In this episode, Dr. Lee Warren dives deep into the neurobiology of suffering, building on last week's theological exploration of the same topic. He emphasizes the importance of understanding both the spiritual and scientific perspectives on suffering to effectively manage it. The discussion covers the physiological processes involved in pain perception and chronic pain syndromes, highlighting the roles of neuroplasticity and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Dr. Warren shares insights from medical research and personal experiences, offering practical steps to help individuals reframe and revalue their pain for better mental health. He also underscores the significance of integrating faith and science to navigate through life's challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Recap

01:33 The Neurobiology of Suffering

10:54 Understanding Pain Processing

17:11 Chronic Pain and Neuroplasticity

25:54 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Hope

35:25 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Resources and Links:
📖 My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You

🎙️ ⁠Subscribe to The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast⁠ for weekly strategies to change your brain and life.

📖 Grab my book ⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠.

• (00:08) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
• (00:44) - The Neurobiology of Suffering
• (04:14) - Understanding Pain and Suffering
• (09:06) - Chronic Pain and Its Impact
• (11:38) - Pain Processing and Survival
• (24:44) - Neuroplasticity and Chronic Pain
• (26:29) - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Insights
• (31:17) - Reframing Pain and Suffering
• (35:23) - Embracing Neurobiology for Healing

If God is Good, Why is There Suffering?

A hard look at the biggest question: why is life so hard if God loves us?

Here's a look at the answer, and what to do about it!

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5, James 1:2-4, Proverbs 2:10

Book Mentioned: Is God Real? by Lee Strobel
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
01:00 Purpose and Vision of the Podcast
01:41 Exploring the Topic of Suffering
01:43 Revisiting Early Episodes
02:08 The Neurobiology of Suffering
02:28 Season Two and Subscriber Information
03:35 Deep Dive into Suffering
03:57 Personal Reflections on Suffering
04:43 Theodicy and Philosophical Questions
05:31 Listener Questions and Chronic Suffering
06:30 Personal Story and Theodicy
12:22 Philosophical Insights on Suffering
18:20 The Bear Analogy
20:32 Understanding Suffering Through Analogy
21:51 God's Perspective on Suffering
22:22 The Role of Free Will in Suffering
23:11 The Origin of Human Suffering
23:56 The Bigger Picture of Good and Evil
24:21 Critiquing God and the Long Narrative
25:53 God's Plan for Redemption
27:00 Personal Growth Through Suffering
29:23 The Purpose of Suffering
34:43 The Story of the Thai Cave Rescue
38:19 The Ongoing Battle Against Evil
39:31 Finding Strength in Faith

Resources and Links:
📖 My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠⁠I've Seen the End of You

🎙️ ⁠Subscribe to The Dr. Lee Warren Podcast⁠ for weekly strategies to change your brain and life.

📖 Grab my book ⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠.

• (00:08) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
• (00:44) - The Purpose of Suffering
• (03:25) - Exploring the Neurobiology of Suffering
• (03:51) - Why We Suffer
• (05:42) - The Nature of God and Suffering
• (10:41) - Theodicy and Our Questions
• (15:28) - Finding Hope in Suffering
• (20:27) - Perspective on Suffering
• (25:05) - Growth Through Pain
• (31:05) - The Purpose Behind Our Suffering
• (32:10) - God’s Presence in Our Pain
• (35:29) - The Story of Redemption
• (38:17) - Conclusion: The Answer is Jesus

In this Tuesdays with Tata episode, Tata and I ponder the profound insights of John 1 from the Bible.

We discuss the significance of Jesus as the Word, and how getting to know him brings light into even the hardest parts of our lives. Tata shares some stories from his decades of walking alongside people in their most difficult moments, and he invites us to consider the challenges of faith in hardship and to develop an eternal perspective on life. This episode is a heartfelt invitation to taste and see that the Lord is good, especially for those searching for light in dark times.

Want more tools for rewiring your brain and renewing your mind?

🎙️ Subscribe to The Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren Podcast for weekly strategies to change your brain—and your life.
📖 Grab my book Hope Is the First Dose for a roadmap to recovery and transformation.
📘 And stay tuned for The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery—coming February 2026!

• (00:09) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
• (15:04) - Understanding God's Heart for Us
• (26:37) - The Power of Choice
• (29:02) - The Importance of Acceptance
• (35:48) - Finding Peace in God's Word

In this episode, I give you five lessons I learned from my conversation with Rick Burgess, New York Times bestselling author and celebrated radio host (Rick and Bubba, The Rick Burgess Show). Rick has a new book about his dad Bill, called ⁠Men Don't Run in the Rain⁠. This episode is a prequel to the full interview, which will be released on 5/30//2025 on The Self-Brain Surgery Podcast.

