That panic when your EV battery dips low? Your brain feels it too. It’s called range anxiety — and it doesn’t just happen on highways. It happens in your head when you run on empty.
In this episode of The Glitch in My Brain, I share how chasing chargers on a BC highway taught me the formula for recharging more than just a battery. The Recharge Equation explains why input (sleep, nutrition, downtime) vs. output (work, school, family demands) decides whether you’re energized or always drained.
You’ll hear:
The EV road trip story that revealed the Recharge Equation
Why your brain works more like a battery than you realize
The myth of “pushing through” and all-nighters
Simple recharge strategies that stop you from hitting 2%
Whether you’re a student, a pro, or just tired of running on empty, this episode will help you recharge smarter instead of burning out.
👉 Want more? Check out the Digital Survival Kit playlist with episodes on Wi-Fi stress, outsmarting your phone, and resetting your energy.
Quick Glitch: Wi-Fi Anxiety Is Real (Mini Episode)
There’s a special kind of panic we all know: the Wi-Fi drops, Zoom freezes, and suddenly everything depends on three little bars.
In this snack-sized Quick Glitch episode, I break down why Wi-Fi anxiety hits so hard, share some funny “frozen screen” moments we’ve all lived through, and—most importantly—how to stay calm when the signal disappears.
This one’s shorter (I’m filming on vacation), but it packs in real talk and quick takeaways to help you handle the next time your Wi-Fi betrays you.
Have you ever paid for something and had no idea where your money went?
In a world obsessed with convenience, our brains are quietly losing the ability to pause and think. This week, we dive into the paradox of frictionless tech, from the coffee shop to the mailbox, and reveal how our easy digital habits are costing us more than we think.
In this episode, you’ll learn simple, powerful ways to reclaim your focus with intentional friction, including the App Placement Hack and the Notification Control Hack.
This isn't about being anti-tech; it's about being pro-brain.
Are tech buzzwords making you feel stupid? You’re not. You’re just burned out. In this episode, we’re demystifying the jargon you hear every day—like “The Cloud,” “Digital Transformation,” and “2FA”—and uncovering the hidden costs they have on your mental energy. We get to the heart of the tech that’s quietly shaping our lives so you can get back to what actually matters.
Pause. Breathe. Reboot.
In this episode, Shaun delves into the intricacies of AI and large language models (LLMs), emphasizing their capabilities and limitations. He discusses the mechanics of LLMs, the hallucination problem where AI generates plausible but incorrect information, and the black box issue that leads to biases in AI outputs. Shaun warns against the cognitive impacts of over-reliance on AI, advocating for AI literacy and the importance of maintaining human connection in communication. He concludes with practical tips for effectively using AI while preserving critical thinking and personal voice.
Your feed isn’t just showing you content — it’s shaping your brain.
In this episode, Shaun unpacks how algorithmic design traps us in an endless scroll loop that hijacks attention, motivation, and even identity. He explores how digital platforms create self-reinforcing feedback cycles that keep us hooked — and what it takes to break free.
You’ll learn:
• Why feeds feel addictive (and it’s not your fault)
• How algorithms train your behavior
• Simple tools to reclaim your focus and fight back
If you’ve ever opened your phone and wondered, “Where did the last 45 minutes go?” — this one’s for you.
In this episode, Shaun dives into the relentless pace of technology and its impact on our lives. Discover why you're not falling behind due to laziness, but because the system is sprinting ahead. Shaun uses vivid metaphors, like racing in Crocs and Mario Kart's red shells, to illustrate the overwhelming speed. Learn practical strategies to reclaim control and slow down without disconnecting from the digital world. Tune in to find your balance and avoid burnout in this fast-paced tech landscape.
Summary
In this conversation, Shaun explores the pervasive influence of algorithms on our digital choices and emotional well-being. He discusses how algorithms shape our content consumption, leading to a filter bubble that narrows our perspectives. Shaun emphasizes the importance of breaking free from algorithmic control by being mindful of our choices and reclaiming our digital experiences. He outlines the journey ahead in understanding the design of technology and its impact on our lives, encouraging listeners to take back control of their digital interactions.
