Change Your Brain Every Day

Throughout their careers, Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Nancy Bohl-Penrod have seen first-hand the importance of peer support to the healing process. In this last episode in a series on first responders and the brain, Dr. Amen and Dr. Bohl-Penrod share some of their personal stories of how EMDR turned other people's lives around.

Our first responders often operate in the most toxic environments, but, until recently, little or no effort has been made to keep those toxins contained. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Nancy Bohl-Penrod discuss the lessons learned by the first responder community after 9/11 and the steps that are being taken to improve conditions.

First responders are or on the frontline of the war for our health, and, as a result, they can often suffer in silence. After all, who is going to help the helpers? In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Dr. Nancy Bohl-Penrod discuss the symptoms most often seen, the factors that are causing them, and the best, most effective ways of getting these heroes the help they deserve.

Dr. Amen is joined by Dr. Nancy Bohl-Penrod to discuss her work as the Director of The Counseling Team International. They talk about Dr. Bohl-Penrod's husband's struggles as a police officer and how that led her to the work she does, as well as the stigma around seeking help as a first responder.

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen dive into some of our listener questions to give you the answers you need to get your brain and body right. This episode tackles such topics as brain types, help for focus, and taking supplements before and after general anesthesia for a surgery. If you'd like Daniel and Tana to answer your question in an episode, be sure to visit brainwarriorswaypodcast.com to submit.

While the incidence of cancer has been experiencing a decline, the incidence of mental illness continues to trend upward. Why is this? In the third episode of a series based on Dr. Daniel Amen's recently filmed PBS special "Change Your Brain, Heal Your Mind", Dr. Amen outlines the 6 steps to ending mental illness, and how to take these steps to help you or your loved one get on the right track.

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen continue to discuss some of the concepts from Dr. Amen's upcoming PBS special, "Change Your Brain, Heal Your Mind." Dr. Amen introduces the concept of the evil ruler and the good ruler to look at some of the strategies our society uses to create either health or illness, and how you can adopt the strategies that help you, rather than hurt you.

Mental Illness affects us all, and the rate of mental illness continues to skyrocket despite the widespread use of prescription medications. But as Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen illustrate, we're on the cusp of a revolution in psychiatry that will change mental health care forever. In this first episode of a series based on Dr. Amen's upcoming PBS special, the Amens describe the reason for this exciting new revolution, and how it's likely to play out.

Our society has developed a habit of using different terms to delineate between the organ that occupies our heads, and the collection of thoughts we experience moment to moment. But are these really separate entities, or are they manifestations of the same thing? In the last episode in a series with author and psychotherapist Dr. Earl Henslin, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen explain why it's crucial for us to understand that the way we think about the organ between our ears shapes how we take care of it.

Dr. Earl Henslin, author, psychotherapist, and board member of The End Mental Illness Now Foundation, found himself on the other side of the desk when he brought his own mother in to scan her brain. She had often been angry and detached, and both Dr. Henslin and Dr. Amen were horrified to see her scans showed signs of early dementia. What happened next changed not only her life, but the lives of those closest to her. In this episode, Dr. Earl Henslin tells the story of his mother's transformation.

Thirty years of brain SPECT imaging has clearly shown us that disfunction in different parts of the brain require different types of treatment. One of the most often affected areas is the brain's frontal lobes, which are responsible for things like forethought, judgement, and impulse control. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by Dr. Earl Henslin for a discussion on how to identify if you have frontal lobe problems (and other common areas of the brain), and what you can do to treat them.

When psychotherapist and author Dr. Earl Henslin first considered using SPECT imagery to help diagnose his patients, he was concerned that the scans would eliminate the need for other types of testing, possibly hurting the bottom line of his practice. But when a family member in need had their brain scanned, what they found changed Dr. Henslin's method of practice forever. In the first episode of a series about the brain and psychotherapy, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by Dr. Henslin to discuss his introduction to brain imaging.

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen answer some more of your questions. This episode features info on employment, new learning, dopamine and psychosis, antidepressants, and auto-immune diseases. Visit the brainwarriorswaypodcast.com to submit your own questions!

Every time you get behind the wheel and strap on your seatbelt there lies the possibility of disaster occurring, and the subsequent trauma that can result from being involved in an auto accident exists in many different forms. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen share some of the various ways auto accidents can leave long term effects of trauma on the brain, as well as some of the things you can do to put your brain in a healing environment.

Did you know automobile accidents are the leading cause of death among young people? In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, the second of a series on the brain and driving, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen take a closer look at what makes driving a car so potentially dangerous. They then dive into some of the major strategies we can examine in order to make the roads a safer place for everyone.

Whether travelling, commuting to work, or just running errands, many people spend a considerable amount of their lives in their cars. The inherent danger on the road is high because many people's personalities change once the key is in the ignition. In this first episode of a series on brain function and driving, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss how the brain factors in to the experience of driving an automobile.

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen dive into the mail bag to answer some listener questions. Daniel and Tana discuss such topics as treating schizophrenia, suggestions for clearing brain fog, and the effects of ADD medications on specific brain types. Visit brainwarriorswaypodcast.com to submit your own questions!

