Andrea Samadi reflects on seven years hosting the Neuroscience Meets SEL podcast and celebrates reaching 500,000 downloads. She shares seven strategies—clarifying mission and vision, defining the audience, setting measurable goals, creating systems, staying mission-driven, building partnerships, and building momentum—and eight personal lessons learned, including the power of practice, research, adaptation, and praxis. This episode offers practical, science-backed guidance for anyone looking to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, well-being, and long-term results. On today's episode #377, we cover a break from our interviews, with a celebration episode!  ✔  7 Strategies that took our podcast from 0-500,000 downloads (including clarifying our mission, vision, defining our audience, setting measurable goals, creating systems, staying mission-driven, and building partnerships). ✔ 8 Personal Lessons learned over the past 7 years  (including the power of spaced repetition, research, adaptation and praxis).   Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring you the world’s top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We’ll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. For today’s EP #377 we will take a break from our interview reviews, and look back over the past 7 years, and 14 Seasons, as we hit an important milestone in the podcasting world, our 500,000th download.  I remember when we hit the 300,000th marker, back in March 2023[i] we reflected back on the lessons learned in our first 4 years of hosting this podcast.  I remember looking at the next milestone of half a million, thinking it was such a distance from where we currently were.  It just took 3 years to get here, and now we have our eye on the next 500,000 downloads, which from here, looks like a lifetime away. As we reflect back over the past 7 years, many of our strategies remain the same as when we first began. Some strategies we did have to change. We reviewed some of these concepts on EP 279[ii] back in March 2023.  As we review what got us here, I think that these strategies can be applied to anything we are doing, with a long-term vision.   7 STRATEGIES WE USED TO HIT THE 500K DOWNLOAD MILESTONE 1. Know Your Mission (What You’re Doing) The mission of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast is to bridge the gap between neuroscience research and practical applications in education, business, and personal development. The podcast shares insights, strategies, and best practices to enhance learning, performance, and well-being by integrating neuroscience (which we like to make simple) and connecting it to social and emotional skills (SEL). Our goal is to provide valuable information listeners can apply in their work and personal lives to achieve peak performance and overall self-improvement, with a deeper understanding of how our brain works — something many of us were never taught in school. When the missio

In this Season 14 review (episode 376) Andrea Samadi revisits highlights from her interview with Dr. John Ratey about the science of exercise, nutrition, and social connection for brain health and longevity. The episode explains Peter Attia's rule for foundational fitness, warns against sugar dependence and fat phobia, and presents the three biggest levers for healthy aging: exercise, diet, and social connection, plus practical tips to track and apply these habits. Takeaway: prioritize consistent movement, whole foods, and meaningful connection to boost mood, memory, and overall well-being. On today's episode #376, we review PART 2 of our 2021 interview with Dr. John Ratey and will learn: ✔  3 Science-backed keys to brain health: Exercise, Nutrition and Connection ✔ What is Attia's Rule that allows us to dive deep into diet and nutrition? ✔ Practical Tips for improving consistent movement, our diet and social connection to boost overall well-being and brain health.  Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring you the world’s top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We’ll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. Episode 376: PART 2 Featuring Dr. John Ratey For today’s Episode 376, we continue with PART 2 of our review with Dr. John Ratey, covering the first health staple that we know is scientifically proven to boost our physical and mental health: exercise.  We first met Dr. Ratey on Episode 116[i]  (back in March 2021) on his book “The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.” Dr. Ratey is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. Dr. Ratey has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles and 11 books in 17 languages. You’ll notice that around the time of the pandemic, in 2020, our interviews took a turn towards health and wellness, and to stay on track, I created a framework of our Top 5 Health Staples on Episode 87[ii], which eventually evolved into our Top 6 Health Staples. 🎧 Listen to Episode 87:The Top 5 Brain Health and Alzheimer’s Prevention Strategies[iii] 🌐 Learn more about Dr. Ratey:www.johnratey.com We also did a Deep Dive into Dr. Ratey’s books 🎧 Listen to Episode 118[iv]: A Deep Dive into Dr. Ratey’s books, Spark, Go Wild and Driven to Distraction. Before we go into Dr. Ratey’s first clip, with the thoughts of debating diet plans or supplements, (a broad and deep topic) Dr. Peter Attia[v] the author of the book The Science and Art of Longevity suggests we first get our “exercise house in order.” He argues that until we can do the following, our time is better spent building foundational fitness. For those of us who want to dive into this topic, he asks us to do the following, which has been coined as: Attia’s Rule. Dead hang for 1 minute Wall sit for 2 minutes Deadlift your body weight for 10 reps Achieve a VO₂ max at or above the 75th percentile As Dr. Attia

Season 14, episode 375 reviews episode 116 with Dr. John Ratey, exploring how exercise and lifestyle shape brain health and learning. The episode highlights Naperville’s Zero Hour PE case study, explains how physical activity boosts attention and academic performance, and introduces BDNF (brain-derived neurotropic factor) as “miracle grow” for the brain. Practical takeaways include exercising before challenging work or school, prioritizing low-glucose nutrition, using hormesis (fasting, intense exercise, sauna) to increase resilience, and improving sleep and stress management to support cognitive health. On today's episode #375, we review our 2021 interview with Dr. John Ratey and will learn: ✔ How physical activity boosts attention and academic performance to improve results at school or in the workplace. ✔ What should we all understand about BDNF (brain-derived neurotropic factor) also known as “miracle grow” for the brain. ✔ How to build a faster, stronger, more resilient brain with exercise, nutrition, and with understanding hormesis. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring you the world’s top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We’ll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. Episode 375: Featuring Dr. John Ratey For today’s Episode 375, we continue with our review of past episodes as we make connections to prior learning with whatever it is that we are currently working on this year. I’ll create a roadmap at the end of this season so this pathway will make sense to us (I hope!) as we piece together important parts of our success puzzle and begin to bring them to life. You’ll notice that around the time of the pandemic, in 2020, our interviews took a turn towards health and wellness, and to stay on track, I created a framework of our Top 5 Health Staples on Episode 87[i], which eventually evolved into our Top 6 Health Staples. Today, we covering the first health staple of exercise, jumping to Episode 116[ii]  on “The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain” with best-selling author Dr. John Ratey. Dr. Ratey is also an Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in Neuropsychiatry. Dr. Ratey has published over 60 peer-reviewed articles and 11 books in 17 languages, including the groundbreaking ADHD “Driven to Distraction” series with Dr. Edward (Ned) Hallowell, MD. With the publication of “Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain,” Dr. Ratey established himself as one of the world’s foremost authorities on the brain-fitness connection. His most recent book, “Go Wild,” explores how we can achieve optimal physical and mental health by getting in touch with our caveman roots and how we can “re-wild” our lives. 🎧 Listen to Episode 87:The Top 5 Brain Health and Alzheimer’s Prevention Strategies[iii] 🌐 Learn more about Dr. Ratey:www.johnratey.com We also did a Deep Dive into Dr.

