Podcasts about ratey

Chapter 1:Summary of Driven to Distraction"Driven to Distraction" by Edward M. Hallowell, co-authored with John J. Ratey, is a seminal work that explores Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults. The book provides a comprehensive overview of ADHD, describing its symptoms, underlying causes, and various treatment options. The authors aim to demystify ADHD, challenging the stigma around it by presenting personal stories of individuals with the condition. They highlight that ADHD is not merely a childhood disorder; it can persist into adulthood, affecting various aspects of life, including relationships, work, and self-esteem.Hallowell and Ratey discuss the neurobiological basis of ADHD, emphasizing that it stems from brain differences rather than character flaws. They also outline effective coping strategies and treatment modalities, including medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. The book encourages readers to understand their own or others' experiences with ADHD, promoting self-acceptance and advocating for a tailored approach to management.Overall, "Driven to Distraction" serves as both an informative guide and a source of support for individuals affected by ADHD, encouraging readers to harness their unique strengths while addressing challenges associated with the disorder.Chapter 2:The Theme of Driven to Distraction"Driven to Distraction" by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., is a seminal work that explores Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults. Here are some key plot points, character development aspects, and thematic ideas present in the book: Key Plot Points:1. Introduction to ADHD:- The book begins with Hallowell sharing his own experiences as a person diagnosed with ADHD. He provides an overview of what ADHD is, including its symptoms and how it manifests in individuals.2. Personal Stories:- Throughout the book, Hallowell shares various case studies and anecdotes from his clinical practice. These stories illustrate the diverse ways ADHD affects people and their lives.3. Misconceptions and Stigma:- Hallowell addresses common misconceptions about ADHD, such as its portrayal as a purely negative disorder. He highlights the strengths and unique attributes of individuals with ADHD.4. Diagnosis and Assessment:- The author discusses the process of diagnosing ADHD, including the criteria used and the importance of comprehensive assessments. He emphasizes the need for thorough evaluations to distinguish ADHD from other conditions.5. Treatment Approaches:- Hallowell elaborates on various treatment options, including medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, and coping strategies. He advocates for a multifaceted approach tailored to individual needs.6. Real-life Strategies:- The book provides practical tips and techniques for managing ADHD symptoms, prioritizing organization, time management, and setting realistic goals. Character Development:- Edward M. Hallowell:- As the primary voice in the narrative, Hallowell develops a personal connection with readers through his candid self-disclosure about living with ADHD. His passion for understanding the disorder and helping others shapes the reader's perception of ADHD as not merely a limitation but a different way of thinking.- Case Studies:- The various characters presented through case studies exhibit growth and development as they learn to navigate their ADHD. Readers witness their struggles and triumphs, creating empathy and a deeper understanding of ADHD's impact on lives. Thematic Ideas:1. The Duality of ADHD:- One of the central themes of the book is the duality of ADHD, highlighting both its challenges and advantages. Hallowell discusses how people with ADHD can...

Dr. Camille Kolu joins me again on the podcast, and let's just say that she came back loaded with great insights like these to share with you. If you're not familiar with Camille, she's been on the show before (see here), and is one of the predominant voices discussing the impact of trauma, and how it interacts with what we do as Behavior Analysts. In this episode, we discuss her recent paper in Behavior Analysis in Practice, Providing Buffers, Solving Barriers: Value‐Driven Policies and Actions that Protect Clients Today and Increase the Chances of Thriving Tomorrow. This article is not about trauma, but instead, it's about practices and repertoires that can protect individuals from the harmful health impacts of adverse childhood experiences. We also discuss Camille's article in Operants Magazine, called, Understanding Choice, which is where that audio segment was clipped from. If you like the work that Camille does and want more training from her, she has generously provided listeners with a discount on her training materials over at Cusp Emergence University. If you want to go deeper into this topic of Buffers and Barriers, she has not one, but two courses on it, providing both Ethics and Supervision CEUs. If you want take her other courses in the area of Trauma, you can do that too (just click here to check it out). When you do so, be sure to use the promo code summerofBOP24 to save 24% off at checkout. Camille also created a free, 15-minute course called, The Buffers Story: Simple, Important Things We Almost Forgot, and she'll be doing a workshop later this month with Connections-Behavior. Lastly, if you like Camille's content, perhaps the easiest way to keep up with it is to sign up for her mailing list. Burke-Harris (2018). The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity (note: Amazon Associates link). Kaiser ACES studies information. Ala'i-Rosales et al. (2019). The Big Four: Functional Assessment Research Informs Preventative Behavior Analysis. Ratey (2008). Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (note: Amazon Associates link). Inside JABA 10: Towards Trauma-Informed Applications of Behavior Analysis. Session 179: Behavioral Relaxation Training. Maier and Seligman (2016). Learned helplessness at fifty: Insights from neuroscience. In full disclosure, these are not sponsored products and events; I'm just trying to get the word out there. However, the sponsors that are responsible for bringing this episode to you include: Please welcome our newest sponsor, The New England Center for Children! I am beyond thrilled to partner with one of the oldest and well-respected ABA institutions to help them find staff to continue their mission of supporting individuals with Autism. Learn more about careers at NECC over at necc.org/jobs. ACE Approved CEUs from .... Behavioral Observations. That's right, get your CEUs while driving, walking your dog, doing the dishes, or whatever else you might have going on, all while learning from your favorite podcast guests! The Behavioral Toolbox. thebehavioraltoolbox.com is a new education and training site that my colleagues Anika Costa and Dr. Paulie Gavoni and I have been working on for over two years. We have two courses available: our first course, Ready, Set, Consult! and our newly released course, When Not to FBA: 5 Quick Strategies for Improving Behavior in Classrooms. Behavior University. Their mission is to provide university quality professional development for the busy Behavior Analyst. Learn about their CEU offerings, including their 8-hour Supervision Course, as well as their RBT offerings over at behavioruniversity.com/observations. Don't forget to use the coupon code, PODCAST to save at checkout! 

Hiii besties! ✨On today's show:• Divergent dilemma #1 - Lilian asks if she should find a new hairstylist because she's got ADHD-related RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria). Dw, we've got you covered bby!• Divergent dilemm #2 - A newly-diagnosed ADHDer is asking about hyperactivity, stimming and rumination. BABEEE you're asking the right girls! We're stimming QUEENS

Having ADHD presents many challenges including difficulty paying attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Whether you or one of your students has ADHD, you're not alone. Heidi Motto, Clarksville HST and mom of two, joins Rebecca to bring insight and experience to this subject. Listen in as she shares valuable insights and personal experiences to help families navigate the difficulties and recognize the advantages of having an active and creative mind.Show notes:Holderness Family: ADHD Needs a New NameHolderness Family: You Might Have ADHDHolderness Family: ADHD (Under the Sea Parody)ADHD 2.0 by Dr. Hallowell & Dr. Ratey (this had the story of the little boy in Shanghai!)ADHD Advantage by Dale Archer Wobble Board to improve balanceTodoist App to be able to dump all tasks in one place, set up reminders throughout the day, etc. Weekly To-do list for those who prefer paper over digital! Journal - remember the importance of dumping out thoughts to help process/sort thoughts out. Journaling can also just be a creative outlet!

John J. Ratey, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 12 books published in over 20 languages, including the groundbreaking ADHD “Driven to Distraction” series with Ned Hallowell, MD. With the publication of his bestseller, "Spark:The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain", (2013) Dr. Ratey established himself as one of the world's foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection in areas such as ADD, Autism, and Aging and Cognition.Co-host Sonya Looney is a World Champion mountain biker, podcast host, speaker, writer, and health & performance coach.Learn more about Dr. Ratey on his website.  And be sure to check out Sonya on her website as well! Related Episodes: Ep. 89 - Dr. Stacy SimsEp. 92 - Sonya LooneyEp. 110 - Sonya Looney and Dr. Edward ParkEp. 112 - Sonya Looney and Travis- - - - - - - - - - -PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING TRAVIS AND MACE AS THEY RAISE FUNDS FOR ORGAN DONATION- - - - - - - - - - -A big thanks to our sponsors:Roark: Check out the Spring ‘24 Collection: Road to Somewhere at www.roark.com (listen to podcast for 15% off discount code!)RELEVATE by NeuroReserve: Go to www.neuroreserve.com/travismacy and code TRAVISMACY for 15% off RELEVATE by NeuroReserve: Core Dietary Nutrients for Lifelong Brain HealthHagan Ski Mountaineering- - - - - - - - - - -Purchase A Mile at A Time: A Father and Son's Inspiring Alzheimer's Journey of Love, Adventure, and HopeSubscribe: Apple Podcast | SpotifyCheck us out: Instagram | Twitter | Website | YouTubeThe show is Produced and Edited by Palm Tree Pod Co.

How can moving our bodies and connecting with others optimize brain health across our lifespan? I sat down with Dr. John Ratey and Travis Macy to discuss how our modern lifestyles may be affecting our innate human tendencies. From the transformative power of movement on brain health and ADHD to the importance of embracing neurodiversity and individual strengths, this episode is packed with eye-opening revelations and practical strategies for optimizing our health and happiness. Dr. Ratey shares insights on the science behind BDNF, the profound effects of social bonds on mood, and more. Our conversation challenges assumptions surrounding addiction and provided actionable strategies for optimizing brain health through movement. Here are a few key takeaways: - The science behind why exercise and social interaction are vital for brain health, cognitive function, and well-being - Why spending time in nature has profound positive impacts on our hormones, physiology, and mental state - How implementing exercise programs in schools and workplaces can significantly improve learning - The power of embracing neurodiversity and finding activities that utilize our unique strengths LINKS: Learn more about Dr. John Ratey Listen to the Travis Macy Show Check out an episode about longevity with coach Joe Friel Exercise during and after pregnancy with Dr. Catherine Cram

Dr John Ratey is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, an internationally recognized authority on exercise and neuropsychiatry, and the author of Go Wild and Spark. He's also been a longtime advocate of exercise and reconnecting with our ancestors' ways of life, ideas that today echo across many corners of the internet. Today I had the chance to talk to him about topics ranging from the essentials that we aren't getting from the modern world, how reconnecting with our origins betters our lives, neuroscience's failure to find an explanation for consciousness, and the importance of exercise for health and performance. Connect with Dr Ratey! http://www.johnratey.com/ Check out his book on exercise at https://www.amazon.com/Spark-Revolutionary-Science-Exercise-Brain/dp/0316113514 Connect with Simply Neuroscience: simplyneuroscience.org Connect with me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/simonjiang43 Intro and Outro Music: Where The Waves Take Us by Purrple Cat | https://purrplecat.com/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/ Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... 0:00 Entering the field of exercise science 1:08 Intro 2:16 What got you into studying psychiatry? 2:55 We aren't close to understanding consciousness 6:35 Exercise can be as effective as medication 10:04 Can exercise be used alongside medication? 11:30 Aerobic vs anaerobic exercise 13:09 Exercise increases academic performance 15:00 Temporary high vs lasting mood boost 17:00 How a sedentary lifestyle wrecks your body 18:38 Forced vs voluntary exercise 21:10 People who change the world all exercise 22:30 How the modern world messes with our hunter-gatherer bodies 29:22 Find a community for your exercise 30:12 Outro

Isabelle struggles with the idea of doing 'little yucks' because her to-do list is endless, she never stops, and the demands on her feel endless--how can you even think about what you need or stop to rest without feeling guilty/lost/overwhelmed with unstructured time? David counters with a behavioral truth bomb: the power of knowing your establishing operation. What levers did the environment around you press?-----Isabelle wonders whether she even knows what a little yuck is; she turns everything else in to a big yuck, or a bunch of ‘to-do's' — for David, a little yuck helps the larger household, but the timing and the coping of it is just for you. Like doing the dishes so he can prep for a speech, or laundry (even though he had just done laundry) because he wants the option to wear a certain pair of pants. The same energy level existed, it was not on today's to-do list, and he just did it to keep moving his hands. Isabelle is suffering from a blindspot here: she doesn't really permit herself to do a little yuck, then return to something you enjoy…but she doesn't have a to-do list anymore? That feels impossible, she doesn't know how to not to-do list. David describes how he doesn't have a written to-do list, it's connected to a day off physical routine and he calls a friend and then goes for it. But for his to-do list on his day off, when he didn't have a bunch of things he had to do. He held back from going off the rails and doing too much, he actually held back and stuck to his easy-level plans. Isabelle describes how she does not like to cook or bake, but if she can do it at her leisure, then she enjoys it. She embraces doing it without pressure and she doesn't feel the chore of it. But the load of things she has to do feels endless, she has never carved out the time where there is nothing for her to do…she doesn't have the experience of time where something is not expected of her, or she doesn't expect it of herself. David's boat is privileged in that he doesn't have kids and he is not a super person. He is very aware of how much time is taken from someone around childcare, he sees parents doing everything, and doing everything you need or everything your child needs, you can't really do both. The messages from society is “you're not allowed to take care of you,” or “you're supposed to take care of other people.” This feels more like a “mom” thing than a “dad” thing—but it's not accurate. When we're talking about trying to find the little yuck in Isabelle's life, the equation is different. For Isabelle, in her world, there are several agents of chaos that enter and are rerouted to priority, and there's never a moment where she can't be interrupted or distracted from whatever is happening. There isn't enough time to feel the thought “I have a lot of energy and there's nowhere for it to go.” She thinks of a meme she saw where a woman ushers her family out the door. And she finally has time to herself; does she sit and stare at a wall or does she panic clean? Isabelle really struggles with making a decision with what to do with her time when she doesn't have the constant demands, the volley of little yucks stops, but then why does she choose a little yuck? David goes really complicated, with this thing called an establishing operation.  The behavioral word for how a little rat, trained to run a maze, is rewarded by a drop of water; the rat loves the water and does lots of work for the water, but rats don't naturally love water this much. So the establishing operation is to withhold water from the rat for 24 hours first: the establishing operation changes the reinforcement of the reinforcer. So the yuck meter for Isabelle is totally blown out. So you have to take into account what is the establishing operation for her—and it might be that what do you do to make this time guilt-free or how you set it up to make it yours. What can you do so you don't feel bad for watching 3 hours when everyone gets home? That really rings a bell for Isabelle; it really connects for her around the challenge of what it means, to even sit down. She really doesn't ever sit down. She recovered from a fractured pelvis because she didn't sit enough. This means changing her relationship to resting or hitting the pause button and carving out the unique, new structure, when she is on her own, or has a lot of energy, or has the agency and privilege to exercise it. She has to change her establishing operation. David names that you have to give yourself the real reinforcement that you need, and not trick yourself into doing chores (that would normally ‘reward' you with a different set up).  Isabelle names that recent training with Hallowell and Ratey (see ADHD 2.0 book link below) is that rumination neural network in the brain is designed for creating problems, and another neural network runs when you're not doing anything, and another neural network is task positive (you're trying to do the thing). Now with neurotypical folx, you can flip a switch and go from one mode to another—you can choose! Like what a lot of therapy models use. But if you're neurodivergent, the environment is what presses the levers, otherwise they're all going at the same time. Isabelle recognized that the rumination network is always running, and how something about how she can't switch the levers has to do with the fact that her environment for rest is not different from her environment for everything else (her home). She really needs external cue to signal to her that the thing you think you're working with is different; she needs a solid external boundary to help with this. She needs to know when they take the water away. Otherwise she'll keep working and not attend to herself. And she doesn't know it changed. The rules don't work anymore, it's not “you,” —maybe it's everything else? Or is it maybelline?“Maybe she's born with it, maybe it's maybelline.” (Commercial from the 90's: brace yourselves, this is so 90's it's almost unbearable).Huberman lab episode on little yucks — he calls them “Micro sucks” DEFINITIONSBody Doubling: Someone else in the same room or within view of the person who is trying to get a task done—the other person doing the task creates the illusion of structure. In essence, a buddy is sits with you as you work on something (could be doing a task, or just quietly there, maybe giving you cues or reminders). In reference to in films, this term is used to describe a body double, or a stand in for lead actors in certain shots. Here are some basic ideas.Establishing operation (EO): Depriving or altering the access to something to make it more enticing and rewarding. The behavioral word for how a little rat, trained to run a maze, is rewarded by a drop of water, and rat loves the water and does lots of work for the water...but rats don't naturally love water this much. So the establishing operation is to withhold water from the rat for 24 hours first: the establishing operation changes the reinforcement of the water, makes it more enticing and more 'rewarding' for the rat.Reiserfeiber - “Literally translated, Reisefieber means “travel fever” – but it's not the type of sickness that keeps you ...

We know that exercise does have a positive impact on the brain. We know that exercise can optimize brain function and prevent cognitive decline in adults. But what can it do for children and adolescents that learn and think differently? Today's guest is Dr. John Ratey, an internationally recognized expert in neuropsychiatry. Dr. Ratey became interested in the science of exercise and the brain early on in his career and has seen first-hand the benefits not only to one's body, but also behavior, executive functioning skills, and even attention. In today's episode, Dr. Ratey digs in and explains how exercise and being physically active can change more than your physical health.   Show Notes: [2:38] - Dr. Ratey became interested in the impact of exercise on the brain as an athlete in medical school and seeing studies comparing exercise and antidepressants. [4:49] - Dr. Ratey also became interested in ADHD, specifically how it impacts adults. [6:31] - Consistent exercise can be a type of treatment for ADHD symptoms. [7:45] - Not only do our bodies need exercise, but our brains do as well. [8:52] - The beauty of exercise is the accessibility. [11:12] - When we move, we activate the same nerve cells that we use to think. [13:12] - Movement and exercise improve attention as well as executive functioning skills. [15:04] - Dr. Ratey explains how he has visited schools over the years and has seen the results of exercise on student behavior. [17:29] - Dr. Ratey lists the endorphins and hormones that are increased as a result of exercise. [20:42] - The more brain cells you activate, the more BDNF you have. It is like brain fertilizer. [23:06] - Dr. Ratey calls this “Miracle-Gro for your brain.” [25:23] - Exercise also has an impact on the cerebellum which is discussed at length in the book, ADHD 2.0. [29:29] - “Sitting is the new smoking.” The more sedentary someone is, the less healthy they are. [30:44] - The experience of COVID-19 changed our society's drive to exercise and move their bodies. [31:39] - To optimize brain function and prevent cognitive decline, exercise is so important.   About Our Guest: John J. Ratey, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 12 books published in 20 languages, including the groundbreaking ADD-ADHD “Driven to Distraction” series with Ned Hallowell, MD. Their latest release, ADHD 2.0 (2021) explores new science and strategies. With the publication of his bestseller, "Spark-The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," Dr. Ratey established himself as one of the world's foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection in areas such as ADHD, Autism, Aging, and Cognition. Recognized by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America since 1997, Dr. Ratey was recently honored by the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society as "Outstanding Psychiatrist of the Year" for advancing the field. Dr. Ratey and his work are frequently profiled in the media, where he's been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and NPR, as well as in The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post, US News and World Report, Men's Health, and other national publications. Dr. Ratey maintains an active practice in Cambridge, MA and Los Angeles, CA.   Connect with Dr. Ratey: JohnRatey.com   Links and Related Resources: Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by. Dr. John Ratey ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction - from Childhood Through Adulthood by Dr. John Ratey and Dr. Edward Hallowell Episode 40: Lifestyle Activities That Can Improve ADHD Symptoms with Dr. Joel Nigg   Connect with Us: Get on our Email List Book a Consultation Get Support and Connect with a ChildNEXUS Provider Register for Our Self-Paced Mini Courses with LIVE AMA Sessions   The Diverse Thinking Different Learning podcast is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Additionally, the views and opinions expressed by the host and guests are not considered treatment and do not necessarily reflect those of ChildNEXUS, Inc or the host, Dr. Karen Wilson.

While we all want our horses to listen to our cues, sometimes, we can get to a point where our horses are anticipating their next move so much that they begin to lose their speed instinct. In this episode, I'm covering a question submitted by one of our listeners about re-establishing "run" and speed in a horse that has gotten ratey around the barrels. Episode Resources: To learn more about Mentorship Programs with Phil Haugen, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠philhaugenhorsemanship.com/mentorships⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To join the Be Your Best Membership with Phil Haugen, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠philhaugenhorsemanship.com/be-your-best-membership⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. To request a topic for our next episode, visit: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠philhaugenhorsemanship.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it and tag #beyourbesthorsemanship!

Whenever elite fighter Hazel Gale entered the ring, she felt fear. Not just the rational fear of being knocked out. But something deeper as well. The fear that she didn't deserve success, and that she would let everyone - especially herself - down. Watch this interview on YouTube here https://youtu.be/1VDpu_KfZwk On today's episode #308 we will cover:  ✔ The story of elite fighter, Hazel Gale, that took her from confident champion, to burnout. ✔ How she now helps others with what she discovered from her life's journey. ✔ What is the research-based BETWIXT (story-based wellness app) and how does it help take us to new heights? ✔ Where can we ALL begin in our own personal "Journey of Our Mind?" ✔ How can we identify behaviors that self-sabotage our results? ✔ What are some common "monsters" and what can we learn from them to take us to new heights (personally and professionally). ✔ Where can we begin our own transformational journey of The Mind? While others saw a confident world champion athlete, Hazel was plagued by anxiety, self-doubt and depression. It was these things - the monsters of her mind - that she felt were her most dangerous opponents, and she waged a war. It was that hard-fought internal battle that ultimately led her to burn out. Now the founder of the story-based wellness app, Betwixt[i], Hazel is pioneering a new approach to digital mental health that she calls mindful entertainment. A sought-after London therapist, Hazel has created a revolutionary system for overcoming fear, underperformance, and self-sabotage. There is never a good time to confront the monsters that hold us back, but if we truly want to be our best selves, our highest performing, it begins with a deep level of self-awareness that our next guest has discovered through her own journey of life experience, and now helps others to do the same in the most captivating and unique way, that I've ever seen. Welcome back to The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning (that's finally being taught in our schools today) and emotional intelligence training (used in our modern workplaces) for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren't taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I'm Andrea Samadi, an author, and an educator with a passion for learning and launched this podcast 5 years ago with the goal of bringing ALL the leading experts together (in one place) to uncover the most current research that would back up how the brain learns best, taking us ALL to new, and often unimaginable heights.    For today's episode #308, we will be speaking with Hazel Gale, she's a former kickboxer and boxer with multiple World, European and National titles. Her outward success, however, had a dark side: the stress of competition and relentless self-doubt drove her into an emotional and physical burnout that led to years of chronic illness. Hazel's eventual recovery inspired her to qualify as a therapist and coach, and for over a decade she worked with high-level athletes, business executives and others as a master practitioner of cognitive hypnotherapy – an evidence-based approach that combines elements of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and traditional hypnotherapy with theories of modern neuroscience. Hazel's 2018 book "The Mind Monster Solution" was published internationally and became an Amazon bestseller in both mental health and psychology. Currently, Hazel is the co-founder and the chief creative officer of Betwixt – an award-winning app that blends psychology with interactive storytelling to make wellness feel like an adventure instead of a chore. I downloaded this app, and was blown away with what she has created here. If you want to learn more about who you are, at the deepest levels, I highly recommend this app. I downloaded it for free, and was able to go through the first interactive story, and experience the app, before deciding to purchase it. You can continue your journey for free, or for $19.49 you gain lifetime access. I did purchase the app, as I liked what I saw, and am curious what else I will learn from Hazel's “Journey of her Mind.” So How Did I Meet this Inspiring Author, World Class Athlete and Wellness App Creator? When I was introduced to Hazel, I was drawn to learn more from her story from the mental resilience side of her work. While we know that mental resilience is critical in the sports world, it's equally as important in most people's day to day life. Mental resilience is as crucial to my day as brushing my teeth, and when I'm struck with difficult situations, I feel like I have a lot of tools available already to me, just from hosting this podcast. We were introduced to the Fisher Wallace[ii] brain stimulator that was once our most listened to episode, that helps keep anxiety at bay, while also improving sleep. I'm clear about the benefits of daily exercise to combat stress, improve a student's academic achievement and help keep our focus in the workplace from our interview with Dr. Ratey and his book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain[iii].  I've bought myself a Whoop device when I turned 50 to measure and track my sleep and recovery for our interview with Whoop's VP of Performance Science, Kristen Holmes[iv],  I've got a clear understanding of how to eat the right foods, and nourish my gut-brain axis  after our recent interview with Neurohacker's Dr. Kelly[v], and a few episodes where we've looked at building our mental resiliency with Horacio Sanchez[vi]. We've built a great list of tools and resources that go deep into combatting stress, as this has been one our main focal points for improving productivity in our schools, sports environments and modern workplaces. While we did meet with Erika Ferszt and discussed work burnout, on EP 198[vii], but what were we missing I wondered when I saw her work? Here's what it was: I've never met with a world class athlete who had to rebuild themselves and overcome the physical and emotional burnout that led her body to break down in the first place. What she has done to rebuild herself shows the high level of mental and physical strength that she holds within herself, that can help anyone who needs to find a new pathway in life, towards health and wellness, with her model. She is the real deal. I only wish we could be in the same room with her for this interview, because she's has some talents that she knows she has, that have taken her years to develop, but these talents are what she will help us all bring out in ourselves. I do have some questions for Hazel, that I'd like to know myself around building up my own mental strength, and I hope you find this interview helpful with Hazel's high level of understanding of what's needed to create the mental mindset needed at the highest level of sport that we can transfer into our own personal life experience for heightened success. I know that this is just the beginning of the journey, but am grateful to have this chance to open up the doorway of possibility that maybe we could ALL be much more than we are today. Let's meet this elite world class athlete, Hazel Gale, and see what we can learn from her story that takes us from confident champion, to burnout, and see how we can all rebuild ourselves from the inside out. Welcome Hazel Gale, thank you for joining us on the podcast today. Where exactly are you located in the UK? Intro Q: Before creating your questions for today, I listened to the podcast episode you did with The Mind Muscle Project[viii] and at the end of this episode, you had me thinking about your book, (that we will get to) and what my monsters are (or subconscious programs that hold me back). I had no idea that I would be thinking and writing notes, and talking over with my husband about “who” I really am because I've been on this quest for over 25 years. Before we talk about this launching point--which is what I want us to uncover at the end, can you begin with an overview of your life, and what happened to get you to where you are today, with the focus on this story-based wellness app that you've created? Q1: I have over 13 pages of notes from that podcast episode we mentioned. It's all about your life's journey. We all have a life and a journey, and it really is neat to connect all the dots as we look back, and think “Oh wow, if I didn't do that, I'd never have ended up here!” Looking back now, what were some of those pivotal moments for you? What would you say would be that first AHA moment of “this is where it all began for you?” Q2: While this was a “Moment of Truth” for you, when you fell in love with kickboxing, and it might have been the beginning, looking back now, and seeing where this moment took you, and how have you designed your app to help others to pause, think, and understand about their own personal “moments of truth” isn't life an incredible journey? Your story is especially inspiring to share. Q2B: How did you tie the most current research into your app? Q3: Your love of kickboxing was almost the end of you. While I'm not a pro athlete I completely understood your need to train and the strength you received from it. My Whoop device measured me at Too Much Strain, Not Enough Sleep for a good year before I stopped overtraining. I'm sure I could dive deep into that part of me, (that I connect to with you) and maybe others who connect with your story, it's a good place to look at. At what point did you REALLY understand the MIND, the importance of looking at the stuff that underneath the surface with the iceberg analogy, getting closer to the truth of who we really are, and then uncovering this with your app? (STORY 1: The In-Between: The Ice World, Exploring the Change You Want to See, STORY 2: The Game of Trust: Exploring the Things You Love, Appreciate and Value, STORY 3: The Power of Flaw: Your Journey Awaits). Q3B: Where does hypnotherapy come in for you to digging deeper into the depths of our mind? Q4: What inspired you to write The Mind Monster Solution: How to Overcome Self-Sabotage and Reclaim Your Life[ix] I wondered want it is that you'd like to open up for others with your book and life's journey? Q5: As we are all thinking about our purpose in life, and using our strengths, and getting through difficult times, I think that a lot of this we've got to discover on our own? I was listening to a recent podcast episode of Dr. Andrew Huberman[x], on self-awareness it's tied to our mental health, and I rarely sit down and actively think “hey, that thing that happened yesterday made me defensive” and then sit down and get to the root of it before I do anything else in my day. This rarely happens unless I'm about to interview someone like you, who has made me think a bit deeper than usual. What's so important about knowing the Monsters in Our Mind that hold us back, and becoming more self-aware in this process? What are some common monsters? Q6: This is the same question again, just asked after I saw the artwork you have at https://www.mindmonsters.online/  and I was trying to figure out mine, or what I would draw and it wasn't that easy. How can we figure out quickly what our monsters are, so we can draw them out, know them, and become more self-aware in this process to create change? Q7: You said something about that if “I am the common denominator” and I keep having this issue, then there MUST be something about ME here that I've got to understand. I think this would be an incredible book to write…The Common Denominator of Me or something. How do we bring these things to surface so we can “see” them, and create change? Q8: What superpowers do you think you've developed from understanding yourself (listening to your body) at this deep level? I recognized one of your talents, and it had to do with being able to read someone who was sitting in front you. What goes on inside us, shows up loud and clear on the outside. I have this superpower as well. Put me in front of anyone and I can “feel” what they really are thinking., Q9: I absolutely LOVED your Betwixt App for mental health. I downloaded the app, and did “The In-Between” The Ice World, and for someone who moved from Toronto to AZ over 22 years ago, because I can't handle snow/ice or the cold. The app brought back the memories of the cold for me, in a way that made me wonder…what about the cold weather drives me bananas? What should we be paying attention to with this app? Who is the narrator supposed to be? They say “you humans fascinate me” Who is talking to me? How is this app designed to help us to grow/improve/change? Q9B: I know there is research behind the stories. Can you explain this? Q10: Is there anything important that I've missed? I wanted to have us end this interview with a deeper level of self-awareness, or at least some steps to get there. Hazel, I want to thank you for taking the time to meet with me, and sharing your fascinating story of rebuilding yourself from the inside out, with our audience. I knew there was a lot for me to learn from you, when I heard your interview, and story of strength where you rebuilt yourself, and now help others do the same, I really wanted to meet you. If people want to reach you, what's the best way? Other than downloading the app, are there other services you offer? Thank you!! SOME FINAL THOUGHTS When I said “may the journey of our minds begin” I really meant it. This is really important work that we are covering here on the podcast. If we truly want to be improved versions of ourselves, it begins by looking within, finding our truths, learning, changing and growing. These types of changes don't happen overnight. Look at how Hazel had to learn about who she was at the very core with years of thought and introspection, and then she created the BETWIXT app to help others to do the same. This is where it all begins. I am going to take some time to go through the APP, thinking about my own Journey of the Mind, and we will have Hazel back on the podcast to discuss what I learn, on a future episode. Until then, as you listen to this episode, I hope that you started to think: Who are you? How can you be an improved version of yourself? What are your monsters that could possibly lead you to self-sabotage? Could you possibly MAKE A CHANGE to change your own life? These are difficult questions. Like we noticed, it took Hazel years to uncover the answers for herself. I noticed my WHOOP device saying “hey, you aren't getting enough sleep, and your strain is too high” before I thought “maybe I should do something differently.” It's pretty obvious now looking back I needed to create more balance with my daily activities, but I missed the daily message until I noticed my feet and legs were hurting, prompting me to make some changes. I hope this episode has made you think more  about who you are, in a deeper way than you would usually think, with some possible ways that you could me MORE than you are today for yourself and others. And with that thought, I'll see you next week with some NEW ideas to take our results to new heights. CONNECT WITH HAZEL GALE Website https://hazelgale.wixsite.com/hazel-gale Buy Hazel's Book on AMAZON https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Hazel-Gale/dp/147366246X/ref=sr_1_1?hvadid=604569085381&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9030091&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17706718117481243741&hvtargid=kwd-757439751793&hydadcr=25775_13483905&keywords=the+mind+monster+solution&qid=1696379192&sr=8-1 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hazel.gale.therapy/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hazelgale/?originalSubdomain=uk Medium https://hazelgale.medium.com/ Twitter https://twitter.com/HazelGale Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hazelgalehypnotherapy/ Download the Betwixt App https://www.betwixt.life/ REFERENCES: [i] Download the Betwixt App https://www.betwixt.life/ [ii] Neuroscience Meets SEL Podcast EPISODE on “My Personal Review of the Fisher Wallace Brain Stimulator” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/update-one-year-later-on-my-personal-review-of-the-fisher-wallace-wearable-sleep-device-for-anxiety-depression-and-sleep-management/ [iii]Neuroscience Meets SEL Podcast EPISODE #116 with Dr. John Ratey  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/best-selling-author-john-j-ratey-md-on-the-revolutionary-new-science-of-exercise-and-the-brain/ [iv]Neuroscience Meets SEL Podcast EPISODE #134 with Kristen Holmes VP of Performance Science from Whoop.com  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/kristen-holmes-from-whoopcom-on-unlocking-a-better-you-measuring-sleep-recovery-and-strain/ [v]Neuroscience Meets SEL Podcast EPISODE #305 with Dr. Gregory Kelly https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/returning-guest-dr-gregory-kelly-on-qualia-synbiotic-optimizing-digestion-and-mood-with-prebiotics-probiotics-and-postbiotics/ [vi]Neuroscience Meets SEL Podcast EPISODE #111 with Horacio Sanchez  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/resiliency-expert-and-author-horacio-sanchez-on-finding-solutions-to-the-poverty-problem/ [vii]Neuroscience Meets SEL Podcast EPISODE #198 with Erika Ferszt on Preventing Workplace Burnout  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/mood-and-stress-expert-erika-ferszt-on-using-your-brain-to-prevent-workplace-burnout/ [viii] The Mind Muscle Podcast with Hazel Gale https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/mind-muscle-project/930-tbt-hazel-gale-this-Uj-8PwxDV07/ [ix] The Mind Monster Solution by Hazel Gale https://hazelgale.wixsite.com/hazel-gale [x] Dr. Andrew Huberman with Paul Conti on How to Understand and Assess Your Mental Health https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLRCS48Ens4  

