THINK SHIFT with Mantazh

Mantazh Khanna

Rewire your brain. Reclaim your power. Think Shift is where science meets self-mastery. Hosted by Mantazh Khanna — Cognitive Health Specialist & Brain Coach — this podcast explores how to build a sharper mind, calmer body, and more resilient life using brain science, biofeedback, and mind-body medicine. 🎙️ Expect real conversations with experts, brain hacks that actually work, and powerful mindset shifts that stick. Because changing how you think… changes everything. 🌐 mantazhkhanna.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mantazhkhanna 📧 For speaking or collabs: connect@mantazhkhanna.com

  1. 6d ago

    What Is AI Actually Doing to Your Brain | Dr. Carmen Simon

    In this Season 2 episode of Think Shift, host Mantazh Khanna (Brain Coach, PhD cand., MBA, MS) sits down with Dr. Carmen Simon - cognitive neuroscientist, Stanford Continuing Studies instructor, and author of books on attention, memory, and decision-making - to ask the question on everyone's mind: as AI does more of our thinking, what is it doing to our brains? Dr. Simon is running neuroscience experiments on how the human brain responds to AI, and Mantazh - who speaks on this topic herself & curious to learn more - became one of her research subjects. Together, they explore how the brain learns, why effort builds memory, the warning signs of AI dependency, and how to use AI to make you a sharper thinker, not a lazier one. You'll Learn 1. How the adult brain learns, and why learning must be a priority in the age of AI 2. Why effort and "desirable difficulty" create stronger memories 3. Why the short attention span is a myth 4. The warning signs of an unhealthy dependency on AI 5. How to use AI as a thought partner without outsourcing your thinking 6. What her neuroscience research shows about AI-made vs. human-made content Actionable Takeaways 1. Write the first draft yourself, then bring in AI to refine it. 2. Watch for the warning sign: if you can no longer do a task without AI, you've crossed the line. 3. Embrace the struggle: effort creates stronger memory traces than easy answers. 4. Ask yourself harder questions: move from "what" to "how" to "what if" to sharpen your thinking. 5. Outsource what no human could do, like crunching huge datasets, and keep your craft. 6. Balance digital with analog: protect experiences that keep your brain learning. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 3:17 Are we losing skills to AI? 4:44 Why humans must stay in the driver's seat 6:28 How the adult brain really learns 10:46 Why effort and struggle build memory 14:06 The short attention span myth 18:12 The warning signs of AI dependency 22:33 Using AI as a thought partner 29:29 Can AI actually be good for your brain? 42:40 What you should never outsource to AI Guest: Dr. Carmen Simon - Cognitive Neuroscientist, Author, Stanford Continuing Studies Instructor Host: Mantazh Khanna - Brain Coach, Neuroscience Researcher, Cancer Survivor, PhD cand., MBA, MS 👉 If this episode gave you a new perspective on your brain, subscribe, rate, and share to support more evidence-based insights into neuroscience, performance, and self-awareness. 📩 For speaking, coaching, or partnerships: connect@mantazhkhanna.com #aiandthebrain #artificialintelligence #neuroscience #brainhealth #futureofwork

    What Is AI Actually Doing to Your Brain | Dr. Carmen Simon
  2. Oct 30

    S2/E4: Inside the Parent Brain: Why Kids Trigger Us and How to Respond

    In this Season 2 episode of Think Shift, host Mantazh Khanna (Brain Coach, PhD cand., MBA, MS) sits down with Cornelia Dahinten — therapist, parenting trainer, and founder of Conscious Connection, to explore what's really happening in your child's brain during a meltdown, and what's happening in yours. Together, they unpack why your reaction to your child often says more about your own story than theirs, how your childhood and family history shape your parenting, and why understanding child brain development changes how you respond to tantrums. Cornelia shares practical tools for staying calm when you're triggered, building real connection, and raising confident children, without chasing perfection. You'll Learn: - Why there's no such thing as perfect parenting, and what to aim for instead - What conscious parenting really means - What happens in a child's brain during a tantrum or meltdown - How co-regulation works, and why your calm comes first - How your own childhood and family patterns show up in your parenting - Why praise can backfire, and how to build a growth mindset instead Actionable Takeaways: - Be the container, not the fixer: your child has the problem, but you hold the space. - Calm your body first: breathe, ground, and notice what's coming up for you before you respond. - Don't reason with a melting-down child: they're in their lower brain, so connect before you correct. - Use a mantra for your trigger, such as "This is not my emotion" or "This too shall pass." - Celebrate the effort, not the label: swap "You're so clever" for "Look how hard you worked." - Match your daily parenting to your long-term goals: if you want confident kids, make room for their opinions. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 2:50 Why perfect parenting doesn't exist 3:26 Stop trying to fix your child 9:25 How your childhood shows up in your parenting 16:08 What is conscious parenting? 18:41 Inside your child's brain during a meltdown 21:36 Co-regulation: calm yourself to calm your child 25:25 What to do when your child triggers you 31:03 Why praise can backfire 36:40 Made mistakes? Where to start Guest: Cornelia Dahinten — Therapist, Parenting Trainer, Founder of Conscious Connection Host: Mantazh Khanna — Brain Coach, Neuroscience Researcher, Cancer Survivor, PhD cand., MBA, MS 👉 If this episode gave you a new perspective on your brain, subscribe, rate, and share it with a parent who needs to hear it. 📩 For speaking, coaching, or partnerships: connect@mantazhkhanna.com #consciousparenting #parenting #gentleparenting #brainhealth #neuroscience

