One Brain At A Time

What actually happens in your brain when you read? Turns out, quite a lot!This week Adam and Andy are joined by Phil – senior bookseller at Waterstones Brighton – for a proper deep dive into why reading might be the most underrated thing you can do for your brain. We get into attention span, flow state, dopamine, empathy, why books almost always beat the film adaptation, and why it is absolutely never too late to become a reader. Phil also shares his own reading origin story – spoiler: it involves a newborn and a lot of sleepless nights – and drops some brilliant book recommendations along the way. Whether you're a lifelong bookworm or someone who hasn't picked up a book since school, this one's for you.Visit Waterstones Brighton: https://www.waterstones.com/bookshops/brighton-clock-tower Listen to the 'Blabbing With Booksellers' Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/24wFbwqlIp9lpqYZjeKm8D We want to hear from you! Don't hesitate to email the show: adamwright@aypuk.comBuy us a Coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/onebrainpodcast ---Chapters:00:00 - Clip01:25 - Intro & waffle (ft. stalking Phil in Waterstones)02:25 - Meet Phil — bookseller, actor, voice actor03:04 - Why reading is so good for your brain05:07 - Andy discovers books (better late than never)07:12 - Phil's reading origin story — holding a newborn at 3am09:30 - Reading as attention span training12:05 - Flow state, escapism & why reading feels blissful15:48 - The neuroscience of empathy & seeing through someone else's brain19:31 - Books vs. film adaptations — why books always win23:00 - Why reading feels passive (and why that's wrong)24:28 - Dopamine, TikTok & why your brain wants the phone instead27:30 - The satisfaction of finishing a book29:10 - Brandon Sanderson, Stormlight Archive & deep character arcs32:00 - Reading & mental health representation in fiction35:44 - Why hyped books disappoint — the neuroscience of expectation39:00 - Book recommendations from Phil42:00 - It's never too late to become a reader45:58 - Outro---This podcast will change your life, if you let it.Welcome to One Brain At A Time, an Action Your Potential podcast. At the top of your neck you have the most powerful processing device in the known universe. But no-one's ever told you how it works... until now.Each Monday, Action Your Potential consultants Adam Wright and Andy Feist strip away the jargon and break down the neuroscience into practical tools you can apply straight away. Entertaining, evidence-based, and 100% woo-woo free. That's a guarantee.Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full episodes on Youtube.If you want to learn more about the work we do at AYP, you can find out more information on our website!📧 Email us questions at adamwright@aypuk.com.👀 Watch our episodes on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OneBrainPodcast📲 Follow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@one.brain.podcast📲 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_brain_podcast?igsh=MTdxMmVvMndoeDNydg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr📬 Subscribe to the AYP Newsletter: https://substack.com/@actionyourpotentialOne Brain At A Time is written and presented by Adam Wright & Andy Feist. Production from Adam Wright and Andy Feist. Intro Music: “Happy Life” by Fredji (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvQ-5RCt9xs&list=PLfP6i5T0-DkK-1uhfhicxlQ2FJwbuA7uU&index=26). One Brain At A Time is an Action Your Potential production.