Resources and Links

Rick's new book, ⁠Men Don't Run in the Rain⁠⁠

Rick's website for ⁠The Rick Burgess Show⁠

⁠The Man Church Conference⁠

⁠Sherri Burgess' beautiful book about losing their son Bronner⁠

My book, 2021 ECPA Memoir/Biography of the Year, ⁠I've Seen the End of You⁠

Be sure to check out my latest book, ⁠Hope Is the First Dose⁠!

Sign up for my weekly ⁠Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here⁠! (Get my free Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)

• (00:07) - Welcome to Spiritual Brain Surgery
• (01:09) - A Conversation with Rick Burgess
• (04:40) - Lessons from Dads and Legacy
• (09:11) - The Water We Swim In
• (11:51) - Changing Your Environment
• (18:07) - Honoring Your Parents
• (22:43) - Gratitude in Adversity
• (25:07) - Finding Strength in Loss
• (29:39) - The Value of Influence
• (37:38) - The Impact of Integrity
• (40:12) - Closing Thoughts and Reflections

Why We Need Spiritual Brain Surgery

Today, I'm sharing thoughts inspired by a fallen tree, a blocked road, and the search for a new path forward after unexpected calamity.

I want you to understand the importance of connecting faith with neuroscientific principles, and why we need two different podcasts to make space for this incredible community of budding self-brain surgeons. We discuss how personal setbacks and societal challenges often lead to a mindset that nothing can help, and why I argue for a shift in approach to realize that something - and eventually, perhaps God - can help. This is how we bridge the gap between science and faith, and I want you to explore both avenues for a deeper understanding and betterment of life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery

00:44 Why Start Another Podcast?

03:07 The Concept of Approaches in Neurosurgery

04:44 Changing Your Approach to Life

06:49 The Role of Science and Faith

10:54 Guest Hosts and Future Plans

11:31 The Importance of Spirituality

14:13 Overcoming Obstacles: A Personal Story

22:00 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Want more tools for rewiring your brain and renewing your mind?
🎙️ Subscribe to The Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren Podcast for weekly strategies to change your brain and life.
📖 Grab my book Hope Is the First Dose.
✉️ Get my weekly Self-Brain Surgery letter! (FREE Thought Biopsy Worksheet when you subscribe!)

• (00:08) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
• (01:15) - The Journey of Spiritual Brain Surgery
• (02:54) - Approaching Life's Challenges
• (05:25) - Shifting Perspectives: Nothing Can Help Me
• (07:48) - Exploring Alternative Approaches
• (09:50) - Bridging Science and Faith
• (12:29) - The Importance of Spirituality
• (15:00) - A Lesson from a Fallen Tree
• (22:25) - Overcoming Life's Obstacles
• (22:47) - The Purpose of Spiritual Brain Surgery
• (26:57) - Embracing Change and Transformation

Are our thought problems the result of spiritual attack, or mental health issues? Are they just bad habits, or are they bad biochemistry? In short, are the things that trouble us Devil, or Diagnosis?

Dr. Lee Warren revisits a 2023 episode to address recent inquiries about mental health struggles, particularly obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and whether they stem from mental issues, spiritual components, or both.

The episode explores Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz's work on neuroplasticity, the mind-brain distinction, and practical self-brain surgery techniques to manage negative thinking. Dr. Warren emphasizes the importance of challenging automatic negative thoughts, relabeling, reframing, refocusing, and revaluing them to change one's mental state. He discusses the integration of neuroscience and faith in resolving these challenges and encourages listeners to seek professional help if needed.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Episode

00:49 Revisiting 'Devil or Diagnosis'

01:04 Jeffrey Schwartz's Contributions

01:24 The Mind-Brain Connection

01:28 Promoting Dr. Schwartz's Book

01:57 Upcoming Podcast Guests and Content

02:51 Encouragement to Subscribe and Engage

04:01 Introduction to the Main Topic

04:49 Understanding Disordered Thinking

05:35 The Role of Spiritual Warfare

06:44 Devil vs. Diagnosis

07:20 The Power of Self Brain Surgery

11:13 Jeffrey Schwartz's Four Steps

13:23 Changing Your Perspective

23:58 The Enemy's Influence and God's Promise

27:57 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Scripture: Isaiah 14:14-17, Isaiah 61:2-3, Hosea 2:15, Job 3:25

Book Mentioned: You Are Not Your Brain: The 4-Step Solution for Changing Bad Habits, Ending Unhealthy Thinking, and Taking Control of Your Life by Jeffrey Schwartz and Rebecca Gladding (This link is for pre-order of the upcoming audiobook release)

Want more tools for rewiring your brain and renewing your mind?
🎙️ Subscribe to The Self-Brain Surgery with Dr. Lee Warren Podcast for weekly strategies to change your brain and life.
📖 Grab my book Hope Is the First Dose.
✉️ Get my weekly Self-Brain Surgery letter!