Host Karen Roberts - https://karenrobertscoaching.com/podcast-profits   Special Guest Ryan J Mayer   In a thought-provoking episode of the Coffee with Karen podcast, Ryan Mayer and Karen Roberts engage in a candid conversation that challenges preconceived notions about ADHD and encourages listeners to embrace their unique cognitive attributes. At the heart of their discussion lies the groundbreaking concept put forth by Dr. Ned Hollowell and Dr. Ratey in their book "ADHD 2.0," suggesting that ADHD should be seen as a trait rather than a disorder.   The conversation kicks off with an exploration of the analogy proposed by Dr. Hollowell and Dr. Ratey, drawing parallels between ADHD and inherent traits like height. This fresh perspective revolutionizes the traditional understanding of ADHD, shifting the focus from deficiency to diversity. By likening ADHD to something as inherent and unchangeable as height, Ryan and Karen inspire listeners to celebrate their ADHD as an integral part of their identity, complete with its own set of strengths and virtues.   The dynamic duo delves into the multifaceted nature of ADHD, acknowledging that strengths and challenges coexist within this cognitive trait. Ryan generously shares his personal journey of leveraging his strengths and building a supportive team to flourish in his career. This narrative resonates with Karen's experiences, reinforcing the idea that the right path often aligns with one's inherent strengths and passions.   A significant theme emerges as Ryan and Karen underline the importance of unconditional self-acceptance. They drive home the message that a person's worth transcends professional performance, urging listeners to embrace their individuality without judgment. Ryan's revelation about the limitations of the corporate world in assessing human value serves as a powerful reminder that true fulfillment comes from holistic growth, encompassing personal passions, meaningful relationships, and self-discovery. Listeners are invited to explore Ryan's wealth of resources, accessible through platforms such as LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. He introduces a groundbreaking text message-based course tailored to provide daily guidance, practical takeaways, and strategic solutions for navigating the challenges often associated with ADHD. A special treat awaits Coffee with Karen listeners as Ryan offers an exclusive 30% discount, using the code "Karen30," to access this transformative course. In a poignant conclusion, Ryan and Karen reflect on the silver linings that emerged from the lockdown period.    They highlight the increased awareness and reassessment of life's priorities as positive outcomes of challenging times. The episode wraps up with heartfelt gratitude and a call to action for listeners to embark on a journey of self-acceptance, tapping into their potential, and uncovering their unique strengths.   To engage in this enlightening conversation and embark on a transformative journey of embracing individuality, cultivating strengths, and fostering self-love, listeners are encouraged to tune into the Coffee with Karen podcast. Through Ryan and Karen's dynamic dialogue, a path towards holistic self-discovery and empowerment awaits.   You can connect with Ryan: https://www.facebook.com/ADHDcoachRyan/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmayerpeopleconnector/  https://www.instagram.com/adhd_coach_ryanmayer/  https://twitter.com/adhd_coach_ryan  https://ryanmayercoaching.com/    Your Host Karen Roberts  At Mintwave Radio Station and the 'Raising Vibrations' podcast network on Podbean, we provide a comprehensive range of services to coaches, consultants, therapists, healers, and experts who want to share their message with a wider audience. Our offerings include a complete podcast production service and an advanced AI-powered sales and marketing system that takes care of lead generation and nurturing for online course sales. We assist our clients in designing, creating, marketing, and selling their courses through various strategies such as educational funnels, podcast funnels, appointment funnels, sales pages, and membership areas. Our "Done 4 you" service encompasses editing podcasts, optimizing sound quality by removing filler words, crafting engaging show notes, producing intros and outros, creating podcast ads and snippets for social media marketing, and helping our clients achieve their first 50,000 downloads. If you're a coach who sells online courses and would like to learn How To Use AI To Build A List And Sell Your Coaching Program Fast......... >> https://karenrobertscoaching.com/ai  ATTN: Coaches, Consultants & Experts STUCK at 5-10k Months, How to Turn Your Podcast into a Sales Machine......... check out this free on demand class “Podcast Profits Unleashed” >>https://karenrobertscoaching.com/podcast-profits

"Neuroplasticity knows no bounds; it is a lifelong journey of growth, learning, and personal transformation." – Dr. Andrew Huberman whose quote we ended our last EPISODE on a “Deeper Diver into Neuroplasticity.” On today's episode we will review: ✔ Tips for regrowing our brain cells (neurogenesis) ✔ A reminder of what prevents neurogenesis and hurts our brain and what we can do to help increase neurogenesis in our brain. ✔ What's the Difference Between Neuroplasticity and Neurogenesis? ✔ What's the Controversy with Neurogenesis? What's the difference between Neuroplasticity, that we covered on EPISODE #302[i] (that knows no bounds) that's defined as “the ability of the brain to form new connections and pathways and change how it's circuits are wired; (as shown so well in the Sentis YouTube video that gives us a representation of these pathways visually, and what they look like in our brain when we create NEW pathways).[ii] This we KNOW we can do throughout our lifetime, (while) neurogenesis is the even more amazing ability for the brain to grow new neurons (Bergland, 2017).[iii]  And on today's episode #303, we will take a closer look at “What Exactly IS Neurogenesis and Why is it Controversial Among Neuroscientists.”[iv] Welcome back to The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning (that's finally being taught in our schools today) and emotional intelligence training (used in our modern workplaces) for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren't taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I'm Andrea Samadi, an author, and an educator with a passion for learning and launched this podcast 5 years ago with the goal of bringing ALL the leading experts together (in one place) to uncover the most current research that would back up how the brain learns best, taking us ALL to new, and often unimaginable heights.    For today's episode #303, and in keeping with our Season Theme of Going Back to the Basics, to take our learning to new heights, I'm going back to EPISODE #141[v] on “Neurogenesis: What Helps or Hurts our Brain Cells” because it became clear to me that while researching for our last episode that Neuroplasticity and Neurogenesis are closely connected, but the former is widely accepted, while the latter holds some controversy. In our first episode on neurogenesis, we looked at: ✔ Tips for regrowing our brain cells (neurogenesis) ✔ A reminder of what prevents neurogenesis and hurts our brain and what we can do to help increase neurogenesis in our brain. Dr. Andrew Huberman on Neurogenesis While researching Dr. Huberman's work last week on neuroplasticity, he mentioned that there was “bad news” with “neurogenesis” and that many people think that they can exercise and add “new neurons” in the brain and “that after age 14, the human nervous system adds few new neurons.”[vi] He said that “in rodents neurogenesis could occur but in humans it was less obvious” and “that while we can't add new neurons, we can change our nervous system”[vii] and dives deeper into the definition of neuroplasticity and why this holds no bounds. Now I'm starting to see the controversy in this topic, as I went back to my first look at Neurogenesis. Dr. David Perlmutter (a board-certified neurologist) on Neurogenesis and Dr. John Ratey, the author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain To open up EP 141 from June 2021, I quoted Dr. David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist and six-time New York Times bestselling author who said “the best way to increase neurogenesis (regrow your brain cells) is “when your body produces more BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor” (Dr. David Perlmutter) and we covered this topic deeply on EP 274[viii] “What New With BDNF: Building a Faster, Stronger and More Resilient Brain.” I even remember Dr. John Ratey[ix] the author of the book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain said that BDNF was like “Miracle-Gro for the brain” (you can't forget some of the things some people say over the years and he cites a paper where he talked about how brain cells “do grow back in the hippocampus (and that in the study he sited), they saw while looking at the brains of terminally ill patients who had donated their body to science (Cancer patients who had been injected with a dye that shows up in proliferating cells so that the spread of the disease could be tracked) found their hippocampi were packed with dye marker, proof that the neurons were dividing and propagating—a process called neurogenesis.”[x] (Page 48, Spark) Dr. Ratey's book Spark, talks about “how to kick-start neurogenesis” and where the research began, causing me to think back to Dr. Perlmutter's website where he mentioned that BDNF causes neurogenesis or new cells to form in our brain. He cites the studies that show how “exercise training increases the size of the hippocampus and improves memory” exactly what Dr. Ratey saw that made such a huge difference with those students he worked with at Naperville High School. Dr. Perlmutter's video talks about the study that showed that after 1 year of aerobic exercise, “exercisers had a marked increase in BDNF, and they showed substantial improvement in memory function.”[xi]    Then I found another video I watched in our last episode from Sandrine Thuret called “It's Possible to Grow New Brain Cells” where she said that “we produce 700 new neurons a day in the hippocampus”[xii] Sandrine Thuret's TED TALK lists many ways you can grow new brain cells (the highlighted words) with intermittent fasting, flavonoids (found in dark chocolate) and caffeine being a few evidence-based strategies. Conversely, she mentions a diet high in saturated fat, sugar or ethanol, will have a negative impact on neurogenesis. She even showed a study (from Praag, Kepermann and Gage) where rats who were runners shows an increase in neurogenesis vs the control group who were non-runners that Dr. Ratey talks about in his book Spark. What Does This All Mean? Where's the Controversy? Neuroplasticity vs Neurogenesis To review and conclude this episode on “Diving Deeper into Neuroplasticity and Neurogenesis” I think we've got a clear picture of how neuroplasticity works from our last episode, (by making a conscious effort to build new neural pathways in our brain when we learn something new) but the topic of how we can grow new neurons seems to be where the controversy exists. It seems like this is only possible in the hippocampus but I still do wonder why a neurologist like Dr. Perlmutter says neurogenesis is possible through exercise[xiii], while another respected neuroscientist's stance is that “in humans this is less obvious.”[xiv]  This is where the deep learning comes into our study, and being open to what we might uncover here. If we aren't continually questioning what we are learning, then we aren't thinking at all. Mark Waldman's AHA Moment: What Neuroplasticity Is and Isn't While thinking about why neurogenesis is “less obvious” in humans, as it might be in rodents, like Sandrine Thuret's TED TALK covered, and even Dr. Ratey took the same rodent study and made a comparison to the students at Naperville whose test scores improved after running. Then I remembered my mentor Mark Waldman made me think deeply about this when he wrote about “What Neuroplasticity Is and Isn't”[xv] where he explained an article “Adult Neurogenesis in Humans”[xvi] that ended up being my AHA Moment of learning here. He said to “imagine the brain as a city map, and instead of there being 214 streets in Manhattan, imagine that it had a million streets! No room for buildings, just streets winding and weaving east to west, north to south, up and down and diagonal, all woven together like a giant hairball. Each city is a brain function – vision, movement, memory, imagination, feelings, etc. – and the entire state of New York would have cities upon cities woven together on top and alongside each other. Those billions of roads have trillions of cul-de-sacs which are the synapses. Can you visualize that? Below is an actual slice of a thousandth of a millimeter of mouse brain: Everything is jam packed but you the traveler can decide which road or neural pathway to take in order to reach a specific destination to help you perform some action of achieve a particular goal. The fastest your brain can process information is about 60 bits per second, and he guesses that any cognitive function would be traveling around 2,000 miles per hour down those roadways in your brain! Now we can ACCURATELY visualize what plasticity looks like in the adult human brain a bit deeper than what we first looked at the Sentis YouTube with the connections in our brain this way. This was my FIRST look at neuroplasticity, and this video came out 10 years ago. Look at the difference with this image that came from the research paper Mark Waldman read on “Adult Neurogenesis in Humans” that changed his thinking about neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. He said “the roads/neurons don't change but the tiny exits that lead you to another neuron can slowly move to a different synapse, similar to how switch-ways work on a railroad track. That's where synaptic plasticity takes place and that's what happens when you learn something new: You're beginning to find new pathways that create different decisions and behaviors. Waldman went on to point out some main take-aways from this Paper on Neuroplasticity but the ones I want to mention are that   “This kind of plasticity does not add or replace neurons.” “the exception is a process called “adult neurogenesis” conferred by active stem cell niches…in restricted regions [olfactory bulb & hippocampus]” (Confirmed by Dr. Huberman's research)[xvii] “After 60 years of intense research and more than 10,000 peer-reviewed publications, we still do not know if our brain maintains such capability.” Synaptic changes are very slow, involved with learning and brain repair. Stem cell-driven “adult neurogenesis” is still far in the future. ------------ La Rosa C, Parolisi R, Bonfanti L. Brain Structural Plasticity: From Adult Neurogenesis to Immature Neurons. Front Neurosci. 2020 Feb 4;14:75. Review and Conclusion: Neuroplasticity vs Neurogenesis: Uncovering the Controversy So now I've opened up a bit more as to “WHY” this topic holds controversy among neuroscientists, and I think while this is a good start at explaining how Neuroplasticity is different than Neurogenesis, I do want to leave this topic open, to come back to at a later date, and see what else we can add to our understanding In the meantime, I'll continue to read, learn and think of how this learning can apply to our daily life.  While researching this topic, I found an article I like called What is Neuroplasticity[xviii] written just this past April 2023. It explains neuroplasticity thoroughly, and how it applies to learning, a growth mindset, and how it changes as we age. It covers neuroplasticity and how it can help with anxiety, which made me think back to when we changed our brain with Dr. Caroline Leaf's 5 Step Process for Cleaning Up Our Mental Mess on EP #299.[xix] It even covers neuroplasticity exercises for treating chronic pain that took me back to our interview with Ashok Gupta[xx] a well-known brain-training neuroplasticity expert who taught us how to use our brain and mind to manage chronic pain and illness. At the end of this article there are YouTube videos from many of the experts we've covered on this podcast like Dr. Daniel Amen, Dr. Joe Dispenza, and books from Dr. Caroline Leaf, and Norman Doidge. But what was missing, was more about Neurogenesis and how we can change actually change our brain, not just re-wire the pathways in it, there were a bunch of quotes at the end of this article but they were all about neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity Quotes Among other things, neuroplasticity means that emotions such as happiness and compassion can be cultivated in much the same way that a person can learn through repetition to play golf and basketball or master a musical instrument, and that such practice changes the activity and physical aspects of specific brain areas.--Andrew Weil Because of the power of neuroplasticity, you can, in fact, reframe your world and rewire your brain so that you are more objective. You have the power to see things as they are so that you can respond thoughtfully, deliberately, and effectively to everything you experience.--Elizabeth Thornton Any man could, if he were so inclined, be the sculptor of his own brain.--Santiago Ramón y Cajal Meditation invokes that which is known in neuroscience as neuroplasticity; which is the loosening of the old nerve cells or hardwiring in the brain, to make space for the new to emerge.--Craig Krishna Everything having to do with human training and education has to be re-examined in light of neuroplasticity.--Norman Doidge Neurons that fire together wire together.--Donald O. Hebb (Dr. Huberman would say this came from Carla Shatz) Brains are tricky and adaptable organs. For all the ‘neuroplasticity' allowing our brains to reconfigure themselves to the biases of our computers, we are just as neuroplastic in our ability to eventually recover and adapt.--Douglas Rushkoff Our brains renew themselves throughout life to an extent previously thought not possible.--Michael S. Gazzaniga Our minds have the incredible capacity to both alter the strength of connections among neurons, essentially rewiring them, and create entirely new pathways. (It makes a computer, which cannot create new hardware when its system crashes, seem fixed and helpless).--Susannah Cahalan Where are the quotes for Neurogenesis? Like the quote I found from Dr. Perlmutter who said “We can regrow brain cells and retain this ability throughout our entire lifetime.” Is this only possible in our hippocampus? Or will science someday reveal that adult neurogenesis is possible like what Mark Walman mentioned with stem-cell adult neurogenesis that he thinks is far in the future? Until we know for sure, I'm going to stick with doing what I know helps my brain according to Dr. Perlmutter's work, and Sandrine Thuret's TEDTALK where she says by doing certain things like the words she's highlighted in her graphic, we can create neurogenesis that's important for learning and memory, and I'll avoid the non-highlighted words that she says prevents neurogenesis. And I'll come back to this episode at a future date to see what else we can add to accelerate our understanding of “Neuroplasticity vs Neurogenesis.” With that thought, I hope this episode has made you think deeper about your brain, especially when it comes to making choices that we know can improve our ability to build a stronger, more resilient brain by doing what helps it (and our brain cells) instead of what hurts it, and I'll see you next week.   REFERENCES:   [i] https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-and-a-deeper-dive-into-applying-neuroplasticity-to-learn-something-new/ [ii] Neuroplasticity Published on YouTube November 6, 2012  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELpfYCZa87g [iii] What is Neuroplasticity: A Psychologist Explains [14+ Tools] by Courtney E Ackerman, MA, Published July 25, 2018, Scientifically reviewed by Melissa Madeson, Ph.D. https://positivepsychology.com/neuroplasticity/#google_vignette [iv] Adult Neurogenesis in Human: A Review of Basic Concepts, History, Current Research, and Clinical Implications Published May 1, 2019 by Ashutosh Kumar, MD. et al.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6659986/ [v] https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-neurogenesis-what-hurts-or-helps-your-brain-cells/ [vi] Dr. Andrew Huberman Lab Podcast EPISODE #6 “How to Focus to Change Your Brain” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG53Vxum0as [vii] IBID [viii] https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-what-s-new-with-bdnf-building-a-faster-stronger-more-resilient-brain/ [ix] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE#116 with Dr. John Ratey on “The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/best-selling-author-john-j-ratey-md-on-the-revolutionary-new-science-of-exercise-and-the-brain/ [x] Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey, MD (January 10, 2008) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D7GQ887/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 [xi] https://www.drperlmutter.com/neurogenesis-re-grow-new-brain-cells-exercise/ [xii]Is It Possible to Grow New Brain Cells by Sandrine Thuret published Dec. 8th, 2017  https://capture.dropbox.com/W0af55YnE3LhDb0M [xiii] https://www.drperlmutter.com/neurogenesis-re-grow-new-brain-cells-exercise/ [xiv] Dr. Andrew Huberman Lab Podcast EPISODE #6 “How to Focus to Change Your Brain” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG53Vxum0as [xv] Mark Waldman “What Neuroplasticity is and isn't” Published on Facebook Nov. 10, 2020 https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1300824310263746&set=a.112516002427922 [xvi] Adult Neurogenesis in Human: A Review of Basic Concepts, History, Current Research, and Clinical Implications Published May 1, 2019 by Ashutosh Kumar, MD. et al.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6659986/ [xvii] Dr. Andrew Huberman Lab Podcast EPISODE #6 “How to Focus to Change Your Brain” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG53Vxum0as [xviii] What is Neuroplasticity: A Psychologist Explains [14+ Tools] by Courtney E Ackerman, MA, Published July 25, 2018, Scientifically reviewed by Melissa Madeson, Ph.D. https://positivepsychology.com/neuroplasticity/#google_vignette [xix] https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-a-deep-dive-into-dr-carolyn-leaf-s-5-scientifically-proven-steps-to-clean-up-our-mental-mess-so-we-can-help-our-children/ [xx] https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/ashok-gupta-on-heath-and-happiness-getting-to-the-root-of-chronic-pain-and-illness-long-covid-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-and-others/  

Feeling stuck? Can't seem to shake off old habits or find new paths forward? Join us today as we unravel a fascinating exploration of neuroscience, habits, and the transformative power of writing things down, inspired by key insights from three distinct books. We'll unpack the wisdom from Allison Fallon's "The Power of Writing It Down", Cal Newport's "Deep Work", and John Ratey's "Spark". It's not just about breaking free from unproductive patterns; it's about rewiring your brain and unlocking a flourishing life.Key Points from the Episode:Engross yourself in our discussion about the automation of our behaviors by our remarkable brains, the role myelination plays in honing our skills, and how writing can trigger useful myelination. Drawing from Ratey's work, we highlight the adaptable nature of our brains - more like play dough than porcelain - and how they can be rewired, similar to how a muscle can be sculpted. We don't just talk about the science; we offer practical strategies for you to become your own brain's electrician. So, gear up for an intriguing journey of self-improvement and personal growth. Because ultimately, it's about crafting the masterpiece of your life, one habit, one neural pathway at a time using the Foundations in Flourishing.  Other resources: Plus, make sure you tune in for our Liberty Minute this Saturday, where we'll highlight one of the greatest authors this country has ever produced. More goodnessGet your FREE Academy Review here!Get our top book recommendations list Get new podcast episodes dropped into your email box easilyWant to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly, thank you so much!Because we care what you think about what we think and our website, please email David@teammojoacademy.com, or if you want to leave us a quick FREE, painless voicemail, we would appreciate that as well.

Es gibt zwei Phänomene, die wir im Umgang mit neurodivergenten Menschen kennen sollten, denn diese erklären sehr gut, was bei der "Erziehung" dieser Kinder im Kindergarten oder in der Schule schiefgeht.Diese beiden Phänomene kommen bei neurodivergenten Menschen sehr oft vor (unterschiedlich stark ausgeprägt - wir sind Individuen!!):RSD = Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (Gegen Ablehnung empfindliche Dysphorie), nach William DodsonundRSE = Recognition Sensitive Euphoria (Für Anergennung empfindliche Euophorie), nach Hallowell und RateyWir können mit Kritik einen absoluten Tiefpunkt erzeugen, auch wenn sie noch so klein und gut gemeint ist und wiederum durch Anerkennung, Lob und Bestätigung einen Höhenflug erzeugen.Mit diesem Wissen wird klar, dass der Umgang mit "schwierigen" Kindern (ich möchte nochmal betonen, dass nicht die Kinder schwierig sind, sondern das Umfeld für die Kinder schwierig ist!!) ein ganz anderer sein muss!!Statt immer und immer wieder zu kritisieren und zu betonen, was die Kinder falsch machen und wo sie sich verbessern sollten, hilft es sehr, immer und immer wieder zu betonen, was sie richtig machen und wo sie gut sind.Dies treibt die Kinder an, immer mehr zu geben und das ist schließlich das, was wir wollen.Mir ist es wichtig dennoch das Belohnen separat zu betrachten.Darauf gehe ich in der Folge ein!Ich empfehle allen Menschen, das Buch "ADHS ist kein Makel" von Hallowell und Ratey zu lesen oder zu hören (z.B. auf Spotify), denn hier wird das Störungsbild ADHS sehr ausführlich und wissenschaftlich beleuchtet.Du findest mich auf Instagram unter @kapierfehler und meine Fortbildungsangebote auf meiner Homepage.Wenn du mir eine E-Mail schreiben willst, dann kannst du das tun: hallo@kapierfehler.deLiebe Grüße,deine Corina

Llogan & Shane get extremely Dynamic with this episode! They really need Derek and Josh around to keep them on task! What Happend? Background Checks. Europeans steal our memes. Drs. Hallowell and Ratey book ADHD 2.0. What is VAST (Variable Attention Stimulus Trait)? Crossing Over With John Edwards. I Think You Should Leave. Llogan FINALLY Platinums Fall Guys. Indie Movies & Ikea. Mysterious Science Theater 3000. Dragonball Z: Kakarot. Evangelion. Fakku! FTC Allows Microsoft to Acquire Activision. Digital Preservation of Software. Warhammer 40000: Mechanicus. Check Us Out On Instagram! Logo by @byllogan @mmry.crd and Toovin Theme Song by Toovin Support Dynamic Resolution: A Video Game Show by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/dynamic-resolution This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-57c4fc for 40% off for 4 months, and support Dynamic Resolution: A Video Game Show.

Dr. Laura welcomes Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and world renowned expert in ADHD, Dr. John Ratey, to the show. Dr. Ratey has written twelve books including “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain,” which inspires much of Dr. Laura's conversation with him. Dr. Ratey shares his experiences and research into the power of exercise on the brain and how it can reduce stress.The ability of exercise to combat stress and increase focus, including in those diagnosed with ADHD, is a powerful thing. Dr. Ratey refers to physical education in schools and how changing the traditional program benefits the mental wellbeing of students. Dr. Laura and Dr. Ratey discuss the increased levels of anxiety, stress, and depression in the world, the positive brain chemistry exercise produces, and the benefits of community on wellness. The knowledge shared in conversation and in Dr. Ratey's books is inspirational and potentially life changing.  “Let's talk about workplace. I mean, it has been a big bonus to include exercise opportunities in the workday, whether that means extended breaks or membership in the gyms or having some … yoga instructors in a couple afternoons a week during their lunch period, stuff like that to encourage wellness on the job.”  Dr. John J RateyAbout Dr. John J. Ratey:John J. Ratey, MD, is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 12 books published in 20 languages, including the groundbreaking ADD-ADHD “Driven to Distraction” series with Ned Hallowell, MD. Their latest release, ADHD 2.0 (2021) explores new science and strategies. With the publication of his bestseller, "Spark-The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain," Dr. Ratey established himself as one of the world's foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection in areas such as ADHD, Autism, Aging and Cognition.Dr. Ratey's work in Attention Deficit Disorder came after he and his former student, Ned Hallowell, recognized and diagnosed their own ADD, prompting them to write a book to raise awareness and an understanding of the diagnosis to a lay audience. Published in 1994, “Driven to Distraction” became a bestseller, with over 2 million copies in print, and is still considered one of the Bibles of ADD today. Dr. Ratey and Dr. Hallowell went on to write “Delivered to Distraction” and “Answers to Distraction”, and have become recognized around the world as authorities on the subject. They continue to collaborate and recently released ADHD 2.0, exploring new science and strategies.Recognized by his peers as one of the Best Doctors in America since 1997, Dr. Ratey was recently honored by the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society as "Outstanding Psychiatrist of the Year" for advancing the field. Dr. Ratey and his work are frequently profiled in the media, where he's been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS and NPR, as well as in The New York Times, Newsweek, The Washington Post, US News and World Report, Men's Health, and other national publications. Dr. Ratey maintains an active practice in Cambridge, MA and Los Angeles, CA.Resources:John Ratey MD website“Spark” by John J Ratey, MD with Eric Hagerman“ADHD 2.0” by Edward M Hallowell, MD and John J Ratey, MD“Driven to Distraction” by Edward M Hallowell, MD and John J Ratey, MDLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura's organizations: Canada Career CounsellingCalgary Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology

In this episode, we discuss devlogs, content moderation, and neurodivergence. When players leave reviews and feedback for gamedevs, a lot of times they'll come in guns blazing with inflammatory language because they're frustrated and accustomed to being ignored. People sometimes forget that there are real humans on the other side of the screen. Plan ahead by setting guidelines for feedback and creating a way to pre-fillter those comments to protect everyone's peace. A little humor goes a long way!00:30 Intro02:05 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)Things Mentioned:  Book: ADHD 2.0 by E. Hallowell & J. Ratey (https://bit.ly/3oZHugz) Book: Unmasking Autism by Devon Price (https://bit.ly/3LrYe7r) Questions answered (abbreviated): 02:32 Beekie Boppaboop: How often do you watch or read dev logs? 13:14 Bupanoilie Rolleepa: What content moderation lessons have you learned from working on Levelhead? 32:16 QuantumAnomaly:Do you have any good book suggestions that helped you understand your own flavor of neuro-spiciness? ★ Support this podcast ★