What does it actually take to build a great school? Not just good exam results – but a place where kids genuinely thrive. This week Adam and Andy are joined by Mark Wignall, a former headteacher with 36 years in education, to talk values over rules, the attendance crisis, marginal gains in the classroom, and why understanding your brain might be the most important lesson schools aren't teaching.If you need any specific help with this, don't hesitate to email the show adamwright@aypuk.comWe Read Your Comments!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Buy us a Coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/onebrainpodcast ---Chapters:00:00 - Clip00:50 - Intro & waffle (ft. the heatwave & cold pan nonsense)01:57 - Meet Mark Wignall – 36 years in education02:53 - What Action Your Potential does & why small changes matter05:50 - Mark's career journey to headteacher07:00 - What makes a great school?09:30 - Exam results vs. the whole child11:20 - Building a school around values13:38 - School as a community – it takes everyone14:47 - Values over rules: building behaviour into the brain17:09 - The kindness & compassion curriculum19:50 - Marginal gains & the Team Sky parallel21:14 - Does the 1% approach actually work in schools?23:10 - Ofsted & why inspection misses the point24:09 - The attitude shift — parents & schools25:49 - Post-austerity & the collapse of support services26:14 - The attendance crisis28:00 - Why kids build up school in their heads (& how the brain does it)30:01 - Neuroscience as an icebreaker — not a blame game31:27 - What school actually teaches you (beyond the subjects)32:00 - The power of doing things you don't love32:24 - Emergence claxon 🚨34:07 - Outro---This podcast will change your life, if you let it.Welcome to One Brain At A Time, an Action Your Potential podcast. At the top of your neck you have the most powerful processing device in the known universe. But no-one's ever told you how it works... until now.Each Monday, Action Your Potential consultants Adam Wright and Andy Feist strip away the jargon and break down the neuroscience into practical tools you can apply straight away. Entertaining, evidence-based, and 100% woo-woo free. That's a guarantee.Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full episodes on Youtube.If you want to learn more about the work we do at AYP, you can find out more information on our website!📧 Email us questions at adamwright@aypuk.com.👀 Watch our episodes on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OneBrainPodcast📲 Follow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@one.brain.podcast📲 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_brain_podcast?igsh=MTdxMmVvMndoeDNydg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr📬 Subscribe to the AYP Newsletter: https://substack.com/@actionyourpotentialOne Brain At A Time is written and presented by Adam Wright & Andy Feist. Production from Adam Wright and Andy Feist. Intro Music: “Happy Life” by Fredji (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvQ-5RCt9xs&list=PLfP6i5T0-DkK-1uhfhicxlQ2FJwbuA7uU&index=26). One Brain At A Time is an Action Your Potential production.

This week Adam and Andy are joined by Professor Jessica Horst of The University of Sussex to discuss everything from early childhood language learning, to gamification and how we actually learn the meaning of words.If you need any specific help with this, don't hesitate to email the show adamwright@aypuk.com.We Read Your Comments!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Buy us a Coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/onebrainpodcast--00:00 - Clip01:08 - Introduction02:25 - Meet Professor Jessica Horst (Word Lab, Sussex)03:00 - Jessica's backstory & how she got into research05:19 - Are kids actually word learning wizards?06:43 - How word learning really works08:07 - The moment Jessica questioned everything12:05 - Associative learning & the giraffe example13:56 - The role of intention & process of elimination17:28 - Sleep, memory consolidation & learning19:37 - The 12 Rocks & revision habits21:13 - Retrieval beats multiple choice23:52 - Gamification — helpful or a shortcut?26:12 - Board games, board design & what actually works28:26 - Researching kids — the creative challenge31:03 - Storybooks, toys & getting kids to reveal what they know33:06 - When should my kid say their first word?36:33 - Variability, late talking & not panicking38:08 - Language, isolation & why kids sleep so much40:09 - What's next at the Word Lab42:31 - Outro--This podcast will change your life, if you let it.Welcome to One Brain At A Time, an Action Your Potential podcast.At the top of your neck you have the most powerful processing device in the known universe. But no-one's ever told you how it works... until now.Each Monday, Action Your Potential consultants Adam Wright and Andy Feist strip away the jargon and break down the neuroscience into practical tools you can apply straight away.Entertaining, evidence-based, and 100% woo-woo free. That's a guarantee.Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full episodes on Youtube.If you want to learn more about the work we do at AYP, you can find out more information on our website!📧 Email us questions at adamwright@aypuk.com.👀 Watch our episodes on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OneBrainPodcast📲 Follow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@one.brain.podcast📲 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_brain_podcast?igsh=MTdxMmVvMndoeDNydg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr📬 Subscribe to the AYP Newsletter: https://substack.com/@actionyourpotentialOne Brain At A Time is written and presented by Adam Wright & Andy Feist. Production from Adam Wright and Andy Feist. Intro Music: “Happy Life” by Fredji (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvQ-5RCt9xs&list=PLfP6i5T0-DkK-1uhfhicxlQ2FJwbuA7uU&index=26). One Brain At A Time is an Action Your Potential production.