Season 14 Episode 374 reviews neuroscientist Friederika Fabritius on the limits of willpower with tips from Dr. Andrew Huberman's research on how to strengthen the anterior mid-cingulate cortex through deliberate focus and challenging tasks. The episode also reviews the brain's reward system and practical strategies—like Dr. Anna Lembke's 30-day dopamine reset—to protect motivation and long-term self-control. Practical takeaways include conserving willpower by simplifying choices, using meditation and focused exercises to build concentration, deliberately practicing difficult tasks to grow resilience, and rethinking how we reward children to avoid overstimulating their prefrontal cortex. On today's episode #374, we’ll learn: ✔ Practical Tips for Building our Willpower/Resilience/Concentration ✔ The Importance of Understanding our Brain's Reward System for Ourselves and Our Children Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring you the world’s top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We’ll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. For today’s Episode 374, we continue our journey into our mind (and brain) with PART 2 of our interview review with neuroscientist, Friederike Fabritius, who we covered on our last EP 373[i] and her book The Leading Brain: Neuroscience Hacks to Work Smarter, Better and Happier. VIDEO 1 Click Here to Watch Today we’re reviewing a topic we’ve covered a few times on this podcast — willpower — that Friederike says “is limited and (that she) tries not to waste on people and processes that are just not worth it.” She explains: “To a certain degree, I try to simplify my life—I have five kids, a career, and I write books. So, in order to manage all of that, I say no to almost everything else. If I say yes to everything, by the end of the day I’m exhausted. If I then sit down at my desk to write, the result would be a disaster because my willpower is already depleted and I feel like collapsing on the couch. So, you need to be wise about not wasting your willpower on things that aren’t worth it.” On Episode 294[ii], “Beyond Our 5 Senses: Understanding and Using the 6 Faculties of Our Mind,” we explored how to develop and use this important mental faculty. I find all six faculties of our mind fascinating—but the will is one of my favorites. It’s what I’m using right now, sitting at my desk on a Saturday, to stay focused long enough to write this episode. YOUR WILL gives you the ability to concentrate. It helps you hold a thought on the screen of your mind, or choose thoughts of success over thoughts of failure. With a highly developed will, you can lock into a task, block out distractions, and accomplish what you set out to do. We also looked at willpower in Episode 344[iii], “The Neuroscience of Resilience: Building Stronger Minds and Teams,” where we explored how grit and mental toughness relate to new research from Dr. Andrew Huberman. His work shows what happens

Andrea Samadi revisits her 2019 conversation with neuroleadership pioneer Friederike Fabritius to explore practical neuroscience strategies for better productivity, well-being, and workplace happiness. On this episode, we’ll learn: ✔ Why only 20% of people feel passionate about their jobs, and what we can do to change that. ✔ How to use neuroscience to reach peak performance or flow with your work. Neuroscientist and neuroleadership pioneer Friederike Fabritius shows us how three simple ingredients—FUN, FEAR, and FOCUS—can help us find flow and peak performance at work. We’ll also explore why men and women often respond differently to stress, how to identify your unique neurosignature, and practical ways to design a workplace (and a life) that helps your brain thrive ✔ Learn the three key ingredients for flow—fun, fear (challenge), and focus—how the stress–performance curve affects apathy and burnout. ✔ Why tailoring roles to individual neurosignatures (dopamine, serotonin, testosterone, estrogen) can unlock peak performance. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring you the world’s top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We’ll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. For today’s Episode 373, we continue our journey into our mind with the next interview review. Just a reminder-this review series began back with Episode 366[i], where in Part 3 we discovered an important lesson: if we don’t like our results—or what we see on the outside—we need to shift our mindset and look within. True change always begins on the inside. We moved onto EP 369[ii] we learned how to Rewire our Brain with Dr. Dawson Church and his Bliss Brain Meditations, and then EP 370[iii] with John Medina’s Brain Rules, where we reviewed how important this understanding of neuroscience is, especially connected to education, teaching and learning. Next we went deeper into our mind and brain with EP 371 and 72 where we with clinical professor of psychiatry from UCLA’s School of Medicine, Dr. Daniel J Siegel and his Mindsight concept, which is the same idea as Theory of Mind, or seeing the mind in another. All of these episodes are helping us to further sharpen of minds and brains, and connect better with others,  for improved productivity and success in our work and personal lives. For today’s EP 373, we go back to EP 27[iv], recorded October 2019, with pioneer in neuroleadership, neuroscientist, Friederike Fabritius[v], from Germany. On this episode, we covered her book, The Leading Brain: Neuroscience Hacks to Work Smarter, Better and Happier. Friederike returned again to the podcast, for EP 258[vi] recorded in November 2022 advancing our conversation with her next book, The Brain Friendly Workplace. Both of these interviews covered important tips that I think we should all take into consideration to be happier, and therefore, more productive at work. Going along with our theme-that if we don’t like what’s goi

In this episode review (Season 14, Ep. 372), Andrea revisits interviews with Dr. Dan Siegel to explore Mindsight—the focused attention that helps us see and reshape our own minds and connect with others. She breaks down how Mindsight underpins social and emotional intelligence and offers practical ways to develop it, including theory-of-mind practice, the Wheel of Awareness, and daily narrative reading. This week, in our review of EP 28 with Daniel J. Siegel, MD  and his book Mindsight, we learned: ✔ A deeper definition of Mindsight or seeing the mind in anotherMindsight, a term coined by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel, is the ability to perceive the mind within ourselves and others. It goes beyond simply observing behavior; it’s about sensing thoughts, feelings, intentions, and perspectives that aren’t immediately visible. This skill allows us to look beneath the surface of words and actions, to “see” the mind behind them, which leads to deeper empathy, better relationships, and stronger social intelligence. ✔ What is Theory of Mind and how can this skill help us to connect and understand others betterTheory of Mind (ToM) is closely related to Mindsight—it refers to our ability to attribute mental states (beliefs, desires, knowledge, intentions) to ourselves and to others. In simple terms, it’s recognizing that other people have thoughts and feelings that may be different from our own. This skill is essential for meaningful communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration, because it helps us predict how someone might react, understand why they feel a certain way, and respond with compassion rather than judgment. ✔ What is Theory of Mind and how can this skill help us to connect and understand others betterTheory of Mind (ToM) is closely related to Mindsight—it refers to our ability to attribute mental states (beliefs, desires, knowledge, intentions) to ourselves and to others. In simple terms, it’s recognizing that other people have thoughts and feelings that may be different from our own. This skill is essential for meaningful communication, conflict resolution, and collaboration, because it helps us predict how someone might react, understand why they feel a certain way, and respond with compassion rather than judgment. ✔ Practical tips to improve our Mindsight or Theory of Mind abilities Pause and Reflect – Before reacting, ask yourself: What might this person be thinking or feeling right now? Name Emotions – Practice labeling your own emotions and noticing them in others (“I feel frustrated” → “They might be anxious”). Perspective-Taking Exercises – Put yourself in someone else’s shoes: If I were in their position, what would I be experiencing? Read Fiction Regularly – Choose stories with complex characters and notice how your mind tracks their thoughts and motives. Practice Curiosity in Conversations – Instead of assuming, ask open-ended questions to better understand another’s perspective. Mindfulness Training – Strengthen your awareness of your inner world, which improves your ability to tune into the inner world of others. The episode also emphasizes the importance of face-to-face relationships for learning and development, contrasts relational learning with screen-based approaches, and provides actionable tips educators and listeners can use to strengthen empathy, self-awareness, and relational skills. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do no

