Best Cognitivescience Podcasts (2025)

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From the archive: Revisiting the dawn of human cognition 56:06

Play Pause

2h ago56:06

56:06

Hi friends! We're taking a much-needed summer pause—we'll have new episodes for you later in September. In the meanwhile, enjoy this pick from our archives! ------- [originally aired June 1, 2023] There's a common story about the human past that goes something like this. For a few hundred thousand years during the Stone Age we were kind of limping …

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420. Is Coaching the Career for You? 21:30

9m ago21:30

21:30

The coaching industry is booming—yet it’s one of the most misunderstood professions out there. From concerns about pyramid schemes to questions of legitimacy, there’s a lot of confusion surrounding this coaching, especially in a field that’s predominantly female and largely online. So this week, I’m breaking down the most common myths and concerns …

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Could Coaching Be Your Calling? 2:44

14h ago2:44

2:44

Are you curious about becoming a coach but not sure where to start? Join me at Coach-Curious Prep School where you’ll learn: Whether coaching is the right career for you. What you need to do to prepare for a successful coaching career. The next steps to take to begin — or expand — your life as a coach. It's all happening September 15-17, 2025. Clic…

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419. Coaching Hotline: Am I Using Meditation to Escape My Feelings? 14:23

2d ago14:23

14:23

In this week’s Coaching Hotline, I answer two listener questions that reveal a common trap: we think circumstances create our feelings, when really our thoughts are doing all the work. One caller worries that ambition has become a perfectionist trap, the other wonders if meditation is just a way to avoid difficult emotions. I break down how to tell…

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418. Undoing Your "Goodness" Programming: A Conversation with Elise Loehnen 33:16

6d ago33:16

33:16

Ever feel like you’re constantly trying to be the perfect friend, partner, coworker, or mom? That pressure to live up to everyone else’s expectations is a trap—and it’s keeping you stuck in self-sacrifice and people-pleasing. In this episode, I’m chatting with Elise Loehnen, author of On Our Best Behavior, about how we can stop chasing the impossib…

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417. Coaching Hotline: Codependency & Anger 12:05

8d ago12:05

12:05

In this Coaching Hotline episode, I answer two relationship questions—one about wanting more time with your partner, the other about lingering anger when your needs feel unmet. Both reveal the same underlying problem: telling yourself you should feel differently. You’ll learn how to explore your anger and anxiety without adding guilt or shame. Plus…

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From the archive: Of molecules and memories 1:15:10

14d ago1:15:10

1:15:10

Hi friends! We're taking a much-needed August pause—we'll have new episodes for you in September. In the meanwhile, enjoy this pick from our archives! _____ [originally aired February 8, 2024] Where do memories live in the brain? If you've ever taken a neuroscience class, you probably learned that they're stored in our synapses, in the connections …

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416. Expertise Perfectionism is Sabotaging Your Success 16:12

13d ago16:12

16:12

Do you ever feel like you shouldn’t be giving advice, leading a project, or stepping into your own expertise because you’re not perfect—or not perfect enough? That’s expertise perfectionism—the constant self-doubt that tells you your knowledge isn’t enough and that every mistake means you’re failing. In this episode, I break down how to spot and re…

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415. Coaching Hotline: Confusion About Purpose & Accepting v Giving Up 15:43

15d ago15:43

15:43

In this Coaching Hotline episode, I tackle two powerful questions about self-acceptance and purpose. The first caller is a mom grappling with balancing acceptance of her son's autism and advocating for his needs. The second is struggling with perfectionism, confusion about her work, and quitting projects before they gain traction. Tune in to hear h…

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414. How to Find Your Purpose 25:06

21d ago25:06

25:06

Ever feel like you're just waiting for your purpose to magically appear, fully formed and ready to give your life meaning? The truth is, purpose isn’t something you find—it’s something you create. In this episode, you'll hear how purpose develops over time through small steps driven by what excites you, rather than a grand revelation. Discover how …

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413. Coaching Hotline: Goal Thoughts & Anxious Attachment 12:19

