The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast

It’s Tuesdays with Tata! (Note: I’m resting my voice for a couple more days, and Tata and I both had the flu and did not record a new episode this week. Here’s one of our favorites from last year, Season 6, Episode 66. Pray for my voice to come back before I have to record the audiobook in two weeks!) I asked Tata to shed some light on what it means to be “saved to the uttermost” from Hebrews 7:25! Scripture: Hebrews 7:25, John 6:37 Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

When Life Brings Us Pain, We Have Two Choices (Note: I STILL can’t talk long enough to record a new episode. I’m going to rest my voice for THREE MORE DAYS, and then I have some AMAZING guests coming up later this week. So please pray that my voice gets stronger and that we can get back on track later this week. ) When life brings us hard things- massive things- we can either sit down with our hurt and let it define the rest of our life, or we can press into it and let God lead us through. Today we look at Exodus 20-34 and see that the path to finding the light again always starts in the darkness. Will you go there with me? My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

We've Reached the End of Infinity, at Least for a While Today, a story about stumbling stones, brain cancer, finding God in unexpected places, and how God is always working to help all of us, even when we can't see it. Plus, Tommy Walker music, AND I'm going to pray for you WHILE teaching you more self-brain surgery techniques. Whew. A lot going on in this episode! (Adapted from Infinitely Happier, Part 15) Scripture: Ephesians 3:14-21 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. My prayer for you today, friend: I want you to have infinitely more than you can ask or imagine, now and in eternity. Infinite peace of mind. Infinite resilience for the hard parts of life- those you've already known and those to come Infinite access to the glorious, unlimited resources to empower you Infinite family and comfort as he makes his home in your heart, and Infinite trust that he's always good and for you Infinite depth to the roots sinking into his foundation, to steady you. And an Infinite grasp of the width, height, and depth of his infinite love for you Infinite experience of his full life and power All so that you can accomplish infinitely more than you can ask or even imagine. So that you can be infinitely happier: Above the drama, Above the fray, happy and healthy, reset and resupplied and restocked and repositioned and ready for anything. Because he has more for you, my friend. Infinitely more. Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

The Science of Freedom is On Your Side Freedom starts with a choice- a declaration. In this episode, we talk about the science of freedom, and how vital it is to be willing to fight for it in all areas of our lives. (Adapted from Infinitely Happier, Part 14) Music by The Psalm Library (featuring Tommy Walker) (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

All of Us Have a Story We Tell Ourselves And it's often a lie. (Adapted from Infinitely Happier, Part 13) Today, we're taking a look at the art form known as Story, and we're going to finally learn how to find the courage to enter the scary places from which those stories come. We'll get into the cave of our minds, find the source of the lies we tell ourselves, and finally overcome them to find the treasure we seek- a life free of limits and labels. My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Life Is Hard, But God Wants Us to Be Happy Anyway. (Adapted from Infinitely Happier, Part 12) Here's some thoughts on why it matters so much that we learn to separate our mood/emotional state from our circumstances. Plus, a story about cows! Music by Cody Carnes (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Learning the Discipline of Waiting is a Powerful Self-Brain Surgery Tool If you can't say no to something you want today so that you can have something you need tomorrow, you can never be free. Here's some thoughts on delayed gratification, as one of the super powers in our quest for infinite happiness. (Adapted from Infinitely Happier, Part 11) Music by Lyle Lovett and Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Every Interaction Leaves a Mark Every interaction with another person is a choice: do we use our words for our gain, or for theirs? Do we have transactional or transformational relationships? Here's a few thoughts on how to make sure we have a "first no harm" approach to others, and how words can heal or hurt. (Adapted from Infinitely Happier, Part 10) My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

