become monitored rather than felt. “Presence i...
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The Power and Flexibility of Narrative Identity: Shaping Who We Are

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There are days when Anna feels like she is the heroine of her own story. She thinks of all the struggles she has faced, the strength she has mustered against all odds, and all the successes she has achieved, large or small that have defined her journey. But then, on other days, she feels like a victim, beset by circumstances she cannot control, dwelling on the moments of pain she has experienced. This is a process that psychologists have defined as “narrative identity.” On a very basic level, “narrative identity” can be defined as how we go about creating a story out of our lives. At a more complex level, “they find that narrative identity can be defined as a process whereby a person tries to make sense of his or her own life by constructing a sense out of a series of experiences.” Why is it that sometimes we like to perceive ourselves as heroes, while other times we see ourselves as victims? Is this all a question of perspective? The Storytelling Self As human beings, we all tell stor...
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The Illusion of Closure: Why the Mind Hates Unfinished Stories

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In the Netflix original series Stranger Things, the character Mike imagines an alternate ending to the story of Eleven, the protagonist. In this new ending, Eleven survives the battle after destroying the villain Vecna, returning to Hawkins to be with her friends and loved ones, building a nice life. This was different from what actually transpired in the season finale, where Eleven sacrificed her life to save her friends and the town of Hawkins, where all the attacks took place. If one were to ask which ending was more satisfying/preferred, they would choose Mike’s version. And it's no coincidence. There is a psychological underlying reason why we prefer complete endings instead of unpleasant/incomplete ones. A key theory explaining our resistance towards unfinished endings is the Zeigarnik effect. Discovered by Bluma Zeigarnik in the 1920s, the theory found that people remember incomplete tasks or interrupted activities better than completed ones. The brain marks unfinished exper...
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Stephen Hawking’s Questions and Brief Answers: Exploring the Universe in Simple Minds

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Stephen Hawking’s book Brief Answers to the Big Questions is not just a science book. It feels more like a quiet conversation between a curious mind and the universe itself. Written toward the end of his life, the book carries both intellectual sharpness and emotional honesty. Hawking does not attempt to overwhelm the reader with equations or technical complexity. Instead, he invites ordinary people into questions that humanity has always asked but often felt too small to approach. At the heart of the book lies a simple idea. Questions matter more than answers. Hawking believed that curiosity is the true engine of human progress. Throughout the book, he asks questions that sound almost childlike in their simplicity. Is there a God? How did it all begin? Is time travel possible? Will artificial intelligence surpass us? These are not new questions, yet Hawking presents them with clarity that makes readers feel included rather than excluded. Psychologically, this inclusion is powerful. Ma...
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From Swipe to Soulmates in Modern Dating: Beware of the Blurred Lines of Consent!

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In today’s digital era, relationships are evolved rapidly, shaped by social media, dating apps, and modern communication tools. With a simple swipe, people can explore potential partners, but navigating these digital spaces is challenging. The concept of romantic and friendly relationships has become fluid, and with this fluidity comes new terms, habits, and risks like the fast-paced culture of instant gratification. Let’s deep-dive into this new landscape that demands a deeper understanding of the modern dynamics, the terrain of today’s relationships. Modern dating comes with its own vocabulary, like "ghosting," "benching," "situationships", etc. which have become mainstream and seem normalized. Gadgets offer new ways to connect, but they also create challenges by complicating consent, communication, and commitment, resulting in confusion for young people. This can make it hard to differentiate, romantic partnerships, and platonic friendships, blurring re...
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From Overthinking to Calm Thinking: How to Rewire Your Brain for Peace

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Overthinking is referred to as rumination. It’s when you dwell on the same thought or situation repeatedly to the point that it disrupts life. There are two possibilities in overthinking: rumination about past experiences or worrying about future events. Overthinking often arises as anticipation for future events, based on analyzing past experiences. For some people, it develops as a protective blueprint to avoid future problems. It involves repetitive and obsessive thoughts, which seem like a loop. Basic human thoughts are driven by biological needs such as hunger, thirst, and sex. This need sends signals to the brain; the brain executes actions that originate from instincts. When the human brain evolves to address safety needs, it begins to identify threats and predict future outcomes to avoid danger. Over time, the brain continues to apply protective thinking to prevent danger. If this loops, it involves worry, rumination, perfectionism, and fear.  Overthinking can affect how yo...
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Hedonic Adaptation And The Emptiness After Achievement

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The brief high of success Achievements are often imagined as lasting sources of happiness. Getting a desired job, clearing a difficult exam or reaching a long awaited goal is expected to bring deep and sustained satisfaction. In reality the emotional high that follows success is usually short lived. The initial excitement, pride and relief gradually fade and life begins to feel ordinary again. This emotional return to baseline can feel confusing especially when a person believes that achievement should permanently change how they feel. Hedonic adaptation refers to the psychological tendency to quickly adjust to positive life events. Once a goal is achieved the mind recalibrates and treats the new situation as normal. What once felt extraordinary becomes routine. This is not a flaw in motivation or gratitude but a natural process of the human brain which is designed to seek balance rather than constant pleasure. When achievement loses its meaning The emptiness after success often emerge...
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Why Introverts Feel Drained by “Just Come for 10 Minutes” Plans

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There’s a quiet misunderstanding that introverts face almost every week of their lives, the belief that socialising is easy as long as it’s “short.” Friends say, “Just come for ten minutes,” as if the length of the plan is the problem, as if introverts decline because they’re being dramatic or shy or overly selective. But what most people don’t see is that for introverts, the exhaustion isn’t about minutes. It’s about mental preparation, emotional energy, and the unspoken pressure that comes with entering any social space. Ten minutes to an extrovert might feel like a tiny, effortless slice of time. Ten minutes to an introvert feels like a performance, a shift in energy, and an emotional transition they may not be ready for. The truth is, introverts don’t avoid people, they avoid the overstimulation that often comes with social environments. Even stepping into a room filled with noise, expectations, and unfiltered conversations can be draining before the interaction even begins. What o...
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Leadership as a Lighthouse: Emotional Containment in Crisis

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When the world feels like it’s crashing into waves, people instinctively look for the one figure who stands steady. Not the loudest voice, not the most decorated expert, but the person whose presence itself feels like a direction. This is where leadership transforms from a role into something far more symbolic, a lighthouse. A lighthouse is not the tallest building on shore, nor the one with the grandest design. Its power lies in its stillness. In its ability to hold light for others when everything around is drowning in chaos. As a psychologist, I’ve often watched leaders misunderstand this idea, believing they must extinguish their own emotions to be strong, rather than learning how to contain them in a way that guides others. In therapy sessions with leaders, from managers to founders to community heads there is a recurring confession that surfaces: “I can’t fall apart, everyone depends on me.” This isn’t arrogance. It’s fear. The fear that vulnerability will break trust. But emotio...
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