
The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast
Neurosurgeon and award-winning author Dr. W. Lee Warren, MD delivers weekly prescriptions from neuroscience, faith, and common sense on how to lead a healthier, better, happier life. You can’t change your life until you change your mind, and Dr. Warren will teach you the art of self-brain surgery™ to get it done. His latest book, Hope Is the First Dose, is available everywhere books are sold.
Latest episodes

Aug 25, 2024 • 36min
Prehab Your Suffering: All-In August #25
It's All-In August!When Trouble Comes, You Fall to the Level of Your PreparationThat includes the way you view God's role in suffering. Here's a new thought from Job, and a couple of insights that will help you when trauma, tragedy, and other massive things (TMTs) strike.(Adapted and expanded from S9E75 Get a Good Theology Around Suffering)When hard times come, you will be overwhelmed with doubt, fear, and you'll be unsure of what to do next. Unless, that is, you have a good theology in place to answer the inevitable "why" questions. This episode will help you get your head on straight when life hurts.Scripture: Job 23:8-9, Psalm 139, Psalm 121, Psalm 29, Psalm 143, Romans 12:2, II Corinthians 10:5Textooks for All-In August: All In, by Mark Batterson, Hope Is the First Dose by me, and Play the Man by Mark BattersonScripture for the Month: II Corinthians 5:14-17, Luke 9:23-25, Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 2:16 Are you with us? Send a voicemail and let us know who you are, where you live, and that you're All-In!Follow me @drleewarren on Instagram for daily inspiration. Five Ways You Can Support this show:
Pray for us!
Subscribe, like, and share it with your friends! (We even have a YouTube channel!)
Leave reviews and comments wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can become a paid partner of the podcast and get special bonus episodes and lots more content by clicking here.
Visit one of our affiliate partners and consider using their products (we use them every day):
Improve your gut health, immune system, and protect your brain with Pique!Other Helpful Links:Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!All recent episodes with transcripts are available here!
(00:00) - Introduction to Suffering
(06:03) - The Concept of Prehab
(08:08) - Bad Theology Around Suffering
(17:27) - What Now?
(22:12) - David's Struggles with God
(28:59) - Searching for Truth in Suffering
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Aug 24, 2024 • 29min
Mirror Neurons, Thermometers, and Thermostats: All-In August #24
Discover the fascinating interplay between neuroscience and faith as the hosts dive into the importance of changing your mindset. Explore the difference between thermometers and thermostats, highlighting personal responsibility for emotional well-being. Understand how the brain functions and its profound impact on personality and relationships. Learn about the transformative concept of 'Self-Brain Surgery Saturday' as a path to positivity, self-reflection, and resilience, punctuated with biblical wisdom and practical strategies.

Aug 23, 2024 • 32min
Squaring Up Your Approach (Frontal Lobe Friday): All-In August #23
It's All-In August!A few thoughts on squaring up to the truth.Scriptures mentioned today: John 10:9-10, John 14:6, Matthew 7:13-14Books mentioned: Is God Real? by Lee Strobel and Cold Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace Textooks for All-In August:All In, by Mark Batterson, Hope Is the First Dose by me, and Play the Man by Mark BattersonScripture for the Month: II Corinthians 5:14-17, Luke 9:23-25, Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 2:16 Are you with us? Send a voicemail and let us know who you are, where you live, and that you're All-In!Follow me @drleewarren on Instagram for daily inspiration. Five Ways You Can Support this show:
Pray for us!
Subscribe, like, and share it with your friends! (We even have a YouTube channel!)
Leave reviews and comments wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can become a paid partner of the podcast and get special bonus episodes and lots more content by clicking here.
Visit one of our affiliate partners and consider using their products (we use them every day):
Improve your gut health, immune system, and protect your brain with Pique!Other Helpful Links:Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!All recent episodes with transcripts are available here!
