The Dr. Leaf Show

😩 Feeling stuck in something that used to work—but now just drains you?This episode is for the moment you realize: “I can’t keep doing this.”Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down the brain science behind why it’s so hard to let go—and how to finally move on with clarity, intention, and real psychological tools. Whether it’s a job, a relationship, a routine, or even an identity, we explore what your brain, mind, and body are really telling you… and how to start over without fear or guilt.🔬 In this episode:Why your amygdala resists change (and how to work with it)The psychoneurobiology of letting go and nervous system safetyWhat co-regulation and unprocessed stress signals really meanWhy goal disengagement isn’t failure—it’s intelligent redirectionHow to use intentional micro-steps to retrain your brain and rebuild resilience🧠 Backed by recent studies in neuroscience and psychology, Dr. Leaf offers a practical, research-based guide to starting fresh, grounded in compassion—not hustle.🎬 Chapters include:00:00 Introduction: The Power of Starting Over00:36 Understanding the Brain-Mind Connection02:31 The Science of Neuroplasticity03:40 Welcome to the Dr. Leaf Show04:48 Recognizing When It's Time to Change11:29 The Concept of Adaptive Goal Disengagement15:27 Practical Steps for Intentional Change18:15 The Importance of Small Changes23:19 Conclusion: Embracing New BeginningsIf you’re at a crossroads or silently burning out, this episode is your permission slip to reset.📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com🖥️ WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / @drcarolineleafGET IN TOUCH:🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com📸 Instagram: / drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: / drcarolineleaf💻 Facebook: / drleaf#StartOver #Neuroscience #LettingGo #BurnoutRecovery #MentalHealthTools #RewireYourBrain #BrainScience #EmotionalReset #PsychologyPodcast #MentalWellbeingDISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

 In this episode, I explore what happens in a man’s mind when he becomes a father—and why so many dads carry their emotional weight in silence.From new dads to empty-nesters, the mental and emotional load of fatherhood is real—but rarely named. I’ll walk you through the neuroscience of paternal bonding, stress regulation, identity shifts, and inherited emotional silence. This is not just a tribute to dads—it’s a call to see them, support them, and understand them through the lens of brain science and mental health.I also sit down with my husband, Mac Leaf, for a candid conversation about his experience as a father—and what he wishes more people knew.This is the episode every dad, partner, son, and supporter of fatherhood needs to hear.🔖 Chapters00:00 Introduction: The Silent Struggles of Fathers01:31 The Neuroscience of Fatherhood03:58 The Mental Load of Fatherhood04:31 Emotional Suppression and Its Costs11:32 Practical Steps for Connection and Healing13:11 A Personal Conversation with Mac Leaf19:17 Final Thoughts: The Importance of Acknowledging Fathers📌 Subscribe for more neuroscience-based toolsI’m Dr. Caroline Leaf, a clinical neuroscientist and mental health educator. If you want practical, research-backed tools to build mental resilience and emotional health—hit that subscribe button and tap the bell 🔔.📬 Order my new book, “Help in a Hurry”➡️ www.helpinahurrybook.com 🎁 Pre-order to get over $900 in bonuses!🏷️ Hashtags / Tags (for SEO + discovery)#Fatherhood #MentalHealth #ParentingPodcast #Neuroscience #EmotionalHealth #DadsMatter #DrCarolineLeaf #BrainHealth #MenAndMentalHealth #PaternalBonding #TheMentalLoad #FathersDay2025 #DadLife #ParentingSupport #Neuroplasticity #EmotionalRegulation #SilentStruggle #PodcastForDads #FatherhoodJourney #MindBrainConnection

