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PODCAST · health

Brainthropology

by Speakeasy Podcast Network

Brainthropology Noun /brānTHrəˈpäləjē/ the study of optimizing brain health for peak performance in life the science of the human brain, especially the study of its influence over sensations, emotions, mental abilities, and function in daily life ----------- You carry around a three-pound, wrinkly mass of tissue in your head that is the control center, enabling you to simultaneously think, move, feel emotions, and sense the world around you. It controls every single thing you will ever do including every breath, thought, emotion, and heartbeat. This amazing supercomputer is your brain and you have the ability to improve its functioning no matter your age or condition. On this podcast, we educate our listeners on the potential of the human brain, how to optimize its abilities, and equip you to find solutions when it has been altered by life, illness, or an injury. Our unique programming offers practical applications, exercises, expert int

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Episodes

  1. 28B: Mindful Eating: Cultivating Presence Through Food

    In this episode, Dr. Barbara Branca guides you through the practice of mindful eating, an exercise in bringing full awareness to the simple act of eating. To participate, you'll need a small morsel of food as Dr. Branca leads you in a meditation that highlights how mindfulness enhances...

  2. 27B: Transforming Moods: Mindfulness Tools for Emotional Balance

    In this episode, Dr. Barbara Branca explores the practice of elevating difficult moods through mindfulness. By bringing mindful awareness to our emotions, we can learn to transform feelings of frustration into a sense of peace. Dr. Branca introduces practical tools to help alleviate challenging...

  3. 26B: Exploring Vedana: Mindfulness of Feeling

    In this episode, Dr. Barbara Branca introduces the concept of Vedana, the mindfulness of feeling, which refers to the quality or tone of our experiences—whether pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral. Dr. Branca guides you through practices designed to heighten your awareness of your surroundings…

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  4. 25B: Mindful Listening: Harnessing the Power of Sound

    In the second half of our series on trauma and healing, Dr. Barbara Branca guides you through a mindfulness meditation centered on the sense of sound. This episode focuses on training your attention to be fully present with the sounds around you, a practice especially beneficial for those who…

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  5. 25A: Healing from Trauma: Exploring Treatment Options with Dr. Judy Malinowski

    In this episode, host Debbie Loftus welcomes back Dr. Judy Malinowski, a clinical psychologist and expert in trauma, to delve into the various treatment options available for trauma recovery. Building on their previous discussion about the effects of trauma on the brain, Dr. Malinowski provides…

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  6. 24B: Breath as Medicine: Deep Breathing for Stress Relief

    Dr. Barbara Branca shifts focus to the calming power of deep breathing practices. In this episode, Dr. Branca discusses how something as simple as mindful breathing can have profound effects on your nervous system, helping to ease stress and tension. She guides listeners through practical...

  7. 24A: The Trauma Effect: Understanding Its Impact on the Brain with Dr. Judy Malinowski

    In this enlightening introduction episode, host Debbie Loftus is joined by clinical psychologist Dr. Judy Malinowski to explore the profound effects of trauma on the brain. As an expert in the field, Dr. Malinowski provides valuable insights into how traumatic experiences can alter brain function...

  8. 23B: Three-Minute Reset: Finding Calm

    In the second half of this podcast, Dr. Barbara Branca introduces the Three-Minute Breathing Space, a powerful meditation tool developed by the creators of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. This episode guides you through two practice sessions, demonstrating how this simple yet effective...

  9. 23A: I Have a Brain Injury, Now What? - Part 2

    In part two of the "I Have a Brain Injury, Now What?" series, co-hosts Jessica Smith and Debbie Loftus continue their exploration of life after a brain injury. Following their discussion on the care team in the part of the series, they now focus on the immediate personality changes that often…

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  10. 22B: Rewiring Self-Perception: Compassion Over Judgment

    Dr. Barbara Branca leads a meditation focused on identifying and transforming self-judgment. This episode dives into the importance of shifting thought patterns, particularly when negative thinking has become an ingrained habit. Dr. Branca guides you through practices designed to replace harsh...

  11. 22A: I Have a Brain Injury, Now What? - Part 1

    Episode Description:In the first episode of the series "I Have a Brain Injury, Now What?" co-hosts Jessica Smith and Debbie Loftus provide essential resources for those navigating the complexities of brain injury. Whether you’ve experienced a brain injury yourself or know someone who has, this...