    S2/E4: Inside the Parent Brain: Why Kids Trigger Us and How to Respond
  3. Oct 24

    S2/E3: Can Hypnosis Rewire Your Brain? The Science Explained | Dr. Patrick Porter

    In this Season 2 episode of Think Shift, host Mantazh Khanna (Brain Coach, PhD cand., MBA, MS) sits down with Dr. Patrick Porter - hypnotherapist with 30+ years of clinical experience and founder of BrainTap, the brain entrainment technology used in more than 3,000 clinics worldwide - to separate the science of hypnosis from the Hollywood myth. Together, they explore what really happens in the brain during hypnosis, why it's about gaining access to your subconscious mind rather than losing control of it, and how brainwave states shape the way we form habits, handle stress, and sleep. Mantazh also brings the BrainTap headset into the studio, and Dr. Porter explains how light, sound, and binaural beats guide the brain into deep relaxation. You'll Learn 1. The biggest myths about hypnosis, and why you stay in control 2. What brain states (beta, alpha, theta) are and how they affect change 3. Why the "21 days to form a habit" idea doesn't hold up 4. What hypnotherapy works best for: stress-driven habits, cravings, and sleep 5. How light, sound, and binaural beats train the brain 6. Where brain health technology is heading next Actionable Takeaways 1. Relax first, change second: no technique works while your nervous system is in fear mode. 2. Notice your triggers: if a habit gets worse under stress, that stress is the place to work. 3. Stop saying "I am" about a behaviour: you are not your habits, and your brain listens to the label. 4. Focus on the outcome you want, not the problem you're trying to escape. 5. Treat sleep as a necessity, not a luxury, and wake to music instead of a jarring alarm. 6. Practise self-hypnosis or guided relaxation regularly: consistency is what rewires the brain. Chapters 0:00 Episode highlights 3:49 Can hypnosis make you do things against your will? 8:37 What is a brain state, really? 11:20 The 21-day habit myth 16:05 What hypnotherapy works best for 18:05 Who can actually be hypnotized? 23:15 Inside BrainTap: how light trains the brain 32:43 Binaural beats & the two-voice technique 38:14 Can a headset help you sleep better? 40:46 The future of brain health technology Guest: Dr. Patrick Porter — Hypnotherapist, Founder of BrainTap Host: Mantazh Khanna — Brain Coach, Neuroscience Researcher, Cancer Survivor, PhD cand., MBA, MS 👉 If this episode gave you a new perspective on your brain, subscribe, rate, and share to support more evidence-based insights into neuroscience, performance, and self-awareness. 📩 For speaking, coaching, or partnerships: connect@mantazhkhanna.com ⚠️This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak to a qualified professional before starting any new therapy. #brainhealth #neuroscience #hypnosis #neuroplasticity #subconsciousmind

    S2/E3: Can Hypnosis Rewire Your Brain? The Science Explained | Dr. Patrick Porter
  4. Oct 17