AI isn’t just influencing your life — it’s rewiring your brain. 🧠 From how you scroll to how you think, the invisible impact of algorithms runs deeper than most people realize. In this episode, cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down what’s really happening inside your mind… and what you can do to protect it.📌 What You’ll Learn:– How AI is subtly reshaping your attention, memory, and decision-making– The neuroscience behind “algorithmic fatigue” and digital overwhelm– Why your brain’s default mode is more vulnerable than ever — and how to strengthen it– How to tell the difference between helpful tech and harmful manipulation– A simple, science-backed framework to reclaim your cognitive control🎓 Referenced Insights:– 2023 Stanford study on attention fragmentation in algorithmic environments– MIT Media Lab findings on AI-driven dopamine feedback loops– Dr. Leaf’s decades of clinical work in neuroplasticity and cognitive resilience🛡️ This isn’t just about tech—it’s about mental survival in a digitized world.🧠 KEYWORDS + TOPICS COVEREDAI and mental health, cognitive offloading, AI and attention span, neuroplasticity, automation bias, emotional intelligence in the age of AI, digital dependency, AI hallucinations, cognitive resilience, dopamine loops, AI and memory, therapy bots, tech burnout, self-regulation, default mode network, attention fragmentation, digital discernment, Google Effect, co-regulation vs. algorithms, AI in education and parenting🔍 REAL QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS– What’s the neuroscience behind AI-induced brain fog?– Why is my thinking less clear since using AI more often?– Is ChatGPT affecting my ability to write or think creatively?– How do I build mental strength in a world of smart tools?– Can AI replace real emotional connection or mentorship?– What does it mean to “outsource clarity” to machines?🧬 TERMS YOU’LL HEAR EXPLAINED• Cognitive offloading• Google Effect• Automation bias• AI hallucinations• Executive function decline• Dopamine feedback loops• Default Mode Network (DMN)• Emotional outsourcing• Digital fluency vs. discernment• Co-regulation and human presence💬 QUOTABLE INSIGHTS FROM DR. LEAF- “The moment you stop checking, the machine starts shaping.”- “Just because AI sounds fluent doesn’t mean it’s right.”- “Delegation without discernment becomes dullness.”- “AI can echo, but it can’t disrupt you into growth.”- “You don’t lose your mind to AI — you lose it when you stop noticing.”🧘‍♂️ WHO THIS IS FOR• Anyone feeling mentally scattered, overstimulated, or tech-fatigued• Therapists, coaches, and teachers navigating AI integration• Entrepreneurs, writers, and creators wrestling with authorship in the AI age• Parents concerned about how AI shapes children’s thinking• Anyone who wants to use AI without losing their voice, values, or discernment📈 FOR TECH LEADERS + CREATORSLearn how AI tools impact cognition, creativity, and clarity — and how to maintain agency in a world optimized for automation. Whether you're a startup founder or social strategist, this episode offers a neuroscience-backed framework to work with AI while protecting your edge.📢 STAY IN TOUCHJoin 250,000+ readers getting science-backed mental health tips each week: 🌐 drleaf.com📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf📸 Instagram: @drcarolineleaf🔦 Twitter: @drcarolineleaf📘 Facebook: @drleaf

What’s your stress language—and how is it secretly shaping your thoughts, reactions, and health? In this transformative episode of The Dr. Leaf Show, Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down the six main “stress languages”—the hidden emotional patterns that kick in when life gets overwhelming: the Fighter, Freezer, Fixer, Fleer, Suppressor, and Pleaser.Unlike love languages, stress languages reveal how your brain and body respond to pressure, conflict, and fear. Are you shutting down? Fixing everyone’s problems but your own? Or smiling while silently screaming inside?Dr. Leaf explains the neuroscience behind stress, how to tell the difference between positive and toxic stress, and how to retrain your brain using the proven 5-step Neurocycle method. You’ll walk away with powerful insights and practical tools to decode your own stress responses—and reclaim peace and clarity in the middle of chaos.✨ BONUS: Pre-order Dr. Leaf’s new book Help in a Hurry at www.helpinahurrybook.com to unlock exclusive content and free 1:1 coaching opportunities!SPONSORS MAKING THIS SHOW POSSIBLE:Fay Nutrition: Having a personalized nutritionist used to cost big bucks, but not anymore with Fay. Listeners of The Dr. Leaf Show can qualify to see a registered dietitian for as little as $0 by visiting FayNutrition.com/DRLEAF. BiOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough: Nourish your brain and body with Magnesium Breakthrough now. For an exclusive offer go to bioptimizers.com/drleaf and use promo code DRLEAF10 during checkout to save 10%.📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GET IN TOUCH:🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

What if emotional resilience is the ultimate biohack?In this candid and high-impact episode, Dave Asprey—father of biohacking and founder of Bulletproof—joins Dr. Leaf for a mind-expanding conversation on anxiety, forgiveness, neurofeedback, and what it really takes to reset your nervous system. From decoding the three types of anxiety to unpacking forgiveness as the “fifth F-word,” Dave shares practical strategies and deeply personal moments, including how he navigated public betrayal and burnout while staying grounded in his purpose.Together, they explore the intersection of brain science, trauma healing, and high performance—making space for “weird brains,” somatic awareness, and efficient transformation that doesn’t require suffering.If you're ready to stop performing wellness and start embodying resilience, this episode is your reset ritual.Pre-order my new book here and get over $900 worth of amazing bonuses (and a chance to work 1:1 with me!): https://helpinahurrybook.com/Get Dave'sne wbook here: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated/📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GET IN TOUCH:🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

