This is an ABC podcast.

A few months ago, as the coronavirus pandemic took off and social distancing became the new normal,

I found myself wallowing in feelings of nostalgia.

Suddenly memories of catch-ups with friends from even just a few weeks prior took on a wistful

quality, and I would scroll through my social media accounts, pouring over old photos

and reminiscing.

I have to say, it was a pretty nice distraction from the otherwise dominant feelings of worry,

boredom, and uncertainty, and it turns out that may have been an effective

coping strategy. Long considered a disorder, nostalgia has now been recognized for its potential

to help with anxiety and depression. But it's not just about memories. Nostalgia is a paradoxical

emotional state that can be both

sad and uplifting. I'm Suna Kedar, and today on All in the Mind, producer Jennifer

Leak looks into the psychology and history of nostalgia. Her story begins with an iconic scene

from a show that understood nostalgia beautifully.

Madmen.

Here's Don Draper pitching an ad strategy for Kodak's photo slide projector.

Teddy told me that in Greek, nostalgia literally means the pain from an old wound.

It's a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone.

This device isn't a spaceship.

It's a time machine.

It goes backwards and forwards.

It takes us to a place where we ache to go again.

...