Are you losing yourself online?
This episode of The Glitch in My Brain explores the growing tension between your digital identity and your real self. I share why we start curating our lives, how that slowly shifts our sense of who we are, and what it takes to stay authentic — even while staying online.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected from the person you’re performing as, this one’s for you.
🎙️ The Glitch in My Brain is a weekly podcast for tech-saturated minds and burned-out brains. New episodes every Monday.
It’s not that you’re lazy — it’s that your motivation’s being hijacked.
In this episode, I explore how dopamine works, how our devices exploit it, and why you can’t seem to care about the things that actually matter anymore.
This isn’t just a productivity hack. It’s a call to reclaim your drive — without deleting every app or pretending you’re a monk.
🔹 What dopamine really does (it’s not just about pleasure)
🔹 How tech trains your brain to chase pings, not progress
🔹 The 3 dopamine traps baked into modern life
🔹 How I rewired my habits and started winning offline
If you’ve been feeling stuck, scattered, or like your spark is gone — this one's for you.
Pause. Breathe. Reboot. You’ve got this.
A 30-minute deadline. A leadership escalation. And a pressure spiral that nearly broke me.
This episode dives into how I stay calm under pressure — using a 3-step mindset tool I call the “Emergency Triage Rule.”
You’ll learn how pressure hijacks your thinking, why reacting too fast can backfire, and how to contribute meaningfully without checking out or burning out.
If you’ve ever asked:
“Why do I freeze when urgency hits?”
“How do I stay calm when leadership is panicking?”
“Can I respond without losing control?”
This one’s for you.
Topics in this episode:
✅ What pressure actually does to your brain
✅ The Emergency Triage Rule: Contain. Clarify. Contribute.
✅ How to stop overreacting and regain control
✅ Staying focused when everything’s on fire 🔥
🎧 Part of The Glitch in My Brain — a podcast about burnout, mental clarity, and thriving in a tech-saturated world.
I wasn’t tired. I wasn’t sick. But my brain was… gone.I’d open the fridge and forget why I was there. Sit at my laptop and blank out mid-task. I thought I was functioning — but I was offline. Mentally disconnected.This week on *The Glitch in My Brain*, I share what brain fog really feels like, how it quietly hijacks our focus, and the surprisingly simple tool that brought my mind back online.If you’ve ever asked:• “Why can’t I focus no matter how hard I try?”• “Is it burnout, distraction — or something else?”• “How do I reset without deleting all my apps?”This one’s for you.---## In this episode:✔️ The “fog of war” metaphor that made everything click✔️ What causes brain fog (and why it sneaks up on you)✔️ The one thing that finally helped me focus✔️ How to reset without quitting tech or going off-grid---## ⏱️ CHAPTERS:00:00 The Fog of Mental Overload03:00 Understanding Cognitive Overload06:12 The Impact of Digital Distractions09:07 Strategies for Mental Clarity12:04 The Science of Mental Recovery14:54 Cultivating a Mindful Garden---📩 Subscribe for weekly episodes about burnout, digital overload, and finding mental clarity in a tech-saturated world:[https://www.youtube.com/@TheGlitchInMyBrain]🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Let’s connect:🔗 LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauntofsrud](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauntofsrud)\#brainfog #burnout #mentalclarity #focus #digitalwellness #glitchinmybrain #overstimulation #productivity---## 🛠️ GEAR & TOOLS I USE:🎙️ My Microphone (Rode NT-USB+): [https://amzn.to/3SvcUa8](https://amzn.to/3SvcUa8)💡 My Lighting Kit: [https://amzn.to/4kfjxJG](https://amzn.to/4kfjxJG)📹 My Webcam: [https://amzn.to/45Gyfou](https://amzn.to/45Gyfou)📱 iPhone Tripod I Use for Recording: [https://amzn.to/3FHIzlA](https://amzn.to/3FHIzlA)🖥️ Standing Desk Setup: [https://amzn.to/4kfrqil](https://amzn.to/4kfrqil)📝 My Favorite Sticky Notes: [https://amzn.to/4mGP20W](https://amzn.to/4mGP20W)🔗 These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the channel!---Let me know if you want a **LinkedIn teaser post**, **YouTube Short caption**, or **playlist update** next!