(00:00) - All In August Begins
(03:20) - Approach Drift Explained
(05:15) - Listener's Email Insights
(07:04) - The Way, The Truth, The Life
(14:00) - Understanding the Story of Babel
(24:55) - Finding Hope Amidst Hardship
(27:31) - Abundant Life Through Jesus
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Aug 22, 2024 • 33min
A Plan to Get Better: All-In August #22
It's Theology Thursday!(Note: This is a throwback episode, but it's perfect for All-In August!)Today, I'll give you a tool to help you document your self-brain surgery progress every day, which will help you become healthier, feel better, and be happier in your life!SOAP stands for subjective, objective, assessment, and plan.Scripture: Romans 12:3, I Peter 5:7Leave a voicemail with your question or comment!Five Ways You Can Support this show:
Pray for us!
Subscribe, like, and share it with your friends! (We even have a YouTube channel!)
Leave reviews and comments wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can become a paid partner of the podcast and get special bonus episodes and lots more content by clicking here.
Visit one of our affiliate partners and consider using their products (we use them every day):
Improve your gut health, immune system, and protect your brain with Pique!Other Helpful Links:Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!All recent episodes with transcripts are available here!
(00:00) - Introduction to Self-Brain Surgery
(02:07) - Making Rounds on Our Lives
(03:46) - Learning the SOAP Note Tool
(05:40) - Understanding Subjective and Objective
(08:12) - Shifting Perspectives
(14:28) - Eliminating Relativism in Thinking
(19:41) - Embracing Duality in Emotions
(26:09) - Navigating Forward in Life
(28:40) - Becoming a Wise Self-Brain Surgeon
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Aug 21, 2024 • 19min
Send It: All-In August #21
It's All-In August!When life makes your situation seem impossible, you have to have a strategy ready. Here it is.Self-brain surgery tip #4:The more you think about something, the more easily it returns to your mind in the future. Synapses that fire together, wire together. This is why negative thinking is so harmful: it automates negativity in your brain. Change it to something positive!A few thoughts on generational family issues, neuroscience, and the power of Jesus to break chains. Scriptures MentionedIsaiah 55:11Deuteronomy 7:9Numbers 14:18Exodus 34:7Ezekiel 18:20Textooks for All-In August:All In, by Mark Batterson, Hope Is the First Dose by me, and Play the Man by Mark BattersonScripture for the Month: II Corinthians 5:14-17, Luke 9:23-25, Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 2:16 Are you with us? Send a voicemail and let us know who you are, where you live, and that you're All-In!Follow me @drleewarren on Instagram for daily inspiration. Leave a voicemail with your question or comment!Five Ways You Can Support this show:
Pray for us!
Subscribe, like, and share it with your friends! (We even have a YouTube channel!)
Leave reviews and comments wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can become a paid partner of the podcast and get special bonus episodes and lots more content by clicking here.
Visit one of our affiliate partners and consider using their products (we use them every day):
Improve your gut health, support your immune system, and protect your brain with Pique!Other Helpful Links:Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!All recent episodes with transcripts are available here!
(00:00) - All In August
(05:59) - Break Those Chains
(12:26) - Generational Patterns
(15:02) - Power of Positivity
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Aug 20, 2024 • 28min
Esther Was All In (Tuesdays with Tata): All-In August #20
It's Tuesdays with Tata!This week, Tata shares how Esther from the Old Testament went all in, and what we can learn from her amazing story.Textooks for All-In August:All In, by Mark Batterson, Hope Is the First Dose by me, and Play the Man by Mark BattersonScripture for the Month: II Corinthians 5:14-17, Luke 9:23-25, Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 2:16 Are you with us? Send a voicemail and let us know who you are, where you live, and that you're All-In!Follow me @drleewarren on Instagram for daily inspiration. Leave a voicemail with your question or comment!Five Ways You Can Support this show:
Pray for us!
Subscribe, like, and share it with your friends! (We even have a YouTube channel!)
Leave reviews and comments wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can become a paid partner of the podcast and get special bonus episodes and lots more content by clicking here.
