Change Your Brain Every Day

Latest Episodes:

The Neuroscience of Hearing: What You Don't Hear Can Hurt Your Brain Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

In this must-listen episode, Dr. Amen and Tana Amen sit down with Brandon Salawich, President and CEO of Starkey, the largest U.S.-based hearing aid manufacturer, to explore the critical link between hearing and brain health. They uncover how hearing loss isn't just about missing sounds—it's a major risk factor for dementia, depression, and relationship struggles. You'll also discover surprising causes of hearing issues, including why 1 in 6 teenagers are already experiencing hearing loss. If you want to protect your brain, start by protecting your hearing—tune in to learn how.

00:00 Intro

01:01 Hearing & The Brain

01:45 Sponsor

03:03 Hearing is One of the Major Functions of the Brain

06:26 Hearing & Stigma

08:23 Can Your Brain Forget Sounds?

09:16 Overstimulation

10:08 Brandon's Story

13:31 The Impact of Hearing Loss on the Brain

14:56 Overcoming Vulnerability

17:43 The Causes of Memory Loss

19:41 Damage Elimination

21:56 The Future of Hearing Augmentation/Automatic Translation

25:30 Brands

27:05 Hearing & AI Technology

28:45 Comfort

29:57 Hearing Sound for the First Time

40:16 Superpowered Hearing

46:31 Sponsor

46:54 Wrap Up

Starkey.com

Listencarefully.com

ADHD & Intimacy: The Physical Intimacy No One Talks About – Part 2 Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

ADHD doesn't have to come between you and your partner. In this practical and eye-opening episode, Dr. Amen and Tana reveal why people with ADHD may feel rejection more intensely and might be more likely to cheat on their partners. They share proven strategies to rebuild connection, improve communication, and reignite passion—both in and out of the bedroom. Plus, you'll learn that medication isn't the only answer for ADHD—there are powerful, natural ways to heal, reconnect, and create deeper intimacy.

00:00 Intro

00:53 Tana's Thyroid Cancer/ADD

02:04 Serotonin & Dopamine Levels in ADD

07:00 Rejection Sensitivity Syndrome

08:45 Cheating

11:18 When the Medication Wears Off

13:18 Sponsor

14:38 The Most Important Thing to Remember

18:29 The Link Between Teenage Pregnancy & ADD

21:25 The 7 Types of ADD

26:17 What Do You Want?

27:33 Wrap Up

ADHD & Intimacy: The Physical Intimacy Issues No One Talks About – Part 1 Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

ADHD doesn't just impact focus—it can wreak havoc on relationships and intimacy. In this revealing episode, Dr. Amen and Tana expose the little-known ways undiagnosed or untreated ADHD can sabotage your love life, from saying hurtful things to emotional outbursts to struggles with connection and sexual satisfaction. If you or your partner have ever felt unseen, misunderstood, or disconnected in the bedroom, this episode is a must-listen. Understanding how ADHD affects intimacy is the first step to rebuilding passion and trust.

00:00 Intro

00:52 ADHD & Sex

01:54 ADHD vs ADD

04:38 How Does ADHD Impact Relationships?

11:33 ADHD in the Bedroom

15:28 The "New Love" Addiction Cycle

16:50 Sponsor

18:05 Novelty Patterns

19:04 ADHD Symptoms in Sex

24:34 Dopamine

28:30 Conflict Seeking Behavior

30:59 Guilt vs Shame

33:00 Practical Tips to Manage ADHD & Sex

41:35 Wrap Up

Inside the Mind of Clara Woods: A Nonverbal Artist with a Powerful Voice Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

Clara Woods is a neurodivergent artist who suffered a prenatal stroke, leaving her unable to speak, read, or write. Despite her challenges, Clara's vibrant artwork has been featured at world-renowned exhibits like Art Basel. In this powerful episode, Dr. Amen and Tana explore Clara's brain scan, uncovering the remarkable ways her mind adapts. Joined by her mother, Betina, they discuss Clara's journey, the impact of also having ADHD, and essential strategies for supporting individuals with special needs.

00:00 Intro

01:23 Sponsor

02:30 Clara & Betina

03:57 Prenatal Stroke

10:40 Painting

15:19 Inspiring Others

18:41 ADHD/Conflict Seeking Behavior

21:56 Clara's SPECT Scans

27:48 How Art Helps the Mind

30:16 Overcoming Communication Challenges

31:41 Navigating Family Issues

35:24 Spreading the Message of Inclusion

37:26 Seizures and the Brain

41:30 The Impact of ADD on the Family

43:42 Your Brain Can Get Better

45:09 Sponsor

45:36 Wrap Up

Clarawoodscollection.com

Brittany Bell on Family Drama & Healing Past Wounds Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

In this heartfelt episode of Change Your Brain Every Day, Dr. Amen sits down with model, beauty pageant titleholder, and psychology doctoral student Brittany Bell for an intimate conversation about the realities of co-parenting three children with Nick Cannon. The former Miss Guam and Miss Arizona shares the joys and challenges of their unique family dynamic while navigating her own mental health journey. With expert insights from Dr. Amen, Brittany opens up about the profound impact of her biological father's suicide following a historic incident of police brutality. After reviewing her brain scan—which Dr. Amen calls "stunning"—the discussion shifts to how her past influences her present, offering valuable lessons on resilience and growth. This candid episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration on navigating family, healing, and mental wellness.

