What does neuroscience reveal about great leadership—and why does it matter now more than ever?
In this episode, we explore the brain science behind leadership: how it guides us in uncertainty, shapes culture, and unlocks human potential. From Microsoft’s near-collapse to its stunning revival under Satya Nadella, we’ll uncover what happens in the brain when leadership fails—and what changes when it succeeds. You’ll hear how trust, safety, and connection transform not just teams, but entire organizations, driving innovation and resilience.
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
David Rock & Jeffrey Schwartz — Neuroscience of Leadership
Manu Melwin Joy — The Neuroscience of Leadership
Kimberly Schaufenbuel — The Neuroscience of Leadership: Practical Applications
Humans are born dependent, slow, and vulnerable—but we’ve survived by working together. In this episode, we explore the neuroscience that makes teamwork possible, and why collaboration is more than a soft skill—it’s a biological necessity.
From mirror neurons and social cognition to trust, reward systems, and brain synchrony, we break down what’s really happening in your brain when you collaborate—and what it takes to build a team that actually works.
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
David A. Waldman, M.K. Ward, William J. Becker — Neuroscience in Organizational Behavior
Stephanie Balters, Grace Hawthorne, Naam Mayseless — Of Team Cooperation Versus Team Collaboration
Paul Zak — The Neuroscience of Trust
M.K. Ward, Stefan Volk, William J. Becker — An Overview of Organizational Neuroscience
Mohammed Algumaei, Imali T. Hettiarachchi, Mohamed Farghaly, Asim Bhatti — The Neuroscience of Team Dynamics: Exploring Neurophysiological Measures for Assessing Team Performance
Diego A. Reinero, Suzanne Dikker, Jay J. Van Bavel — Inter-brain Synchrony in Teams Predicts Collective Performance
Hua Xie, Iliana I. Karipidis, Amber Howell, Manish Saggar et al. — Finding the Neural Correlates of Collaboration Using a Three-person fMRI Hyperscanning Paradigm
Xinmei Deng, Meng Yang, Xiaomin Chen, Yong Zhan — The Role of Mindfulness on Theta Inter-brain Synchrony During Cooperation Feedback Processing: An EEG-based Hyperscanning Study
Most people agree that rape is wrong. But far fewer understand what it actually is—and what it isn’t. In this episode, we confront the myths and misconceptions that continue to shape how we define rape, treat survivors, and pursue justice.
We explore the neuroscience behind trauma responses like freezing and fawning, and why these involuntary reactions are still so often misunderstood in courtrooms, conversations, and cultural narratives. From the impact of the #MeToo movement to the hardwired survival mechanisms of the brain, we examine what needs to change—and why it matters.
This is not an easy conversation. But it’s one we all need to have.
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Medicolegal Findings of Rape Victims: A Retrospective Study of 69 Cases at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Dhaka City
Palash Kumar Bose, Mamtaz Ara, Md. Syedur Rahaman, Mohammad Jubaidul Kabir, Prodip Biswas
Assault-Related Self-Blame and Its Association with PTSD in Sexually Assaulted Women: An MRI Inquiry
Zohar Berman, Yaniv Assaf, Ricardo Tarrasch, Daphna Joel
Rape Myth Scale: Factor Structure and Relationship with Gender Egalitarianism Among Japanese Professionals
Masayo Uji, Masahiro Shono, Noriko Shikai, Toshinori Kitamura
Neuroscience Evidence Counters a Rape Myth
Ebani Dhawan, Patrick Haggard
Neuropsychological and Electrophysiological Evaluation After Rape: A Case Study of a Teenage Girl
Lucía Ester Rizo-Martínez, Miguel Ángel Guevara, Luis Francisco Cerdán, Francisco Abelardo Robles-Aguirre, Araceli Sanz-Martin, Marisela Hernández-González
This is a recording of Laine's live presentation - the third part in a multiple-part series on being functional in dysfunctional times.
For more informaiton on the Brain Blown Podcast, visit us at brainblownpodcast.com or email us at info@brainblownpodcast.cominformation
As a tribute to this month's episode, we wanted to give a quick shoutout to a local store Laine & I know and love: Smitten Kitten in Minneapolis.
Founded in 2003 by Jennifer 'JP' Pritchett, Smitten Kitten is a trans-owned business that has been a staple in the community for over two decades. JP and their team are passionate about creating a safe, inclusive space where folks can explore intimacy, sexuality, and self-expression in a fun and positive way.
Whether you're looking for high-quality toys, thoughtful resources, or expert advice, they've got you covered. Check them out online at smittenkittenonline.com and show them some love if you're interested.
We absolutely love supporting businesses that foster open, healthy conversations about sex, and we think you will too!
