Schauer Thoughts

Welcome back to the communal Schauer! This week we’re doing a part two to how to make your new years resolutions actually stick and hint; we need to efficiently, effectively, and strategically utilize saliency. We want to find the most direct route, give ourselves guardrails, space expectations, and leave a little *rewarding* bread crumb trail so our brain and body (together) keep showing up! I’m wishing you all nothing but the absolute best, you can absolutely do this. Do not beat yourself up if you flub in January, just keep it pushing.  Thank you all for making this year an absolute delight! I cannot stress how much you all have made my learning and growth journey so incredibly worthwhile. Your belief in me, a somewhat total stranger, has been invaluable. Please absolutely utilize that with yourself and your goals. I have received but a fraction of your conviction and I can only imagine what you can achieve if you aim that power, that consistency, back at yourself.  That being said, I hope you all have a wonderful New Year’s, we’ll chat in 2026! Resources: The Science of Nutrition: Debunk the Diet Myths and Learn How to Eat Well for Health and Happiness - Rhiannon Lambert What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice and Change - Emily Falk On Muscle : The Stuff That Moves Us and Why It Matters - Bonnie Tsui This Is What It Sounds Like - Susan Rogers & Ogi Ogas Reparenting: Seeking Healing for Your Inner Child https://positivepsychology.com/reparenting/ Difference between expectations and standards https://theeverymom.com/expectations-versus-standards-with-kids/ 5 Rules for Setting SMART goals https://us.humankinetics.com/blogs/excerpt/5-rules-for-setting-smart-goals#:~:text=You%20may%20have%20learned%20about,met%20in%20the%20time%20allotted  Substack Recommendations: Finding the Best (free) Resources for Your 2025 Self-Study Goals https://substack.com/home/post/p-171479150 Where to find media to consume instead of doomscrolling https://substack.com/home/post/p-168039199 Learn for Fun or Free or Fun & Free https://substack.com/home/post/p-175242020 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Delve into the intriguing history of New Year's resolutions and discover how phrasing can impact goal achievement. Learn about the neuroscience behind motivation and the importance of positively framing your intentions. Explore how social structures can enhance commitment and why specific and clear goals lead to better outcomes. Sarah shares personal insights and past successes while emphasizing the importance of self-kindness and realistic expectations. This conversation sets the stage for meaningful behavior change in the upcoming year!

