It's a Teen's World

There's a big difference between being liked and being known. You can have lots of friends, get along with everyone, and still feel like the people around you don't fully understand who you are. Today, I'm exploring the difference between feeling liked and feeling understood. Why do we sometimes prioritize being liked over being understood? And what does it actually mean to feel seen b...

Have you ever wondered why you freeze during an argument, or feel shaky when you're nervous? In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly , we're breaking down the brain's fight-or-flight response and exploring what happens in your brain and body when you perceive a threat. We'll look at this response from a neuroscience and biological perspective, and we'll discuss if there's an...

Which social rules are normal, and which have gotten out of hand? In this episode, I dive into this question! Gen Z social norms regarding texting, school, and in-person hangouts are rules that we're all expected to follow. But it feels like we haven't even considered if these rules helping us or hurting us... Follow me on instagram @itsateensworldpodcast for more content! 🩷

We all do it, but when does it really become a problem? In this episode, I dive into my latest hot take: excessive complaining is really annoying! This isn't just the occasional comment like "I'm tired," this is when someone won't stop complaining about a situation they can change. I share when it's okay to complain (and when it's not), why everyone complains, and why...

Have you ever heard a song once and then found yourself replaying the same few seconds in your head for hours? That phenomenon, commonly known as an earworm , is more formally called involuntary musical imagery. In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly , we explore why certain songs become so difficult to forget, how memory and attention contribute to earworms, and why your brain can recreate music...

Why do we take everything so seriously? A bad grade, an awkward interaction, saying the wrong thing, worrying about what everyone else thinks—it can all feel so much bigger in the moment than it really is. In this episode, we’re talking about the pressure to get everything right, the imaginary audience in our heads, and learning to laugh at ourselves a little more. Because taking life seriously do...

We’re constantly pressured to do more: more extracurriculars, more work, more studying. And somewhere along the way, being busy started to feel like something we should be proud of. In this episode, I’m questioning whether we actually need to fill every minute of our lives. Why do we feel guilty when we’re doing nothing? Wwhat would happen if we gave ourselves permission to do a little less? Maybe...

Have you ever walked into a place you've never been before and suddenly felt like you've already been there? That's déjà vu —but where does that strange feeling come from? In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly , we explore the neuroscience behind déjà vu, including the difference between familiarity and recollection , the role of the brain's memory systems, and some of the leading...

As teenagers, it's hard to find time to do everything we're passionate about! That being said, It's crucial that we make time to do the things we enjoy. In this episode, I break down the steps you can take to see what you can realistically do in a week. Tune in to hear more! Follow me on instagram @itsateensworldpodcast ❤️

With the first day of school right around the corner, I'm sharing 5 tips that would've really helped me a few years ago regarding studying, making friends, and time management. Tune in to hear more! Follow me on instagram @itsateensworld podcast :)

The human brain is constantly making predictions about what will happen next—but how does it do this? In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly , I explore predictive processing and how your brain uses past experiences to anticipate and interpret the world around you. We'll look at prediction errors, perception, learning, and uncertainty , and explore what happens when your brain's expectatio...

Wouldn't it be nice if you could slowly start to detach yourself from other peoples' opinions? In this episode, I'm talking about accepting the fact that you will be misunderstand, and that's okay! It can be so liberating to not have to care about what other people think sometimes. I'm exploring why we care so much about what other people think, situations when it's okay to...

Why do humans have such a strong need to belong? In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly , we're exploring how the brain responds to connection, friendship, and social acceptance. From the role of oxytocin and dopamine to the brain's response to social rejection, discover why belonging is so much more than an emotion—it's a fundamental part of how we're wired. Instagram: @itsateensw...

What if we spent less time worrying about the things that don't really matter? Today, I'm sharing things I wish I'd worried less about. If I could tell my younger self anything, it would 100% be to stop worrying so much! Growing up comes with a lot of uncertainty, but sometimes the best thing we can do is let go of the pressure we're putting on ourselves. Follow me on instagram @it...

What makes some people more resilient than others, and why is it such an important skill to be resilient? In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly , we're exploring how the brain responds to stress and what neuroscience can teach us about recovering from life's challenges. From the amygdala and stress hormones to neuroplasticity and healthy coping strategies, discover how resilience develops...

Being authentic is a topic that is SO important to me, as it's something I've struggled with for many many years. I hope this episode helps you feel like you can and should be authentically yourself, regardless of what people say you should act like. In this episode, I break how the importance of being authentic, what it looks like to be authentic (and what it doesn't look like), and w...

How do you know when someone is happy, nervous, or upset—sometimes before they even say anything? In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly , we're exploring how the brain interprets facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and other social cues to understand the people around us. From recognizing familiar faces to imagining another person's perspective, discover the remarkable neuro...

Being busy IS NOT the same as being happy. In this episode, I'm talking about the pressure to always be productive and why having a packed schedule doesn't always lead to a fulfilling life. We'll explore the difference between staying busy and living intentionally, why rest is never something you have to earn, and how redefining success can help you make more time for the things that t...

Can you really trust your memory? In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly , we're exploring how memories are formed, why they sometimes change over time, and how the brain can create false memories without us even realizing it. From the role of the hippocampus to the fascinating research behind memory distortion, we'll uncover why remembering isn't as simple as replaying the past—and wh...

What if you had the tools to be able to be comfortable with those uncomfortable situations that scare you? In this episode, I'm talking about why stepping outside of your comfort zone can be one of the most important parts of growing up. From trying new things to facing uncertainty and building confidence, we'll explore why discomfort isn't something to fear—it might actually be a sign...

Why do mistakes help us learn? In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly , we're exploring what happens in the brain when things don't go as planned—and why making mistakes is actually an essential part of learning. We'll dive into how the brain detects errors, strengthens neural connections through experience, and uses feedback to adapt over time. Understanding the neuroscience behind mi...

I've been seeing the trend of "romanticizing your life" on instagram for the past few months, and I wanted to do an episode about it! In this episode, I’m talking about the idea of romanticizing your life — not as a way to make everything look perfect, but as a way to appreciate the little moments that make life meaningful. I talk about why we’re always waiting for the next thing to happen, how to...

In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly, we’re exploring what happens in the brain when stress goes on for too long. We’ll talk about why burnout happens, the difference between short-term and long-term stress, and why rest is a crucial part of being productive. Your brain isn’t designed to run at full speed forever — and understanding that can change the way we approach stress and recovery.

Friendships can be one of the best parts of being a teenager, but they can also be complicated. In this episode, I’m talking about finding your people, building meaningful friendships, and what it means when friendships change. From learning the difference between having friends and having the right friends, to growing apart and becoming more yourself, this episode is all about navigating friendsh...

Why does change feel so uncomfortable, even when we know it could be good for us? In this episode of Neuroscience Weekly, we’re exploring why our brains prefer familiarity and why stepping outside of our comfort zones can feel so difficult. We’ll talk about the science behind uncertainty, fear, and growth — and why feeling uncomfortable doesn’t always mean you’re doing something wrong.