In America, happiness is big business. Industries put billions of dollars into marketing and selling the concept of happiness to the public. But what is happiness, really? And why is so much effort put into the "attaining" of it? In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, the Amens discuss how our evolutionary hardwiring predisposes us to anxiety, and why in some cases this is actually a good thing.

Suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among young people (the first is automobile accidents). What's the reason for this epidemic? In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen explain the factors involved in the rising suicide rate, as well as give you some practical tips for what to do if you're concerned about a loved one.

Oregon has recently passed legislation for taking "Mental Health Days" off from school, which makes sense as the state has one of the highest suicide rates. So why is this legislation being passed now? In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss exactly why the rate of depression and suicide is skyrocketing, not just in Oregon, but everywhere. They also give you tips for handling those down times, whether they're experienced by you or by someone you love.

Class in is session! In this fourth and final episode with Alize Castellanos, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen wrap up their two-week long series on changing your brain and changing your grades. Dr. Amen, Tana, and Alize tackle such subjects as morning routines, communication styles, and how to remember that your teacher is a person, too, and treat them accordingly.

When striving to make improvements in our lives, we tend to look to others for inspiration. But is this a good thing or a bad thing? In the third episode of a series with Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades co-author Alize Castellanos, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen reveal how modelling behavior from other people can have either positive or negative influence on your life. Alize helps to explain how role models have changed her life.

If you come from a chaotic environment, whether that be caused by your family life, past a trauma, or a medical condition, it can be very difficult to rid your mind of negative thoughts. So what does the path look like for someone trying to make it out the other side? In the second episode of a series with Alize Castellano, Dr. Amen and Tana interview Alize about the tools she used to put her tough past behind her and find a more calm, promising future.

Finding success in life can be hard enough even when circumstances have set you up to thrive. But what happens when you start out in life with the cards already stacked against you? In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by their niece and co-author of Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades, Alize Castellano. Alize shares some of the tips that have allowed her to rise to the top of the class despite her tumultuous upbringing.

The surprising #1 fear for most Americans isn't heights, spiders, or clowns, but speaking in public. Many tense up in fear just thinking about getting up in front of the class or workplace to give a presentation. So how can you stay cool, calm, and collected when your name gets called? In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen, Tana Amen, and their daughter Chloe give you practical tips to keep your head and face those fears.

One of the most overlooked factors when determining success at school is nutrition habits. You may be surprised to hear that the type of food you send your child off to school with may play a huge role in how well they're able to focus in class. In the third episode in a series on the brain at school, Dr. Daniel Amen, Tana, and their daughter Chloe share some insight on how to properly fuel the brain to ace those tests.

When it comes to study habits and organization, finding the right balance in your routine can mean the difference between success and failure. However, that balance can be entirely different for people with different brain types. In the second episode of a series on the brain at school, Dr. Amen and Tana are again joined by their daughter Chloe for a discussion on how to optimize your brain to best set you up for success in the classroom.

For some people, the education system can be a breeze. For others, struggle and frustration is the name of the game. However, when it comes to predicting success in life, grades aren't necessarily the best metric. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana are joined by their daughter Chloe, co-author of the new book, "Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades", for a discussion on the most important focus points for students.

BMX rider-turned motivational speaker Josh Perry has experienced many ups and downs when it comes to the health of his brain. The lessons he's learned along the way, however, could benefit anyone, whether they've had a TBI or not. In the fourth and final episode of a series on traumatic brain injuries and the recovery process, Dr. Daniel Amen, Tana Amen, and Josh discuss the most important principles to keep in mind when recuperating the brain.

BMXer Josh Perry knows a few things about brain trauma, having experienced multiple concussions, some of which had resulted in loss of consciousness and even seizures. But while Josh has done many bad things to his brain in the past, he's now become a brain warrior and is constantly taking action to improve the function of his brain. In the third episode of a series on brain injuries, Josh tells Daniel and Tana Amen how he found his personal roadmap to recovery.

It's been said that the act of failing only occurs if you don't get back up again. No one knows this concept more than pro BMXer Josh Perry, who has fallen (both figuratively and literally) countless times. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen, Tana Amen, and Josh describe what it's like to get back up when recovering from something like a traumatic brain injury.

BMX rider Josh Perry was living out his dreams, travelling, competing, and rising up through the professional ranks when he suffered a horrific crash. The doctors ordered an MRI, and what they saw in the scan changed his entire life. In the first episode in a series on traumatic brain injuries with Josh, he recounts his incredible story to Daniel and Tana Amen.

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen wrap up their discussion on the impact of words, and then reach into the mailbag to answer some listeners' questions, which tackle such subjects as getting over grief, and how to help children make the necessary transitions as they depart for college.

Words matter. Not just for those that hear them, but also for those that speak them. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, the third in a series on the power of words, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen describe what happens inside your body and brain when certain types of words are spoken or heard, whether aloud or merely inside your head. Daniel and Tana also discuss how this info can be a useful tool in interactions between parents and their children.