God wants your life to soar, but often it feels like we're crashing instead. (Adapted from Infinitely Happier, Part 9) Today, I want to talk about flying. I grew up around airplanes, because both of my parents were private pilots. And we lived down the road from a WWII pilot, Glen Walters. I used to go down to his house, and his wife Betsy would make ginger bread and I’d fish in their pond and, once in a while, Brother Walters would take me into his shop and let me play around with an airplane he was building. Come to think of it, he was “building” that plane the whole time I was growing up, and I don’t think he ever finished it. But I’d fly missions and save the day over and over like Pappy Boyington. And then I was in the air force. So I’ve always loved airplanes. And I love flying so much that I get more excited to meet fighter pilots than sports figures. I trained in Pittsburgh and worked for Joe Maroon, who was the team doctor for the Steelers and the Pirates, so there were always pro athletes around. But when I meet an F-16 or an F-15 pilot, I’m like a little kid. Those guys are my heroes, and that probably goes back to flying with my mom and dad and all those missions I flew in Glen Walters’s shop when I was 8 or 9. When you’re flying, you feel so free. You can see everything. You’re untethered from the earth and it’s like magic. As long as everything works. When it doesn’t work, though, things can get pretty crazy really fast. I told you a story once before in an old episode of a time I had in a T38. That was not fun. Landing a Blackhawk on a highway in Iraq was not fun. When things go wrong in the air, you’re in real trouble. The difference between life and death comes down to the pilot’s skill, the amount of damage to the plane, the weather, and a host of other things that are sometimes out of your control. Sort of like life, huh? Today, we’re going to talk about how to fly the plane of your life so you get where you need to go, so you’re on course and safe and set free from so many of the things that can ground us, limit us, or send us crashing down in a fire ball of problems we were never meant to face. I’ve learned a lot from the pilots in my life about how they prepare for flights, and all the things they do to make sure their passengers are safe. Today we’re going to take flight, friend. We’re going to take a lesson from the pilots so we can learn to pilot our lives into the wild blue yonder, where God intends for us to be. We’re taking a flying lesson, my friend, so we can leave behind our limits and be set free, starting today. Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Overthinking Can Drive Us Crazy and Wreck Our Peace of Mind (Adapted from Infinitely Happier, Part 7) Worrying isn’t the only thought issue we face. Whether it’s worry, regret, sadness, decision making, whatever, sometimes we simply overthink things. In this episode we'll learn how to stop overthinking everything, which will help us in our quest to become Infinitely Happier. Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Sometimes life feels like a fight. Here’s how to win. (Adapted from Season 1, Episode 50, Infinitely Happier Part 6) Sometimes we struggle because we keep losing battles our heart knows we’re supposed to win. Or even worse, we don’t even try sometimes. And when we know we were supposed to take up a challenge and we’re too afraid to even try, it leaves us feeling ashamed and guilty. In this episode, we'll learn how to face off agains our biggest battles, and win. Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Today we’re going to do a little relationship brain surgery. Because when you’re trying to change your life, it seems like there’s always one person- THAT GUY- who’s out there to stymie you. Last episode, we talked about the new job I’m taking in a new place. I'm so pumped about it, because Lisa and I and our team are bringing neurosurgery to a community that’s never had access before. And I have decided to make it the best and most successful part of my career. I want you to make the same decision: success is the only option because you're tired of being stuck in some places of your life. What if you could guarantee that, with a solid purpose, careful planning, and a little help, there was no chance that you could fail to make major life change happen in your mind, body, spirit, work and relationships? I'm here to tell you that it's possible. No one knows what life's going to hold for us. There's a lot of scary stuff out there- the economy, COVID-19, the uncertainty of aging... there's no telling what might come along in your life. But if we're put together right, we can not just survive but actually thrive despite our circumstances and have a healthier, better, and happier life. Today, we’re going to talk about what to do when there’s THAT GUY out there, getting in your way, causing you trouble, being mean or abusive or hateful or whatever. It requires brain surgery, learning to look at relationships in a new way. And you’ll be surprised how effective it is. You might be saying, “But Doc, how can I change my mind, how can I learn to be infinitely happier when THAT GUY keeps doing things to irritate, hurt, anger, offend, and cause me trouble?” You know THAT GUY- no matter how hard you try, there's that one person in your life who's always out there, saying the wrong thing, not doing the right thing, holding you back, putting you down, being mean or neglectful or unfair or abusive to you. It might be more than one person. It might be your husband, your mom, your boss. But trust me, if you hate THAT GUY, you're the one who's going to suffer. My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Tuesdays with Tata! Here’s a great talk from last year with Tata about what it means to be sealed by God. Scripture: II Corinthians 1:22 Ephesians 1:13-14 Music by Phil Wickham (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Mind Change Monday! Today is also May 1, the first day of Remodel May! Some of the episodes we create this month will focus on areas of our lives we can remodel to find hope, craft resilience, and hold on during hard times. We’ll use brain science and scripture to become healthier, feel better, and be happier, perhaps even infinitely happier than we could on our own. Here’s Infinitely Happier, Part 4: The Courage to Change, to get us started! Today, we’re going to talk about courage. About how to shake off the fear of change and finally step into the freedom we’re designed to live in. My new book is called Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things. It is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Synapses are where the business of the nervous system happens. (Note: this is an archived episode, normally for paid subscribers only but available for everyone for 7 days!) Lately, we’ve been talking about the basics of self-brain surgery to learn how to think about our thinking, and the ideas behind my new book. But this isn’t just some “self-help” or motivational speaker-type thing. Because the vast majority of your life, the decisions you make, the relationships you have, the things you accomplish or strive for come out of how you think: your attitudes, your thought patterns. Everything about how you handle stress, unexpected challenges, and the hard parts of life is determined by your thinking. But the problem is, most of us spend our lives reacting to our thinking, because we never think about our thinking. And the reality is, our baseline thoughts are not very reliable most of the time. Why? That answer is rooted in the science of how our nervous systems are wired. The bad news is that your nervous system has a set of responses to challenges, threats, and stresses, and that set of responses isn’t very specific. In other words, you basically feel the same things in your body when a tiger is actually chasing you as you do when you hear a sound in the next room and wonder if someone’s breaking into your house- even if it’s just the ice maker. Those triggered responses aren’t very helpful when they make us reflexively freak out. But the good news is, your brain can be trained to separate the response from the stimulus. But it requires brain surgery. That’s why I’m always saying, “You can’t change your life until you change your mind.” In other words, if you keep thinking the same thoughts- if you never change how you look at things or the mental framework from which you approach the world- then you’re going to keep experiencing the same patterns and outcomes. And the part of the nervous system that connects two nerves, or nerves and muscles or other organs, is called a synapse. In your brain, there are about 100 trillion of them. Trillion with a T. And when those synapses don’t work right, you don’t work right. Today, we’re going to look at two diseases that affect the synapses between your nerves and your muscles. And I want to show you a little of how the nervous system works, so we can see how important it is to make sure we have healthy synapses. If you want to become healthier, feel better, and be happier, you’ve got to think about your thinking. But sometimes life creates unhealthy connections- sick synapses- that trigger thought patterns and behaviors in us we’re not even aware of. You can’t change your life until you change your mind. And severing sick synapses- breaking down those bad connections life has created and making better ones- is a key to getting that done. Remember Proverbs 17:27-28 in The Passion Translation (TPT): 27 Can you bridle your tongue when your heart is under pressure? That’s how you show that you are wise. An understanding heart keeps you cool, calm, and collected, no matter what you’re facing. That’s one of the secrets to becoming Infinitely Happier, friend. Learning to stay cool, calm, and collected no matter what we’re facing. That’s useful during a global pandemic, but it’s also useful in everyday life. And it doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by severing sick synapses. My friend, we’re going to learn how, and we’re going to start today. Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things is coming out on July 25, but you can pre-order it now anywhere books are sold. