brainSTEM

In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with Alex Sheehan — spoken word poet, mental health advocate, and member of the One Mind Lived Experience community — for a conversation that takes the podcast somewhere a little different. Not just what's happening inside the brain, but what happens when art becomes the medicine.  Alex's story is one of finding language where lang...

In this special two-part episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak explores one of the most common — and most misunderstood — mental health conditions: depression. We approach it from two angles: first through lived experience, then through cutting-edge neuroscience.    In Part 1, Dr. Marusak sits down with Amanda Geisinger, who shares her personal journey with depression with honesty and courage —...

In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak and guest co-host Natalie Thurston sit down with neuroscientist Dr. Emma Duerden, a researcher at the forefront of understanding how early life experiences shape the developing brain — with a focus on resilience, cognitive ability, and children who face adversity from the very start of life.  Dr. Duerden's work spans preterm birth, ASD, and the...

In this episode of  BrainSTEM , Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with mental health advocate and innovation leader Brandon Staglin, Co-Founder and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer of One Mind.  Brandon has transformed his lived experience with schizophrenia into a national movement to accelerate science-based solutions, elevate lived experience leadership, and reshape policy and workplace culture...

In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak and co-producer Gabby Maramag sit down with clinical psychologist and leading food addiction researcher Dr. Ashley Gearhardt to unpack the science behind ultra-processed foods and their powerful effects on the brain.  Food is central to our lives — it fuels us, connects us to culture, and brings people together. But in today’s environment, we are su...

In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with neuroscientist, innovator, and thought leader Dr. Prantik Kundu to explore the evolving science and personal realities of neurodiversity.  What does it really mean to have a “neurodivergent” brain? How do conditions like ADHD—often framed as deficits—also hold hidden strengths? And as society shifts toward AI-driven productivity, why...

In this special episode of BrainSTEM , Dr. Hilary Marusak is joined by Dr. Alaina Jaster, host of Psychedelic Brain Science , a science advocate, and a postdoctoral research fellow in the THINK lab. They are also joined by Dr. Christine Rabinak, a world-leading PTSD researcher, who brings a unique perspective on the impact of recent federal funding cuts—not just on scientific innovation, but also...

In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with Dr. David Ledgerwood, a leading expert in nicotine, vaping, and addiction, to explore the complex science behind vaping. Vaping is often seen as a safer alternative to smoking, but is it really? Dr. Ledgerwood breaks down the chemical processes involved in vaping, its impact on the body, and how it compares to smoking. He also discuss...

In this episode of BrainSTEM , Dr. Hilary Marusak is joined by Dr. Eric Woodcock, a leading expert in neuroinflammation and substance use disorders (SUDs), to explore how inflammation in the brain contributes to addiction.  As research on the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction continues to grow, Dr. Woodcock discusses the role of neuroinflammation in conditions like opioid and nicotine use di...

In this fascinating episode of BrainSTEM , Dr. Hilary Marusak is joined by Dr. Annelise Madison, a clinical psychologist and expert in psycho-neuro-immunology. Together, they explore the gut-brain connection and how our gut health influences mental well-being. Dr. Madison sheds light on the surprising ways gut bacteria, immune pathways, and diet can impact mental health conditions like depression,...

In this thought-provoking episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with Dr. Matthew Hill, a leading expert in cannabis research, to discuss the complex relationship between cannabis and the brain.  With the growing popularity of cannabis for both recreational and medicinal use, there are many misconceptions about its effects. Dr. Hill breaks down the science behind cannabis, explaining i...

In this special episode of BrainSTEM , co-producer Aman takes the mic to interview host Dr. Hilary Marusak, neuroscientist and avid runner, about the fascinating connection between exercise and brain health.  What exactly is a runner’s high, and how does it work? How do the brain’s endocannabinoids contribute to this euphoric state, and how does exercise impact mental health, neuron growth, and lo...

In this inspiring episode of BrainSTEM , host Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with Jon Nelson, a dedicated mental health advocate and member of the One Mind Lived Experiences Council. Jon’s powerful story of resilience and advocacy, sparked by his personal journey through depression, is a call to action for dismantling the stigma surrounding mental illness.  Jon shares insights from his journey, incl...