00:00 Intro

01:39 Sponsor

02:48 Brittany and Nick Cannon

05:15 Brittany's Goals

07:27 Anxiety

10:38 Processing Trauma

12:23 Black Fathering/Multiple Siblings

14:40 Brittany's SPECT Scan (Surface)

15:48 Brittany's SPECT Scan (Active Interior)

22:20 4 Circles

25:25 Challenging Negative Thoughts

34:48 Father's Police Brutality Incident & Suicide

41:10 Supplement Recommendations

42:20 Sponsor

43:46 Wrap Up

Kristin Cavallari Gets Real About Partying, Hypnosis, and Healing the Brain Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

Reality TV star and wellness advocate Kristin Cavallari joins Dr. Amen on the Change Your Brain Every Day podcast to explore her journey from teenage brain-damaging habits to her current pursuit of optimal health. Kristin opens up about motherhood, experimenting with controversial therapy treatments, and the transformative power of hypnosis. Can past damage to the brain be reversed? Dr. Amen answers this and many more question in this mind-bending episode.

00:00 Intro

01:15 Sponsor

02:34 Kristin/Goals

04:55 Losing Consciousness Intentionally?

07:07 Substance Abuse

10:33 Laguna Beach/Teen Years

15:00 Total Brain Assessment

17:134 Kristin's SPECT Scan (Surface)

22:09 Kristin's SPECT Scan (Active Interior)

24:10 Hypnosis/Altered States in Releasing Trauma

26:58 Psilocybin/Alcohol/Marijuana

33:48 Improving Kristin's Brain

40:15 Football/Head Trauma

44:50 Brother's Death

46:17 Family Dynamics

49:20 Sponsor

49:43 Wrap Up

Negativity vs. Positivity Bias: Why Are We Hardwired to Be Negative? Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

Why do we tend to be so much more focused on the negative aspects of life than the positive? What happens in our brain when our minds are predisposed to negativity. In this episode of the podcast, the Amens discuss negativity bias, and why we should be active in transforming our own mindset.

00:00 Intro

01:02 About Negativity

04:34 Negativity vs Positivity Bias

06:53 Chronic Negativity and Cortisol

08:00 Negativity Positivity Bias Questionnaire

09:46 Negativity Effects on the Brain

14:49 Some Negativity is Important

16:21 Sponsor

17:36 Accurate Thinking

19:39 Positivity Bias Training

28:28 Mindset Hacks

31:28 Wrap Up

Paul Wesley: Vampire Diaries, Mental Health, Mood & Happiness Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

In this week's episode of Change Your Brain Every Day, Dr. Amen sits down to evaluate actor Paul Wesley. Paul discusses his childhood, start in acting, goals for his mental health and happiness

00:00 Intro

01:47 Sponsor

02:57 Paul

05:24 Growing Up In New Jersey

08:18 Acting in New York City

15:03 Intention/The 18/40/60 Rule

20:30 The Four Circles

22:19 Head Trauma

27:05 Paul's SPECT Brain Scans

31:02 Dr. Amen's Recommendations

34:13 Turn Bad Days into Good Data

35:19 Sponsor

36:44 Wrap Up

The #1 Goal Setting Tool to Get What You Want Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

Do you struggle to stick to your goals and feel discouraged when you fall short? It's time to change the way you set and achieve your aspirations. In this empowering episode, Dr. Amen and Tana Amen introduce you to the life-changing One Page Miracle, a simple yet powerful tool to clarify your vision, identify your purpose, and stay on track. Learn how to align your daily decisions with your goals to create the life you truly want—one step at a time.

00:00 Intro

00:41 The Starting Point

03:17 The Prefrontal Cortex

06:31 The One Page Miracle

08:40 Intention in Relationships

15:14 Sponsor

15:37 Intention at Work

20:48 Intention with Money

22:41 Intention with Physical Health

24:30 Does it Fit?

26:57 Intention with Emotional Well-being

27:35 Intention with Spirituality

28:46 Wrap Up

Change Your Brain, Change Your Body – Part 2 Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

If you want a better body, it starts by getting a better brain. Discover the secrets to enhanced physical health and mental well-being in the second episode of this two-part series. Dr. Amen and Tana dive into the "MINDS" risk factors behind mood struggles, focus problems, weight issues, diabetes, and other physical health issues. Revealing some of their own personal struggles, they guide you to simple solutions to brighten your moods, enhance mental clarity, and bolster physical well-being.

00:00 Intro

00:51 Brain Health Risk Factors

01:38 M is for Mindstorms/Mental Health

08:20 I is for Immunity/Infections

14:37 Sponsor

15:55 N is for Neurohormones

20:28 D is for Diabesity

25:09 S is for Sleep

26:36 The One Thing to Do

28:20 Supplementation

33:26 Wrap Up