Join us as we welcome Trish Turo, MS, NBC-HWC, a national board-certified health and wellness coach, brain health educator, and researcher, to the Let's Talk Brain Health podcast.

In this episode, Trish shares her extensive experience in brain health coaching, highlighting the interconnectedness of mind and body.

She discusses the role of brain health coaching in promoting healthy lifestyle changes, preventing cognitive decline, and enhancing overall well-being.

Learn how personalized coaching plans can transform your brain health and discover the importance of small, joy-filled steps in achieving lasting change.

Tune in for valuable insights and practical tips to prioritize your cognitive well-being.

0:00 Introduction to Trish Turo, MS, NBC-HWC

01:00 Trish's Personal and Professional Background

01:29 Understanding Brain Health Coaching

03:25 The Role and Impact of Brain Health Coaches

06:47 Personalized Brain Health Coaching

17:48 Success Stories and Future of Brain Health Coaching

23:26 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Resources:

• Connect with Trish on LinkedIn and Instagram (@CoachTrish)

• Check out her book- “A Kids Book About Healthy Habit” on Amazon

  Learn more about how "Nature Supports Our Optimal Brain Health" with our ⁠previous podcast conversation⁠ with Dr. Melissa Sundermann, DO

In this episode, we welcome Magda Kaczmarska, a dance artist, neuropharmacology researcher, and executive director of Dance Stream Projects, a nonprofit that promotes brain health through dance.

Magda shares her journey from neuropharmacology to dance, exploring the overlap between systematic scientific research and artistic expression.

She highlights the benefits of dance for brain health, including its impact on vascular and cognitive functions, mood improvement, and empathy enhancement.

Magda also discusses her innovative dance programs for older adults and people living with dementia, emphasizing the therapeutic value and social connections formed through movement.

Join us as Magda enlightens us on how dance can serve as a powerful tool for lifelong brain health and well-being.

00:00 Introduction to Magda Kaczmarska, MFA

01:13 The Intersection of Dance and Neuroscience

04:36 Mental, Physical, and Social Benefits of Dance

05:50 Dance and Brain Health Research

12:35 Creative Aging Programs for Older Adults

13:31 The Importance of Facilitating Dance Safely

14:44 Stories in the Moment: A Dance Program for Dementia

21:57 Personal Reflections and Success Stories

24:49 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Resources:

• To further explore how dance can benefit your brain health, connect with Magda and her nonprofit Dance Stream Projects.

• Explore Magda’s article “Valuing embodiment: insights from dance practice among people living with dementia” online here.

• Connect with Madga on LinkedIn to continue the conversation.

Join us as we welcome back Maggie Moon, an award-winning brain health nutritional specialist and the author of 'The Mind Diet, Second Edition.'

In this episode of 'Let's Talk Brain Health,' Maggie discusses her latest research and the updates included in her new book that launched on December 3, 2024!

Discover how the MIND diet—a blend of the Mediterranean diet and DASH diet—can reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disease and enhance brain function.

Learn about Maggie's efforts to adapt the MIND diet for diverse cultural backgrounds, such as the Korean diet, and how nostalgia for certain foods can impact our dietary choices.

Tune in to get practical tips, MIND diet food swaps, and easy-to-follow strategies to incorporate brain-healthy habits into your daily life.

Don't miss Maggie's insights on building a resilient brain through nutrition.

00:00 Introduction to Maggie Moon and Her Work

01:03 Recent Activities and New Book Announcement

02:25 Understanding the MIND Diet

04:57 Adapting the MIND Diet to Different Cultures

08:54 The Science of Food Nostalgia

14:39 Practical Tips for Adopting the MIND Diet

16:12 New Recipes and Ingredient Accessibility

20:20 Building a Resilient Brain with the MIND Diet

27:09 Rapid Fire: Food Swaps and Snack Ideas

29:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources:

• Learn more about Maggie’s work on her website

• Listen to Maggie’s initial conversation with us on the MIND Diet in Episode 16

• Receive MIND Diet meals and tips directly in your inbox- email sign-up.

  Explore Maggie's new book “The MIND Diet: 2nd Edition: A Scientific Approach to Enhancing Brain Function and Helping Prevent Alzheimer's and Dementia”

Join us in this episode of the Let's Talk Brain Health podcast as we welcome Jess Brain, a certified brain fitness trainer, laughter leader, and aerobics instructor.

Jess shares her journey from struggling with exams in college to discovering the holistic benefits of brain health and laughter.

Discussing the extensive research on the neurological and physical benefits of laughter, Jess explains how it enhances dopamine, serotonin, acetylcholine, endorphins, and oxytocin levels while reducing cortisol.

The conversation also covers how laughter can improve cognitive resilience, immune function, and overall well-being.

Jess offers practical tips for integrating laughter into daily life and highlights the importance of a joyful mindset for optimal brain function.

00:00 Welcome to Let's Talk Brain Health

00:36 Jess Brain's Journey to Brain and Laughter

02:14 The Science Behind Laughter and Brain Health

06:31 Laughter's Impact on Different Age Groups

11:57 Gender Differences in Laughter

16:12 Practical Tips for Incorporating Laughter

20:30 Unexpected Benefits of Laughter

22:01 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

• Learn more about Jess on her website.

• Connect with Jess on Instagram or Facebook.
  

Join us in this enlightening episode of the Let's Talk Brain Health podcast as we delve into the world of biofeedback and mental health technology.