“What makes aerobic exercise so powerful is that it's our evolutionary method of generating that spark. It lights on fire on every level of your brain, from stoking up the neurons' metabolic furnaces to forgiving the very structures that transmit information from one synapse to the next.” John Ratey, author of Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain On today's Episode #277 we will cover ✔  A review of EP 177 on "Transforming the Mind Using Athletics and Neuroscience" to see what's new. ✔  A look at Dr. Wendy Suzuki's Brain-Changing Protocol to strengthen our hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. ✔  How to Create Your Own "Spark" to Take Your Results to New Heights. And in today's episode, I want us to all dive a bit deeper, beyond what I'll uncover with the research, and look at this spark in our own lives. I want us to learn how to access this spark that John Ratey talks about, how to generate energy with this spark through exercise, and then figure out what we will do with this spark, or energy, once we've learned to create it, to go take ourselves to higher levels of achievement, all by using exercise and science, to take us there. I want to welcome you back to The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we cover the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning (for schools) and emotional intelligence training (in the workplace) with tools, ideas and strategies that we can all use immediately, with our brain in mind.  I'm Andrea Samadi, an author, and educator with a passion for learning specifically on the topics of health, wellbeing and productivity, and launched this podcast almost 4 years ago, to share how important an understanding of our brain is, for our everyday life and results. For today's episode #277, we are going back to another favorite episode of mine, #122 on “Transforming the Mind Using Athletics and Neuroscience”[i] that we released April 9, 2021, after we interviewed Paul Zientarksi, the former PE teacher from Naperville Central High School, who reinvented physical education using the understanding of simple neuroscience. In this previous episode, we combined what we learned from Paul Zientarski,[ii] with our interview with Dr. John Ratey[iii], and his book Spark, that cemented the idea of the profound impact that exercise has on our cognitive and mental health. For today's episode, #277, we will go back to episode #122 on “Transforming the Mind Using Athletics and Neuroscience” and see what's new with the research that might be able to take our understanding a bit deeper.  I know that we all are clear on the fact that exercise creates that glorious protein called BDNF that we just reviewed thoroughly on EPISODE #274[iv] and even how this protein that is released when we exercise, is reduced in the brain of someone who has developed Alzheimer's Disease, showing us that exercise is an imminent solution for the prevention of cognitive decline, or at least delaying this from happening for as long as we can. Which leads me look deeper into the research on this topic, and I went straight to the work of neuroscientist and author, Dr. Wendy Suzuki, whose TED TALK on “The Brain-Changing Effects of Exercise”[v] has over 15 million views.  I remember when her TED TALK came out (in 2017) and someone in my network sent it over to me and I immediately asked Dr. Suzuki to come on the podcast. After hearing what her schedule is like over the years, and the research she is involved with as the incoming Dean of Arts and Sciences at NYU[vi], I do understand now why I never did hear back from her on this request. Her TED TALK impacted me in a way where I knew I would need to focus on what she has discovered about the powerful effects of physical activity on the brain and that “by simply moving your body, this has lasting protective, benefits to the brain.” (Dr. Suzuki). Dr. Suzuki's TED TALK, that came out years before we had looked at this topic on the benefits of exercise on the brain, that we started to unwrap with our interview with Dr. Ratey, explains how she was at the height of her work as a leading researcher on memory and the brain, when she stuck her head out of her lab she realized she was lacking in social interaction and had gained 25 LBS. She mentioned she was miserable, and launched her own exercise program, which is when she noticed things changing with her own brain. Not only did her mood improve, and she felt stronger, but she started to notice that her difficult work (grant writing which I know takes more brain power and patience than most of us have available on a day to day basis) but she noticed this daunting task was surprisingly getting easier for her, and she stopped and thought “What's going on here? Could it possibly be my new exercise routine?” I related to what she was saying (on many levels as I spent quite a few years working on grant writing) while also understanding there is no way I could ever sit at my desk and navigate through the research I need to do, without a daily exercise routine. What about you? If you are listening to this episode, and caught the fitness bug at some point in your life, I wonder WHAT it was that inspired you to make physical activity a part of your daily routine? When I thought about it, I would have to go back years to when I first noticed that exercise was something that just made me work better. I remember something clicked for me after high school, when I was at University, and spent my summers lifeguarding, to pay for that next year of school.  In order to get the best pools as a lifeguard, in the City of North York where I grew up in Toronto, Canada, that were worth spending the entire summer at, there was this annual lifeguard triathlon, and those who participated, usually were given their first choice of the pool they wanted to work at. It was one of those “you'd better participate” and then you knew you would have a better chance at being happy with your work environment that summer. And for many of us, living in Toronto, we lived for those summer months, poolside, with those we connected the most within our social circles, and many of us (or maybe it was just me) spent the entire winter dreaming of this special time of year, when the snow and ice melted, and the summer breeze filled the air. So, one year, I had set my mind of winning this summer triathlon, and started training for it in the winter. I joined the local YMCA and remember taking the bus from my house in Don-Mills to the YMCA on Sheppard and Bayview (at least a 30-min bus ride) where I would train, with the vision that I'd have a fancy pool to work at, with all of my favorite friends, while earning the money I needed to pay for University. As soon as the snow melted, I remember riding my bike, or rollerblading to the Y, but it was those days training for this one event that summer, that hooked me on being a regular daily exerciser, for the rest of my life. An update on the triathlon that summer: I almost came in first, if I hadn't have slipped and fell on the pool deck before the run, that was the final event. I was leading the whole race until my competitor, whose name I'll never forget, passed me in that last stretch towards the finish line when I had nothing left to give. Good for her, I think today, as she motivated me in future years to keep training, and while we both got the pools we wanted, I know her love of athletics stayed with her for her lifetime as well. Until revisiting this episode, I never really thought back to when I got the exercise bug, since it's now became a non-negotiable part of my daily routine. When I heard Dr. Suzuki's story, and learned about other people's motivation for starting an exercise program, I thought it might help those listening to reflect back on their own story. It is interesting to think back to what is was that “sparked” this habit change, and made it stick, and if this isn't a habit that you find interesting, at all, I'm hoping something in this episode creates that “spark” for you to perhaps begin your own program, with the health of your brain in mind. Here's where the research gets exciting! Dr. Suzuki mentions that “exercise is the most transformative thing that you can do for your brain” and listed some reasons that I think we have all heard of today. She notes that with one 45-minute exercise session: YOUR MOOD IMPROVES: Exercise has immediate effects on your brain. One single workout she says, “increases neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline that will increase your mood immediately.” I think we can all agree on this one, and it's one of the main reasons I've kept up my daily routine. I'm not much fun without these neurotransmitters flowing in my brain. YOUR FOCUS, ATTENTION AND EVEN YOUR REACTION TIME IMPROVE: and that this improved focus “can last up to 2 hours after you exercise.” Now I'm starting to think because I know in order to do difficult cognitive work, like reading through Pubmed.gov or something, I have to tire myself out early, and the harder the workout, the better I can think and focus on difficult work. I remember telling Dr. Ratey this in our interview and he said that's why they had the students exercising before school, to prime their brain for learning. BUT DID YOU KNOW THIS? THIS IS IMPORTANT… Before switching her work to the impacts of exercise and the brain, Dr. Suzuki was one of the world's leading researchers on memory. So of course, as she began to look at the impact of exercise on the brain, she would be looking at everything through the lens of a researcher whose spent years looking at the hippocampus (the brain's memory center). It's her next points about how exercise improves our brain, through her memory research lens, that caught my attention. She adds: EXERCISE PRODUCES NEW BRAIN CELLS IN THE HIPPOCAMPUS: and this increases the volume of your hippocampus, improving your long-term memory. We have covered how to improve our memory, with unique memory hacks on a few episodes on this podcast, one with EPISODE #149 with our interview with Dave Farrow, Two-Time Guinness World Record Holder on “Focus, Fatigue and Memory Hacks”[vii] or even EPISODE #217 on “Science-Based Tricks to improve Productivity and Never Forget Anything.”[viii] But never once did we talk about the hippocampus (our brain's memory center) in these episodes. Now Dr. Suzuki, a leading researcher on memory, exercise and the brain, tells us that exercise can make the part of our brain responsible for our memory, bigger? And with our brain, we all know that size matters. THE MORE YOU EXERCISE, THE BIGGER AND STRONGER THE PREFRONTAL CORTEX GETS: So now we know that in addition to our memory center, (our hippocampus) that increases with exercise, we can add that the part of our brain that's responsible for decision making, cognitive control, attention and focus, also gets bigger with exercise, and Dr. Suzuki elaborates that “these are the two areas of the brain most susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline in aging. While Dr. Suzuki says that “by increasing exercise over your lifetime, you're not going to cure Alzheimer's or Dementia, but what you will do is create the strongest and largest prefrontal cortex so that it takes longer for the disease to have an effect.” (Dr. Suzuki). The whole reason why I spend all my spare time writing these podcast episodes, recording them, and putting them out to the world, for you, the listener, (and for me as well to keep learning) is that I do believe that small changes that we can all make, have the ability to completely transform our health, wellbeing and life. Take for example, the recent episode we did on “The Damaging Impacts of Sugar on the Brain and Body”[ix] where we covered 2 people who were measuring their blood sugar. The only reason I had the data for this episode, was that someone close to me asked me for advice. One day, this person said to me, “if I was to do just a couple of things to improve my health, what would you suggest I do?” Now this person rarely ever comes to me for advice, so when it happened, I took the moment seriously. I looked them directly in the eye, and like Dr. Jacoby said to me when I asked him the same question, I answered back, without wavering, “You need to cut out sugar (and that means anything that turns into sugar after you eat it, like the obvious candy, bread, and alcohol and then measure your blood to see exactly how what you are eating affects you personally) and then you never eat those things again.” That was it. In 30 days, this person lowered their A1C levels from the danger zone of 8.5 to 7.0. Once the behavior changes, so do the results. We can potentially reverse diabetes and pre-diabetes with this advice (and I say that not from the advice of my doctor, Dr. Jacoby, who swore that chronic disease is directly linked to lifestyle).  Like Dr. Jacoby, I'm pretty militant about health, so my advice if you want to make changes with YOUR health, is to think of your own personal motivation for this change, and then find someone who won't let you get away with reverting back to your old habits and behaviors, so that you'll stick to the changes that support your brain health So, back to Dr. Suzuki's research. She mentioned that she often gets asked, “what's the minimum amount of exercise that I would need to do, to get these changes in the brain?” and here's what she suggests: DR. SUZUKI BRAIN PROTOCOL: Dr. Suzuki's research revealed that the minimum amount of exercise you would need to do, to get these brain health benefits, would be 3-4 days a week, 30-45 minute sessions of aerobic activity, at an intensity that's enough to get your heart rate up. She says you don't have to go crazy, and I agree with her on this one. Here's something interesting I learned this year. Since I measure everything, I learned that certain activities get my heart rate just as high as my runs up the mountain. Activities like walking outside, lighter workouts on the elliptical, or even vacuuming the house, all get my heart rate up into ZONE 3 (70-80% of my maximum heart rate, or what would be considered a moderate exercise level). This was shocking to me, as I realized I could change up some of my activities, and save time, as long as I was able to get my heart rate up long enough for those brain benefits to take hold (for 30-45 minutes). THINKING CREATIVELY WITH EXERCISE: Now you can start to think creatively about aerobic activity. I recently noticed something while recording these podcast episodes. My WHOOP device started to log my activity recording as “other” and each time I finish recording, I would be notified, and could see that out of a 25 minutes recording session, I spent 70-80% of my maximum heart rate at the moderate exercise level. I'm not saying that sitting and recording for 25 minutes can replace a workout, but it opened my eyes to how strenuous public speaking can be on the body. I remember hearing speaker and author Brendon Burchard talking about how speaking in public “results in the same strain on his body as running a marathon each day.”[x] My WHOOP device was telling me the same story, and I've even noticed that when recording, I'm engaging muscles in my stomach to breathe, and it honestly feels like a workout session.   If you look at a graph of a typical hiking session, where I'm running up and down a mountain, my heart rate pattern is similar to when I'm recording a podcast episode, and recording or speaking into a mic logged me at 70-80% of my HR, which is ZONE 3 or a moderate exercise level. I do spend most of my hikes in ZONE 4 at 80-90% of my maximum heart rate, or the “hard” target zone, so I'm not going to replace this activity for speaking, but it really did open my eyes to thinking creatively with how else I can get my heart rate up for 45 minute sessions, with my brain in mind. WHAT ELSE DOES DR. SUZUKI'S RESEARCH REVEAL? While looking at the benefits of exercise on our brain, I wanted to go a bit deeper into what the research reveals, and there were a few more important details that I learned from Dr. Suzuki. She was interviewed on Dr. Andrew Huberman's podcast on “Boosting Attention and Memory with Science-Based Tools”[xi] where she gave Dr. Huberman an overview of the most important points from her TED TALK, that now informed the research she was doing on exercise and the brain, through the lens of a leading researcher on memory. BDNF, OUR HIPPOCAMPUS AND WHERE MEMORIES ARE STORED Dr. Suzuki reaffirms some of what we've already covered, that “BDNF goes directly to our hippocampus and helps new brain cells to grow” which is what we knew from Dr. Ratey, who said that “BDNF is like Miracle-Go for the brain” and it's from moving our muscles that this protein is created, helping us to improve “our highest thought processes.” But Dr. Huberman wanted to dive a bit deeper into where our memories are actually stored in our brain and asked “isn't the hippocampus involved in encoding memories, but not with the storage of memories? Memory storage (he asks) was in the neocortex or other overlying areas of the brain?” and Dr. Suzuki replies that he asked a tricky question because “memories are stored in the hippocampus for a very long time.”[xii] While she elaborates that people want to know “well how long are they there for before moving to the cortex” and she jokes “4 years, people want to know? Is that how long our memories are stored in our hippocampus?” I don't need to be a neuroscientist to think that it doesn't matter how long our memories are stored in our hippocampus, but I want this part of my brain to be as healthy, as big and fluffy (as she describes it) so that I can remain as sharp as I can as I'm aging. Not a day goes by that I go to grab a name of someone, and it's not there, so this part of our brain is a muscle that needs to be worked, just as we would be moving our body with exercise. LONDON CAB DRIVERS Which led my mind back to the research that emerged with the hippocampus of London cab drivers. This part of their brain was “significantly larger in London cab drivers due to the mental workout they get while navigating the 25,000 streets of London.”[xiii] REVIEW AND CONCLUSION: To review and conclude this episode where we looked back at EPISODE #122 on “Transforming the Brain Using Athletics and Neuroscience” I think we've got a few NEW details to help build this case for the importance of adding at least, or at a minimum, 4 days a week of 45 minute moderate aerobic sessions to build a stronger, more resilient hippocampus, to help improve our thinking, decision-making, and our memory center, ensuring that neurodegenerative diseases that could possibly come our way with age, will at least be delayed, as remember with our brain, size does matter. In the beginning of this episode, we spoke about a spark that exercise can create, that can help us to generate energy that we can use in our daily life. I mentioned where my spark began, training for the annual lifeguard triathlon in Toronto, to pay for my University classes, and I wonder: IF YOU HAVE A REGULAR EXERCISE PROGRAM: If you have incorporated exercise into your daily routine, what it was that inspired you to begin? What was it that kept this habit going for you? Have you noticed specific examples of how your exercise program has transformed your brain (like Dr. Suzuki noticed with her grant writing getting easier, and I noticed with being able to sit for longer periods of time and be focused on higher cognitive work)? Have you ever thought about what exercise was doing for your brain, down to your memory center (how it makes it bigger and stronger) or your prefrontal cortex? Were you aware of how you were building the size of your brain with exercise to at least prevent the onset of cognitive decline as we age? IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN EXERCISE PROGRAM: If you aren't incorporating 3-4 days of aerobic activity lasting 30-45 minutes in your daily routine, does this research that shows how building a stronger, fluffier more resilient hippocampus and prefrontal cortex make you think about starting a routine? If the answer to this is yes, and you aren't sure where to begin, check out our EPISODE on the TOP 5 Health Staples[xiv] where we covered how to get started with an exercise program as an Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Strategy. Were you as surprised as I was about my WHOOP device picking up my heart rate while recording a podcast episode, showing us that we can get creative with how we increase our heart rate (like with vacuuming, or walking, or other activities where you don't need to go crazy)? Can you think of some NEW and CREATIVE ways to start to move your body that could help your brain and cognition, now that you have seen this research? Once you do begin this regular daily routine, I promise you that you will start to feel better. Like cutting out sugar, you will notice immediate changes in your body (mentally and physically), and you will start to notice that you have more creative energy that you can direct in many different places. I promise you that this decision will “spark” something in you, that could possibly be the turning point that you needed to change your life forever. Since I feel so strongly about health and wellness for all of us, I want to extend an offer to you. If you are listening to this episode, and you want to make an improvement with your health and wellness, and you are stuck, unsure of where to begin, send me an email to andrea@achieveit360.com and let me know where you are starting from. This is just me here offering to give you a bit of time if you feel stuck in some way, without having to worry if I'll be selling you into some sort of coaching program. Sometimes in order to get started, we just have to make the decision, and talking to someone even for a few minutes, could be all you would need to “spark” some action of your end. If this is where you are sitting right now, don't hesitate to reach out to me. I'll close out this episode with a quote from Dr. John Ratey who said that “exercise is the single best thing you can do for your brain in terms of mood, memory and learning.” I'm going to add that it's the best thing we can do for ourselves as we age, to supercharge our hippocampus (our memory center) and prefrontal cortex (what we need to think) and build a stronger, more resilient brain so it will take longer for these degenerative diseases that we all know about, to have an effect. And with that, I'll make a promise back to you that I'll keep thinking up new ideas to share with you here, because I know now that writing AND recording is good for my brain. I'll see you next week as we look at EPISODE #124 on “How to be a Neuroscience Researcher” and looking back at this episode, I'll have to think really hard on how to make this one a bit more creative. See you next week. FOLLOW ANDREA SAMADI:  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AndreaSamadi   Website https://www.achieveit360.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samadi/  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Achieveit360com   Neuroscience Meets SEL Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2975814899101697   Twitter: https://twitter.com/andreasamadi   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreasamadi/  REFERENCES: [i] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #122 on Transforming the Mind Using Athletics and Neuroscience https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-transforming-the-mind-using-athletics-and-neuroscience/ [ii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #121 with Paul Zientarski on “Transforming Students Using Physical Education and Neuroscience” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/naperville-central-high-schools-paul-zeintarski-on-transforming-students-using-physical-education-and-neuroscience/ [iii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #116 with John J. Ratey, MD on “The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/best-selling-author-john-j-ratey-md-on-the-revolutionary-new-science-of-exercise-and-the-brain/ [iv]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #274 on “What's NEW with BDNF: Building a Faster, Stronger, More Resilient Brain”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-what-s-new-with-bdnf-building-a-faster-stronger-more-resilient-brain/ [v] The Brain-Changing Effects of Exercise with Wendy Suzuki, 2017 https://www.ted.com/talks/wendy_suzuki_the_brain_changing_benefits_of_exercise?language=en [vi] Wendy Suzuki https://as.nyu.edu/faculty/wendy-suzuki.html [vii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #149 on  “Focus, Fatigue and Memory Hacks for Students and the Worplace”https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/2-time-guinness-world-record-holder-dave-farrow-on-focus-fatigue-and-memory-hacks-for-students-and-the-workplace/ [viii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #217 on “Science-Based Tricks to improve Productivity and Never Forget Anything.” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-science-based-tricks-to-improve-productivity-and-never-forget-anything/ [ix]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #275 on “The Damaging Effects of Sugar on the Brain and Body” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-the-damaging-impacts-of-sugar-on-the-brain-and-body/ [x] Brendon Burchard's High Performance Habits Story by Amy Anderson https://brendon.com/blog/success/ [xi]Dr. Wendy Suzuki on The Huberman Lab Podcast #73 “Boosting Attention and Memory with Science-Based Tools”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=099hgtRoUZw [xii] Dr. Wendy Suzuki on The Huberman Lab Podcast #73 “Boosting Attention and Memory with Science-Based Tools”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=099hgtRoUZw 38:26 time stamp [xiii] Taxi Cab Drivers' Brains Grow to Navigate London's Streets By Ferri Jabr December 8, 2011 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/london-taxi-memory/ [xiv] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #87 on “The Top 5 Brain Health and Alzheimer's Prevention Strategies”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/do-you-know-the-top-5-brain-health-and-alzheimers-prevention-strategies-with-andrea-samadi/  

“It's well understood that this chronic disease (type 2 diabetes) is linked to lifestyle. Combine a diet high in sugar (including fruits, honey, and starch, all of which turn into varying amounts of sugar when digested) with a lack of exercise and the results will be type 2 diabetes with the miserable complications that come with it.” (An excerpt from Dr. Richard Jacoby, co-author of Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage, and Reclaim Good Health.” I want to welcome you back to The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast where we bridge the gap between theory and practice, with strategies, tools and ideas we can all use immediately, applied to the most current brain research to heighten productivity in our schools, sports environments and modern workplaces. I'm Andrea Samadi and launched this podcast almost 4 years ago, to share how important an understanding of our brain is for our everyday life and results.  For today's episode #275, we will revisit one of my favorite episodes #117[i] on “The Damaging Impact of Sugar on the Brain and Body” to review what we covered, and see if there's anything else important that the research has revealed. There's a lot that's NEW with this topic, but as I reviewed this past episode, I had completely forgotten some of the details we covered a few years ago, that are very important.  Today we will cover:  ✔What sugar does to the brain, cognition and well-being. ✔How sugar contributes to cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease. ✔That we all have individual journeys on our pathway towards optimal health and well-being. ✔Where my health took a turn towards wellness in 2005 and again in 2014 with the hope that my health story will give you some thoughts with your health story. ✔We looked at 2 people's blood glucose results to see what each person learned from using a glucose monitor. ✔3 Tips You Can Implement Immediately for Improved Health, Clarity and Well-Being. You can review this past episode by clicking on the link in the show notes but for today's episode, we are going to dive a bit deeper with what sugar does to the brain, body, cognition and our health by tying in what has emerged since that first episode. We will look at the results of two people who've been tracking their blood glucose levels with the Freestyle Libre Glucose Monitor[ii]  to see what patterns emerge eating certain foods. The first individual we will look at, had A1C levels that have recently gone into the danger zone, signaling type-2 diabetes, showing an A1C level of over 8.5 on a recent blood test. I'm the second chart, and am not insulin resistant, but know that sugar doesn't work for me at all. I don't need a blood test to know that it makes me feel horrendous. My A1C levels sit around 5.8, which is in line with someone on a lower carbohydrate, and higher fat diet.[iii] This episode is not about the best diet to choose and when I sat down to write this, I quickly saw that this topic of health, especially as it relates to nutrition is such a challenging and difficult one to cover, as not one size fits all. I do want to acknowledge that there are many different diet plans out there, and that I'm not here to say one is better than another. I recognize that it's downright frustrating when you are doing everything the right way, (eating clean and exercising) and you are seeing zero results. This seems to be especially true in the area of weight loss, where I recently saw a post from Chris Cornell, who shares his weight loss strategies on Twitter, and asked what ended up being a highly controversial question “why are most people unable to achieve significant and sustainable weight (fat) loss through lifestyle modifications?” He added “I'm guessing some people have something amiss with their regulatory mechanism. For many, I believe it's that they are unable to regulate the crap foods they've been eating.” I'll share what I learned over the past few weeks that might shed some light into why it's so difficult to make shift with what we eat, and why one bad food choice can often set us up to sabotage ourselves to continue making poor food choices with that snowball effect.  Today we will put the focus on what we can control (using the data I uncovered with this glucose monitor) to inform our action steps at the end of this episode. There's so much to this problem that includes things we can't control (our heredity, hormones, stress levels to name a few factors) so I'm going to make it easy.   Let's focus ONLY on what sugar does to the brain and body. I want to acknowledge that we are all different, and your path is probably going to be different from mine, but I'm sure some of what I will share will resonate with you. We all hit a point where we know something isn't right, and go to the doctor looking for a solution. I really don't believe in accidents, and when we “feel” like something is off with our health, I think it's important to listen to our intuition here, and look into it. My journey towards looking for the “right diet” plan began in 2005 (before I had children) when I was looking for a solution for why my feet were going numb during exercise, and there were many twists and turns along the way, before things began to “click” for me. When I felt that something was off with numbness in my feet,  I went to a foot doctor to look for answers. Looking back now, this decision, I think moved the needle of health and wellness the most for me personally over the past 2 decades, as the foot doctor I went to see was Dr. Richard Jacoby, the author of Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage and Reclaim Good Health.[iv] Dr. Jacoby[v] took one look at me and said “you don't look like the typical patient I usually see.  People come to me in their late 50s and 60s” (I was around 33 back then and people who were in their 50s (like I am today) were ancient to me so I was starting to think I was in the wrong place). He went on to say that people came in with different types of health problems, and his job was to help them solve these problems.” Over the years, he became excellent with his advice for people, leading him to appear in many of those Top Doctor Lists for 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2010) and he just asked his patients to do 2 things. He asked them to eliminate sugar from their diet, and make sure they are taking omega-3 fatty acids, since most Americans are deficient here.[vi]  I started to think maybe my running shoes were too tight and felt bad for wasting his time, as I didn't think his advice was going to help me, but I looked at him and said, “that's easy enough” as I was already doing one of his suggestions. Next was to eliminate sugar, which I did, not know how much it would completely change my health. Of course, our health requires constant work, and this change didn't last forever. My next turn was around 2014, 10 years later. I remember cooking my children dinner, standing at the stove, and not knowing what I should eat, leading me to google “healthy eating” and that led me to the work of fitness model and trainer, Jason Wittrock[vii], known as the blood sugar king. Jason is on a war against diabetes and obesity, that we will mention a bit later on this episode. The point here is that there's no straight line. I think we all have our own individual path to figure out with our own “individual secrets” to unlock our optimal levels of health, and I've still not figured all of mine out yet, but as I'm approaching age 52, I feel better now, than I did at age 30. Dr. Jacoby's book Sugar Crush says it all. He says that:  It was not an accident that I ended up at Dr. Jacoby's offices that day, and I thought about him while actually measuring my glucose levels for this episode. Before I get to the results of what each of us discovered in this process of measuring our glucose levels, I think it's important to note what we learned on that first episode that I had forgotten because we can't remember everything, just what's important to us—and this is very important at the moment.  Since last week's episode was about “Building a Faster, Stronger, Resilient Brain, by Understanding Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)”[viii] or the compound that Dr. Ratey says is crucial for preventing cognitive decline and Alzheimer's Disease. I want to focus this episode on something Dr. Ratey said that really made me think. He said, did you know that “High glucose levels are toxic to the brain, and limits the production of this glorious compound BDNF that has such a profound effect on cognition and well-being?” Dr. Ratey's quote made me think back to a BONUS episode I did for Podbean's Wellness week[ix] that goes right along with what Dr. Ratey said. It was a quote from Dr. David Perlmutter, who wrote the foreword to Dr. Ratey's book Go Wild![x] and it was Dr. Perlmutter's documentary on Alzheimer's Disease that made me think hard about our Top 5 Health and Wellness staples. Dr. Perlmutter said DID YOU KNOW THAT: Sugar in the brain “looks like Alzheimer's” in the brain, and that “60% of cognitive decline is related to how you handle blood sugar?”[xi]  He says that “elevated blood sugar shrinks the brain.”  I had to take these words and create a visual to bring this to light. Sometimes you can hear the words of something, but until you can actually see and feel the words come to life, like the image I put in the show notes, there isn't as much meaning to what we might be reading. I think the image of a healthy brain, next to a severely shrunken Alzheimer's brain, is an image I'll never forget. It was sugar that caused this brain to shrink.   Remember that quote from Dr. Dale Bredesen from our last episode that said: Why would any of us knowingly choose this for ourselves? Why would we buy each other gifts at holidays that include things that science reveals are toxic to the brain? Why do teachers reward children with candy at school? Why do we stand around eating cake at the end of a church service? I know, because it tastes good. But it's here we will take the information we are learning, connect the dots to form knowledge and then apply this knowledge to become wise. This is where we go from theory to practice with this podcast. I might be told I'm a bit on the boring side these days, as I'm cutting out all the food that are fun for us, but I'm doing this with the purpose of improving clarity, focus and performance on a day to day basis. WHAT DID WE LEARN BY MEASURING BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS? I'm sure you've seen people measuring their blood sugar, and sharing how this data helps them to make better choices with the foods they eat. I first saw this device with Jason Wittrock,[xii] who we mentioned earlier, and interviewed on EP 94[xiii]. If you go to his Instagram page, you'll see many tests he's done with a variety of different foods, drinks and snacks to see how each one affects his blood sugar levels, and there were many surprises.  If you're curious, go to his page and look at his tests, especially when he tested white rice. It was interesting that hot white rice spiked his blood sugar into the danger zone, but when he applied the cooling theory and put the rice in the fridge for 24 hours, it kept his blood sugar in the safe zone. He mentions at the end of every episode that the foods that took his blood sugar into the danger zone should be avoided by someone who is insulin resistant or who has type 2 diabetes. Week 1: Feb 3-10  You can see my week one blood sugar averages as very stable, around 96 mg, with no spikes anywhere.  That first week, I almost gave up measuring as I pretty much eat the same foods every day and I was getting the same spikes every day. Around 9am I eat breakfast (usually Ezekiel bread with peanut butter) and you can see this is typically when my blood sugar spikes the most, around 9am. Since I'm not diabetic, my blood sugar goes back to normal pretty quickly.  Around 12pm I'll have a protein shake with almond milk, (with strawberries, avocado, spinach and fiber) that doesn't spike blood sugar, and usually around 3pm I'll have eggs (sometimes with bacon) with the other avocado half. Everything on my chart was predictable, no surprises, even on the days that I ate some chocolate, something I do when I have writing blocks. Since I'm not diabetic or insulin resistant, small amounts of sugar don't seem to do much to my blood sugar. But look at what happened when I travelled in week 2.  Week 2, I was away from home, and ate something I don't usually eat. Normally, I bring food with me when I travel, as it does save money and time trying to find a place to eat, but this time, it was a quick trip, so I didn't.  Look at the second graph in the show notes and you can see what happened when I was away for the weekend. You will see 2 times my blood sugar rose up. Once with a turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread from a place called Jersey Mikes around 3pm, and again around 9pm that night. I usually follow an eating schedule where I would never eat past 5:30pm at night (intermittent fasting where I don't eat for a 16 hour window, and eat healthy foods in an 8 hour window) but the event we were at ended late, so a group of us decided to order food from a local Thai restaurant. I love Thai food (especially Pad Thai) so that's what I ordered. This meal (that was delicious) but it took my blood sugar way over 200, putting me in the danger zone with this meal. It did stable out in the night, but here's what was interesting for me. Whenever I eat something off my usual plan, I feel starving the next day. It just messes up the whole next day for me, and while it was worth it to sit and enjoy a meal with others, it is good to know what happens to our body when we overload it with high glucose foods.  If you look at the second graph, the next day, my blood sugar kept dipping too low (where it dipped low and was showing red, was when I felt insanely hungry) and it would've been easy to eat something else off the usual menu, showing how one choice can impact the series of choices you make over the next few days. This was eye-opening to me.  Now let's look at the graph of someone who has just crossed the threshold of being diabetic. I didn't even pick a sugary food for this example, which would have obviously spiked blood sugar.  What happens to someone who is diabetic?  “Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood sugar (also called blood glucose) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. When you eat, your body breaks food down into sugar and sends it into the blood. Insulin then helps move the sugar from the blood into your cells.”[xiv]  For a person with diabetes, there is a problem with insulin. But, not everyone with diabetes has the same problem. There are different types of diabetes—type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, your cells make extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time your pancreas can't make enough insulin to keep your blood sugar at normal levels. Type 2 diabetes develops most often in middle-aged and older adults but can appear in young people. WEEK 1 with TYPE 2 DIABETIC PERSON: Week 1 he noticed spikes with foods that were high in carbs (like bread) that stayed high well into the night and only started to come down to normal levels by 9am.  The obvious take-away from this was that for someone who has passed the threshold with diabetes, or in the danger zone that they will eventually need to see the doctor to take medicine to keep their blood sugar levels stable. For some people, diet and exercise could be the answer to regulate blood sugar, but if your blood sugar is staying high, for too long, remember “glucose in the brain is toxic to the brain” and that “elevated blood sugar shrinks the brain” or even that “sugar in the brain looks like Alzheimer's in the brain. If you are insulin resistant or have type 2 diabetes, then knowing how your body reacts to sugar could be the difference between life and death. WEEK 2   Be careful of thinking "I've got this" and make a poor food choice. Here's the graph after eating homemade pizza. A better choice for pizza dough would be cauliflower pizza dough that you can find at your local grocery store that keeps blood sugar levels stable. Once you have seen and felt a blood sugar spike, especially for someone working hard to keep their blood sugar levels stable, this was enough to make this person choose foods that did not cause a blood sugar spike and glucose levels remained under 150. Until they thought “oh I've got this blood sugar thing” and made homemade pizza with store bought dough, you will see this raised his blood sugar well into the danger zone over 200, just like my Pad Thai. REVIEW AND CONCLUSION So taking what we learned from our last episode on the damaging impacts of sugar on the brain, we know that glucose is toxic to the brain, so a person with this data would now need to make a data informed decision to not eat foods that spike their blood sugar.  This is one of those things that's easier said than done. How do you make huge lifestyle changes like this? I think it gets to the point that you'll do it if your life depends on it. Like I remember that math teacher, Sergei with tears in his eyes on the hiking trail. You'll make changes when your doctor tells you loud and clear you have no other option.  Make room for your health or you'll need to make room for your illness.  We will conclude this episode with some tips on how to make actionable changes if you don't know where to begin in your journey towards improved health and well-being. TIP 1: LEARN WHAT FOODS ARE LOW-GLYCEMIC and replace what you used to eat (that spiked your blood sugar) with something else that doesn't. This is going to be the biggest change as I remember looking at Dr. Jacoby and saying, “you mean bananas are high in sugar?” and he said “yes” and handed me a list of low glycemic fruits that included blueberries and raspberries (that Jason Wittrock tested and they kept his blood sugar low).  I found some great resources for low glycemic foods from Dr. Daniel Amen.[xv] TIP 2: DISCOVER THE MEAL PLAN THAT MAKES YOU FEEL THE BEST: There's so many different options and I only chose the meal plan I eat because in my late 20s I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome[xvi] (the most common causes of female infertility) and who would have known that the diet plan that would work the best for me, and completely reverse this health problem, was to eat a diet similar to someone who is diabetic. I bought the PCOS Diet Book[xvii] that surprisingly was written to also help protect someone against diabetes and heart disease. TIP 3: READ LABELS Read Labels and Know How to Identify Sugar to Make Better Choices: It's shocking how many foods have hidden sugars. Did you know “The average American consumes 150 lbs. of sugar a year” (Dr. Amen) This makes sense when there's so many foods labeled as healthy, with hidden sugars added. Making the following changes will change your brain, improve cognition, focus and help lead you towards improved results, and away from diabetes and Alzheimer's Disease. I hope you find these tips as helpful as I did. I only discovered this pathway because I so happened to book an appointment with a doctor who believes that peripheral neuropathy (that numbness I felt in my feet during exercise) is an early sign for what he's seen in his patients over the years… The final thoughts come from Dr. Jacoby, who pleads with us: I'd love to hear what you think of this episode! Do you know how YOUR body responds to sugar? Have you ever measured your glucose levels? This data will help inform many of your decisions related to the foods you will eat. I know I'm going to stick to eating those low glycemic foods that keep my blood sugar levels and hunger levels stable, until I make it back to my hometown in Toronto, where I'll order a Hawaiian slice at the famous Pizza Pizza with extra pineapple, and I'll enjoy every bite of it, because you only live once! I'll see you next week as we revisit EP #119 on “The Key Ingredients of Learning with the Brain in Mind” FOLLOW ANDREA SAMADI:  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AndreaSamadi   Website https://www.achieveit360.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samadi/  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Achieveit360com   Neuroscience Meets SEL Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2975814899101697   Twitter: https://twitter.com/andreasamadi   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreasamadi/  REFERENCES: [i]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #117 “The ‘Damaging Impact of Sugar on the Brain and Body” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-the-damaging-impact-of-sugar-on-the-brain-and-body-with-andrea-samadi/ [ii] https://www.freestyle.abbott/us-en/home.html [iii] Lower carbohydrate and higher fat intakes are associated with higher hemoglobin A1c: findings from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2008-2016 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7413867/ [iv] Sugar Crush: How to Reduce Inflammation, Reverse Nerve Damage and Reclaim Good Health by Dr. Richard Jacoby (April 2014)  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KPVB4OA/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 [v] http://phoenixfootcarenetwork.com/ [vi] Study finds most Americans low in omega-3 fatty acids Published May 24, 2021 by Danielle Masterson https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2021/05/24/Study-finds-most-Americans-low-in-omega-3-fatty-acids-could-impact-mood#:~:text=Subscribe-,Study%20finds%20most%20Americans%20low%20in%20omega,fatty%20acids%2C%20could%20impact%20mood&text=New%20research%20has%20found%20that,on%20the%20US%20Dietary%20Guidelines. [vii] Jason Wittrock https://www.instagram.com/jason.wittrock/?hl=en [viii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #114 on “Building a Faster, Stronger, More Resilient Brain by Understanding Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-building-a-faster-stronger-resilient-brain-by-understanding-brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor-bdnf/ [ix] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast BONUS EPISODE “Review of the Top 5 Health Staples Created for Podbean's Wellness Week” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/bonus-episode-a-deep-dive-into-the-top-5-health-staples-and-review-of-seasons-1-4/ [x] Go Wild: Eat fat, Run Free, Be Social, and Follow Evolution's Other Rules for Total Health and Well-Being by John J. Ratey, MD and Richard Manning (June 3, 2014) https://www.amazon.com/Go-Wild-Free-Afflictions-Civilization-ebook/dp/B00FPQA66C [xi] Dr. David Perlmutter's “Alzheimer's: The Science of Prevention” https://scienceofprevention.com/ [xii] https://www.instagram.com/jason.wittrock/?hl=en [xiii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #94 with Jason Wittrock on “Health, Intermittent Fasting, and the Ketogenic Diet” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/personal-trainer-and-fitness-model-jason-wittrock-on-health-nutrition-intermittent-fasting-and-the-ketogenic-diet/ [xiv] https://diabetes.org/ [xv] 4 Feel Better Food Strategies by Daniel Amen https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/4-feel-better-fast-food-strategies/#:~:text=Most%20vegetables%2C%20legumes%2C%20and%20fruits,blood%20sugar)%20are%20smart%20carbs.[xvii] The PCOS Diet Book by Collette Harris  https://www.amazon.com/PCOS-Diet-Book-nutritional-polycystic/dp/0007131844  

