Rhythms of Focus
Kourosh Dini
Join psychiatrist, musician, and productivity strategist Dr. Kourosh Dini on a journey to transform your relationship with work, creativity, and focus. "Rhythms of Focus: for Wandering Minds, ADHD, and Beyond" explores the intersection of meaningful work and the art of engaging creativity and responsibility without force, particularly for wandering minds, ADHD, and beyond.
Each week, Dr. Dini weaves together insights from psychiatry, mindfulness practices, and creative experiences to help you develop your own path beyond productivity, and to mastery and meaningful work. Whether you're neurodivergent or simply seeking a more authentic approach to engaging the world, you'll discover practical strategies for:
- Building supportive environments that honor your unique way of thinking
- Transforming resistance into creative momentum
- Developing personalized workflows that actually stick
- Understanding and working with your mind's natural rhythms
Drawing from his experience as both a practicing psychiatrist and creative artist, Dr. Dini offers a compassionate perspective on productivity that goes beyond traditional time management techniques. You'll learn why typical productivity advice often falls short and how to craft approaches that genuinely resonate with your mind's natural tendencies.
Each week, Dr. Dini weaves together insights from psychiatry, mindfulness practices, and creative experiences to help you develop your own path beyond productivity, and to mastery and meaningful work. Whether you're neurodivergent or simply seeking a more authentic approach to engaging the world, you'll discover practical strategies for:
- Building supportive environments that honor your unique way of thinking
- Transforming resistance into creative momentum
- Developing personalized workflows that actually stick
- Understanding and working with your mind's natural rhythms
Drawing from his experience as both a practicing psychiatrist and creative artist, Dr. Dini offers a compassionate perspective on productivity that goes beyond traditional time management techniques. You'll learn why typical productivity advice often falls short and how to craft approaches that genuinely resonate with your mind's natural tendencies.
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 12min
38. An Honor Guide
Explore the fascinating relationship between our minds and productivity, particularly how ADHD can distort our sense of completion. Discover the Honor Guide, a unique framework that balances your past, present, and future selves, allowing for gentle daily visits instead of rigid deadlines. Learn about the challenges of time blindness and working memory, and how to build trust in your abilities. Plus, enjoy an original piano composition that acts as an emotional reflection on time and memory. Shift from pressure to a calmer, sustainable rhythm!
9 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 12min
37. Reading and the Wave of Confusion
Reading can often feel overwhelming, like climbing a mountain for wandering minds. Instead of viewing confusion or mind-wandering as failures, we explore how they can signal natural brain processes. Active reading techniques and grounding questions help reclaim agency as we engage with texts. Environmental factors, like minimizing distractions, create smoother paths to focus. Plus, an original piano piece reminds listeners that staying present in music mirrors the journey of staying engaged with words.
4 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 10min
36. Play Eludes Measure
Explore the pitfalls of language apps that prioritize metrics over meaningful learning experiences. Discover how traditional success measures, like scores and checkboxes, can stifle creativity and connection. Shift towards playful engagement and redefine progress through real conversations rather than mere completion. Learn to use milestones as gentle supports for immersive experiences in language and work. Plus, enjoy an original piano composition that embodies the spirit of creative discovery!
5 snips
Dec 25, 2025 • 6min
35. The Authority Within
Explore how external prompts can unexpectedly snuff out self-motivation. Discover why wandering minds resist commands and how this links to deeper relational dynamics. Learn to honor your unique rhythms and transform rigid task lists into creative allies. Kourosh shares insightful strategies to reclaim your sense of agency and navigate transitions with self-compassion. Plus, enjoy a soothing original piano piece designed for mindful moments.
6 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 15min
34. Tripwires and "Sticky Decor Decay"
Discover how trip wires can serve as mindful reminders for your future self, but learn why they sometimes create pressure instead. Dive into the intriguing idea of 'Sticky Decor Decay' and how ignored reminders fade into the background clutter. Explore strategies to maintain effective reminders and prevent overwhelm in your daily tasks. The discussion is accompanied by an original piano composition that captures the essence of productivity and focus. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their mindful practices!
Dec 11, 2025 • 23min
33. An Overview of the 8 Gears of Focus
Explore the eight distinct gears of focus that take you from daydreaming to peak performance. Learn how to transform procrastination into a creative flow and engage with tasks by recognizing emotional states and adjusting your approach. Discover the importance of intention, starting small, and understanding the difference between practice and performance. He illustrates the journey with insightful parallels to music and emotional dynamics, all while encouraging a mindset of self-compassion and agency.
Dec 4, 2025 • 9min
32. Prelude to a Pause
Explore the allure of distraction and discover how it often masks a deeper need for meaning in our lives. Delve into the emotions that drive our urge to scroll endlessly, from humor to fear. Learn to reframe this craving as a quest for vitality and understand the power of pausing. By acknowledging feelings instead of avoiding them, we can transform distractions into opportunities for intentional action. Tune in for transformative insights and a unique piano piece that enhances this mindful journey!
4 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 12min
31. It's Too Hard to Even Make It There - A Lean Into Challenge
Feeling overwhelmed by simple tasks? Discover how embracing play can transform frustration into ease. Uncover the power of 'visits'—showing up, pausing, and deciding how to proceed. Learn to acknowledge emotions behind avoidance, while shrinking daunting tasks into tiny steps. Reframe pain as a source of insight rather than motivation. Let play guide you through challenges, fostering a gentler approach to productivity. Plus, enjoy a delightful performance of Maple Leaf Rag, reminding us that practice can make difficult things easier.
Nov 20, 2025 • 16min
30. The 4 Limits of Productivity
Explore the intriguing notion that popular productivity tools often miss the mark. Discover how the four essential limits—time, agency, working memory, and trust—can guide more meaningful work. Learn to turn self-compassion into a tool for creativity, replacing frustration with playful mastery. Unpack the balance between structure and flexibility to foster a resilient productivity environment. Finally, enjoy a soothing original piano piece that enhances focus and calm.
Nov 13, 2025 • 11min
29. What if I break the chain?
Explore the pressure of habit streaks and why chasing them can create anxiety rather than mastery. Discover a playful approach to habit-building, prioritizing presence over performance. Learn the powerful three-part practice of deciding, being, and acting while letting go of perfection. See habits as musical rhythms that allow for improvisation and creativity. Enjoy an original piano composition that embodies the journey between struggle and growth, offering a refreshing perspective on meaningful progress.
