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In this episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, May Bagnell dives into the silent struggles so many of us carry: difficulty focusing, knowing what to do but not doing it, and feeling stuck in the same emotional patterns.

She unpacks the real reasons behind these blocks—spoiler: it’s not laziness—and shares compassionate, brain-based strategies to help you get back into alignment with your goals and values. If you’ve been hard on yourself for not following through, this episode is a gentle reset.

It’s not about pushing harder—it’s about understanding what’s happening beneath the surface, calming your nervous system, and creating real momentum from a place of self-awareness and care.

What You'll Take Away:

• A 3-minute nervous system reset you can use anytime you feel overwhelmed
• Why forcing focus rarely works—and what helps instead
• How to shift from “I need more discipline” to “I need deeper alignment”
• The surprising root of self-sabotage (and why it's not your fault)
• Small but powerful mindset shifts to move forward without burnout

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In this episode of The Doctor Is In, Dr. Michael Bagnell answers three powerful questions from listeners—covering sleep struggles, ADHD in children, and the challenge of living with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome).

Whether you're an entrepreneur who can’t shut your brain off at night, a parent seeking alternatives to ADHD meds, or someone navigating the confusion of dysautonomia, this episode brings clarity and hope.

Dr. Bagnell shares practical strategies rooted in functional neurology—like understanding sleep architecture, using neurofeedback, and strengthening brain function through neuroplasticity. It’s a science-based, personalized approach you won’t hear in most traditional settings.

Struggling to Fall Asleep?
A 46-year-old business owner shares his difficulty winding down at night.
Topics covered:

• Sleep architecture and wearable sleep trackers
• Delta and theta brainwaves
• How BrainTap and audio-visual entrainment can help calm a racing mind

Can Neurofeedback Help ADHD?
A parent asks about their 13-year-old son with ADHD.
Topics covered:

• Why neurofeedback is a common non-pharmaceutical alternative
• Brain mapping, connectivity, and customized therapy
• How nutrition and metabolic factors may also affect attention

Hope for POTS Recovery
A concerned mother shares her daughter’s struggle with POTS.
Topics covered:

• What POTS is and how it affects the autonomic nervous system
• Conventional vs. functional neurology approaches
• How neuroplastic rehabilitation can support recovery

Dr. Bagnell encourages listeners to keep asking questions and seeking deeper answers.
Final message: “You should know that you can heal—and we can help.”


Want to Submit a Question?

Reach out through our website or social media to send in your questions for future episodes. Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with someone who needs this.

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🎙️ EPISODE TITLE:
"When Healing Feels Like an Attack: Identity, the Brain, and the Path to Freedom"

Welcome to another Thoughtful Thursday with Dr. Michael and May Bagnell! Today’s episode is a powerful and eye-opening conversation centered around a deeply human question: Who are you? More importantly — who have you become in the face of pain, illness, or trauma?

Together, we explore how the Default Mode Network (DMN) — a brain network responsible for your sense of self — plays a role in how your identity is shaped, challenged, and even hijacked by life experiences. You’ll learn why some people struggle to heal despite taking all the right steps, and how your thought patterns and language (even something as simple as saying "my anxiety") can entrench unhealthy identities.

In this episode, we unpack:

• How your brain forms your identity — and why it often happens subconsciously
• The real reason why healing can feel like an emotional attack
• The danger of personalizing conditions (“my depression,” “my migraines”)
• Why people can get stuck in their identity of illness — and how to gently detach from it
• What it takes to envision a future version of yourself beyond trauma or disease
• How affirmations from others (even just one mentor or teacher) can shape your entire life

Whether you’re on a journey of recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply ready to change the story you tell yourself, this conversation offers both science-backed insights and soul-nourishing encouragement.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t know who you are anymore or you’re ready to reclaim your identity with hope and intention — this episode is for you.

💬 Quote to remember:
"When your disease becomes your identity, healing can feel like an attack."

🎧 Tune in now. You can heal — and we can help.

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In this Training Tuesday episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, Dr. Michael and May Bagnell come to you live from Pittsburgh while attending a neurology lab conference. They dive deep into the urgency and importance of brain training—not just after injury or diagnosis, but proactively and consistently throughout life.

Dr. Michael shares a moving personal story about his father's battle with dementia following a traumatic brain injury, shedding light on how lifestyle choices, stress, and lack of early brain care shaped his health decline. This heartfelt reflection transitions into a powerful discussion on why brain training matters at any age—whether you're in your 20s or 70s.

