Brainthropology

In this episode, Dr. Barbara Branca guides you through the practice of mindful eating, an exercise in bringing full awareness to the simple act of eating. To participate, you'll need a small morsel of food as Dr. Branca leads you in a meditation that highlights how mindfulness enhances concentration and brings more joy and stability to your daily life. By focusing on the textures, flavors, and sen...

In this episode, Dr. Barbara Branca explores the practice of elevating difficult moods through mindfulness. By bringing mindful awareness to our emotions, we can learn to transform feelings of frustration into a sense of peace. Dr. Branca introduces practical tools to help alleviate challenging moods, emphasizing that while meditation is a powerful support, it is not a replacement for therapy. Ins...

In this episode, Dr. Barbara Branca introduces the concept of Vedana, the mindfulness of feeling, which refers to the quality or tone of our experiences—whether pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. Dr. Branca guides you through practices designed to heighten your awareness of your surroundings, bodily sensations, and emotional responses. By tuning into how different stimuli affect your feelings, you...

In the second half of our series on trauma and healing, Dr. Barbara Branca guides you through a mindfulness meditation centered on the sense of sound. This episode focuses on training your attention to be fully present with the sounds around you, a practice especially beneficial for those who have experienced trauma. Dr. Branca explains how mindful listening, including meditative music, can create...

In this episode, host Debbie Loftus welcomes back Dr. Judy Malinowski, a clinical psychologist and expert in trauma, to delve into the various treatment options available for trauma recovery. Building on their previous discussion about the effects of trauma on the brain, Dr. Malinowski provides an in-depth look at the therapeutic approaches that can help individuals heal from traumatic experiences...

Dr. Barbara Branca shifts focus to the calming power of deep breathing practices. In this episode, Dr. Branca discusses how something as simple as mindful breathing can have profound effects on your nervous system, helping to ease stress and tension. She guides listeners through practical techniques that can be used anytime, especially during challenging moments. By learning to harness the power o...

In this enlightening introduction episode, host Debbie Loftus is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Judy Malinowski to explore the profound effects of trauma on the brain. As an expert in the field, Dr. Malinowski provides valuable insights into how traumatic experiences can alter brain function and impact mental health. Together, they discuss the science behind trauma, the ways it manifests in d...

In the second half of this podcast, Dr. Barbara Branca introduces the Three-Minute Breathing Space, a powerful meditation tool developed by the creators of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. This episode guides you through two practice sessions, demonstrating how this simple yet effective technique can help reset your mind and body during moments of agitation or stress. Designed to bring calmnes...

In part two of the "I Have a Brain Injury, Now What?" series, co-hosts Jessica Smith and Debbie Loftus continue their exploration of life after a brain injury. Following their discussion on the care team in the part of the series, they now focus on the immediate personality changes that often occur after an injury. Jessica and Debbie also delve into the various bodily systems that might be affecte...

Dr. Barbara Branca leads a meditation focused on identifying and transforming self-judgment. This episode dives into the importance of shifting thought patterns, particularly when negative thinking has become an ingrained habit. Dr. Branca guides you through practices designed to replace harsh self-criticism with compassion and kindness. By fostering a more gentle and understanding relationship wi...

Episode Description:In the first episode of the series "I Have a Brain Injury, Now What?" co-hosts Jessica Smith and Debbie Loftus provide essential resources for those navigating the complexities of brain injury. Whether you’ve experienced a brain injury yourself or know someone who has, this episode offers a comprehensive overview of the journey ahead. Jessica and Debbie discuss the various spec...

In the second half of our enlightening series, Dr. Barbara Branca introduces the powerful meditation tool known as the Self-Compassion Break. Based on the golden rule of treating others as you would treat yourself, this episode delves into the importance of self-kindness and compassion. Dr. Branca guides listeners through techniques to cultivate a gentle and understanding attitude toward oneself,...

In this insightful episode of "Voice Renewed," host Jessica Smith welcomes speech pathologists Sue Tucker and Annie Lauria to discuss therapeutic strategies for individuals living with Aphasia. Aphasia, a condition resulting from brain damage that impairs speech comprehension and expression, and presents unique challenges. Sue and Annie share their expertise in helping those with Aphasia regain co...

