Best Brain Buzz Podcast Podcasts (2024)

1
398: Becoming a Normal Drinker 23:18

1d ago23:18

23:18

Do you ever wish you could just be a "normal" drinker? Do you fantasize that if you could fix your drinking, you'd finally feel okay about yourself? The truth is, becoming a normal drinker isn't really about the alcohol. It's about the story we tell ourselves - that if we can just change this one thing, we'll be worthy and whole. Spoiler alert: it …

1
397: The Ultimate Guide to Drinking Less 19:39

8d ago19:39

19:39

How many problems in your increasingly complex life can be solved by a one-size-fits-all solution? Not many. And yet, society insists on prescribing such an approach when it comes to drinking less. Everyone’s relationship with alcohol is different, and the only way to change your habit is by finding an individualized approach. But how? It all start…

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396: When You're Drinking to Fill the Time 31:07

17d ago31:07

31:07

Do you like being alone? It’s a simple question that can offer great insight into your relationship with alcohol, which is why today’s episode revisits this crucial concept. If you have a low tolerance for solitude, you likely seek out distractions instead of spending time alone, including pouring a drink. But if you could actually learn to enjoy t…

1
395: What to Say When Someone Offers You a Drink 17:19

29d ago17:19

17:19

No matter where you are on your journey to changing your relationship with drinking, there’s one question you’ll need to be prepared to answer—and it’s one that you may struggle with or dread: “Do you want a drink?” While you’re trying to find the perfect response, you might actually be missing out on why saying no is so difficult in the first plac…

1
394: Why Do I Have So Much Chatter About Alcohol? 30:07

1M ago30:07

30:07

Does there always seems to be chatter in your brain about alcohol? Whether you should drink tonight, whether you should have just one more, or any of the questions you ask yourself after a night of drinking. You might be surprised to hear it has nothing to do with how much you drink. It’s a result of how your brain is structured and how you’re soci…

1
393: Why Can’t I Drink Like Everyone Else? 23:48

2M ago23:48

23:48

You may have asked yourself the morning after a long night of drinking or while sitting across from someone sipping their first cocktail as you finish your third: "Why can’t I drink like everyone else?" But what if your drinking has little to do with alcohol? Instead, what if it's a matter of coping with your humanness? In that case, the problem is…

1
392: The Remedy: What the Brain Learns 28:44

2M ago28:44

28:44

Humans have a long history of using alcohol for medicinal purposes. While drinking can often numb your pain in the moment, it actually creates more stress on the body. When we repeatedly turn to alcohol for relief from insomnia, chronic pain, or other ailments, our brains start to believe that drinking is the only way out of suffering. But in reali…

1
391: The Release: What the Brain Learns 31:49

2M ago31:49

31:49

If you find yourself constrained by your life and living up to expectations of who you should be, you’re not alone. You spend so much time adhering to societal conventions that, every once in a while, it can feel freeing to rebel against the rules—by pouring a drink and living uncensored. Having a drink to let go of pressure and expectations can fe…

1
390: The Hourglass: What the Brain Learns 32:45

2M ago32:45

32:45

When you're bored it’s easy to be tempted by a drink. After all, a little buzz can help pass the time. But have you ever considered what your brain learns when you do this? You might be surprised to discover that the faster you reach for a drink when you’re bored by what you’re doing, the more intolerable boredom becomes. This is what happens when …

1
389: The Mask: What the Brain Learns 28:30

3M ago28:30

28:30

Humans have a long history of using alcohol as “liquid courage.” But did you know this can actually make your insecurities and anxiety worse? The Mask is one of eight Drink Archetypes, and it teaches your brain to associate a buzz with feeling confident around others. But when it feels like a drink is necessary to have fun, saying no will interfere…

1
388: The Escape: What the Brain Learns 28:48

3M ago28:48

28:48

There are no shortages of pop-culture examples in which someone is seen drinking to numb their pain—likely because people have been using alcohol to drown their sorrow for centuries. But the fact is, doing so can prevents you from coping effectively. The Escape is one of eight Drink Archetypes and it teaches your brain that whatever negative situat…

1
387: The Reward: What the Brain Learns 23:22

3M ago23:22

23:22

The concept of drinking to relax is nothing new. It goes hand-in-hand with the belief that you deserve a drink—whether it’s after a hard day’s work or because it’s your “me time” routine. In reality, using alcohol as a treat can backfire. The Reward is one of the eight Drink Archetypes, and it can wrongly teach your brain that alcohol is the only w…

1
386: The Connector: What the Brain Learns 26:02

3M ago26:02

26:02

Humans have long used alcohol’s ability to facilitate bonding by lowering people’s defenses. But you may be surprised to discover that when alcohol becomes your go-to way to open up, it can actually block your ability to connect with others (even with those you feel close to). The Connector is one of the eight Drink Archetypes, and not only does it…

1
385: The Upgrade: What the Brain Learns 34:33

3M ago34:33

34:33

If you're someone who often reaches for a drink because “it would make things more special,” then you may recognize The Upgrade drink archetype—one of eight unconscious patterns that influence why you drink. Identifying this pattern is the first step in changing your relationship with alcohol. The next is understanding how The Upgrade impacts what …