• (00:04) - Introduction and Episode Overview
• (04:06) - Mental Illness: Devil or Diagnosis?
• (07:55) - Disordered Thinking and Its Impact
• (14:46) - Jeffrey Schwartz's Four Steps
• (17:16) - Challenging Negative Thoughts
• (23:51) - The Enemy's Tactics
• (28:13) - Seeking Professional Help
• (29:35) - The Path to Change

Embracing Suffering: Finding Strength and Hope in Hardship

In this new Tuesdays with Tata episode, we dive into the heavy topic of suffering, particularly through personal tragedies, and explore how these experiences cultivate endurance, character, and hope.

Tata stresses the importance of relying on God through trials and how suffering can strengthen one's faith. Real-life anecdotes, biblical verses, and practical advice on handling adversity underline the discussion's spiritual depth. The episode underscores trusting God in the midst of hardship, the transformative power of suffering, and how to cultivate resilience through faith.

Scriptures mentioned: Romans 5:3-5, I Peter 1:5-7. James 1:2-4

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back to the Riverbank

00:15 Meet Our Feathered Neighbors

00:55 Springtime Allergies and Weather Woes

01:50 A Heartfelt Discussion on Suffering

03:55 Biblical Insights on Endurance

06:16 Refining Through Trials

09:38 Personal Reflections on Loss

13:54 Finding Faith Amidst Suffering

16:30 Reflecting on Self-Perception and Suffering

17:06 Lessons from Surgical Training

18:55 Experience-Dependent Neuroplasticity

20:42 Facing Major Life Challenges

21:20 The Importance of Trusting God

22:35 Practical Advice for Suffering

29:05 Invitation to Trust in Jesus

31:43 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

• (00:08) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery
• (01:28) - Life and Nature by the River
• (02:53) - The Topic of Suffering
• (03:54) - Reflections on Suffering and Faith
• (04:59) - Finding Meaning in Suffering
• (07:11) - The Process of Refining
• (10:20) - Character Through Trials
• (22:39) - Learning to Trust God
• (25:19) - Casting Our Anxieties on Him
• (28:29) - The Furnace of Suffering
• (30:56) - Trusting God in Difficult Times
• (32:43) - Preparing for Future Trials
• (33:18) - Starting the Trust Process
• (33:48) - Closing Thoughts and Next Steps

GUEST HOST EPISODE: Meade Shirley and Christy Osborne

This is part 2 of a powerful look at how the ten commandments of Self-Brain Surgery™ can help you break free from anything that's keeping you stuck in your life.

Join my friends, the two powerhouses behind the amazing But Jesus Drank Wine Podcast, Christy Osborne and Meade Holland Shirley, as they break down the neuroscience and faith connections behind real freedom.

If you missed part one, click here to listen!

Resources and Links

• Christy and Meade's amazing podcast, But Jesus Drank Wine (here's my appearance on their show, possibly my favorite guest appearance ever!)
• Meade's website (coaching, her powerful blog, and more)
• Christy's powerful book, Love Life Sober
• Christy's website (links to coaching, her wonderful Subtack writing, and more)
• Be sure to check out my latest book, Hope Is the First Dose!
• Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here! (50% off on paid subscriptions until May 1!)
• Our featured partner for this episode is Zuma Nutrition. Click this link, and checkout with the promo code DRLEEWARREN to get 15% off.

• (00:05) - Introduction to Spiritual Brain Surgery Podcast
• (00:58) - Exploring Self-Brain Surgery Commandments
• (02:01) - Commandment Six: Love Tomorrow More
• (03:54) - Commandment Seven: Stop Overcomplicating
• (12:24) - Commandment Eight: Break Generational Patterns
• (22:08) - Commandment Nine: Believe in Your Progress
• (28:40) - Commandment Ten: Thoughts Become Things
• (37:27) - Community and Resources for Support