The Dr. Leaf Show

Success is supposed to feel good. But what if it also feels… lonely? What if your growth created distance from the people you love most?In this episode, I’ll explain the neuroscience of relational disconnection after personal growth—why self-comparison, status shifts, and unspoken shame rewire the brain and fracture emotional safety. Whether it’s family, friends, or your partner, I’ll show you how to recognize when distance is caused by trauma patterns—not truth—and how to rebuild closeness without shrinking yourself.📚 Order my new book Help in a Hurry: www.helpinahurrybook.com✏️ Don’t just cope—thrive: enroll in Help in a Hurry now for $50 off and a signed book, only at www.helpinahurrycourse.com 📫 Join 250,000+ readers of my free newsletter with science-backed mental health strategies: Sign up here🖥️ Watch the show on YouTube: @drcarolineleafGET IN TOUCH:🌍 Website📸 Instagram: @drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: @drcarolineleaf💻 Facebook: Dr Caroline LeafWONDERFEEL: Visit www.getwonderfeel.com and use code DRLEAF to save $15 now, get $20 for later, and start investing in your cellular health today.MENO by O Positiv: Get 25% off your first purchase with code DRLEAF at checkout or visit www.opositiv.com/drleaf DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a professional for personalized support.#SuccessAndRelationships #EmotionalDistance #NeurocycleHealing #OutgrowingPeople #HelpInAHurry #BrainHealth #DrCarolineLeaf #MentalSelfCare #MindManagement #SuccessGrief #FamilyDynamics #ComparisonWiring #AttachmentInAdulthood #HealingWithoutShrinking #RelationshipNeuroscience #PersonalGrowth #TraumaResponse #GrowthGuilt #InvisibleGrief #RelationalSafety Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why does political division feel so personal—and so addictive? In this episode, I unpack the neuroscience of ideological entrenchment, how tribal identity shapes our threat response, and why outrage keeps getting rewarded by your brain’s own chemistry.You’ll learn:✅ How repeated exposure to conflict rewires your brain (ideological neuroplasticity)✅ Why your nervous system confuses disagreement with danger✅ The real cost of certainty—and how dopamine drives polarization✅ A 5-minute micro-tool to break the loop and reclaim mental clarityThis isn’t about silencing your values. It’s about staying present in a world designed to keep you outraged—and helping your brain feel safe without rigidity.📚 Order my new book Help in a Hurry: www.helpinahurrybook.com✏️ Rewire your mind, reclaim your peace, and save $50 on the new Help in a Hurry course—signed book included at www.helpinahurrycourse.com 📫 Join 250,000+ readers of my free newsletter with science-backed mental health strategies: Sign up here🖥️ Watch the show on YouTube: @drcarolineleafGET IN TOUCH:🌍 Website📸 Instagram: @drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: @drcarolineleaf💻 Facebook: Dr Caroline LeafBiOptimizers: Get 15% off www.bioptimizers.com/drleaf with code DRLEAFCreatone Brickhouse: Get 20% off your first order at www.ToneToday.com and use my code DRLEAF for your discount. DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a professional for personalized support.#PoliticalDivision #OutrageAddiction #Neuroscience #TribalBrain #NeurocycleHealing #CognitiveResilience #DrCarolineLeaf #MindManagement #ThreatResponse #HelpInAHurry #BrainHealth #ConflictFatigue #Polarization #EmotionalWellness #SocialStress #HealingThroughPresence #Neuroplasticity #MentalHealthPodcast #StressReset #MindBrainConnection Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do some people turn vision into reality—again and again?In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and philanthropist Mark Pentecost, founder of It Works! and author of Life of Your Dreams. Mark went from high school teacher and coach to building a global business—and now teaches others how to “train” vision like a muscle.We’ll map his practical steps onto the neuroscience of behavior