🎧 Podcast DescriptionIs Your Brain on Overdrive? Here's How to Tell If You're Thinking Too Much—Or Thinking WellWe’ve all been there—replaying conversations, worrying about the future, spiraling in a loop of mental noise. But is that really helping you—or just stressing you out?In this bite-sized episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down the powerful difference between overthinking and deep thinking, and why understanding the two could change your mental health game. You’ll learn how to stop spiraling, quiet the chaos in your mind, and train your brain to think in a way that actually moves you forward—not keeps you stuck.🧠 Key HighlightsThe neuroscience of why we overthink—and how to stop it in 63 secondsHow to spot when you’ve crossed the line from reflecting to ruminating3 simple ways to shift from anxious thinking to deliberate, deep thinkingBreathing and journaling techniques that calm your nervous systemWhy movement, curiosity, and questioning are your superpowers for mental peacePre-order my new book here and get over $900 worth of amazing bonuses (and a chance to work 1:1 with me!): https://helpinahurrybook.com/SPONSORS MAKING THIS SHOW POSSIBLE:BiOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough: Nourish your brain and body with Magnesium Breakthrough now. For an exclusive offer go to bioptimizers.com/drleaf and use promo code DRLEAF10 during checkout to save 10%.📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GET IN TOUCH:🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

In this episode, I unpack one of life's hardest decisions: when to stay and work through challenges—and when it’s time to move on for the sake of your mental and emotional health.You'll learn how to tune into the signals your mind and body are sending you, recognize when discomfort leads to growth versus harm, and use simple mind-management tools from my new book Help in a Hurry to build clarity and resilience.Key highlights:How to tell the difference between growth pain and toxic stressThe role of neuroplasticity in healing after hard decisionsSimple mindset shifts to help you move forward with confidenceReflective questions to guide your next right stepYou are not stuck. You are not powerless. Your mind holds the wisdom you need to choose your next chapter.Pre-order my new book here and get over $900 worth of amazing bonuses (and a chance to work 1:1 with me!): https://helpinahurrybook.com/SPONSORS MAKING THIS SHOW POSSIBLE:Pique Tea: If you’re tired of feeling depleted and want to finally nourish your body the right way, now’s the time—get 20% off plus a FREE rechargeable frother and glass beaker with my exclusive link: Piquelife.com/drleaf. 📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GET IN TOUCH:🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.

In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with my dear friend and transformational life coach, Craig Siegel, to explore what it truly means to reinvent your mind and your life.Craig shares his powerful personal story — from the high-pressure world of Wall Street to becoming a bestselling author and thought leader — and how rewiring his own mindset through intentional neuroplasticity led him to a more meaningful, purpose-driven life.Together, we unpack the science and strategy behind reinvention, mindset shifts, and conscious connection — and how you can apply these tools to build authentic relationships, overcome imposter syndrome, and unlock mental resiliencefor personal and professional growth.🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn:How to rewire your brain for reinvention using the power of neuroplasticityPractical steps to overcome imposter syndrome and embrace your true identityThe neuroscience behind shifting mindsets from survival to purposeWhy authenticity and aligned energy are key to building meaningful networksHow to move from fear-based decisions to intentional, brain-directed changeThe daily habits Craig used to transform his life — and how you can use them tooThis is more than a conversation — it’s a practical, empowering guide to embracing change with intention and clarity. You’ll leave inspired, grounded, and equipped with tools to begin your own transformation.Pre-order my new book here and get over $900 worth of amazing bonuses (and a chance to work 1:1 with me!): https://helpinahurrybook.com/📫 250,000+ read my free newsletter that breaks down scientific strategies to help you improve your mental health. Sign up here: https://drleaf.com🖥️WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DrCarolineLeaf⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GET IN TOUCH:🌍 My website: https://drleaf.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcarolineleaf🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCarolineLeaf💻 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drleaf*DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog are for educational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice. We always encourage each person to make the decision that seems best for their situation with the guidance of a medical professional.