“It is impossible to escape the drumbeat of grim news about Alzheimer's Disease: this it is incurable and largely untreatable, that there is no reliable way to prevent it, and that the disease has for decades beaten the world's best neuroscientists.” This is an excerpt from Dr. Dale Bredesen's book, The End of Alzheimer's: The First Program to Prevent and Reverse Cognitive Decline. On today's Episode #274 we will cover ✔ A review of EPISODE #114 where we covered a thorough overview of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) and what we should all understand about this protein and its benefits to the brain. ✔How BDNF is reduced in the brain of someone who has developed Alzheimer's Disease. ✔A look at an internationally recognized expert in the mechanisms of degenerative disease, Dr. Dale Bredesen and his book The End of Alzheimer's to take the "fear" out of this disease. ✔ A look back to the Top 5 Health Staples we created after watching Dr. David Perlmutter's Alzheimer's The Science of Prevention Documentary. ✔ An overview of Dr. Dale Bredesen's Protocol where he is seeing significant results with his patients who shows signs of cognitive impairment. ✔A plan for us to think about the prevention of this debilitating disease.    If American Psychiatrist and brain disorder specialist, Dr. Daniel Amen says that “Alzheimer's is a lifestyle disease”[i] and innovator in medicine, Dr. Dale Bredesen, with over 30 patents in his name, comes up with a protocol to prevent and reverse cognitive decline, you'd better believe I'm going to feature these important findings in the field of neuroscience on this podcast.  If I see anything that could possibly change the course of our lives, improving it in any way, I'll share what I'm learning with you here on The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast. It's here where we bridge the gap between theory and practice, with strategies, tools and ideas we can all use immediately, applied to the most current brain research with the goal of heightening productivity in our schools, sports environments and modern workplaces. For returning guests, welcome back, and for those who are new listeners, I'm Andrea Samadi and launched this podcast almost 4 years ago, to share how important an understanding of our brain is for our everyday life and results.  This season (Season 9) we will be focused on Neuroscience: Going Back to the Basics as we revisit our past Brain Fact Fridays, narrowing in on how anything new from the field of neuroscience (that I've seen since releasing those earlier episodes) can be tied to improving our productivity, our results, or our mental and physical health. My hopes are that this review will help us to become better prepared to move forward, with a healthier, stronger version of ourselves, as we move towards our goals, or whatever it is that we are working on this year, with this strong foundation and understanding of our brain in place. This week, we will look back to our third Brain Fact Friday and episode #114 [ii] on “Building a Faster, Stronger, More Resilient Brain by Understanding Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF.” My goal with this episode is that if anyone asks you “what do you know about Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor” that you would have a clear answer with what we covered on this past episode, (what it is, why it's important for us to know about) and anything new that we will uncover today that will act as a check for us to see if we really are building a faster, stronger and more resilient brain. On our last episode we covered: ✔What BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) is and what are its benefits to the brain. ✔What we should all understand about BDNF with Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and how our brain learns. ✔The Connection Between Exercise, Nutrition and BDNF ✔ Why Putting the Body Under Stress is a Good Thing. ✔Sleep, Stress and the BDNF Factor. If you want to revisit this past episode, you can click on the link in the show notes, and review the basics of BDNF, a protein that's found in the brain and other parts of the body “involved in plastic changes related to learning and memory[iii] and higher-level cognitive abilities. This signaling protein is the reason why we can sit at our desk with a heightened sense of focus and concentration, after we exercise. It's what Dr. Ratey from EPISODE #116[iv]  on The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain taught us when he said that “movement places demands on the brain, just as it does on muscle, and so the brain releases BDNF which triggers the growth of cells to meet the increased mental demands of movement”[v] and the whole brain benefits from this movement. ON THIS PAST EPISODE, WE LEARNED THE BENEFITS OF BDNF BDNF helps with learning, memory, or other higher-level thinking. It grows new neurons and synapses in the brain while also supporting the survival of existing neurons. It increases neurogenesis (the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain) and can help to heal our brain after a traumatic brain injury.[vi] WHAT WE SHOULD KNOW AND UNDERSTAND ABOUT BDNF ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE? BDNF is reduced in the brain of someone who has developed Alzheimer's Disease[vii] and Parkinson's Disease[viii] and explains why someone with Alzheimer's has their memory weakened. Now that we have reviewed what we learned from March 2021, I wonder what else there is about this protein found in the brain and spinal cord that promotes the survival of nerve cells (neurons) that could help all of us with our overall health and well-being and I found something important since that first episode 2 years ago.  For today's episode, #274, we will be looking at the work of Dr. Dale Bredesen, to see if we can take our health and wellness to new heights. The goal of this episode is to take the “fear” out of Alzheimer's Disease, as we gain some understanding about it. While there is no known cure for Alzheimer's Disease, I want to share with you what Dr. Dale Bredesen has discovered, as “the first person to reverse Alzheimer's Disease in people, not just with experiments with mice in the lab.”[ix] About Dr. Dale Bredesen I first came across his work on Dr. Perlmutter's Alzheimer's The Science of Prevention Documentary that we covered when our podcast took a turn towards health and wellness in 2020. After this documentary, we created our Top 5 Health Staples with tips for how they can prevent Alzheimer's Disease and featured these tips on EPISODE #87.[x] While health and wellness have always been important to me on a person level, this episode opened up many doors for me when I was asked to speak on the topic of health and wellness after this episode. I'm not an expert here, (my schooling began in the field of education) but I do take all of these Top 5 health staples seriously, enough to spend any free time I have researching how we can all improve our health and wellness, and share what I'm learning with you here on the podcast. I do believe that when you walk your talk, and believe in whatever it is that you are doing, that this curiosity for improvement become contagious, especially if whatever it is you are doing is yielding results. Who wouldn't want to know what's working for others, and see how they can apply it to their own life?  I've asked health experts over the years on this podcast, what they think is missing from my list of health staples, and the one thing they've said, if I can recall my conversation with Dr. Brian Stenzler, from EPISODE #178[xi] on “Dream Wellness: Taking Your Mental and Physical Health to New Heights” is to include something about reducing stress. REVIEW of the TOP 5 HEALTH STAPLES I highly recommend that everyone picks up Dr. Bredesen's book, The End of Alzheimer's as he has created a pro-active approach to this disease that we “fear like no other disease.” (Dr. Bredesen). Dr. Bredesen, an internationally recognized expert in the mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, has been guided by a simple idea in his career: that Alzheimer's as we know it is not just preventable, but reversible. His dedicated pursuit of the science that makes this a reality has placed him at the vanguard of neurological research and led to the discoveries that define his Protocol™ that you will see throughout the pages of his book. Instead of the old-fashioned, outdated approach to health and wellness, where we wait for symptoms to occur, and then we go to the doctor where we will be told “there's no known cure for this, but here's a drug you can take that may or may not provide relief of the symptoms you are having” why not think like Dr. Daniel Amen, (that this is a lifestyle disease) and Dr. Bredesen, that this disease is preventable (for those don't currently have symptoms) and reversible (if you do). If you follow Dr. Bredesen's work, you will see he is a humble man, who has seen this eye-opening improvement in his patients over the years, who followed his “Bredesen 7 Protocol.” He said that in his most recent study, that “84% of his participants who were in Phase 3 of having symptoms (showing mild cognitive impairment-or people who had symptoms that were quite far along) that things improved significantly with his protocol.”[xii] WHAT IS THE BREDESEN 7? Dr. Bredesen believes that Alzheimer's is a “network insufficiency” that occurs when parts of our brain are not functioning optimally. He says we need “Mitochondrial function (the energy powerhouse in our cells), growth factor support, BDNF, (the focus of this episode) blood flow, oxygen and ketone levels”[xiii] and if you look at the diagram in the show notes, his health staples, or his trademarked protocol include nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress reduction, brain stimulation, detoxing the body, and supplements. You can read more about the importance of each of these 7 protocols on his website. For today's episode, my hope was that if at any given time, if we are asked “what are you doing for YOUR cognitive health?” that we all have a thorough answer, using our deep and thorough understanding of this protein, BDNF that: BDNF helps with learning, memory, or other higher-level thinking. It grows new neurons and synapses in the brain while also supporting the survival of existing neurons. It increases neurogenesis (the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain) and can help to heal our brain after a traumatic brain injury. BDNF is reduced in the brain of someone who has developed Alzheimer's Disease[xiv] and Parkinson's Disease[xv] and explains why someone with Alzheimer's has their memory weakened.  Since this disease is preventable, I wanted us to think about this. Here's a passionate and heartfelt excerpt from The End of Alzheimer's: If anyone has seen this first hand, Dr. Bredesen's description of this disease will resonate as very true. REVIEW AND CONCLUSION So now that we know that BDNF is reduced in someone with Alzheimer's Disease, and we've seen Dr. Bredesen's work where he's been able to prevent AND reverse cognitive decline in those who have come to see him, I think that understanding our TOP HEALTH STAPLES with our brain in mind should include a clear understanding of what BDNF is, and why it's important for our mental and physical health as we age. Dr. Bredesen gives a good analogy of our brain to a computer, that over time begins to slow down in performance when it runs out of space. Like a computer, we can keep our brain healthy, by doing what we can to prevent this debilitating disease, and like Dr. Daniel Amen said, “it's a lifestyle disease.” By no means is this episode here to say that these tips will cure you if you've noticed cognitive decline in yourself, or someone else, the point of this episode is to direct us all to what we can do today to build a stronger, healthier and more resilient brain, even as we age. We can all tell when our brain isn't as sharp as it used to be. I noticed it very clearly while interviewing guests on this podcast. It takes a very clear mind to be able to recall details of past episodes, or book names, or what the book was about, or even the person's name that I'm speaking with. Every detail matters, and when I noticed a lack of clarity this past summer, I knew it was time to tighten up my own health protocol and take things to a new level. What about you? What have you noticed with your ability to think clearly, or recall information on a daily basis? If you look at the Bredesen 7 Protocol can you see areas you would like to improve? We don't need to change everything all at once, one small step at a time can make a huge difference, but the first step, I think is to take a solid inventory of ourselves, and notice if something needs to change. To conclude this week's Brain Fact Friday, on our review of BDNF, my suggestion is that we all take note in ways that we can increase BDNF. PUTTING THE BREDESEN 7 INTO PRACTICE FOR IMPROVED COGNITION: Dr. Dale Bredesen, who was the first person to reverse Alzheimer's in humans (not just mice) has come up with his “Bredesen 7” that includes strategies similar to the Top 5 health staples we've been covering on this podcast the past few years. I'll leave you with some final thoughts of where to begin. Look at the diagram in the show notes, and think: Are there areas here that you can improve? If your life depended on it, would that be enough to motivate you to try something new? Pick one area that you will work on and create a plan to SHIFT this one area. If it's nutrition, what can you do to support your cognitive health with the food you are eating?  For exercise, what can you do to move more every day? I just read the other day that “sitting is the new smoking”[xvi] and that over 25% of American adults site for more than eight hours every day, with 44% of these people getting little or no exercise. How are you reducing stress? I use exercise and meditation as ways to reduce stress. Sleep is always something I'm personally working on improving, and so far, I've not mastered this one yet, unless I'm on vacation. For mental stimulation, one of the reasons I don't ever plan on giving up on this podcast, even when time is more limited, is for the fact that I know writing and recording these episodes keeps my brain mentally active. One area that surprised me while researching over the years was with the detox section, and it's not just about be careful what you put into your body, but also thinking about our oral health. Brushing our teeth and flossing is actually good for our brain. I learned this one from Dr. Daniel Amen[xvii] who is the first to share how proud he is with his excellent oral hygiene.  Supplements are another interesting area to pay attention to, and while I do take certain ones every day, this is something that would be individual to everyone's needs. I'll put a link to a recent podcast episode from Dr. Andrew Huberman that he did on a Deep Dive into Supplements, what to take and why.[xviii] I hope this episode has made you think about your brain in a new light. Like our computer needs the right amount of memory to work properly, so does our body, that's driven by our brain, and the hope that I'd like to provide is that it's not too late for any of us to make changes if you've gone off track, and notice your memory is not as sharp as it used to be. I made some very small and simple shifts last summer that yielded huge results, and know it just takes the will to find a new and improved way. And with that, we'll close out today's episode, and will see you next week as we revisit one of my all-time favorite episodes on “The Damaging Impacts of Sugar on the Brain and Body.”[xix] This next one is going to be good! See you next week. FOLLOW ANDREA SAMADI:  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AndreaSamadi   Website https://www.achieveit360.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samadi/  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Achieveit360com   Neuroscience Meets SEL Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2975814899101697   Twitter: https://twitter.com/andreasamadi   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreasamadi/  RESOURCES: The Bredesen 7 Protocol https://www.apollohealthco.com/simplifying-the-bredesen-protocol/ REFERENCES: [i] Alzheimer's is a Lifestyle Disease by Dr. Daniel Amen Published Nov. 3, 2021 https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/alzheimers-is-a-lifestyle-disease/ [ii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #114 on “Building a Faster, Stronger, More Resilient Brain by Understanding Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor or BDNF”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-building-a-faster-stronger-resilient-brain-by-understanding-brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor-bdnf/ [iii] Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Key Molecule for Memory in the Healthy and Pathological Brain (August 07, 2019) by Magdalena Miranda, Juan Facundo Morici, Maria Belen Zanoni, and Pedro Bekinschtein https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2019.00363/full [iv]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE#116 with Dr. John Ratey on “The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/best-selling-author-john-j-ratey-md-on-the-revolutionary-new-science-of-exercise-and-the-brain/ [v] Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor: A Key Molecule for Memory in the Healthy and Pathological Brain (August 07, 2019) by Magdalena Miranda, Juan Facundo Morici, Maria Belen Zanoni, and Pedro Bekinschtein https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2019.00363/full [vi] Therapeutic potential of BDNF Published Jan. 2017 by Mary Wurzelmann, Jennifer Romeika, Dong Sun https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28250730/ [vii] BDNF ameliorates learning deficits in a rat model of Alzheimer's https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25849905/ [viii] Relationship of circulatory BDNF with cognitive deficits in people with Parkinson's disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26944151/ [ix] Peggy Sarlin's Brain Health Breakthroughs, Awakening from Alzheimer's https://brainhealthbreakthroughs.com/registered/ [x]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #87 on “The Top 5 Brain Health and Alzheimer's Prevention Strategies”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/do-you-know-the-top-5-brain-health-and-alzheimers-prevention-strategies-with-andrea-samadi/ [xi] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #178 with Dr. Brian Stenzler on“Dream Wellness: Taking Your Mental and Physical Health to New Heights”   https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/dr-brian-stenzler-on-dream-wellness-taking-your-mental-and-physical-health-to-new-heights/ [xii] Peggy Sarlin's Brain Health Breakthroughs, Awakening from Alzheimer's https://brainhealthbreakthroughs.com/registered/ [xiii] IBID [xiv] BDNF ameliorates learning deficits in a rat model of Alzheimer's https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25849905/ [xv] Relationship of circulatory BDNF with cognitive deficits in people with Parkinson's disease https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26944151/ [xvi] Sitting is the New Smoking by Hannah, August 10, 2019  https://theheartfoundation.org/2019/08/10/is-sitting-the-new-smoking/ [xvii] Here's Why Flossing is So Important For Your Health by Keith Rowe for Dr. Amen's Brain MD https://brainmd.com/blog/benefits-of-flossing-for-gum-health/ [xviii] Dr. Andrew Huberman Supplements: Full List, Deep Dive into What and Why https://fastlifehacks.com/andrew-huberman-supplements-list/ [xix]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #117 on “The Damaging Impact of Sugar on the Brain and Body”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-the-damaging-impact-of-sugar-on-the-brain-and-body-with-andrea-samadi/  

John Prendergast - In Touch Książki, które były prezentowane w cyklu Niewidzialne książki i które doczekały się polskiego wydania: 1. Niewidzialne książki #11: J. Ratey, Spark Ćwiczenia fizyczne a mózg - John J. Ratey Wydawnictwo: Vital, Data wydania: 2022-05-05 2. Niewidzialne książki #27: J. Webb, Running on Empty Wypełnić pustkę. Pokonaj skutki zaniedbania emocjonalnego z dzieciństwa - Jonice Webb, Christine Musello Wydawnictwo: Zwierciadło, Data premiery: 26.10.2022r. 3. Niewidzialne książki #30: C. Hammond, The Art of Rest Sztuka odpoczynku. Jak znaleźć wytchnienie w dzisiejszych czasach - Claudia Hammond Wydawnictwo: Czarna Owca, data wydania: 01.09.2021 4. Niewidzialne książki #34: Ch. Niebauer, No Self, No Problem Neuronauka a buddyzm. Realne życie czy jego iluzja? - Chris Niebauer Wydawnictwo: Studio Astropsychologii, Data wydania: 2021-06-04 5. Niewidzialne książki #35: E. Kross, Chatter Intuicja. Wewnętrzny głos - dlaczego ma znaczenie - Ethan Kross Wydawnictwo: Muza SA, Data wydania: 2021-04-28 6. Niewidzialne książki #50: A. Moorjani, Sensitive Is The New Strong Wrażliwość daje siłę - Anita Moorjani Wydawnictwo: Studio Astropsychologii, Data wydania: 2022-04-25 7. Niewidzialne książki #54: D. Kahneman, O. Sibony, C. R. Sunstein, Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment Szum, czyli skąd się biorą błędy w naszych decyzjach - Daniel Kanehman, Olivier Sibony, Cass R. Sunstein Wydawnictwo: Media Rodzina, Data wydania: 2022-04-01 8. Niewidzialne książki #57: Anna Lembke - Dopamine Nation Niewolnicy dopaminy. Jak odnaleźć równowagę w epoce obfitości - Anna Lembke Wydawnictwo: Zysk i S-ka, Data wydania: 2023-01-31 (zapowiedź) 9. Niewidzialne książki #59: N. G. Tawwab, Set Boundaries, Find Peace Dbałość. O komunikowaniu swoich potrzeb, stawianiu granic i wolności bycia sobą - Nedra Glover Tawwab Wydawnictwo: Muza, Data wydania: 2022-09-14 10. Niewidzialne książki #60: E. Jorgenson, The Almanack of Naval Ravikant Almanach Navala Ravikanta. Przewodnik do bogactwa i szczęścia - Eric Jorgenson Wydawnictwo: FREEDOM PUBLISHING, Data wydania: 2022-12-05 11. Niewidzialne książki #61: R. Holiday, Stillness is the Key Umysł niewzruszony. W szkole mistrzów - Ryan Holiday Wydawnictwo: Onepress, Data wydania: 2022-01-12 12. Niewidzialne książki: #74: Anthony De Mello, Stop Fixing Yourself Przestań siebie naprawiać - Anthony de Mello Wydawnictwo: Zysk i S-ka, Data wydania: 2022-05-04 13. Niewidzialne książki: #79: Sophie Mort - A Manual For Being Human Czułość. Poradnik pozytywnego egoizmu - Sophie Mort Wydawnictwo: Wielka Litera, Data wydania: 2022-01-26 Dziękuję:-) Jarosław Gibas

Flex Friday Season 3 Finale!Our top 2 episodes of Flex Friday in the last year!Video version of Flex Fridays HERE:https://betterdaily.disciplemedia.com/hashtag/flexfriday"Pull-Up Tutorial"Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6No4Tz9hNGsspyemURgLTd?si=5oE6L4LJQGe0OvtqkBePUgApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-e5-how-to-do-a-pull-up/id1589783125?i=1000538680274"High Intensity Interval Training"Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/21wCfyuQgHWwLOPnOwtId9?si=vApKph6nSw292idERGav4QApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s1-e100-high-intensity-training/id1589783125?i=1000552920175Music in Intro and Outro used with permission: "Doves" by We Are All Astronautshttps://www.weareallastronauts.net/

MOJO Minute #149 brings us one of the most powerful insights we have covered from these books.    In 2008, Dr. John Ratey wrote Spark:  The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.   Thank you Dr.  Ratey for sharing these nuggets with us!It's pretty cool!!Key Points from the Episode:Recap of our earlier MM#54  on this very subject and book, Balancing of the brain is important and how to do it naturallyWhat is BDNF and why does it matter?Other resources:Get our top book recommendations listWant to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly, thank you so much!Because we care what you think about what we think and our website, please email David@teammojoacademy.com, or if you want to leave us a quick FREE, painless voicemail, we would appreciate that as well.Be sure to check out our very affordable Academy Review membership program at http:www.teammojoacademy.com/support

Welcome back to The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we cover the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning (for schools) and emotional intelligence training (in the workplace) with tools, ideas and strategies that we can all use for increased results. I'm Andrea Samadi, and launched this podcast to share how important an understanding of our brain is for our everyday life and results--whether we are a teacher in the classroom, or in the modern workplace, and release content to help all of us, specifically on the topics of health, wellbeing and productivity. This weekend, I heard a message from New York Times Best Selling author of the book, High Performance Habits, Brendon Burchard[i], that got me thinking about where we are right now in the world today. He said that while there might have been times during the Pandemic where we laid low, or held back in protective mode, the pendulum has swung the other way now, and that there is a high need for us ALL to be “more productive as a nation”[ii]  as we enter this next phase of the economy, and showing up with our A-game is not just timely, but crucial. I know that listeners of this podcast are high performing, with learning new things at the top of your list, so with this in mind, for today's EPISODE #233, I wanted to go back and review our TOP 12 Most viewed YouTube Video Interviews, as chosen by you, the listener, so we can all go back to the basics, and review some of the most important lessons learned on this podcast, since we launched just over 3 years ago. I used to love listening to radio icon, Casey Kasem's American Top 40[iii] back in the 1980s on my clock radio when I was in high school, where he would leave you in suspense as he counted backwards, to the #1 song, but for this countdown, I will start with our #1 most listened to episode, with something I remember about each one, or the speaker, and a link that we can all use to revisit, and “Sharpen our Saw”[iv] as Dr. Stephen Covey would say, as we can go back and review these most listened to episodes with the 7th Habit. Since I keep an eye on the numbers of this podcast, whether it's with the audio interviews, or video, I thought it was interesting that the Top 10 list holds 8/10 people who were in our early interviews, or the 1st 100 interviews, with 2 people who came in later, and rose to the top. While I think ALL interviews hold important lessons, let's begin with our Top 12. Let the Countdown Begin… The #1 most watched interview, is our first interview with Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey, EPISODE #77 on “Developing and Delivering High Quality, Distance Learning”[v] that we can all remember came right as parents and teachers were thrown unexpectedly into the world of online learning. Watch this interview by clicking here https://youtu.be/7nLe3P50j4Q and review their tips to help all of us succeed in this every changing world. Don't miss their return to the podcast for EPISODE #161 with their new book with John Almarode, “How Learning Works”[vi] where they tie learning and the brain What I will never forget with both these interviews is the timing of them. I'm sure no one will ever forget just how disastrous it was bringing our children to at home learning, and by the time we got to revisit everyone, for EPISODE 161, we were right in the middle of the Pandemic, and I remember in the second interview, we ALL had terrible colds. None of us cancelled this interview, that we did at 6am PST but we all said prayers for family members who were struggling with COVID, and we covered the content, using all of our energy to do so. I do receive emails about 2 two specific interviews from Education Departments in different parts of the country who ask if they can use them as models for their students on best practices for interviewing as well as for the content provided, which brings me to think about the fact that regardless of how we are feeling before we have to present something, “A Pro is at their best, regardless.” (Bob Proctor).   The second most watched interview was with Howard Berg, The World's Fastest Reader, with over a 90% comprehension rate on “Simple and Easy Strategies to Improve Reading, Comprehension and Recall.” Watch this interview here https://youtu.be/Al0B6HzxtEk This was such a fun interview, as Howard is an incredible teacher who I had no idea was like me, a former swimming teacher who learned about the importance of the student “wanting to learn” to swim that he translated into learning years later. I had met Howard years before I asked him to do this interview, and followed his work, using one of his speed reading strategies with my youngest daughter to help her to stay focused with reading. (It's a common strategy of putting your finger on the page while you are reading, but Howard can show you that this practice can significantly improve reading speed and comprehension with many other important tips to improve memory and learning, that I think includes using humor to engage your students. The third most watch interview is with Suzanne Gundersen on “The Polyvagal Theory in Practice” that you can watch here https://youtu.be/WCFrygUG-UI Understanding the Polyvagal Theory, and how our body shifts between rest and digest, fight or flight and total shut down became important for educators in the classroom to understand the states of minds of their students, and why they were acting certain ways, with strategies that can be used to calm down a student who might be struggling. I'm not going to skip this bit of feedback that you can read in the comment section of this interview, because it's important that when we receive constructive criticism that we hear it. This interview on stress reduction, I do hear often “why did you choose that hyper music for a stress-reducing interview?” The answer is pretty simple, I try not to be defensive, and hear the criticism, so I can take it in to learn and improve, but I honestly had no idea what music to use when I first started out. I can see now that I should have chosen a calmer selection of music for this interview.  We are all learning together here.  The 4th most watch interview is with Dawson Church on his Bliss Brain Book and Daily Meditations. Watch the interview here https://youtu.be/bH8yVKHjFN4 While I still use Dawson Church's meditations EVERY morning, that you can access through his book, I really could have used them in the interview when my landscapers came, and my dog Nitro went cray, barking for what felt like an eternity.  Dr. Church was a pro and explained “The Neuroscience Behind Remodeling our Brain for Happiness, Resilience and Joy” without skipping a beat. When this happened, I could see his calm brain in action, and it really did show from my end, knowing there was a lot of noise that I did cut out.  The fifth most watched interview is about Dr. Anna Lembke's popular book, “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence” where she takes us through the fact that “we are all running from something” and looking at where we are out of balance using her strategies to help tip us back to balance, towards increased energy and productivity. I had to reach out to Dr. Lembke after seeing her on Dr. Huberman's podcast, and she continues to show up on podcasts in my stream to this day, as this topic isn't losing its importance. Watch this interview here https://youtu.be/5Pu82wZRZwo What I loved about this interview was that she was all about “finding balance” and explained how it was possible to do this. She shared that we don't need to give up those things that we love, but take a break from them, and you will notice a brain reset in the process. In 6th place, we have Dr. David Sousa with his series “How the Brain Learns” that was handed to me from an educator over 8 years ago, who urged me to go in the direction of neuroscience. Dr. Sousa's series that's now in its 5th edition, is one of the books I picked up when first beginning to understand how our brain learns to read, do math, how the ELL brain learns, or the special needs brain learns—each book explains the science behind learning and the brain. Watch our first interview here for EPISODE #78 https://youtu.be/4welQLkKm5I and then review our second interview when this book went into Its 5th edition here https://youtu.be/148InRAxFts In 7th place, we have Marc Brackett with his early interview, EPISODE #22 on his book, Permission to Feel that you can watch here https://youtu.be/CeOzi8ZrFO4. I still follow Marc's inspiring work, but what I love seeing the most is when someone's work comes full circle. If you follow Marc on Instagram, you would have seen the post about his niece, Esme, who recently graduated from high school, and Marc posted a beautiful photo of the two of them, and wrote that he hopes that he is “as good an uncle to her as her grandfather (Marc's Uncle Marvin who inspired his work) was to him.” (Marc Brackett). When I think of the thousands of schools using Marc's Ruler approach, and the mark he's made on the world, I can't even begin to imagine how much he's inspired this young lady. I might just have to find her, and interview her to find out! Licensed and board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) Jessica Minahan comes in 8th with her book “The Behavior Code” that helps us to all understand and teach the most challenging students. Jessica's work was referred to me by Greg Wolcott, who we have interviewed on this podcast, twice, and Greg often sends over ideas and suggestions for speakers to feature. I wish I knew about The Behavior Code when I was a first-year teacher, facing a classroom filled with behavioral students. You can watch this interview here https://youtu.be/oQqFN110gMM  Mark Robert Waldman, comes in 9th with EPISODE #30 on “Brain-Based Experiential Learning and Living” where Mark began exploring the importance of mindfulness with creativity, and productivity that I learned first-hand in his Neurocoaching Certifcation Program, (that took me 2 years to complete). His program is the ONLY program led by University faculty who are currently doing peer- reviewed brain-scan research in the field of Network Neuroscience. If you watch this interview, you will see how Mark loves teaching everyone how to maximize our brain power for improved results, when it comes to money, happiness and success. He is now working on a new book with Andy Newberg, MD. On “Balancing Your Default Mode Network” Watch our interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54bmB6_gPGc  The 10th spot goes to Todd Woodcroft who at the time was an Assistant Coach with the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL. He's since moved up to a Head Coach Position with D1 Men's College Hockey, but if you follow his work, you would see that he still remains closely tied with the NHL, male and female player development as well as youth development. Our interview on “Embracing the Daily Grind in the NHL” is applicable for all of us, whether we are a teacher in the classroom, a coach, or working in the corporate world, as he makes a strong case for the daily habits that are embraced, not feared at the pro sports level. What's interesting with this interview, is that it's another case of things coming full circle, as many of the people Todd mentions in this interview (2 years ago), or who he worked with, have now moved forward in their career, using these principles, including himself, which to me shows that there is a science to success. When we “embracing the daily grind” or do things a certain way, we can attain predictable results. Watch this interview here https://youtu.be/uNFT4-Yg_kI  Kelly Roman comes in at #11 with our interview on the Fisher Wallace wearable medical device that combats insomnia, anxiety and depression. I just released EPISODE 231[vii] where I recap my personal review of this device that I didn't even know existed until interviewing Kelly Roman. You can watch our interview here https://youtu.be/jCtbngfXoYg that Kelly says is his all-time favorite interview. I think it's neat to look back to this interview, when I had no idea that a device like this even existed, to see my personal review that improved my sleep by much more the gold standard of 20 minutes each night. When I wrote this review of the device, I began getting emails about my experience, and whether I still use the device, leading me to release that recent update, sharing that I still do in fact use the Fisher Wallace device to keep my WASO scores low, and now that I know it increases serotonin, I'm sure it does help my mood to be more even keeled and worry less about life's usual stressors.  John Ratey, MD comes in 12th on our countdown with our interview #116 on “The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.” You can watch this interview here https://youtu.be/ZTa1zwpQcxQ  for a reminder of how important moving our body is for the proper functioning of our brain.  When I reviewed Dr. Ratey's interview, I was reminded of the intense research I do on each guest. I'm not sure where I read that Dr. Ratey spent some time as a Zen Monk, but I think it was something he hadn't thought about for some time. I often refer back to Dr. Ratey's interview where I first began to make the connection with the importance of exercise for learning and retention.  I could keep counting down and reviewing the Top 40, like Kasey Casem's Show, but I would be here writing all night.  To close out today's EPISODE #233, I wanted to go back to what I heard Brendon Burchard mention over the weekend, with the importance of ramping up our learning, and that we must become more productive as a nation. It's not the time to shrink back, and be protective, but lean forward, review our goals, notice what's working, and what isn't, “Sharpen Our Saw” and then move forward with everything that we've got. I hope that reviewing our TOP 12 most watched interviews gives you some ideas to gain more clarity and perspective with whatever it is that you are working on, raising your ambition to do just a bit more, and show up, with you're A game for a strong last half of 2022. I'll see you in a few days. :)   REFERENCES: [i] www.Brendon.com [ii] Brendon Burchard on “What to focus on as we enter this next phase of the economy.” https://www.growthday.com/iphone2 [iii] https://www.iheart.com/live/classic-american-top-40-6545/ [iv]The 7th Habit https://www.franklincovey.com/habit-7/#:~:text=Sharpen%20the%20Saw%20means%20preserving,emotional%2C%20mental%2C%20and%20spiritual. [v] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #77 Douglas Fisher and Nancy Frey, EPISODE #77 on “Developing and Delivering High Quality, Distance Learning.” https://youtu.be/7nLe3P50j4Q [vi] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #171 Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey and John Almarode on Their New Playbook "How Learning Works"https://youtu.be/1Zw3E1OZnl4 [vii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #231 https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/update-one-year-later-on-my-personal-review-of-the-fisher-wallace-wearable-sleep-device-for-anxiety-depression-and-sleep-management/    

Time to get super sciency about our ADHD! In this episode, Karen talks about Hallowell and Ratey's description of what they call the “glitchy switch” of ADHD, which is a dysfunction between the default mode network (DMN) and the task processing network (TPN). Karen describes her experience of having a glitchy switch and how naming and noticing that helps her to recover. Visit theadhdgallery.com for show notes and transcripts.