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Self-Brain Surgery Saturday! Look: Life is Hard. But Learning Self-brain Surgery Can Help In the last episode, we talked about the basics of self-brain surgery to learn how to think about our thinking and learn to biopsy our thoughts- put a little pause in there between what happens to us, what thoughts pop up- and how we respond, either in terms of how we proceed to think or feel, or in what we actually. Listen: Life is not brain surgery. It’s harder. You can actually train someone to do brain surgery. But you have to live life to get good at it. But you CAN learn self-brain surgery with a little help, and it will help you think better so you can become healthier, feel better, and be happier. That’s why I’m always saying, “You can’t change your life until you change your mind.” In other words, if you keep thinking the same thoughts- if you never change how you look at things or the mental framework from which you approach the world- then you’re going to keep experiencing the same patterns and outcomes. I’m bringing you back some of the tools we first talked about in 2021, but today I want to start by talking about the importance of worldview and the problem of cognitive dissonance. Here’s a thought from Natasha Crain via Facebook: In this episode, we’ll get into the reasons why this important worldview distinction plays into our neuroscience and how crucial it is to be in charge of our thought life! I suspect you wouldn’t be here listening to a podcast designed to help you reshape your thinking if you were super thrilled with the patterns and outcomes you’ve been living with. I know I’m not. It’s time to take control of our brains, the most important six inches of real estate in each of our live, the space between our own ears. Last episode, we talked about how to pre-load some ammo, some good words and helpful thoughts, into our brains and hearts so that when stressful moments come, we’ll be able to call on those good things and use them to manage anxiety. And that is a great instrument, a powerful tool to use in our fight against the learned helplessness of being emotional slaves to our first thoughts. Because the first thought you have in response to something or someone or some memory is so often wrong, or just a reflexive, triggered pattern of thinking, that it’s almost self malpractice to go with it. So, just like in the real operating room, the secret to successful self-brain surgery is training, preparation, planning, and practice experience. Today, we’re going to look at how those four things- training, preparation, planning, and practice experience- play into successfully managing our minds and helping us overcome the issues that continually seem to drag us down. Proverbs 17:27-28 in The Passion Translation (TPT): 27 Can you bridle your tongue when your heart is under pressure? That’s how you show that you are wise. An understanding heart keeps you cool, calm, and collected, no matter what you’re facing. That’s one of the secrets to becoming Infinitely Happier, friend. Learning to stay cool, calm, and collected no matter what we’re facing. That’s useful during a global pandemic, but it’s also useful in everyday life. And it doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by self-brain surgery. My friend, we’re going to learn how, and we’re going to start today. Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) Hey, my new book is releasing July 25. Tommy is one of my early readers/endorsers. Here’s what he had to say about Hope is the First Dose. “Dr. Lee Warren has personally gone through the devastating school of loss and come out stronger on the other side of what he calls The Massive Thing—or TMT. No matter what your TMT is, you will walk away from this book with a deep infusion of God’s healing hope!” —Tommy Walker, singer-songwriter and worship leader Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Do You Struggle With Anxiety? If so, this will help. A look back at a 15-part series from 2021 with a new preamble (10 minutes or so). Look, friend: Life is not brain surgery. It’s harder. You can actually train someone to do brain surgery. But you have to live life to get good at it. Anxiety is one of the major problems that prevent an abundant, healthy life, but we're going to learn some self-brain surgery techniques to fight it today. We’re going to start learning to be Infinitely Happier, friend. And we’re going to start today. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Hey, my new book is releasing July 25. Check it out by clicking on the cover! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Your Brain is Very Efficient I’m always telling you that “neurons that fire together wire together.” This is because God made your brain to be very efficient. So, things you repeatedly experience, think about, perform, or react to will create automatic “programs” through connections called synapses that will make the responses to those things more automated and require you to think about them less. This is the basis of things like “muscle memory,” but also of harmful things like post-traumatic stress syndrome/disorder. That’s the bad news. The good news? You’re not stuck with the brain you have. Through the gift of neuroplasticity, you can reverse this process and employ another neuroscience fact to your advantage: neurons that STOP firing together STOP wiring together. This means that if you have thoughts, feelings, behaviors, or reactions that are not helping you, you can change them. Listen to learn more! Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) Hey, my new book is releasing July 25. Tommy is one of my early readers/endorsers. Here’s what he had to say about Hope is the First Dose. “Dr. Lee Warren has personally gone through the devastating school of loss and come out stronger on the other side of what he calls The Massive Thing—or TMT. No matter what your TMT is, you will walk away from this book with a deep infusion of God’s healing hope!” —Tommy Walker, singer-songwriter and worship leader Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Christy Lefteri Wrote My Favorite Novel of All Time I read The Beekeeper of Aleppo after Lisa and I found it in a bookstore in Casper, Wyoming. I love the story, and how the author crafted the story. She used such imaginative ways to jump back and forth between present and past tense, and her control of point-of-view was stunning. Her follow-up novel, Songbirds, is also fantastic, but Beekeeper is one of those books that gets under your skin. Back in 2020 when everyone was on lockdown, I reached out to Christy through our mutual publisher (Penguin Random House), and she graciously agreed to appear on the podcast. It remains one of my favorite episodes ever, and I wanted to give it back to you today. Christy has a new book coming out in January of next year, The Book of Fire. Join me for a fascinating conversation with International bestselling author Christy Lefteri about her life, her work, her novels, and what she's writing next, as well as her perspective on how to find hope even when it seems so far off. Hey, my new book is releasing July 25. Christy is one of my early readers/endorsers. Here’s what she had to say about Hope is the First Dose. “This is an intimate read. You will feel Dr. Lee beside you, the reassuring hand of a friend holding yours. He uses his own personal experiences and his wealth of knowledge to show us what it means to live again after catastrophic loss. Whether you are religious or not, whatever faith you may or may not have, this book will stay with you in times of trouble; it is memorable, universal, and inspiring.” —Christy Lefteri, bestselling author of The Beekeeper of Aleppo Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Tuesdays with Tata! Today, a great talk about how prayer helps us change our mind, even when massive, difficult things are happening in our lives. Scripture: II Corinthians 1 Books Mentioned: The Awe of God by John Bevere Words with God by Addison Bevere Hey, my new book is releasing July 25. John and Addison Bevere are two of my early readers/endorsers. Here’s what they had to say about Hope is the First Dose. “When hard things knock you out, you can’t stay out. Dr. Lee Warren prescribes a treatment plan that will help you rise again so you can discover hope in hardship.” John Bevere, bestselling author, minister, and co-founder of Messenger International “I should warn you that this book comes with deep breaths and the occasional tears. With beautiful prose and intimate insights, these pages take you where you need to go before life forces you to go there. And if you’re already ‘there,’ face to face with what Dr. Warren calls The Massive Thing, I have good news for you: you’ve found your book.” Addison Bevere, author and COO of Messenger International Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Mind Change Monday! Today we talk about how our thought patterns are predictable, usually negative, and often harmful to ourselves and others. So, to become master self-brain surgeons, we have to learn to anticipate those negative thoughts and treat them pro-actively. Here’s how. Scriptures: Isaiah 43:18-18, Psalm 37 Check out my new book! You can pre-order it by clicking the book cover below. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Tommy Walker is a world-renowned songwriter, worship leader, and pastor. His song, "He Knows My Name," has helped people all over take comfort in being known by God. Today, Tommy shares the beautiful origin of "He Knows My Name," to help us all understand that even when we feel isolated and unnoticed, God sees us, hears us, and loves us. Check out Tommy's ministry, music, and story by clicking on the button below. Hey, my new book is releasing July 25. Tommy is one of my early readers/endorsers. Here’s what he had to say about Hope is the First Dose. “Dr. Lee Warren has personally gone through the devastating school of loss and come out stronger on the other side of what he calls The Massive Thing—or TMT. No matter what your TMT is, you will walk away from this book with a deep infusion of God’s healing hope!” —Tommy Walker, singer-songwriter and worship leader Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