In this episode Andrea revisits her 2019 conversation with Dr. Daniel J. Siegel to explore Mindsight — his science-based approach to understanding the mind, integrating the brain, and cultivating empathy. Dr. Siegel explains the difference between mind and brain, the benefits of the Wheel of Awareness meditation, and how Mindsight can change brain structure and improve health. Watch full interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7pnea2Vbzc Practical tips include daily Mindsight practice, naming emotions to build self-awareness, and simple emotional check-ins to make learning and relationships more meaningful. This week, in our review of EP 28 with Daniel J. Siegel, MD  and his book Mindsight, we learned: ✔ The Difference Between the Mind and the Brain. ✔  The Benefits of The Wheel of Awareness Meditation. ✔ How to Understand and Apply Mindsight that gives us insight into ourselves, and empathy for others. ✔ How Mindsight can change brain structure and improve health. ✔ In order to make teaching and learning more meaningful, what we are teaching must have an element of emotion. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring you the world’s top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We’ll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. Episode 371: For today’s Episode 371, we continue our journey into the mind with the next interview review. Just a reminder-this review series began back with Episode 366[i], where in Part 3 we discovered an important lesson: if we don’t like our results—or what we see on the outside—we need to shift our mindset and look within. True change always begins on the inside.   EP 369[ii] we learned how to Rewire our Brain with Dr. Dawson Church and his Bliss Brain Meditations, and then last week, EP 370[iii] with John Medina’s Brain Rules, we reviewed how important this understanding of neuroscience is, especially connected to education, teaching and learning. Which brings us to today’s review, EP 371, where we revisit a very early episode with clinical professor of psychiatry from UCLA’s School of Medicine, Dr. Daniel J Siegel. He’s from EP 28[iv], that was recorded back in November of 2019. As we take this journey deeper into the mind, Dr. Dan Siegel offers the perfect place to begin, with his ability to bridge cutting-edge neuroscience and practical wisdom. Dr. Dan Siegel, is well known for his books, trainings and courses that bridge cutting edge neuroscience with mindfulness and therapy. A reminder of his background-he’s a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and executive director of the Mindsight Institute[v] where you can find his courses, workshops, books and tools to help anyone understand and apply what can sometimes be complicated scientific concepts and make them easy to understand and applicable to our daily lives. At the end of the interview, I let Dr. Siegel know that I had been practicing his Wheel of Awareness Medita

Episode 370 reviews Dr. John Medina's insights from Brain Rules and explores how neuroscience and social-emotional learning combine to improve teaching, learning, and well-being. Key takeaways: teachers need basic neuroscience to support learning; the emotional stability of the home strongly shapes a child’s resilience and confidence; and children build resilience when adults co-regulate and model healthy emotion management during high-emotion moments. This short review highlights practical steps for educators, parents, and leaders to apply brain-based strategies and SEL to boost student outcomes and lifelong skills. EP 370 covers a review of Dr. John Medina's Brain Rules, from EP 42 (February 2020)  We learned: ✔ If education is about the brain, then teachers need to understand how the brain learns best. ✔ A child’s resilience and confidence are deeply tied to the emotional climate of the home. ✔  Children build resilience not in calm moments, but in how parents (or caregivers) respond when emotions run high. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring you the world’s top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We’ll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. Episode 370: Brain Rules and the Future of Learning For today’s Episode 370[i], we continue our journey into the mind with our next interview review—Dr. John Medina, author of the well-known book Brain Rules. We first featured Dr. Medina in EP 42, when we explored “Implementing Brain Rules in Schools and Workplaces of the Future.” To remind you where we began with our interview review series: We opened with EP 366[ii], diving into speaker Bob Proctor’s timeless principles. Bob was the very first person—over 25 years ago—who challenged me with the question, “What do you really want to do with your life?” At the time, I didn’t have a clear answer. It’s taken well over 25 years now for this clarity to evolve. Eventually, I realized what mattered most to me: and that was bringing social and emotional learning (SEL) skills into schools. I had already seen how these skills—once called “soft skills”—transformed the lives of 12 teenagers I worked with in the motivational speaking industry in the late 1990s. Later, I watched as SEL spread into schools across states and countries, until the research became undeniable. A 2011 meta-analysis of 213 studies confirmed what I had seen firsthand a decade before this study was released: students who participated in SEL programs showed an 11-percentile-point increase in academic performance[iii] compared to control groups. That’s a significant improvement, demonstrating just how powerful SEL can be. Long before this research, I simply knew these skills could shape the future of the next generation. This podcast itself was built around the six core SEL competencies—each explored in its own dedicated episode that you can find in our resource section in the show notes. Then came the next step: addi