Did you know that “the shorter we sleep, the shorter our life will be?[i]” Professor Matthew Walker, The New Science of Sleep and Dreams On this episode you will learn: ✔︎  A review of the importance of sleep on our physical and mental health. ✔︎ How lack of sleep attacks the memory centers of our brain. ✔︎ 2 science-based strategies to improve memory and never forget anything ever again. ✔︎ Tips for how to use these strategies in your life for improved results. Have you ever said, “I'll sleep when I'm dead” or pushed through your work possibly doing an all-nighter, thinking that you'll catch up over the weekend? The most current research shows that this is a really bad idea, as Matthew Walker, the author of the book, Why We Sleep, tells us that “lack of sleep attacks the hippocampus (where memory and learning take place) and increases the risk for various forms of cancer.”[ii]  We have covered the importance of sleep on this podcast in many different places, including a BONUS episode in December 2020 where we talked about sleep as one of The Top 5 Health Staples[iii] we should all pay attention to, but Professor Matthew Walker reminds us that “as we are getting older, our learning and memory abilities fade and decline...and that a physiological signature of aging is that our sleep gets worse” which contributes to cognitive or memory decline. I don't know about you, but as I'm going through the next 50+ years of my life, I'd like to have a sharp memory, in addition to a healthy body that can help me to do the things I want to do with work and family and when I find something that's NEW and INTERESTING, I will share it with you, wherever you might be listening to this podcast, so it can help you in your personal and professional life. My hope is that today's Brain Fact Friday makes us all think about how we can improve our sleep, memory and overall health as I share the most current research, and how I'm applying it for improved results and productivity. We are now nearing the end of Season 7 of the podcast on “Brain Health and Well-Being” and will begin Season 8 in June, on “Brain Health and Learning.” Having a theme for each season helps me to stay focused on the guests we bring on, as well as the questions I ask them. If there is a topic of interest to you, please send me a message[iv] and let me know. Today we are going to take a deeper look at the importance of sleep on our learning, memory and overall health, as we prepare to speak with the world's leading expert on sleep paralysis, Dr. Baland Jalal, from Harvard University, who will help us to connect the brain to some of our weirdest sleep experiences, with the hopes that this connection can help us to all learn something new, and perhaps use some new strategies to make sleep a priority that will in turn improve our memory and learning in our waking hours. While researching for our next interview with Dr. Baland Jalal[v], I've been looking at what some of the leading experts have discovered about our dreams and sleep. I did explore what I was learning on EPISODE #211 on “The Neuroscience of Dreams: Expanding Our Self-Awareness”[vi] to open up the door for this interview and always want to remind everyone of EPISODE #104 with Antonio Zadra on “When Brains Dream”[vii] but today I want to highlight how our sleep is important for learning and memory consolidation, hoping the Dr. Jalal will deepen our understanding of our dream world, take some of the mystery out of what happens to our brain during sleep, and bring some strategies to the forefront that we can use to improve our productivity in the 16 hours of our waking day. So Why is Sleep So Important and Critical to Look at For Our Health, Well-Being and Productivity? Professor and Neuroscientist Matthew Walker, from the University of California, reveals a recent study with adults who got 6 hours of sleep vs 8 hours, and they noticed that in the “6 hours of sleep group, that certain genes were turned off (the immunity genes)” that we all need to fight against disease and viruses, and the genes that were turned on were the genes that produced tumors in the body. We've all heard of how important sleep is, and how it's nonnegotiable for our health, but this study put sleep back on the map for me to keep investigating to see how else it can be improved. After our interview with Dr. Jalal, I hope to show how our dream time can benefit our wake time, and how we can use our sleep time for improved creativity, focus and productivity while we are working/awake. Since lack of sleep “attacks the hippocampus” of the brain, where our memories are first formed, and then consolidated from short-term to long-term memory, I wanted to share some strategies where our memories can be strengthened, with or without a good night of sleep. I share these 2 strategies with you, as I recently had to draw on them, and then while listening to Stanford Professor and Neuroscientist, Dr. Andrew Huberman's most recent podcast, on Understanding and Improving Memory[viii], I made some connections to the memory building techniques I've been using, while Dr. Huberman showed how science proves these strategies grounded in science. If what Matthew Walker says is true, and that as I'm getting older, my learning and memory abilities are fading and declining, it would make sense to me to find some ways to strengthen my memories to prevent this from occurring. Last week, the day before interviewing Dr. Marie Gervais, for EPISODE #214[ix] something weird happened and I lost the questions for our interview. The good thing is that it was the day before the interview, so I had time to recreate them, but what was interesting is that I relied on my memory to do this quicker than if I had to start from scratch. While I know I don't have a photographic memory, where I could remember every word by detail, after listening to Dr. Andrew Huberman's podcast on Improving Memory with Science Based Tools, I could see how science really helped me in this situation. USING SCIENCE TO STRENGTHEN OUR MEMORIES   TIP #1 Taking a Mental Snapshot in Your Mind. Until I heard Dr. Huberman talking about this as an effective, science-backed method for improving our memory, I wouldn't have believed it myself, even though I do this all the time. He drew on a research article about Photographic Memory[x] where he explained it's not in the sense of remembering every word of writing on a page (like some people can do) but a bit different—something he has been doing since he was a young kid, and something I've done since I was young as well. It's when we take either an actual or mental photograph of something we want to remember, and the research says that if it's something we choose to remember ourselves (it's volitional) then our memory of this snapshot is enhanced, and even if we delete the actual photograph, if we took one, that we should still be able to recall every detail in the image, from our mind, for years to come. HOW TO USE THIS IN YOUR DAILY LIFE I thought about this example with recreating my questions for Dr. Gervais. Because I was in an emotional state while reading her book, and creating her questions, you would think this is what helped me to remember them when I had to recreate them (because her book The Spirit of Work was all about connecting to her at the soul level). I had the research, and went through each point, and remembered where the questions came from, but the places I could remember the questions clearly, were the ones that were connected to images I had seen (whether on social media) or somewhere that I remember thinking “yes, this goes along with what I want to ask” and it was the mental image recall that helped me to remember her questions. If you want to try this, take either a mental, or an actual photograph of something you want to remember. Remember it must be volitional, not something someone else wants you to remember. While taking the photo, or imaging it, pay attention to what you are seeing. Where is the picture? What's in the background? Is there a person in the picture? What are they wearing? Is there anything about the photo that would allow you to pinpoint the month the photo was taken? Are they wearing something that stands out? Where are they standing? How are they standing? What's behind them? Is there a window in the photo? What's outside the window? Is it daytime or nighttime? Now that you've got your mental image, delete it, stop thinking about it, and wait a week, and see how much of the image you can remember. With practice, you should be able to recall details from these mental or actual snapshots, many years later. Dr. Huberman did say that the research showed that although the image could be recalled, that the auditory along with the image would be diminished, or that vision trumps our auditory senses.  TIP #2: Highly Emotional States + Adrenaline=Enhanced Memory. Dr. Huberman shared a study that was done by Cahill and McGough[xi] that showed when you are in a highly emotional state, adrenaline is released but what is interesting about this study is that “it's not the emotion that stamps the memory down, but it's the presence of adrenaline”[xii] that solidifies the memory. He said “You don't need to take anything to spike adrenaline” (Dr. Andrew Huberman) you just need to find what works for you and if it “makes your eyes go wide and breathing increase” then you've spiked your adrenaline. He did give some suggestions of ways to recreate this adrenaline boost in our brain to enhance learning and memory, without using repetition (the most popular research based strategy for learning retention) like cold ice baths or showers to increase adrenaline, or exercise that I use often. HOW TO USE THIS IN YOUR DAILY LIFE: How do you approach learning and memory? With this research in mind, did you think about stamping the memory of what you want to remember with adrenalin? Have you heard of strategies to increase adrenalin in your body (like a cold shower or cold bath) to stamp down your learning? I talked about this with Dr. John Ratey when I interviewed him on EPISODE #116 on “The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain”[xiii] when I told Dr. Ratey that in order to study neuroscience, write these episodes, and make sense of it all, I had to run up a mountain, or do some sort of rigorous cardio activity in order to be able to sit at my desk and actually understand what I'm reading. Dr. Ratey agreed that I needed to create the neural chemicals needed for learning and memory. How do you approach learning and memory? Exercise, cold baths, or some other method? I'd love to know… To review this week's Brain Fact Friday Did you know that “lack of sleep attacks the hippocampus”[xiv] the part of the brain that plays a role in learning and memory. If we want to protect this part of our brain, then paying attention to how much and how long we sleep is a responsible next step for us to all focus on, in addition to working on strategies that can strengthen this important part of our brain. We covered 2 tips for implementing how an understanding of our brain can improve productivity in our life with the mental snapshot strategy that will allow you to remember anything, even if you've deleted it, by paying attention to whatever it is that you want to remember, and then practice this, to strengthen this part of your memory center. If you are like me, and have deleted something, you'll never have to worry, because it will never be lost, when you've backed it up with a mental snapshot. The second strategy of enhancing our memories is with the idea that it's not just our emotions that make our memories stick, but the presence of adrenaline and to find ways to increase adrenaline naturally (like through exercise) to create the neural chemicals that our brain needs for learning and memory. I hope you've enjoyed this episode, and that you have taken away something to improve your brain health and well-being. I'll see you next episode with Dr. Baland Jalal where we will see what we can learn about ourselves, by diving into the dream world. REFERENCES: [i] The New Science of Sleep and Dreams, Professor Matthew Walker Published on YouTube June 28th, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j9xCC_VtQA [ii] The New Science of Sleep and Dreams, Professor Matthew Walker Published on YouTube June 28th, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j9xCC_VtQA [iii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast BONUS EPISODE on The Top 5 Health Staples from December 11th, 2020 https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/bonus-episode-a-deep-dive-into-the-top-5-health-staples-and-review-of-seasons-1-4/ [iv] Contact Andrea https://www.achieveit360.com/contact-us/ [v] The Neuroscience of Dreams by Dr. Baland Jalal Published on YouTube Feb.13, 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WBL-51kIkc [vi]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-the-neuroscience-of-dreams-expanding-our-self-awareness/ [vii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #104 with Antonio Zadra on “When Brains Dream” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/sleep-scientist-antonio-zadra-on-when-brains-dream-exploring-the-science-and-mystery-of-sleep/ [viii] Understand and Improve Memory Using Science-Based Tools by Andrew Huberman May 16, 2022 https://hubermanlab.com/understand-and-improve-memory-using-science-based-tools/ [ix]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #214 with Dr. Marie Gervais on “The Spirit of Work”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/marie-gervais-phd-on-the-spirit-of-work-connecting-science-business-practices-and-sacred-texts-for-a-happier-and-more-productive-workplace/ [x] Photographic Memory: The Effects of Volitional Photo Taking on Memory for Visual and Auditory Aspects of an Experience by Barasch, Diehl, Silverman and Zauberman published at Yale University January 26, 2017  https://faculty.wharton.upenn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Barasch-Diehl-Silverman-Zauberman-Photographic-Memory-Psych-Science.pdf [xi] A Novel Demonstration of Enhanced Memory Associated with Emotional Arousal Published December 1995 by Larry Cahill and James L McGaugh https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053810085710483 [xii] Understand and Improve Memory Using Science-Based Tools by Andrew Huberman May 16, 2022 https://hubermanlab.com/understand-and-improve-memory-using-science-based-tools/ (31:49). [xiii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #116 with Dr. John Ratey on “The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/best-selling-author-john-j-ratey-md-on-the-revolutionary-new-science-of-exercise-and-the-brain/ [xiv] The New Science of Sleep and Dreams, Professor Matthew Walker Published on YouTube June 28th, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j9xCC_VtQA

Is it intuition and a inspired creative brain, or neurodiversity? You're smart, you're capable, and you're passionate, but may still feel like your firing on all cylinders, but not fully fulfilled and leaning into overwhelm most of the day? How can we shift from getting stuck? Understanding FIRST, how your brain works. First: Drs Hallowell and Ratey introduced a new term for ADHD in their latest book ADHD 2.0. Its VAST, or Variable Attention Stimulus Trait. The old term with its emphasis on pathology, on a deficit disorder is inaccurate and stigmatizing. The new term is far more accurate, allowing for positive attributes, not just negative ones. Dr Hallowell explains the rich and complex world of VAST and how a simple change in framing can set off an entire shift in thinking and treatment.Second: Tap into your left side of the brain to bring in a little more balance if you (live in creative right brain), and always seek conscious questions to highlight the truth of the moment and what's needed. If ADHD, we are always in a desert and always seeking an oasis. Low dopamine results in our brain's lack of stimulation. As a consequence, we are driven by engagement, working memories fade without sufficient interest, and high rewards may be recklessly pursued. Low dopamine results in:Interest-based focus (is this what I should be doing right now to get to my big PURPOSE?)Memory shortfalls (I may forget birthday's, so I'll jot those down on my calendar and make sure Im caring for my physical brain with meditation, omega 3's and magnesium). Stimulation seeking (I'm simply a little deficient on the brain's main conductor - executive functions....so how can I make sure I'm aligned with my energy for burst and recover zones so I stay in control of addictive tendencies?)So in summary, I am not fond of the medical model, and love to work with clients so they can understand the gifts and the boundaries needed to live abundantly by understanding a different perspective of ADHD and Creative Entrepreneur Brains. In this episode we look at ADHD in three areas:In a desert – with our under-stimulated minds it's like being in a desert without water, we're on a mission to find the oasisMissing conductor – how the executive functions of emotional control, time sense and social “compliance” are impacted in ADHDSeeing patterns – in ADHD the right-brain is more dominant, we are more rewarded by making connections, creativity and autonomyAnd finally, bringing the unconscious - conscious, so you can live the life you desire and the success you can achieve. If you need support, reach out - this is my jam (to your jelly). xo Kassandra

Welcome back to the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast, episode #197 with a special returning guest, David A Sousa, who we first spoke with back in August 2020 on episode #78[i]. Click here to watch this interview on YouTube https://youtu.be/148InRAxFts On this episode you will learn: ✔︎ What's new with the 6th edition of Dr. David Sousa's "How the Brain Learns" The importance of the cognitive component of social-emotional learning The importance of student engagement, especially through academic teams Connections between Bloom's Taxonomy and current instructional strategies, such as teaming and project/maker learning Strategies that ALL teachers can implement to reduce stress in the classroom and improve student learning/engagement. What happens in the brain when we are learning something new. How to make practice PERMANENT and transfer knowledge into memory. What we can learn from the specialized areas of the brain How the science of reading can help us as teachers with the learning process I'm thrilled to have the chance to speak with David Sousa again, as It was David Sousa's How the Brain Learns book Series[ii]  that is now in its 6th Edition (that includes How the Brain Learns, How the Brain Learns to Read, How the Gifted Brain Learns, and How the Special Needs Brain Learns) that I was given by an educator who put me on the path of helping others to understand how learning occurs in the brain. When reading this series, I was told from other respected colleagues that this book series is one that every educator should read, and after our first interview, was contacted from educators all over the country (and world) with how helpful this series has been for them. How the Brain Leans has helped me as a parent to understand how my own children learn (specifically with reading) and gave me more understanding and patience to help put into practice some of the secrets for accelerating literacy that we have dove into on this podcast, since this first interview with David Sousa, almost 2 years ago now. For those new, or returning guests, welcome back! I'm Andrea Samadi, author, and educator from Toronto, Canada, now in Arizona, and like many of you listening, have been fascinated with learning and understanding the science behind high performance strategies that we can use to improve our productivity in our schools, our sports, and workplace environments. My vision is to bring the experts to you, share their books, resources, and ideas to help you to implement their proven strategies, whether you are a teacher working in the classroom or in the corporate environment. A bit about David Sousa, he's an international consultant in educational neuroscience, has written more than 20 books for educators and parents on ways to use brain research to improve teaching and learning. He has conducted workshops for more than 200,000 educators in hundreds of school districts on brain research and science education at the Pre-K to Grade 12 and university levels. He has presented at national conventions of educational organizations and to regional and local school districts across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Dr. Sousa has a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Bridgewater (Massachusetts) State University, a master of arts degree in teaching science from Harvard University, and a doctorate from Rutgers University. His teaching experience covers all levels. He has taught high school science and has served as a K–12 director of science, a supervisor of instruction, and a district superintendent in New Jersey schools. He has been an adjunct professor of education at Seton Hall University and at Rutgers University. He has received awards from professional associations, school districts, and Bridgewater State University (Distinguished Alumni Award), as well as several honorary doctorates for his commitment and contributions to research, professional development, and science education. He has been interviewed on the NBC Today show, on National Public Radio, and other programs about his work with schools using brain research. He makes his home in south Florida. I would highly recommend watching our first interview together and can't wait to hear what's new to deliver game-changing and brain-changing results for our students. Let's welcome back Dr. David A. Sousa! WELCOME and INTRO Q: Welcome back, David, thank you for coming back on the podcast as a returning guest.  David, I'm sure you will remember me sending you feedback after our first interview from educators around the world who were using How the Brain Learns with their students, and that you know how important this understanding of the brain is for the future of education.  Thank you for your dedication to this field. I know I speak on behalf of everyone who reads your books and gains a deeper understanding of how to teach with our brain in mind as a result. David, as research of the brain continues to evolve, these insights can change the way that we as educators that you call “brain-changers” (and even as parents) guide our students/children towards success. My intro question to you in our first interview was to help orient our listeners with your background and how you became interested in the brain and learning. Can you share where your passion for the brain and learning began, and what you've seen over the years working with educators around the world? Q1: Can we begin with some of the brand-new findings that you have put into this 6th Edition of How the Brain Learns, and expand on the growth of educational neuroscience, since this is the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast, and how do you integrate the cognitive component of social and emotional learning? Q2: It was an educator in 2014 who handed me your How the Brain Learns series, and told me the importance of understanding how important this book would be if I wanted to help guide students towards success and I have seen change in the field since then, and especially with the interviews on this podcast over the past 3 years, but what are you seeing? Are schools and teaching changing fast enough as new research emerges? Q3: We are focused this season of the podcast on brain-health and well-being and after some of our interviews last year like Dr. Ratey,[iii] the author of the book, Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, we can clearly see how important exercise is for academic achievement. How would you suggest we prepare our students to stressful situations like taking tests, or anything they must face that might be stressful?  Q4: I think it's fascinating when we take a trip inside our skulls and look at how the brain learns (acquiring new knowledge and skills). In Chapter 2, you have a diagram that shows how our brain takes in new information and on my last podcast episode, I wanted to show what learning looks like with neurons reaching out to other neurons and making new connections in the brain. Can you explain what happens in the brain, when we are learning something new, and what does the new research reveal is important for students to enjoy the learning process so what they are learning is retained? (Transforming the learning into creative thoughts and products). Q5: In chapter 3, you cover memory, retention and learning. There was so much to this chapter that I found important because it baffles me that I can test my daughter on her spelling test the night before, and sometimes she recalls the words the next day, accurate enough to do well on her spelling test, but other days, the practice we did doesn't stick. What's involved in retaining what we learn, and what could I do to guarantee her practice will be retained? Does practice really make perfect, or what else do we need to consider? Q6: In Chapter 4, on The Power of Transfer, you examine the factors that affect transfer. Most of us know how important prior knowledge is for learning, and you even open up all your books in this series with a “what we already know” section, but I never thought of negative transfer, or something interfering with my learning. What should we all know and understand (general guidelines) for teaching transfer? Q7: In Chapter 5, Brain Organization and Transfer, there's a focus on teaching to the whole brain and this chapter includes some incredible resources (videos) that explain how brain areas are specialized. I found it helpful to know what parts of the brain are involved in reading (from your How the Brain Learns to Read book), or even how the ELL brain is different in How the ELL Brain Learns.  What is important for us to know about the new research and how some regions of the brain are specialized to perform certain tasks? Q8: In chapter 6, you have a quote that hit me as a parent of a child who has struggled with reading because I know how important this skill is for her entire academic career. You quote “one you learn to read; you will be forever free” and I can see it in her eyes how much she wants to learn this skill. How has the science of reading contributed to our understanding of the struggle that students face (whether it's reading, or with mathematics) and what is “productive struggle?” Q9: I could keep asking you questions and know that the content of this book is thorough, with new findings included in this latest edition. Is there something that we have missed, that's new, that you think is important for us to cover? Thank you for your time today, to dive deeper into the 6th Edition of How the Brain Learns with these fresh insights that educators can use to guide their students towards success. For anyone who wants to access this book, I will put the link to it through Corwin Press in the show notes along with the free resources they can access immediately.[iv] https://us.corwin.com/en-us/nam/how-the-brain-learns/book278665 https://us.corwin.com/en-us/nam/how-the-brain-learns/book278665#free-resources RESOURCES: Integrating Social, Emotional and Academic Development: An Action Guide for School Leadership Team by Hank Resnik March 2019 https://www.aspeninstitute.org/publications/integrating-social-emotional-and-academic-development-sead-an-action-guide-for-school-leadership-teams/   Engaging the Rewired Brain by Dr. David A. Sousa Published Dec. 9th, 2015  https://www.amazon.com/Engaging-Rewired-Brain-David-Sousa/dp/1941112250 Mind, Brain and Education by Dr. David Sousa Published July, 2010  https://www.amazon.com/Mind-Brain-Education-Neuroscience-Implications-ebook/dp/B0046W6UDY   REFERENCES:   [i] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #78 with David A. Sousa on “How the Brain Learns”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/award-winning-author-david-a-sousa-on-how-the-brain-learns/ [ii] How the Brain Learns by David A. Sousa https://us.corwin.com/en-us/nam/how-the-brain-learns/book278665 [iii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #116 “The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/best-selling-author-john-j-ratey-md-on-the-revolutionary-new-science-of-exercise-and-the-brain/ [iv] How the Brain Learns 6th Edition FREE RESOURCES https://us.corwin.com/en-us/nam/how-the-brain-learns/book278665#free-resources

Talking about five steps that lead to lasting joy, how to apply this to roleplaying games, and what I've learned from ADD/ADHD experts Edward Hallowell and John R. Ratey. It's a call to get back to the real reasons I got into roleplaying in the first place.Thanks to Richard, Brian, Trev, and Jason for the call-ins!Game on!Delivered From Distraction book from Amazon.co.uk here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Delivered-Distraction-Getting-Attention-Disorder/dp/0345442318/ or click Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder: Amazon.co.uk: Hallowell M D, M D Edward M, Ratey, John J: 9780345442314: BooksRoleplay Rescue Details:Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/messageEmail: hello@rpgrescue.comPatreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue")Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Talking about five steps that lead to lasting joy, how to apply this to roleplaying games, and what I've learned from ADD/ADHD experts Edward Hallowell and John R. Ratey. It's a call to get back to the real reasons I got into roleplaying in the first place. Thanks to Richard, Brian, Trev, and Jason for the call-ins! Game on! Delivered From Distraction book from Amazon.co.uk here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Delivered-Distraction-Getting-Attention-Disorder/dp/0345442318/ or click Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most Out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder: Amazon.co.uk: Hallowell M D, M D Edward M, Ratey, John J: 9780345442314: Books Roleplay Rescue Details: Roleplay Rescue Theme by Jon Cohen from Tale of the Manticore: Tale of The Manticore, a Dark Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons Audiodrama (podbean.com) or https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/ Voice Message: anchor.fm/rpgrescue/message Email: hello@rpgrescue.com Patreon: patreon.com/rpgrescue Blog: roleplayrescue.com MeWe Group: mewe.com/join/roleplayrescue (or search "Roleplay Rescue") Buy Che Webster a Coffee: ko-fi.com/cwebster