I had dashboards for everything.
Work, school, podcasting — even my breathwork.
My life looked organized.
But inside? I was completely burned out.
In this episode of The Glitch in My Brain, I share how my obsession with productivity systems like Notion became its own kind of stress trap — and how a simple sticky note helped me reclaim clarity, one task at a time.
🎧 In this episode:
• The productivity paradox no one talks about
• Why optimization can become a mask for burnout
• The moment my “perfect system” collapsed
• What actually helped me recover — and it wasn’t an app
If your to-do list is beautiful but your brain is fried... this one’s for you.
—
💡 Want more content like this? Subscribe on Spotify or watch on YouTube @TheGlitchInMyBrain
#burnout #productivity #mentalhealth #theglitchinmybrain
Are you feeling drained — even after a day off? You might be “always on”… and your tech could be the reason.In this episode of *The Glitch in My Brain*, I dive into how technology hijacks our focus, breaks our boundaries, and contributes to burnout without us even realizing it.From WhatsApp spirals and work phone distractions to setting boundaries that stick, this episode is packed with personal stories and practical ways to reclaim your energy.✅ Topics covered:- Tech burnout signs you might be ignoring- How to set boundaries with your phone and apps- Tools to rebuild your focus and mental clarity🎧 Watch next: [Episode 8 – Burnout Recovery That Actually Works (ft. Amanda Firby)] https://youtu.be/zVDnEp_lUHY?si=N-ABg6gkbwEVWgpL👇 Let me know in the comments: What’s *one boundary* you're setting with your tech this week?---#Burnout #DigitalBurnout #MentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance #TechAddiction #AlwaysTired #Focus #MindfulTech #MensMentalHealth #RemoteWork #ProductivityHacks #glitchinmybrain --Chapters00:00 The Reality of Burnout and Technology's Role03:00 Finding Balance: The Importance of Disconnecting05:52 Establishing Boundaries for Better Focus09:11 The Myth of Productivity in a Tech-Driven World12:04 Reclaiming Your Time and Mental Space--🎙 Gear I use:- Mic: [Rode NT-USB+] https://amzn.to/4muVzLV- Camera: [Logitech C920] https://amzn.to/3Z1FUd5- Headset [HyperX Cloud III] HyperX Cloud III
If you’re always tired but still pushing through — you might already be in burnout.
In this episode of The Glitch in My Brain, I sit down with [Amanda Firby], TELUS’s Fitness & Wellness Coordinator, to unpack the hidden signs of burnout and what you can do right now to avoid crashing.
With over 20 years in wellness and 15 years focused on corporate fitness, Amanda shares the exact strategies she teaches high-performing teams to build energy, set boundaries, and reset — even when your calendar won’t slow down.
🎯 If you're in tech, leadership, or grinding through your MBA, this conversation is your warning light — and your toolkit.
🎧 In this episode:
The early warning signs most people miss
How burnout disguises itself as "productivity"
Micro-habits that restore energy fast
The role your workplace plays in keeping you stuck
📉 Burnout creeps in silently — and by the time you feel it, it’s already affecting your health, focus, and performance.
▶️ Listen now before the stress you're ignoring becomes the crash you can’t avoid.