In this episode Andrea Samadi revisits a popular interview with Dr. Dawson Church about his book Bliss Brain and the neuroscience of meditation. They explore how simple, evidence-based practices can quiet the brain's default mode, trigger blissful neurochemicals, and reshape stress and happiness networks. Listeners learn why happiness must be trained, how meditation helps people live more in the present, and practical tips to start a daily meditation practice using guided tools like the free Bliss Brain meditations. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring you the world’s top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We’ll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. For today’s Episode 369, we are moving forward on our journey of the mind, to our next interview review, with our goal of building off of our past reviews, and sharpening our saw for improved well-being, productivity and success in 2025 and beyond. To review our last 3 episodes, with our interview with speaker Bob Proctor, we learned that “If we want to improve our RESULTS, we must focus on the six faculties of our mind—reason, intuition, perception, will, memory, and imagination.” “Devoting a year to developing each one would be time well invested, elevating us to greater heights and setting us apart from others.” Next, we looked at how we need to become extremely clear with our vision of “what we really want” and keep in mind that…. Our External Environment Reflects Our Internal World What exactly does this mean? It means that if we don’t like what’s happening in our external world—whether it’s in our job, relationships, results, or any area of our life—we must first look inward. Our circumstances mirror the beliefs and thoughts we hold within. As James Allen reminds us in As a Man Thinketh: our outer world is always a reflection of our inner state. For today’s Episode 369, we’ll turn inward—sharpening our inner world so that we can transform the outer one. Today we go back EP 98[i] our interview with Dr. Dawson Church, that was recorded back in December of 2020, where we looked at the science behind implementing meditation into your daily routine. This interview is currently our most watched YouTube interview with over 11K views. This week, in our review of EP 98 with Dr. Dawson Church and his book Bliss Brain, we will explore how meditation can rewire the brain for happiness and presence. We will learn: ✔ Since happiness didn’t evolve naturally, we must train our brain to achieve it. ✔ Our brains default to the past or future, constantly scanning for threats, instead of resting in the present moment. ✔ Extreme states of happiness are possible for all of us when we implement meditation consistently. ✔ How to commit to a daily meditation practice using the free meditations that come with Bliss Brain, or explore other guided programs until you find one that resonates with you Just a reminder-Dr. Church is the author of t

In this Season 14 review (Episode 368), Andrea Samadi revisits key clips from her original interview with Bob Proctor (Episode 66), exploring how frequencies, imagination, and intuition shape our goals and results. We will cover:  Tip #1: How to Understand Frequencies and Levels of Vibration Tip #2: You’ve Got to Follow Your Heart Tip #3: Your External Environment Reflects Your Internal Thoughts and Mental State   Three takeaways: use your imagination to move to the vibration of your goal; follow your heart as an inner compass; and remember your external environment reflects your internal thoughts and beliefs. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring you the world’s top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We’ll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results.   For today’s Episode 368, we’re going back to Episode 66[i]  for PART 3 of our review with the late Bob Proctor—the first person who challenged me to think. We covered in PART 1 EP 366[ii]: ✔ Top Lesson from Episode 66 – Where we refined the question: “What do you really want to do with your life?” hoping that midway through 2025, we can refine our goals, and see if we are on track. ✔ Sage Advice Tip #1: “We have been given the mental faculties to create our own environment. “We explored how to go beyond our five senses and tap into the six higher faculties of our mind (further developing our reason, intuition, perception, will, memory and imagination.” ✔ Sage Advice Tip #2: “There’s only one mind.”We looked at how our actions matter because we are all deeply connected. ✔ Sage Advice Tip#3: “We are a soul—we don’t have one.”We reflected on the perfection within each of us, and how this perfection continually drives us toward bigger and better possibilities. We covered in PART 2 EP 367[iii]: Sage Tip #4: “If we want to improve our RESULTS, we must focus on the six faculties of our mind—reason, intuition, perception, will, memory, and imagination.”The key is to choose one of these faculties and dedicate time to studying and applying each one until you see real results from your deeper understanding. Sage Tip #5: “Goals are not set to get; they are set to grow.” Reminding us that sometimes goals don’t unfold the way we expect, and that’s okay—as long as we keep moving forward and growing. To do this, we must keep studying, learning about ourselves, clarifying what we truly want, and seeking specialized knowledge in our field from those who have gone before us. Today, EP 368, PART 3 VIDEO 1 Click Here to Watch Watch video clip 1 with the link in the show notes. Bob begins this clip by talking about The Law of Vibration and why it’s so important to understand how frequencies work. Many of us have heard of this law by now, especially since the movie, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne brought it into the mainstream. But my first introduction to understanding frequencies was back in the late 1990s, when I was teaching in the classroom and

Season 14, Episode 367 revisits Episode 66 with the late Bob Proctor, distilling two powerful clips about why people get stuck and how to move forward. Andrea Samadi connects Proctor’s timeless success principles — the six higher faculties of the mind (reason, intuition, perception, will, memory, imagination) and the idea that goals are set to grow — with modern neuroscience and practical steps for personal and professional growth. Brief, actionable takeaways: choose one mental faculty to develop at a time, embrace growth-focused goals even when outcomes change, and seek specialized knowledge to organize and direct learning into deliberate plans of action. Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago, launched this podcast with a question I had never truly asked myself before: (and that is) If productivity and results matter to us—and they do now more than ever—how exactly are we using our brain to make them happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to improve productivity, results, or well-being. About a decade ago, I became fascinated by the mind-brain-results connection—and how science can be applied to our everyday lives. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to bring you the world’s top experts—so together, we can explore the intersection of science and social-emotional learning. We’ll break down complex ideas and turn them into practical strategies we can use every day for predictable, science-backed results. As we kick off Season 14, I’ve been revisiting past episodes and reflecting on the incredible insights our guests have shared since we first launched in 2019. I mentioned last week that this reflection started when a young filmmaker, Vishal Sharma[i], reached out to me and offered to create YouTube Shorts[ii] from past interviews. When I saw his first example, something clicked. As I reviewed older episodes, I realized I had only scratched the surface of the lessons within each interview. So as we dive into this review of past conversations, know that this review isn’t just for you—it’s for me as well. I’ve learned that slowing down helps us to uncover even more wisdom, and I’m excited for us to walk this path together. For today’s Episode 367, we’re going back to Episode 66[iii] with the late Bob Proctor—the first person who challenged me to think. Last week we covered our first YouTube Short[iv] where we picked out three important nuggets of wisdom that I had missed until re-listening to this episode. We covered in PART 1: ✔ Top Lesson from Episode 66 – Where we refined the question: “What do you really want to do with your life?” hoping that midway through 2025, we can refine our goals, and see if we are on track. ✔ Sage Advice Tip #1: “We have been given the mental faculties to create our own environment. “We explored how to go beyond our five senses and tap into the six higher faculties of our mind (further developing our reason, intuition, perception, will, memory and imagination.” ✔ Sage Advice Tip #2: “There’s only one mind.”We looked at how our actions matter because we are all deeply connected. ✔ Sage Advice Tip#3: “We are a soul—we don’t have one.”We reflected on the perfection within each of us, and how this perfection continually drives us toward bigger and better possibilities. Today, we are going to cover 2 short video clips and dive into the wisdom contained within each, making the connections with each nugget of wisdom learned. And since I’m always looking to connect the science to our learning, there are some age-old success principles we will cover today, that are