[Flashback episode!] Hey my friend, it’s Throwback Thursday, and I’m bringing you one of my all-time favorite podcast episodes. Here’s an interview from 2020 with Paul Baloche, and I think you’ll get a lot out of it! Paul Baloche has given the global church hundreds of worship songs over the years. And through his leadworship.com ministry, Paul has helped equip thousands of musicians and singers to hone the craft of worship ministry. Join me for a conversation with Paul Baloche on how whatever you're going through, worship makes it better. Learn more about Paul at www.wleewarrenmd.com/baloche This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

[Flashback episode!] Even in our hardest moments, hope is always available. Join me for a great conversation about hope and perseverance with American heroes Scotty and Tiffany Smiley, and you'll find yourself inspired and uplifted in this dark time. Blindness became Major Scotty Smiley’s journey of supreme testing. As he lay helpless in the hospital, he resented the theft of his dreams—becoming a CEO, a Delta Force operator, or a four-star general. With his wife Tiffany’s love and the support of his family and friends, Scotty’s response became God’s transforming moment. The injury only intensified his indomitable spirit. Since the moment he jumped out of a hospital bed and forced his way through nurses and cords to take a simple shower, Major Scotty Smiley has climbed Mount Rainier, won an ESPY as Best Outdoor Athlete, surfed, skydived, become a father, earned an MBA from Duke, taught leadership at West Point, commanded an army company, won the MacArthur Leadership Award and completed an Iron Man. Now he and his wife Tiffany travel all over the country sharing and inspiring others to find their hope unseen. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Be Honest: Is Your Prayer Life Everything You Want it to Be? Prayer is difficult for many of us. We’re busy, stressed, and often find ourselves wondering if God is even out there. We’re screaming into the void, and all we hear are the echoes of our own voices and the noises of the culture around us. Or, we’re desperately whispering our deepest needs, but we have no idea how to really connect with God, or whether he’s even listening at all. But what if it doesn’t have to be this way? What if we really can learn to have real connection and conversation with a God who wants to know and be known by us? That’s what my friend Addison Bevere is here to talk about today. Addison’s new book is Words with God: Trading Boring, Empty Prayer for Real Connection. It’s available today, everywhere books are sold. Click the button below for more information about Addison, and his wonderful new book that’s already locked in as one of my top books of 2023 (and all-time). I can’t recommend this book highly enough, and I’m so excited to bring you this wonderful conversation today with my friend, Addison Bevere. Here’s the description of Words with God from Amazon.com, including an endorsement from another one of my favorite writes, Mark Batterson (we use his book, All In, every year for our podcast series called All-In August). For most of us, prayer is a struggle. Do our prayers even matter? What, if anything, happens when we pray? Are we having words with God or just words with ourselves? We know we should pray. It would be good for us--help us be more grounded, more connected to God. But in our hurried lives, slowing down to pray can feel like a cosmic waste of time. In this thoughtful book, bestselling author Addison Bevere takes you into and through the tension of prayer--the struggles, the doubts, the answers--to the place where God makes himself real to you. He tackles questions such as: · What do we do with unanswered prayers and how do we move through them? · Why does God invite us to ask through prayer if he is aware of every need? · Is there a right way to pray? If so, what is it? · How do we learn to hear the Voice of God? Tired of boring, empty, transactional prayer? This is the book for you. "Addison's book takes us through our desires for prayer, our disappointments in prayer, and the profound deeper plan of God for our prayers. This is the book you'll return to again and again."--Mark Batterson, New York Times bestselling author of The Circle Maker, lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. Hey, my new book is releasing July 25. Addison is one of my early readers/endorsers. Here’s what he had to say about Hope is the First Dose. “I should warn you that this book comes with deep breaths and the occasional tears. With beautiful prose and intimate insights, these pages take you where you need to go before life forces you to go there. And if you’re already ‘there,’ face to face with what Dr. Warren calls The Massive Thing, I have good news for you: you’ve found your book.” Addison Bevere Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Is it Reasonable to Base Our Hope on the Bible? It’s Self-Brain Surgery Saturday, and today I’ve got a treat for you! I had a great conversation with Pastor Jarrett Stephens, pastor of Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. We talked about why it’s reasonable to believe in and place our hope on God’s word. Do you have to be a moron to believe? Is there any rational basis for thinking that the Bible is inspired and not just a book of old stories and ideas written by people? Jarrett takes us through why even smart people (even brain surgeons!) should have a high degree of confidence in the reliability of this book, and why the Bible isn’t like any other literature in the world- it’s living and active! Jarrett is also the author of two great books, The Always God: He Hasn't Changed, and You Are Not Forgotten, and The Mountains are Calling: Making the Climb for a Clearer View of God and Ourselves. Check out Jarrett's I Am Second video for more of his story. Other book mentioned in this episode- The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller. Hey, I just wrote a book about my research into how people process pain and find hope again after they experience what we call “The Massive Thing,” or TMT, Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things (coming July 25). You can pre-order it by clicking on the book cover below. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