    S2/E2: Menopause & Your Brain: What Every Woman Needs to Know

    In this Season 2 episode of Think Shift, host Mantazh Khanna (Brain Coach, PhD cand., MBA, MS) sits down with Dr. Anupriya Agarwal — award-winning senior gynecologist with 25+ years of experience guiding women through menopause, for a deeply personal and practical conversation about what perimenopause and menopause really do to the female brain. Together, they unpack why menopause isn't just a reproductive transition; it's a brain transition. Dr. Anu explains how fluctuating estrogen leaves the brain short of fuel, why brain fog, anxiety, and 3 AM wake-ups are so common in your 40s, and what the science on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) actually says today. Both speak from lived experience: Dr. Anu has been through menopause, and Mantazh is navigating perimenopause right now. You'll Learn: 1. The difference between perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause 2. How estrogen fuels the brain, and why its decline causes brain fog 3. Why cortisol, thyroid, and sleep disruption hit women hardest in midlife 4. The surprising symptoms beyond hot flashes that most women miss 5. The truth about HRT: what the WHI study got wrong and who it can help 6. The diet, sleep, and strength-training strategies that support the menopausal brain Actionable Takeaways: 1. Track your symptoms: a simple symptom score makes the invisible visible and shows what's working. 2. Make sleep non-negotiable: early dinner, a 30-minute walk, a cool room, and 5 minutes of slow breathing in bed. 3. Lift weights 3-4 times a week: start slow, ideally with a trainer. Muscle stabilises blood sugar and feeds the brain. 4. Give your brain alternative fuel: good fats (nuts, seeds, avocado, fatty fish), more protein, and don't skip the egg yolk. 5. If you're always tired, foggy, or losing hair, ask your doctor to check Free T3, T4, and TSH. 6. If symptoms are disrupting your life, talk to your doctor about HRT. Timing matters. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 3:53 "You are not imagining it" 6:35 Perimenopause vs. menopause vs. post-menopause 10:35 How menopause changes the brain 13:13 The real cause of brain fog 17:37 The hidden thyroid connection 22:47 Why you wake up at 3 AM 31:39 The perimenopause sleep protocol 33:39 Why strength training is non-negotiable 47:26 Can HRT protect the brain from dementia? Guest: Dr. Anupriya Agarwal — Award-Winning Senior Gynecologist, Menopause Specialist Host: Mantazh Khanna — Brain Coach, Neuroscience Researcher, Cancer Survivor, PhD cand., MBA, MS 👉 If this episode gave you a new perspective on your brain, subscribe, rate, and share — especially with a woman in your life who needs to hear it. 📩 For speaking, coaching, or partnerships: connect@mantazhkhanna.com —-------------------------------------- OR SIMPLY CONNECT WITH MANTAZH: 🌐 mantazhkhanna.com 📧 connect@mantazhkhanna.com 🔗 linkedin.com/in/mantazhkhanna ⚠️ This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak to your doctor before starting any treatment, including HRT. #neuroscience #brainhealth #menopause #perimenopause #brainfog #womenshealth

    S2/E2: Menopause & Your Brain: What Every Woman Needs to Know
  5. Oct 10

    S2/E1: Inside the Human Brain: What a Neurosurgeon Knows That We Don't

    In this Season 2 premiere of Think Shift, host Mantazh Khanna (Brain Coach, PhD cand., MBA, MS) sits down with Dr. Mazda Turel, one of India's leading neurosurgeons and author of Bheja Fry: Heartfelt Stories from a Neurosurgeon's Clinic, to go inside the operating theatre and inside the surgeon's mind. Together, they explore what modern neurosurgery can do today that most people don't even realise is possible, from deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's and depression to tumours removed through the nose. Dr. Turel shares how he makes life-or-death decisions under extreme pressure, how he avoids burnout, why brain surgery is now safer than most people think, and why no AI will ever replace the human connection between a doctor and a patient. You'll Learn What's possible in neurosurgery today: deep brain stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, and minimally invasive brain surgeryWhy modern brain surgery is far safer than its reputation suggestsHow a neurosurgeon prepares, stays calm, and leads a team in high-stakes momentsWhere the brain ends and the mind begins: identity, memory, and consciousnessThe brain health myths you can stop believing (the 10% myth, left-brain vs. right-brain)How AI and robotics will change neurosurgery, and what they can never replace Actionable Takeaways Prepare before the pressure hits: rehearse the plan, have a Plan B, and know everyone's role.Under stress, control yourself first, then give short, clear, calm instructions.Protect your brain with the basics: exercise, 7-8 hours of sleep, hydration, unprocessed food, community, and purpose.Give your brain "good stress": learn something new and step slightly outside your comfort zone.Consistency beats intensity: your brain loves patterns, so keep the simple habits going.Track less, live more: data is useful, but presence is the greatest gift you can give yourself. Chapters 0:00 Introduction 4:18 Meet Dr. Mazda Turel 5:24 The one thing everyone should know about neurosurgery 12:37 Is brain surgery really 99.9% safe? 14:14 How a neurosurgeon handles life-or-death pressure 18:22 How a neurosurgeon avoids burnout 20:18 Mind vs. brain: identity, memory & consciousness 31:23 India's doctor-patient trust deficit 34:48 Brain health myths busted 35:50 The real pillars of brain health 38:38 AI, robotics & the future of neurosurgery 42:37 Final reflections Guest: Dr. Mazda Turel — Neurosurgeon, Author of Bheja Fry: Heartfelt Stories from a Neurosurgeon's Clinic Host: Mantazh Khanna — Brain Coach, Neuroscience Researcher, Cancer Survivor, PhD cand., MBA, MS 📖 Read the book: Bheja Fry by Dr. Mazda Turel 👉 If this episode gave you a new perspective on your brain, subscribe, rate, and share to support more evidence-based insights into neuroscience, performance, and self-awareness. 📩 For speaking, coaching, or partnerships: connect@mantazhkhanna.com OR SIMPLY CONNECT WITH MANTAZH: 🌐 mantazhkhanna.com 📧 connect@mantazhkhanna.com 🔗 linkedin.com/in/mantazhkhanna #neurosurgery #brainhealth #neuroscience #parkinsons #brainsurgery #neurosurgeon #decisionmaking #burnout #bhejafry