Welcome to Season 14 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast! Join Andrea Samadi as she revisits past episodes to unearth profound insights from experts like Bob Proctor. As the podcast embarks on a journey of reflection, discover how to connect science with social and emotional learning for enhanced well-being, achievements, and productivity. In this episode, Andrea dives into episode 66, exploring life-altering lessons with the legendary Bob Proctor, who challenged her with the pivotal question: What do you really want to do with your life? Through the lens of practical neuroscience, learn how to craft huge goals, venture beyond our senses, and tap into the higher faculties of mind to transform those dreams into reality. Discover the essence of interconnectedness and the profound truth that we are souls, not just physical beings. This episode is a roadmap for anyone yearning to refine their goals and elevate their understanding to new heights. Don't miss this exploration of timeless wisdom that promises transformative growth. In this first part of our series, we’ll explore: How to ask the right questions to uncover your real desires. Why you must go beyond your five senses and tap into your higher mental faculties—like imagination, intuition, and will—to create a life you love. The mindset shift that transforms vague wishes into powerful, crystal-clear goals. Bob’s wisdom wasn’t just theory—it was a challenge to think differently, act boldly, and believe in possibilities far beyond my comfort zone. And it all begins with one question: “What do you really want?” Watch our past interview here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHWMCzfODU4  Watch our YouTube Short here https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_npFmt6zVE4  BE SURE TO SIGN UP TO SEE THE NEW MOVIE Bob Proctor's Legacy https://www.bobproctorlegacy.com/  On the EP 366, and PART 1 review of EP 66 we will cover: ✔ Top Lesson from Episode 66 – Refining the question: “What do you really want to do with your life?” ✔ Sage Advice #1: “We have been given the mental faculties to create our own environment.”We explored how to go beyond our five senses and tap into the six higher faculties of our mind. ✔ Sage Advice #2: “There’s only one mind.”We looked at how our actions matter because we are all deeply connected. ✔ Sage Advice #3: “We are a soul—we don’t have one.”We reflected on the perfection within each of us, and how it continually drives us toward bigger and better possibilities.   Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, and seven years ago I started this podcast with one big question that I had never thought of in the past: If productivity and results matter to you—how exactly are you using your brain to make these results happen? Most of us were never taught how to apply neuroscience to boost our productivity, results, or well-being. That’s why I set out to bring you the world’s top experts—so we can learn the intersection of science, and social and emotional learning skills, putting what we learn into action every day, for predictable results. As we kick off Season 14, I’ve been revisiting past episodes and reflecting on the incredible insights our guests have shared since we first launched in 2019. This reflection started when a young filmmaker, Vishal Sharma[i], reached out to me and offered to create YouTube Shorts[ii] from past interviews. When I saw his first example, something clicked. As I reviewed older episodes, I realized I had only scratched the surface of the lessons inside each interview. I started re-listening—not just to refresh my

In this enlightening episode, Andrea Samadi welcomes resiliency expert and author Horacio Sanchez to discuss his latest book, "Unlocking School Bias: Using Neuroscience to Improve Student Outcomes." Together, they delve into how educators can effectively address bias in their classrooms by exploring neuroscience-based strategies. Horacio shares the significance of understanding subconscious biases, such as confirmation bias and impact bias, and their influence on students' well-being and achievement. He emphasizes the role of educators in creating inclusive environments by being aware of their own biases and adopting practical strategies that foster positive student interactions. This episode provides invaluable insights for anyone looking to make impactful changes in educational settings. Watch this interview on YouTube here https://youtu.be/V78873aZPBk On today's EP365 "Unlocking School Bias" you will learn to explore your own and your students' biases and discover: ✔ The latest research from psychology, education, and neuroscience. ✔ Different types of biases, including confirmation bias and impact bias, and how they manifest themselves in everyday life. ✔Practical strategies for educators who are ready to change their and their students' actions. ✔How patterns in one’s environment create biases and affect the brain’s development Welcome back to SEASON 14 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, an author, and an educator with a passion for learning and launched this podcast 7 years ago now, with the goal of bringing ALL the leading experts together (in one place) to help us to APPLY this research in our daily lives. Welcome back! It’s always good to take some time away, for travel and family time, and it feels incredible to routine back to recording and routine. Thank you for tuning back in after our summer break where I hope you have taken some time off to refresh, before diving back into the second half of 2025. For today’s EP 365, we meet with someone who I first heard about on our very first interview, EP #3[i], with educator, Ron Hall, from Valley Day School, Pennsylvania on “Launching Your Neuroeducational Program.” Ron Hall mentioned it was today’s guest who opened his mind to connecting the brain to his classrooms, many years ago, and he has never looked back. Today, we welcome back resiliency expert, author Horacio Sanchez to the podcast for the 4th time. We met him first on EP 74[ii] on “How to Improve Brain Science to Improve School Climate”, EP 111[iii] on “Finding Solutions to the Poverty Problem: and again on EP 177[iv] where we gathered a team of experts to dive into the most significant insights they’ve noticed over the years in neuroscience. When we first met Horacio, we focused on his book The Education Revolution [ii]published by Corwin Press, that addresses the decline in empathy, increase in obesity, and the impact of implicit bias on minority students. Our conversation turned to focus on the problems we were seeing in the world at that moment (July 2020) highlighting the need for racial change through an understanding of race and culture. I knew that Horacio was deep into his next book, The Poverty Problem: How Education Can Promote Resilience and Counter Poverty's Impact on Brain Development that we went deep into on EP 74. Today we meet with Horacio Sanchez to review his latest book, Unlocking School Bias: Using Neuroscience to Improve Student Outcomes[v] that was released in February of this year, through Corwin Press. His most recent book, Unlocking School Bias ends the confusion around bias and provides educators with res