#BurnoutWarning #MentalHealthMatters #WorkLifeBalance #CorporateWellness #TELUSHealth #TheGlitchInMyBrain #TechCulture #RemoteWorkLife #Resilience #MindfulLeadership
AI isn’t replacing humans — it’s redefining what makes us truly irreplaceable. In this episode of The Glitch in My Brain, I explore 5 essential human skills you need to thrive in the AI-driven workplace of 2025: emotional intelligence, adaptability, critical thinking, creativity, and leadership. 💡As a Senior Program Manager working at the intersection of people and technology, I’ve seen how AI tools can enhance performance — but it’s the human touch that drives real innovation. This episode offers practical exercises, research-backed insights, and personal stories to help you future-proof your career.Whether you're a tech professional, a team leader, or simply curious about the future of work, this episode is your roadmap for standing out in a world increasingly shaped by automation.🎯 Learn how to:Improve emotional intelligence for better collaborationAdapt to rapid change and embrace continuous learningSharpen your critical thinking to stay ahead of AIUnleash your creativity in ways machines can’t replicateLead teams with vision and empathy in the digital age🧠 It’s not about competing with machines — it’s about out-humaning them.#AI2025 #FutureOfWork #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipSkills #Adaptability #CriticalThinking #Creativity #HumanSkills #AIandHumans #DigitalWorkplace #TheGlitchInMyBrain******************Chapters00:00 The AI Transformation of Work01:03 Essential Human Skills for 202501:54 Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Connection04:42 Adaptability: Thriving in Change07:07 Critical Thinking: Navigating Complexity09:57 Creativity: The Human Edge12:23 Leadership: Guiding in an AI World15:15 Taking Action: Your Path to AI Readiness
Summary
In this episode, Shaun discusses the critical role of digital empathy in enhancing team engagement and building unbreakable trust in remote work environments. He explores the unique challenges posed by digital communication, such as the absence of nonverbal cues, and offers practical strategies for cultivating empathy online. The conversation emphasizes that empathy is not just a soft skill but a strategic imperative for fostering collaboration and improving workplace culture. Shaun shares personal experiences and encourages listeners to actively practice digital empathy to strengthen their professional relationships.
Summary
In this episode, Shaun explores the critical role of effective communication in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology to enhance communication skills. He discusses various tools and strategies for improving clarity, active listening, and feedback, while also addressing the challenges of non-verbal cues in virtual settings. The conversation highlights the significance of cultural sensitivity and continuous improvement in communication practices, especially in remote team environments.
#CommunicationSkills, #DigitalCommunication, #TechTools, #EffectiveCommunication, #VirtualCommunication, #technologytools, #nonverbalcues, #activelistening, #feedback, #writtencommunication, #remoteteams, #culturalsensitivity, #continuousimprovement
This is a special bonus episode that fits between Episode 4 and Episode 5
In this episode, Shaun shares his transformative journey during a trip to Hawaii, focusing on the overwhelming demands of the digital world and the strategies he employed to disconnect and reconnect with himself. He discusses the importance of mindfulness, emotional regulation, and the Aloha spirit, emphasizing how these lessons can be integrated into daily life for better balance and well-being.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Aloha from Hawaii
03:07 Digital Overwhelm: The Need for a Reset
05:55 Strategies for Disconnection: Finding Balance
09:14 Mindfulness Practices: Reconnecting with the Present
12:09 The Aloha Spirit: Community and Connection
15:14 Bringing Lessons Home: Integrating Mindfulness into Daily Life
In this episode, Shaun explores the myth of multitasking and its detrimental effects on productivity and focus. He discusses the cognitive costs associated with multitasking, emphasizing the importance of deep work and strategies to enhance focus in a distraction-filled digital age. The conversation also includes personal reflections on the journey to reclaiming focus and productivity.
#Productivity, #Focus, #TimeManagement, #PersonalGrowth, #DigitalWellbeing, #MultitaskingMyth, #DeepWork, #SingleTasking, #AttentionSpan, #Concentration, #WorkSmarter, #Efficiency, #GoalSetting, #StressReduction, #DigitalDistraction, #GlitchInMyBrain, #GlitchInMyBrainFocus