1
384: Is Overindulgence a Problem? 19:52

4M ago19:52

19:52

Believe it or not, overindulgence is a part of the human experience. So why is it that you consider this natural impulse to be negative? Whether it’s drinking, eating, spending or something else, it's easy to associate overindulgence with your character and make it mean something negative about you. Throw in the societal and moral baggage, and this…

1
Against All Odds: The Couple Who Survived Brain Aneurysms Together 1:03:48

4M ago1:03:48

1:03:48

Watch Dr. Kimon Bekelis and Jason Wallen discuss the fascinating world of neuroscience and brain health. In this month's episode we are joined by Maria and Mike Rizzuto, husband and wife, and brain aneurysm survivors! We discussed how they turned their impossible story of perseverance into a mission of awareness and education. We focus on risk fact…

1
383: Caught in a Contradiction 11:27

4M ago11:27

11:27

If you routinely drink too much, should you just stop drinking? What if you keep drinking, even though, deep down, you don’t believe you can moderate? These are fraught questions that often bring up a lot of fear and shame. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is to approach the question from a different angle. In order to do this, you must…

1
Evolution of AI in Stroke Care: Featuring Dr. Gregory Albers Episode 44:53

5M ago44:53

44:53

Watch Dr. Kimon Bekelis and Jason Wallen interview Dr. Gregory Albers of Stanford university, one of the leading figures globally in the field of stroke. They discuss the evolution in the identification of stroke and brain aneurysms and particularly how artificial intelligence, and RAPID AI have radically changed our field.…

1
382: Interview with Kara Loewentheil on The Brain Gap and Drinking 37:57

5M ago37:57

37:57

Listen to Rachel’s conversation with Kara Loewentheil, a Master-Certified Life Coach and author of Take Back Your Brain: How a Sexist Society Gets in Your Head and How to Get It Out. Together, they discuss some of the hidden reasons why you might reach for a drink when you’re feeling anxious at a party, overworked, afraid of making mistakes, or wan…

1
381: What am I waiting for? 24:18

5M ago24:18

24:18

You want to change your relationship with drinking, but other than listening to the podcast, you’re not doing anything about it. This paralysis, while frustrating, is actually very normal. Explore the three reasons this happens and how they relate to your cravings, your beliefs about failure, and your vision of the future. Discover why your unwilli…

1
380: Tackling the Excuse, "Who Cares?" 10:15

5M ago10:15

10:15

Who cares? How many times have you poured yourself a drink after silently uttering these words to yourself? If you’re like most people, the answer is a lot. Hidden behind “Who cares?” is a powerful tension that, if revealed, will help you say no to your cravings. Tune in and discover why this particular excuse is so good at sabotaging your commitme…

1
379: I'll Be Good Tomorrow 7:15

6M ago7:15

7:15

You know the scenario. You promised not to drink tonight… but by 5 o’clock, you’re ready for a drink. Or you told yourself you would only have one drink at happy hour, but then your friend suggests another round. “I’ll be good tomorrow” is an excuse you’ve probably told yourself many times before. Why is it so easy to fall into this trap, even when…

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71. Wellness and Winning in Women's Sports with Ali Riley 39:18

5M ago39:18

39:18

Follow the soccer career and life of Ali, from her early days playing youth soccer in Los Angeles to eventually captaining the New Zealand national team. Ali discusses growing up with a coach for a dad, getting the opportunity to play for New Zealand's U20 team, becoming a starter at Stanford University, and her long professional career in the US a…

1
Brain Buzz - Intracranial Atherosclerosis 38:23

6M ago38:23

38:23

Dr. Kimon Bekelis and Jason Wallen discuss intracranial atherosclerosis with world expert Dr. Miklos Marosfoi. They discuss signs and symptoms of the disease, possible treatments and how to prevent a catastrophic stroke.By Dr Kimon Bekelis

1
378: Overcoming the 'No Point in Stopping Now' Excuse 12:23

6M ago12:23

12:23

In this episode, we cover a scenario that may be familiar. You start drinking and then convince yourself to continue because "Why stop now?" This mindset isn't just about alcohol; it can also happen with food and spending. Many of us develop a habit of letting things like an empty glass or a finished package override our feelings of fullness. Liste…

1
377: Special Occasion Drinking 7:03

6M ago7:03

7:03

In this episode, we tackle a familiar scenario: you've made progress in reducing your drinking, but then a special celebration comes up. So, how do you stay on track with your commitment? The answer isn’t what you may expect. Discover how your Drink Archetypes, especially The Upgrade, can act like blinders in these moments and the exact question to…

1
376: When It’s Not What It’s Supposed to Be Like 16:38

6M ago16:38

16:38

We all face moments where life doesn’t match our expectations. We often feel this most acutely when trying to change our relationship with alcohol. In this episode, you’ll hear about the universality of the thought, “This is not what my life is supposed to look like.” Explore the connection between this thought and various Drink Archetypes. You’ll …

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