In Episode 364 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, host Andrea Samadi welcomes Dr. Robert Melillo, a pioneer in developmental neurology. Dr. Melillo, co-founder of Brain Balance Achievement Centers and an acclaimed author, discusses his groundbreaking work on conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and more. Watch our interview on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vesz0uD96Wk  This episode delves into Dr. Melillo's innovative Brain Balance Program, which uses neuroscience-based exercises to address functional connectivity in the brain without medication. Dr. Melillo shares insights from his book "Disconnected Kids," now in its third edition, and explores the significance of primitive reflexes in childhood brain development. Dr. Melillo explains how identifying and nurturing the unique gifts within children can help them overcome neurological challenges and thrive. He also highlights his journey and the mentors who shaped it, along with a glimpse into his personalized program offerings based in New York and online. Welcome back to SEASON 13 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, an author, and an educator with a passion for learning and launched this podcast 7 years ago now, with the goal of bringing ALL the leading experts together (in one place) to help us to APPLY this research in our daily lives. For today’s episode #364, we meet with Dr. Robert Melillo[i], a leading expert in developmental neurological conditions such as ADHD, autism, OCD, tics, dyslexia, anxiety, and depression in both children and adults. He is the co-founder of Brain Balance Achievement Centers, the developer of the Melillo Method®, and he runs the Melillo Center for Developing Minds in NY. His book, Disconnected Kids: The Groundbreaking Brain Balance Program® for Children with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, and Other Neurological Disorders[ii], is now in its Third Edition, endorsed by Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence, who calls his book “a visionary new approach,” For today’s episode #364, we meet with Dr. Robert Melillo, where we looked at: ✔ His book that's now in its 3rd Edition, Disconnected Kids: The Groundbreaking Brain Balance Program®  ✔ Dr. Robert Melillo's Center for Developing Minds in New York and how they have been helping thousands of families around the world. ✔ What are milestones we can look for if we think our child or student has a vulnerability. ✔ Where to begin with The Melillo Method. Disconnected Kids is a comprehensive at-home guide to his Brain Balance program, which involves no medication or medical interventions but focuses instead on movement and sensory exercises that stimulate proper brain development. This updated and revised edition also features new exercises and the latest research findings on how the retention of primitive reflexes—the involuntary movements babies are born with that typically are replaced with intentional movements by their first birthday—plays an integral role in the development of neurological issues. Through the exercises in this book, these reflexes can be diminished, making brain balance easier to attain. Disconnected Kids helps readers guide children susceptible to a brain imbalance to overcome challenges and allow their true gifted selves to shine. Let’s meet Dr. Robert Melillo, and learn together about his new visionary approach to help ALL children uncover their authentic gifts, and shine. Welcome Dr. Melillo. Thank you for joining us today on the podcast. Have we reached you in New York today? It’s it a sunny day there today? INTRO: For sure, we do need to get up ea

In this enlightening episode of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast, we delve into groundbreaking territory with Dr. Fred Jordan, CEO and co-founder of Alt Vision and FinalSpark, as he joins us from Switzerland. Dr. Jordan introduces us to a revolutionary emerging technology where living neurons—nature's own processors—are set to transform the landscape of technology and artificial intelligence. Explore how bioprocessors, derived from human stem cells using advanced lab techniques, could potentially outperform traditional semiconductor devices by significantly reducing power consumption, particularly in AI computations. Understand the implications of such innovations and the ethical considerations they entail, as we navigate a future where biocomputers might fundamentally alter our technological capabilities. Join us in opening our minds to the possibilities of neuroscience-driven tech advancements, as we discuss the practical applications and visionary future that Dr. Jordan and his team are shaping, inviting curiosity and critical thinking into our evolving technological world. Watch our Interview on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D3eKkd3L4w For today’s episode #363, we meet with Dr Fred Jordan, where we looked at: ✔ What is the biocomputer? ✔ What does this NEW innovative technology, make obsolete, from our past? ✔ What are the benefits of a biocomputer, and how exactly does it work? ✔ What is the vision of FinalSpark, and how can this change the future of AI? Welcome back to SEASON 13 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, an author, and an educator with a passion for learning and launched this podcast 7 years ago now, with the goal of bringing ALL the leading experts together (in one place) to help us to APPLY this research in our daily lives. For today’s episode #363, we meet with the CEO and Co-Founder of AlpVision and FinalSpark, Dr. Fred Jordan who will be joining us all the way from Switzerland. I met Dr. Jordan through LinkedIn, where he introduced his work to me, and my attention was caught. When I asked him what he does in his lab at FinalSpark, he wrote back to me that his lab has developed an emerging technology that would redefine the status quo in technology and in the ways that people work. Of course I asked him if he could explain this to me, and he wrote back that “we use living neurons, the building blocks in the brain, for processing information” and sent me the link to his website[i] where there is a live camera view of living neurons placed on electrodes, and you can see the signal from them. He went on to explain that neurons in the brain communicate using electrical and chemical stimulations and that his lab was focused on building a new generation of bioprocessors. At this point, I am sure he would know that I’m interested to learn more, mostly to understand what exactly does this mean? I wonder: Does Dr. Jordan mean that his lab is building a computer processor out of living neurons (cells from our brain)? How do they do this? What are the advantages of a bioprocessor vs using transistors (that are semiconductor devices used to amplify or switch electrical signals and power)? How does this connect to AI? What does his lab envision for the future? I have a lot of questions for Dr. Jordan, and I am coming from the point of view that I really want to learn and understand what his lab has created. I want to be able to explain his idea to our audience in a way that we can all come away with some new knowledge and understanding about the future, and how keeping an open mind while learning

Welcome to Season 13 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast, where we delve into the fascinating intersection of brain science, emotional intelligence, and educational training for enhanced well-being and performance. This episode features Sifu Boggie, also known as Paul Brighton, who brings over 40 years of expertise in qigong, a discipline involving breath work and self-healing techniques. As stress and anxiety reach unprecedented levels worldwide, Sifu Boggie shares how qi-gong can help alleviate ailments like chronic pain, migraines, and even mental health issues. Join host Andrea Samadi in an enlightening discussion about the role of mindfulness and meditation in managing stress and maintaining mental peace. Sifu Boggie, introduced to martial arts at the age of 12, guides listeners through practical exercises for achieving emotional and physical balance, including breathing techniques and posture corrections that can be easily integrated into daily life. Discover how understanding and altering your energy can bring about transformational changes, fostering a stronger connection between mind and body. For today’s episode #362, our next guest caught my eye as I noticed that my stress levels have reached some high numbers recently, with the data I see from my Whoop wearable device. Watch our interview here https://youtu.be/lYexvaGU8M0 For today’s episode #362, we meet with Sifu Boggie, where we looked at: ✔ How Paul Brighton (Sifu Boggie) discovered this pathway from Chaos to Calm, when he was 12 years old. ✔ What classes does he teach, and how does he know how to help someone, or guide them towards improved health? ✔ How would Sifu help me with persistent neck pain? ✔ How can we learn to open our minds to learn deeper truths, that can help propel us forward? While my average daily stress has decreased by 12% over the past 6 months (Whoop measurements) with the average amount of daily stress I’m facing dropping from close to 4 hours/day to 3 hours and 25 minutes, I know I still occasionally see days where daily stress hits well over 6 hours/day. I know there’s got to be something ELSE I can be doing to mitigate this stress, since I know that dis-ease in the body, leads straight to disease. It’s clear that globally, we have reached unpresented times with anxiety, stress and depression. I can’t be the only one who wonders what ELSE can I be doing. We know that: 1 in 5 Americans suffers from a mental illness (NIMH). Anxiety disorders are the highest reported mental health issue in the US with 42.5 million Americans claiming to suffer from this illness. (Mental Health America). Mental illnesses start showing symptoms by age 14 (National Alliance on Mental Illness), About 1 in 4 American adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, and one in 10 will suffer from a depressive illness, such as major depression or bipolar disorder (Johns Hopkins). 10.7% of the world suffers from some form of mental illness. (Our World in Data). STATISTICS FROM https://www.thezebra.com/resources/research/mental-health-statistics/  While looking at my own stress one day, I received an introduction to our next guest, who will share the knowledge he has gathered over the past 40 years, where he has learned how to help others help themselves with ailments like... Anxiety, Stress, Chronic Pain, Depression, Fibromyalgia, Crohn’s Disease, Migraines, ME, MS, Arthritis, poor circulation, back problems and so much more. He does this by teaching us Qi Gong (Breath work exercises) and self-healing techniques that will help you to maintain your body, mind and consciousness. Without further ado, let's meet Sifu Boggie (Paul Brighton) from the UK (where I was born) and see what he can teach us with his wisdom and knowledge from being immersed in this work, since he was 12 years old. Welcome Sifu Boggie! Thank you for coming on the podcast today! Where exactly have I reached you today? (I was born in Wort