Visit one of our affiliate partners and consider using their products (we use them every day):
Improve your gut health, support your immune system, and protect your brain with Pique!Other Helpful Links:Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!All recent episodes with transcripts are available here!
(00:00) - Welcome Back to Tuesdays with Tata
(01:41) - Grief and Healing
(03:06) - The Story of Esther
(07:00) - Esther's Courage
(10:25) - Esther's Bold Request
(15:12) - The Call to Action
(19:36) - The Power of Going All In
(21:41) - Embracing the Moment
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Aug 19, 2024 • 43min
Dr. Amber Gordon is All In: All-In August #19
Dr. Amber Gordon Went All-InThis is an inspiring conversation with my friend Dr. Amber Gordon. She's accomplished something only a few hundred people in America have done. And now she's facing a major challenge. Listen in to learn her story, and be encouraged to go all in with faith, family, and taking the fight to the things that challenge us. Follow Dr. Gordon on Instagram for daily inspiration!Textooks for All-In August:All In, by Mark Batterson, Hope Is the First Dose by me, and Play the Man by Mark BattersonScripture for the Month: II Corinthians 5:14-17, Luke 9:23-25, Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 2:16 Are you with us? Send a voicemail and let us know who you are, where you live, and that you're All-In!Follow me @drleewarren on Instagram for daily inspiration. Leave a voicemail with your question or comment!Five Ways You Can Support this show:
Pray for us!
Subscribe, like, and share it with your friends! (We even have a YouTube channel!)
Leave reviews and comments wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can become a paid partner of the podcast and get special bonus episodes and lots more content by clicking here.
Visit one of our affiliate partners and consider using their products (we use them every day):
Improve your gut health, support your immune system, and protect your brain with Pique!Other Helpful Links:Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!All recent episodes with transcripts are available here!
(00:00) - Introduction to Amber Gordon
(01:37) - The Journey Begins
(06:43) - Overcoming Challenges in Neurosurgery
(12:15) - Balancing Family and Medicine
(14:28) - The Role of Faith
(16:58) - Embracing Social Media
(20:07) - A Life-Changing Diagnosis
(25:38) - Facing Cancer with Strength
(31:19) - Embracing the "Why Not Me?"
(37:29) - A Global Community of Support
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Aug 18, 2024 • 35min
What All-In Looks Like (Sunday Reflection): All-In August #18
What Does An All-In Life Look Like?Today, a Sunday reflection on where we stand with our decisions to go All-In, and some thoughts on our internal structure. Textooks for All-In August:All In, by Mark Batterson, Hope Is the First Dose by me, and Play the Man by Mark BattersonScripture for the Month: II Corinthians 5:14-17, Luke 9:23-25, Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 2:16 Are you with us? Send a voicemail and let us know who you are, where you live, and that you're All-In!Follow me @drleewarren on Instagram for daily inspiration. Leave a voicemail with your question or comment!Five Ways You Can Support this show:
Pray for us!
Subscribe, like, and share it with your friends! (We even have a YouTube channel!)
Leave reviews and comments wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can become a paid partner of the podcast and get special bonus episodes and lots more content by clicking here.
Visit one of our affiliate partners and consider using their products (we use them every day):
Improve your gut health, support your immune system, and protect your brain with Pique!Other Helpful Links:Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!All recent episodes with transcripts are available here!
(00:00) - Reflection on Internal Structure
(04:29) - The Neurosurgeon's Perspective
(10:50) - The Story of Buster Douglas
(16:03) - Goals vs. Systems
(21:00) - Building Resilience for Life's Challenges
(26:38) - The Importance of Internal Structure
(30:09) - Hope and Perseverance in Change
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Aug 17, 2024 • 39min
The Thought Biopsy: All-In August #17
Self-Brain Surgery Saturday: The Thought BiopsyToday, a powerful tool to help you gain control of harmful thinking.You can download a free worksheet to help you with the thought biopsy by clicking here.Textooks for All-In August:All In, by Mark Batterson, Hope Is the First Dose by me, and Play the Man by Mark BattersonScripture for the Month: II Corinthians 5:14-17, Luke 9:23-25, Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 2:16 Are you with us? Send a voicemail and let us know who you are, where you live, and that you're All-In!Follow me @drleewarren on Instagram for daily inspiration. Leave a voicemail with your question or comment!Five Ways You Can Support this show:
Pray for us!
