Smooth Brain Society

Do police officers drink more than the general population? How does racial discrimination affect mental health? And what can large-scale data tell us about health inequalities? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Patsy Irizar from Liverpool John Moores University to explore two seemingly different but deeply connected areas of research: alcohol use and mental health in the police and military, a...

What happens inside a child's brain when they're told not to touch something… and immediately reach for it anyway? In this episode we sit down with developmental neuroscientist Dr. Abigail Fiske from Lancaster University to explore how self-control develops in infancy and early childhood. Dr. Fisk studies executive functions, which are the mental skills that help us focus, regulate behav...

In this special audience Q&A episode of The Smooth Brain Society , hosts Dr. Sahir Hussain and (soon to be Dr.) Beth Facer answer your most thoughtful, chaotic, philosophical, and occasionally cursed questions. From the darkest stories in neuroscience history to whether trauma is really “stored in the body,” Beth and Sahir dive into mental health, AI, addiction, academia, policy, stress, and t...

Dr. Bailey Rose (Ngāti Maniapoto), Clinical Psychologist at Ora Toa Mauriora, New Zealand, joins us for a conversation on eating disorders, culture, identity, and mental health care. We explore how eating disorders are often misunderstood through a narrow Western lens, and why that can leave Māori and other underserved communities unseen, misdiagnosed, or excluded from support systems. Bailey shar...

Can preparing the body before cancer treatment improve recovery, reduce complications, and even protect brain function? In this episode, Sahir sits down with Dr. Christopher Gaffney, Senior Lecturer in Integrative Physiology at Lancaster University, to explore the growing science of prehabilitation. Prehabilitation  uses exercise, nutrition, and psychological support to help cancer patients better...

We explore the rapidly evolving intersection of human psychology and artificial intelligence with Dr. Eeshan Hasan,of the Ohio State University, specialising in computational models of decision-making. We dive into how humans and AI can work together more effectively, from improving medical diagnoses using “wisdom of the crowd” techniques to tackling misinformation and distortions on social media....

The episode explores men's mental, sexual, and reproductive health, challenging stereotypes and examining how masculinity influences health behaviors and decisions. Guest Associate Professor Gareth Terry, shares insights from his research on mens identities and how they intersect with things like reproductive health, disabilities, and the social construction of masculinity. We discuss the nua...

Dr. Melanie Altemus of Massey University, New Zealand, explores the complex psychology behind volunteer tourism, including motivations, moral implications, and the impact of the 'white savior' complex. She shares insights from her research on how volunteerism can sometimes do more harm than good and discusses the importance of understanding the underlying psychological traits involved. D...

Jack El-Hai, acclaimed journalist and author of The Nazi and the Psychiatrist and The Lobotomist , takes us inside Dr. Douglas Kelly's psychological examination of Nazi war criminals at the Nuremberg trials. From the lobotomy era to the chilling conclusions about "ordinary" evil, this conversation explores what psychiatry revealed about history's most notorious figures—and what...

Dr. John Kerr, Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago and Science Lead for the Public Health Communication Centre, discusses the psychological roots of belief and disbelief in scientific consensus. He shares his journey from neuroscience to science communication, exploring the complexities of conspiracy theories, misinformation, and the impact of AI on...

Dr. Feryl Badiani, Lecturer at Sophia College, Mumbai, India and Researcher at Masaryk University, Czechia delves into the complexities of Hinduism, exploring its resilience in the face of monotheistic religions, the cultural and linguistic diversity within Hindu practices, and the role of rituals in shaping identity. Feryl shares her journey into studying Hinduism, particularly in the Marathi and...

Dr. Adam Feltz of The University of Oklahoma discusses the complexities of ethical decision-making, particularly in relation to animal welfare. He shares his journey from philosophy to psychology, emphasizing the importance of knowledge in shaping moral judgments about animals. The discussion covers various factors influencing animal ethics, including cultural traditions, education, and policy imp...

This episode features two members of Women in Neuroscience UK, Ginevra Sperandio and Riya Verma, discussing their journeys into neuroscience, the importance of women's health research, and the mission of their organization. They explore the challenges faced by women in neuroscience, the need for better representation, and the significance of patient voices in research. The discussion also hig...

