The Plasticity Podcast

Santina Duarte
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  • LIFE SCIENCES

The Plasticity Podcast explores how the brain reshapes itself when life throws something new our way. Hosted by Santina Duarte, a neuroscience graduate student, the show follows her personal journey of moving across the country to living alone for the first time, all while unpacking the science of how we learn and adapt to new situations. Each episode blends real-life experiences with current hot topics in neuroscience research like neuroplasticity, reward learning, stress, and mental health. Here we dive deep into the latest neuroscience research, breaking it down in a way that’s approachable and engaging, all while highlighting the realities of independence, graduate school, and navigating adulthood. The result is a podcast that is equal parts science communication, personal narrative, and exploration of what it really means to grow — both as a person and at a cellular level in the brain.

  1. Your Paper vs. Three Strangers on the Internet; the process of publish or perish

    1D AGO

    Your Paper vs. Three Strangers on the Internet; the process of publish or perish

    Hi, its me, Santina, that girl in your class who shows up just to work and pay 0 attention to the lecture itself. In this episode, we break down how peer review works, why it exists, and how decisions get made behind the scenes. From editors to reviewers to revisions, we unpack the process that shapes what science gets published—and what never sees the light of day. It's publish or perish, baby, and we are in the thick of it. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and maybe this week incorporate some fibre in your diet instead of watching people torture sims on TikTok, that is a good place to begin, I think.

    48 min
  2. Why “Just Try Harder” Was Never the Answer: Bariatric Surgery + GLP-1 Medications

    FEB 9

    Why “Just Try Harder” Was Never the Answer: Bariatric Surgery + GLP-1 Medications

    Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments we have for obesity—yet it remains one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we break down what bariatric (metabolic) surgery actually does, why it works, and why the “easy way out” narrative is scientifically wrong. Using evidence from neuroscience, endocrinology, and long-term clinical outcomes, we explore how bariatric surgery changes appetite regulation, reward processing, hunger hormones, and energy balance at the biological level. We also discuss how modern weight loss medications fit into obesity treatment, why they work, and how surgery and pharmacotherapy are often complementary—not competing—tools. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening. I have also included some resources below if you are considering any bariatric surgery or pharmaceutical obesity interventions. Obesity Canada – Medications for Obesity Management + Bariatric Surgery https://obesitycanada.ca

    28 min
  3. Bias, BMI, and Bad Medicine: Neurobiological Struggles with Obesity

    FEB 2

    Bias, BMI, and Bad Medicine: Neurobiological Struggles with Obesity

    Obesity is one of the most misunderstood—and most stigmatized—medical conditions we treat. In this episode, we dismantle the idea that body weight is simply a matter of willpower, discipline, or personal responsibility and replace it with what the science actually shows. Using evidence from neuroscience, endocrinology, and metabolism research, we explore how the brain regulates weight, why the body fiercely defends stored energy, and why long-term weight loss through lifestyle intervention alone is statistically unlikely for most people. We also examine how medical anti-fat bias has shaped clinical care, research priorities, and patient outcomes—often causing more harm than the disease itself. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening. This week, if you are interested in any resources, please check out obesity.ca below, which has many incredible resources for understanding obesity and weight loss. Obesity Canada – Evidence-based resources, clinical guidelines, and patient education https://obesitycanada.ca

    35 min
  4. The Pick-Up Line That Launched a Literature Review: The Male Audacity

    JAN 26

    The Pick-Up Line That Launched a Literature Review: The Male Audacity

    Hi, it's me, Santina... actually Sequoia now, according to some random man who compared me to a tree when he tried to pick me up at a grocery store. In this episode, we unpack the neuroscience and psychology behind what many women recognize immediately: male audacity. From unsolicited grocery-store pickup lines to dating app overconfidence, we explore why men are more likely to initiate, overestimate interest, and persist despite clear social feedback. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and if you are also stuck in a frozen wasteland (a.k.a. Quebec), then wear some ice cleats this week; it's better than the alternative, which is slipping and almost falling in the middle of traffic, as I did a few days ago.

