RedCircle VERIFY_TOKEN_73726d93-f104-4b20-8fb2-ca80688e8ea2 -- Rendered At Fri, 18 Sep 2026 14:01:52 +0000 Journey of Understanding https://redcircle.com/shows/journey-of-understanding en Heba Mahgoub Heba Mahgoub journey of Understanding is an English-language podcast exploring familiar human questions through reflection, psychology, behavioural science, philosophy, and related fields. Each episode begins with a simple question, then follows the evidence wherever it leads. This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment. © 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved. 73726d93-f104-4b20-8fb2-ca80688e8ea2 journey of Understanding is an English-language podcast exploring familiar human questions through reflection, psychology, behavioural science, philosophy, and related fields. Each episode begins with a simple question, then follows the evidence wherever it leads. This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment. © 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.

]]> episodic no Heba Mahgoub heba.a.mahgoub@gmail.com https://feeds.redcircle.com/73726d93-f104-4b20-8fb2-ca80688e8ea2 false full Journey of Understanding | Episode 4 | Why Don’t Our Actions Always Match What We Believe? Journey of Understanding | Episode 4 | Why Don’t Our Actions Always Match What We Believe? Heba Mahgoub <p>In this episode of <strong>Journey of Understanding</strong>, we explore a deeply human question:<br><strong>Why don’t our actions always match what we believe?</strong></p><p>Why do we sometimes know what feels right, yet still act differently?<br>Is it simply a matter of willpower, or are habit, emotion, stress, and self-protection part of the story?</p><p>This episode reflects on the gap between belief and behaviour, the idea of cognitive dissonance, and the way human actions are shaped by more than conscious conviction alone.</p><p><strong>Podcast by Heba Mahgoub</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.</p><p><br></p><p>© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>These sources support the main scientific concepts discussed in the episode, including cognitive dissonance, the intention-behaviour gap, planned behaviour, and habit formation.</p><p>Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T</p><p>Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press.</p><p>Webb, T. L., &amp; Sheeran, P. (2006). Does changing behavioral intentions engender behavior change? A meta-analysis of the experimental evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 132(2), 249–268. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.2.249</p><p>Wood, W., &amp; Rünger, D. (2016). Psychology of habit. Annual Review of Psychology, 67, 289–314. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033417</p> In this episode of Journey of Understanding, we explore a deeply human question:
Why don’t our actions always match what we believe?

Why do we sometimes know what feels right, yet still act differently?
Is it simply a matter of willpower, or are habit, emotion, stress, and self-protection part of the story?

This episode reflects on the gap between belief and behaviour, the idea of cognitive dissonance, and the way human actions are shaped by more than conscious conviction alone.

Podcast by Heba Mahgoub


This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.


© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.



References

These sources support the main scientific concepts discussed in the episode, including cognitive dissonance, the intention-behaviour gap, planned behaviour, and habit formation.

Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T

Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press.

Webb, T. L., & Sheeran, P. (2006). Does changing behavioral intentions engender behavior change? A meta-analysis of the experimental evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 132(2), 249–268. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.2.249

Wood, W., & Rünger, D. (2016). Psychology of habit. Annual Review of Psychology, 67, 289–314. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033417

