Connect My Brain

Dr. Laura Hanson

Why is this happening to my kid and what can I do about it? If you're the parent of a developmentally delayed child, you've probably asked this question more than once. That's where I come in! I'm Dr. Laura Hanson and I specialize in identifying the "why" and telling you the "what." Join me every Thursday for a deeper look at how our brains are wired and how to get the most out of your mind. Are you looking to break negative patterns, overcome mood disorders, or optimize your potential? Maybe your child struggles with ADHD, OCD or other learning difficulties. Tune in to Connect My Brain, where I explain concepts like biofeedback and neurofeedback, brainwave frequencies, and much more. Let me help you change your life by changing your mind!

  1. Sep 24

    Can You Train Your Brain Like a Muscle?

    In this episode, I talk with Mark Tommerdahl about Brain Gauge, a tool designed to measure and train brain connectivity through precise fingertip vibrations. We discuss how it assesses foundational brain functions, how its exercises work like a gym for the brain, and the changes Mark has observed in people dealing with attention difficulties, stroke recovery, autism, dementia, concussion, and other neurological challenges. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Mark Tommerdahl is a biomedical engineer, neuroscientist, and longtime professor at the University of North Carolina whose research focuses on cortical dynamics, sensory processing, plasticity, and pain. He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and helped develop Brain Gauge, a quantitative sensory testing tool designed to assess aspects of brain function. Through his work with Cortical Metrics, he continues to translate decades of neuroscience research into practical tools for measuring and understanding brain health. - - - - - Connect with Mark Tommerdahl, PhD, MS, BS Website: https://www.corticalmetrics.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZzmxVY2ewNmuFsVJ-IAIQA LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cortical-metrics Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corticalmetrics - - - - - Connect My Brain Website: https://www.connectmybrain.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connect.my.brain/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectmybrain Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlaurahanson - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/channel-growth/

  2. Sep 17

    Raising Present Children in a Distracted World

    In this solo episode, I explore how social cues, eye contact, presence, and everyday device habits may shape the way children learn to connect with others. I also look at distractibility, stress responses, communication, and developmental reflexes, and why some behaviors labeled as attention problems may reflect a nervous system working hard to feel safe. Most importantly, I share ways adults can model stronger connection and help children build more room to regulate, engage, and learn. - - - - - About the Host: Dr. Laura Hanson is the founder of Connect My Child's Brain and a nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopment, with nearly 30 years of experience helping children and adults who struggle with focus, learning, behavior, and overall brain function. Rather than focusing on labels or symptom management, Dr. Hanson specializes in identifying the underlying patterns in brain development that impact how a person thinks, learns, and functions. She is known for helping families understand why their child is struggling—and more importantly, what can be done about it. - - - - - Connect My Brain Website: https://www.connectmybrain.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connect.my.brain/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectmybrain Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlaurahanson - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  3. Sep 10

    PANS/PANDAS: Looking Beyond the Infection to the Gut, Brain, and Immune System

    In this episode, I talk with pediatric nurse practitioner Melissa Smith about PANS/PANDAS and the sudden behavioral and neurological changes families may notice. We discuss infections, gut health, inflammation, neurotransmitters, testing, and why Melissa looks beyond a single trigger or diagnosis when supporting children. We also explore why a detailed history and individualized approach can help parents make sense of a complex picture. - - - - - About the Guest: Melissa Smith is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and certified pediatric mental health specialist with experience in emergency care, intensive care, primary care, and pediatrics. Her interest in integrative medicine began after treating a child with PANDAS and seeing firsthand how deeper investigation could change a family's path forward. Since then, she has pursued additional training in functional lab testing, nutritional therapy, and integrative approaches to care. Today, she works with children facing autoimmune, mental health, and other complex conditions, with a focus on looking beyond symptoms to understand better the factors affecting the whole child. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.newviewpediatrics.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newview_integrativepediatrics/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/p/New-View-Integrative-Pediatrics-61557212357986/ - - - - - Connect My Brain Website: https://www.connectmybrain.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connect.my.brain/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectmybrain Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlaurahanson - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  4. Sep 3

