My BrainWise Coach

In this episode of Neuroscience Digest, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon explore the neuroscience underlying strange addictions, inspired by the TV show 'My Strange Addiction.' They discuss how unusual behaviors can be understood through the lens of neurocircuits related to dopamine pathways and other brain mechanisms. Using the 'Five P Model'—Protection, Participation, Prediction...

In this episode of My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon delve into the intricacies of delivering difficult feedback in both professional and personal contexts. Building upon previous discussions about transitioning and setting resolutions, they explore the importance of clear intentions, psychological safety, and non-judgmental communication. They emphasize the need for establishi...

In this episode of Neuroscience Digest, powered by My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon explore the science of positivity and its profound impact on cognition, physical health, relationships, and future outlook. They dive deep into how positive emotions influence the brain's dopamine circuitry, improve stress management, sleep quality, and overall well-being. Practical advice...

In this episode of My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon guide listeners through exercises to define and achieve their desired future states, drawing on neuroscience and behavioral science principles. They discuss the transition map, plan pathways to desired futures, and delve into exercises such as action evaluations and risk assessments. Listeners are walked through a real-time a...

In this episode, Neuroscience Digest kicks off its second season with an in-depth exploration of how doubt can actually boost motivation. The hosts discuss new research highlighting that questioning one's doubts can lead to increased commitment to goals. They delve into the implications of mental models and share real-life examples, emphasizing the importance of balancing confidence and cautio...

In the first episode of season two of My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon delve into the neuroscience behind why so many people struggle to keep their New Year's resolutions. They discuss everything from dopamine bursts to stress, explaining why our brains find it so challenging to implement change. The episode offers practical strategies for setting achievable goals, creatin...

In this special holiday edition of Neuroscience Digest powered by My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon explore the emerging concept of JOMO (Joy of Missing Out). Unlike FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), JOMO highlights the psychological benefits of disconnecting from social media and constant engagement. The episode delves into recent research findings on JOMO, discussing its potential...

In this milestone 26th episode of 'My BrainWise Coach', hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon celebrate the successful completion of their first season and reflect on how the power of influences from the past shapes our present and future. This episode covers the major themes of past experiences and influencers, how they impact current life decisions, and methods to identify positive and negat...

In this episode of Neuroscience Digest, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon delve into the emerging terms 'doomscrolling' and 'cyberchondria.' They discuss how doomscrolling—compulsively consuming negative news—hijacks the brain's threat and reward circuits, leading to increased stress, degraded attention, and impaired emotional regulation. Phil provides practical tips to break f...

In this episode of My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon continue their series on navigating life transitions. They emphasize the importance of understanding your current state, which includes recognizing mental models, identifying strengths, evaluating motivation, and assessing life phases. Phil recaps prior episodes on defining a future state and introduces exercises to help brid...

In this episode of Neuroscience Digest, Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon explore recent research on the impact of exercise on brain health. They discuss studies revealing that even short bursts of physical activity can significantly improve cognitive function, stress resilience, and brain volume. The hosts emphasize the importance of attainable exercise goals and how these can lead to long-term benefit...

In this episode of My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon continue their exploration into how neuroscience can help us understand and shape our lives. They recap exercises from the last episode designed to identify one's 'sweet spot' and visualize the future. Cole and Phil dive deeper into creating a detailed and descriptive future vision through activities like writing...

In this episode of Neuroscience Digest, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon explore the cognitive, emotional, and physiological benefits of singing, particularly in groups during the holiday season. They delve into recent research findings that highlight how group singing can improve heart rate, blood pressure, immune function, and social bonds. They also discuss the potential therapeutic effects of...

In this episode of 'My BrainWise Coach,' co-hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon explore the concept of feeling stuck or uncertain during life transitions. They dive into neuroscience-based strategies to help individuals identify their purpose and plan their future. The hosts share tools such as the 'Ikigai' framework and the 'Pictures Exercise' to assist listeners in defining...

In this Thanksgiving episode of Neuroscience Digest, hosts Cole Basian and Phil Dixon delve into the science of gratitude and its impact on happiness and performance. Recorded to coincide with Thanksgiving, the discussion begins with the importance of expressing gratitude, not only during the holidays but as a daily practice. Phil highlights recent neuroscience research and discusses findings from...

In this bonus episode of My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon explore the neuroscience behind Black Friday shopping. They discuss how the event is meticulously designed to tap into powerful brain mechanisms, creating excitement and reward but also leading to impulsivity and stress. They highlight how anticipation and dopamine surges drive behavior, the influence of scarcity and ma...

In this special Thanksgiving episode of My BrainWise Coach, co-hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon embark on an exploration of the concept of 'multiple characters' within us. They discuss how different aspects of our personality show up in various contexts and why it is important to identify and understand these traits. They share personal anecdotes and real-life examples, providing insights...

In this episode of Neuroscience Digest powered by My BrainWise Coach Podcast, co-hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon discuss two intriguing topics: the impact of 'fobbing' (snubbing someone in favor of a phone) on relationships, and the neuroscience behind celebrations. They explore how phone use can create a sense of neglect in relationships and provide practical advice for mitigating this issue. A...

In this episode of 'My BrainWise Coach,' hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon continue their discussion on the art and science of effective dialogue, focusing on the importance of asking great questions and communicating perspectives succinctly. They emphasize the value of maintaining a balance between asking and telling in conversations for improved communication and connection. The episode...

In this episode of Neuroscience Digest, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon discuss recent developments in neuroscience research. Topics include a groundbreaking study on 'mind captioning,' which uses AI to decode brain activity into descriptive text, the discovery of facial expressions in mice as a proxy for human brain studies, and an exploration of fainting as a non-conscious brain reacti...

In this episode of My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon delve into the intricacies of effective dialogue. They explore three key components: asking, telling, and active listening, alongside the attention spectrum and barriers to connection. Phil emphasizes developing skills in asking better questions, communicating concisely, and becoming better listeners. The discussion includes...

In this episode of Neuroscience Digest, powered by the My BrainWise Coach podcast, hosts delve into the latest neuroscience research, discussing its implications and practical applications. They announce a contest for listeners with prizes, including a signed book and a gift card. The episode focuses on three research topics: the health benefits of dark chocolate, the impact of music on brain heal...

In this episode of My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon welcome special guest Cheryl Kish, President and Founder of Define Consulting. Cheryl discusses the journey of understanding oneself through neuroscience and coaching, sharing personal stories and professional insights. They explore topics such as mental models, emotional intelligence, executive presence, and the importance o...

In the inaugural episode of BrainWise's Weekly Neuroscience Digest, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon introduce their new mini-series focused on recent advancements and research in neuroscience. This episode delves into the critical role of sleep in brain health. The discussion covers findings on how sleep patterns can predict dementia risk, the brain's reorganization during REM sleep, and the cor...

In this episode of My BrainWise Coach, hosts Cole Bastian and Phil Dixon discuss the exciting and sometimes daunting topic of AI transformation. Reflecting on their recent exploration of trust and its rebuilding, the hosts pivot to delve into the neuroscience of managing and leading through technology shifts, particularly AI. The conversation covers the impact of AI on individual roles and organiz...