This week Adam and Andy are joined by Ian Swingler, Action Your Potential Strategic Growth and Quality Development Lead to talk about coaching – specifically how our neuroscience informed coaching can transform outcomes for everyone from students, to CEOs and kids.Find out more about our coaching on our website: https://www.actionyourpotential.org/If you need any specific help with this, don't hesitate to email the show adamwright@aypuk.comWe Read Your Comments!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Buy us a Coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/onebrainpodcast ---Chapters:00:00 - Clip00:25 - Introduction to Ian02:19 - How our neuroscience coaching works.04:39 - How it helps in schools07:49 - You can change your circumstances11:56 - How we are perceived 17:52 - Empowerment through neuroscience (You have to want it)21:29 - Why you need coaching27:40 - We apply it – and you should too.31:36 - Change your perspective35:36 - What neuroscience WE'VE applied recently40:45 - Outro (ft. Producer Dogs)---This podcast will change your life, if you let it.Welcome to One Brain At A Time, an Action Your Potential podcast. At the top of your neck you have the most powerful processing device in the known universe. But no-one's ever told you how it works... until now.Each Monday, Action Your Potential consultants Adam Wright and Andy Feist strip away the jargon and break down the neuroscience into practical tools you can apply straight away. Entertaining, evidence-based, and 100% woo-woo free. That's a guarantee.Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full episodes on Youtube.If you want to learn more about the work we do at AYP, you can find out more information on our website!📧 Email us questions at adamwright@aypuk.com.👀 Watch our episodes on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OneBrainPodcast📲 Follow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@one.brain.podcast📲 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_brain_podcast?igsh=MTdxMmVvMndoeDNydg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr📬 Subscribe to the AYP Newsletter: https://substack.com/@actionyourpotentialOne Brain At A Time is written and presented by Adam Wright & Andy Feist. Production from Adam Wright and Andy Feist. Intro Music: “Happy Life” by Fredji (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvQ-5RCt9xs&list=PLfP6i5T0-DkK-1uhfhicxlQ2FJwbuA7uU&index=26). One Brain At A Time is an Action Your Potential production.

This week Adam and Andy worries. Why we worry, how it can feel – and crucially what we can do to manage them. We also discuss why brains hate change, and how to deal with specific types of worries and changes – especially those you can't immediately solve.If you need any specific help with this, don't hesitate to email the show adamwright@aypuk.comWe Read Your Comments!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Buy us a Coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/onebrainpodcast ---Chapters:00:00 - Clip00:28 - Introduction & Overview01:00 - The Neuroscience of Worry03:53 - Change is fundamentally stressful08:23 - Models10:03 - Why we worry15:29 - Worries can be useful18:10 - Unlikely Problems (Air Travel)24:37 - Wicked Problems (Climate Change & Health)33:52 - Neuroscience of a Wicked Problem36:10 - WAT Framework (Management Strategies)41:22 - Outro ---This podcast will change your life, if you let it.Welcome to One Brain At A Time, an Action Your Potential podcast. At the top of your neck you have the most powerful processing device in the known universe. But no-one's ever told you how it works... until now.Each Monday, Action Your Potential consultants Adam Wright and Andy Feist strip away the jargon and break down the neuroscience into practical tools you can apply straight away. Entertaining, evidence-based, and 100% woo-woo free. That's a guarantee.Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full episodes on Youtube.If you want to learn more about the work we do at AYP, you can find out more information on our website!📧 Email us questions at adamwright@aypuk.com.👀 Watch our episodes on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OneBrainPodcast📲 Follow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@one.brain.podcast📲 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_brain_podcast?igsh=MTdxMmVvMndoeDNydg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr📬 Subscribe to the AYP Newsletter: https://substack.com/@actionyourpotentialOne Brain At A Time is written and presented by Adam Wright & Andy Feist. Production from Adam Wright and Andy Feist. Intro Music: “Happy Life” by Fredji (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvQ-5RCt9xs&list=PLfP6i5T0-DkK-1uhfhicxlQ2FJwbuA7uU&index=26). One Brain At A Time is an Action Your Potential production.