]]> <p>In this episode of <strong>Journey of Understanding</strong>, we explore a deeply human question:<br><strong>Why don’t our actions always match what we believe?</strong></p><p>Why do we sometimes know what feels right, yet still act differently?<br>Is it simply a matter of willpower, or are habit, emotion, stress, and self-protection part of the story?</p><p>This episode reflects on the gap between belief and behaviour, the idea of cognitive dissonance, and the way human actions are shaped by more than conscious conviction alone.</p><p><strong>Podcast by Heba Mahgoub</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.</p><p><br></p><p>© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>These sources support the main scientific concepts discussed in the episode, including cognitive dissonance, the intention-behaviour gap, planned behaviour, and habit formation.</p><p>Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T</p><p>Festinger, L. (1957). A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance. Stanford University Press.</p><p>Webb, T. L., &amp; Sheeran, P. (2006). Does changing behavioral intentions engender behavior change? A meta-analysis of the experimental evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 132(2), 249–268. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.2.249</p><p>Wood, W., &amp; Rünger, D. (2016). Psychology of habit. Annual Review of Psychology, 67, 289–314. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-122414-033417</p> 19598e76-0e29-474d-9766-0b5dcfbb09ec https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/heba-mahgoub5/episodes/Journey-of-Understanding--Episode-4--Why-Dont-Our-Actions-Always-Match-What-We-Believe-e3ona2t Fri, 11 Sep 2026 13:59:51 +0000 546 false full Episode 3: What Is the Value of Words If We Don’t Listen? Episode 3: What Is the Value of Words If We Don’t Listen? Heba Mahgoub <p>hat happens when we speak, but our words do not reach another person in quite the way we intended?</p><p>In Episode 3 of <strong>Journey of Understanding</strong>, we explore the difference between hearing, listening, and understanding; why two people can leave the same conversation with different interpretations; and whether what we do can sometimes communicate more convincingly than what we say.</p><p>Through attention, interpretation, observational learning, and the relationship between words and behaviour, we follow the evidence without turning an everyday human question into a complicated scientific lecture.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>🎙️ <strong>Podcast:</strong> Journey of Understanding<br>🎧 <strong>Title</strong><br><strong>Episode 3: What Is the Value of Words If We Don’t Listen?</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.</p><p><br></p><p>© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Scientific References</strong></p><p>Wiradhany, W., &amp; Nieuwenstein, M. R. (2017). Cognitive control in media multitaskers: Two replication studies and a meta-analysis. Attention, Perception, &amp; Psychophysics, 79, 2620–2641. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-017-1408-4</p><p>Cain, M. S., Leonard, J. A., Gabrieli, J. D. E., &amp; Finn, A. S. (2016). Media multitasking in adolescence. Psychonomic Bulletin &amp; Review, 23, 1932–1941. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-016-1036-3</p><p>van der Schuur, W. A., Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., &amp; Valkenburg, P. M. (2015). The consequences of media multitasking for youth: A review. Computers in Human Behavior, 53, 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.06.035</p><p>Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Prentice-Hall.</p><p>American Psychological Association. APA Dictionary of Psychology: Social learning theory; Social-cognitive theory.</p><p>Doedens, W. J., &amp; Meteyard, L. (2019). Measures of functional, real-world communication for aphasia: A critical review. Aphasiology, 34(4), 492–514.</p> hat happens when we speak, but our words do not reach another person in quite the way we intended?

In Episode 3 of Journey of Understanding, we explore the difference between hearing, listening, and understanding; why two people can leave the same conversation with different interpretations; and whether what we do can sometimes communicate more convincingly than what we say.

Through attention, interpretation, observational learning, and the relationship between words and behaviour, we follow the evidence without turning an everyday human question into a complicated scientific lecture.



🎙️ Podcast: Journey of Understanding
🎧 Title
Episode 3: What Is the Value of Words If We Don’t Listen?


This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.


© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.


Scientific References

Wiradhany, W., & Nieuwenstein, M. R. (2017). Cognitive control in media multitaskers: Two replication studies and a meta-analysis. Attention, Perception, & Psychophysics, 79, 2620–2641. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-017-1408-4

Cain, M. S., Leonard, J. A., Gabrieli, J. D. E., & Finn, A. S. (2016). Media multitasking in adolescence. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 23, 1932–1941. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-016-1036-3

van der Schuur, W. A., Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., & Valkenburg, P. M. (2015). The consequences of media multitasking for youth: A review. Computers in Human Behavior, 53, 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.06.035

Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Prentice-Hall.

American Psychological Association. APA Dictionary of Psychology: Social learning theory; Social-cognitive theory.

