All In The Mind

Friction-maxxing: does more effort = more value?

2026-10-30

Mental map or GPS? Delivery or cooking at home? Scrolling or reading?

In a world of convenience, there are plenty of tools that make our lives easier. But is there a benefit to doing things the hard way?

Enter: friction-maxxing, the act of deliberately choosing slower, analogue options, in order to give daily routines more meaning, purpose and value.

So how does doing things the hard way help us? And isn't life difficult enough — who needs MORE friction?

Guests:

Kathryn Jezer-MortonWriter and essayist

Michael InzlichtProfessor of Psychology, University of Toronto

Credits:

Presenter/producer: Sana QadarSenior producer: James BullenProducer: Rose KerrSound engineer: Roi Huberman

To explore more great episodes from the award-winning psychology podcast All in the Mind with host Sana Qadar, download the ABC Listen app (Australia) or search 'ABC All in the Mind podcast' wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find more episodes on mental health, trauma, attachment theory, wellness hacks, and family relationships. You'll also hear interviews with experts like Esther Perel, Billy Garvey and Ethan Kross. All in the Mind is created for ABC's Radio National by specialist journalists and reporters at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

No. of episodes

1,047

Latest episode

2026-10-30

Where can you listen?

Why do people lie? Why do relationships fall apart? Can trauma change your brain?

Every week on All in the Mind, award-winning journalist Sana Qadar explores the psychology behind the biggest questions in our lives — how we think, feel and behave.

Featuring leading experts like Esther Perel, Billy Garvey and Ethan Kross, you'll hear personal stories and practical insights that will leave you thinking long after the podcast ends.

Whether it's debunking pop psychology trends or translating the latest neuroscience research, more than 100,000 listeners join Sana each month to learn the best strategies for surviving life with your mental health intact.

All in the Mind is created for ABC's Radio National by specialist journalists and reporters at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and was awarded Best Health and Wellness podcast at the 2026 Australian Audio Awards