23d ago12:19

12:19

Ever notice how your brain immediately pushes back when you try to change those old, deeply ingrained thoughts? It feels like proof you’re doing it wrong—but actually, that resistance is exactly what should happen when you challenge those patterns. In this Coaching Hotline episode, I dive into two powerful questions—one about creating new goal thou…

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From the archive: Consider the spider 1:17:45

27d ago1:17:45

1:17:45

Hi friends! We're taking a much-needed August pause—we'll have new episodes for you in September. In the meanwhile, enjoy this pick from our archives! _____ [originally aired May 30, 2024] Maybe your idea of spiders is a bit like mine was. You probably know that they have eight legs, that some are hairy. Perhaps you imagine them spending most of th…

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412. Belief, Confidence, and Shattering Glass Ceilings: A Conversation with Brenda Lomeli (Greatest Hits) 46:46

29d ago46:46

46:46

What if the key to your success isn’t in playing it safe, but embracing the discomfort of going after what you really want? In this Greatest Hits episode, I’m revisiting a powerful conversation with my dear friend and fellow master coach, Brenda Lomeli. Together, we discuss the courage, belief, and determination it takes to go after big goals—no ma…

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411. Coaching Hotline: Fear of Being Replaceable & Plastic Surgery Regret 14:11

30d ago14:11

14:11

In this week’s Coaching Hotline episode, I’m answering two listener questions about fear, self-acceptance, and making empowered decisions. The first question explores the fear of being replaceable in a relationship, and we dive into why that fear is rooted in deeper beliefs about your uniqueness. Next, I coach a listener who’s terrified to undergo …

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410. Fear of Doing Harm is Holding You Back 19:56

1M ago19:56

19:56

What if your fear of making a mistake is actually keeping you from creating the biggest impact of your life? In this episode, I dive into why the pressure to be perfect—and avoid harm—keeps us stuck. Whether it’s in relationships, business, or parenting, the desire to avoid mistakes leads to paralysis. You’ll learn why showing up fully, making mist…

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409. Coaching Hotline: Epigenetics, Jealousy & Suspicion 15:06

1M ago15:06

15:06

In this week’s Coaching Hotline episode, I'm tackling a fascinating question about epigenetic trauma and how it intersects with thought work. I’m also answering a question from a listener whose ex-husband’s 20-year affair left her suspicious of her current partner. Both of these questions reveal how we let external circumstances—whether it’s scient…

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The shaman with a thousand faces 1:18:16

1M ago1:18:16

1:18:16

When you hear the word "shaman," I'm guessing a web of associations starts to form in your mind. Perhaps you imagine strange ceremonies and strong substances; maybe you think of an earlier time when magic and superstition reigned. But shamanism is not just some relic of the past, or a curio from exotic lands. It's part of our present, and it will a…

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408. Creating A New Future: A Conversation with Prentis Hemphill 30:08

1M ago30:08

30:08

What if healing isn’t about reaching some perfect end point, but about constantly rebuilding relationships—with yourself, with others, and with the world around you? In this episode, I’m talking with Prentis Hemphill, bestselling author of What it Takes to Heal, about how healing is actually a radical, ongoing process. We dive into how healing conn…

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407. Coaching Hotline: Why We Want Things & Not Forcing It When We Don't 12:31

1M ago12:31

12:31

In this week’s Coaching Hotline episode, I’m answering two listener questions about motivation, decision-making, and self-coaching. The first question explores why we avoid certain things, like relationships or hobbies, and how not having a clear “why” can keep us stuck. The second dives into the messy relationship between motivation and hobbies—sp…

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406. How to Learn From Your Mistakes 30:54

2M ago30:54

30:54

Do you avoid making decisions because you're scared of repeating past mistakes? This week, I show you how to break that cycle and actually learn from your failures so you can make better decisions moving forward. Most of us are terrified of making mistakes, so we avoid risks, which keeps us stuck. But the truth is, mistakes aren’t the problem—it’s …

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405. Coaching Hotline: Fear of Being Single & Being Happy Alone 14:56

