Last episode, we dug into how people lose their sense of safety and control when something — or someone — hijacks it.
This week, we’re picking up the story from there: what it takes to rebuild.

What does it look like to find your footing after an experience that knocks you off course?
Why do some people regain a sense of agency faster than others?
And what does real resilience look like when you're living it, not just talking about it?

If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.

We'd love to hear from you.

REFERENCES

• • Hunter, Gray & McEwen — The Neuroscience of Resilience

  • Elsevier B.V. — Neuroscience of Resilience for Mental Health

  • Baratta, Seligman & Maier — From Helplessness to Controllability: Toward a Neuroscience of Resilience

  • Ruth Feldman — What Is Resilience: An Affiliative Neuroscience Approach

  • Alex Iantaffi — https://www.alexiantaffi.com/

If you think you’d never be pulled into a cult, that belief itself is part of the danger. In this episode, we explore why the brain is far more influenceable—and more predictable—than most of us want to believe.

We take a closer look at what happens when belonging, something we’re biologically wired to seek, becomes a pathway into harm. Together, we examine how group dynamics, stress, and relationship patterns can quietly shift a person’s behavior and sense of self. Laine brings research and real-world examples that show just how thin the line can be between healthy connection and unhealthy devotion.

If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.

We'd love to hear from you.

REFERENCES

• • Cults: A Natural Disaster—Looking at Cult Involvement Through a Trauma Lens
    Shelly Rosen

  • Pedagogical, Neuropsychological and Social Conditions of Shaping the Identity of Cult Group Followers
    Mariusz Gajew

What does neuroscience reveal about great leadership—and why does it matter now more than ever?

In this episode, we explore the brain science behind leadership: how it guides us in uncertainty, shapes culture, and unlocks human potential. From Microsoft’s near-collapse to its stunning revival under Satya Nadella, we’ll uncover what happens in the brain when leadership fails—and what changes when it succeeds. You’ll hear how trust, safety, and connection transform not just teams, but entire organizations, driving innovation and resilience.

If you have any topic suggestions for future episodes, don't hesitate to reach out! Send us an email at info@brainblownpodcast.com.

We'd love to hear from you.

REFERENCES

• David Rock & Jeffrey Schwartz — Neuroscience of Leadership

• Manu Melwin Joy — The Neuroscience of Leadership

• Kimberly Schaufenbuel — The Neuroscience of Leadership: Practical Applications