Welcome to episode 361 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we reconnect with Dr. Sui Wong, a leading neuro-ophthalmologist, for an enlightening discussion on her new book, Sweet Spot for Brain Health: Why Blood Sugar Matters for a Clear, Fog-Free Brain. Join host Andrea Samadi as she dives deep into Dr. Wong's research that unveils the powerful link between our blood sugar levels and brain health. Discover practical tips and a 12-week challenge designed to help maintain optimal brain function by stabilizing blood sugar. This episode sheds light on Dr. Wong's holistic approach to patient care and her dedication to sharing knowledge that empowers individuals to enhance their health and well-being through informed lifestyle choices. Watch our interview on YouTube here https://youtu.be/MoQT39pXHhE  Welcome back to SEASON 13 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, an author, and an educator with a passion for learning and launched this podcast 6 years ago with the goal of bringing ALL the leading experts together (in one place) to help us to APPLY this research in our daily lives. For today’s episode #361, we meet with a returning guest, Dr. Sui Wong, a Leading Neuro-Ophthalmologist, who we met on EP 343[i], last August where we looked at: ✔ Dr. Sui Wong's career path in medicine, that led her to write 4 books to help her patients (and the world) improve their brain health. ✔ How understanding our eye health can help us to prevent neurological disorders (like Alzheimer's Disease) in the future. ✔ What common neuro-ophthalmology cases she sees. On today’s EP 361, we will dive deep into her NEW book, Sweet Spot for Brain Health: Why Blood Sugar Matters for a Clear, Fog-Free Brain.[ii] ✔ What is the brain-glucose connection? ✔ How does glucose impact cognitive performance? ✔ How can we better prepare to eat food that we know will spike our blood sugar levels? ✔ What health problems can too much sugar lead to? ✔ Helpful tools to create a brain-healthy diet. ✔ Supplements that are important for brain health and cognition. Just a reminder: Dr. Sui H. Wong, is a Neurologist and Neuro-Ophthalmologist based in London, United Kingdom. In addition to her clinical work as a medical doctor and physician, Dr. Wong is an active neuroscience researcher, who translates pertinent and clinically relevant questions into research, to improve person-centered patient outcomes. Additionally, she has the qualifications and experience to consider a broader spectrum of lifestyle-specific interventions. Dr. Wong’s holistic approach in empowering patients has been recognized with many awards, and this is just the beginning for her. When I was introduced to Dr. Wong, an active neuroscience researcher with a mission of translating important clinically relevant questions into research for improved person-centred patient outcomes, I knew I had to speak with her. She is a widely-published author and researcher with over 110+ peer-reviewed publications in medical journals, chapters and conference abstracts, to date.  Let’s meet Dr. Sui Wong, for the second time on our podcast, and see what we can learn together about what she has uncovered with her research of the importance of understanding our blood sugar levels, for a fog-free brain. Welcome Dr. Sui Wong! It’s wonderful to see you again. What’s been going on with you since we met last August? Well, let’s get straight to your new book, Sweet Spot for Brain Health: Why Blood Sugar Matters for a Clear, Fog-Free Brain. I absolutely love this topic, and I’ve covered a few episodes where we looked at the imp

Welcome to Season 13 of Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning. Join Andrea Samadi as she wraps up a year-long exploration of Grant Bosnick's book on self-leadership, diving into the final chapters focused on the neuroscience of resilience, authenticity, and bias. Discover practical strategies and insights from the latest neuroscience research to enhance your self-awareness, build authentic relationships, and overcome biases for personal growth and improved well-being. Don't miss this final installment filled with expert knowledge and actionable steps to transform your daily life. And we will now resume PART 4, the final part of our review, to sum up last year, 2024, and our entire year studying one book, Grant Bosnick’s “Tailored Approaches to Self-Leadership: A Bite Size Approach Using Psychology and Neuroscience” that we first dove into with our interview on EP #321[i] the end of January 2024. The goal was that each week, we focused on learning something new, (from Grant’s book) tied to the most current neuroscience research, that builds off the prior week, to help take us to greater heights this year. It honestly shocked me that this series took the entire year. We began with PART 1[ii] and the first 5 chapters of the book. PART 2[iii] we reviewed chapters 6-9 of Grant Bosnick’s Tailored Approaches to Self-Leadership, PART 3[iv], we reviewed chapters 10-13, and finally, today, we will finish with PART 4, Chapters 14-16.                                                                                         ((On today's EPISODE #360 PART 4 of our review of Grant Bosnick’s Tailored Approaches to Self-Leadership, we will cover)): ✔ EP 344 Chapter 14[v] “The Neuroscience of Resilience” ✔ EP 345 Chapter 15[vi] “Unlocking Authenticity: The Neuroscience of Relationships” ✔ EP 347 Chapter 16[vii] “The Science of Bias” If you have not yet taken the leadership self-assessment, or if you would like to re-take it to see if the results are different for you than last year, you can click the link here to find the quick test. I re-took the assessment for 2025, and did notice some similarities and some differences from last year. If you can, retake the assessment and see what you notice about yourself. I noticed that pathways 2 and 3 are my high areas of focus this year, and that I can drop pathway 6 from my focus. What about you? If you have a few minutes to spare, take this leadership self-assessment again, and see if you notice any changes in your areas of focus for 2025. This is an incredible way to remain laser focused on pathways that will move the needle of success for YOU this year. EP 344 Chapter 14 “The Neuroscience of Resilience: Building Stronger Minds and Teams” If you were to ask me which episode is my favorite out of the 16 chapters, I would have to say this topic is at the top of the list, even though this pathway came out as a 0% for me to focus on in 2025. It’s not because I’ll be brushing resilience under the rug this year, as it’s an area of focus I work on daily, without even thinking about it. Who doesn’t want to become more resilient, or understand how to build a stronger mind, and then translate this strength to others for predictable results in 2025? What drew me to this episode was learning about the fascinating new neuroscience behind the part of our brain called the anterior mid cingulate cortex that becomes bigger when we use our will power to do those things we just don’t want to do. Scientists believe this ability to use our will power to do difficult things, which builds our resiliency, is what’s really behind the will to live. Stop and think for a minute here. Does this resonate with you? If you enjoy doing difficult things, and you would describe yourself as being “resilient” doesn’t it make your mind spin to think that you are actually building a bigger, and stronger brain with this trait? Dr. Amen from Amen Clinics does remind us that when it comes to our brain, that bigger is