    Raising Capable Kids: Why Warmth and Boundaries Belong Together

    In this episode, I sit down with educator and parent Sharon Schwarz to talk about what children need to become capable, confident adults. We explore authoritative parenting, the value of routines and clear expectations, how screens can affect play and communication, and why warmth, accountability, and age-appropriate responsibility can help children feel secure and prepared for life. - - - - - About the Guest: Sharon Schwarz is an award-winning middle school teacher, parenting educator, and content creator with more than 24 years of experience working with children and families. After decades in the classroom, she saw a growing disconnect between modern parenting advice and what children need to become capable, resilient, and emotionally healthy. Through her work, Sharon helps parents embrace an authoritative approach that combines deep connection with clear expectations, healthy boundaries, and age-appropriate responsibility. By blending developmental science, classroom experience, and practical strategies, she gives families a more balanced framework for raising confident, capable children. - - - - - Social Handles: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrssharonschwarz/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/mrssharonschwarz/ - - - - - Connect My Child's Brain Website: https://www.connectmybrain.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connect.my.brain/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectmybrain Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlaurahanson - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  5. Aug 27

    The Invisible Impact of Brain Injury and What the Brain Needs to Recover

    In this episode, I talk with Dr. Monisha Bhanote about the traumatic brain injury that changed her life and what her long recovery taught her about the brain, inflammation, and cellular health. Together, we discuss nutrition, the gut microbiome, movement, sleep, and nervous system support, as well as why children can become overwhelmed by sensory and environmental stressors. We also explore practical ways parents can become more intentional about supporting their child's developing brain. - - - - - About the Guest: Dr. Monisha Bhanote is a physician with five medical board certifications whose work focuses on cellular health, gut health, and longevity. After experiencing a traumatic brain injury herself, she drew on her medical training, nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle practices throughout her recovery. She is the author of The Anatomy of Well Being and brings a cellular perspective to helping people better understand how everyday choices can support the body and brain. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.drbhanote.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drbhanote/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drbhanote Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drbhanote/ - - - - - Connect My Child's Brain Website: https://www.connectmybrain.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connect.my.brain/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectmybrain Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlaurahanson - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

  6. Aug 20

    Amino Acids, Nutrition, and the Building Blocks of a Healthy Brain For Your Child

    In this episode, I sit down with Laurie Hammer to explore how amino acids support brain health by nourishing the body's neurotransmitters. We discuss how foundational nutrition, protein, healthy fats, minerals, and a healthy microbiome may influence behavior, sleep, emotional regulation, and overall brain function. We also share practical ideas parents can begin using at home to help build healthier habits that support their child's development. - - - - - About the Guest: Laurie Hammer is a Functional Nutritional Therapist who focuses on helping clients navigate depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other neurological conditions. Her work is driven by her own healing journey—overcoming cancer, celiac disease, bulimia, and depression through holistic approaches. Today, she supports clients around the world, both virtually and in person, offering hope and practical strategies for moms facing anxiety, depression, and the overwhelming demands of daily life. - - - - - Social Handles: Website: https://www.lauriehammer.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/takebackmybrain Facebook: https://facebook.com/takebackmybrain/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurie-hammer-ab84ab8/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@takebackmybrain9073 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2yYNVnRQtakHbIjTK8nQVJ?si=cd2f7ec73c924840 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/take-back-my-brain/id1684847484 - - - - - Connect My Child's Brain Website: https://www.connectmybrain.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connect.my.brain/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/connectmybrain Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.laurahanson4765 - - - - - PODCAST Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and share. This podcast is produced by DrTalks.com https://drtalks.com/podcast-service/

4.3
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Why is this happening to my kid and what can I do about it? If you're the parent of a developmentally delayed child, you've probably asked this question more than once. That's where I come in! I'm Dr. Laura Hanson and I specialize in identifying the "why" and telling you the "what." Join me every Thursday for a deeper look at how our brains are wired and how to get the most out of your mind. Are you looking to break negative patterns, overcome mood disorders, or optimize your potential? Maybe your child struggles with ADHD, OCD or other learning difficulties. Tune in to Connect My Brain, where I explain concepts like biofeedback and neurofeedback, brainwave frequencies, and much more. Let me help you change your life by changing your mind!

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