Spiritual Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren - Dr. Lee Warren

Latest Episodes:

A Big Announcement, and a Short Encouragement Aug 12, 2025

Show notes

A special announcement regarding the future of Spiritual Brain Surgery, and a short encouragement for you.

Resources and Links:
📖 My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You

🎙️ ⁠Subscribe to The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast⁠for weekly strategies to change your brain and life.

📖 Grab my book ⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠.

(00:05) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
(00:44) - Podcast on Hiatus
(01:29) - Preparing for Book Launch
(03:42) - Changes in Podcast Structure
(05:00) - Website Updates
(07:34) - Importance of Support
(10:54) - Abundant Life Amidst Hardship
(17:35) - Transforming Trauma into Strength
(19:05) - The Beauty of Resilience
(23:46) - A New Chapter Ahead

Body Image Is a Brain Problem, Not a Vanity Issue with Leanne Ellington Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

You’ve been told that body image is about self-esteem. Or confidence. Or that it’s just a “vanity issue” you need to pray your way out of. But what if the issue isn’t your reflection, but it’s your wiring?

In this final episode of the Spiritual Brain Surgery takeover series, guest host Leanne Ellington dismantles one of the biggest lies women have been taught: that if we just loved ourselves more, the body shame would go away.

Through brain science, lived experience, and Spirit-led truth, Leanne reveals how body image isn’t a surface-level issue—it’s a deeply embedded neurological pattern. She shares the story of her own unraveling (even after losing 100 pounds), how the Anterior Cingulate Cortex shapes your self-image, and why your mirror might be reflecting trauma instead of truth.

You’ll walk away with a 3-step framework to start rewriting your self-image—God’s way:

Step 1: Unlearn the Lies – Dismantle the false beliefs you inherited about your worth, your body, and what makes you lovable, and take off the mental “backpack” you were never meant to carry.
Step 2: Regulate the Noise – Calm the inner static that keeps you stuck in fear and body shame by creating nervous system safety, so you can finally feel the love and truth God is offering.
Step 3: Rebuild the Mirror – Rewire the way you see yourself by aligning your self-image with how God already sees you: worthy, chosen, and delightfully made—right now, not 20 pounds from now.

This isn’t about body positivity. It’s about identity alignment.

Because when the mirror reflects how God sees you, you don’t have to fight to love yourself. You simply receive it.

Resources and Links

(00:05) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
(01:02) - Exploring Body Image and Shame
(02:17) - The Story of Transformation
(04:53) - The Weight of Body Image
(07:23) - Body Image: A Brain Problem
(11:37) - Understanding the Brain's Role
(13:01) - The Power of Neuroplasticity
(15:16) - Rewiring Your Self-Image
(17:30) - Framework for Transformation
(20:30) - Step-by-Step Healing Process
(22:57) - Finding Safety in Stillness
(25:11) - Rebuilding Your Mirror
(27:17) - Identity Alignment and Acceptance
(29:00) - Conclusion and Call to Action

Creating a Natural 'Ozempic Effect' in Your Brain (with Faith & Neuroscience), with Leanne Ellington Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Ozempic might be quieting the food noise for some women, but what happens when the medication wears off, the weight comes back, or the brain circuits underneath remain untouched?

In Part 2 of the Spiritual Brain Surgery takeover series, guest host Leanne Ellington dives into what she calls the brain-based "Ozempic Effect", a natural, sustainable way to quiet the food noise by working WITH your brain’s built-in circuitry for peace, safety, and self-control.

This episode isn’t here to judge the medication—or debate whether you should or shouldn’t take it. We’re not here to talk about the prescription- we’re here to talk about the pattern.

Because no matter how the food noise gets quieted, if you don’t rewire what’s underneath, it’s just a temporary fix.

Inside, Leanne breaks down:

The exact brain circuits that drive food obsession, and how emotional eating, cravings, and compulsive thoughts are wired in neurologically (not rooted in a lack of discipline)
Why medications like Ozempic can temporarily turn down the “food noise," but don’t rewire the deeper brain loops causing it in the first place
How to create a natural "Ozempic effect" in your brain by calming your nervous system, retraining your emotional coping patterns, and rewiring the food-seeking circuit, for good

This episode blends cutting-edge brain science with Spirit-led truth, and gives you a roadmap to heal your brain, reclaim your peace, and end the war with food once and for all.

Because when your brain is rewired for truth, the noise finally goes quiet.

Resources and Links

(00:05) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
(01:43) - The Ozempic Discussion Begins
(03:01) - Addressing Emotional Eating
(04:53) - Understanding the Food-Seeking Circuit
(07:12) - The Limitations of Ozempic
(08:53) - Creating the Natural Ozempic Effect
(11:55) - Rewiring Emotional Patterns
(16:02) - Transforming Beliefs and Identity
(20:32) - Recap and Key Takeaways
(25:24) - Upcoming Episode Teaser
(27:23) - Closing Thoughts and Farewell

The Spiritual Cost of Food and Body Fixation with Leanne Ellington Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

You think your struggle with food is about willpower. Or that your body image issues are just about confidence. But what if the real cost isn’t on the scale, but it’s actually in your spirit?

In this powerful opening to the Spiritual Brain Surgery takeover series, guest host Leanne Ellington pulls back the curtain on what food and body obsession is really stealing from you. From missed moments with your kids to constant inner criticism and spiritual disconnection, she exposes how fixation around food and your body hijacks your peace, your presence, and your identity.

But this isn’t just about the pain. It’s about the pathway to healing. Leanne reveals how your brain was designed by God to heal, and introduces the science behind how that healing actually happens—through identity rewiring, spiritual renewal, and working WITH your brain instead of against it.

This episode will help you:

Understand how food and body obsession hijacks your God-given peace, rewires your brain for fear and shame, and drains your spiritual bandwidth
Finally put words to the invisible war you’ve been fighting—between your faith and your fixation, your logic and your longings See why white-knuckling through cravings or repeating “I love my body” in the mirror won’t work if your nervous system still feels unsafe—and what to do instead to rewire it at the root
See why white-knuckling through cravings or repeating “I love my body” in the mirror won’t work if your nervous system still feels unsafe—and what to do instead to rewire it at the root

Because God doesn’t just want your body free. He wants you free.

Resources and Links

(00:05) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery Podcast
(01:36) - The Spiritual Cost of Food and Body Fixation
(04:35) - Exploring Ozempic and Brain Function
(05:37) - Understanding Body Image and Self-Worth
(08:00) - The Impact of Food Fixation on Spirituality
(12:08) - The Science of the Anterior Cingulate Cortex
(14:42) - Healing Beyond Discipline and Willpower
(16:57) - The Power of Renewing Your Mind
(19:26) - Naming the Bondage of Food Obsession
(21:30) - Steps to Awareness in Healing
(24:29) - Inviting God into the Healing Process
(27:11) - Repetition and Truth in Rewiring the Brain
(30:05) - Regulation: Calming the Nervous System
(31:15) - Integration of Science and Faith
(34:30) - Reclaiming Your Spiritual Bandwidth
(37:44) - Conclusion and Invitation for Further Healing

Jesus Understands Us (Tuesdays with Tata) Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Tuesdays with Tata on Spiritual Brain Surgery, we take a look at Jesus's role as our high priest.

Tata goes through the book of Hebrews and shows us that in Jesus, we have a priest who knows what we're going through, and thus understands us. Whatever you're facing, this episode will give you confidence that you have a friend you can trust to help you deal with it.
Resources and Links:
📖 My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You

🎙️ ⁠Subscribe to The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast⁠for weekly strategies to change your brain and life.

📖 Grab my book ⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠.

(00:05) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
(02:23) - Case for Christ in Hebrews
(19:25) - Learning Obedience Through Suffering
(28:49) - Comfort in Times of Suffering
(31:27) - The Presence of Our High Priest
(41:36) - A Prayer for the Hurting
(42:43) - Reflections on Suffering and Healing
(44:15) - Upcoming Episodes and Conclusion

Mattie Jackson Smith Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Mattie Jackson Smith's World Was Shattered
(Bringing you this bonus episode in preparation for a brand new conversation with Mattie that will drop Friday on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast)

Just shy of her one-year anniversary with her husband Ben, a seemingly small accident left her widowed and wondering where God was. Her story is full of grief, pain, and loss, but lands on hope and a future full of God's kept promises. Her book Lemons on Friday is one of the best books on finding your way through grief I've ever read, and Mattie is on the podcast today to give you hope!

Mattie's podcast is incredible: In Joy Life
(Click here to listen to my appearance on her show)
Mattie's book is available everywhere books are sold.

(00:06) - Introduction to Maddie Jackson-Smith
(02:07) - The Importance of Faith in Hard Times
(08:05) - Maddie's Journey Through Grief
(14:09) - The Struggles of Doubt and Anger
(19:34) - Identity and Acceptance in Loss
(24:38) - A Turning Point: Hands Up, Hands Off
(30:44) - Finding Redemption and New Joy
(32:55) - Advice for Those in Fresh Grief

Your Brain on Addiction, Recovery, Healing, and Hope: Caroline Beidler Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

This episode of The Spiritual Brain Surgery Podcast is guest-hosted by my good friend Caroline Beidler, a writer, and long-term recovery advocate.

Caroline shares her personal journey with addiction and trauma, emphasizing the complex and multifaceted nature of addiction. She discusses how understanding the biological impacts of substance use and the concept of neuroplasticity can foster recovery and healing. Caroline critiques outdated campaigns like 'This is Your Brain on Drugs,' advocating for a hopeful approach to addiction that combines faith, community, and grace. The discussion includes insights into how recovery can restore cognitive function and emotional stability, providing a message of hope for individuals and their loved ones struggling with addiction.

This one will help you if you're struggling with these issues, or if you love someone who is in recovery, dealing with addiction, or suffering from trauma or tragedy.

Chapters

0:10 Introduction to Recovery and Hope

2:38 Caroline Takes the Helm

4:14 Understanding Addiction and Its Impact

7:39 The Truth About Addiction

10:34 The Science of Recovery

17:02 Neuroplasticity and Change

21:43 Healing Through Recovery

22:57 Embracing the Promise of Recovery

24:03 Conclusion and Resources

Links and resources
Caroline's website
Caroline's most recent book, You Are Not Your Trauma
Caroline's book, Downstairs Church
Circle of Chairs, Caroline's powerful Substack community

(00:10) - Introduction to Recovery and Hope
(02:38) - Caroline Takes the Helm
(04:14) - Understanding Addiction and Its Impact
(07:39) - The Truth About Addiction
(10:34) - The Science of Recovery
(17:02) - Neuroplasticity and Change
(21:43) - Healing Through Recovery
(22:57) - Embracing the Promise of Recovery
(24:03) - Conclusion and Resources

A Template for Life-Changing Prayer (Tuesdays with Tata) Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Tuesdays with Tata on Spiritual Brain Surgery, Dr. Lee Warren and Tata delve into the significance of the Lord's Prayer as a model for personal prayer. They explore the impact of each part of the prayer, emphasizing the importance of connecting with God relationally, seeking His will, and relying on His provisions.

They also discuss handling temptation, spiritual warfare, and the necessity to forgive others. The conversation highlights the global community's need for prayer and support, and culminates with Tata leading a heartfelt prayer.

Chapters
Introduction and Technological Feats
A Funny Running Incident
Community and Prayer Requests
The Lord's Prayer and Its Significance
Understanding God's Will and Suffering
Understanding the Lord's Prayer
Daily Dependence on God
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Spiritual Warfare and Temptation
The Power and Glory of God
The Importance of Prayer
Closing Prayer and Reflections

Resources and Links:
📖 My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You

🎙️ ⁠Subscribe to The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast⁠for weekly strategies to change your brain and life.

📖 Grab my book ⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠.

(00:09) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
(00:46) - New Technology Breakthrough
(04:42) - The Importance of Prayer
(07:07) - Understanding the Lord's Prayer
(11:17) - Connecting with God Relationally
(14:25) - The Role of Free Will
(18:54) - Spiritual Warfare and Temptation
(24:24) - Closing Thoughts on Prayer
(26:30) - Encouragement to Practice Prayer
(32:33) - Conclusion and Next Steps

The Neurobiology of Suffering: Bridging Faith and Science Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Lee Warren dives deep into the neurobiology of suffering, building on last week's theological exploration of the same topic. He emphasizes the importance of understanding both the spiritual and scientific perspectives on suffering to effectively manage it. The discussion covers the physiological processes involved in pain perception and chronic pain syndromes, highlighting the roles of neuroplasticity and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Dr. Warren shares insights from medical research and personal experiences, offering practical steps to help individuals reframe and revalue their pain for better mental health. He also underscores the significance of integrating faith and science to navigate through life's challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Recap

01:33 The Neurobiology of Suffering

10:54 Understanding Pain Processing

17:11 Chronic Pain and Neuroplasticity

25:54 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Hope

35:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources and Links:
📖 My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You

🎙️ ⁠Subscribe to The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast⁠for weekly strategies to change your brain and life.

📖 Grab my book ⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠.

(00:08) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
(00:44) - The Neurobiology of Suffering
(04:14) - Understanding Pain and Suffering
(09:06) - Chronic Pain and Its Impact
(11:38) - Pain Processing and Survival
(24:44) - Neuroplasticity and Chronic Pain
(26:29) - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Insights
(31:17) - Reframing Pain and Suffering
(35:23) - Embracing Neurobiology for Healing

A Hard Look at Suffering Jun 11, 2025

Show notes

If God is Good, Why is There Suffering?

A hard look at the biggest question: why is life so hard if God loves us?

Here's a look at the answer, and what to do about it!

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, Proverbs 2:10

Book Mentioned: Is God Real?by Lee Strobel
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
01:00 Purpose and Vision of the Podcast
01:41 Exploring the Topic of Suffering
01:43 Revisiting Early Episodes
02:08 The Neurobiology of Suffering
02:28 Season Two and Subscriber Information
03:35 Deep Dive into Suffering
03:57 Personal Reflections on Suffering
04:43 Theodicy and Philosophical Questions
05:31 Listener Questions and Chronic Suffering
06:30 Personal Story and Theodicy
12:22 Philosophical Insights on Suffering
18:20 The Bear Analogy
20:32 Understanding Suffering Through Analogy
21:51 God's Perspective on Suffering
22:22 The Role of Free Will in Suffering
23:11 The Origin of Human Suffering
23:56 The Bigger Picture of Good and Evil
24:21 Critiquing God and the Long Narrative
25:53 God's Plan for Redemption
27:00 Personal Growth Through Suffering
29:23 The Purpose of Suffering
34:43 The Story of the Thai Cave Rescue
38:19 The Ongoing Battle Against Evil
39:31 Finding Strength in Faith

Resources and Links:
📖 My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You

🎙️ ⁠Subscribe to The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast⁠for weekly strategies to change your brain and life.

📖 Grab my book ⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠.

(00:08) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
(00:44) - The Purpose of Suffering
(03:25) - Exploring the Neurobiology of Suffering
(03:51) - Why We Suffer
(05:42) - The Nature of God and Suffering
(10:41) - Theodicy and Our Questions
(15:28) - Finding Hope in Suffering
(20:27) - Perspective on Suffering
(25:05) - Growth Through Pain
(31:05) - The Purpose Behind Our Suffering
(32:10) - God’s Presence in Our Pain
(35:29) - The Story of Redemption
(38:17) - Conclusion: The Answer is Jesus

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