Dr. Ellie Rukuwai of Victoria University of Wellington, discusses her research on perfectionism and self-injury within the Māori community, exploring how cultural perspectives shape these experiences. She emphasizes the importance of understanding perfectionism not just as a psychological construct but as a culturally bound experience that can differ significantly from Western definitions. The discussion also touches on the impact of colonization on Māori identity, the challenges of mental health diagnosis, and the necessity of qualitative research in capturing the nuances of individual experiences. Ellie shares her personal journey of reconnecting with her Māori heritage and the importance of community support in mental health.

https://people.wgtn.ac.nz/ellie.rukuwai

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Dr. Liam Collins-Jones of University of Cambridge shares his journey from studying medicine to becoming a neuroscientist and comedian. He discusses innovative brain imaging techniques, particularly near infrared spectroscopy, and their applications in understanding brain activity in babies and dementia patients. The podcast explores the intersection of science and humor, emphasizing the importance of making science accessible and enjoyable. Liam also reflects on the challenges of research, the value of curiosity, and the role of comedy in science communication.

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Dr. Jonathan Howard, neurologist and psychiatrist at NYU Langone and chief of the neurology service at Bellevue Hospital, discusses his dual origin stories. The first as a medical professional and his experiences treating multiple sclerosis and other neuro-immune diseases. The second, understanding the dangers of misinformation in medicine, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic which he doccuments across two books "We want them infected" and "Everyone Else is Lying to you". Dr. Howard reflects on the lessons learned from COVID-19 and the need for the medical community to regain public trust and effectively combat misinformation.

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Support us and reach out!
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email: thesmoothbrainsociety@gmail.com