TW: This episode briefly mentions suicidal thoughts and ideation. Most people experience symptoms of anxiety, like increased heart rate and heavy breathing, from time to time. This is normal. However, individuals with anxiety disorders often experience these intense emotions and symptoms for prolonged periods of time. This episode is all about the neuroscience of anxiety disorders. First, for a mo...

In this Halloween special episode, Dr. Marusak interviews Dr. Arash Javanbakht, a psychiatrist and director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic (STARC) at Wayne State University about fear and his new book, “Afraid”. They discuss the purpose of fear, fear-based disorders, such as anxiety and PTSD, why we like to be scared (e.g., rollercoasters, haunted houses), some surprising benef...

First, Dr. Marusak talks with her best friend, Kristen Ciantro. Kristen is a stay-at-home mom with four kids (the fourth was actually born right before this episode aired!) and a degree in electrical engineering. Then, Dr. Marusak talks with Dr. Bridget Callaghan, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at The University of California, Los Angeles, where she directs the Brain & Body Lab. Together...

This special episode features an interview with Dr. Clara Zundel, Ph. D., about recent research on the impact of air pollution on the brain and mental health. Dr. Zundel is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neurosciences at Wayne State University’s School of Medicine. Her work focuses on how environmental toxins, such as air pollution, impact brain and...

In this special episode, Dr. Marusak talks with Dr. Greg Fonzo, Ph. D. about recent advances in brain stimulation used in his lab and others. Dr. Fonzo is an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School.  Dr. Fonzo’s research encompasses two mai...

First, Dr. Marusak talks with Johnny Crowder, a suicide/abuse survivor, TEDx speaker, touring musician, mental health & sobriety advocate, and the Founder & CEO of Cope Notes, a text-based mental health platform that provides daily support to users in nearly 100 countries around the world. Then, she speaks with Dr. Christopher Pittenger, a clinician-scientist with expertise in the neurobio...

This special episode covers antisocial behavior, with an interview with neuroscientist and psychologist Dr. Luke Hyde. Dr. Hyde is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan. His work focuses on how adversity and inequality impact child brain and behavior development with an additional focus on the development of behavior problems and antisocial behavior in youth and adults. To learn mor...

Dr. Marusak talks with Dr. Sunny S. Lou, MD, PhD, about burnout among medical professionals. Dr. Lou is a fellow in the Division of Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Dr. Lou’s research interests include leveraging information from the electronic health record to develop models for clinical decision support and to improve anesthesiolog...

First, Dr. Marusak talks with Vara, a young cancer survivor with PTSD symptoms. Then, she talks with Dr. Ryan Herringa, a child psychiatrist and neuroscientist at University of Wisconsin who specializes in the treatment and study of childhood traumatic stress and PTSD.  To learn more about Dr. Herringa's research, visit the BRAVE Research Center's website: brave.psychiatry.wisc.edu . For reso...

First, Dr. Marusak talks with two black women therapists about psychedelics: Jamilah George (@MilahSingz), a Clinical Psychology PhD student, and Sara Reed (@minds_health), a licensed Marriage and Family therapist and CEO of a mental health technology company called Minds iHealth Solutions. Then, she talks with Dr. Jessica Maples, a researcher at Emory University who specializes in exposure-based...

First, Dr. Marusak talks with Vara, a young cancer survivor with PTSD symptoms. Then, she talks with Dr. Ryan Herringa, a child psychiatrist and neuroscientist at University of Wisconsin who specializes in the treatment and study of childhood traumatic stress and PTSD. For a video version of this episode, visit our BrainSTEMpodcast Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcJA47yll5ffIZ_x...

First, Dr. Marusak talks with two black women therapists who specialize in psychedelic psychotherapy: Jamilah George (@MilahSingz), a Clinical Psychology PhD student, and Sara Reed (@minds_health), a licensed Marriage and Family therapist and CEO of a mental health technology company called Minds iHealth Solutions. Then, she talks with Dr. Jessica Maples, a researcher at Emory University who speci...