THRIVING MINDS PODCAST

Episode #204 Let Them be Seen. Because healing begins when we choose to see — and to be seen.

The “Let Them Theory” has taken over the internet as a soothing mantra that tells us: If they don’t choose you, let them. It’s everywhere, in reels, podcasts, and quotes , reminding us to stop chasing people who don’t choose us.The phrase exploded when Mel Robbins reframed it as a mindset tool —a neurological reset for our overactivated threat systems. Before that, it began as a viral poem by Cassie Phillips, a trauma survivor and writer who gave language to the pain of letting go.Her words struck a collective nerve.Excerpt: Cassie Phillips — Just Let Them (Read in calm, measured tone)“If they want to choose something or someone over you, let them. If they want to go weeks without talking to you, let them. If they act like they can live without you, let them. Let them lose you. You were never theirs, because you were always your own. So let them.” You can read the full poem and follow Cassie’s work at @cassie.phillips.letthem.The Visible BrainThat’s what I explore in my new book, Visible: Rewiring Your Brain for Love, Resilience, and the Courage to Be Seen.Sometimes the bravest thing we can do isn’t to let them,but to let ourselves be seen. Because visibility is not weakness — it’s biology.Through synchrony, shared attention, and compassion, we rewire the brain for trust and connection. Our neural pathways change when someone sees us — really sees us — and still stays.So maybe the next step in the “Let Them” movement isn’t “let them” But let yourself be seen.I see your struggle.I see your fear.I see your humanity.Listen & Reflect In this week’s Thriving Minds Podcast, I read from Visible: Rewiring Your Brain for Love, Resilience, and the Courage to Be Seen and unpack how our brains heal through empathy and presence — not avoidance.Because healing begins when we choose to see — and to be seen.Support the showSubscribe and support the podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/newLearn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

#203: If only I knew what I know now. Science of Motherhood podcast, interview with Dr Renee White

Today on Thriving Minds, I’m sharing a special replay of my conversation with Dr. Renee White on her Science of Motherhood podcast, where we explored what I wish I knew then—now that I know this—about screens, resilience, and protecting our kids’ mental health in the digital age.Screens are part of everyday life, but learning how to manage them while protecting our children’s mental health can feel like an uphill battle. In this candid conversation, Professor Selena Bartlett shares the lessons she wishes she knew earlier as a parent—now backed by decades of neuroscience research into stress, resilience, and brain plasticity.You’ll hear practical, science-informed strategies to help you:Set and hold screen time boundaries (without constant battles)Support your child’s resilience through the power of neuroplasticityUnderstand how technology impacts kids’ mental healthReduce family stress and strengthen connectionMake everyday changes that protect wellbeingThis isn’t about removing technology altogether—it’s about using it mindfully, while safeguarding what matters most: your child’s mental health and your family’s connection.Resources & LinksFollow Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_Learn more about The Science of Motherhood and Fill Your Cup services🌿 Connect with Professor Selena Bartlett:Website: profselenabartlett.comInstagram: @prof_selena_bartlettExplore more at womenrise.com.auIf this replay sparks an “I wish I knew that earlier” moment for you, share it with another parent navigating the same challenges—and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes of Thriving Minds.Support the showSubscribe and support the podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/newLearn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Episode #202. What is a BRAINWAVE? Why Science, Medicine and Healing Modalities Are Coming Together, Dr Caitlin Shure, PhD, NY-based technologist and science communicator.