In this illuminating episode of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, host Andrea Samadi sits down with Dr. Shad Helmstetter, a best-selling author renowned for his work in personal growth and self-talk. Dr. Helmstetter shares his profound insights into the science of self-talk and neuroplasticity, revealing how the language we use with ourselves can radically transform our lives. Watch our interview of YouTube here https://youtu.be/zaVGEjVj__Y Listeners will discover how Dr. Helmstetter's research connects age-old principles of success with cutting-edge neuroscience. The episode delves into practical strategies for reprogramming the brain through positive self-talk, the significance of learning the language of success, and the steps anyone can take to improve their mindset. Whether you're an educator, a parent, or simply someone seeking personal improvement, this episode offers valuable lessons on how to harness your inner dialogue for greater achievement, fulfillment, and happiness. Welcome back to SEASON 13 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, an author, and an educator with a passion for learning and launched this podcast 6 years ago with the goal of bringing ALL the leading experts together (in one place) to help us to APPLY this research in our daily lives. On today's EPISODE #359 we will cover: ✔ Dr. Shad Helmstetter's background that led him to create an APP that teaches how to reprogram the brain with positive self-talk ✔ Where our self-talk originated from, and how we can change it, rewire our brain, and put our lives on a trajectory for success. ✔ What is the language of success vs the language of those who are deemed to fall short of their goals? ✔ How can we teach this language to ourselves, our children, students or large groups, to permanently rewire their brain for success? For today’s EP #359, we meet with the best-selling author of more than twenty books in the field of personal growth, Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D. What caught my attention with our next guest was NOT this huge list of books he has written, or that he had appeared on over 1200 radio and television programs, including repeat appearances on Oprah Winfrey, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN News, or even that his self-talk audio programs are listened to thousands of individuals and families worldwide. There was something else that set our next guest apart from the others. What caught my attention was when I saw a passage in his book, The Power of Neuroplasticity, that described the EXACT mission or quest that I have been on, since looking back at the days I worked for motivational speaker Bob Proctor[i], and always wondered like our next guest “why do some people fail while others succeed?” I even wrote this question on the back of my first book, The Secret for Teens Revealed, and have been on a mission to connect science to these age-old principles that I have witnessed change many people’s lives. We have covered Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich[ii] book on this podcast, as well as Wallace D. Wattles’ The Science of Getting Rich[iii], and after looking at this question, I always came to the SAME conclusion. It HAS GOT to come down to the fact that successful people “think and act” in a certain way. So when I came across Shad Helmstetter, I wanted to learn what he has discovered that connects the age old books that we have covered on this podcast, to science. I wondered what he has discovered about “why are some people, day to day, happier, more productive, more fulfilled than others? What makes the difference? It is kismet, a kind of fate” he asks in his

Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast. In today's episode, we delve deep into the transformative world of practical neuroscience with our special guest, Craig Polsfuss, a pioneering psychologist and author. Polsfuss introduces us to his groundbreaking book, Reality Shattering Insights, and shares his unique journey of integrating psychology, spirituality, and brain science to enhance mental well-being, performance, and spiritual insight. Join us as we explore how understanding and tapping into deeper consciousness can lead to life-changing insights and self-discovery. Learn to listen to your inner whispers and discover how to transform mental and emotional landscapes from within, moving from the intellect into the heart and beyond. Watch interview on YouTube here https://youtu.be/2Hu6_poYLn8 Welcome back to SEASON 13 of The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we connect the science-based evidence behind social and emotional learning and emotional intelligence training for improved well-being, achievement, productivity and results—using what I saw as the missing link (since we weren’t taught this when we were growing up in school), the application of practical neuroscience. I’m Andrea Samadi, an author, and an educator with a passion for learning and launched this podcast 7 years ago with the goal of bringing ALL the leading experts together (in one place) to help us to APPLY this research in our daily lives. On today's EPISODE #358 we will cover: ✔ How licensed psychologist and former clinical social worker Craig Polsfuss, (among the pioneers of the Three Principles movement in the 1980s) bridged psychology, spirituality, and brain science to help people achieve mental well-being, top performance and spiritual insight. ✔ Uncover the formula to create your own Reality Shattering Insights. ✔ Learn how tap into a deeper consciousness that can lead to life-changing insights and self-discovery. For today’s EP #358, we meet with a pioneering psychologist and author of the book published just last November, Reality-Shattering Insights[i], the first in a 4-book series entitled VoLT: The Vortex of Living Truth. Today’s guest, Craig Polsfuss, a licensed psychologist and former clinical social worker, who pioneered the Three Principles movement in the 1980s after a powerful awakening. With nearly five decades of experience, he integrates psychology, spirituality, and brain science to help people achieve mental wellbeing, top performance, and spiritual insight.  The "reality-shattering insights" that he shares inside his book will open your eyes, if you are looking for answers, to questions you might not have even known that you were asking yourself. Before we meet Craig Polsfuss, and begin our journey of self-discovery: A discovery that will take us from our head to our heart, and from our heart, into the depths of our soul. I’ve got to say that this episode is not like ANY I have done before, as Craig covered questions I have had for a very long time. Questions that came up when I first studying Wallace D. Wattles’ The Science of Getting Rich book, 25 years ago, that we covered on EP 315[ii] with a 7-PART series. This book was one of the seminars that I sold in the late 1990s when I worked with speaker Bob Proctor.  I always wondered “what is that thinking stuff that Wattles describes in his syllabus?” If you signed up for this seminar, you would have been given this syllabus to take home with you laminated. I’ve got at least 10 of them still today in my office. Back then I had no idea what Wattles was describing. That stuff he says “permeates, penetrates, and fills the interspaces of the universe.” And that “a thought in this substance produces the thing that is imaged by the thought.” I always thought it was some sort of “intelligence” but it wasn’t until this past January, while studying this book series with Paul Martinelli, w