Dr. Zoe Swithenbank, a senior research associate at Lancaster University, delves into her work at the intersection of mental health, addiction, and public health. Zoe's research focuses on treatment pathways for individuals with alcohol use and mental health challenges. She highlights the structural barriers in accessing care and the need for long-term support in smoking cessation, which is o...

Dr. Ellie Rukuwai of Victoria University of Wellington, discusses her research on perfectionism and self-injury within the Māori community, exploring how cultural perspectives shape these experiences. She emphasizes the importance of understanding perfectionism not just as a psychological construct but as a culturally bound experience that can differ significantly from Western definitions. The dis...

Dr. Liam Collins-Jones of University of Cambridge shares his journey from studying medicine to becoming a neuroscientist and comedian. He discusses innovative brain imaging techniques, particularly near infrared spectroscopy, and their applications in understanding brain activity in babies and dementia patients. The podcast explores the intersection of science and humor, emphasizing the importance...

Dr. Jonathan Howard, neurologist and psychiatrist at NYU Langone and chief of the neurology service at Bellevue Hospital, discusses his dual origin stories. The first as a medical professional and his experiences treating multiple sclerosis and other neuro-immune diseases. The second, understanding the dangers of misinformation in medicine, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic which he doccum...

Dr. Kate Slade, Lecturer and Researcher at Lancaster University, discusses her research on the intersection of hearing loss, aging, and cognition. She explores how hearing loss affects mental health and wellbeing, particularly in older adults, and the implications of health inequalities on hearing outcomes. The conversation also delves into the impact of COVID-19 on hearing and cognition, as well...

In this episode of the Smooth Brain Society, Sahir and Amer engage with Dr. Cicilia Larasati Rembulan, Associate Professor from Universitas Ciputra, Indonesia, to discuss her recently published research on subjective well-being. The conversation explores the definitions of well-being, the measurement of happiness, and the role of social comparison and financial well-being in shaping life satisfact...

Dive into the fascinating world of pain research with Arnas Tamasauskas, a PhD student at the University of Liverpool. Explore the mysteries of neuropathic pain, genetic quirks which lead to some people feeling no pain, and the use of MRI and interviews in understanding chronic pain and invisible disabilities. Join us for an enlightening conversation on the Smooth Brain Society podcast. Support th...

Join us in this insightful episode as we dive into the world of emotion regulation and attentional deployment with Dr. Daniel Rojas Líbano of Universidad Diego Portales. Santiago, Chile. Discover how shifting focus can influence emotional responses and explore the implications of these findings in real-world applications. Perfect for psychology enthusiasts and anyone curious about the science behi...

In this fascinating episode we dive into the world of somatosensation with Adarsh Makdani, a researcher at Liverpool John Moores University. Discover the intricacies of mechanosensory receptors, the science behind pain and itch, and the groundbreaking techniques used to study these sensations. Adarsh shares insights into his research journey, the importance of collaboration, and the ethical consid...

⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses child sexual exploitation, trafficking, and trauma. What does the law really say about protecting children — and who does it leave behind? 🚨 This week on Smooth Brain Society , Dr. Pantea Javidan of Stanford University joins host Sahir and co-host Sabrina Page (Founder of the Gender Violence Research and Collaboration Network) to expose the hidden histor...

Can autistic adults lie—and detect lies—like everyone else? And what happens when the justice system misreads autism traits as deception? In this episode, we sit down with Tiegan Blackhurst , a doctoral researcher at Lancaster University, to dive into her research on autism and deceptive communication . Tiegan breaks down how autistic adults navigate truth and lies, and how misunderstanding these...

What is creativity, really? In this episode of the Smooth Brain Society, we dive deep with Dr. Keith Sawyer—MIT-trained computer scientist, jazz pianist, and leading creativity researcher and Professor in Educational Innovations at the University of North Carolina—to unravel the psychology of creative thinking. From the neuroscience of flow states to the myth of the lone genius, Dr. Sawyer breaks...