Mind on Trial

About Mind on Trial

How the brain bends, breaks and builds. Hosted by Mallory Van Noort, Mind on Trial explores the mind's darkest corridors and brightest revelations. Mallory explores the brain’s role in shaping who we are and why we behave the way we do. From trauma and transformation to crime, cognition and the messy in-between, this podcast unpacks the neural roots of behaviour, diving into the impact of neurotransmitters, brain structure and early imprinting. It’s where neuroscience meets storytelling, science meets soul, and stigma meets its end.

Publisher

Mallory Van Noort

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Jun 2025

Latest episode

28 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

9 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Oct 2026

   S1E8: The Brain's Night Shift: What Really Happens When You Sleep?

   Why does your brain refuse to switch off when you're exhausted? And what exactly is happening inside your head while you're asleep? In this episode, we're putting sleep on trial. From the intricate architecture of NREM and REM sleep to memory, emotional processing and those bizarre hypnic jerks that jolt us awake, we're exploring what the brain gets up to during its night shift. We'll also investigate the consequences of sleep deprivation, including why prolonged wakefulness can impair performance to levels comparable with alcohol intoxication. And what about sleep apnoea? You'll hear an authentic recording of severe sleep apnoea that reveals just how unsettling disrupted breathing during sleep can be. Then there's everything we turn to when sleep doesn't come easily. Antihistamines, melatonin gummies, cannabis, alcohol and newer sleep medications. Are they really helping us sleep, or could they be interfering with the quality of our rest? ⚖️ Topics: The stages of sleep: NREM, REM and sleep architecture Dreaming, memory and emotional processing Circadian rhythms, caffeine and hypnic jerks Sleep apnoea, including an authentic audio recording Sleep deprivation and blood alcohol impairment comparisons Antihistamines, melatonin and orexin-targeting medications Cannabis, alcohol and their effects on sleep Insomnia, hyperarousal and why switching off can be so difficult 🧠 Follow Mind on Trial for episodes where psychology meets neuroscience, exploring how the brain bends, breaks and builds. Episode 8 releases Thursday, 29 October 2026, at 7 AM AEST. Audio credit: The severe sleep apnoea recording is sourced from Ziegler et al. (2011), Effectively incorporating selected multimedia content into medical publications, BMC Medicine, 9, Article 17. Original recording: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snoring_under_severe_sleep_apnoea_-_1741-7015-9-17.oga (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snoring_under_severe_sleep_apnoea_-_1741-7015-9-17.oga) Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 (CC BY 2.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/) An excerpt has been incorporated into the episode's edited audio mix. The original recording has been modified for presentation. Disclaimer: I'm a psychology honours graduate with a background in criminology, but I'm not a registered psychologist. The information shared in this podcast is grounded in scientific research and intended for educational purposes, not individual psychological or medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding sleep concerns or medication decisions.

2. 

   29 Oct 2025

   S1 E7: Final Stretch Syndrome

   Why do we lose motivation right before we reach our goals? In this episode, I unpack the neuroscience behind “Final Stretch Syndrome” — that frustrating dip in energy, focus and drive just when success is in sight. From dopamine crashes and cortisol spikes to ego depletion and social comparison, we explore why your brain starts to tap the brakes at the worst possible moment. We’ll also dig into the arrival fallacy, the emotional crash that follows achievement and how to protect your mental health when the chase is over. Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, or high-achiever pushing toward a deadline, this one’s for you. ⚖ Topics: • Dopamine drop and motivation loss • Cortisol overload and exhaustion • Ego depletion and decision fatigue • The arrival fallacy explained • Imposter syndrome near success • Social comparison and performance anxiety 🧠 Follow Mind on Trial for episodes where psychology meets neuroscience, exploring how the brain bends, breaks and builds. New eps drop Thursdays at 7AM AEST. Note: I’m not a registered psychologist (YET). I’m currently completing my formal training and everything discussed in this podcast is grounded in peer-reviewed research and shared as informed advice, not clinical treatment.

3. 