You’ll learn:

• What a yearly “cognoscopy” (brain map or QEEG) is and how it compares to a physical exam
• How blood sugar, inflammation, and “Type 3 Diabetes” can silently impact brain function
• Tools for at-home brain training like mindfulness, meditation, and the BrainTap headset
• Novel brain-boosting techniques, including the surprising benefits of walking backwards
• Why early, non-invasive evaluations could be the key to long-term cognitive health

If you're looking to sharpen focus, preserve memory, or prevent neurodegenerative decline, this episode delivers actionable steps and hope. Whether you’ve had loved ones struggle with Alzheimer’s or simply want to optimize your own cognitive performance, this conversation is your guide to building a resilient brain—starting today.

📩 Got questions or want personalized support? Reach out via our website or social media.
💡 You can heal—and we can help.

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Welcome back to The Coach is In with Coach May Bagnell and Dr. Michael Bagnell!

This week, we’re diving deep into the powerful connection between chronic stress, hormone imbalance, and brain function—especially when your labs say you're "normal," but your body feels anything but normal. Coach May answers real-life questions from women navigating stress, brain fog, weight struggles, and kids constantly battling sniffles during the school year.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why stress hijacks your hormones (and how cortisol plays the villain)
• How to shift your mindset and take back control
• The truth about fat loss vs. weight loss—and why your scale might be lying
• Key metabolic roadblocks like liver overload and hormone disruption
• Food sensitivities, histamine overload, and childhood immunity challenges

You'll walk away with actionable steps, hope, and the reminder that you are not stuck. You can heal. And we’re here to help. 💡

👉 Submit your health or parenting questions anytime—we love hearing from you!

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In this powerful episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, Dr. Michael and May Bagnell dive deep into real-life questions submitted by listeners who are seeking answers about how to stay mentally sharp, focused, and balanced—especially as we navigate modern lifestyles filled with screens, stress, and technology.

In this “Doctor Is In” session, we answer three important and highly relevant questions:

✅ Do brain games really help improve cognitive function?
We discuss the science behind gamified brain training apps like BrainHQ, as well as traditional activities like Sudoku, crossword puzzles, and Wordle. Are they just fun pastimes—or do they actually enhance memory, attention, and focus?

✅ Is your smartphone affecting your brain?
We explore the often-overlooked risks of prolonged cell phone use, EMF (electromagnetic frequency) exposure, and what that radiation plume could be doing to your brain health. Learn practical ways to protect yourself and your family—from how you use your phone to where you place your modem at night.

✅ Why am I still dizzy if my ENT says I’m fine?
A listener shares her struggle with ongoing dizziness despite no sign of “crystals” in her ears. Dr. Michael explains how balance and vestibular issues may stem from deeper brainstem imbalances, and why central nervous system care might be the missing link to long-term relief.

Whether you’re a busy professional trying to stay sharp, a tech user concerned about the effects of screen time, or someone dealing with lingering dizziness or brain fog—this episode will give you hope, clarity, and next steps.

🎧 Listen in for:

• Science-backed insights
• Actionable tips to protect and improve brain function
• Encouragement to pursue healing, no matter where you are in your journey

You can heal, and we can help.

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We did it – one whole year of the Neurocollective Podcast! 🎉

In this special anniversary episode, Dr. Michael and May Bagnell reflect on the incredible journey of launching and growing this podcast, now reaching listeners across 37 countries and 383 cities worldwide! 🌍

We’re looking back on our most downloaded episodes—from Functional Neurology 101 to the impromptu Biohacker’s Toolkit in a Sauna, and heart-centered topics like Women’s Brain Health and Primitive Reflexes in Children.

Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or just tuned in recently, this episode is a thank-you letter to YOU. We’ll also be sharing exciting plans ahead, including curated clips from our top 20 episodes (shoutout to our amazing assistant, Louisa!).

💌 We’d love to hear from you:
Where are you listening from? What topic do you want us to explore next?

Your brain can heal—and we’re here to help.

—

🌐 Send us your messages directly through the podcast page, and you might just get a personal shoutout in a future episode!

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If you’ve ever experienced motion sickness, vertigo, dizziness, or that strange unsteadiness when getting up too quickly — this episode is for you.

Join May Bagnell and Dr. Michael Bagnell as they dive deep into the brain-body connection behind balance. In this conversation, they explore the role of sensory input systems (like your eyes, inner ear, and joints), how a mismatch between them can lead to motion sickness or vertigo, and what real solutions exist — especially for those with long-term balance issues.

You’ll also hear a powerful story of an elderly patient whose life was transformed by specialized therapy and technology, plus practical tips and early interventions to improve your balance before it becomes a problem.

🔍 Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a caregiver, or someone who’s struggled with dizziness yourself, this is a must-listen.