Author: thisisyourbrain
Why do some people bounce back from setbacks while others feel powerless to change their circumstances? Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of positive psychology and author of Agency: The Psychological History of Human Progress, joins Dr. Phil Stieg to explore how optimism, resilience, and our belief in our ability to shape the future influence everything from mental health to human progress. He explains the neuroscience of learned helplessness, why positive thinking alone isn’t enough, and how we can train our brains to overcome pessimism and regain a sense of control. Discover practical strategies for breaking free from negative thought patterns, building…
Do you scroll on your phone for hours but then quit a meaty news story in 15 seconds? Maybe your attention span isn’t the problem! Dr. Ronald Yaros thinks the way to get people to pay attention is better content delivery that’s designed to work with their busy lives. Find out what actually captures and keeps our attention… and why. Digital Engagement Lab – https://www.digitalengagementlab.org/ Ronal Yaros bio – https://merrill.umd.edu/directory/ronald-yaros Phil Stieg For years we’ve been told that smartphones and endless scrolling have led to dwindling attention spans. My guest thinks that’s a myth.…
Every time AI answers for you, part of your brain may switch off. Theoretical neuroscientist Dr. Vivienne Ming explains why, including a striking claim about GPS use and Alzheimer’s risk. Dr. Ming shares her own fix for using AI. She calls it the nemesis prompt, a technique for turning AI into your harshest critic instead of your biggest fan. Vivienne joins Dr. Stieg to unpack what it actually takes to come out of the AI age sharper, not dumber. https://socos.org/about-vivienne https://socos.org/robot-proof#book-anchor-point Phil Stieg Yesterday it was Google Search. Today it is AI companions – technologies that hand…
For 17 years, the Unabomber skillfully eluded investigators, leaving behind no fingerprints, DNA, or usable forensic evidence but in the end it was his own words that gave him away. Dr. Phil Stieg speaks with retired FBI criminal profiler James Fitzgerald, a pioneer of forensic linguistics whose analysis of Ted Kaczynski’s writings helped crack one of the most notorious investigations in FBI history. Fitzgerald reveals how investigators constructed a personality profile from the bomber’s writings, identified the unusual turn of phrase that became a “linguistic smoking gun,” and used patterns in language and behavior to identify this notoriously elusive…
Nancy Jarecki’s stroke could have reduced her to a statistic. But her determination, humor and style paved a different path to recovery. Phil Stieg Hi, this is Phil Steig. For our Season Six Finale we are recognizing Stroke Awareness Month with a very special episode of This Is Your Brain. You are about to hear what it’s like to experience a stroke from the inside. This is a story told by Nancy Jarecki, – a businesswoman, wife and mother – whose resilience and good humor while recovering from a serious brain aneurysm was inspiring to all of us who…