Change Your Brain Every Day

Latest Episodes:

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

BRIGHT MINDS: Secrets to a Healthier Brain and Body in 2025 – Part 1 Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

Discover how to transform your brain and body in 2025! In the first episode of this two-part series, Dr. Amen and Tana dive into the BRIGHT risk factors behind memory loss, mental health struggles, and physical health issues. Through personal stories and science-backed strategies, they'll show you how to prevent or overcome these risks for a healthier, happier future.

00:00 Intro

00:44 The Foundation of Brain Health

03:13 B is for Blood Flow

09:08 R is for Retirement & Aging

12:20 I is for Inflammation

16:02 Sponsor

17:17 G is for Genetics

21:48 H is for Head Trauma

27:31 T is for Toxins

32:52 BRIGHT Strategies

34:55 Wrap Up

Elizabeth Smart on Surviving Kidnapping & Painful Memories, Plus Healing & Posttraumatic Growth Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Elizabeth Smart shares her powerful journey after being kidnapped at age 14 in 2002, revealing how she turned unimaginable adversity into hope and posttraumatic growth. Join Dr. Amen and Elizabeth as they review her brain scans and discuss the brain's response to trauma, the resilience factors that foster growth, and the actionable steps you can take to heal and thrive after life's toughest challenges.

00:00 Intro

01:30 Sponsor

02:38 Elizabeth

05:39 Before the Kidnapping

07:07 The Kidnapping

13:18 The First Days

19:46 The Kidnappers

32:25 Mental State During Captivity

39:10 Rescue

53:15 The Aftermath/Panic Attacks

58:45 Processing the Trauma

1:04:24 Post-Traumatic Growth

1:09:50 The 4 Circles/BRIGHT MINDS Risk Factors

1:16:00 Elizabeth's SPECT Brain Scans

1:23:12 Final Impressions

1:24:36 Sponsor

1:26:02 Wrap Up

Psilocybin for Mental Health: The Hype, The Hope, and the Unknown Risks Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Psilocybin—the active compound in magic mushrooms—is being hailed as a game-changer for mental health. But what's the truth behind the buzz? In this must-see episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen share brain imaging insights, discuss the potential benefits for depression, and raise important questions about safety and long-term risks. Is this psychedelic drug the breakthrough people hope for—or another psychiatric misstep?

00:00 Intro

00:43 Psilocybin

05:00 Why Take Mushrooms?

8:44 Transcendental Experiences

11:15 The Negative Effects of Psilocybin

15:06 Sponsor

16:20 The Neuropsychological Effects of Nicotine

21:19 What are the Drawbacks?

23:23 Second Hand Smoke

27:33 Quitting Smoking

29:09 Wrap Up