Doedens, W. J., & Meteyard, L. (2019). Measures of functional, real-world communication for aphasia: A critical review. Aphasiology, 34(4), 492–514.

]]> <p>hat happens when we speak, but our words do not reach another person in quite the way we intended?</p><p>In Episode 3 of <strong>Journey of Understanding</strong>, we explore the difference between hearing, listening, and understanding; why two people can leave the same conversation with different interpretations; and whether what we do can sometimes communicate more convincingly than what we say.</p><p>Through attention, interpretation, observational learning, and the relationship between words and behaviour, we follow the evidence without turning an everyday human question into a complicated scientific lecture.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>🎙️ <strong>Podcast:</strong> Journey of Understanding<br>🎧 <strong>Title</strong><br><strong>Episode 3: What Is the Value of Words If We Don’t Listen?</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.</p><p><br></p><p>© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Scientific References</strong></p><p>Wiradhany, W., &amp; Nieuwenstein, M. R. (2017). Cognitive control in media multitaskers: Two replication studies and a meta-analysis. Attention, Perception, &amp; Psychophysics, 79, 2620–2641. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13414-017-1408-4</p><p>Cain, M. S., Leonard, J. A., Gabrieli, J. D. E., &amp; Finn, A. S. (2016). Media multitasking in adolescence. Psychonomic Bulletin &amp; Review, 23, 1932–1941. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13423-016-1036-3</p><p>van der Schuur, W. A., Baumgartner, S. E., Sumter, S. R., &amp; Valkenburg, P. M. (2015). The consequences of media multitasking for youth: A review. Computers in Human Behavior, 53, 204–215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.06.035</p><p>Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Prentice-Hall.</p><p>American Psychological Association. APA Dictionary of Psychology: Social learning theory; Social-cognitive theory.</p><p>Doedens, W. J., &amp; Meteyard, L. (2019). Measures of functional, real-world communication for aphasia: A critical review. Aphasiology, 34(4), 492–514.</p> b3221ff8-6fa8-44cc-a3e5-3b2a4a2a1976 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/heba-mahgoub5/episodes/Episode-3-What-Is-the-Value-of-Words-If-We-Dont-Listen-e3olq4f Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:45:31 +0000 970 false full Title
Do the Years Shape Us? | Journey of Understanding – Episode 2 Title
Do the Years Shape Us? | Journey of Understanding – Episode 2 Heba Mahgoub <p>Do the years shape who we become, or do they simply reveal parts of us that were already there?</p><p>In Episode 2 of <strong>Journey of Understanding</strong>, we explore how personality may change across the years through experience, relationships, challenges, adaptation, and self-reflection.</p><p>The episode moves from a familiar human question into a light, science-informed discussion of personality development across adulthood: what tends to remain relatively stable, what may change, and how our responses to life can gradually reshape the way we think, feel, and behave.</p><p>Rather than viewing personality as completely fixed or endlessly changeable, this episode looks at it as something that carries continuity while still allowing room for development.</p><p>🎙️ <strong>Podcast:</strong> Journey of Understanding<br>🎧 <strong>Episode 2:</strong> Do the Years Shape Us?</p><p>This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.</p><p>© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.</p><p>References:</p><p>[1] Bleidorn, W., Schwaba, T., Zheng, A., Hopwood, C. J., Sosa, S. S., Roberts, B. W., &amp; Briley, D. A. (2022). Personality stability and change: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 148(7–8), 588–619. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000365</p><p>[2] Schwaba, T., et al. (2026). Individual differences in personality trait changes across the lifespan: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin. PubMed PMID: 42423713.</p><p>[3] Jackson, J. J., et al. (2023). Life events sometimes alter the trajectory of personality development: Effect sizes for 25 life events estimated using a large, frequently assessed sample. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. PubMed PMID: 37041673.</p><p>[4] Haehner, P., Wright, A. J., &amp; Bleidorn, W. (2024). A systematic review of volitional personality change research. Communications Psychology, 2, 115. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-024-00167-5</p><p><br></p> Do the years shape who we become, or do they simply reveal parts of us that were already there?