When Does God Stop Being God? Answer: Never! That’s such good news for troublesome times like these. Back in May of 2021, I had a great conversation with Pastor Jarrett Stephens, author of The Always God: He Hasn't Changed, and You Are Not Forgotten. I’m bringing it back to you today because Pastor Jarrett is coming back onto the show tomorrow! I thought a double dose of this wise and engaging teacher would be so helpful to all of us. (Please note that the free books mentioned have already been given away) Check out Jarrett's I Am Second video for more of his story. Hey, I just wrote a book about my research into how people process pain and find hope again after they experience what we call “The Massive Thing,” or TMT, Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things (coming July 25). You can pre-order it by clicking on the book cover below. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Five Ways the Resurrection Matters Today (Classic episode from Easter 2022) A great talk with Tata about the power and impact of the resurrection. Scripture: II Corinthians 4 Music by Paul Baloche (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) Book reference: New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp Hey, I just wrote a book about my research into how people process pain and find hope again after they experience what we call “The Massive Thing,” or TMT, Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things (coming July 25). You can pre-order it by clicking on the book cover below. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Self-Brain Surgery Saturday! Today I’m inviting you to a new life. It’s a life unfettered by the toxic cloud of hopelessness, anxiety, and trauma. It’s a life of being in control of the most sophisticated supercomputer in the history of the world, your own brain. I’m inviting you into the Society of Self-Brain Surgeons, where we learn together how to change our minds and change our lives, using a treatment plan based on neuroscience and faith. To fully engage the treatment plan, there are three things we must believe and implement in our lives. Here they are! My new book is coming July 25, but you can pre-order it now! Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