change, so you can learn how environment, micro-habits, and meaning rewire your brain for sustainable success.What you’ll learn in this episode:✅ How to “train” vision like a muscle (and pick the right rooms)✅ A tiny daily rehearsal that locks in momentum✅ How to reconceptualize failure so it upgrades your wiring✅ Why purpose & generosity improve mental regulationFollow Mark on Instagram: @themarkpentecostOrder Mark’s New Book “The Life of Your Dreams” https://www.amazon.com/Life-Your-Dreams-Financial-Freedom/dp/1637634234#:~:text=Review,action%20can%20create%20extraordinary%20results.Sponsors making this show possible: Fatty15: Get 15% off their 90-daysubscription Starter Kit by going to https://fatty15.com/DRLEAF and using code DRLEAF at checkout MENO by O Positiv: Get 25% off your first purchase with code DRLEAF at checkout or visit opositiv.com/drleafNature's Sunshine: Get 20% off your first order and free shipping by using checkout code DRLEAF at naturessunshine.com.Order my new book Help in a Hurry at www.helpinahurrybook.com📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter: https://drleaf.com🖥️ WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @drcarolineleafGET IN TOUCH:🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com📸 Instagram: / drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: / drcarolineleaf💻 Facebook: / drcarolineleafDISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a professional for personalized support.#LifeOfYourDreams #MarkPentecost #MindsetToNeuroplasticity #DreamMuscle #Neuroplasticity #BrainHealth #BehaviorChange #MindManagement #IdentityHabits #Neurocycle #HelpInAHurry #DrCarolineLeaf #PurposeAndPerformance #DailyReps #MentalHealthPodcast #Resilience #EntrepreneurMindset #EnvironmentDesign #CognitiveFlexibility #NervousSystemRegulation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk about breakups all the time—but rarely about the pain of losing a close friend. Yet, the grief can feel even heavier. Why? Because friendships are coded deep into your brain’s identity systems.In this episode, I’ll explain:✅ How the brain stores friendship bonds in emotional memory✅ Why the loss of a friend triggers identity confusion✅ Why you still replay conversations and crave closure✅ How to heal without the “final talk” and start feeling whole againThis isn’t about pretending it didn’t matter. It’s about finding coherence inside your mind when the friendship story feels unfinished. 🎧 Watch now to understand why your grief is real—and how to move forward without losing yourself.👉 SPECIAL OFFER: Using the code DRLEAF gets you $15 off + $20 credit for your next order at getwonderfeel.com.📚 Order my new book Help in a Hurry: www.helpinahurrybook.com📫 Join 250,000+ readers of my free newsletter with science-backed mental health strategies: Sign up here🖥️ Watch the show on YouTube: @drcarolineleafGET IN TOUCH:🌍 Website📸 Instagram: @drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: @drcarolineleaf💻 Facebook: Dr Caroline LeafDISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a professional for personalized support.#FriendshipBreakup #GrievingFriendships #PlatonicLoss #InvisibleGrief #BrainHealth #EmotionalMemory #NeurocycleHealing #ClosureMyth #HealingWithoutContact #MindManagement #MentalSelfCare #HelpInAHurry #DrCarolineLeaf #UnseenLoss #Neuroplasticity #SocialMemory #EmotionalWellness #FriendshipGrief #MindBrainConnection #MentalHealthPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Andrew Salzman, a Harvard-trained physician and NAD expert, as he sheds light on the surprising science of brain health. He reveals that cognitive decline is not a given! Discover the critical role of NAD+ in brain function and how its levels decline with age, impacting everything from memory to mental clarity. Andrew shares practical tips to boost brain energy, counteract aging, and enhance longevity. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to keep their mind sharp well into their golden years!