Subscribe, like, and share it with your friends! (We even have a YouTube channel!)
Leave reviews and comments wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can become a paid partner of the podcast and get special bonus episodes and lots more content by clicking here.
Visit one of our affiliate partners and consider using their products (we use them every day):
Improve your gut health, support your immune system, and protect your brain with Pique!Other Helpful Links:Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!All recent episodes with transcripts are available here!
(00:00) - Introduction to Self-Brain Surgery
(01:41) - The Power of the Thought Biopsy
(02:37) - Going All In Together
(03:28) - Understanding the Thought Biopsy
(14:00) - Neurosurgery Insights and Mind Control
(15:52) - The Importance of Diverse Perspectives
(24:20) - Steps to Conducting a Thought Biopsy
(34:41) - Transforming Your Life Through Mind Change
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Aug 16, 2024 • 35min
The Ten Commandments of Self-Brain Surgery: All-In August #16
It's Frontal Lobe Friday!Today, a rundown of The Ten Commandments of Self-Brain Surgery. Since we're halfway through the month, I wanted to make sure all the new listeners (and the old ones!) are up to speed on our foundational principles for changing our minds and changing our lives through the power of self-brain surgery. The Ten Commandments of Self-Brain Surgery —I must relentlessly refuse to participate in my own demise. —I must believe that feelings are not facts, they are chemical events in my brain. —I must believe that most of my automatic thoughts are untrue. —I must believe that I am NOT just my brain. —I must love tomorrow more than I hate how I feel right now. —I must stop making an operation out of everything. —I must not perpetuate generational thought or behavioral issues in my family, or start any new ones. —I must love my brain and believe that it is designed to change —I must believe that I’m getting better at what I’m doing. —I must understand that thoughts become things. Textooks for All-In August:All In, by Mark Batterson, Hope Is the First Dose by me, and Play the Man by Mark BattersonScripture for the Month: II Corinthians 5:14-17, Luke 9:23-25, Galatians 5:22-23, I Corinthians 2:16 Are you with us? Send a voicemail and let us know who you are, where you live, and that you're All-In!Follow me @drleewarren on Instagram for daily inspiration. Leave a voicemail with your question or comment!Five Ways You Can Support this show:
Pray for us!
Subscribe, like, and share it with your friends! (We even have a YouTube channel!)
Leave reviews and comments wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can become a paid partner of the podcast and get special bonus episodes and lots more content by clicking here.
Visit one of our affiliate partners and consider using their products (we use them every day):
Improve your gut health, support your immune system, and protect your brain with Pique!Other Helpful Links:Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!All recent episodes with transcripts are available here!
(00:00) - Introduction to Self-Brain Surgery
(06:39) - The Concept of Self-Brain Surgery
(14:04) - The Ten Commandments of Self-Brain Surgery
(17:13) - Commandment One: Refuse Your Own Demise
(18:13) - Commandment Two: Feelings Are Not Facts
(20:05) - Commandment Three: Automatic Thoughts Are Untrue
(22:10) - Commandment Four: You Are Not Just Your Brain
(23:19) - Commandment Five: Love Tomorrow More
(25:43) - Commandment Six: Stop Overcomplicating Life
(26:49) - Commandment Seven: Break Generational Cycles
(29:14) - Commandment Eight: Love Your Brain
(29:53) - Commandment Nine: Believe in Improvement
(30:37) - Commandment Ten: Thoughts Become Things
(31:24) - Conclusion and Call to Action
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