Psychologically Speaking with Leila Ainge

A glass gold gilded conker from Effie Burns collection is the inspiration for our final reflection room taster session.We are thinking about what brings out our prickly side, what are we protecting and why?I also share details of the Reflection Room, starting on 14th September, details here on how to sign up https://www.leilaainge.co.uk/reflectionroomhttps://www.effieburnsglass.co.uk

What if a room could become a self-portrait?This week in the Reflection Room, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge pairs a painting by Lottie Cole with a simple but thought-provoking reflection about identity, environment and the spaces we quietly create around ourselves.Drawing on psychology, art and everyday observation, this episode invites you to look differently at the rooms you spend time in and to consider what they might reveal about who you are and who you're becoming.Perfect if you're looking for a few minutes of calm reflection, creative thinking and a gentle psychological prompt to carry into your week.https://lottiecole.com/https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/sargent-and-fashionhttps://thehomepage.co.uk/the-art-of-home/

What happens when you've left one chapter behind but haven't quite arrived at the next?Inspired by Frances Featherstone's Dower House from her Threshold series, this Reflection Room episode explores the psychology of liminality—the in-between spaces where identity, perspective and possibility begin to shift.https://www.francesfeatherstone.co.uk/paintings

What stories have you inherited about where you belong? This week's reflection uses art and psychology to help you revise your own narrative.Join psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge for the first Reflection Room prompt, where psychology, art and curiosity come together to help you see yourself—and your work from a different perspective.Inspired by Coral Woodbury's Revised Edition series and the work of artist Lubaina Himid, this episode explores how the stories we inherit shape our sense of identity, belonging and possibility. Drawing on ideas from social identity psychology, Leila reflects on why representation matters, how assumptions influence the way we see ourselves, and why some of our most meaningful insights arrive when we're walking, wandering or simply paying attention.Listeners are invited to consider one simple but thought-provoking question: Where could your contribution be revised? Through a guided reflection and an optional creative activity, this episode encourages you to notice where you may have underestimated yourself, overlooked your own potential, or quietly written yourself out of opportunities before anyone else had the chance.Perfect for anyone who enjoys reflective practice, psychology, art and evidence-informed personal development, this is an invitation to spend fifteen minutes looking again at the story you're telling yourself and whether it's time for a revised edition.https://artuk.org/discover/curations/art-design-gcse-2026-theme-womanhttps://artuk.org/discover/stories/seven-questions-with-coral-woodburyhttps://vimeo.com/665634788?fl=pl&fe=sh - video interview with Coral WoodburyCover art credit : collage made by Leila Ainge, including Photo by Dan Farrell on Unsplash, Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash , Photo by Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash

How do we make better decisions when certainty is impossible?In this solo episode of Psychologically Speaking, psychologist and researcher Leila Ainge explores why confidence isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking better questions.Drawing on psychology, decision-making research and reflections from this season's conversations, Leila explains why our brains crave certainty, how identity and ego can shape the way we respond to new information, and why curiosity is one of the greatest advantages we can develop.You'll discover:Why certainty can sometimes hold us backThe psychology behind ego, identity and confirmation biasWhy "the evidence is mixed" is one of a researcher's favourite phrasesHow psychology, art and reflection help us see problems differentlyWhy research doesn't replace intuition—it strengthens itHow to make better decisions by gathering perspectives, not just opinionsWhether you're leading a business, launching something new or navigating an important decision, this episode will help you think differently about risk, evidence and the stories we tell ourselves.📩 If you'd like support exploring a complex question through a psychological and research-informed lens, contact Leila at [email protected].