Minding the Brain

A practical look at evidence-based time management, from batching tasks and silencing distracting notifications to using short work blocks and restorative breaks. The conversation explores how to externalize responsibilities, plan around personal energy cycles, and build productivity habits that support well-being instead of burnout.

Kim and Jim talk dopamine and bust pervasive online myths about the misunderstood hormone and neurotransmitter. Do you really need to detox from dopamine? Can [...]

Kim and Jim talk brain fog. What is brain fog, what does it feel like, and how can you manage it? Kim and Jim discuss [...]

Dr. Cheryl Harasymchuk returns to join Dr. Jim Davies for a discussion about research on friendship. How do friendships go bad? What role does odour [...]

Dr. Kyle Malone joins Dr. Kim Hellemans to discuss his research on glioblastoma, the most common and aggressive form of primary brain cancer in adults. [...]

Dr. Ida Toivonen joins Minding the Brain to talk about sound and meaning in language. Do all languages have tense? Do plurals work the same [...]

Dr. Matt Hill joins Dr. Kim Hellemans to talk about his research on cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. Is there a difference between sativa and [...]

Why are people increasingly turning to AI for therapy and romantic relationships? Kim and Jim break down the pros and cons of our increasing reliance [...]

How do our brains respond to prolonged uncertainty? Is our era unprecedented? Why do we find the unknown simultaneously compelling and frightening? Why do conspiracies [...]

Brendan Conway-Smith, a PhD candidate in Cognitive Science, dives into the world of metacognition, explaining how it helps steer our thoughts and emotions. He reveals its significance in learning and therapy, suggesting that metacognitive skills can be developed through deliberate practice. Brendan discusses the link between technology and rising youth anxiety, offering practical strategies to combat digital overload. He also highlights mindfulness as a key component of metacognition and provides tips for enhancing attention control through simple exercises.