2M ago14:56

14:56

Ever catch yourself thinking your ex was the one or that losing weight will solve all your problems? Our brains can hold onto these beliefs for years, creating stories about why we’re single or why we need to lose weight. But what if the real issue isn’t the thoughts themselves, but what we make them mean? In this Coaching Hotline episode, I’m brea…

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Varieties of childhood 1:28:48

2M ago1:28:48

1:28:48

Childhood is a special time, a strange time. Children are adored and catered to—they're given their own menus and bedrooms. They're considered delicate and precious, and so we cushion them from every imaginable risk. Kids are encouraged to play, of course—but very often it's under the watchful eye of anxious adults. This, anyway, is how childhood l…

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404. Creativity, Positive Thinking, and Self-Love: Takeaways From Clutch College Live Online (Greatest Hits) 24:16

2M ago24:16

24:16

In this week's Greatest Hits episode, I’m re-sharing 3 powerful takeaways from a recent event that have the potential to shift how you view yourself and your life. You'll hear how you have more creative potential than you realize, why resisting reality is the most painful thing you can put yourself through, and my best tips for building self-love. …

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403. Coaching Hotline: Struggle Bus & Job Confusion 14:41

2M ago14:41

14:41

In this weeks Coaching Hotline episode, I’m answering two listener questions that tackle different sides of mental resistance. The first deals with whether you should do thought work when you're struggling emotionally—what I call being on the "struggle bus." The second addresses the challenge of sticking with decisions when your brain constantly wa…

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402. The Power of Being Wrong, Why Your Goals May Be Closer Than You Think, and Other Takeaways From Clutch College Live (Greatest Hits) 18:34

2M ago18:34

18:34

Do you ever feel stuck on your journey, unsure of how far you’ve really come? In this episode, I’m sharing three key takeaways from a previous live event, starting with why it’s so hard to accurately assess where you are—and how that holds you back from making real progress. We’ll also dive into why something “feeling true” doesn’t mean it is actua…

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401. Coaching Hotline: Body Image, Parental Criticism, & Initiating Sex 12:55

2M ago12:55

12:55

In this week’s Coaching Hotline episode, I’m answering two questions that reveal how we give away our emotional power to others' opinions and societal expectations. One listener struggles with body image after years of parental criticism—believing their worth is tied to their size. Another feels frustrated by always initiating sex in their marriage…

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Science, AI, and illusions of understanding 59:47

2M ago59:47

59:47

AI will fundamentally transform science. It will supercharge the research process, making it faster and more efficient and broader in scope. It will make scientists themselves vastly more productive, more objective, maybe more creative. It will make many human participants—and probably some human scientists—obsolete… Or at least these are some of t…

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400. Most Surprising Parts of My Dream Life (& How to Create Yours Too) 40:18

2M ago40:18

40:18

Socialization tells us that happiness comes from hitting the right milestones— the prestigious career, the perfect body, the ideal partner. We’re taught that once we check off all the boxes and achieve enough, fulfillment will follow. But is that really true? After 400 episodes of Unfuck Your Brain, I’ve completely transformed my life—but not by fo…

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399. What Everyone Gets Wrong About Confidence 15:43

3M ago15:43

15:43

Confidence is often talked about in the online empowerment space, but most people misunderstand it. We think of confidence as a feeling—a temporary emotion we either have or don’t have. But here’s the truth: confidence is much more than a feeling. In fact, the feeling of confidence is the last part—and the least important part. In this episode, I’m…

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The primeval soil of play 56:37

3M ago56:37

56:37

Puppies wrestling and mock-biting each other. Toddlers playing hide and seek. Kittens pouncing—repeatedly—on a toy mouse. You've no doubt looked on at scenes like this with amusement. And you've no doubt seen some of those viral videos—of ravens sledding down hills, of bumble bees playing with balls. All these moments make us smile, maybe even gigg…

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398. How to Solve Insecurity 17:39