Is fear for your child’s future ruining your life?Parenting today feels like living in a state of constant alert—climate headlines, tech dangers, school safety, mental health worries. But what if your chronic fear is changing your brain and sabotaging your ability to parent with presence?In this episode, I break down the neuroscience of parenting fear loops and explain:✅ Why your brain keeps rehearsing worst-case scenarios✅ How chronic hypervigilance rewires neural networks✅ Why vigilance isn’t love—and what protects your child better✅ Simple, science-backed steps to reset your brain and regain peaceThis isn’t about ignoring danger. It’s about breaking free from fear-based parenting so you can lead with calm clarity.🎧 Watch now to learn the tools that protect your peace—because your peace protects your child.📚 Order my new book Help in a Hurry: www.helpinahurrybook.com📫 Join 250,000+ readers of my free newsletter with science-backed mental health strategies: Sign up here🖥️ Watch the show on YouTube: @drcarolineleafGET IN TOUCH:🌍 Website📸 Instagram: @drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: @drcarolineleaf💻 Facebook: Dr Caroline LeafDISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a professional for personalized support.#ParentingFear #Hypervigilance #ParentalAnxiety #BrainHealth #MindManagement #ParentingPodcast #FearAndTheBrain #MentalHealth #FutureFear #ParentingScience #AnxietySupport #DigitalParenting #EmotionalHealth #ClimateAnxiety #Neuroplasticity #HelpInAHurry #DrCarolineLeaf #MentalSelfCare #ChildSafety #ParentingTips Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

😳 “I might be the problem.”That’s not a trend. That’s a turning point.In this powerful episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf walks you through 8 psychologically disruptive truths that your brain might resist—but your healing may depend on. Rooted in neuroscience and psychoneurobiology, this is your invitation to reflect deeply, interrupt rehearsed patterns, and get radically honest without shame.🧠 You’ll learn:Why your brain treats uncomfortable truth like a threatHow the anterior cingulate cortex and default mode network resist accountabilityWhat happens when shame hijacks healing (and how to stop it)How overidentifying with self-diagnoses can rewire dysfunctionWhy joy is not a reward—it’s a skill your brain can rehearseHow sugar and stillness shrink your brain’s adaptabilityThe neuroscience behind why we push away what we most need to hear💥 Whether it’s facing your patterns, questioning your comfort, or re-evaluating what you call “coping”—this episode is here to interrupt, not to punish. To clarify, not to condemn.🎧 Chapters include:00:00 Facing Your True Self00:57 The Science of Confronting Hard Truths01:39 The Power of Neuroplasticity02:07 Five Hard Truths for Personal Growth03:46 Acknowledging Your Role in Healing06:30 The Impact of Labels on Self-Perception08:58 Happiness as a Practice12:35 The Effects of Sugar on the Brain14:09 The Importance of Movement15:55 Embracing Discomfort for Growth18:23 Reflective Insight Over Shame20:57 Conclusion and Next StepsThis is one of the most powerful episodes we’ve ever recorded—and if it stings, that doesn’t mean it’s wrong. It means it landed.📘ORDER: Help in a HurryMy new book, rooted in neuroscience & written for life’s loudest moments.https://helpinahurrybook.com📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com🖥️ WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: / @drcarolineleafGET IN TOUCH:🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com📸 Instagram: / drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: / drcarolineleaf💻 Facebook: / drleaf#HardTruths #MentalHealth #SelfAwareness #Neuroscience #Psychoneurobiology #EmotionalGrowth #BrainScience #ShameVsInsight #RadicalHonesty #SelfReflectionDISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling wired, foggy, or emotionally reactive? Your gut might be the first place to look. In this powerful conversation with research microbiologist Kiran Krishnan, founder of Just Thrive, we explore how your microbiome shapes mood, resilience, immunity, and even the way you handle stress. Kiran is a research microbiologist and a health and wellness expert who aims to make complex information understandable to all. He has founded a number of successful health and supplement companies over the last 20 years including co-founding and leading Microbiome Labs, the preeminent, microbiome therapeutics focused brand among healthcare professionals. He has also been the driving force behind the scientific development of Just Thrive's line of products. He has conducted and published several research studies in