In my life, when I’m stressed or worried, I always turn to the word of God. But when I need to talk to someone about these things, I talk to Lisa and to my chaplain or pastor. And God has blessed me with several pastors, chaplains, and writers in my life who are personal friends. But no matter where we’ve lived or worshiped, my go-to pastor is always our old friend Max Lucado. Max was my pastor when I lived in San Antonio, and my father-in-law Dennis worked at Oak Hills Church with Max. Today we’re going to visit with my friend, Max Lucado. The entire podcast archive is coming online for paid subscribers! There are at least two free episodes every week on Substack, along with the weekly free Self-Brain Surgery letter. Paid subscribers get new Mind Change Monday episodes weekly, the free episodes, and archived episodes every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! Paid subscribers also get access to the entire newsletter archive, video content, and more! If you want full access, please subscribe using the button below! Max Lucado on Anxiety and Fear (This episode originally aired in 2020, in the height of the lockdowns of the Covid pandemic.) My wife Lisa has been great friends with Max’s wife Denalyn for many years. So, when Lisa and I got married Max became more than just a pastor to me. He’s a true friend, and, as you’ll hear in this episode, he’s been there for me in my worst moment after my son died. But Max isn’t just a pastor. He’s also a world-wide bestselling author of over 40 books. Max's books have sold over 100 million copies across 54 languages worldwide. But all that aside, despite his great success as a writer, Max is most at home in his role as a pastor. So, since this is a time of great anxiety and stress, I thought that the Dr. Lee Warren Podcast listeners like you (and me) needed a pastor. I reached out to Max, and he said he would be happy to come and minister to all of us today. When life is scary, there are things you can do to shake off the fear and step into faith, and Max Lucado is going to help us change our minds about it, starting today. (The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast archive is for paid subscribers. Please note: some links mentioned may no longer be active. Book giveaways mentioned in archived episodes are no longer available) This episode came out shortly after the release of I've Seen the End of You: A Neurosurgeon's Look at Faith, Doubt, and the Things We Think We Know, which went on to win the 2021 Christian Book Award for Biography and Memoir. My new book is Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things, which will release on July 25, 2023! It’s available for pre-order now. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Sometimes life can make us feel powerless The good news is, your brain is designed to power your life, and scripture has promised us that we have all the power we need anything we can face! Here are some Action April thoughts for today if you're feeling weak. Scripture: Philippians 4:19. Philippians 4:13, II Peter 1:3, II Chronicles 20:12, Jeremiah 32:17, Matthew 6:8 My new book is coming July 25, but you can pre-order it now! Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Action April! Today’s Self-Brain Surgery Saturday is all about Action April, and how neuroscience and faith smash together to allow you to change your mind and change your life, literally. There’s so much exciting new neuroscience research that’s teaching us how our brains can literally change every cell in our bodies for better or worse. The question is: are you willing to take the action you need to take to make those facts work for you? Scripture: Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:6-8, John 1:1-5, Acts 17:28 Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Today, I’m bringing you back a conversation with my better half: the unparalleled professional chef, designer, businesswoman, and entrepreneur, Lisa D. Warren. The entire podcast archive is coming online for paid subscribers! There are at least two free episodes every week on Substack, along with the weekly free Self-Brain Surgery letter. Paid subscribers get new Mind Change Monday episodes weekly, the free episodes, and archived episodes every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! Paid subscribers also get access to the entire newsletter archive, video content, and more! If you want full access, please subscribe using the button below! Learn the story, successes, struggles, and secrets to success of this great woman, who's an inspiration to all of us. (The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast archive is for paid subscribers. Please note: some links mentioned may no longer be active. Book giveaways mentioned in archived episodes are no longer available) This episode came out shortly after the release of I've Seen the End of You: A Neurosurgeon's Look at Faith, Doubt, and the Things We Think We Know, which went on to win the 2021 Christian Book Award for Biography and Memoir. My new book is Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things, which will release on July 25, 2023! It’s available for pre-order now. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s operation is a little switch between worrying and preparing, and then getting after it. [Note: I lost my voice! Everyone in my office was sick last week, and this morning I can’t talk. So here’s a classic Self-Brain Surgery Saturday for you. I’ll be back with a new episode on Monday!] A few thoughts on golf, football, and self-brain surgery will help us stop worrying and start preparing to take action when it’s time! Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, I Corinthians 9:24-26 I just wrote a book about my research into how people process pain and find hope again after they experience what we call “The Massive Thing,” or TMT, Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things (coming July 25). Newsletter mentioned: James Clear Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Tuesdays with Tata! (We had a Cloud storage problem that wiped out our BRAND NEW episode for today! Tata and I will re-record it for you soon, but for today I’m bringing you back this classic!) Today, Tata works us through Romans 8, and we learn a new way to approach suffering. It’s a powerful conversation, and it will help you tremendously. Book Mentioned: Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense by Paul David Tripp. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE to the show wherever you listen! Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs! Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose! Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book! Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!