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Learn more at brainblownpodcast.com and send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
School-Based Sex Education and Neuroscience: What We Know About Sex, Romance, Marriage, and Adolescent Brain Development – Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman, DrPH; Megan Johnson, PhD; Elizabeth A. Shirtcliff, PhD; Adriana Galván, PhD
The Importance of Sexual and Romantic Development in Understanding the Developmental Neuroscience of Adolescence – Ahna Ballonoff Suleiman, K. Paige Harden
Frequency of Penile–Vaginal Intercourse is Associated with Verbal Recognition Performance in Adult Women – Larah Maunder, Dorothée Schoemaker, Jens C. Pruessner
Integrating Neural Circuits Controlling Female Sexual Behavior – Paul E. Micevych, Robert L. Meisel
Neuropeptides and Behaviors: How Small Peptides Regulate Nervous System Function and Behavioral Outputs – Umer Saleem Bhat, Navneet Shahi, Siju Surendran, Kavita Babu
The Neurobiology of Sexual Function – Cindy M. Meston, PhD; Penny F. Frohlich, MA
Neuroanatomy and Neurochemistry of Sexual Desire, Pleasure, Love and Orgasm – H. Ümit Sayin, Carlos H. Schenck
Oxytocin, Erectile Function and Sexual Behavior: Last Discoveries and Possible Advances – Maria Rosaria Melis, Antonio Argiolas
Editorial: From Sex Differences in Neuroscience to a Neuroscience of Sex Differences: New Directions and Perspectives – Belinda Pletzer
The Human Sexual Response Cycle: Brain Imaging Evidence Linking Sex to Other Pleasures – J.R. Georgiadis, M.L. Kringelbach
The Affective Neuroscience of Sexuality: Development of a LUST Scale – Jürgen Fuchshuber, Emanuel Jauk, Michaela Hiebler-Ragger, Human Friedrich Unterrainer
The Physiological Basis of Human Sexual Arousal: Neuroendocrine Sexual Asymmetry – Ion G. Motofei, David L. Rowland
Neuroanatomy and Function of Human Sexual Behavior: A Neglected or Unknown Issue? – Rocco S. Calabrò, Alberto Cacciola, Daniele Bruschetta, Demetrio Milardi, Fabrizio Quattrini, Francesca Sciarrone, Gianluca La Rosa, Placido Bramanti, Giuseppe Anastasi
This is a recording of Laine's live presentation - the third part in a multiple-part series on being functional in dysfunctional times.
For more informaiton on the Brain Blown Podcast, visit us at brainblownpodcast.com or email us at info@brainblownpodcast.com
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
This is a recording of Laine's live presentation -- the second of a 6-part series on taking care of ourselves.
For more information on The Brain Blown Podcast, visit us at brainblownpodcast.com or email us at info@brainblownpodcast.com!
This is a re-recording of Laine's live presentation -- the first of a 6-part series on taking care of ourselves.
For more information on The Brain Blown Podcast, visit us at brainblownpodcast.com or email at info@brainblownpodcast.com!
Have you ever been in or been around someone in the "honeymoon phase" of a relationship?
That crazy, passionate start where seeing their name pop up on your phone gives you butterflies and you can't help but think about them constantly to the point where it's almost obsessive?
Turns out there's some wild brain chemistry behind those crazy new-love jitters, how love seems to settle as the relationship continues, and what happens in your brain if that relationship ends.
In this episode, we explore:
Whether you're currently falling in love, settled in a long-term relationship, or healing from heartbreak, this episode offers fascinating insights into what's happening in your brain through every stage of love.
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Why are women’s reports of pain so often dismissed?
As it turns out, it’s not just oversight—it’s a failure of trust.
In this case study mini-episode, we're looking at distrust in real-time—examining how bias in medicine isn’t just about misunderstanding symptoms, but about who gets believed and who doesn’t.
Building on our full episode on Trust and our mini-episode on Hatred, Laine dives into research from Harvard Health and neuroscience studies to uncover the real cost of medical distrust—especially for women and women of color.
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Hate and distrust feel like opposites of love and trust—but they aren’t.
At their core, they’re about fear. Fear of being wrong. Fear of being hurt. Fear of death itself.
But how does the brain decide who to trust and who to fear?
Why do we hold onto hatred even when it harms us?
And most importantly, how do we break the cycle?
Let’s dive in.
(And enjoy a special open-door ending!)
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Welcome to Season 4 of The Brain Blown Podcast!
This month's focus: relationships
And starting with the root of any relationship: trust
Trust shapes everything we do—but it’s more complex than we think.
In a split second, our brain decides who feels safe and who doesn’t. But why?
What makes someone truly trustworthy? And why do some teams thrive while others crumble?
Let’s break it down.
And look out for more mini-episodes on this topic in the coming weeks!
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Closing out season 3, the BBP ends on an explicit note.
The best way to move from a state of numbness or avoidance is to do something. Anything. And Laine walks us through some prime examples as we head into an important election season.
Fair warning: Laine's passion in this one is so strong, you may want to mind your audio levels. ;)
Join us for a final quick dive into making social change possible, and check out our full episode on Social Change if you haven't!