  12. 21B: Self-Compassion Break: Embracing Kindness

    In the second half of our enlightening series, Dr. Barbara Branca introduces the powerful meditation tool known as the Self-Compassion Break. Based on the golden rule of treating others as you would treat yourself, this episode delves into the importance of self-kindness and compassion. Dr.…

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  13. 21A: Voice Renewed: Supporting Aphasia Recovery

    In this insightful episode of "Voice Renewed," host Jessica Smith welcomes speech pathologists Sue Tucker and Annie Lauria to discuss therapeutic strategies for individuals living with Aphasia. Aphasia, a condition resulting from brain damage that impairs speech comprehension and expression, and...

  14. 20B: Mindful Beginnings: Establishing Your Meditation Practice

    Join Dr. Barbara Branca in the second half of this enlightening series as she guides you through the essentials of starting your own meditation practice. In "Mindful Beginnings," Dr. Branca discusses the importance of mindful meditation and addresses common questions such as where, how, and when…

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  15. 20A: Nurturing Minds: Cognitive Therapy and Memory Support

    In this episode of "Nurturing Minds," host Jessica Smith is joined by speech pathologists Sue Tucker and Annie Lauria to explore the transformative world of cognitive therapy. Together, they delve into the challenges faced by individuals with memory issues and cognitive difficulties, offering...

  16. 19B: Self-Compassion Through the Body

    Have you ever wondered how you can be more compassionate toward your mind and body? In this episode, Dr. Barbara Branca brings a kind awareness of what Self-compassion is. During today’s meditation, you will be guided to bring focus to various parts of your body while cultivating kindness and an...

  17. 19A: LoveYourBrain: Building Resilience and Community

    Learn about the LoveYourBrain Foundation with host, Courtney Wang and LoveYourBrain Training and Clinical Affiliate Manager, Jackie Farrell. The LoveYourBrain foundation is on a mission to improve the quality of life of people affected by traumatic brain injury through programs that build…

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  18. 18B: Breath Practice for Moderate Stress

    Join Dr. Branca in this calming meditation, designed to show you two tools for dealing with a moderate level of stress—the breath and the imagining of a natural setting. Breathing is not just for oxygen but it’s linked to brain function and behavior. Slow deep breathing activates the...

  19. 18A: Fall Prevention

    Did you know that every 20 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall, resulting in approximately 34,000 preventable deaths a year? In today’s episode, host Debbie Loftus talks with PT experts Shelly Roller (PT, MPT, CPPS) and Amanda Kelch (PT, DPT, MHS, NCS) to explore topics that range from...

  20. 17B: The Brain Under Stress

    In this mindfulness meditation episode, Dr. Branca outlines the impact of stress, especially chronic and severe stress, on various brain structures and our behavior. The practice of mindfulness meditation has been shown to significantly reduce stress, including physical signs of stress such as…

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  21. 17A: Vestibular Rehabilitation

    Have you ever been dizzy or had vertigo? On today’s podcast, you will learn what the vestibular system is and what happens when there is a problem with this system. Host Debbie Loftus sits down with Shelly Roller (PT, MPT, CPPS) and Amanda Kelch (PT, DPT, MHS, NCS) to talk about what Vestibular...

  22. 16B: Creating a Calming Corner

    One important piece of meditation is the space that you’re in. A great idea is to make a calming corner in your house full of your favorite calming items and a place to feel safe. Join Laney Wang and Zoe Wang as they discuss how calming corners help them and demonstrate a breathing and calming...

  23. 16A: Beyond the Basics of Vision Rehabilitation

    Vision is our dominant sense and one of the main ways that we interact with our world. When the vision system isn’t working as intended after an injury, illness, or even for development reasons, it can lead to many challenges such as difficulty with driving, difficulty going into stores, anxiety,...

  24. 15B: Mindfulness Meditation: Cultivating Self-Care

    Do you struggle to bring compassion to yourself? It is essential to cultivate self-care and self-compassion and then you can extend that to others. Dr. Barbaranne Branca invites you to use your breath to reconnect with the present moment and guides you through loving and nurturing yourself in…

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  25. 15A: Sexuality in Rehabilitation

    Sex, sexuality, and intimacy during the rehabilitation journey are something rarely discussed. Erin Fishman, a board-certified occupational therapist, and certified brain injury specialist shares her knowledge and experience in this area to make sure not only clients after injury or illness have...

  26. 14B: Mindfulness Meditation: A Breathing Anchor for your Wandering Mind

    Did you know we produce up to 80,000 thoughts per day?! With that said, it is ideal to be able to train the attention span and mind. You can use your breath as an anchor as your mind starts to wander. Dr. Branca teaches you how to use your breathing anchor to root your awareness into the present...