When We’re Wounded, We Can’t Un-injure Ourselves But once the injury, the massive thing, the painful event occurs, we need to understand that we CAN make it worse if we’re unaware of the concept of secondary injury. Here’s a good talk about how we can make things better through the power of self-brain surgery. This concept will help you: * Avoid having your painful event (loss, abuse, medical problem, financial issue, etc) become a generational problem in your family * Avoid having one problem create new ones (addiction, divorce, family strife) * Find hope and happiness again even after suffering “the massive thing” that life brings My new book comes out on July 25! It will help you process the massive things in your life, change your mind, and find the light again. Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Sometimes we need an editor. But what if we could learn to edit ourselves? What if we had an internal “red button” that would BLEEP our thoughts when they’re harmful, shaming, negative, labeling, or otherwise unhelpful to us? What if we could learn to place a 5-second pause between a feeling and a thought or between a thought and a reaction? We can! But it takes self-brain surgery. This episode is about worldview, self-editing, and how to change your mind. Substack recommendation: Joel Miller, Miller’s Book Review. Book Mentioned: Live No Lies by John Mark Comer Scripture: May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV My new book is Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things (coming July 25). Self-Brain Surgery is the path forward when life makes you feel hopeless. If you like this episode, you’ll love my weekly letter too. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

What areas in your life could use you working to increase your wisdom? Think about that, my friend, because which side of that oh-so-thin line between good and best you land on can make all the difference in whether you become healthier, feel better, and are happier in your life, your relationships, your business, and even your faith. The entire podcast archive is coming online for paid subscribers! There are at least two free episodes every week on Substack, along with the weekly free Self-Brain Surgery letter. Paid subscribers get new Mind Change Monday episodes weekly, the free episodes, and archived episodes every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! Paid subscribers also get access to the entire newsletter archive, video content, and more! If you want full access, please subscribe using the button below! (The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast archive is for paid subscribers. Please note: some links mentioned may no longer be active. Book giveaways mentioned in archived episodes are no longer available) This episode came out prior to the release of I've Seen the End of You: A Neurosurgeon's Look at Faith, Doubt, and the Things We Think We Know, which went on to win the 2021 Christian Book Award for Biography and Memoir. My new book is Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things, which will release on July 25, 2023! It’s available for pre-order now. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Tuesdays with Tata! Back from a month-long sabbatical, Tata is on fire with a message about the power of desperate prayer in impossible situations. Scripture: Acts 2 and Acts 12 Book mentioned: The Awe of God by John Bevere My new book is Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things (coming July 25). Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supporter publication and podcast that gives you the tools to change your mind and change your life through the combined power of neuroscience and faith. To make sure you never miss a post, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Self-Brain Surgery Saturday! Today’s guest is author and acclaimed podcast host, Natasha Crain. Natasha Crain is a national speaker, author of four books, blogger, and podcaster who is passionate about equipping Christians to think more clearly about holding to a biblical worldview in the midst of an increasingly challenging secular culture. She has been featured on radio and TV shows across the U.S. and Canada, and lives in southern California with her husband and three children. She writes at natashacrain.com. Book introduction (from Amazon.com): Welcome to your place in a worldview minority. In an increasingly secular society, those who have a biblical worldview are now a shrinking minority. As mainstream culture grows more hostile toward the Bible’s truths and those who embrace them, you’ll face mounting pressures — from family, friends, media, academia, and government — to change and even abandon your beliefs. But these challenges also create abundant opportunities to stand strong for Christ and shine light to those hurt by the darkness of our day. In Faithfully Different, author and apologist Natasha Crain shares how you can live out your faith with conviction, discernment, and courage. You’ll be equipped to: * Identify and respond to today’s most significant worldview pressures, such as cancel culture, secular social justice, progressive Christianity, deconstruction, virtue signaling, and more. * Engage effectively with a world that ridicules biblical truths. * Defend your faith from misguided influences and live as a bold witness for the Lord. As the standards of our day mutate and devolve, Faithfully Different will give you the insight and encouragement you need to believe, think, and live biblically no matter what you face in these turbulent times. Check out the important Unchaken conference, hosted by Natasha Crain, Alisa Childers, and Frank Turek. Natasha’s podcast is powerful, and a great way to learn more about the Biblical worldview. Pre-order my new book, Hope is the First Dose by clicking the button below! Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supporter publication and podcast that gives you the tools to change your mind and change your life through the combined power of neuroscience and faith. To make sure you never miss a post, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It's Tuesdays with Tata! (Note: Tata has been on Sabbatical for a month, but he’s back next week with all-new episodes. This is a replay of one of my all-time favorite Tuesdays with Tata talks!) A great conversation based on Exodus 11:6 about how God is in control of everything, that He sees and notices you, and that He cares about you! Scriptures mentioned: Isaiah 7:18, Isaiah 5:26, Zechariah 10:8, Isaiah 30:18, Romans 11:17-24 Music from Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