For anyone new here, Laine & I will be taking a short winter hiatus to plan for season 4, so you'll hear from us again in January.
Until then, enjoy!
For more ways to get involved with the Brain Blown Community, head to www.patreon.com/brainblownpodcast to learn about our offers!
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
How do make social change feel feasible? Look to sway those who are already with you.
In this mini-episode of Brain Blown, we explore the power of making changes within our own social movements -- like how we made bullying "uncool" and how the GLBT+ adapted the quickest to COVID-19 restrictions.
Join us for a quick dive making social change possible, and check out our full-episode on Social Change if you haven't!
For more ways to get involved with the Brain Blown Community, head to www.patreon.com/brainblownpodcast to learn about our offers!
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Have you ever felt that knot in your stomach when faced with a new idea that challenges everything you’ve believed?
Social change is inevitable, but it often brings discomfort and resistance. And when you're fighting for a social movement, it can feel impossible trying to fight "against the grain" and change people's ways, thoughts or beliefs. In this episode of Brain Blown, we’ll explore how emotions inevitably overpower rational thinking (contrary to popular belief) and the implications it causes. We’ll delve into the neuroscience behind our resistance to change and discuss the powerful 25%-claim from Centola.
Join us as we navigate these complex dynamics and uncover what it truly takes to inspire change in our society
Look out for more mini-episodes on this topic in the coming weeks!
And a friendly reminder for new listeners, November & December are our off-months for planning and holidays. After a few more episodes in October, we'll see you back in January!
For more ways to get involved with the Brain Blown Community, head to www.patreon.com/brainblownpodcast to learn about our offers!
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Ever notice how easy it is to feel connected to someone if they're wearing your team's jersey or a t-shirt of your favorite band?
You might think it's cause it's familiar or you found something in common, but in truth, it's another way we find belonging.
In this mini-episode of Brain Blown, we explore how our brains create powerful connections beyond human relationships:
Join us for a quick dive into the fascinating world of belonging, where your brain treats logos and ideologies with the same intensity as human connections.
For more ways to get involved with the Brain Blown Community, head to www.patreon.com/brainblownpodcast to learn about our offers!
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Your brain on social media: It's not just addictive, it's transformative. Here's why.
In this episode of the Brain Blown Podcast, we're logging into the neuroscience of social media and belonging.
We'll explore:
From the prefrontal cortex to the ventral striatum, we're mapping the brain's social media hotspots. Join us as we uncover the fascinating relationship between our neurons and our newsfeeds.
Plus, we'll discuss how this digital revolution is providing neuroscientists with unprecedented insights into human behavior and social cognition.
Tune in, and you might just see your next post through a whole new lens.
Look out for more mini-episodes on this topic in the coming weeks!
For more ways to get involved with the Brain Blown Community, head to www.patreon.com/brainblownpodcast to learn about our offers!
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Around the pandemic we saw an explosion of social media influencers -
You know, those ads of random internet people (maybe you've seen before) casually chatting to you about a product or experience they had that you'll totally love.
As it turns out, these so-called "peer" influencers may be changing our brains more than we realize.
Enjoy this mini episode as not only a wrap-up to influence, but a preview for one of the next full episodes coming out this season!
For more ways to get involved with the Brain Blown Community, head to www.patreon.com/brainblownpodcast to learn about our offers!
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Introduction to the Journal of Marketing Research, Special Issue on Neuroscience and Marketing -- Colin Camerer and Carolyn Yoon
Persuasion, Influence, and Value: Perspectives from Communication and Social Neuroscience -- Emily Falk and Christin Scholz
What can neuroscience offer marketing research? -- Billy Sung and Nicholas J. Wilson
Neuroscience in Marketing: Assessment of Advertisement; Memory by Means of Facial Muscles; Movement Analysis -- Calga Pinar, Sanem Alkibay
When you hear "Coca-Cola" what's the first thing that comes to mind?
Is it their bright red logo? Their lively commercials that appeal to the senses? The taste of their soda?
Coke is one of the leading brands that successfully uses Neuromarketing to influence their audience.
And they're not alone.
But for this mini episode, we'll focus on just 3: Coke, Apple and Disney-Pixar; and how these iconic brands stay iconic, both in the media and in our brains.
For more ways to get involved with the Brain Blown Community, head to www.patreon.com/brainblownpodcast to learn about our offers!
If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.
We'd love to hear from you.
REFERENCES
Introduction to the Journal of Marketing Research, Special Issue on Neuroscience and Marketing -- Colin Camerer and Carolyn Yoon
Persuasion, Influence, and Value: Perspectives from Communication and Social Neuroscience -- Emily Falk and Christin Scholz
What can neuroscience offer marketing research? -- Billy Sung and Nicholas J. Wilson
Neuroscience in Marketing: Assessment of Advertisement; Memory by Means of Facial Muscles; Movement Analysis -- Calga Pinar, Sanem Alkibay