Featuring Noga Sapir, CEO and founder of Reflect Innovation, and Dr. Michal Gruberger, a leading neuroscientist, we explore the innovative Reflect Orb.

Designed for effective stress management and self-regulation, the Reflect Orb combines science, technology, and creativity.

Discover personal journeys, groundbreaking research, and real-world applications that make brain care accessible and transformative.

Learn how biofeedback can enhance mindfulness practices and improve resilience while exploring the future of brain health technology.

Don't miss the insights from two pioneering figures in the neurotech ecosystem on making personalized mental wellness a reality for everyone.

00:00 Meet Our Guests

01:41 Noga's Personal Journey with Anxiety

06:24 Understanding Biofeedback with Noga Sapir

08:30 The Science Behind Reflect Orb with Dr. Michal Gruberger

15:24 Success Stories and Testimonials

20:15 Integrating Reflect Orb into Daily Life

24:59 The Future of Biofeedback Technology

27:36 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

Resources:

• Explore the Reflect Orb on their website
• Revisit our previous podcast conversation "Understanding the Neuroscience of Bullying & Its Impact on the Brain: A Conversation with Dr. Jennifer Fraser, Ph.D."
• Connect with Noga Sapir and Dr. Michal Gruberger on LinkedIn

In this episode of the 'Let's Talk Brain Health' podcast, Dr. Michael Foti, Vice President of NAMI and a clinical assistant professor, shares his personal and professional journey through anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a frontline healthcare worker, Dr. Foti experienced severe mental health challenges and learned important lessons about self-care and mental wellness. He discusses his memoir 'Grief' and the impact of unprocessed grief on mental health.

Dr. Foti also shares insights on destigmatizing mental illness, especially in the medical community, and emphasizes the importance of self-compassion and personal well-being to better support others.

Tune in to uncover strategies for managing mental health and learn how fostering brain health can help navigate life's challenges.

00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Dr. Michael Foti

01:30 Dr. Foti's Personal Mental Health Journey

02:34 Challenges and Overcoming Mental Health Struggles

05:11 Effective Strategies for Managing Mental Health

08:44 The Impact of Grief on Mental Health

11:49 Addressing Mental Health Stigma

15:17 Supporting Loved Ones Through Mental Health Struggles

16:14 Insights from Dr. Foti's Book 'Grief'

17:20 Future Challenges and Opportunities in Mental Health

21:07 Final Thoughts and Advice on Mental Health

Resources:

• Learn more about Dr. Foti’s new book “Grief: A Doctor’s Battle with Anxiety and Depression”

• Explore the many resources provided by the National Institute of Mental Illness (NAMI)

• Connect with Dr. Foti on LinkedIn and Instagram

In this episode, Amir Bozorgzadeh, CEO and co-founder of VirtuLeap, discusses his journey from founding tech startups to diving into the world of virtual reality (VR) and brain health science.

Amir shares how VR technology, notably enhanced by VirtuLeap’s flagship product 'Enhanced VR,' is being used for therapeutic purposes and cognitive assessment.

He highlights the significant potential of VR in treating conditions like ADHD and early-stage Alzheimer's, alongside the broader implications of integrative data from multiple human systems.

Amir also touches on the impact of social media on attention spans, introducing the concept of 'TikTok brain,' and emphasizing the need for personalized care through advanced data collection and analysis.

The conversation concludes with insights into the broader applications of VR in healthcare, research opportunities, and Amir's personal commitment to brain health.

00:00 Introduction to Amir Bozorgzadeh

00:35 Amir's Journey into Virtual Reality

02:30 Understanding Virtual Reality

04:04 VR and Brain Health

05:56 The Cognition Crisis and TikTok Brain

07:58 Virtuleap's Flagship Product: Enhanced VR

09:42 CogniClear VR: Screening for Cognitive Impairment

10:57 The Power of Data in VR

14:40 Applications and Future of VR in Healthcare

25:12 Personal Insights and Final Thoughts

Resources

• Learn more about Virtuleap on their website
• Connect with Amir on LinkedIn, YouTube, or email amir@virtuleap.com

In this episode of the Let's Talk Brain Health podcast, host Krystal interviews Rena Yudkowsky, a professional memory coach and geriatric social worker. With over 20 years of experience, Rena offers valuable insights on how midlifers and seniors can maintain and improve their memory.

She discusses her journey into gerontology, the importance of memory health, and differentiates between normal age-related memory changes and signs of cognitive decline. The episode also provides practical tips—including the 'Forget Me Not Spot,' mental imagery, and sensory engagement—to enhance memory.

Rena highlights four key lifestyle factors—diet, exercise, social stimulation, and cognitive engagement—that play crucial roles in brain health.

The episode concludes with Rena emphasizing the importance of confidence in aging and some emerging trends in memory enhancement technologies.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:06 Rena's Background and Passion for Memory Coaching

02:38 Understanding Memory Health

05:12 Normal vs. Abnormal Memory Changes

09:35 Practical Tips to Boost Memory

18:45 Lifestyle Factors for Memory Health

22:16 Challenges and Overcoming Memory Issues

25:09 Future of Memory Enhancement and Brain Health

26:22 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

Resources:

• Learn more about Rena and her work on her website.

• Join Rena’s MPower “brain training Whatsapp group”

• Read more about memory in Rena’s chapter on memory in the “Caregivers Advocate” book by Debbie Compton