When Life Brings Us Pain, We Have Two Choices (Note: I’m on a short sabbatical this week. This episode originally aired in June 2021. BUT- it’s perfect for Mind Change Monday!) When life brings us pain can either sit down with our hurt and let it define the rest of our life, or we can press into it and let God lead us through. Today we look at Exodus 20-34 and see that the path to finding the light again always starts in the darkness. Will you go there with me? Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Self-Brain Surgery Saturday! Today’s guest is author and pastor Russ Ramsey from Nashville, Tennessee. We had a great talk about learning the importance of learning to see differently, taking time to ponder the beautiful things, loving art through the lens of faith, and how brokenness can refine and clarify our lives. This was a fascinating and important conversation, and you’ll be inspired, encouraged, and blessed by Russ. I highly recommend his books. Check them out, and visit Russ’s website by clicking the button below. Russ’s books mentioned in the show: Rembrandt Is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith Struck: One Christian's Reflections on Encountering Death Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. If you like this post, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber to receive more. My new book is Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things, which will release on July 25, 2023! It’s available for pre-order now. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It's Mind Change March! Hey, it’s almost March 1. We’re going to call it “Mind Change March,” and we’re going to make sure that every single day in this month, we’re going to press deeper into changing the things we need to change to get where we want to be in our lives. No more wasted time. No more regrets. 31 days from now we’ll be smarter, richer, wiser, fitter, closer to God and others, and we will be much better self-brain surgeons. I have a question for you: are you tired? I don’t mean sleepy. I mean, you’re looking around on social media and you see that everyone else seems to have it all together, but you can’t get a job or find your keys or the rent is due or your relationship is on the rocks. Or instead of having two of the best months ever to start 2021, you not only didn’t keep your resolutions, but you can’t even remember them. And you’re just so tired of it all? Like instead of Jump Start January and Fabulous February, you had “Just like last January,” and “Failed Again February?” Well, you’re not alone. I’m hearing a lot from people all over the place who are just so tired of being stuck and they don’t know how to change it. Guess what friend? It’s going to be okay. It’s mind change March, friend. And we’re going to start today. Scriptures from my friend Clay (you need to get you some promises too, friend!): Hebrews 6:18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 73:23-26 23 Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Lamentations 3:22-26 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. You can now pre-order my new book, Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things! Other Scriptures Mentioned: Deuteronomy 6:1-9 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, 2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 3 Hear, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, promised you. 4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a] 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Micah 6:8 8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God. Romans 12:10 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Malachi 3:10 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. Books: Five True Things: A Little Guide to Embracing Life's Big Challenges by David Richo The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thank you for reading Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren. This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit drleewarren.substack.comIt’s Mind Change Monday! Today we talk about how to fill our hearts and minds with good stuff, so that we know what’s going to happen when the pressure is on. Let’s go on a treasure hunt to help us change our minds and change our lives. Mind Change Monday is for paid subscribers only, and is one of the most helpful things we offer here at Self-Brain Surgery. In addition to these special episodes, the entire podcast archive is coming online for paid subscribers. There are at least two free episodes every week on Substack, along with the weekly free Self-Brain Surgery letter. Paid subscribers get new Mind Change Monday episodes weekly, the free episodes, and archived episodes every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! Paid subscribers also get access to the entire newsletter archive, video content, and more. If you want full access, please subscribe using the button below. You can try it out for seven days for free.

Philip Yancey has been a great friend and mentor for me for years. His books have helped millions of us search out the path to faith and hope again after life brings us pain. He’s one of the first people who gets a call when something terrible happens- Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech, Columbine- because he helps people honestly answer the questions such tragedies provoke, and to find hope again. Philip was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that causes a variety of issues with postural control, balance, steadiness and speed of movement, tremor, and other issues. And all those years of helping others look into their troubles and hold onto faith have prepared him for his own. This talk covers a lot of ground, from deconstruction to chronic illness, evil and suffering, church abuse, to finding strength in the community of the church. It’s inspiring, encouraging, and it will help you hold on, no matter what is happening in your life. Be sure to check out drleewarren.substack.com for more! My four all-time favorite Philip Yancey books: * Where the Light Fell: A Memoir is Philip’s intensely personal story of how he rebuilt his faith from the ashes of years of church abuse and the discovery of a family secret that devastated him. Incredible. I highly recommend the audiobook! * Where is God When it Hurts? * What’s So Amazing About Grace? * The Jesus I Never Knew You can now pre-order my new book, Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things! Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

A look at my book, I’ve Seen the End of You: A Neurosurgeon’s Look at Faith, Doubt, and the Things We Think We Know. It’s available to purchase everywhere books are sold, or by clicking the “Read my books” button below! The entire podcast archive is coming online for paid subscribers! There are at least two free episodes every week on Substack, along with the weekly free Self-Brain Surgery letter. Paid subscribers get new Mind Change Monday episodes weekly, the free episodes, and archived episodes every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! Paid subscribers also get access to the entire newsletter archive, video content, and more! If you want full access, please subscribe using the button below! Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. (The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast archive is for paid subscribers. Please note: some links mentioned may no longer be active. Book giveaways mentioned in archived episodes are no longer available) This episode came out prior to the release of I've Seen the End of You: A Neurosurgeon's Look at Faith, Doubt, and the Things We Think We Know, which went on to win the 2021 Christian Book Award for Biography and Memoir. My new book is Hope is the First Dose: A Treatment Plan for Recovering from Trauma, Tragedy, and Other Massive Things, which will release on July 25, 2023! It’s available for pre-order now. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Valentine’s Day in the United States, the Day We Celebrate Love! Here’s a good talk about what love is, and isn’t! Music by Brandon Heath (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

Three Fancy French Words and Some Thoughts On Life A quiet time around how we can have room for happiness even when we're full of pain. Scriptures: I Corinthians 2 Romans 8 Music by Tommy Walker (Music shared on The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast is authorized under BMI license #61063253 and ASCAP license #400010513 ) Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe

It’s Self-Brain Surgery Saturday! I’m so excited to share a new friend with you! Author, editor, podcaster, and polymath Joel Miller joins me for a great conversation about reading, the Bible, the importance of editors in publishing (and in life), and more! This is one of the most fun conversations I’ve ever had on the show, and I think it will benefit you greatly! Joel also is a lot of fun to follow on Twitter! Joel’s Podcast, Bad Books of the Bible Read Miller’s Book Review on Substack! Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drleewarren.substack.com/subscribe