Bring your waders, this week we’re wandering into the stagnant swamp of Earth’s abject “elite.” Feel free to breathe through your mouth as we discuss AI brain rot, the “culture” of the 1%, and the longstanding tradition of offloading labor no matter the cost. Don’t worry, before we lock eyes with the ethically bankrupt and cognitively forlorn, we’ll also be discussing neuroscience, psychology, and art across cultures! So fun! I hope you enjoy these Schauer Thoughts. Links to Substack:  Research Wrapped 2025: https://substack.com/home/post/p-181291076  My 2025 Reading List: https://substack.com/home/post/p-181265928  Resources: StudyTogether & Study Stream These are the apps I was talking about when wanting to find someone else to study abstract concepts with Generative AI: the risk of cognitive atrophy https://www.polytechnique-insights.com/en/columns/neuroscience/generative-ai-the-risk-of-cognitive-atrophy/ Art Across Cultures: A Tapestry of Diverse Expressions Exploring the impact of culture on artistic perception and creation. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/non-weird-science/202406/art-across-cultures-a-tapestry-of-diverse-expressions The language of absence. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18558956/#:~:text=The%20paper%20%22The%20language%20of%20absence%22%20by,tantalizing%20*%20Mental%2C%20physical%2C%20and%20sexual%20abuse ChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills, According to a New MIT study https://time.com/7295195/ai-chatgpt-google-learning-school/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get ready for a strange mix of holiday cheer and fear, this week we’re serving up the science and psychology of generosity with a side of lore (my lore.) Don’t worry, things will be merry and bright… eventually. I’m just joshing, but make sure to check out the links below for sources, ideas, and much more. Hope to see you in the communal shower! Link to my substack: https://substack.com/@sarahschauer Full reading list will be posted tomorrow, Dec. 10, around noon PST - it is simply too long for this caption lol. Resources: Undoing Drugs: How Harm Reduction Is Changing the Future of Drugs and Addition - Maia Szalavitz Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature’s Toxins - from Spices to Vices - Noah Whiteman What We Value: The Neuroscience of Choice & Change - Emily Falk Give Well, Feel Great: The Science of Gift Giving and Receiving https://www.templeton.org/news/give-well-feel-great-the-science-of-gift-giving-and-receiving The Psychology Behind Perfect Gift-Giving https://swipegifts.com/blog/gift-psychology Gift Resources & Links: Scientific American’s Best Nonfiction of 2025 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scientific-americans-best-nonfiction-of-2025/ The Scientific American Staff’s Favorite Books of 2025 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-scientific-american-staffs-favorite-books-of-2025/ Gifts for every kind of nerd https://www.morningbrew.com/stories/2025/10/24/gift-guide-nerd Craft Club https://www.craftclubco.com/pages/gift-guide?srsltid=AfmBOorxPL2GQZwm70XO8bEjQWQ03oM2MFEh4jgRFMYXqaJrtxXNtnbp Customer Stained Glass Piece https://www.etsy.com/market/custom_stained_glass Custom Vinyl Records https://www.freestyle-vinyl.com/collections Canva Magazines https://www.canva.com/magazines/ Custom Lego Figure https://www.lego.com/en-us/minifigure-factory Fibonacci Wall and Desk Clock https://www.etsy.com/listing/1576771073/fibonacci-wall-and-desk-clock-unusual Gifts for math lovers https://www.mathnasium.com/blog/great-gifts-math-lovers-2024 Educational Subscription Boxes for Kids https://www.cratejoy.com/collections/educational-subscription-boxes STEM Build Boxes https://coolsciencefinds.com/articles/stem-build-boxes Lighting for Lego Sets https://www.lightmybricks.com/blogs/learning-centre Science Art - Scientific Illustration Artworks and Wall Art https://cognitive-surplus.com/collections/wall-art Planet Bath bombs https://www.kiwico.com/us/store/dp/planet-bath-bombs/3205 Custom Star Map from special nights - jewelry, art, etc https://www.thenightsky.com/ They have star map lockets! Library Check Out Card Bookmark - Vintage https://www.etsy.com/listing/1081591959/library-check-out-card-bookmark-vintage Custom Book Embosser https://www.etsy.com/listing/840508076/book-embosser-personalized-custom-ex?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=ex%20libris&ref=sr_gallery-1-35&sr_prefetch=1&pro=1&frs=1&pop=1&content_source=5d442138550e8a17059979d09cb92cbabcd17809%3A840508076&search_preloaded_img=1&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=5d442138550e8a17059979d09cb92cbabcd17809:840508076&source=aw&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=us_location_buyer&utm_content=740219&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=740219&awc=6220_1764911312_c63edd94bc322514623e5c6d663ea839 Jane Eyre Embroidery Kit https://www.etsy.com/listing/1008531760/jane-eyre-embroidery-kit?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=jane+eyre+embroidery&ref=sr_gallery-1-2&organic_search_click=1&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=uk_location_buyer&utm_content=1266099&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=1266099&awc=6091_1764911520_293ebbe0bc58c5494c72236acc01f8ad Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Here we are, the third and final installment on how to be more creative! What a wild and winding journey it’s been, hopefully everyone is forever changed. Just a reminder: the essence (aka timbre - a unique quality of a sound that distinguishes it from other sounds) of a shower thought is a rambling (divergent) musing while in the shower - an environment where sound and heat are taking ego (fixedness) offline and allowing you to make more fluid connections. Water is also a fluid, which is a substance that can flow and take the shape of it’s container aka your body, your brain - which btw are constantly changing so best to keep a lot of things fluid, moving, lest some solids clog flow. Anywho, I hope you enjoy the neuroscience, the lateral movements, the abstractions, the improv, but most of all… I hope you dance. To the beat of your own drum.  Don’t fall in line, or do, it’s up to you! Talk again soon, toodles! Edit: I meant to say “IAF does RC circuits, not currents” - I was speaking so fast that I flubbed that. Also, second edit: for an electrical fire, always disconnect the power source first.  Third edit at the end: Delight is surprise + happiness, not happiness + sadness - I was speaking too fast.  For more information on book club, visit my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/new-book-for-143088045  Resources: This Is What It Sounds Like - Susan Rogers and Ogi Ogas Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance - Elise Vernon Pearlstine  Plant Lore and Legend - Ruth Binney The Botany of Desire - Michael Pollan  Most Delicious Poison - Noah Whiteman The Catalyst: RNA and the Quest to Unlock Life’s Deepest Secrets - Thomas R. Cech The Mind-Gut Connection - Emeran Mayer, MD On Muscle: The Stuff That Moves Us and Why It Matters - Bonnie Tsui The Beauty Molecule - Nicholas Perricone, MD A neurocomputational model of creative processes  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763422001452#bbib49 Lateral Thinking: A Textbook of Creativity https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/34623410/Lateral_thinking-libre.pdf?1409804461=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DL_AT_ERAL_T_HINKING.pdf&Expires=1764634187&Signature=gNaugtGh5fV5tq9C76US8IlQFXrqcrkaQ8UfxyvUsb~UM2YhbJJB-9PQOD4gjmHvFVaHfBNuIWsr9a~eVOHZuveFrUdxx-zZJdmh3DDxosekQ2OoHM2trx2ixYlWitsqpWY5CfobdDM0aQVICGCb00--EUfzJJq0-gIrySw388J4EI8MvqHtWJaGEIXWJx7gwpYvhfF3xTJ12GFhUK4pvrmz8qoLYTmLLjs3AwFZ-EWPRRfcCh8M6-eELduwJaTfi05edifhH6duN9qzmVUe7Nc-egIYIxcYWzIbFvwbDqseOpBDa2vD42DEZrU9eL4vW3XiYOobx6RD31QGEEvnpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA Play It As It Lies | What Does This Mean? https://cattailcrossing.ca/blog/play-it-as-it-lies-what-does-this-mean/  Improv Games for Collaboration https://www.theatrefolk.com/blog/improv-games-for-collaboration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into the fascinating world of divergent thinking and creativity! Discover how the brain's prefrontal cortex plays a vital role in idea generation. Learn about the differences between divergent and convergent thinking and why both are essential. Explore the connection between suppressed expression and the brain’s default mode network. Sarah shares practical tips for enhancing creativity through lateral learning and embracing new experiences. Plus, insights on how AHA moments are tied to brain activity make for an enlightening listen!

