Brianna Approved

Dr. Brianna Diorio

A lifestyle podcast dedicated to bringing you real science & clinical research about all things health, nutrition, botanicals and balance. Approaching complex subject matters with directness and humor. Hosted by Dr. Brianna Diorio—Integrative Medicine PhD, Clinical Nutritionist MS, Holistic Lifestyle Coach, FDN, Herbal Practitioner, NASM CPT.

  1. MAR 12

    Episode 89: The Neuroscience of Grief — How to Navigate Loss, Sadness, and Heartbreak

    In episode 89 of the podcast, we discuss why grief isn’t just emotional….it’s neurological. In this episode, we discuss: Why grief can feel physically painful and what’s happening in the brain when we experience loss in any form (Nerd Alert Segment) Why grief tends to come in waves rather than a predictable timeline Why the traditional stages of grief are often misunderstood 4 types of unexpected grief that many people experience How grief can show up as anxiety, numbness, rumination, or emotional flooding Practice What You Podcast At the end of the episode, during the Practice What You Podcast section, we shift into practical application and explore how the nervous system processes grief and what actually helps when it hits hardest. You’ll learn: What actually helps in the moment when grief suddenly intensifies Tools to regulate the nervous system during waves of sadness or overwhelm How to coexist with grief (and even befriend it) instead of trying to outrun it or letting it take over How to track progress in grief beyond simply “feeling better” Practical tools that help alongside time…not just “give it time” advice. ____ Ready to make real changes, not just think about them?If you want support turning insight into action and breaking patterns that keep repeating, you can explore working together ⁠⁠here⁠⁠! Coaching is designed to help you build systems, track evidence, and rewire patterns in a way that actually sticks. ___ Be sure to follow my Instagram ⁠@briannadiorio⁠ for all the Brianna Approved educational content! Check out my ⁠⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠for all of my favorite Brianna Approved things! You can visit my website ⁠⁠www.briannadiorio.com⁠ to learn more. Production Manager and Graphics ⁠@kylediorio

    37 min
  2. 12/30/2025

    Episode 87 - Why Your Brain Loves Bad Habits (and How to Rewire Them for Good)

    In episode 87, we are going over all things habits! Bad habits aren’t a willpower issue — they’re a brain wiring issue. In this episode, we break down why your brain automates patterns that don’t serve you, why trying harder doesn’t work, and how to actually rewire habits using neuroscience (not motivation). In this episode, we cover: Why your brain runs so much of your day on autopilot Where habits actually live in the brain (and why logic can’t stop them) The 4-step habit loop: cue → craving → response → reward (via James Clears Atomic Habits) Why you don’t crave the habit — you crave the state change How stress makes bad habits stronger How to break habits by changing cues, friction, and rewards Why identity beats motivation when it comes to lasting change If you’re stuck in a start-stop cycle, this episode will help you stop blaming yourself and start working with your brain instead of against it. ___ Ready to make real changes, not just think about them?If you want support turning insight into action and breaking patterns that keep repeating, you can explore working together here! Coaching is designed to help you build systems, track evidence, and rewire patterns in a way that actually sticks. ___ Check out my ⁠⁠Amazon Storefront ⁠⁠for all of my favorite Brianna Approved things! You can visit my website ⁠⁠www.briannadiorio.com⁠ to learn more. Production Manager and Graphics ⁠@kylediorio⁠

    32 min
  3. 09/18/2025

    Episode 84: Why You Can’t Let Go: The Psychology & Neuroscience of Holding Onto What Hurts You

    Have you ever known something was bad for you—a relationship, a job, a habit—but kept going back anyway? In this episode, we unpack the hidden psychology and brain science that keep you stuck in cycles you know aren’t serving you. By the end, you’ll not only understand why you cling to what hurts—you’ll leave with practical tools to start loosening that grip. In this episode, we explore: The Psychology of Holding On Sunk Cost Fallacy — why leaving feels like failure instead of freedom Cognitive Dissonance — the mind’s tricks to justify staying stuck Region Beta Paradox — why “not bad enough” situations keep you trapped Intermittent Reinforcement — the most addictive reward schedule in the brain Nerd Alert- The Neuroscience of Addiction to Pain Dopamine, prediction error, and why unpredictability feels so intoxicating Brain regions like the ACC, VTA, and nucleus accumbens that wire you to chase what hurts ___ The Inner Work Room Intensive – Enrollment Open You don’t need more information—you need implementation. This 5-week container takes the neuroscience, psychology, and mindset tools from the podcast and puts them into practice with guided exercises and accountability. We start October 6th, and spots are limited. If you’re ready for momentum, structure, and real tools to rewire your patterns—this is for you. Join HERE - your future self will thank you for the work you're doing! ___ Be sure to follow my Instagram @briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content! You can visit my website ⁠www.briannadiorio.com to learn more. Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio

    27 min
5
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

A lifestyle podcast dedicated to bringing you real science & clinical research about all things health, nutrition, botanicals and balance. Approaching complex subject matters with directness and humor. Hosted by Dr. Brianna Diorio—Integrative Medicine PhD, Clinical Nutritionist MS, Holistic Lifestyle Coach, FDN, Herbal Practitioner, NASM CPT.

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