The MindScience Playbook

Taylor Thompson joins the hosts for episode 35 to explore her philosophy on holistic human optimization. Holistic human optimization requires viewing the human system as fully interconnected—where mindset, productivity, physical and mental energy along with relationships all influence one another. Thompson emphasizes the importance of focusing on your core principles rather than just surface-level...

Short AI summary of Episode 34 (Take a Breath for Peak Performance) of the MindScience Playbook that featured Dr. Carol Gaffney. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode 34 Supplemental Materials⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alternate Link: https://tinyurl.com/npzpw52w

In Episode 34, Dr. Carol Gaffney, a consulting psychologist and peak performance coach, provides insights on the importance of developing behavioral intelligence as a key component of personal development. She makes a distinction between Emotional Intelligence and Behavioral Intelligence. Emotional Intelligence is internal and often abstract; Behavioral Intelligence is the external manifestation o...

Short AI summary of Episode 33 (Leadership, Communication, Reframing and the Mastery of Mindsets) of the MindScience Playbook that featured Stan Lewis. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode 33 Supplemental Materials⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alternate Link: https://tinyurl.com/yv75tjtw

This episode features a conversation with Stan Lewis, a nationally recognized leadership coach, author, and seasoned expert in organizational transformation,  who shares his expertise on human communication. A central theme of the discussion is that true leadership requires transitioning from mere communication to meaningful connection. This is achieved through "transformative listening,&quot...

Short AI summary of Episode 32 (Leadership, Mentorship, and the Evolution of Coaching: Insights from Terry Pettit) of the MindScience Playbook that featured Terry Pettit. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode 32 Supplemental Materials⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alternate Link: https://tinyurl.com/bddpn28t

This episode features an interview with Terry Pettit, the former championship-winning volleyball coach from the University of Nebraska, who discusses his transition into leadership mentoring and writing. Pettit contrasts transactional coaching with transformational leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaborative environments where athletes learn to take responsibility for their own growth....

Short AI summary of Episode 31 (Optimizing Performance through Brain Fitness) of the MindScience Playbook that featured Dr. Patrick Porter. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode 31 Supplemental Materials⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alternate Link: https://tinyurl.com/3vmn77jr

Episode 31 features Dr. Patrick Porter, founder of BrainTap, who shares with us the science of neuroplasticity and the importance of brain fitness. He explains that the brain is not fixed but can be rewired through specific recovery techniques, visualization, and physical movement. Porter offers practical advice for optimizing sleep, such as using box breathing and avoiding screens before bed to r...

Short AI summary of Episode 30 (Youth Sports, Life Skills, and Scholarship Myths) of the MindScience Playbook that featured Brandon Koons. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode 30 Supplemental Materials⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alternate Link: https://tinyurl.com/yrkmxeyt

In Episode 30, Brandon Koons, head women’s soccer coach at Otterbein University, focuses on a philosophy for youth sports that prioritizes guided discovery and player autonomy over rigid, "joystick coaching" methods. Koons emphasizes the importance of redefining mistakes as necessary steps toward improvement and opportunities of learning rather than failures, encouraging an environment w...

Short AI summary of Episode 29 (Beyond the Game: Mental Wellness and Mentorship in Youth Sports) of the MindScience Playbook that featured Teresa Friesen. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode 29 Supplemental Materials⁠⁠⁠⁠ Alternate Link: https://tinyurl.com/msu2bam7

This episode features Teresa Friesen, the founder of SheMate and Fanwell, regarding her mission to improve the mental wellness of youth athletes. Systemic pressures and a lack of positive female representation often cause young girls to drop out of sports at disproportionate rates. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of intentionality, urging parents and coaches to prioritize fun and sel...

Short AI summary of Episode 28 (Emotional Intelligence, Self-Awareness, and Productive Conflict: Keys for Everyday Leader Success) of the MindScience Playbook that featured Lisa Bouchard. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 28 Supplemental Materials⁠⁠⁠ Alternate Link: https://tinyurl.com/m3dmbv7

This podcast features Lisa Bouchard, a veteran executive coach and president of Data Dome Incorporated, who emphasizes that the key to organizational success lies in developing positive relationships between leaders and team members, whether they be employees, players, or students. Leaders must identify and nurture an individual’s unique strengths. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence are key...

Short AI summary of Episode 27 (Belonging Drives Success: How Community Fuels Performance) of the MindScience Playbook that featured Dr. Holly White. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode 27 Supplemental Materials⁠⁠ Alternate Link: https://tinyurl.com/3njdfvj8

What helps students thrive in challenging academic environments? According to Dr. Holly White, a science education researcher and recent PhD graduate from the University of Maine, success is built on more than academic ability. It begins with a strong sense of belonging. Learn how undergraduate research experiences, faculty connections, and intentionally designed learning environments can strength...

Short AI summary of Episode 26 (Magic and the Mind: The Science of Perception) of the MindScience Playbook that featured Alex Zander. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 26 Supplemental Materials⁠ Alternate Link: https://tinyurl.com/3arzd4tf

This podcast features a conversation with Alex Zander, a professional magician and leader of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, focusing on the intersection of magic, neuroscience and psychology. The discussion highlights how performers manipulate human perception and attention by modifying neurological expectations to create a sense of wonder. The craft of magic relies on reading audienc...

Short AI summary of Episode 25 (Thriving in Challenging Times) of the MindScience Playbook that featured Dr. Lee Baucom. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode 25 Supplemental Materials Alternate Link: https://tinyurl.com/2sr8zdc4

This episode features Dr. Lee Baucom, a relationship expert and "thrivologist" who explores the psychological mechanisms behind human connection and systemic change. He explains that many marital issues are merely symptoms of an underlying disconnection, which is often exacerbated by our biological negativity bias and survival-driven reactions. Baucom emphasizes the importance of metacog...

Short AI summary of Episode 24 of the MindScience Playbook that featured Cameron Allen. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Episode 24 Supplemental Materials

Where does peak performance start? Cameron Allen, founder of Neuro Progyny and Sensorium Neuro Wellness, explains that it all starts with the nervous system, not just your mindset. Using VR biofeedback and HRV training, he helps leaders expand their capacity to stay calm, focused, and resilient under pressure. Learn how nervous system training creates lasting behavioral change, improves stress res...

Short AI summary of Episode 23 of the MindScience Playbook that featured Dr. Tim Slater. Check out supplemental materials and visuals tied to this episode by clicking below. ⁠⁠⁠⁠ Episode 23 Supplemental Materials

In this episode, Dr. Tim Slater shares his journey from a prolific academic—educator, researcher, and author—to leading underserved students in the Dominican Republic, reflecting on a pivotal shift toward “tough love” in his teaching and leadership while emphasizing real-world, inductive learning over abstract theory. The conversation explores the importance of community and belonging in student s...