    S2/E1: Inside the Human Brain: What a Neurosurgeon Knows That We Don't
  6. Season 1, Episode 10 Trailer

    S1/E10 TRAILER: Beating the Odds: How One Doctor Is Defying His Alzheimer’s Genes

    When Dr. Kevin Tran learned he carried two copies of the APOE4 gene — putting him in the top 1% of Alzheimer’s risk — he refused to accept his genetic fate. Instead, he made it his mission to help others rewrite their brain health story. In this episode of Think Shift, host Mantazh Khanna (Brain Coach, PhD cand., MBA, MS) speaks with Dr. Tran about: • The science behind APOE testing and what genetic risk really means • Lifestyle interventions that can protect your brain — even with high-risk genes • The role of sleep, movement, and gut health in cognitive longevity • How mindset and stress reframe our relationship with aging and disease • The power of community in prevention and healing Actionable Takeaways: – Understand your risk, but don’t let it define you – Prioritize restorative sleep and anti-inflammatory nutrition – Move daily: aerobic + coordination exercises build brain reserve – Practice mindfulness to reduce fear and improve cognitive resilience – Build a community of support — connection protects cognition Guest: Dr. Kevin Tran — Founder, The Phoenix Community Host: Mantazh Khanna — Brain Coach, Neuroscience Researcher, Cancer Survivor, PhD cand., MBA, MS 👉 If this episode sparked reflection, follow, rate, and share to support more meaningful conversations on neuroscience, mindfulness, and conscious living. #ThinkShiftWithMantazh #BrainHealth #Alzheimers #Genetics #APOE4 #CognitiveHealth #Longevity #Neuroplasticity #MindsetMatters #LifestyleMedicine #Neuroscience #MentalResilience #DementiaPrevention #BrainLongevity #HealthOptimization

    S1/E10 TRAILER: Beating the Odds: How One Doctor Is Defying His Alzheimer’s Genes
  7. Season 1, Episode 8 Trailer

    S1/E8 TRAILER: What does your brain say about you?

    In this special episode of Think Shift, host Mantazh Khanna (Brain Coach, PhD cand., MBA, MS) speaks with Santiago Brand, neuropsychologist and founder of MindLab Applied Neuroscience, as they walk through a live qEEG brain scan and discuss what it really reveals Santiago explains how brain mapping exposes hidden patterns in focus, mood, and stress — and how neurofeedback trains the brain to rebalance itself. Together, they unpack the promise and misconceptions of this growing field and explore how self-awareness is still the most powerful tool for change. Actionable Takeaways: – Consider qEEG mapping if you want personalized insight into your brain health. – Use neurofeedback as a training method, not a quick fix. – Monitor your progress through focus, sleep, and energy changes. – Reinforce results with sleep, movement, nutrition, and mindfulness. – Technology can guide you — but your awareness creates lasting change. Guest: Santiago Brand — Neuropsychologist, Founder of MindLab Applied Neuroscience Host: Mantazh Khanna — Brain Coach, Neuroscience Researcher, Cancer Survivor, PhD cand., MBA, MS 👉 If this episode made you rethink what your brain can do, follow, rate, and share to support more science-based conversations on neuroscience, mindfulness, and conscious performance. #ThinkShiftWithMantazh #BrainMapping #Neurofeedback #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #Focus #Stress #Neuroplasticity #CognitivePerformance #Mindfulness #Neurotech #SelfAwareness #EEG #qEEG #MindLab

    S1/E8 TRAILER: What does your brain say about you?

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Rewire your brain. Reclaim your power. Think Shift is where science meets self-mastery. Hosted by Mantazh Khanna — Cognitive Health Specialist & Brain Coach — this podcast explores how to build a sharper mind, calmer body, and more resilient life using brain science, biofeedback, and mind-body medicine. 🎙️ Expect real conversations with experts, brain hacks that actually work, and powerful mindset shifts that stick. Because changing how you think… changes everything. 🌐 mantazhkhanna.com 🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mantazhkhanna 📧 For speaking or collabs: connect@mantazhkhanna.com