  27. 14A: A Survivor's Tale: Warrior Goddess

    You are not alone. That is what Alice wants you to know as she shares her story of not one but two brain injuries. Alice’s story will inspire you as she shares how she confronted her challenges head-on (in true warrior goddess fashion) to overcome not only her TBIs but her fears and anxiety!…

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  28. 13B: Mindfulness Meditation: Awareness of a Problem

    Dr. Barbaranne Branca uses breath work to guide you through looking at an issue or problem without jumping to solutions or ways to fix it right away. There are times getting stuck in that solution loop can result in anxiety, which is not helpful or beneficial. Instead, we can use this guided...

  29. 13A: Depression; Symptoms and Treatment

    Debbie and Courtney sit down with Dr. Judy Malinowski, PhD and clinical psychologist in part 2 of their series. They continue their journey on discussing topics from diagnosis and symptoms of depression to exposing the risk factors and the current treatment options that are available to move…

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  30. 12B: Kid Lead Mindfulness: Rainbow Breathing

    Join host Courtney Wang and her daughter, Laney Wang, as 8-year-old Laney explains rainbow breathing and how to use this technique to calm yourself when stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. This meditation practice is kid and adult-friendly! Show Notes Brainthropology Noun /brānTHrəˈpäləjē/ the…

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  31. 12A: Part 1: Anxiety and the current mental health crisis the world is facing post pandemic

    Debbie and Courtney sit down with Dr. Judy Malinowski, PhD and clinical psychologist, in a 2 part series to dive into the important topics of anxiety and depression. Today’s topic focuses on anxiety and the current mental health crisis the world is facing post-pandemic. Tune in to learn about the...

  32. 11B: Mindfulness of the Body: Using the Body as an Anchor

    In this meditation, Dr. Branca guides you through a body scan to teach about mindfulness of the whole body. Much of the time, we are not present in the experience we are in, but rather we rush, hurry, and worry about getting to the next thing. It has become so normal in our culture to leave the...

  33. 11A: Energy Conservation: Save the Spoons!

    Debbie Loftus and Jessica Smith discuss various energy conservation theories, why it is important, and the four “P’s” of saving energy! Show Resources: https://butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/ Show Notes Brainthropology Noun /brānTHrəˈpäləjē/ the study of...

  34. 10B: Mindfulness Meditation: How is Your Day Going?

    The intention of this meditation is to be aware of how your day is really going at this moment. You have the ability to alter the day if your day is not going as intended. Dr. Branca guides you through meditation to first arrive in the present moment, gives strategies if you are feeling your mind...

  35. 10A:  A Survivor’s Tale: Enjoy the Journey

    Jonathan and Shirley sit down with Meg Scaling and share their stories together, including the lows and highs after their brain injuries. This episode will tug at your heartstrings as well as have you laughing with them. Jonathan and Shirley each have different, unique experiences, and they do an...

  36. 09B: Mindfulness Meditation: Forgiveness

    Dr. Branca calmly guides you through creating a peaceful environment by inviting you to allow for openness and forgiveness. Complete mindfulness is impossible if you hold grudges. It’s hard to take the necessary steps towards becoming the best version of yourself, but performing this meditation...

  37. 09A: Self-Advocacy: Setting Yourself Up for Success

    Self-advocacy is the ability to articulate one’s needs and make informed decisions about the support necessary to meet those needs. It is an essential skill to learn and use in life. Whether you are advocating for yourself, a loved one, or teaching your children how to advocate, this podcast will...

  38. 08B: Daily Practice for Love and Happiness

    Dr. Barbaranne Branca gracefully guides us through practicing compassion for ourselves and others. She reminds us that we are all the same- seeking love, happiness, and the feeling of connection. Allow her to guide you through this meditation that you can use not only today, but for future days…

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  39. 08A: Medicare: Questions, Terminology, and Tips for Selecting Medicare Plans

    Are you confused about all of the Medicare information out there? Jessica sits down with Megan Berry, a licensed clinical master’s level social worker, and together they break down some questions about Medicare, terminology that is important to know, and some rules that apply that could save you...