   6 Aug 2025

   S1E6: Psychopathy: Born or Built? (Part 2)

   If part one left you rethinking what makes a psychopath, you’ll want to buckle in for the second half of this deep dive. In this episode, we explore the “successful” psychopaths who climb corporate ladders instead of prison fences, the grim reality of treating adult psychopaths, and the cutting-edge neuroscience that could one day change their brains. We also look at why children with callous-unemotional traits are our best chance at prevention — and how predictive analytics and early intervention could rewrite their futures before it’s too late. From boardrooms to courtrooms, and classrooms to correctional centres, we unpack where psychopathy hides, how it manifests, and whether society can truly rehabilitate those wired for harm. ⚖ Topics: • Successful vs. criminal psychopaths • Corporate psychopathy and “snakes in suits” • Treatment challenges for adult psychopaths • Neuroscience-driven rehabilitation • Early intervention for callous-unemotional traits • Predictive analytics for prevention 🧠 Follow Mind on Trial for weekly episodes blending psychology, neuroscience and real-world stories — with a healthy dose of curiosity and compassion. Note: I’m not a registered psychologist (YET). I’m currently completing my formal training and everything discussed in this podcast is grounded in peer-reviewed research and shared as informed advice, not clinical treatment.

4. 

   23 Jul 2025

   S1 E5: Psychopathy: Born or Built?

   If you’ve ever wondered what makes a psychopath tick — or if they’re even real, this episode is for you. In this week’s deep dive on Mind on Trial, we crack open the neurological, emotional and behavioural layers of psychopathy. We’ll separate myths from science and ask the big questions: Are psychopaths born or made? What do brain scans actually show? And why do some turn violent, while others become surgeons, CEOs, or soldiers? You’ll learn how callous-unemotional traits develop in childhood, what separates psychopathy from antisocial personality disorder, and how the prefrontal cortex plays a starring role in impulse control and emotional regulation. This isn’t just a true crime binge, it’s a psychological unpacking of the minds that break the rules, feel no remorse and often slip through the cracks. ⚖️ Topics: • Callous-unemotional traits in childhood • Psychopathy vs. Antisocial Personality Disorder • Prefrontal cortex dysfunction and fear processing • What is Conduct Disorder • Nature vs nurture: what the science says • Why treating adult psychopaths is almost impossible 🧠 Follow Mind on Trial for weekly episodes blending psychology, neuroscience and real-world healing — with warmth, storytelling, and a forensic edge. New eps drop Thursdays at 7AM AEST. Note: I’m not a registered psychologist (YET). I’m currently completing my formal training and everything discussed in this podcast is grounded in peer-reviewed research and shared as informed advice, not clinical treatment.

5. 

   9 Jul 2025

   S1 E4: Dating in the Age of Algorithms + Swipe Fatigue

   Episode 4: Dating in the Age of Algorithms + Swipe Fatigue If your thumbs are tired from swiping and your heart’s a little weary, this one’s for you. In this episode, I explore how dating apps like Tinder, Bumble and Hinge are reshaping our brains, literally. From dopamine loops to choice fatigue, we dive into how tech-fuelled dating is training your nervous system to seek novelty, reject connection and feel more alone than ever. I unpack why swipe culture hits differently for men and women, how too many choices can paralyse us and why finding love on apps often feels more like a game than a genuine connection. Whether you’re burned out from online dating or just curious about what these apps are doing to your brain chemistry, this episode blends neuroscience with storytelling to make sense of it all. ⚖️ Topics: • Swipe fatigue and the prefrontal cortex • Dating app dopamine loops • Choice overload and paradox of choice • Gender differences in app usage • The myth of “just one more swipe” • Rewiring your nervous system for real connection 🧠 Follow Mind on Trial for weekly episodes blending psychology, neuroscience and real-world healing—with the goal of rewiring. New eps drop Thursdays at 7AM AEST. Note: I’m not a registered psychologist (YET). I’m currently completing my formal training and everything discussed in this podcast is grounded in peer-reviewed research and shared as informed advice, not clinical treatment.

6. 

   2 Jul 2025

   S1 E3: Healing + Heartbreak

   The host explores the neuroscience of heartbreak, explaining how breakups rewire the brain and impact the limbic system, while also discussing strategies for healing and regaining identity.

7. 

   25 Jun 2025

   S1 E2: The Neurochemistry of Grief + Loss

   Mallory explores the neurochemistry of grief and loss, explaining how the brain physically responds to heartbreak and trauma, altering neural pathways and impacting emotional recovery.

8. 

   18 Jun 2025

   S1 E1: Who Am I & The Dopamine Loops

   Host Mallory Van Noort explores the neuroscience and psychology of emotional addiction, examining dopamine loops and fantasy in relationships, offering insights into understanding patterns of behavior.

9. 

   17 Jun 2025

   Trailer: Welcome to Mind on Trial

   Host Mallory Van Noort introduces Mind on Trial, a podcast exploring the intersection of neuroscience and human behavior, examining how brain structure, trauma, and attachment influence choices.

Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

24

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0