This week Adam and Andy talk "optimization-maxxing" – the practice of controlling your life and environment to make sure that you achieve all your goals, be they fitness, academic or career.Is there neuroscience to back up this trend – and should Stephen Bartlett's omission about alcohol stop us as well?Full Stephen Bartlett Clip: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HgoTCKECHEMDiary Of A CEO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEOIf you need any specific help with this, don't hesitate to email the show adamwright@aypuk.comBuy us a Coffee!: https://ko-fi.com/onebrainpodcast ---Chapters:00:00 - Clip00:50 - What is "optimization-maxxing"?04:00 - Stephen Bartlett Clip & Reaction07:00 - Make life worth living09:18 - Should you sacrifice your 20s?14:46 - Routines as a way of a controlling the world21:16 - Extreme ends of the spectrum26:09 - Consistency of Well-being is VITAL29:40 - Accept uncertainty33:13 - Notes from a reformed 'maxxer..'37:21 - Outro (Inc. Spurs chat and donations!)---This podcast will change your life, if you let it.Welcome to One Brain At A Time, an Action Your Potential podcast. At the top of your neck you have the most powerful processing device in the known universe. But no-one's ever told you how it works... until now.Each Monday, Action Your Potential consultants Adam Wright and Andy Feist strip away the jargon and break down the neuroscience into practical tools you can apply straight away. Entertaining, evidence-based, and 100% woo-woo free. That's a guarantee.Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full episodes on Youtube.If you want to learn more about the work we do at AYP, you can find out more information on our website!📧 Email us questions at adamwright@aypuk.com.👀 Watch our episodes on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OneBrainPodcast📲 Follow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@one.brain.podcast📲 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_brain_podcast?igsh=MTdxMmVvMndoeDNydg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr📬 Subscribe to the AYP Newsletter: https://substack.com/@actionyourpotentialOne Brain At A Time is written and presented by Adam Wright & Andy Feist. Production from Adam Wright and Andy Feist. Intro Music: “Happy Life” by Fredji (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvQ-5RCt9xs&list=PLfP6i5T0-DkK-1uhfhicxlQ2FJwbuA7uU&index=26). One Brain At A Time is an Action Your Potential production.

This week Adam and Andy... are off! So enjoy this cut together of some key actionable neuroscience insights, along with some funny moments over the last six months.Think of it like 'That's what I call music', but for our neuroscience podcast!👀 EPISODES FEATURED:Truthiness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT4cCoGjGrMPlanning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB6IA6ZNDM8Self Improvement & Dopamine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTk2Ua4yC1EHeartbreak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZgErSfrErgWe Read Your Comments!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rt06Ri8yc---Chapters:00:00 - Intro 01:0 - Funny Moments04:29 - Truthiness & The Manosphere15:25 - Plan it!20:47 - Dopamine & The Striatum28:42 - Heartbreak and the Nucleus Accumbens37:50 - Outro ---This podcast will change your life, if you let it.Welcome to One Brain At A Time, an Action Your Potential podcast. At the top of your neck you have the most powerful processing device in the known universe. But no-one's ever told you how it works... until now.Each Monday, Action Your Potential consultants Adam Wright and Andy Feist strip away the jargon and break down the neuroscience into practical tools you can apply straight away. Entertaining, evidence-based, and 100% woo-woo free. That's a guarantee.Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full episodes on Youtube.If you want to learn more about the work we do at AYP, you can find out more information on our website!📧 Email us questions at adamwright@aypuk.com.👀 Watch our episodes on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OneBrainPodcast📲 Follow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@one.brain.podcast📲 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_brain_podcast?igsh=MTdxMmVvMndoeDNydg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr📬 Subscribe to the AYP Newsletter: https://substack.com/@actionyourpotentialOne Brain At A Time is written and presented by Adam Wright & Andy Feist. Production from Adam Wright and Andy Feist. Intro Music: “Happy Life” by Fredji (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvQ-5RCt9xs&list=PLfP6i5T0-DkK-1uhfhicxlQ2FJwbuA7uU&index=26). One Brain At A Time is an Action Your Potential production.