  40. 07B: Mindfulness of the Breath

    Dr. Barbaranne Branca invites you to increase your awareness of what happens in your mind. It allows you to be more present with yourself and others. This leads to a more fulfilling life! Today’s meditation uses the breath as a foundation and then uses noting to explore feelings. Mental noting is…

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  41. 07A: Concussion: Symptoms and Triggers

    Join our Brainthropology team as we explore the signs and symptoms of a brain injury. We examine many of the mood, physical, memory, and cognitive challenges that are common. Be encouraged and empowered with the knowledge that you are not alone and there are strategies that can help! Concussion...

  42. 06B: Focused Meditation on Awareness of People That Are Just Like You!

    Dr. Barbaranne Branca invites you to increase your awareness of the people around you and challenges you to focus your thoughts on their similarities instead of their differences. Today’s guided meditation takes you on a journey that leads you to a better understanding of your thoughts and what…

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  43. 06A: Concussion: The Invisible Injury

    Do you ever wonder what is happening to the brain during a concussion? In today’s episode, Meg and Debbie break down what a concussion is, describe the symptoms, and provide simple ways to manage a concussion based on the latest available research. Episode Notes: Concussion handout and symptom...

  44. 05B: Compassion for Our Emotions

    Do you ever feel that you judge your own emotions? This guided meditation will help cultivate greater compassion for your own emotional experiences. Dr. Barbaranne Branca will facilitate us to hold our emotions with care instead of judgement. Show Notes Brainthropology Noun /brānTHrəˈpäləjē/ the...

  45. 05A: Foundational Knowledge of the Brain: Lobes, Limbic System, Brain Stem, and More

    Did you know your brain is responsible for emotions, memory, heart rate, breathing, hormone regulation, vision, and motor movements?! Debbie Loftus and Meg Scaling discuss more foundational knowledge of the brain, the various parts of the brain and what they do, and the different lobes of the…

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  46. 04B: Window of Tolerance

    Emotional ups and downs are normal- but what can we do when they lead to distress? The window of tolerance will help with the first step, which is recognizing the emotional dysfunction, in order to bring you back to regulated emotional functioning. The window of tolerance is a useful tool that...

  47. 04A: Introduction to the Spinal Cord, Nerves, and Reflexes

    Interested in details about your spinal cord and the nerves that come from it? In this episode, we give foundational knowledge about the anatomy and function of the spinal cord. We also discuss peripheral nerves that influence our brain and bodies. The spinal cord is responsible for some of our...

  48. 03B: Mindfulness Meditation of the Breath

    In this mindfulness Part B episode, Dr. Barbaranne Branca guides you through meditation with focus on the breath. The breath is something that is always with you and something you can always come back to. It is the thread of life that connects all events from birth to death and as we practice, we...

  49. 03A: Right and Left Dominance in our Brain and Bodies

    Did you know your brain has two sides that are unique to the qualities they display? Each of us use both sides and each side communicates to each other, but just like we have a dominant hand, we also have a dominant side of the brain. Tune in to this episode to learn about how our dominant side…

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  50. 02B: Guided Body Scan Meditation

    We welcome you to participate in this body scan guided meditation. Whether you are a beginner or are advanced in meditation practice, you will find benefit from this episode. In only 12 minutes, Dr. Barbaranne can help you melt away this week's stress and calm your body to help you feel more...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Brainthropology Noun /brānTHrəˈpäləjē/ the study of optimizing brain health for peak performance in life the science of the human brain, especially the study of its influence over sensations, emotions, mental abilities, and function in daily life

----------- You carry around a three-pound, wrinkly mass of tissue in your head that is the control center, enabling you to simultaneously think, move, feel emotions, and sense the world around you. It controls every single thing you will ever do including every breath, thought, emotion, and heartbeat. This amazing supercomputer is your brain and you have the ability to improve its functioning no matter your age or condition. On this podcast, we educate our listeners on the potential of the human brain, how to optimize its abilities, and equip you to find solutions when it has been altered by life, illness, or an injury. Our unique programming offers practical applications, exercises, expert int

HOSTED BY

Speakeasy Podcast Network

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Brainthropology have?

Brainthropology currently has 52 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Brainthropology about?

Brainthropology Noun /brānTHrəˈpäləjē/ the study of optimizing brain health for peak performance in life the science of the human brain, especially the study of its influence over sensations, emotions, mental abilities, and function in daily life ----------- You carry around a three-pound, wrinkly...

How often does Brainthropology release new episodes?

Brainthropology has 52 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Brainthropology?

You can listen to Brainthropology on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Brainthropology?

Brainthropology is created and hosted by Speakeasy Podcast Network.
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