Dive into the intricate world of creativity as the host explores neuroscience, movement, and language. Discover how functional movement patterns enhance creative expression. Learn why reclaiming first-person language is crucial for self-identity and agency in learning. The discussion links bodily coordination with cognitive processes, revealing that creativity thrives at the intersection of brain and body. Plus, practical tips are shared for asserting your creative authority and fostering personal growth.

In this engaging chat, Mina Neuberg, CEO of WonderMath and a passionate advocate for math confidence, shares her journey from concerned parent to math champion. She dives into how early math beliefs shape life choices, especially for girls, while discussing the importance of reducing anxiety and making math relevant. They explore creative methods like movement-based learning and practical activities, and the power of a growth mindset. Mina's insights on linking math with real life will inspire listeners to rethink their approach to learning.

Dive into the fascinating world of hypnotic speech and childhood suggestibility. Explore how parental rapport shapes influence and learn about the neuroscience behind 'shower thoughts.' Reflect on cultural commentary regarding embarrassment and gender norms. Discover the somatic nervous system's role in voluntary actions and how childhood phrases can create learned helplessness. Plus, unpack the importance of smell in memory and how motor gestures can counteract limiting beliefs. A captivating mix of science, personal insights, and societal reflections!

This week we’re tackling brain rot, brain fog, social media addiction, and stopping to smell the roses! Join me on a cognitive journey to the land of untapped and undervalued sensory input, the nose. Remember, this is about a harm reduction method, it alone will not “cure” you - also feel free to run absolutely all of this by a licensed medical professional and thoroughly review the resources for yourself. As always, it’s been a pleasure having you in the communal Schauer, I hope my STEAM (du-dun-tss) of consciousness (and extended research) provides some refreshing mental clarity. For more information on my book club visit: Substack: https://sarahschauer.substack.com/p/schauer-thoughts-book-club-additional?utm_source=activity_item Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/sarahschauer/membership Books: Horror on the Brain: The Neuroscience Behind Science Fiction - Austin Lim, PhD Attention: Beyond Mindfulness - Gay Watson Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance - Elise Vernon Pearlstine  Plant Lore and Legend: The Wisdom and Wonder of Plants and Flowers Revealed - Ruth Binney Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience - Mihály Csizkszentmihalyi Articles:  Demystifying the New Dilemma of Brain Rot in the Digital Era: A Review  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11939997/ The Psychological Conditioning of Brainrot  https://www.fau.edu/thrive/students/thrive-thursdays/psychological_conditioning_brainrot/brainrot/ Defining brain fog across medical conditions https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166223625000177 Does Exposure to Air Pollution Cause “Brain Fog”? https://hudsonvalleypress.com/2025/08/13/does-exposure-to-air-pollution-cause-brain-fog/ Screen Apnea: What happens to our breath when we type, tap, and scroll https://www.npr.org/2024/06/10/1247296780/screen-apnea-why-screens-cause-shallow-breathing A New Reason to Stop and Smell the Roses https://www.bottomlineinc.com/health/mental-health/a-new-reason-to-stop-and-smell-the-roses/ Memory Air Research Page https://memoryair.com/pages/science Nasal Respiration Entrains Human Limbic Oscillations and Modulated Cognitive Function https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5148230/ To smell the immune system: olfaction, autoimmunity and brain involvement  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17110318/ The Connections Between smell, memory, and health https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/connections-between-smell-memory-and-health Transforming the understanding of brain immunity  https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abo7649 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices