Popcorn Brain: Why we can't focus episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 30, 2025 · 1 MIN

Popcorn Brain: Why we can't focus

from The Daily Note with James A. Brown

This is the Daily Note. I'm James A. Brown. Harvard researchers call it popcorn brain.When your mind jumps around like kernels in hot oil, you can't focus, you can't disconnect, and you're always scrolling. And no Wonder. Every minute, 139 million reels play on Instagram and Facebook. And our brains weren't built for all this.And now we're addicted to the popping. The researchers who coined the term say we should limit ourselves to 20 minutes a day of scrolling twice a day. And honestly, good luck with all that.When the average person checks their phone 96 times daily, that's once every 10 minutes, we're awake. So what do you think? Is your mind popping, too? And how should we address this? Let me know on jamesabrown.net, or on that note. I'm James A. Brown, and as always, be well.How to reach me:Email me: [email protected] or text me at  (585) 371-8865.Leave me a voice memo thedailynote.net/contactPartner with us or join The Daily Note radio network by checking out thedailynote.net/partnerAvailable on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, and wherever podcasts are heard.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

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Popcorn Brain: Why we can't focus

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This episode was published on September 30, 2025.

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This is the Daily Note. I'm James A. Brown. Harvard researchers call it popcorn brain.When your mind jumps around like kernels in hot oil, you can't focus, you can't disconnect, and you're always scrolling. And no Wonder. Every minute, 139 million...

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