Join Dr. Barbara Branca in the second half of this enlightening series as she guides you through the essentials of starting your own meditation practice. In "Mindful Beginnings," Dr. Branca discusses the importance of mindful meditation and addresses common questions such as where, how, and when to meditate. Through her compassionate and educational approach, you'll learn how to create a sustainab...

In this episode of "Nurturing Minds," host Jessica Smith is joined by speech pathologists Sue Tucker and Annie Lauria to explore the transformative world of cognitive therapy. Together, they delve into the challenges faced by individuals with memory issues and cognitive difficulties, offering insightful strategies and therapeutic approaches. Sue and Annie, experts in cognitive training, share thei...

Have you ever wondered how you can be more compassionate toward your mind and body? In this episode, Dr. Barbara Branca brings a kind awareness of what Self-compassion is. During today’s meditation, you will be guided to bring focus to various parts of your body while cultivating kindness and an appreciation for your physical being. Show Notes Brainthropology Noun /brānTHrəˈpäləjē/ the study of op...

Learn about the LoveYourBrain Foundation with host, Courtney Wang and LoveYourBrain Training and Clinical Affiliate Manager, Jackie Farrell . The LoveYourBrain foundation is on a mission to improve the quality of life of people affected by traumatic brain injury through programs that build community and foster resilience. They believe that mindfulness, yoga, and community are essential to transfor...

Join Dr. Branca in this calming meditation, designed to show you two tools for dealing with a moderate level of stress—the breath and the imagining of a natural setting. Breathing is not just for oxygen but it’s linked to brain function and behavior. Slow deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system and can change your stress level! Show Notes Brainthropology Noun /brānTHrəˈpäləjē/...

Did you know that every 20 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall, resulting in approximately 34,000 preventable deaths a year? In today’s episode, host Debbie Loftus talks with PT experts Shelly Roller (PT, MPT, CPPS) and Amanda Kelch (PT, DPT, MHS, NCS) to explore topics that range from identifying the risk factors of falls to discussing the importance that balance plays in our everyday lives....

In this mindfulness meditation episode, Dr. Branca outlines the impact of stress, especially chronic and severe stress, on various brain structures and our behavior. The practice of mindfulness meditation has been shown to significantly reduce stress, including physical signs of stress such as high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, and rapid breathing. Join us to experience these benefits and m...

Have you ever been dizzy or had vertigo? On today’s podcast, you will learn what the vestibular system is and what happens when there is a problem with this system. Host Debbie Loftus sits down with Shelly Roller (PT, MPT, CPPS) and Amanda Kelch (PT, DPT, MHS, NCS) to talk about what Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) is and what a typical VRT treatment session looks like.  Show Links:  Vesti...

One important piece of meditation is the space that you’re in. A great idea is to make a calming corner in your house full of your favorite calming items and a place to feel safe. Join Laney Wang and Zoe Wang as they discuss how calming corners help them and demonstrate a breathing and calming technique that can help with relaxation or decreasing anger or anxiety. Show Notes Brainthropology Noun /...

Vision is our dominant sense and one of the main ways that we interact with our world. When the vision system isn’t working as intended after an injury, illness, or even for development reasons, it can lead to many challenges such as difficulty with driving, difficulty going into stores, anxiety, headaches, difficulty reading, and decreased balance. On this episode, host Courtney Wang interviews D...

Do you struggle to bring compassion to yourself? It is essential to cultivate self-care and self-compassion and then you can extend that to others. Dr. Barbaranne Branca invites you to use your breath to reconnect with the present moment and guides you through loving and nurturing yourself in order to extend it to others. A great listen for the holiday season coming up! Show Notes Brainthropology...

Sex, sexuality, and intimacy during the rehabilitation journey are something rarely discussed. Erin Fishman, a board-certified occupational therapist, and certified brain injury specialist shares her knowledge and experience in this area to make sure not only clients after injury or illness have resources and information, but also healthcare providers have resources to start addressing this with t...