Brain Health Besties

Be Well

5.0 (2)
Mental Health
Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Brain Health Besties, a human-forward podcast for those of us who want to feel better and don’t know where to start. We believe that everyone deserves to know how their brain works and how to nurture it, even when self-care feels challenging. We focus on kindness to ourselves and recognizing our needs with as little guilt as possible.

12/10/2025

Be Well Moment: Treating Ourselves Like We Treat Others

This Be Well Moment is a gentle follow-up to our last Learning Together episode, where we explored the radical idea of giving ourselves the same grace we offer others. In this short practice, Bailey guides us through a Loving Kindness meditation adapted from Dr. Kristen Neff’s work on self-compassion.It’s a quiet invitation to pause, breathe, and remind yourself: you are worthy of kindness, especially from you. Whether you’re in the middle of holiday chaos or just need a moment to reconnect, this practice is here to help you soften toward yourself.Disclaimer: The practices we talk about here are great for your brain, but this podcast is not meant to take the place of psychotherapy or medication management. If you're feeling overwhelmed or in need of immediate support, please call or text 988- the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

14 min
12/10/2025

Gift of Grace: What if You Treated Yourself Like You Treat Others?

We’re quick to offer grace to others: a kind word, a soft landing, a second chance. But when it comes to ourselves? That same compassion can feel miles away. In this episode our Besties explore the radical idea of turning grace inward, especially during a season packed with pressure and expectations.We’ll dig into the science of self-compassion, reflect on the patterns that keep us stuck in perfectionism, and ask: What if “me too” was just as important as “them first”? This is the third in our 4-part holiday series, and it’s all about letting go, showing up for yourself, and remembering your worth, no glitter required.Disclaimer: The practices we talk about here are great for your brain, but this podcast is not meant to take the place of psychotherapy or medication management. If you're feeling overwhelmed or in need of immediate support, please call or text 988- the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

23 min
11/26/2025

Be Well Moment: Building a Holiday Survival Kit

Feeling the holiday stress creeping in? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to wing it. In this Be Well Moment, the second of our 4-part holiday series, our Bestie Bailey walks us through a simple, grounding practice to help you build your own Holiday Survival Kit. Think of it as your go-to guide for those high-stress moments when your brain forgets what helps. From cozy comforts and grounding rituals to laughter and connection, we’ll help you lean into your greatest hits and create a personalized plan to support your well-being this season.Disclaimer: The practices we talk about here are great for your brain, but this podcast is not meant to take the place of psychotherapy or medication management. If you're feeling overwhelmed or in need of immediate support, please call or text 988- the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

11 min
11/26/2025

Holiday Survival Kit: Stress, Balance & Moments of Peace

The holidays are here, and while that might mean twinkly lights and warm drinks, it can also mean emotional overload, family dynamics, and a calendar that feels like it’s closing in. In this episode, we’re unpacking the real stuff: the feelings that bubble up, the pressure to perform joy, and the quiet ways we can care for ourselves when everything feels extra. We’re talking about external navigation, how to move through the world during the holiday season with more intention and less burnout. From setting boundaries to building your own mental health toolkit, this is your permission slip to do the holidays your way. Whether you’re feeling festive, frazzled, or somewhere in between, this episode is your cozy companion for surviving the season with grace, humor, and a whole lot of self-compassion. This is the first in a 4-part series dedicated to navigating the holidays.Disclaimer: The practices we talk about here are great for your brain, but this podcast is not meant to take the place of psychotherapy or medication management. If you're feeling overwhelmed or in need of immediate support, please call or text 988- the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

24 min
11/12/2025

Rethinking Rest: How to Set it Down & Recharge

Ever sit down after a long day and immediately feel guilty for not doing more? You’re not alone, and you’re not lazy. In this Learning Together episode, Nia opens up a conversation about why rest feels so complicated, especially when we’ve been taught to “earn” it.Together, we explore how hustle culture has hijacked our nervous systems, why rest isn’t just sleep, and how to start seeing it as a daily brain health strategy, not a reward.We dig into Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s 7 types of rest, unpack the “badge of honor” mentality around exhaustion, and reflect on the stories we’ve inherited about rest, and which ones we’re ready to let go of.Whether you’re a chronic overachiever or just someone who struggles to slow down, this episode is your permission slip to set it down and recharge — guilt-free.✨ Stay tuned for Episode 26, where we’ll try a writing exercise to give our minds a little break. Podcast theme song: "Me!" by Lucy DominoDisclaimer: The practices we talk about here are great for your brain, but this podcast is not meant to take the place of psychotherapy or medication management. If you're feeling overwhelmed or in need of immediate support, please call or text 988- the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

24 min
11/12/2025

Be Well Moment: Recharge with Writing

This Be Well Moment is a follow-up to Episode 25, where we explored how rest goes beyond sleep and why it’s essential for brain health. If you haven’t listened to that one yet, we recommend checking it out first!In this short and sweet practice episode, our Bestie Bailey guides us through a stream-of-consciousness writing exercise designed to help us mentally reset. All you need is a piece of paper and something to write with.For one minute, you’ll write down whatever comes to mind, no punctuation, no pressure, no need for complete sentences. Just a thought dump from brain to page.It’s a simple way to shift what’s swirling inside into something external, giving your mind a moment to breathe.Let’s set it down and recharge, together. Podcast theme song: "Me!" by Lucy Domino Disclaimer: The practices we talk about here are great for your brain, but this podcast is not meant to take the place of psychotherapy or medication management. If you're feeling overwhelmed or in need of immediate support, please call or text 988- the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

9 min
11/12/2025

Be Well Moment: Wanna Play Catch?

This Be Well Moment connects to Episode 27, where we explored the power of play for brain health. If you haven’t listened to that one yet, we recommend starting there! In this practice episode, our Besties guide us through a simple, playful movement: tossing or rolling a ball back and forth. It’s rhythmic, repetitive, and all about connection, not perfection. Let’s move, play, and give our brains a well-deserved break.Disclaimer: The practices we talk about here are great for your brain, but this podcast is not meant to take the place of psychotherapy or medication management. If you're feeling overwhelmed or in need of immediate support, please call or text 988- the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

6 min
11/12/2025

Wanna Play Catch? The Power of Play

Play isn’t just for kids, it’s a powerful brain health strategy. In this episode, our Besties Nia and Bailey explore how play helps us regulate, connect, and recharge. Special guest Ethan Bryan shares how catch became a tool for mentorship, connection, and even a year-long adventure. We also dig into Dr. Stuart Brown’s theory of play personalities and how knowing your style of play can help you bring more joy into your life. Let’s loosen up, toss the expectations aside, and remember how good it feels to play. ✨ Stay tuned for Episode 28, where we’ll play a bit to care for our brains. Disclaimer: The practices we talk about here are great for your brain, but this podcast is not meant to take the place of psychotherapy or medication management. If you're feeling overwhelmed or in need of immediate support, please call or text 988- the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

24 min

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

Welcome to Brain Health Besties, a human-forward podcast for those of us who want to feel better and don’t know where to start. We believe that everyone deserves to know how their brain works and how to nurture it, even when self-care feels challenging. We focus on kindness to ourselves and recognizing our needs with as little guilt as possible.

Creator

Be Well
Years Active

2K
Episodes

32
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Be Well
Show Website

Brain Health Besties