Welcome back to PART 6, EPISODE #196 and our final episode of this series, where we will cover the final chapters and add “The Neuroscience Behind the Timeless Goal-Setting Principles” in Napoleon Hill's Classic book, Think and Grow Rich to ensure we make 2022 Our Best Year Ever with brain-science in mind. This episode I'm dedicating to the man who has been reading this book for his entire life, who I have mentioned often in this series and podcast, Bob Proctor, who was the first person to see more in me than I could see in myself. It was Bob who asked me “What do you really want?” when I was in my late 20s, and just figuring it all out. He did catch me off guard with this question, but it didn't take long to map out the vision, as crazy as it seemed at the time, when you have someone who believes in you to push you along the way, the vision becomes clear.  Once you know what you want, and have a crystal-clear vision of it, it really is our duty to make it happen in our lifetime. Bob is the perfect example of someone who took action, inspiring millions globally, and someone I will forever be grateful that I crossed paths with. I found out that Bob was gravely ill, while finishing this episode, thought it was important to recognize his influence as an example for all of us, to put something into our goals this year that we have never done. Using Bob's example, do something wildly different this year, than you ever have previously. He said many things that are forever stuck in my head, but I found a quote that makes sense to close out our book study that I think will stick with all of us. He said, “You can't just THINK and GROW RICH, you've got to do something with those thoughts.” I'm hoping that this year, we are all looking for quantum leap results, that take us far beyond where we've ever been before. I have been studying success principles, and how successful people became that way, since the late 1990s when my paths crossed with Proctor. I saw these ideas could transform results for our students in the classroom, years before we talked about how important our mindset was after Carol Dweck's[i] work made its impact on the field of education, and I wrote my first book, The Secret for Teens Revealed [ii] to document these success principles that are echoed throughout Napoleon Hill's Think and Grow Rich book, and aren't difficult to understand, but implementing them in our daily life is where the hard work comes in. Here's my challenge to you—to go through each of the PARTS in this series and see what you can do to truly make a difference and impact with whatever it is you are doing this year. We've covered the 15 principles used by some of the wisest people in the world, and I want to add a sense of urgency for all of us to kick it into high gear this year. Think and act in a wildly different way than we have previously. This will take some focus, but the results will be well worth the effort. Remember that Hill says you haven't read this book until you've read it 3 times? We can come back to this series next year and continue to apply the principles with the new experiences built over this year. This series is not only for you, the listener, I am doing the work right along with you! If you want to see my interview with Bob Proctor, and where my vision began, go back to episode #66[iii] and EPISODE #67[iv] on the Top Lessons learned working with him for 6 years which is one of our most downloaded episodes, and one I still receive feedback and messages about. With this episode today, I knew I had to tie in the most current brain research, so that we can look at ways to improve our current goal-setting/achieving process, with strategies that will take the guess work out of our year, to make a difference for all of us, since the strategies I will share are all peer reviewed, and have been proven scientifically to be the most effective way to achieve whatever it is that we are working on this year. When I say I want us to make this our best year ever, I really do mean it and wouldn't spend the time to create this episode, if I didn't think it could make a difference for all of us.  There is a neuroscience to setting and achieving goals, for habit formation and habit breaking, and I hope this episode will help break down the science, and make these principles applicable in your daily life, for the results that will inevitably come as a result. Remember, it is our duty to take action, and use the potential that we each have. This is not just a mere wish, or hope, it's for us to all take action on whatever it is that we want (our burning desire) in a way that we've never done in past years. What will we do differently this year? We have covered an introduction to how our brain forms and breaks habits on an earlier episode #35[v] way back from January 2020 that's a good episode to review in addition to what I will share with you here. On this episode, you will learn: ✔︎ Review PART 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 to all 15 Success Principles of Think and Grow Rich. ✔︎ Strategies and action steps that tie the most current brain research to these 15 Success Principles. ✔︎ Tools and resources you can use to immediately implement these success strategies into your life so you can move quickly and easily towards your goals. If you have made it this far in this 6 PART SERIES, I've got to congratulate you, as most people don't ever even finish this book, let alone read it 3 times, like Hill suggests. I can tell that each time I've read this book, I stopped at Chapter 12, The Subconscious Mind, probably because we covered this concept thoroughly when I worked with Proctor, that I missed reading Chapter 13 on The Brain, Chapter 14 on the Sixth Sense and Chapter 15 on How to Outwit the Six Ghosts of Fear that I'll highlight at the end of this episode. I can tell that I didn't read these chapters, as there are no notes written on these pages, and then the edition that I have, when I got to the end of the book, there was a surprise. There was a Chapter 16 that I didn't know existed. If you will recall, there were only 15 Principles that we were going to cover, so when I saw the 16th chapter, I was confused and immediately sent a message to my good friend Alan Lindeman[vi], from Ohio, who has taught this book for years, and I knew he would reply to me immediately, which he did. Alan filled me in and reminded me that Napoleon Hill wrote another book shortly after Think and Grow Rich was published, but his wife wouldn't let him publish it at the time. It depends on the version of the book that you have, but mine has this 16th chapter that Alan thinks was included in the newer editions. I won't review it, because I'm superstitious with what I think and talk about and prefer to stick to positive angles, steering clear of dark thoughts, or perspectives, even if I know it's important to be aware of them. I would just prefer to keep this work focused in the light, and would never speak or think of anything outside of positive thoughts for anyone and this self-awareness will keep me from covering this final chapter. If you want to know what it's about, just Google Chapter 16 of Think and Grow Rich, and you can see for yourself, if you are curious. Just remember the power of autosuggestion, and that your nonconscious mind will take in whatever you offer it, so I highly recommend skipping it, and focusing on the 15 principles we have covered. There is a power of thought, and if Hill didn't think it was important to guard our thoughts, I don't think he would have covered this in his first chapter. For this episode, I want to review each of the 5 PARTS that we covered in this series and see how the most current brain research ties into the timeless principles Hill wrote about, to give us more belief as we push forward with whatever it is we are working on this year, which was the goal of covering this book to launch our year, in the first place. I'll add the final 2 chapters (15 and 16) at the end to complete our book study before our final review to bring these principles all together. Remember that PART 1 began with a reminder from Grant Cardone that “in order to get to the next level of whatever it is that we are doing, we must think and act in a wildly different way than we previously have been.”[vii]  We've talked about Price Pritchett's You2 book around this time last year on the podcast, where he explains that “if you want to accelerate your results rapidly, you must search out and vigorously employ new behaviors” (Pritchett, You2, Page 7). That's what I am hoping this book study has inspired us to all do. What will we do DIFFERENTLY this year? I'm hoping some of the strategies I share will inspire us to take NEW actions, that will yield NEW results and that we continue to look at everything we are doing, with our brain in mind. Using Neuroscience to Learn Something New Have you ever wondered what happens at the brain level when we are taking new behaviors like Pritchett recommends, or thinking in a wildly different way than we ever have been? Or when we are learning something new?  Maybe you say “no, Andrea, I've never wondered this” and I'll say “that's ok” but just for a second, think in a wildly different way than you ever have previously, from how we have been taught learning occurs, (the old method where we sit in class and I teach you something from the front of the classroom) and maybe you'll learn it by actually doing it when you take what I've taught you, and apply it.  Instead of this old way of learning, I want us to think inside of the skull of our brain, to our neural networks, as we are learning something new, or if you are teaching students in the classroom, or coaching a sport, and see if this understanding can help you to see how new information is acquired at the brain level first, before giving us the new results we all want to achieve. Just think differently. Look at the image in the show notes, and let's take a trip inside our skulls. When learning something new, (in the classroom, at home, or a new sport) neurons in the brain begin to slowly extend an axon out to other axons, connecting to other neurons (which is a slow process). We have oligodendrocytes (green in the image) that wrap myelin around the axons to allow information to move faster. We have astrocytes (shaped like stars, and red in the image) that play an active role in memory and learning as they wrap around the blood vessel serving as gatekeepers at the blood brain barrier, providing homeostasis and regulating blood flow in the brain.[viii] For learning to occur, Eva Kynt, as associate professor at the University of Antwerp in Belgium shares that we must have “motivation and willingness to learn (as) the basic elements”[ix] and “one way to motivate the brain is to expose it something new and unfamiliar.”[x] “The ability to learn new things—whether that's calculus or hitting a fast ball—requires stretching our brain past the point of what's familiar or comfortable” (Cal Newport, Georgetown University) and “that stretch requires unbroken concentration.” Think of all the actions happening in the brain, and the focus that's required to make these connections happen. Cal Newport from Georgetown University says “the amount of concentration a person requires to learn something new depends on the complexity of the material. The more complex something is, the more sustained focus a person will likely need to grasp it” and that there are “habits of mind to facilitate learning, such as curiosity, and diligence.” As we are teaching or coaching new skills, think of the neural networks that are being created, the myelin that's formed each time a student reinforces the skill they are learning and ways that you can inspire students to become curious with what they are learning. What is interesting to me is that the research shows that there is nothing inspiring about doing something we know we can do. There's no motivation in that and requires us to use our imagination (Chapter 6 of TAGR) to push ourselves, and those we are teaching, to new limits. American neuroscientist and tenured professor at the Department of Neurobiology at Stanford University's School of Medicine, Dr. Andrew Huberman's research said that “the data shows the probability of achieving the goal depends on whether the goal is easy, moderate or impossible. If the goal is too easy, or difficult we won't use enough of our autonomic nervous system to recruit our action” and these goals won't lean you towards readiness, “but when goals are moderate” or something that everyone can “see” as possible something happens to our blood pressure to prepare our body to take the needed action. Huberman says “when goals are moderate, or in range, there's a near doubling of the systolic blood pressure” that helps the body to lean into the goal. Your body becomes primed for the action it's about to take. If we are looking to achieve quantum level results, or achieve something that we have never done before, I think it's direly important to make what we are going for to be achievable, or something we can see ourselves doing, for the leaning in to occur physiologically. That's why reading and writing our goals out twice a day and having a crystal-clear vision of what we want, that burning desire that anyone can spot when you are talking about what you are working towards, is so important. When we can connect what the research says to our goal-achieving process, it makes more sense. Put This into Action: Breaking Past to Where We've Never Been Before Think about the sports team in last place, who has a vision of winning, and had to stretch their mind beyond their past results. Like the Cincinnati Bengals who according to NFL research “no team in NFL history had overcome a halftime deficit of 10-plus points to win in multiple games against an opponent in a single season (including playoffs).[xi] This team suffered year after year with their performance and haven't been a good team since they made the playoffs in 1988. 2 years ago, they were the worst team in the NFL, until they got a new head coach and quarterback, and whatever they did changed the trajectory of the team. The QB had previously won the college national championship so he brought the winning mindset to the team. Only they know what they did to achieve this milestone and will be interesting to see how it plays out moving forward, but I think it just takes one person of influence to turn a team around, with a new mindset, encouraging new actions, and to think in a wildly different way than they ever had previously, so they can get to where they have never been before. This concept can be applied in the workplace if we want a new position at work and the salary is 3 times higher than our current salary. We must be able to see beyond what we know we can do, using our imagination, to break through where our results currently are sitting to achieve these quantum leap results. We must be unwavering with our vision for what we want. This is how history is made in the sports world, and how we can transfer this skill to our personal and professional lives. PART 2[xii] we looked at the importance of positive thinking, being crystal clear with what we want, and I'm going to add something Price Pritchett warns us of in his You2 book, that “most people confuse wishing and wanting with pursuing” their goals and that “quantum leaps require you to take the offensive. You can't achieve exponential gains in your success from a defensive position. You can't make a passive stance and make a quantum jump…and leave the safety that goes along with merely wishing for something. You must place your trust in action.” (Pritchett, You Squared, Page 24). The Neuroscience of Action Taking/Executing Your Goals So, what is the neuroscience behind taking action with our goals? American neuroscientist from Stanford University's School of Medicine, the well respected Dr. Andrew Huberman discusses the science of setting, assessing and executing goals on his recent podcast.[xiii]  Dr. Huberman reminds us that there's only ONE basic system in the brain related to setting goals and there are common brain circuits that help move us towards our goals (short and long-term) and that humans can juggle many different types of goals (financial, health, work related etc.) but usually when we put all of our focus on one area, we lack in other areas. Like our health can suffer if we focus too much on our work goals, and vice versa. Setting, Assessing and Executing Goals and Our Brain: To reduce the stress with the goal setting process, Huberman tells us that when we are going after our goals there are only four parts (or circuits) of the brain involved and understanding how these four areas work together can help us to find ways to move towards our goals, more intentionally, with increased focused and with brain-science involved. No matter what the goal is (an executive building a multi-million-dollar company, or a teacher creating their lesson plans) there, are only these four common circuits involved in the goal seeking areas of the brain[xiv]: Goal-Seeking Areas of the Brain: The amygdala: often associated with fear, anxiety or avoidance of pain. Initiating Action/Preventing Action Basal Ganglia: A circuit Involving the initiation or prevention of action (go or no-go circuit). Executive Functions like Thinking/Planning (Now and Future) Circuits: Lateral Prefrontal Cortex Orbitofrontal Cortex: Meshing Emotionality to Our Current State (where we sit now without our goals vs how it will feel when we achieve our goals). How Do We Assess the Value of the Goal and Know What Action to Take? What happens in these circuits depends on what value is placed on a goal, and given the value of the goal, we decide which action to take, or not take and the neurotransmitter dopamine will be used in our brain depending on this value of the goal we deem as important. Which brings us back to why a book like Think and Grow Rich could help us in the first place. If I think about the four goal-seeking areas of the brain, and how they are activated during the goal setting/achieving process, it makes sense to me that having a solid plan to stay on track would keep these 4 areas of the brain working for me, instead of against me. The chapter on choosing faith over fear will help prevent my amygdala from shutting down my brain when obstacles come my way, because I will have a plan to move past them. Then I can imagine the Basal Ganglia saying “go Andrea, keep going!” and cheering me on past whatever obstacles come my way like procrastination, and the persistence chapter will remind me why I must keep going, use my executive functions as I think, plan and add the final goal setting part of my brain to add emotion to how incredible it will feel when I achieve what I have worked so hard for, or the pain and frustration I will feel if I miss the goal. This book was designed to support the four goal seeking areas of the brain. No wonder it works so well. What I thought was fascinating with the research that Dr. Huberman mentioned is there are ways that we can further  “improve our focus and cognitive attention” and our ability to stay focused on what we want, and that's by focusing on an external point, and the minute we focus on a point (outside of our body) it requires effort, and something happens at the brain level that prepares us further for the action we are about to take. Remember Pritchett said we can't achieve exponential gains in our success from a defensive position. We must be primed and ready for action. Then Use Your Visual Focus to Achieve Your Goals Quicker and With Less Perceived Effort Huberman's focusing activity helps us to be prepared mentally for the action we must take, by leaning into the goal, when we do this. He gave an example of a study where one group looked at the goal line in a goal-achieving exercise they had to move to (narrowing their attention to what they wanted-move themselves to the goal line wearing 15 lb weights), while the other group did not look at the goal line, or their final destination. The group that used their focused attention towards the goal they wanted, (they could see exactly where they were going, with no doubts at all) were more primed for that goal physiologically. He explained on a deeper level what happens to the brain and body when we focus on the goal ahead of time, but the results showed the group that looked at the goal line, were able to move towards the goal line with less perceived effort (17% less effort) and quicker (23%) faster than the other group that did not look at the goal line. Put This into Action: So how does Dr. Huberman's research tie into PART 2 of our book study? He said that just by changing where a person looks, they changed their perceived effort and their ability to achieve their goal more quickly. Do you have your eye on your goal? Are you clear about your END point, or where you are going? There really is a science behind setting and achieving our goals.  As we are working through PART 2 of the series, where we took our goal, that is not a wish, nor a hope, but a burning desire, remember that desire that Edison saw in Barnes' eyes? Barnes was clear about what he wanted. He had his eyes on the end goal, and Edison saw it just as clearly as Barnes did. That energy radiated from Barnes, and Edison picked it up.  He didn't let it waver (with doubts, fears or worries) and never took his eyes off his goal. I put an image in the show notes of a roadmap I created in the Level Up Program[xv] (that I created for schools) to help us to break down our goal into quarters. It helps to bring clarity to where you are now, with a vision of where you are going, and a place for action steps you can take along the way, breaking the goal into smaller chunks. You might have a process for breaking down your goals that you prefer, but I put I wanted to share this strategy with you in the show notes as an example to map out your year, with a clear path, keeping in mind that the research shows this clarity (or your eye on the end goal) is so vitally important. Our brain will pick up on the value we place on our goal, (our clarity and definiteness of purpose) and provide you with the dopamine needed to take the action necessary for the attainment of that goal. That's mind-blowing to me, to think about WHY the principle of desire (knowing clearly where we are going) pushes us towards what we want.  It's happening on a biological and physiological level. Thanks to Dr. Huberman's podcast, I was able to make this connection, and many more on a deeper level. REMEMBER: When we are clear about WHAT we want, and WHY we want it, this will drive our behavior and our brain will produce the neurotransmitter dopamine to push us towards action of what we want. When we can keep our eye clearly on the end goal, we will get there with less perceived effort and quicker than if we didn't have this clear vision. This reminded me that Brendon Burchard chose clarity as one of the habits in his book, High Performance Habits, as one of the habits that moves the needle the most for habits of high achievers, and now I can see why. PART 3[xvi] we examined the importance of putting these goals on autopilot with what Hill calls “autosuggestion” and then further honing our craft by studying, learning, and developing specialized knowledge that will separate you from others, making you truly unique with your talent that you'll continue to perfect in your lifetime, while using your imagination to keep building and perfecting whatever it is that you want to create in your life. What we are doing here is creating NEW behaviors that will become automatic and work for us and make our pursuit towards our goals much easier with time. The Neuroscience of Habit Building We mentioned at the start of this episode that we have covered an introduction to how our brain forms and breaks habits on an earlier episode #35[xvii] from January 2020 that's a good episode to review in addition to what I will share with you here. PART 3 is all about putting our goals on autopilot, and Hill suggests reading and writing our goals every day, twice a day. What he is doing, is helping us to prime our brain to become crystal clear with our vision, that after a certain amount of time of repeating our goals, they begin to become automatic in our brain. They no longer feel like pipe dreams, but we become familiar with them, and this is not far off from the habit-building literature you will find when you research “How to Build New Habits” with the hundreds of books, research and articles on this subject online. What I liked about Dr.Huberman's work is that he explains that there are certain habits that will give us more “limbic friction”[xviii] or are more difficult to do. This is going to be different for everyone. For me, getting up and exercising every day is easy to do, and requires very little limbic friction because it's become a habit for me over many years, but to sit at my desk and read through Neuroscience Articles on Pubmed is excruciatingly difficult and when we have something that we find difficult to do, we can end up procrastinating, and not doing it at all. Dr. Huberman makes this daunting task simple and easier to tackle by diving the day up into phases, like Phase 1 being the early morning, (0-8 hours after waking up) where you can “overcome this limbic friction” and do the things that are most difficult for you if you tackle them in this early window of the day to help you to push past something that's difficult, which will eventually form a habit. This was the main idea of Brian Tracey's popular book Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time.[xix] It was about tackling those difficult tasks first. Put This into Action: I've always liked the idea of picking one habit you will form (or break) every 90 days, and if you can check off each day you do the new habit (if it's exercise, reading articles on pubmed, or trading coffee for hot lemon water) whatever it is, you pick one habit, and focus on that for 90 days. At the end of the 90 days, you will have formed a new habit, and will have a heightened level of self-awareness as you go through this process. I highly suggest this activity but will say that if you are looking to eliminate a habit you don't want anymore, and can't do it, then a good episode to revisit is Dr. Anna Lembke from EPISODE #162[xx] who explains how certain habits can become addictive, and how to break them. You can use the chart in the show notes to pick one habit and make it stick, or break a habit this way over a 90-day period. I listened to another incredible podcast with Kristen Holmes from Whoop.com who we had on for episode #134[xxi] on “Measuring Sleep, Recovery and Strain” and she was speaking with Dr. Hazel Wallace on “Nutrition and Habit Formation[xxii]” and they discussed some similar habit forming/breaking strategies. I loved the example that Kristen Holmes used when talking about ways to break habits she didn't want (like looking at your phone while driving) and she mentioned that thinking of the negative consequences of the action can help you to break these habits. Dr. Huberman mentioned this strategy of his “The Science Behind Setting and Achieving Goals”[xxiii] podcast with the idea of visualizing failure as being an effective goal achieving strategy, instead of the usual visualizing success strategy. He makes the distinction that predicting failure is much different than visualizing failure as predicting failure, or what happens if you don't achieve what you are going for, can help you lean into your goal. When you are on track, you can reward yourself along the way, and withhold rewards when you veer off track, to keep your dopamine reward center active. The best reward is always the unexpected reward that you could also use to further motivate someone and amplify their system. Take a look at the image in the show notes and pick one habit that you will form or break over the next 90 days, and see if you can use Dr. Huberman's strategy of tackling the new habit in Phase 1 of your day, to make it easier on you and your brain, as you attempt to create a new habit. PART 4[xxiv] we dove deep into why organized planning, decision-making and persistence are important and timeless leadership characteristics, with strategies to help all of us to improve our persistence muscles. The Neuroscience of Focus There is a way to focus in on our habits, using our persistence to turn them into stronger habits that stick, and use up “less limbic friction” (Dr. Huberman) or how difficult a habit is to carry out, when we think about the habits we do every day (like brushing our teeth) that are automatic, easy to do, and we can easily perform them at any time. They are strong habits. Putting This into Action: and Increase the Likelihood That We'll Build Strong Habits That Stick A study identifies “neurons that fire at the beginning and end of a behavior”[xxv] become a habit. Remember the 4 parts of the brain involved in goal-seeking? For this strategy, we are involving the basal ganglia (action execution or suppression or the do/don't do) circuits of the brain for something Dr. Huberman shared is called “Task Bracketing” and happens any time we are learning a new habit/skill or trying to break a new habit or skill. Most of us will find some things easy to do, and others more difficult, depending on whether they are habits or not. It matters what we are doing BEFORE and AFTER the skill, to bracket it, because parts of the brain (in the Basal Ganglia that determine whether we are taking an action or not) will become more active (before and after a particular habit) so it “brackets” the habit to make it stronger. I do remember hearing this in a past episode with Dr. Ratey, the author of Spark: The New Science of Exercise and the Brain on EPISODE #116[xxvi] where he mentioned that any time exercise is done BEFORE a new habit you are trying to form, it will make that habit stick.  It made sense to me that exercise could be used to frame the habit or think of this imaginary bracket around the habit adding more focus to it, with our brain primed with neurotransmitters, strengthening what we are doing, so it can be performed at any given time. If we have habits that are “bracketed (with physical exercise, or any other strategy you can think of to prime your brain to what you are about to do) like viewing sunlight, cold exposure, caffeine, fasting, or ways to increase norepinephrine, and dopamine) this will help you to engage in activates with high limbic friction”[xxvii] (or the activities that you find difficult to do).  So even if we got a terrible sleep, or aren't operating optimally, we will still move forward and perform what we set out to do, since we have placed a higher value on this habit we've bracketed, just like habits we don't think as necessary, we could skip. This creates a neural imprint on our brain of the value of whatever habit it is we want to maintain. Preparing our brain for this habit that we want to create by initiating it when our brain and body are in the right state, like early in the first 8 hours of the day when we are less tired, is another way to “bracket” the habit we want to stick with less “limbic friction.” Another way to strengthen a habit is to think of the neural pathway that's created each time we do the thing that we want since “neurons that fire together, wire together” and neuroscience and the literature in psychology support that doing what you want to accomplish once or twice in your mind BEFORE hand, can help you to create the neural circuit before you even begin the habit creation process. Do you know how you bracket your “high limbic friction” habits? Here's how I do this. In order to read, research and write complex ideas involving neuroscience, I start my day around 4am with coffee (half caffeine and half decaf), use exercise and intermittent fasting that I break after my morning hikes. This way my brain in primed to sit at my desk and create content that I sometimes find difficult to learn, understand and explain. After my interview with Dr. Ratey, I was aware of the fact that I knew I needed to do certain things for me to focus on work that I find difficult to do, but I had no idea it was a brain strategy called “bracketing” until I learned that from Dr. Andrew Huberman. Example of how Andrea brackets her difficult work (reading/writing neuroscience articles) with caffeine, exercise and intermittent fasting. PART 5[xxviii] we looked at the incredible power of the Mastermind, when two or more minds come together, creating what Hill called a third, invisible, intangible force that may be likened to a third mind. Next, we took the mystery out of sex transmutation showing that we can use this energy, the most powerful of human desires, to develop keenness of imagination, courage, willpower, persistence, and a creative ability that can become a motivating force to propel any profession to new heights. Finally, we reviewed the importance of linking ALL Parts of our mind together and reminding us about the power of autosuggestion and reading/writing our goals out twice a day. This part of the book showed me how important it is to bring our understanding of the brain and mind together. One of our earlier episodes from October 2019 focused on “The Difference Between the Mind and Brain”[xxix] so we can see how energy and information comes into our body, and how we can use this information. There's an incredible power that is formed when we can tap into our creative mind whether it's through a mastermind team, or transmuting your energy, we all have the ability to take our results to a new level with this concept. THE FINAL CHAPTERS OF THINK AND GROW RICH, REVIEW AND CONCLUSION Chapter 14: Talks about the importance of our sixth sense or developing our intuition that “will open to you at all times the door to the Temple of Wisdom.” (CH 16, Page 248, TAGR). Hill says “the ability to use this power comes slowly, through application of the other principles outlined in this book. Seldom does any individual come into workable knowledge of the sixth sense (or intuition) before the age of 40. More often the knowledge is not available until one is well past 50.” (CH 16, Page 257, TAGR). I first became interested in this topic years before I read this book, and there are many useful books I have found that have helped me to further develop this skill, like Shakti Gawain's Developing Intuition: Practical Guidance for Daily Life[xxx] that has a section for using intuition in the workplace. When you become good at listening to what feels right vs what feels wrong, and science ties into this as we will feel it throughout our entire body (interoception) then we will become quicker and more efficient at making decisions and will never need to ask someone else “what do you think about this?” because you will know with certainty what the answer is. This skill does require practice. The final principle we will cover is Chapter 15 and How to Outwit the Six Ghosts of Fear that Hill says is mandatory, or else none of the other principles will work. He says “before you can put any portion of this philosophy into successful use, your mind must be prepared to receive it. The preparation is not difficult. It begins with study, analysis and understanding of three enemies you need to clear out. These are indecision, doubt and fear.” (CH 15, Page 262, TAGR).  Before we can even get to the Six Ghosts of Fear, we must eliminate all doubts and fears that make us indecisive. Do you see how ALL chapters of the book work together like the colors of the rainbow? Are you decisive or indecisive? If you have learned to trust your intuition, you will be decisive, and not attached to what other people think or as Hill said not “easily influenced by the opinion of others.” Once you have used your sixth sense to move past these three enemies, there are Six Basic Fears (or Ghosts of Fear) that we must outwit. Fear of Poverty Fear of Criticism Fear of Ill Health Fear of Loss of Love of Someone Fear of Old Age Fear of Death “Fears are nothing more than states of mind” (CH 15, Page 263, TAGR) and all six of these fears should be examined and eliminated for you to reach your highest potential. As we come to a close of this chapter, we are brought back to remember how important our thoughts are in chapter 1, and that we must build the life we want with a clear mental image of our goals. We need to be careful who we surround ourselves with, not stay clear of negative thinking, complaining, or worrying. And once we have followed all the steps Hill suggests, in each of the 15 chapters, and eliminate all doubts and fears, we will move steadily in the direction of our goals and THINK for ourselves. REVIEW, ACTION STEPS AND INSIGHTS To bring this final episode into a close, I want to review each PART with some thoughts on what action we will take to make use of this book study. I had no idea these episodes would keep me busy for the entire month of January, but I did learn that instead of relying on someone else to walk me through the book, teaching it on the podcast helped me to understand the principles on a deeper lever than any other year I have done with study with someone else leading it. PART 1:  We talked about stretching our brain past what's familiar or comfortable and think in a wildly different way than we previously have been. The amount of concentration we require to learn something new depends on the complexity of the material, and we must think of learning from a new angle, from within our skull, right down to the neurons, and axons in the brain, and how they are forming neural circuits, depending on the effort we are putting in to form a new habit or create a new circuit that with repetition will eventually become easier. What will you do differently this year? How will you break through to new levels and achieve something you have NEVER done before? PART 2: We looked at being crystal-clear with our goal, knowing where we are now, and where we want to go, and the action steps we will take, and how focusing on our end point or goal, will help us to get there with less perceived effort and time. I gave you a roadmap to use to map out your year and break it up into quarters so that at any given point of time, if you are asked where you are in the process, you are unwavering with your response. Is your year clearly mapped out from where you are now, to where you are going? PART 3:  We looked at how autosuggestion puts our goals on autopilot and some ways to break habits that don't serve us, and how to form new ones. What strategies will you use this year to break or form new habits? I put the 100 Days to Habit worksheet in the show notes you can use for this strategy. PART 4: We talked about the neuroscience of focus and how to add “task bracketing” to make difficult “high friction limbic” tasks easier to accomplish, while setting the brain on a path to creating a new habit with whatever it is you find difficult. What are your “high friction limbic” tasks? How do you task bracket them to make them less difficult? PART 5: Puts all of the parts of the brain together and leads us into the final chapters of the book that I admit I hadn't read until doing this book study. Learning how our brain works is something we can do with new learning, applying new research and honing our skills and craft along the way. It's all a process, which takes time. To close out this episode, I'll end with a quote that I saw the other night on one of Bob Proctor's social media accounts. I know it wasn't him posting this, but his team, as he never had time for that sort of thing, but whoever picked this quote, got it right. It said “What story do you want to tell? What scenes do you want to shoot? How do you want the movie to end? Be the director of your life.” Bob Proctor Whatever it is you are going after, you'll do it when you believe it. Napoleon Hill had an unwavering belief in his vision when Andrew Carnegie, one of the richest men in American history challenged him to write a book on the laws of achievement, and Hill told him “Andrew Carnegie, I'm not only going to equal your achievements in life, but I am going to challenge you at the post and pass you at the grandstand.” [xxxi] I'm sure that Carnegie saw the belief in his eyes. Do you have an unwavering belief in whatever it is you want to achieve? I would seriously put some thought into this. It's the last chapter of the book I wrote, inspired by my work with Proctor, The Secret for Teens Revealed, I took the principles I learned while working with Bob in the seminar industry, and created an action plan for teens to use. The last chapter in this book is What Difference Will You Make in Your Lifetime? We should all know the legacy we want to create, and the difference we will make in our lifetime. It's not what we GET in our lifetime, it's who we become and it's up to us to make this happen. The 15 principles of this book that we have studied are a solid roadmap to help guide us there. I think we can now all agree how these principles are backed by science and why they are effective. With that, I complete our Book Study of the powerful book, Think and Grow Rich, that has been studied by some of the wisest people in the world, and if you've made it this far, you can add yourself to this list as well. I would love to hear any feedback on this episode and what you think. Did this study help you to refine your year? Now that we have completed the study, what action steps will you take? Do you feel the sense of urgency that I tried to convey that this MUST be the year we ALL do things differently to attain new results, and that as each year comes to a close, we revisit these 15 principles to further refine our plans? If this was the last year of your life what would you do to make an imprint of the world with your talents and abilities? See you next week as we move into some interviews with a returning guest, David Sousa and his new edition of How the Brain Learns, as well as a fascinating story of Erika Ferszt[xxxii], who founded Moodally.com and turned to neuroscience after she experienced work burnout after 10 years of working for Ray-Ban in Global Advertising and Media. We continue our season in pursuit of our goals, with health and wellbeing at the core of our message. REFERENCES: [i] Mindset: They New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck Published February 28, 2006 https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck-ebook/dp/B000FCKPHG/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3FV9OCNZT8UVQ&keywords=carol+dweck&qid=1643721730&s=books&sprefix=carol+dweck%2Cstripbooks%2C112&sr=1-3 [ii] The Secret for Teens Revealed by Andrea Samadi, Published 2008 https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Teens-Revealed-Teenagers-Leadership/dp/1604940336 [iii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #66 with The Legendary Bob Proctor on “Where it All Started”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/the-legendary-bob-proctor-on/ [iv]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #67 on “Expanding Your Awareness with the Top Lessons Learned from Bob Proctor's Most Powerful Seminars” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/expanding-your-awareness-with-a-deep-dive-into-bob-proctors-most-powerful-seminars/ [v]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #35 “How to Use Your Brain to Break Bad Habits”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/how-to-use-your-brain-to-break-bad-habits-in-2020/ [vi] Alan Lindeman, Executive Coach https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlindeman/ [vii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #190 PART 1 “Making 2022 Your Best Year Ever”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-1-how-to-make-2022-your-best-year-ever/ [viii] Astrocyte Regulation of Blood Flow in the Brain May 2015 by Brian A MacVicar and Eric A Newman  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4448617/ [ix] Harnessing a Universe of Knowledge: The Science of Learning, Special Time Edition, by Markham Heid Page 12 [x] IBID [xi] NFL Playoffs: What we learned from Bengals' win over Chiefs in AFC Championship Game by Kevin Patra, Jan. 30th, 2022 https://www.nfl.com/_amp/2021-nfl-playoffs-what-we-learned-from-bengals-win-over-chiefs-in-afc-championsh [xii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #191 PART 2 on “Thinking Differently and Choosing Faith Over Fear”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-2-how-to-make-2022-your-best-year-ever-by-thinking-differently-and-choosing-faith-over-fear/ [xiii] Set and Achieve Goals with Andrew Huberman https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-setting-and-achieving-goals/ [xiv] The Science of Setting and Achieving Goals Andrew Huberman Podcast EPISODE 55 Published  January 15, 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1F7EEGPQwo [xv] Level Up for Educators https://www.achieveit360.com/level-up-for-educators-neuroscience-meets-sel/ [xvi]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #193 PART 3 on “Putting Our Goals on Autopilot with Autosuggestion and Our Imagination”   https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-3-using-autosuggestion-and-your-imagination-to-put-your-goals-on-autopilot/ [xvii]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #35 “How to Use Your Brain to Break Bad Habits”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/how-to-use-your-brain-to-break-bad-habits-in-2020/ [xviii] Dr. Andrew Huberman “The Science of Making and Breaking Habits” https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-making-and-breaking-habits/ [xix]Eat That Frog: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracey April 17, 2017  https://www.amazon.com/Eat-That-Frog-Great-Procrastinating/dp/162656941X [xx] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #162 Dr. Anna Lembke on her book “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/medical-director-of-addictive-medicine-at-stanford-university-dr-anna-lembke-on-dopamine-nation-finding-balance-in-the-age-of-indulgence/ [xxi] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #134 with Kristen Holmes from Whoop.com on “Measuring Sleep, Recovery and Strain” with a Whoop Device https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/kristen-holmes-from-whoopcom-on-unlocking-a-better-you-measuring-sleep-recovery-and-strain/ [xxii] Whoop Podcast #157 with Kristen Holmes and Dr. Hazel Wallace on “Nutrition and Habit Formation” https://www.whoop.com/thelocker/podcast-157-dr-hazel-wallace-nutrition-habit-formation/ [xxiii] The Science of Setting and Achieving Goals Andrew Huberman Podcast EPISODE 55 Published  January 15, 2022 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1F7EEGPQwo [xxiv]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #194 PART 4 on “Perfecting the Skills of Organized Planning, Decision-Making, and Persistence” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-4-on-perfecting-the-skills-of-organized-planning-decision-making-and-persistence/ [xxv] Distinctive Brain Pattern Helps Habits Form by Anne Trafton Feb. 8, 2018 https://mcgovern.mit.edu/2018/02/08/distinctive-brain-pattern-helps-habits-form/ [xxvi]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #116 with Dr. Ratey  on “The New Science of Exercise and the Brain” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/best-selling-author-john-j-ratey-md-on-the-revolutionary-new-science-of-exercise-and-the-brain/ [xxvii] Dr. Andrew Huberman “The Science of Making and Breaking Habits” https://hubermanlab.com/the-science-of-making-and-breaking-habits/ Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #195 PART 5 [xxviii] on “The Power of the Mastermind, Taking the Mystery Out of Sex Transmutation, and Linking ALL Parts of the Mind” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/think-and-grow-rich-book-review-part-5-on-the-power-of-the-mastermind-taking-the-mystery-out-of-sex-transmutation-and-linking-all-parts-of-our-mind/ [xxix][xxix] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #23 “Understanding the Difference Between Your Mind and Brain for Improved Results” https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/understanding-your-brain-and-mind-for-increased-results/ [xxx]Developing Intuition: Practical Guidance for Daily Life by Shatki Gawain Published October 10, 2001 https://www.amazon.com/Developing-Intuition-Practical-Guidance-Daily/dp/1577311868 [xxxi] https://www.inspiration-for-success.com/napoleon-hill/ [xxxii] http://www.moodally.com/