In Episode 2 of Journey of Understanding, we explore how personality may change across the years through experience, relationships, challenges, adaptation, and self-reflection.

The episode moves from a familiar human question into a light, science-informed discussion of personality development across adulthood: what tends to remain relatively stable, what may change, and how our responses to life can gradually reshape the way we think, feel, and behave.

Rather than viewing personality as completely fixed or endlessly changeable, this episode looks at it as something that carries continuity while still allowing room for development.

🎙️ Podcast: Journey of Understanding
🎧 Episode 2: Do the Years Shape Us?

This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.

© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.

References:

[1] Bleidorn, W., Schwaba, T., Zheng, A., Hopwood, C. J., Sosa, S. S., Roberts, B. W., & Briley, D. A. (2022). Personality stability and change: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 148(7–8), 588–619. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000365

[2] Schwaba, T., et al. (2026). Individual differences in personality trait changes across the lifespan: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin. PubMed PMID: 42423713.

[3] Jackson, J. J., et al. (2023). Life events sometimes alter the trajectory of personality development: Effect sizes for 25 life events estimated using a large, frequently assessed sample. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. PubMed PMID: 37041673.

[4] Haehner, P., Wright, A. J., & Bleidorn, W. (2024). A systematic review of volitional personality change research. Communications Psychology, 2, 115. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-024-00167-5


]]> <p>Do the years shape who we become, or do they simply reveal parts of us that were already there?</p><p>In Episode 2 of <strong>Journey of Understanding</strong>, we explore how personality may change across the years through experience, relationships, challenges, adaptation, and self-reflection.</p><p>The episode moves from a familiar human question into a light, science-informed discussion of personality development across adulthood: what tends to remain relatively stable, what may change, and how our responses to life can gradually reshape the way we think, feel, and behave.</p><p>Rather than viewing personality as completely fixed or endlessly changeable, this episode looks at it as something that carries continuity while still allowing room for development.</p><p>🎙️ <strong>Podcast:</strong> Journey of Understanding<br>🎧 <strong>Episode 2:</strong> Do the Years Shape Us?</p><p>This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.</p><p>© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.</p><p>References:</p><p>[1] Bleidorn, W., Schwaba, T., Zheng, A., Hopwood, C. J., Sosa, S. S., Roberts, B. W., &amp; Briley, D. A. (2022). Personality stability and change: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 148(7–8), 588–619. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000365</p><p>[2] Schwaba, T., et al. (2026). Individual differences in personality trait changes across the lifespan: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin. PubMed PMID: 42423713.</p><p>[3] Jackson, J. J., et al. (2023). Life events sometimes alter the trajectory of personality development: Effect sizes for 25 life events estimated using a large, frequently assessed sample. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. PubMed PMID: 37041673.</p><p>[4] Haehner, P., Wright, A. J., &amp; Bleidorn, W. (2024). A systematic review of volitional personality change research. Communications Psychology, 2, 115. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-024-00167-5</p><p><br></p> 8e77bf0f-9879-42d0-9f1e-b74aad64fe33 https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/heba-mahgoub5/episodes/Title-Do-the-Years-Shape-Us---Journey-of-Understanding--Episode-2-e3ojlf7 Wed, 09 Sep 2026 16:47:55 +0000 728 false full Do We Really Know Ourselves? | Episode 1 Do We Really Know Ourselves? | Episode 1 Heba Mahgoub <p>Do we really know ourselves as well as we think we do?</p><p>In this first episode of <em>Journey of Understanding</em>, we explore self-knowledge from several angles: what we know from our inner experience, what our repeated behaviour may reveal, and what people who know us well may sometimes see more clearly than we do.</p><p>The episode also looks at the difference between having a clear story about ourselves and having an accurate understanding of ourselves, and considers how personality can remain relatively stable while still changing over time.</p><p>The aim is not to prove that we do not know ourselves, but to ask a more precise question: <strong>in which parts of ourselves are we reliable observers, and where might our view still be incomplete?</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.</p><p><br></p><p>© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.</p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>Wilson, T. D., &amp; Dunn, E. W. (2004). Self-knowledge: Its limits, value, and potential for improvement. <em>Annual Review of Psychology, 55</em>, 493–518.</p><p>Vazire, S. (2010). Who knows what about a person? The self-other knowledge asymmetry model. <em>Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98</em>(2), 281–300.</p><p>Bleidorn, W., et al. (2022). Personality stability and change: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. <em>Psychological Bulletin, 148</em>(7–8), 588–619.</p><p><strong>Podcast:</strong> Journey of Understanding<br><strong>Episode 1:</strong> Do We Really Know Ourselves?<br><strong>By:</strong> Heba Mahgoub</p> Do we really know ourselves as well as we think we do?