“The brain wave is not just a scientific object—it’s a cultural one.” – Dr. Caitlin ShureWhat is a brain wave? How “brain waves” became a metaphor for mind control, telepathy, and spiritual resonance. That’s the question we explore in one of the most surprising and thought-provoking episodes of the Thriving Minds podcast to date—with science journalist and technologist Dr. Caitlin Shure, whose PhD work traced the strange cultural journey of the brainwave from telepathy and spiritualism to modern neurotech and wellness wearables. Link to Episode #202: Brainwaves, Culture, and the Future of Healing.It turns out this simple question—"What is a brain wave?"—unlocks a much deeper one:What do we really believe about the brain, the body, and our capacity to heal?A deceptively simple question—yet one that opens a portal into 150+ years of science, culture, and imagination.The Rise (and Risk) of Neuroscience/Brain-Based EverythingToday, brainwaves are everywhere—from EEG sleep trackers and meditation headbands to marketing slogans and Instagram therapists. And yet:Most people don’t know what a brain wave isMany companies use “neuroscience” language without scientific rigourConsumers are caught between hope, hype, and helplessnessCaitlin and I discussed how this confusion reflects a crisis in our time: 👉 A loss of trust in science👉 The exploitation of wellness culture👉 The seductive myth that the mind can be “optimized” or “uploaded” 👉 And a growing yearning for something beyond both clinical reductionism and magical thinking💡 Why This Matters NowAs someone who has studied the brain for three decades, I’ve seen how easily science can become siloed—or exploited. I've also seen how desperately people are searching for hope, healing, and clarity in an overwhelming world.We’re overstimulated, overtired, and often overpromised.But there's a way forward. And it’s not at either extreme.🔄 The Middle Way is emerging as a necessary path. One that honours science and soul. Logic and lived experience. Data and deep feeling. This is how we build real health systems—ones that don’t just treat symptoms, but restore agency, belonging, and meaning.🔗 Let’s Keep the Conversation GoingHave you ever used neurotech? Do you think science is losing (or gaining) trust in your community? What does a “Middle Way” look like in your work?I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation in the comments or on LinkedIn#Neuroscience #ThrivingMinds #ScienceCommunication #MiddleWay #EEG #BrainWaves #Healing #BrainHealth #WellnessCulture #Neuroplasticity #ScienceMeetsSoul #CaitlinShure #SelenaBartlett #TeamFlow #Syntony #Neurotech #HealthLiteracySupport the showSubscribe and support the podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/newLearn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Episode #201: How to Synchronise to Thrive in the AI Age. Latest neuroscience of inter-brain synchrony!

For most of my career in neuroscience, I believed the brain alone governed who we are—shaped by genetics, evolution, and early life experiences. I trusted in the power of brain imaging and genomics to reveal the answers. But after decades spent mapping neural circuits, a deeper truth emerged:We are not isolated minds in skulls. We are wired to connect.In this episode, I explore the revolutionary science of interbrain synchrony—how our brains light up in rhythm with others when we’re emotionally attuned, collaborating, or solving problems together. Thanks to researchers like Dr. Joy Hirsch, we now understand our ability to thrive may not reside solely in the brain, but between us.As AI disrupts our workplaces and rewires our attention, we’re increasingly disconnected—from ourselves, each other, and our natural states of flow. But what if we could reclaim connection? What if the edge we need in this uncertain age isn’t more speed or knowledge, but more synchrony?Drawing parallels from nature—like how fish shoal and school to protect, move, and thrive together—I share a new vision for leadership and learning: designing environments where team flow becomes the norm, not the exception.This episode is an invitation to rethink intelligence, leadership, and the future of work—through the lens of relational neuroscience.🔍 Topics covered:The neuroscience of interbrain synchronyTeam flow vs. solo productivityHow evolution and environment shape intelligenceWhy social intelligence is now our greatest assetPractical strategies for designing synchrony in your teamThe mindset shift we need in the AI era🎧 Tune in to learn how to turn overwhelm into alignment—and why fish don’t swim alone, and neither should we.#TeamFlow #Neuroscience #InterbrainSynchrony #Leadership #AIandHumanity #Synchrony #MindsetShift #FutureOfWork #PodcastEpisode #SocialBrainSupport the showSubscribe and support the podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/newLearn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

Episode #200. Proof of Life After Death? Neuroscience Meets Near-Death with Dr. Bruce Greyson, Psychiatrist, Author of After: A Doctor Explores What NDEs Reveal about Life and Beyond

🎧 Thriving Minds with Professor Selena Bartlett welcomes Dr. Bruce Greyson, a pioneering psychiatrist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia, for a profoundly moving and scientifically grounded conversation on near-death experiences (NDEs) and the nature of consciousness. In this episode, Dr. Greyson reflects on his 40 years of research, the development of the Greyson NDE Scale, and his acclaimed book After, which explores what NDEs reveal about the mind, death, and what might lie beyond.Together, they delve into the profound stories from Dr. Greyson’s clinical career, including verifiable accounts of consciousness during clinical death, and how these findings challenge the long-held assumption that the brain is the sole source of awareness. Dr. Greyson also shares how studying NDEs transformed his own scientific beliefs, why materialism may not offer all the answers, and how this research can reshape mental health, medical training, and how we approach grief, dying, and healing.This is a conversation at the frontier of science and mystery, offering hope, humility, and a glimpse at the next revolution in understanding the human mind.📘 After by Dr. Bruce Greyson is available now.https://www.amazon.com.au/After-Doctor-Explores-Near-Death-Experiences/dp/1250263034 🎙️ Learn more at [Thriving Minds Podcast].Support the showSubscribe and support the podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/367319/supporters/newLearn more at www.profselenabartlett.com