The language you use reflects how you see the world, but it can also affect how those in relationships see each other. Certain words you use to describe someone else or their behavior strongly affects your attitude towards them in the future. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen continue their discussion on the power of words by exploring the ways that language can shape the dynamics of a relationship.

You may not realize this, but when you talk to yourself, your subconscious mind is listening, and what it actually hears and registers may not be quite what you'd expect. In the first episode in a series on the power of words, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss how the subconscious mind processes your self-talk, how it differentiates between different type of language, and why the words you choose matters.

Human beings are a relational species. It's important to our survival that we form meaningful connections with other human beings. But what do we do when we're faced with people who seem hell bent on making things difficult for others? In the fourth and final episode of a series on the brain in the workplace, Dr. Daniel Amen, Tana Amen, and Winn Claybaugh go over the proper ways to approach people when there's some friction involved.

There's a stigma attached to word "quitter," but when someone quits a job, it's often just to get out of a bad work environment and move on to something better. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Amen, Tana and author Winn Claybaugh describe just how important a healthy culture is to a business, and how meetings (or lack of) and language can completely transform an office's productivity.

People need a reason for what they do. They need a "why?" that drives them towards their purpose. So what actions can you take to give a "why?" to yourself and those around you? In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are again joined by author and Paul Mitchell School founder Winn Claybaugh to discuss how philanthropy transforms relationships, and why modeling behavior can be key to effective parenting.

Let's face it, the 'intimidating dictator' approach to whipping employees and coworkers into shape is a thing of the past, a relic that no longer works in today's workplace. So how can you get others to step up their efforts and help make great things happen at work? In the first episode of a series on the brain at work, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by "Be Nice or Else" author Winn Claybaugh for a discussion on the surprisingly easy way to rally your troops more effectively.

It should come as no surprise that those with the deepest sense of meaning and purpose tend to have the strongest relationships. So what about those whose lives carry no deeper sense of meaning? In the final episode of a series on how to ruin your marriage, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss the role spirituality plays in a relationship. Whether spirituality is defined as religious beliefs or a sense of connecting with something larger than oneself, it's important to realize how your version of that connection affects your connections with those closest to you.

Have you ever gotten together with friends for a good time, only to spend most of the time complaining about the challenges of dealing with significant others? This sort of activity may seem innocuous, but these interactions play a surprisingly big role in why marriages and relationships fail. In the third episode of a series on how to ruin your marriage, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen discuss the social aspects that play the biggest role in your relationships, and how you can use proper communication to maintain a healthy perspective.

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen continue their discussion on how to ruin a marriage. This episode focuses on the psychological aspects that tend to permeate bad relationships. Daniel and Tana help you to recognize certain destructive patterns and make the psychological adjustments that will improve the health of any relationship.

Do you want to know how you can ruin your marriage? Didn't think so. But if you know what NOT to do, you'll know what TO do in avoid in order to have better relationships. In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen tell you some surefire ways to wreak havoc on your close relationships, this first installment dealing with some physical issues you or your partner may experience.

Kelli Davis has seen and been involved with many miraculous stories of children facing and overcoming huge obstacles. What she's learned from these stories is that perspective can make all the difference. In the last episode of a series on miracles and giving, Kelli shares the incredible story of how a child born without a lower jaw thought outside the box to realize his life's dream as a musician.

In this episode of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are once again joined by Kelli Davis from The Children's Miracle Network for a discussion on miracles. Kelli shares an unbelievable story of how a young boy with a congenital heart defect inspired a famous baseball player to create his own miracle, which had reverberations that changed lives and gave hope to many who didn't have it before.

In her work with The Children's Miracle Network, Kelli Davis brushes shoulders with high-profile celebrities on a regular basis. These interactions have resulted in some surprising lessons about what makes people truly happy. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen, Tana Amen, and Kelli describe what egoistic altruism is, and Kelli tells a heartwarming story of what happened when a famous superhero actor visited a children's hospital.

Miracles occur every day. Some are major life changes, while others are smaller and may even go unnoticed at first. Learning to recognize life's miracles and use them to bring purpose in your life can be one of the most efficient paths towards a fulfilled life. In this week's series of The Brain Warrior's Way Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen are joined by Kelli Davis from the Children's Miracle Network to discuss miracles and giving. This episode focuses on how charity can give your life purpose.

Children tend to have highly suggestible brains, which makes them all the more vulnerable to some of the negative messaging in society, most often found on certain social media platforms. So due to their easily influenced brains, is it best to just keep kids away from hypnosis until their brains have developed properly? In the fourth and final episode in a series on hypnosis, Dr. Daniel Amen, Tana Amen, and Dr. Jeffrey Zeig give their surprising views when it comes to medical hypnosis and children.

Medical hypnosis can be used to help different people in different ways, from something like quitting smoking all the way to treating multiple-personality schizophrenia. However, some people are affected more strongly than others. In fact, it's been estimated that although about 85% of us can be hypnotized, only about 15% are able to go into a deep trance. In this episode of the podcast, Daniel and Tana Amen are joined by Dr. Jeffrey Zeig for an in-depth discussion on the ways in which hypnosis can positively impact lives.