3M ago17:39

17:39

Does it constantly feel like you’re measuring yourself against some impossible standard? Whether it's your career, your relationships, or your body, that feeling of inadequacy can keep you stuck, unable to move forward. In today’s episode, I’m breaking down why insecurity isn’t the real issue—it’s the lack of emotional security within yourself. Whe…

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397. How to Stop Giving a F*ck What Other People Think (Greatest Hits) 13:47

3M ago13:47

13:47

Are you exhausted from constantly worrying about what other people think of you? Whether it’s your boss, your family, or even strangers, this fixation zaps your energy and keeps you from being your authentic self. But here's the truth: the more you focus on their opinions, the less you connect with your own. In this episode, I’m diving into why “ju…

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The big five and beyond 1:46:39

3M ago1:46:39

1:46:39

If you've heard anything about the study of human personality, you've probably heard about the “big five.” This is a framework that attempts to characterize human personality in terms of five broad factors or dimensions—neuroticism, extraversion, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness. The big five framework has been enormously influential,…

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396. Why You Obsess Over Some People's Opinions (But Not Others) 21:55

3M ago21:55

21:55

Why do some opinions bounce right off us, while others stick like taffy, lingering in our minds and draining our energy? This isn’t random—it’s actually a clue to how our brains process feedback and, more importantly, what we really believe about ourselves. In this episode, I’m diving into why we get fixated on some people’s opinions, even when the…

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395. Why Women Care Too Much About What Other People Think 17:52

4M ago17:52

17:52

Have you ever had a man ask why you care so much about what others think? And then found yourself at a loss for how to explain why it matters so deeply? There’s a reason women tend to fixate on others’ opinions, and it’s not simply a lack of confidence or insecurity. This week, I’m diving into why this preoccupation with others’ opinions is so powe…

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394. Hopelessness Is a Lie 16:46

4M ago16:46

16:46

Have you ever felt that sinking feeling in your stomach—the one that says, “There’s no point in trying because nothing will ever change”? That’s hopelessness, and it’s one of the most dangerous emotional states because it paralyzes us and keeps us stuck. It’s also one of the most deceptive thought patterns your brain can offer you. This week, I’m b…

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Philosophers on psychedelics 1:40:49

4M ago1:40:49

1:40:49

Some call it the "psychedelic renaissance." In the last decade or so, interest in psychedelic drugs has surged—and not just among Silicon Valley types and psychiatrists and neuroscientists. It's also surged among a stereotypically soberer crowd: academic philosophers. The reasons are clear. With their varied and sometimes transformative effects, ps…

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393. How to Calm Down Right Now: A Conversation with Emily Decker 34:56

4M ago34:56

34:56

Have you ever noticed how your body reacts when you're doom-scrolling? The tightness in your chest, shallow breathing, and racing thoughts aren’t just in your head—they’re physical responses from your nervous system reacting to perceived threats. In today’s episode, I’m joined by somatic-based personal trainer Emily Decker to discuss how our bodies…

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392. You Are Not the Reference Point (Greatest Hits) 25:59

4M ago25:59

25:59

Do you find yourself getting frustrated when others don’t see things exactly as you do? When this happens and we’re activated, afraid, or overwhelmed, we often assume our perspective is the only “correct” one. This rigidity creates tension in relationships, leaving us feeling isolated and misunderstood. Sound familiar? In this episode, I’m revisiti…

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The cuttlefish and its coat of many colors 1:33:38

4M ago1:33:38

1:33:38

We humans have a hard time becoming invisible. For better or worse, we're basically stuck with the skin and body we have; we’re pretty fixed in our color, our shape, our overall appearance. And so we're fascinated by creatures that aren't—creatures that morph to meet the moment, that can functionally disappear, that can shape-shift on a dime. And n…

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391. My Top 3 Lessons From Being 43 18:43

4M ago18:43

18:43

After coaching thousands of women (and learning a lot from my own journey), I’ve realized that our brains are really good at focusing on what we haven’t yet accomplished, while completely glossing over what we have. That’s why it’s crucial to actively look for evidence of growth and progress. In this episode, I’m sharing the three biggest insights …