scientific journals, has published chapters in scientific textbooks/reference books, has global patents and is a sought after speaker on human health and the microbiome. Kiran brings his extensive knowledge and practical application of the latest science on the human microbiome as it relates to health and wellness.You’ll learn why most probiotics don’t survive your stomach acid, the five pillars for protecting your gut-brain connection, and how small shifts can transform your mental clarity. We also cover the surprising science of gut health in pets—and what you can do for them too.Head to https://justthrivehealth.com/DRLEAF to save 20% and start your 90-Day Just Thrive Challenge today. Because when you fuel your gut, you fuel your life!Order my new book Help in a Hurry at http://www.helpinahurrybook.com📌 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter: https://drleaf.com/newsletter🎧 Listen to The Dr. Leaf Show: https://drleaf.com/podcast📲 Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeafDISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a professional for personalized support.#Neuroscience #GutBrainConnection #Probiotics #MicrobiomeHealth #BrainHealth #MentalHealth #DigestiveHealth #MindBrainConnection #GutHealthTips #PetHealth #DrCarolineLeaf #HelpInAHurry #StressRelief #AnxietySupport #Bloating #MindsetAndHealth #ImmunityBoost #MicrobiomeScience #HolisticHealth #ScienceBackedWellness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when childhood fame shapes your identity, rewires your brain, and leaves no roadmap for healing? 🎬In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Alyson Stoner—actor, dancer, singer, activist, and founder of Movement Genius—to explore the hidden costs of early success and the science of reclaiming your inner world.Alyson shares raw insights from their new book Semi Well Adjusted Despite Literally Everything, diving into the pressures of the entertainment industry, the long-term effects of growing up on set, and the neuroscience-backed practices that helped them rebuild.We unpack:• Why stability and “boring” routines are essential for brain and body healing• How fame impacts mental health and identity formation• The toddler-to-train-wreck pipeline in child stardom—and how to break it• Tools for reconnecting with yourself after trauma• The role of community, neuroscience, and intentional practice in real recovery📖 Pre-order Alyson’s book Semi-Well-Adjusted Despite Literally Everything: A Memoir:https://www.amazon.com/Semi-Well-Adjusted-Despite-Literally-Everything-Memoir/dp/1250353491Follow Alyson on instagram: @alysonstoner📖 Order my new book Help in a Hurry:https://www.helpinahurrybook.com 🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes that blend science, story, and strategy to help you take back control of your mental and emotional health.📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com🖥️ WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @drcarolineleafGET IN TOUCH:🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com📸 Instagram: / drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: / drcarolineleaf💻 Facebook: / drleafDISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a professional for personalized support.#DrLeaf #AlysonStoner #MentalHealth #Neuroscience #Healing #ChildStar #HelpInAHurry #SemiWellAdjusted Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s launch day!Help In a Hurry is officially out. And in this episode, I’m reading from the book—directly to you. But this isn’t a sales pitch. This is a neuroscience map for when everything’s blurry and loud and "fixing yourself" feels like another to-do. You’ll hear some of the spiciest truths, most personal reframes, and raw insights that didn’t make it to social media. And you’ll leave with a whole new understanding of how fast and how slow real healing actually works.Order my new book Help in a Hurry at www.helpinahurrybook.com📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com🖥️ WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @drcarolineleafGET IN TOUCH:🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com📸 Instagram: / drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: / drcarolineleaf💻 Facebook: / drleafDISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a professional for personalized support.#HelpInAHurry #DrCarolineLeaf #MentalHealthTools #Neuroplasticity #EmotionalRegulation #HealingInChaos #MessyMind #WiseMind #Neurocycle #BrainHealth #MindManagement #AnxietyTools #StressReset #PersonalGrowth #TraumaRecovery #LaunchDayPodcast #SelfHealingScience #HelpInRealTime #MentalHealthPodcast #DrLeafShow Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.