This week Adam and Andy break down how to build an effective sleep routine with sleep hygiene – and why it's VITAL you do.If you need any specific help with this, don't hesitate to email the show adamwright@aypuk.comWe Read Your Comments!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rt06Ri8ycSleep Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj6AIFOsIm0 ---Chapters:00:00 - Clip00:25 - Intro & waffle (ft. More Life stress)03:42 - What is sleep hygiene? (& why it's so important)11:16 - Sleep opportunity and bedtimes.19:11 - Lights & the Super Charismatic Nucleus23:39 - Temperature and consistent sleep28:07 - Bluelight & Phones31:31 - It's hard, even for us!33:53: Facts, Opinions and Beliefs in your brain37:40 - Do it for your memory!38:33 - Outro ---This podcast will change your life, if you let it.Welcome to One Brain At A Time, an Action Your Potential podcast. At the top of your neck you have the most powerful processing device in the known universe. But no-one's ever told you how it works... until now.Each Monday, Action Your Potential consultants Adam Wright and Andy Feist strip away the jargon and break down the neuroscience into practical tools you can apply straight away. Entertaining, evidence-based, and 100% woo-woo free. That's a guarantee.Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full episodes on Youtube.If you want to learn more about the work we do at AYP, you can find out more information on our website!📧 Email us questions at adamwright@aypuk.com.👀 Watch our episodes on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OneBrainPodcast📲 Follow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@one.brain.podcast📲 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_brain_podcast?igsh=MTdxMmVvMndoeDNydg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr📬 Subscribe to the AYP Newsletter: https://substack.com/@actionyourpotentialOne Brain At A Time is written and presented by Adam Wright & Andy Feist. Production from Adam Wright and Andy Feist. Intro Music: “Happy Life” by Fredji (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvQ-5RCt9xs&list=PLfP6i5T0-DkK-1uhfhicxlQ2FJwbuA7uU&index=26). One Brain At A Time is an Action Your Potential production.

On this week's episode Adam and Andy are joined by James Feist, a Postgraduate Associate at the University of Chichester to discuss everything from his PhD Research, and the daily habits and routines that help him get everything done.We Read Your Comments!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_rt06Ri8yc---Chapters:00:00 - Clip00:25 - Intro & waffle (ft. James Intro & Marathon chat)05:13 - University of Chichester Progression11:10 - Resilience is a skill14:24 - It's about balance16:39 - James' PHD Thesis21:26 - Scanning in women's football25:34 - Structure & Planning32:22 - Exercise!36:09 - Outro---This podcast will change your life, if you let it.Welcome to One Brain At A Time, an Action Your Potential podcast.At the top of your neck you have the most powerful processing device in the known universe. But no-one's ever told you how it works... until now.Each Monday, Action Your Potential consultants Adam Wright and Andy Feist strip away the jargon and break down the neuroscience into practical tools you can apply straight away.Entertaining, evidence-based, and 100% woo-woo fre e. That's a guarantee.Subscribe today wherever you get your podcasts and watch the full episodes on Youtube.If you want to learn more about the work we do at AYP, you can find out more information on our website!📧 Email us questions at adamwright@aypuk.com.👀 Watch our episodes on our youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OneBrainPodcast📲 Follow us on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@one.brain.podcast📲 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_brain_podcast?igsh=MTdxMmVvMndoeDNydg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr📬 Subscribe to the AYP Newsletter: https://substack.com/@actionyourpotentialOne Brain At A Time is written and presented by Adam Wright & Andy Feist. Production from Adam Wright and Andy Feist. Intro Music: “Happy Life” by Fredji (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvQ-5RCt9xs&list=PLfP6i5T0-DkK-1uhfhicxlQ2FJwbuA7uU&index=26). One Brain At A Time is an Action Your Potential production.