Psychology and Stuff

Numbers can tell us a lot about the world, but only if we understand the people and experiences behind them. In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Dr. Alison Jane Martingano sits down with Dr. Georjeanna Wilson-Doenges, Professor of Psychology at UW-Green Bay, to discuss the power of storytelling in statistics and why making data meaningful matters more than ever. Drawing on her decades of teaching statistics and research methods, Georjeanna explains how connecting numbers to real-world experiences can reduce math anxiety, improve scientific communication, and help people see the relevance of data in their own lives. From interpreting uncertainty and visualizing data to questioning the assumptions behind averages, their conversation explores the importance of human judgment in an age of AI, the lessons educators can learn from their students, and how a better understanding of statistics can help us tell more honest, compassionate, and impactful stories.

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with UW–Green Bay psychologists and endurance athletes Dr. Chelsea Wooding and Dr. Jason Cowell to explore the psychology of endurance sports, from personality and motivation to pain and perseverance. Their conversation was inspired by their recent 100.5-mile Door County Century ride, and the mental and physical challenges they faced along the way. Chelsea and Jason break down what separates endurance athletes from the rest of us, why conscientiousness may be key to going the distance, and how training, social connection, and small rewards can reshape our relationship with effort. From the “pain cave” to the differences between amateur and professional athletes, they explore what it really takes to keep moving forward, and whether women may have an advantage when endurance events reach their most extreme.

What does it take to make a team thrive in space? In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with Dr. Morgan Stosic, a research psychologist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, to explore the psychology behind human performance in extreme environments. From studying nonverbal behavior and fatigue to understanding how astronauts communicate, collaborate, and cope with isolation, Morgan shares how psychology helps prepare humans for life beyond Earth. Martingano and Stosic discuss why personality traits that work well on Earth can shift in space, how communication delays could reshape empathy on future Mars missions, and what simulated Mars environments can teach us about teamwork and performance. They also explore what makes an astronaut—and why strong communication skills may be one of the most important tools for psychologists working beyond the traditional boundaries of the field.

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with UW-Green Bay 2026 commencement speaker, Grace Holschuh, to talk about finding your path through college and beyond. Grace reflects on her journey from discovering psychology to pursuing medical school, and how research, service, and leadership helped her figure out what she wanted for her future. Martingano and Holschuh discuss why it’s okay not to have your career figured out, how trying new opportunities can open unexpected doors, and why meaningful service can benefit both the people you help and yourself. From psychology research labs to study abroad in Thailand, Grace shares the experiences that have shaped her education, her goals, and her commitment to serving others. Follow Psych & Stuff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychandstuff/

In this episode of Psychology and Stuff, host Alison Jane Martingano sits down with Dr. Neema Trivedi-Bateman, senior lecturer in criminology at Loughborough University and founder of the Compass Project, an innovative intervention designed to strengthen moral development and promote prosocial behavior in young people. Neema shares how her research on empathy, shame, guilt, and decision-making inspired the creation of Compass, and explains why helping young people reflect on their emotions and choices may be more effective than focusing solely on rules and punishment. Together, they explore the role of moral reasoning, self-control, and social environments in shaping behavior, as well as the challenges of translating theory into real-world programs. From promising early results in schools to plans for international expansion, their conversation highlights how research-driven interventions can help young people make healthier decisions and create positive changes in their communities.