Dr. Edward M. Hallowell is one of the world's leading experts on ADHD. Dr. Hallowell's latest book, co-authored with Dr. John J. Ratey, is ADHD 2.0: New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction--From Childhood Through Adulthood. In this interview, first recorded in January 2021, Dr. Hallowell gives us concrete strategies– and tons of optimism– for those lucky enough to possess (or parent) what Dr. Hallowell calls the "Variable Attention Stimulus Trait." Whether you have a child with ADHD, suspect you might, or even have had some lingering thoughts about your own ability to focus, Dr. Hallowell's cutting-edge research and surprising new strategies will fascinate you. Grab your copy of ADHD 2.0 from our Bookshop store: https://bookshop.org/a/12099/9780399178733 and connect with Dr. Hallowell: https://drhallowell.com. Special thanks to our sponsors for this month: Once Upon a Farm fruit and vegetable blends are made with whole, organic, farm-fresh ingredients and packaged in grab-and-go pouches. Go to onceuponafarmorganics.com and use the code FRESH25 for 25% off your first order. Betterhelp Start taking charge of your mental health– no matter where you live. Go to betterhelp.com/fresh to get 10% off your first month of counseling.  Brooklinen's luxurious, high-quality sheets are the ultimate bedding upgrade! Go to brooklinen.com and use the promo code FRESH for $20 off your minimum purchase of $100. Dermafacs cream rejuvenates your skin's texture and fades the appearance of damage or scars in just a few weeks. Go to dermafacs.com/whatfreshhell and use the code whatfreshhell for 15% off. Green Chef's expert chefs design flavorful recipes that go way beyond the ordinary. Go to greenchef.com/laughing125 and use code laughing125 to get $125 off including free shipping. Jane.com is a boutique marketplace featuring the latest in women's fashion, accessories, home decor, children's clothing, and more. By shopping at jane.com, you support small businesses, 1500 of which are women-owned. And you will not believe the prices! Visit jane.com/laughing. KiwiCo projects make science, technology, engineering, art, and math super fun– and best of all, kids of all ages can work on them independently! Get 50% off your first month at kiwico.com with the code MOTHERHOOD. MamaZen is an app that provides a revolutionary solution for motherhood burnout, anxiety, impatience, and more. Download MamaZen today from your app store, and use the code "FRESH" to unlock a free trial. Prose now makes supplements personally tailored to address your specific cause of hair shedding. Get your free in-depth consultation and 15% off your custom hair supplements at prose.com/laughing.  Somfy powered motorized window coverings are a great way to keep your home cool- and they connect to your smart home systems! Get a customized quote for your home by visiting http://somfysystems.com/podcast.  SuperBeets heart chews are a tasty treat that give you caffeine-free, heart-healthy energy. Get a free 30-day supply and free shipping and returns with your first purchase at superbeets.com/fresh. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From hitting the bottom of the barrel to successfully standing in truth and belief, Dr. Eric Zielinski shares his thoughts and tips on how to build a strong, resilient business no matter where you are. There is a need for what we do as functional medicine practitioners; tune in to find out how to build a successful business helping others.   Key Takeaways: [1:02] Sachin welcomes listeners to a wonderful discussion and introduces today's guest, Dr. Eric Zielinski.   [3:03] Dr. Eric shares a little bit about his journey from deep despair to the place of love, light, and purpose where he stands today. He speaks of his powerful belief in Christ.   [12:40] Business is changing — fast; Dr. Eric touches on how he thinks the future will shape functional medicine, and how practitioners can best prepare for an ever-evolving landscape.   [19:50] We are being pushed to be inside all the time, and how do you make being inside more fun? Dr. Eric talks about the shift to VR and how it affects business.   [22:07] Dr. Eric shares what he thinks the only solution to all this change is. Autonomy. He shares a personal story that highlights the importance of autonomy.   [28:22] If you're just starting, there is a huge opportunity! You can still build through the old channels, but Dr. Eric adds a very important caveat as well as some critical tips.   [35:03] Sachin shares a reading opportunity with listeners when it comes to finding out your entrepreneurial personality.   [39:50] Dr. Eric shares a funny anecdote from when he was still in school.   [42:15] Sachin thanks Dr. Eric for coming on the show and sharing so much of himself and signs off until the next episode.   Mentioned in this episode Perfect Practice Live Natural Living Family The Essential Oils Apothecary: Advanced Strategies and Protocols for Chronic Disease and Conditions, by Dr. Eric Zielinski ADHD 2.0: New Sciences and Essential Strategies For Thriving with Distraction — from Childhood through Adulthood, by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey, M.D.   More about your host Sachin Patel How to speak with Sachin Go one step further and Become The Living Proof Perfect Practice Live sachin@becomeproof.com   Books by Sachin Patel: Perfect Practice: How to Build a Successful Functional Medical Business, Attract Your Ideal Patients, Serve Your Community and Get Paid What You're Worth The Motivation Molecule: The Biological Secrets To Eliminate Procrastination, Skyrocket Productivity, and Get Sh!t Done

Hello and welcome back to the campfire! Today we have Cait Curley joining us. Cait is a lifelong gamer, educator, podcaster, and homeschool mom to 3. She is the founder of Never Board Learning, blogger at My Little Poppies, and one half of The Homeschool Sisters Podcast. Cait left her career as a School Psychologist when she became an unexpected homeschooler. After seeing the benefits of play-based learning as a school psychologist, Cait decided to incorporate into her homeschool days at the beginning and has not looked back. Cait believes a play mindset can transform your homeschool routine and family life. Their days are filled with delicious books, incredible games, and a patchwork of creative resources.So grab a seat by the fire as we travel to Southern New Hampshire and discuss how homeschooling can be ‘almost' all fun and games!If you like what you hear and have enjoyed our show, please show your appreciation by subscribing to our Podcast and leaving us a review on your Podcast App of choice. We would love to hear from you so please email us with any comments or questions you have. Visit us and all of our content, including our blog, at www.thehomeschoolprojectpodcast.comAs always, let's Light A Fire They Can't Put OutThank you for listening!Show NotesNever Board Learning: Never Board LearningMy Little Poppies: Welcome to My Little Poppies | My Little Poppies (my-little-poppies.com)Instagram: @ neverboardlearningPodcast: The Homeschool Sisters PodcastGames Mentioned:Hit The Habitat Trail- Jax Hit the Habitat Trail Game - SCHOOL SPECIALTY MARKETPLACEWildcraft- https://amzn.to/3mZeTDnThe Scrambled States of America- https://amzn.to/3viKW4IMemoir 44- https://amzn.to/3voWrHVBooks Mentioned:Play by Stuart Brown - https://amzn.to/3BTv3nTFree To Learn by Peter Gray - https://amzn.to/3BPVcnvLast Child In The Woods by Richard Louv - https://amzn.to/3aL3u4bSpark by John J. Ratey - https://amzn.to/2Z1Jg40Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne -https://amzn.to/2Z1JpEA Other Resources:Bicycle Cards website- Games | Bicycle Playing Cards (bicyclecards.com)Episode of interest on our podcast with Dr. Peter Gray- https://www.buzzsprout.com/777311/7701526Ongoing Community Support:Our Free Homeschool Getting Started Packet: https://thehomeschoolprojectpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/guide-to-getting-started-packet-1.pdfOur Free Ultimate Family Camping / Outdoor Checklist: https://thehomeschoolprojectpodcast.files.wordpress.com/2021/08/camping-checklist-2.pdfThe Waldock Way: https://www.thewaldockway.com/ref/76/"We are a participant in an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites."

Is helping your loved one struggling with addiction financially a good step to make? You might think you are, but you're not. You may be acting as an enabler. Being an enabler surrounds the talk between Christopher and Danny. They shared different scenarios as to how family members can act as enablers in the life of a person with active addiction. They also talked about the role of a family in helping a person struggling with addiction to seek treatment and retaliation. The Why Intervention Podcast is aimed at helping family and friends feel supported and encouraged that recovery from addiction is possible, for themselves as well as their loved ones. You'll hear how to affect positive change in their life and help your loved one begin a successful recovery. Host Christopher Doyle shares his insights, talks with experts, and interviews people who have gone through recovery. Links and Resources from this Episode ADHD 2.0 by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey https://whyintervention.com/ https://twitter.com/whyintervention https://www.facebook.com/whyintervention/?ref=br_rs Show Notes Why is it called “Stop Dreaming”? - 1:39 Hope is not a game plan. - 4:33 For family members, there is a solution beyond talking and venting about the addiction war stories. - 9:40 If the willingness is present, we can send the person in recovery to talk with a person who's struggling, and that works wonderfully. However, if the person is unwilling, which is 90% of the time, then you need to have the family on board. -14:32 Story of enabling as a descriptor and not as a villainous term. - 19:06 Parents subsidize their addicted child, in different ways, shapes, and forms. - 29:25 Inability to go to treatments because of jobs. - 32:19 People with addictions are thinking about wanting to stop all the time. - 38:24 How do you get your loved ones to go from where they are now to the inpatient treatment program? - 46:33 Properly place the blame on the addiction and not on your addicted loved one. - 56:24 There are going to be things that you can do in order to help move your loved one in the direction of getting help. - 1:07:20 For people who are feeling as though there's nothing you can do because you're always told that there's nothing you can do, that is wrong. There is something you can do. It just takes a bit of professional guidance. - 1:08:11 Review, Subscribe and Share If you like what you hear please leave a review by clicking here Make sure you're subscribed to the podcast so you get the latest episodes. Subscribe with Apple Podcasts Follow on Spotify Subscribe with Stitcher Subscribe with RSS

Cathy Rashidian is a mom and an executive coach and an ADHD coach. She received her diagnosis with ADHD late in life. This diagnosis gave her relief because she had an explanation on what was happening in her life. In this podcast, we talk about her ADHD story. We then dive into negative self-talk. Why are we as ADHD prone to negative self-talk and how can we manage it? Check it out! Her Resources: ■ https://www.readysetchoose.com/ ■ IG: https://www.instagram.com/proudlyadhd_coachcathy/ Other Resources ■ ADHD 2.0 by Dr. Hallowell and Dr. Ratey ■ Additude Magazine

Zapraszam do lektury moich książek: Nie daj sobie spieprzyć życia. Sposoby na toksycznych ludzi https://sensus.pl/viewc/14859A/3/toklud Psychopata w pracy, w rodzinie i wśród znajomych: https://sensus.pl/viewc/14859A/1/psywpr.htm Totem. Jak zbudować poczucie własnej wartości: https://sensus.pl/viewc/14859A/1/totemj.htm Święty spokój. Instrukcja obsługi emocji: https://sensus.pl/viewc/14859A/1/swiety.htm Życie. Następny poziom: https://sensus.pl/viewc/14859A/1/zycie2.htm Alchemia duchowego rozwoju: https://sensus.pl/viewc/14859A/1/aldurv.htm Mantra ciszy. 7 reguł duchowej ścieżki: https://sensus.pl/viewc/14859A/1/7regdu.htm Motocyklizm. Droga do mindfulness: https://sensus.pl/viewc/14859A/1/motozy.htm Pokonaj stres z Kaizen: https://sensus.pl/viewc/14859A/1/pokosk.htm Schudnij z Kaizen: https://sensus.pl/viewc/14859A/1/pokoty.htm Model transpersonalny https://www.fundacjahs.org/sklep/model_transpersonalny-ebook/ Oferta moich szkoleń video: Zarządzanie emocjami: https://bit.ly/2IFmNOE Re-konstrukcja relacji: https://bit.ly/31Kl1FU Mindfulness: https://bit.ly/3bU5iHb Sztuka komunikacji: https://bit.ly/3eLJIpm Jak pokonać stres?: https://bit.ly/2VwL4ff Poziomy świadomości: https://bit.ly/3x0sw85 Motywacja: https://bit.ly/3Aa3Njc Oferta moich otwartych szkoleń i warsztatów: Zarządzanie emocjami: https://bit.ly/2oH5QJj Warsztaty medytacyjne: http://bit.ly/2AJHJ4I Akademia terapii transpersonalnej: https://bit.ly/2Vz7zAa Opis metody, której uczę i w której pracuję: Model transpersonalny: https://bit.ly/2OCI4wr Informacje na temat sesji indywidualnej: https://bit.ly/33kQkVL Realizacja video mini-wykładów oraz cyklu Niewidzialne książki jest możliwa dzięki środkom i zasobom Fundacji Hinc Sapientia https://www.fundacjahs.org. Jeśli uważasz, że publikowane tutaj materiały są przydatne i warto kontynuować ich produkcję to możesz ją wesprzeć darowizną na cele statutowe fundacji (wpłaty z pośrednictwem płatności on-line już od 10 zł) https://bit.ly/2nB1Tci Dziękuję:-) Jarosław Gibas

Best selling author John J. Ratey, MD is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 11 books published in 17 languages. With the publication of  Spark-The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, Dr. Ratey has established himself as one of the world's foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection.  See full show notes at www.northstarsleepschool.com/podcast.

I want to thank you for listening and for subscribing to Faster Than Normal! I also want to tell you that if you're listening to this one, you probably listened to other episodes as well. Because of you all, we are the number one ADHD podcast on the internet!! And if you like us, you can sponsor an episode! Head over to https://rally.io/creator/SHANK/ It is a lot cheaper than you think. You'll reach... about 25k to 30,000 people in an episode and get your name out there, get your brand out there, your company out there, or just say thanks for all the interviews! We've brought you over 230 interviews of CEOs, celebrities, musicians, all kinds of rock stars all around the world from Tony Robbins, Seth Godin, Keith Krach from DocuSign, Danny Meyer, we've had Rachel Cotton, we've had  the band Shinedown, right? Tons and tons of interviews, and we keep bringing in new ones every week so head over to https://rally.io/creator/SHANK/ make it yours, we'd love to have you, thanks so much for listening!  Now to this week's episode, we hope you enjoy it! —— Cynthia Hammer was born in raised in Leominster, Massachusetts, about an hour west of Boston. Graduated college with her Master's Degree in Social Work and has been married for 52 years, and has three wonderful sons. About a year after her middle son was diagnosed with ADD, the same pediatrician diagnosed Cynthia with ADD.  It was 1992 and she was 49 years old. After connecting with a few organizations, she founded the non-profit organization, ADD Resources, with a mission to help other adults with ADD learn about the condition and get diagnosed.  The organization sponsored yearly conferences with the most well-known ADHD clinicians as presenters—including Drs. Hallowell, Ratey, Dodson, and Amen along with Thomas Phelan and Thomas Brown, PhDs as well as sponsoring workshops for teachers and a special weekend for women with Sari Solden.  She left the organization in 2010 and trained to be an ADHD coach, but never got beyond offering her services pro bono. After some time away and inspired by the isolation imposed by Covid, she wrote a memoir about her life with ADD—“The Circular Staircase, Living with ADD.”  In getting reacquainted with ADHD research and literature for her memoir she learned that those with Inattentive ADHD continue to be significantly less-often diagnosed than those with Hyperactivity.  Wanting to change that she started a new non-profit in March, 2021 with a mission that children with Inattentive ADHD get diagnosed by age 8 and adults with Inattentive ADHD are readily and correctly diagnosed when they seek help. The new website is www.iadhd.org.  She is creating a social media presence, blogging, appearing on podcasts, and submitting articles for ADDitude magazine, spreading the message that Inattentive ADHD exists—it is different from ADHD with hyperactivity, and it is harmful to individuals when it goes undiagnosed. For ADHD Awareness month, which is October, people who share her commitment to spread awareness about Inattentive ADHD can download letters from her website to mail to school principals and physicians in their community.  They can find the letters by clicking on Spread Awareness. https://www.iadhd.org/adhd-awareness-month Today we learn more about how Cynthia continues to break social stereotypes and get folks the help they need -enjoy! In this episode Peter and Cynthia Hammer discuss:   1:55 - Intro and welcome Cynthia!  2:57 - You got diagnosed at age 49. After you got diagnosed how did things go? 4:22 - On not believing she would have a ‘whole new life', even though her doctor said she would. 5:04 - On her first ADHD “group meet” 6:53 - On how she started her first non-profit for ADHD  Ref: The Adult ADD Reader  Dr. Hallowell   9:15 - Ref:  Driven To Distraction by Dr. Hallowell  10:50 - Let's talk about your recent memoir! “The Circular Staircase” (not yet published)  Ref: Reedsy website 14:30 - Ref Additude mag 15:29 - How can people find you? Her non-profit is at www.iADHD.org  and @iadhd.org on Facebook and you can find @CynthiaHammer9 on Twitter  15:40 - Thank you Cynthia Hammer!  Guys, as always, we are here for you and we love what the responses and the notes that we get from you. So please continue to do that, tell us who you want to hear on the podcast, anything at all, we'd love to know.  Leave us a review on any of the places you get your podcasts, and if you can ever, if you ever need our help, I'm www.petershankman.com and you can reach out anytime via peter@shankman.com or @petershankman on all of the socials. You can also find us at @FasterNormal on all of the socials. It really helps when you drop us a review on iTunes and of course, subscribe to the podcast if you haven't already! As you know, the more reviews we get, the more people we can reach. Help us to show the world that ADHD is a gift, not a curse!  15:55 - Faster Than Normal Podcast info & credits   TRANSCRIPT:  — I want to thank you for listening and for subscribing to Faster Than Normal! I also want to tell you that if you're listening to this one, you probably listened to other episodes as well. Because of you all, we are the number one ADHD podcast on the internet!! And if you like us, you can sponsor an episode! Head over to https://rally.io/creator/SHANK/ It is a lot cheaper than you think. You'll reach... about 25k to 30,000 people in an episode and get your name out there, get your brand out there, your company out there, or just say thanks for all the interviews! We've brought you over 230 interviews of CEOs, celebrities, musicians, all kinds of rock stars all around the world from Tony Robbins, Seth Godin, Keith Krach from DocuSign, Danny Meyer, we've had Rachel Cotton, we've had  the band Shinedown, right? Tons and tons of interviews, and we keep bringing in new ones every week so head over to https://rally.io/creator/SHANK/ make it yours, we'd love to have you, thanks so much for listening!  Now to this week's episode, we hope you enjoy it! — My name is Peter Shankman. It is great to have you. It is a Tuesday here in New York and beautiful day, little warm, little hot, little Indian summer going on. It is very. I want to introduce our guest today I think you will enjoy; got someone who's born and raised in Leominster, Massachusetts, about an hour west of Boston. And after her middle son, she has three sons. After a middle son was diagnosed with ADD, the same pediatrician, diagnosed her with ADHD, whether they, it was 1982 and she was 49 years old. So. What do you do when you're ADHD and diagnosed at 49 years old, you start a non-profit. She created ADD Rescources https://www.iadhd.org It's a mission to help other adults with ADHD, learn about the condition and get diagnosed. They sponsor yearly conferences, including Dr. Hallowell, Randy Dodson, along with Thomas Brown, all the good ones, all the ones you read about in the books, all the ones whose books you've read. She left the organization in 2010. But then when COVID hit, she wrote a memoir there, a lot of stuff to cover here today. Welcome Cynthia Hammer, Cynthia. It is great to have you on the podcast.  Thank you.  So you got diagnosed at 49; prior to that what'd you think was going on?  I really didn't take anything was going on. Okay. So you just sort of lived your life and you're like, Hey, whatever, you know, this is, this is what it is. So after you got diagnosed did stuff started making a little more sense to you?  Well, I can't say that because I was very, very sad to get diagnosed. And when I was diagnosed, actually it was after I got, um, evaluated where I worked. And my supervisor had a grandson with ADD. So she was the first one to suggest that to me. And because of my son had inattentive ADD, occasionally I said to myself, I do that. I do that, but I never took it seriously. But when she told me, she thought I had ADD, um, at the next appointment with the pediatrician, cause I'd go with my son; I said to Dr. Klonsky. I said, do you think I have ADD? And he said, you do. So then he took me on, I was his first adult patient and I started to take Ritalin. It made a big difference. And what he said to me was- I envy you, you're going to have a whole new life. And I didn't believe him because I was just so sad about having it. Um, but I say with time it was a whole new life.  Tell me about it, why was it a new life?  Well, I went to the first ADD conference for adults. It was held in Ann Arbor, Michigan. And I'm sorry, probably it was about 1992. And when I came home, I decided to start a support group for adults with ADHD. So I went around and got, um, a hospital to give us a room and I got, um, flyers I put out in psychiatrist's office. And then when the group met, it didn't work out too well, because there was such a range. There always is a range of people with ADD and some of them were on dis um, Medicaid, or they weren't working and others were entrepreneurs and being very successful. So we'd have about 10 people at a meeting and then at the next meeting it would be different people. And so we never got to establish trust with each other and everyone was coming to tell their story from scratch. So then I decided, well, this isn't working and we switched and got a large auditorium, not, not large, but enough to hold like a hundred people. And I started, um, to have the meetings with a  professional in some area of ADD where people would want to learn more and we would, we're easily able to get people, psychiatrists and counselors, people in areas that impacted people with ADD to come and present. So that worked out much better. Although we still had problems of people in the audience wanting to interrupt the presenter to ask questions, and we took care of that. And then we'd have people in the audience that when it was question and answer, they would monologue a long time before they would ask the question. So it's still. It still took, um, some structure, but in that process of setting up the monthly meetings, I found other people with add that were functioning well enough to be helpers.  I guess at some point in there, I just decided to start a nonprofit and I can't remember why. But my mother had sent me $2,000. She never, ever done that before, and I just decided, and she lives in Massachusetts and I'm living in Washington state and I decided to use that money to start the nonprofit. So besides learning on my own, how to create the nonprofit, I found a book in the library that helped me to do that. Then. The other thought I had was to create a booklet called the adult ADD reader because instead of, I didn't the only book at the time that was out there was by Lynne Weiss. She was a PhD and her book was adults with ADHD. That was the first I'd heard of it. So we put it together, this adult ADD reader and I got approval. I don't know where I was getting the articles from, but I wrote to all the people like Dr. Hallowell, Dr. Ratey, got their permission to use their article in the adult reader. So it was like, A hundred page booklet with lots of articles it by all these professionals. And so then we started having a membership and with the membership, you could get the adult ADD reader and we created a lending library with, um, videos and books and back then it was audio tapes. And people, no matter where they lived, we would mail them materials and then they would mail them back. And at every meeting that we had, every month in person, people that were members, we had a Cardex and if they were members, they could borrow things from the lending library at the monthly meeting. And then from that, I don't think that cost much money, but we were going to move forward and have conferences. And the first one we had to come to speak was Dr. Hallowell. And he came to speak both at the auditorium where we had our monthly meetings and also at an auditorium in, uh, the junior college in our town. And it was so coincidental because that was the same week that, um, Dr. Hallowell was on the cover of time magazine. I think he had come out with, uh, Driven to Distraction. So that was kind of fun. And, and when Dr. Hal arrived, he said, uh, how much are you? How much are you charging? How much are you paying me? When I told him, he said, you should have asked for more. Oh, he should have asked for more. That's what I mean. Um, so I stayed in the position of the Director, I guess, for 15 years. And. Only for the last three years was I paid a salary because before that we weren't, we were making enough money to rent a room. I mean, yeah, an expanse, so we had two rooms for the office and I hired a secretary. And then in Washington state, they have a program where you can hire students that are on scholarship or students that are on financial assistance. And if you're a nonprofit, you can hire them and the state will pay 30, 70% of their salary. So we got, we got some, uh, and that's still available now. So we got a really good, um, student to come and help us in the office. And I think that there's always a good thing is to have that mix of the ADD people with some neuro-typical people.  Let's talk for a second. Let's talk for a second about the memoir about, uh, ADD to circular staircase. Well, I wrote it during COVID shut down and I know I never would have gotten it written if it hadn't been for the shutdown, but I just made a commitment to myself. I'd worked on it every day, which I did. And I, I have never written anything before. I mean, I wrote articles for the newsletter we had was add resources, but it was kind of, it was like, you know, new learning. It was really fun in a way to have all this new learning. And I found this website called Reedsy where you could, um, what to upload your, whatever you wrote. And there are all these parameters where it would improve your writing. It would show you where you use the same word too often, or show you, um, if you put in a, ‘so', or ‘really', or a very telling you that the new way of writing, you know, put those superlatives in there. It does, it really enhance things and changing from passive voice to active voice. Um, a lot of things like that. And so I kept thinking I was improving it. I was improving it and it ended up being about 60,000 words long. And I thought it was pretty good, but I thought I need someone who, um, is in this field. And I was reading online about this kind of editor and that kind of editor. It just sounded so confusing, but there was one website that recommended this other guy is a developmental editor. And so I hired him. And he read the manuscript and know the things like what, all the adventures that we had were like TV moves. So it's down the manuscript and 40,000 words. And he said it was, he was changing it so it was a story about my, my ADD. So the things that he didn't think were related to that were there, and I finished, we finished the manuscript in March and then. I sent it out to like 75 agents and publishers and no one responded except this one company that I'm still waiting to hear the associate decide by the end of September [2021]  And. Yeah, I, so I guess my new learning after this will be how to promote a self-published book. If they don't, they don't decide to publish it and if they do it's, um, It wouldn't come out for a year, you know? So I I'm, I'm just learning a lot about how this world works and attending sessions to learn about how to, how to proceed. That's. So in the meantime, 'cause I got back into learning about, ADD because of the writing, the memoir and just reading stuff to make sure my, what I was saying related to ADD was very true. I read an article, a blog, post, in Additude.mag by a girl who was 21. And she said that she's been told to just move on, after she got her diagnosis, but she said, I can't, I am just so angry. She was angry that even though people saw that she was struggling and she even, I guess, asked someone if she had ADD and they said, no, you you're too smart to have ADD; and so that just, just motivated me, I guess, to start a nonprofit with the focus on inattentive ADD. And so that's where I am today. Awesome. How can people find more about you? Do you have a website or are you a lot on social media somewhere? [15:29 - How can people find you? Her non-profit is at www.iADHD.org  and @iadhd.org on Facebook and you can find @CynthiaHammer9 on Twitter ] Awesome. Well, we will definitely post that in the show notes. Cynthia, I really appreciate you taking the time to be on the podcast. All right guys, we're listening to fast, the normal as always. We love that you're here. Stay in touch and reach out @petershankman or @FasterNormal. And we will see you next week. — Credits: You've been listening to the Faster Than Normal podcast. We're available on iTunes, Stitcher and Google play and of course at www.FasterThanNormal.com I'm your host, Peter Shankman and you can find me at petershankman.com and @petershankman on all of the socials. If you like what you've heard, why not head over to your favorite podcast platform of choice and leave us a review, come more people who leave positive reviews, the more the podcast has shown, and the more people we can help understand that ADHD is a gift, not a curse. Opening and closing themes were composed and produced by Steven Byrom who also produces this podcast, and the opening introduction was recorded by Bernie Wagenblast. Thank you so much for listening. We'll see you next week. 