    38 min
  5. The science of catching up: sex difference research renaissance

    JAN 19

    The science of catching up: sex difference research renaissance

    Hi, it's me, the girl who tried to wash her duvet in her apartment washer/dryer and ended up going to bed with 50 blankets to stay warm because it wasn't dry, Santina Duarte. Since last week was all sex, I wanted to talk a bit about the gaps in women's research and why we are currently in the girliest scientific renaissance known in existence. In this episode, I dive into the dumpster fire that is women's research, why researchers have never explored female health, and how that is affecting women everywhere. I dive into controversies, misdiagnoses, and all the times science did us ladies dirty, so buckle up and get ready to get angry at the male scientists of yore with me. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and this week, honestly, do yourself a solid and dive down the rabbit hole that is Phyllis from the Sotheby's auctions. Ladies, gentlemen and all my non-binary friends, I want to be her when I am older.

    46 min
  6. Let’s Talk About Sex — The Science Version

    JAN 12

    Let’s Talk About Sex — The Science Version

    Hi, it's me, your cousin, who was recommending gay hockey shows to the whole family on Christmas, Santina Duarte. Since we finished off last year pretty rough, I want to start this year off a little more fun. We are going to talk about sex, ladies! Specifically from the lens of women, sex, and neuroscience, health, and all things biology. In this episode, I dive into what happens in the brain during sex, the health benefits of regular sex, how sex is different in women compared to men (based on very little research in the field), and the stigma surrounding sex. A little steamy, a little sciency, and a whole lot of me giggling while hippo stares at me from the corner of my apartment. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening and dont drink too many cosmos or play with the rabbit too much (i am addicted to Sex and the city, it is an issue, send help).

    41 min
  7. Living With a Changing Brain: Parkinson’s Explained

    12/22/2025

    Living With a Changing Brain: Parkinson’s Explained

    Hi, it's me, Santina, your older sister in science and in this episode of The Plasticity Podcast, we explore the complex neurobiology of Parkinson’s disease — a progressive movement disorder rooted in the brain’s dopamine networks and neural plasticity. We’ll break down what happens in the nervous system, how scientists are studying its mechanisms, and what living with Parkinson’s really feels like for millions of people around the world. Along the way, we talk about cutting-edge research, community support, and how collective efforts are reshaping our understanding of this condition. Whether you’re a caregiver, someone newly diagnosed, a neuroscience enthusiast, or simply curious, you’ll come away with a deeper grasp of both the science and the humanity behind Parkinson’s disease. If you are interested in learning more, please check out some of the incredible resources below. Thank you all for your support, and I look forward to sharing more science with you next week. Parkinson’s Foundation – Improves care and advances research toward a cure; offers support resources and educational programs. https://www.parkinson.org/ Parkinson's Foundation+1 The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research – One of the world’s largest funders of Parkinson’s research, accelerating better treatments and a cure. https://www.michaeljfox.org/ Michael J. Fox Foundation+1 Davis Phinney Foundation – Offers tools and education to help people with Parkinson’s live well today. https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/ Davis Phinney Foundation Parkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) – Provides education, community support, and a digital directory of services for people with Parkinson’s and caregivers. https://www.parkinsonsresource.org/

    29 min
  8. I Survived My First Semester of Grad School—Here’s What I Learned

    12/15/2025

    I Survived My First Semester of Grad School—Here’s What I Learned

    Hello, it is I - Santina Duarte - reporting live from Calgary for a change of pace. I have officially survived my first semester of grad school, everyone. We made it. And listen… it almost broke me. Daily crash-outs, so many cockroaches, fighting with admin, learning how to live alone... and yet, here we are. Still standing. Mostly. So after desperately needing a more chill episode, this week I’m breaking down the top 10 things I learned during my first semester of grad school. From lab dynamics and classes to depanneurs decorated like submarines, this episode is a candid (and slightly unhinged) collection of lessons, reflections, and tips from my first few months of becoming a grad student. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening and remember that when people do you dirty, ask yourself what would 50 Cent do.

    39 min
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About

The Plasticity Podcast explores how the brain reshapes itself when life throws something new our way. Hosted by Santina Duarte, a neuroscience graduate student, the show follows her personal journey of moving across the country to living alone for the first time, all while unpacking the science of how we learn and adapt to new situations. Each episode blends real-life experiences with current hot topics in neuroscience research like neuroplasticity, reward learning, stress, and mental health. Here we dive deep into the latest neuroscience research, breaking it down in a way that’s approachable and engaging, all while highlighting the realities of independence, graduate school, and navigating adulthood. The result is a podcast that is equal parts science communication, personal narrative, and exploration of what it really means to grow — both as a person and at a cellular level in the brain.

Information

  • Creator
    Santina Duarte
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Santina Duarte
  • Show Website
    The Plasticity Podcast