Dan Harris, a former ABC News correspondent and meditation advocate, teams up with neuroscientist Heather Berlin from the Icahn School of Medicine. They dive into the science of meditation, highlighting its impact on mental health and personal growth. The conversation touches on the transformation through meditation, its psychological benefits, and how it fosters emotional regulation. They also explore the intersection of mindfulness with neuroscience, revealing how meditation can alter brain structure and enhance cognitive functions. A fascinating look at navigating consciousness!

What makes some people better at focusing? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly learn about the neuroscience behind concentration and performance with neuroscientist Heather Berlin, PhD.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/neuroscience-of-focus-with-heather-berlin/Photo Credit: https://www.scientificanimations.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of StarTalk Radio ad-free and a whole week early.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Heather Berlin, an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Neuroscience at Icahn School of Medicine, dives deep into the fascinating world of impulsive and compulsive disorders. She elaborates on conditions like kleptomania and OCD, revealing how they overlap and their neural mechanisms. The conversation shifts to the complexities of consciousness, tracing its historical roots and examining the unconscious mind's role in creativity. Additionally, Berlin tackles the controversies in scientific theories surrounding consciousness and the importance of effective science communication.

How do our brains learn? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Dave Bakker learn about learning at the Pocketlab Science Is Cool Virtual Unconference with neuroscientist Heather Berlin, PhD. NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/the-science-of-learning-with-heather-berlin/ Thanks to our Patrons Steve Vera, Mike Ness, Stephan Greenway, Jovanni Mendoza, Luke Cadman, Shenaye Dawson, Mathew Green, Angelo Dower, Zachary Zahn, Brandon Diamond for supporting us this week. Photo Credit: Tomwsulcer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of StarTalk Radio ad-free and a whole week early.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.

Jason Sudeikis, the talented actor and co-creator of Ted Lasso, joins neuroscientist Heather Berlin to explore the science of kindness. They discuss how Ted's approach shifts traditional sports narratives, encouraging empathy and collaboration. The conversation dives into the emotional depth of storytelling, promoting kindness in character traits, and the balance of toughness in sports. They also examine the neurochemical processes behind acts of kindness and the importance of mental health in athletics, ultimately highlighting compassion and humor as vital leadership qualities.