In this first episode of Journey of Understanding, we explore self-knowledge from several angles: what we know from our inner experience, what our repeated behaviour may reveal, and what people who know us well may sometimes see more clearly than we do.

The episode also looks at the difference between having a clear story about ourselves and having an accurate understanding of ourselves, and considers how personality can remain relatively stable while still changing over time.

The aim is not to prove that we do not know ourselves, but to ask a more precise question: in which parts of ourselves are we reliable observers, and where might our view still be incomplete?


This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.


© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.

References

Wilson, T. D., & Dunn, E. W. (2004). Self-knowledge: Its limits, value, and potential for improvement. Annual Review of Psychology, 55, 493–518.

Vazire, S. (2010). Who knows what about a person? The self-other knowledge asymmetry model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98(2), 281–300.

Bleidorn, W., et al. (2022). Personality stability and change: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Psychological Bulletin, 148(7–8), 588–619.

Podcast: Journey of Understanding
Episode 1: Do We Really Know Ourselves?
By: Heba Mahgoub

]]> <p>Do we really know ourselves as well as we think we do?</p><p>In this first episode of <em>Journey of Understanding</em>, we explore self-knowledge from several angles: what we know from our inner experience, what our repeated behaviour may reveal, and what people who know us well may sometimes see more clearly than we do.</p><p>The episode also looks at the difference between having a clear story about ourselves and having an accurate understanding of ourselves, and considers how personality can remain relatively stable while still changing over time.</p><p>The aim is not to prove that we do not know ourselves, but to ask a more precise question: <strong>in which parts of ourselves are we reliable observers, and where might our view still be incomplete?</strong></p><p><br></p><p>This podcast presents reflective and educational discussions informed by psychological and scientific literature. It is intended for general educational purposes and does not provide psychological or medical diagnosis or treatment.</p><p><br></p><p>© 2026 Heba Mahgoub. All rights reserved.</p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p>Wilson, T. D., &amp; Dunn, E. W. (2004). Self-knowledge: Its limits, value, and potential for improvement. <em>Annual Review of Psychology, 55</em>, 493–518.</p><p>Vazire, S. (2010). Who knows what about a person? The self-other knowledge asymmetry model. <em>Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 98</em>(2), 281–300.</p><p>Bleidorn, W., et al. (2022). Personality stability and change: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. <em>Psychological Bulletin, 148</em>(7–8), 588–619.</p><p><strong>Podcast:</strong> Journey of Understanding<br><strong>Episode 1:</strong> Do We Really Know Ourselves?<br><strong>By:</strong> Heba Mahgoub</p> 940e19ac-a250-4c81-9b51-e65b018ef15f https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/heba-mahgoub5/episodes/Do-We-Really-Know-Ourselves---Episode-1-e3oevgs Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:15:58 +0000 691 false