Welcome back to the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast for episode #155 with Adam Tyner from the Thomas Fordham Institute[i] (an organization that promotes educational excellence for every child in America via quality research, analysis, and commentary) on his newly released report How to Sell SEL: Parents and the Politics of Social and Emotional Learning. Watch this interview on YouTube here https://youtu.be/BWe04ByXOpk Access the Online Report here https://sel.fordhaminstitute.org/ Access past episodes here https://www.achieveit360.com/episodes/  On this episode, you will learn: The TOP 5 Findings from Adam Tyner's NEW REPORT "Parents and the Politics of Social-Emotional Learning"   I'm Andrea Samadi, author, and educator from Toronto, Canada, now in Arizona, and like many of our listeners, have been fascinated with learning and understanding the science behind high performance strategies in our schools, sports, and workplace environments with ideas that we can all use, understand and implement immediately. We do this by covering the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning (for schools) and emotional intelligence training (in the workplace). Our podcast provides tools, resources and ideas for parents, teachers, and employees to improve well-being, achievement and productivity using simple neuroscience as it relates to our cognitive (the skills our brain uses to think, read, remember, pay attention), social and interpersonal relationships (with ourselves and others) and emotional learning (where we recognize and manage our emotions, demonstrate empathy and cope with frustration and stress). This past week, as I was researching and learning new ideas for upcoming episodes, I saw a notification come through my phone from Twitter that caught my attention. It was from Victoria McDougald, from the Fordham Institute in Washington DC and she let me know that they were about to release a new report that explores how parents view SEL and how they want it taught in schools. We have all seen how the mental-health challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic have made it more urgent to better support students' social and emotional learning needs while also advancing their academic learning, so I put down what I was doing and wrote her back immediately. This topic is urgent, timely and important. Every day I see emails about trainings in our schools to support our students SEL needs and the challenges we have all faced are not going away, they are changing and persisting in a way I don't think any of us imagined. The challenge that I have seen from the very beginning of watching SEL being implemented in schools across the US (starting in 2014 with just 8 States to our present day where all 50 States have some sort of SEL implementation plan) is that educators saw the importance of SEL, but didn't know where to begin, they weren't sure which program to use, how to integrate the SEL competencies into the curriculum. Following many of the early SEL webinars, I noticed this was a common theme. This is why we launched The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast in June 2019 to gather ideas, strategies and best practices for those interested in learning more about this topic, with easy-to-understand implementation strategies and ideas for our schools and workplaces. The topics we cover on this podcast were going to be an Introduction to SEL Course with a well-known educational publisher, but when this direction changed, I decided to put this content out into the world, for free, to help support educators and those in the workplace. I had no idea that this podcast would gain a global following, going into 153 countries and approaching 100,000 downloads (over 8K downloads/month) as we noticed that educators and those in the workplace were looking for new ways to sharpen their saw—with these skills that are not new, but are newly important. If this is how educators were feeling as these skills were being implemented into our schools, or employees in their workplaces, I wondered what parents would be thinking and feeling? Does the everyday modern parent know what social and emotional skills are? Since launching the podcast, I have had constant feedback from people around the world how these topics are helping people, whether it's from Superintendents in our schools running their District, Principals running their school sites, teachers running their classrooms, or parents looking to find new ideas to inspire themselves at work, or with their own children. As you can see from the topics we cover, these skills (that we have tied the most current brain research) are not just about teaching our next generation to be responsible citizens, or to be respectful. There are 6 competencies that we focus on, based on the research from Casel.org[ii] and implementing these competencies is an important task not only for our students, but also for our teachers. I saw this emerge as a clear hot topic with my interview with Chey and Pav on their Staffroom Podcast[iii] (they are 2 phenomenal educators from Toronto who cover educational topics to improve our next generation of teachers/students) and it became clear that teachers can see the importance of modeling these skills in our classrooms of the future, integrating them into core subject areas, but what do parents think? That's what we will explore on today's episode. I looked closer at Victoria's message to me on Twitter, and she reminded me that “as we enter another pandemic year, the results of this first-of-its kind survey will help educators, policymakers and philanthropists gain stronger parental support and better help students navigate this exceptionally challenging time” and my response to her was “how soon can we speak?” The report, written Adam Tyner, and the Foreword and Executive Summary by Amber Northern and Michael J. Petrill shows 5 key findings that we will dive deep into with our questions starting with the premise that “America's hard nosed focus on academic achievement in recent decades has not improved schools nearly enough” (page 1 How to Sell SEL” and that the Common Core wars taught us that “mishandling communication about education reforms can derail good intentions.” (page 1 How to Sell SEL) so the Fordham Institute partnered with YouGov, a global public-opinion firm to develop a nationally representative survey of 2,000 parents “to gain greater clarity on what parents of K-12 students think about SEL, how they understand it, whether they see it as more help or hindrance, and whether they have concerns about its implementation.” (page 1, How to Sell SEL) **** Since there is a political angle to the report, I wanted to mention that I am a new US Citizen (September 2018) and have only voted once (born in Great Britain, grew up in Toronto, Canada, and moved to  AZ, USA a few months before 9/11/01—with a vision to make an impact with education after the Columbine Tragedy—with SEL skills as my motivator). I'm really interested to dive deep with the report author, data analyst and project manager, Adam Tyner, on the results and findings, to see if we can bring more clarity for educators and parents on the future of SEL in our schools, and demystify these “social and emotional skills” that I have dedicated my life's work towards, with the hopes that some change occurs in our schools, and communities of the future. Welcome Adam Tyner, thank you for meeting with me so quickly after the release of this report. I'm sure you can see that I recognize how timely and important this topic is. Before we get to the questions, and the top findings of your report, I have to ask you “How was your honeymoon?” as I know you've just returned!  Congratulations on this new milestone in your life. Life isn't all about work, or we would all burn out fast, so I think it's important to recognize and celebrate this time. Adam, let's dive into your “How to Sell SEL” Report. I wanted to go through each of the 5 key findings of the report and discuss each one to perhaps bring more clarity around each of the areas you have uncovered as important for parents of K-12 students. How does that sound? Q1: For Finding #1: There is broad support among parents teaching SEL-related skills in schools, although the term “social and emotional learning” is relatively unpopular. (Page 1) I looked at figure-1 and see the SEL skills that were measured in the survey, and my first thought was. Are parents clear what social and emotional skills REALLY mean? I looked at the survey questions and the term social and emotional learning was defined as “The process of developing self-awareness, self-control, interpersonal skills, responsible or ethical decision-making and civic awareness.” (page 34) I mentioned in the backstory that SEL is not just about teaching our next generation how to hold open doors for each other, or to be responsible citizens. These are character traits that I agree need to be taught (and I saw one character trait being measured)—prepare students to be an active and informed citizen. When conducting this survey, I think there were still some grey areas that could use some clarity for parents to grasp the importance of these skills, that Casel.org has proven with their research[iv] to provide an 11-percentile point gain for students who learn and implement these SEL skills.  With this first finding, I wanted to break down the skills that you measured so that parents, educators, and policymakers can see which skills are social and interpersonal, which ones are emotional and the skills that are cognitive. This way, it takes the emphasis off the term “social and emotional skills” that people might have their own cognitive bias with--and look at these skills broken down into these 3 categories, so that we can then see which categories parents place more value on.   To break these skills into 3 clear categories, I've used a report developed by Hank Resnik for The Aspen Institute called Integrating Social, Emotional and Academic Development: [v] where he  brings clarity to the term “social and emotional learning.” From looking at the 3 categories in Hank Resnik's report, it looks like parents in your survey Valued Setting Goals and Working Towards Achieving Them (93%) which is listed as a Cognitive Skill Approaching Challenges in a Positive Way (91%) which I think would fall under Social and Interpersonal Skills. Parents next valued students Believe in Themselves and Their Abilities (91%) which I would put under the Emotional category. Navigate Social Situations (Social-Awareness-Social and Interpersonal) Respond Ethically (Social-Awareness-Social and Interpersonal) Prepare to be an Active, Informed Citizen (Social-Awareness-Social and Interpersonal) Understand, Express and Control Their Emotions (Self-Management-Emotional) Empathize with the Feelings of Others (Social-Awareness-Social and Interpersonal). Question 1: To me, when we break down the competencies into these 3 sections (cognitive, social and interpersonal and emotional) it seems like parents put the most value on setting goals and working towards them, which is a cognitive skill, Social and Interpersonal Skills (Mindset, Social Awareness) next, and emotional skills last (empathize with others/stand up for people of different backgrounds). What do you think about these findings? When we put the competencies into clear categories, what do you think about the fact that parents value setting and achieving goals over standing up for people with different backgrounds and empathizing with the feelings of others? If page 11 of the report noted a quote about the importance of our citizens to empathize with others, why did empathy show up last in the first findings, do you think? Horacio Sanchez, the author of the Poverty Problem--Empathy plays a critical role in reading comprehension. Low empathy, low comprehension. COGNITIVE SKILLS FIRST  Setting/Achieving Goals (93%) SOCIAL AND INTERPERSONAL MINDSET SOCIAL-AWARENESS CHARACTER TRAIT of CITIZENSHIP SELF-MANAGEMENT-Understand and Manage Emotions (82%) SOCIAL-AWARENESS-Empathize with the Feelings of Others (81%) Figure 2: Integrating Social, Emotional and Academic Development (page 3) Social and Interpersonal Skills like: How to navigate social situations Resolving conflicts Showing respect towards others Emotional Skills like: Recognizing and managing one's emotions Empathy: the ability to understand the emotions and perspectives of others The ability to cope with frustration, disappointments and stress Finally, there's Academic or Cognitive Skills, the core skills our brain uses to think, read, remember, reason and pay attention. Skills like: Focus Setting goals Planning and organizing Perseverance Problem solving I have followed Stephanie Jones from Harvard[vi] over the years and her work on SEL Frameworks defines the domains with the three we mentioned (cognitive, social and emotional) in addition to values, perspectives and identity which I think are important to note as well.   Do you think that values that include character skills, virtues and habits were clear where they fit into the realm of social and emotional learning instruction for parents? I think Values and Character are separate from SEL skills, and Identity/Mindset/Self-efficacy is important, just like your survey shows with the next findings. Q2: For findings #2: Democratic parents favor schools allocating additional resources to SEL more than Republican parents do.  Students should be given honest feedback for them to learn from mistakes/grown (which both parties agree on). When I see the discrepancy with students' SEL needs must be met for them to reach their academic potential (89% for D and 75% for R) it makes me think that R are unclear of what exactly these SEL skills are. If they knew about how CASEL's research shows that students who studied these SEL competencies show an 11-percentile academic gain, wouldn't they all agree that students' SEL needs must be met for them to reach their full potential? Q3: Across the political spectrum, parents regard families as the most important entities for cultivating SEL yet there are partisan differences regarding how and where to emphasize SEL instruction. Q3: I wasn't surprised that the term “Social and Emotional Learning” is less popular than life skills, because going back to our question #1, I don't think there is clarity around what these skills are.  Every single SEL webinar I attended began with someone giving a framework or clear definition of these skills so that educators began to see them in terms of SEL competencies. Stephanie Jones from Harvard's Easel Lab[vii] and her work on SEL Frameworks clearly defines the domains with the three we mentioned (cognitive, social and emotional) in addition to values, perspectives and identity which I think are important to note as well.   For those who answered the survey and have their own assumption of what these skills are, will choose a term that fits what they think they are, and the problem I see, is that the survey leaves out the research behind these important skills. If we go back to Hank Resnik's report from the Aspen Institute, life skills correlate closer to cognitive skills, but they leave out the skills that I've uncovered in this podcast that 58% of Employers Say Students Aren't Learning in College.[viii] with communication being one of them, which is a social and interpersonal skill. Adam, do you think that if Social and Emotional Learning was better defined with your survey, that all 2,000 respondents saw them divided how Hank divided them, with the research attached, and the survey that follows the importance of these skills in the workplace, that the label or term “Social and Emotional Learning” would have a wider acceptance? Q4: Republicans are somewhat more wary than Democrats that SEL might divert schools away from academics or conflict with their own values.  This has been something I have heard for years, from students, teachers, parents, and from our publishers who wonder how important these SEL competencies are. Do these skills really make an impact on our next generation of students?  Casel.org's research says it does. I dive deep into the 5 SEL Competencies and why they are so important on a recent podcast episode #152[ix] with an expert in psychology and cognitive neuroscience, Dr. Howard Rankin, since the research is clear and shows us that students with strong SEL health “demonstrate self-control, communicate well, problem solve, are empathetic, respectful, grateful, gritty and optimistic.”[x] “Success in life, and in college and career specifically, relies on student's cognitive, social, and emotional development. (Integrating Social, Emotional and Academic Development: An Action Guide for School Leadership Teams[xi]) page 4 “Research shows that teaching these skills result in immediate and long-term improvement in academic achievements and are a better predictor of success than academic ability alone.” (Perspectives of Youth on High School and SEL Webinar, Dec. 11/18).[xii] Were the parents surveyed aware of the research behind SEL impacting academic achievement? What do think of these findings? Saying they are important and instilling them in your own children are 2 completely different things. Have they ever tried teaching these skills to their own children? I ask this because I've been aware of these skills since I saw them impacting a group of teens in the late 1990s, so of course, when my kids were old enough, I had them setting goals until they hit a certain age, and they started rolling their eyes at me when I would say “ok, what do you want to accomplish this year?” The yellow chart paper that used to hang up on their bedroom walls have been replaced with gymnastics trophies, and my girls don't listen to me anymore…but they listen to their coaches at the gym. I saw that these skills were taught more effectively outside of the home. I can only reinforce these skills, like I do with healthy eating, but they stopped goal setting with me, and would prefer to do that with their coach at the gym. Q5: Differences by parents' race, class and religion are rarely as pronounced as differences by political affiliation and parents of different races prefer varying SEL related program names (Developing Grit/Emotional Intelligence/Positive Youth Development/Character Education). For thing angle, I consulted with my good friend Horacio Sanchez, the author of The Poverty Problem, since our conversation on the podcast covered race and religion, and when I don't know something, I like to ask others to gain a different perspective and he said to me “When non-political issues are politicized, it often stems from how its being portrayed and being informed” and asked “do you think the political debate concerning SEL is related to the lack of understanding of what it is?” What do you think? DIVING DEEPER INTO WHAT PARENTS THINK AND FEEL ABOUT SEL: Andrea and Adams discuss these comments about the view of parents/SEL. “Confidence is built by doing”  Andrea discusses with Adam that these skills can translate cross-curricular (math/confidence) blasting through a math problem, building confidence, but have a discussion about it so that it's not missed that it was perseverance and persistence that helped the student to solve the problem. Parents need to teach and reinforce SEL with their kids. Yes, we all must teach and reinforce these skills. Home/schools/sports. There are many skills I cannot teach my children (even though I have tried) but they learn them through their coaches through sport. It's takes a village. We must know how these skills translate back towards our academics, and think deeper about what improves our mathematical skills. (Dr. Ratey's[xiii] work- Naperville's Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) where they scored #1 in science and #6 in math, in the world, proving that there was something unique that Naperville had discovered with correlation of exercise and academic achievement). Navigating relationships is important (which is why it's one of Casel's 5 competencies) and being mindful of behavior and consequences (brings us back to neuroscience and the brain with executive functions/thinking). This is why teachers must be trained in trauma-informed practices and understand how the brain works. Horacio Sanchez[xiv] Dr. Bruce Perry (What Happened to You Book) and Dr. Lori Desautels[xv] all teach how the brain impacts learning. Adam, I want to thank you very much for your time today, discussing something that I know we both agree is important to unpack a bit more. What are your final thoughts? For those who want to learn more about the report, what is the best way to access it? https://sel.fordhaminstitute.org/  Thank you!   REFERENCES: [i] https://fordhaminstitute.org/tags/washington-dc [ii] https://casel.org/sel-framework/ [iii] Chey and Pav Speak to Andrea Samadi about Social and Emotional Learning in our Schools https://open.spotify.com/episode/0IaXGeegsY2d3Y23WmCgRa?go=1&utm_source=embed_v3&t=0&nd=1 [iv] https://casel.org/research/ [v]Integrating Social, Emotional and Academic Development: An Action Guide for School Leadership Teams by Hank Resnik March 2019  https://www.aspeninstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/UPDATED-FINAL-Aspen_Integrating-Report_4_Single.pdf [vi] https://easel.gse.harvard.edu/people/stephanie-m-jones [vii] https://easel.gse.harvard.edu/people/stephanie-m-jones [viii]Employers Say Students Aren't Learning Soft Skills in College by Dana Wilkie October 21, 2019 https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/employers-say-students-arent-learning-soft-skills-in-college.aspx [ix] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #152 with Dr. Howard Rankin and Andrea Samadi  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/expert-in-psychology-cognitive-neuroscience-and-neurotechnology-howard-rankin-phdinterviews-andrea-samadi/ [x] SEL: The Why and Hows of Implementation in a School District (Edweb) https://home.edweb.net/webinar/sel20190404/  (April 4, 2019) [xi] Integrating Social, Emotional and Academic Development: An Action Guide for School Leadership Teams by Hank Resnik (March 2019) https://education-first.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/UPDATED-FINAL-Aspen_Integrating-Report_4_Single.pdf [xii] Report By Civic with Hart Research Associates Jennifer L. DePaoli, Matthew N. Atwell, John M. Bridgeland & Timothy P. Shriver Respected: Perspectives of Youth on High School & Social and Emotional Learning  https://casel.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Respected.pdf  CASEL WEBINAR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Nsr7ELsNQ [xiii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #116 with Dr. John Ratey  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/best-selling-author-john-j-ratey-md-on-the-revolutionary-new-science-of-exercise-and-the-brain/ [xiv] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE  #74 with Horacio Sanchez https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/leading-brain-science-and-resiliency-expert-horatio-sanchez-on-how-to-apply-brain-science-to-improve-instruction-and-school-climate/ [xv]Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #56 with Dr. Lori Desautels  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/educational-neuroscience-pioneer-dr-lori-desautels-on-her-new-book-about-connections-over-compliance-rewiring-our-perceptions-of-discipline/

References: BBN Radio: Dr. Hubbard, *a sermon referenced public health, not specifically weight loss* The Doctor's Farmacy 5/28/21 episode: Creating Health Outside Of The Doctor's Office. "It's well established that it's easier to work out with someone else, whether you're running with a friend, cycling with a group, or walking with a neighbor." Spark pg 251 Dr. Ratey

Welcome back to the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, for Brain Fact Friday and episode #141. In today's episode, you will learn: ✔︎ Tips for regrowing your brain cells (neurogenesis) ✔︎ A reminder of what prevents neurogenesis and hurts your brain I'm Andrea Samadi, author and educator from Toronto, Canada, now living in Arizona, and like many of our listeners, have been fascinated with learning and understanding the science behind high performance strategies in our schools, sports, and modern workplaces of the future. If you have been listening to our podcast, you will know that we've uncovered that if we want to improve our social and emotional skills, and experience success in our work and personal lives, it all begins with an understanding of our brain. And since most of us have not had a crash course in the basics of neuroscience, and how an understanding of our brain can impact learning, I launched this podcast in June 2019 with the goal of interviewing leaders and experts who have risen to the top of their field, using these success principles. I'm writing this before recording episode #143 with Dr. Jon Lieff, whose book The Secret Language of Cells: What Biological Conversation Tells Us About the Brain-Body Connection, the Future of Medicine and Life Itself[i], and his book has really got me thinking. We know that brain health is important, but could the cells in our body be important for our health, translating into our productivity, results and future well-being? Just like I had never thought about my brain as it related to my results prior to understanding how important our brain was for our future, I definitely have never thought about my health down to the level of my cells. Or even thought about how brain cells (neurons) are different from the other cells in my body (like organ lining cells, immune cells, or blood vessel cells).  Have you? This Leads us to This Week's Brain Fact Friday: Did you know that “we can regrow brain cells (a process called neurogenesis) that we retain throughout our entire lifetime”[ii] and that the best way to increase neurogenesis (regrow your brain cells) is “when your body produces more BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor.” (Dr. David Perlmutter). We covered an introduction to BDNF on episode #114 “Building a Faster, Stronger, Resilient Brain, by Understanding Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor”[iii] and how important BDNF is for learning and memory, with some tips for increasing your BDNF levels. What Helps Your Brain Cells? Exercise releases BDNF: Dr. Ratey, in his book Go Wild explained that researchers were looking at ways to prevent the aging brain and found that “seniors who exercised developed significantly larger hippocampal volumes (the part of the brain responsible for memory processing) improving their memory.”[iv] They found that exercise also “prevented a loss of grey matter overall (which is common in aging) and improved brain function.” (Page 107). Since we are all aging, it makes sense to me that this research is relevant to all of us, not just the aging brain, proving again, of the importance of exercise as one of the health staples we should all be aware of. Nutrition also releases BDNF: Taking Omega-3 DHA also increases your BDNF and helps to increase neurogenesis. “Omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to influence neurogenesis through at least two distinct mechanisms. First, omega-3 fatty acids are incorporated into neuronal membranes…A second potential pathway …(where) these diets may influence neurogenesis is via omega-3 fatty acid modulation of cytokine levels, which in turn regulates immune function.”[v] What Hurts Your Brain Cells? We know that diet and exercise help our brain to build new neurons, but what hurts your brain and kills your brain cells? Chronic stress, lack of sleep, poor diet and chemical and pesticide exposure all prevent neurogenesis and our podcast episode with Dr. Lieff on The Secret Language of Cells (Coming next week) we touch on this, but contrary to popular belief, “moderate alcohol use doesn't kill brain cells.”[vi]  Not to say that alcohol does not damage the brain it just doesn't kill brain cells. “It can damage the dendrites which are the branch-like ends of the brain cells. Dendrites are key for passing messages from one neuron to another, so dendrite degradation can cause cognitive problems.”[vii] Conclusion: Can we control neurogenesis by increasing BDNF? Sandrine Thuret thinks we can, and offers her ideas in her TED TALK[viii] She shows the clear case for exercise with an image I have put in the show notes showing new brain cells (black dots) growing in rats who were runners, versus less brain cell growth in the no-running rats.   (Image showing new brain cells (black dots) growing in rats who were runners Source-You can grow new brain cells. Here's how. Published on YouTube October 30, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_tjKYvEziI&t=5s   Sandrine Thuret's TED TALK lists many ways you can grow new brain cells (the highlighted words) with intermittent fasting, flavonoids (found in dark chocolate) and caffeine being a few evidence-based strategies. Conversely, she mentions a diet high in saturated fat, sugar or ethanol, will have a negative impact on neurogenesis. Image Source: Here's how. Published on YouTube October 30, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_tjKYvEziI&t=5s  (7:26) This Brain Fact Friday was a reminder for me to take my OMEGA-3 fatty acids. I hope it's opened up your mind for some new ideas. Stay tuned next week for Dr. Jon Leiff's fascinating interview on his book, The Secret Language of Cells, as well as a case study from Michal Ricca, the founder of the Now I Can Read Program, who has taught over 1,000 children to read with her program. See you next week. REFERENCES: [i] The Secret Language of Cells: What Biological Conversation Tells Us About the Brain-Body Connection by Jon Lieff, MD. September 22, 2020 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084HKZ4HK/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 [ii] Grow New Brain Cells with Exercise with Dr. David Perlmutter YouTube Published Dec.4, 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4NfYd4wq7o&t=3s [iii] Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast EPISODE #114 “Building a Faster, Stronger, Resilient Brain, by Understanding Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor”  https://andreasamadi.podbean.com/e/brain-fact-friday-on-building-a-faster-stronger-resilient-brain-by-understanding-brain-derived-neurotrophic-factor-bdnf/ [iv] Go Wild: Eat Fat, Run Free, Be Social, and Follow Evolution's Other Rules for Total Health and Well-Being by John J Ratey, MD and Richard Manning (June 3, 2014) https://www.amazon.com/Go-Wild-Free-Afflictions-Civilization-ebook/dp/B00FPQA66C [v] Omega-3 fatty acids upregulate adult neurogenesis by Barbara S. Beltz, Michael F Tlusty, Jeannie L Benton, and David C Sandeman Published Jan. 7, 2007 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1892224/#:~:text=Omega%2D3%20fatty%20acids%20have,transporters%20and%20receptors%20%5B4%5D. [vi] Brain Myth: Drinking Alcohol Kills Brain Cells https://www.brainhq.com/brain-resources/cool-brain-facts-myths/brain-mythology/brain-myth-alcohol-kills-brain-cells/ [vii] IBID [viii] You can grow new brain cells. Here's how. Published on YouTube October 30, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_tjKYvEziI&t=5s  

“If everyone knew that exercise worked as well as Zoloft, I think we could put a real dent in the disease.” Dr. John RateyDepression is an erosion of connections — in your life as well as between your brain cells, according to Dr. John Ratey, a practicing psychiatrist, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and author of seven books on brain functioning including SPARK, The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. In SPARK, Dr. Ratey presents numerous cases of worldwide scientific research and studies to affirm that exercise, in fact, reestablishes those connections.In Britain, doctors now use exercise as a first-line treatment for depression, but it's vastly underutilized in the United States…a fact that Dr. Ratey says is a shame given the supporting studies. It is this lack of appreciation for the value of exercise that has ignited Dr. Ratey's passion for spreading the word – and for founding his new nonprofit organization, Sparking Life.Here's what's knownStudies suggest that endorphins produced directly in the brain contribute to the general feeling of well-being that usually comes along with exercise. Aside from elevating endorphins, exercise also increases our body and brain levels of endocannabinoids, brain growth factors (BDNF)and regulates all of the neurotransmitterstargeted by antidepressants.For starters, exercise immediately elevates levels of norepinephrine in certain areas of the brain. It wakes up the brain and gets it going and improves self- esteem, which is one component of depression.Exercise also boosts dopamine, which improves mood, motivation, feelings of wellness and attention. Chronic exercise increases dopamine storage in the brain and also triggers the production of enzymes that create dopamine receptors in the reward center of the brain, and this provides a feeling of satisfaction when we have accomplished something. If the demand is there, the dopamine genes get activated to produce more, and the overall effect is a more stable regulation of these pathways, which also are important to controlling addictions.Serotonin is equally affected by exercise, and it's important for mood, impulse control, and self-esteem. It also helps stave off stress by counteracting cortisol, and it primes the cellular connections in the cortex and hippocampus that are important for learning.In addition to feeling good when you exercise, you feel good about yourself, and that has a positive effect that can't be traced to a particular chemical or area in the brain. If you've been feeling down and you start to exercise and feel better, the sense that you're going to be OK and that you can count on yourself shifts your entire attitude. The stability of the routine alone can dramatically improve your mood. Clearly, there's something going on.“What makes aerobic exercise so powerful is that it's our evolutionary method of generating that spark,” according to Dr. Ratey. “It lights a fire on every level of your brain, from stoking up the neurons' metabolic furnaces to forging the very structures that transmit information from one synapse to the next.”This Episode Has Been Brought To You By “Better Daily”!definingdadbod.com/betterdailyUse Code DADBOD at checkout to save 25%!Jumpstart With Coach Alexdefiningdadbod.com/jumpstartThis information is meant to be actionable information to promote health and well-being and not to be used to diagnose or treat medical symptoms or conditions. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-by-better-daily--5150768/support.

“If everyone knew that exercise worked as well as Zoloft, I think we could put a real dent in the disease.” Dr. John RateyDepression is an erosion of connections — in your life as well as between your brain cells, according to Dr. John Ratey, a practicing psychiatrist, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and author of seven books on brain functioning including SPARK, The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. In SPARK, Dr. Ratey presents numerous cases of worldwide scientific research and studies to affirm that exercise, in fact, reestablishes those connections.In Britain, doctors now use exercise as a first-line treatment for depression, but it’s vastly underutilized in the United States…a fact that Dr. Ratey says is a shame given the supporting studies. It is this lack of appreciation for the value of exercise that has ignited Dr. Ratey’s passion for spreading the word – and for founding his new nonprofit organization, Sparking Life.Here’s what’s knownStudies suggest that endorphins produced directly in the brain contribute to the general feeling of well-being that usually comes along with exercise. Aside from elevating endorphins, exercise also increases our body and brain levels of endocannabinoids, brain growth factors (BDNF)and regulates all of the neurotransmitterstargeted by antidepressants.For starters, exercise immediately elevates levels of norepinephrine in certain areas of the brain. It wakes up the brain and gets it going and improves self- esteem, which is one component of depression.Exercise also boosts dopamine, which improves mood, motivation, feelings of wellness and attention. Chronic exercise increases dopamine storage in the brain and also triggers the production of enzymes that create dopamine receptors in the reward center of the brain, and this provides a feeling of satisfaction when we have accomplished something. If the demand is there, the dopamine genes get activated to produce more, and the overall effect is a more stable regulation of these pathways, which also are important to controlling addictions.Serotonin is equally affected by exercise, and it’s important for mood, impulse control, and self-esteem. It also helps stave off stress by counteracting cortisol, and it primes the cellular connections in the cortex and hippocampus that are important for learning.In addition to feeling good when you exercise, you feel good about yourself, and that has a positive effect that can’t be traced to a particular chemical or area in the brain. If you’ve been feeling down and you start to exercise and feel better, the sense that you’re going to be OK and that you can count on yourself shifts your entire attitude. The stability of the routine alone can dramatically improve your mood. Clearly, there’s something going on.“What makes aerobic exercise so powerful is that it’s our evolutionary method of generating that spark,” according to Dr. Ratey. “It lights a fire on every level of your brain, from stoking up the neurons’ metabolic furnaces to forging the very structures that transmit information from one synapse to the next.”This Episode Has Been Brought To You By “Better Daily”!definingdadbod.com/betterdailyUse Code DADBOD at checkout to save 25%!Jumpstart With Coach Alexdefiningdadbod.com/jumpstartThis information is meant to be actionable information to promote health and well-being and not to be used to diagnose or treat medical symptoms or conditions. 

"I'm pretty stressed out today"Oh yeah? What's got you stressed?Kids, job, decisions, family, and random acts of entropy -- adulting is hard and the 2nd law of thermodynamics is working! So what to do?What if I told you that exercise can change the structure and function of your brain so that you can HANDLE THE STRESS BETTER. AND the effects are lasting?Would that motivate you?I understand, you're stressedBut adding a 20min run here or there or hitting the weights you could help you change your brain and end your day feeling accomplished rather than stressed? Excited rather than anxious? Contented rather than upset?.Its a powerful mechanism. Lets talk about it!Better Daily Group - 1% Better. Together!https://definingdadbod.com/faithful40Better Daily April Calendarhttps://definingdadbod.com/s/Better-Daily-April-2021Use coupon code “DADBOD” for 25% off!Spark - The Revolutionary New Science Of Exercise And The Brainhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316113514/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316113514&linkCode=as2&tag=definingdadbo-20&linkId=0b39e82cbfa3591dfd107fd16155e5b8This information is meant to be actionable information to promote health and well-being and not to be used to diagnose or treat medical symptoms or conditions. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-by-better-daily--5150768/support.

We are always talking about muscles in the fitness world.Don't get me wrong. Muscles are great. Their connections across joints to produce movement, the aesthetic appearance of healthy muscularity, and the fact that they actually burn when you exercise…I get it. But are they the only parts that benefit when we move our bodies in a way that creates positive stress?Well, your heart gets stronger and pumps more blood per beat when you exercise. Your lungs become more efficient at exchanging carbon dioxide and oxygen. Resistance training can even elevate almost all of your liver enzymes for up to 7 days! Just to name a couple non-muscles…But what if I told you that exercise's benefits for muscles, heart, lungs and liver are actually tiny compared to its effect on your most important organ of all? Well, the most impressive studies in the fitness world all agree: exercise changes your brain.Let's talk about how! Better Daily Group - 1% Better. Together!https://definingdadbod.com/betterdailyBetter Daily April Calendarhttps://definingdadbod.com/s/Better-Daily-April-2021Use coupon code “DADBOD” for 25% off!Spark - The Revolutionary New Science Of Exercise And The Brainhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316113514/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0316113514&linkCode=as2&tag=definingdadbo-20&linkId=0b39e82cbfa3591dfd107fd16155e5b8This information is meant to be actionable information to promote health and well-being and not to be used to diagnose or treat medical symptoms or conditions. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-by-better-daily--5150768/support.

Dr. John Ratey is an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles, and 11 books published in 17 languages. And the author of "Spark:The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain", Dr. Ratey has established himself as one of the world's foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection.Get the latest issue of BrainFirst Applied Neuroscience Magazine https://www.mybrainfirst.com/brainfirstmagazineInstagram for quotes & tips: https://www.instagram.com/mybrainfirstFacebook for insights and strategies: https://www.facebook.com/brainfirstConnect with me:https://www.instagram.com/ramondavidneuroBrainFirst Training Institute. Accredited neuroscience and brain-based training programs for Coaches, Helping Professionals, Leaders, Educators and Trainers. https://www.brainfirsttraininginstitute.com

Aerobic exercise has a positive impact on the entire range of depressive symptoms — From - http://www.sparkinglife.org/2016/12/14/depression/“If everyone knew that exercise worked as well as Zoloft, I think we could put a real dent in the disease.” Dr. John RateyDepression is an erosion of connections — in your life as well as between your brain cells, according to Dr. John Ratey, a practicing psychiatrist, clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and author of seven books on brain functioning including SPARK, The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain. In SPARK, Dr. Ratey presents numerous cases of worldwide scientific research and studies to affirm that exercise, in fact, reestablishes those connections.In Britain, doctors now use exercise as a first-line treatment for depression, but it's vastly underutilized in the United States…a fact that Dr. Ratey says is a shame given the supporting studies. It is this lack of appreciation for the value of exercise that has ignited Dr. Ratey's passion for spreading the word – and for founding his new nonprofit organization, Sparking Life.Here's what's knownStudies suggest that endorphins produced directly in the brain contribute to the general feeling of well-being that usually comes along with exercise. Aside from elevating endorphins, exercise also increases our body and brain levels of endocannabinoids, brain growth factors (BDNF)and regulates all of the neurotransmitterstargeted by antidepressants.For starters, exercise immediately elevates levels of norepinephrine in certain areas of the brain. It wakes up the brain and gets it going and improves self- esteem, which is one component of depression.Exercise also boosts dopamine, which improves mood, motivation, feelings of wellness and attention. Chronic exercise increases dopamine storage in the brain and also triggers the production of enzymes that create dopamine receptors in the reward center of the brain, and this provides a feeling of satisfaction when we have accomplished something. If the demand is there, the dopamine genes get activated to produce more, and the overall effect is a more stable regulation of these pathways, which also are important to controlling addictions.Serotonin is equally affected by exercise, and it's important for mood, impulse control, and self-esteem. It also helps stave off stress by counteracting cortisol, and it primes the cellular connections in the cortex and hippocampus that are important for learning.In addition to feeling good when you exercise, you feel good about yourself, and that has a positive effect that can't be traced to a particular chemical or area in the brain. If you've been feeling down and you start to exercise and feel better, the sense that you're going to be OK and that you can count on yourself shifts your entire attitude. The stability of the routine alone can dramatically improve your mood. Clearly, there's something going on.“What makes aerobic exercise so powerful is that it's our evolutionary method of generating that spark,” according to Dr. Ratey. “It lights a fire on every level of your brain, from stoking up the neurons' metabolic furnaces to forging the very structures that transmit information from one synapse to the next.”Mentioned in the show:Defining Dad Bod Inner Circlewww.facebook.com/groups/definingdadbodSupport the movement:www.patreon.com/definingdadbodExercise and the brain part 1www.definingdadbod.com/blog/62Exercise and the brain part 2www.definingdadbod.com/blog/64Exercise and the brain part 3www.definingdadbod.com/blog/69Get Help with YOUR Transformationwww.definingdadbod.com/trialBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-by-better-daily--5150768/support.

Dr. Hallowell is considered to be one of the foremost experts on the topic of ADHD. He is the co-author, with Dr. John Ratey, of Driven to Distraction and Answers to Distraction, which have sold more than a million copies. In 2005, Drs. Hallowell and Ratey released their much-awaited third book on ADHD, Delivered From Distractio. “Delivered” provides updated information on the treatment of ADHD and more on adult ADHD. He has authored 18 books and is a highly recognized speaker around the world. His books and lectures focus on various psychological, family and social topics and offer groundbreaking advice on ADHD, raising happy children, marriage, how to help your employees shine and staying connected in this “crazy busy” world. He has appeared on CNN as well as on Dr. Oz,Oprah, Good Morning America, 60 Minutes and other shows. In this series with the founding partners of Understood.org, we bring you one of the most exciting, informative and interactive resources ever put together for parents and educators of children with ADHD and learning disabilities.