brainSTEM

Hilary Marusak
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Monthly

A podcast for anyone interested in the brain or brain disorders, hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak and produced by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, and Gabby Maramag. Episodes feature individuals with lived experiences and experts, covering a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as depression, PTSD, and Alzheimer's disease. We also discuss "hot topics" like how pregnancy shapes "mommy brain" and the effects of air pollution on the brain. Follow us and email us!

  1. Jun 2

    E31 – When Words Aren't Enough: Poetry, Mental Health, and the Healing Power of Art

    In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with Alex Sheehan — spoken word poet, mental health advocate, and member of the One Mind Lived Experience community — for a conversation that takes the podcast somewhere a little different. Not just what's happening inside the brain, but what happens when art becomes the medicine.  Alex's story is one of finding language where language felt impossible. Long before he had terms like "social prescribing" or "arts in mental health," he was using poetry and creative expression to navigate depression, anxiety, mania, and suicidality — discovering after the fact that what saved him had a name, and a growing body of science behind it. He has written and performed beautifully about the intersection of creativity and healing, and about the expanding global movement to recognize arts engagement as a genuine health behavior — not just a hobby.  Like Dr. Marusak, Alex is connected to One Mind, a leading mental health nonprofit championing this work through initiatives like Apollo & Psyche, an evening of art, music, storytelling, and dance in support of mental health research and community. Oh — and we recorded this one on his birthday!  This episode is for anyone who has ever felt that their suffering didn't fit neatly into clinical language. And for anyone who has found — or is still searching for — their own version of creative healing.  🔗 Topics Covered  How spoken word poetry became a lifeline before Alex had words for what he was going through  What it feels like to discover that what saved you has a name — and a science  Why open mics and poetry slams can be so powerful for mental health  The WHO and the growing research on arts engagement as a health behavior  Social prescribing: exciting frontier or risk of losing something essential?  How to find your own creative outlet — even if you don't think of yourself as an artist  Alex's experience with suicidality and what he wishes the mental health system had offered  What the neuroscience of arts and mental health looks like from a lived experience perspective  One Mind's Apollo & Psyche and what it means to see a major organization invest in this space  A message for anyone who is struggling and searching for a way through  🌿 Tune in for a courageous, creative, and deeply human conversation about mental illness, survival, and the unexpected places healing can be found.  📢 Follow us on Instagram @brainstempodcast to submit your questions for future episodes.  🎧 Available now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts!  📄 From Alex Sheehan:  One Mind blog — "Down the Rabbit Hole I Go: Learning the Language I Didn't Know I Wished I Knew": https://onemind.org/lived-experience-blog/down-the-rabbit-hole-i-go-learning-the-language-i-didnt-know-i-wish-i-knew/  Spoken word poem (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHAED-NYu0  SocialRx: https://www.socialrx.com  ❤️‍🩹 Help is available 24 hours/day at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988.  🧠 BrainSTEM is hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak. Production and social media by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, Gabby Maramag, and Natalie Thurston. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Society for Neuroscience and the Michigan Society for Neuroscience.  🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow us! Visit: www.brainSTEMpodcast.com. Full video episodes are also available on YouTube.

    44 min

  2. Jun 2

    E30 – Breaking the Silence: Stories and Science of Depression

    In this special two-part episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak explores one of the most common — and most misunderstood — mental health conditions: depression. We approach it from two angles: first through lived experience, then through cutting-edge neuroscience.    In Part 1, Dr. Marusak sits down with Amanda Geisinger, who shares her personal journey with depression with honesty and courage — what it felt like from the inside, how she navigated stigma, what helped, and what she wishes more people understood. Her story is a reminder that depression is real, that healing is possible, and that speaking up can change lives.    In Part 2, we're joined by Dr. Ignacio Saez, Associate Professor of Neuroscience, Neurosurgery, and Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where he directs the Human Neurophysiology Laboratory. Dr. Saez's lab does something extraordinary: recording electrical and chemical activity directly from the living human brain during surgery to understand how mood, reward, and decision-making work — and how they break down in depression. He's a 2023 One Mind Rising Star awardee, and as a 2024 awardee herself, Dr. Marusak calls this conversation something of a family reunion. Since the recording, Amanda has also joined One Mind as part of their Lived Experience Council!    Together, these two conversations offer a complete picture — the human story and the brain science — of what depression really is, why it's so hard to treat, and where hope lies.    🔗 Topics Covered  Amanda's story: when depression first showed up and what it felt like from the inside  Navigating stigma — from others and from within  What helped: therapy, medication, lifestyle, and human connection  What Amanda wishes more people understood — and her message for anyone struggling  What depression actually is in the brain, beyond "chemical imbalance"  Real-time measurement of serotonin and dopamine during surgery — and what's been surprising  The neuroscience of anhedonia: why people lose joy in the things they love  What happens in the brain during suicidal crisis — and can we predict risk?  Why antidepressants fail roughly one in three patients  Neurostimulation and AI: personalizing treatment for the most severe cases  Where ketamine and psychedelics fit into the picture  What both guests most want people living with depression to know right now    🌿 Tune in for a courageous, science-backed, and deeply human conversation about depression — what it feels like, what it looks like in the brain, and what's coming next.  📢 Follow us on Instagram @brainstempodcast to submit your questions for future episodes.  🎧 Available now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts!    📄 Learn more about Dr. Saez's work:  Human Neurophysiology Lab at Mount Sinai: https://labs.neuroscience.mssm.edu/project/saez-laboratory/   One Mind Rising Star Award: https://onemind.org/rising-star-research-award/    ❤️‍🩹 Help is available 24 hours/day at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988.  🧠 BrainSTEM is hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak. Production and social media by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, Gabby Maramag, and Natalie Thurston.  This podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Society for Neuroscience and the Michigan Society for Neuroscience.    🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow us! Visit: www.brainSTEMpodcast.com. Full video episodes are also available on YouTube.

    1h 26m

  3. Apr 21

    E29 – Your Brain on the Scroll: Kids, Screens, and the Developing Mind

    In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak and guest co-host Natalie Thurston sit down with neuroscientist Dr. Emma Duerden, a researcher at the forefront of understanding how early life experiences shape the developing brain — with a focus on resilience, cognitive ability, and children who face adversity from the very start of life.  Dr. Duerden's work spans preterm birth, ASD, and the growing science of screens and child development. Her research has consistently shown that higher screen time is linked to changes in brain development, self-regulation, sleep, and mental health — from early childhood through adolescence. In this episode, she brings that science to life in a way that's accessible, urgent, and deeply relevant for anyone raising or working with children today.  We explore what's actually happening in the brain when we scroll, why it's so hard to stop, and which children may be most vulnerable. We discuss the findings from her longitudinal brain imaging studies, what happened to kids' screen time — and mental health — during the COVID-19 pandemic, and why the way screens are used matters as much as how much. We also look at whether technology can ever be protective, and what parents, educators, and policymakers urgently need to know right now.  At its core, this episode is about understanding — and about giving families the tools and knowledge to navigate an increasingly digital world.  🔗 Topics Covered  Dr. Duerden's path to studying early adversity and brain development  How excessive screen time relates to stress on the developing brain  What the research really says about social media and mental health  Critical developmental windows of vulnerability  The brain science behind scrolling — and why we can't stop  Which children are most at risk, including those with ASD or early adversity  When technology can be protective or beneficial  What parents, educators, and policymakers need to know now  Practical guidance for healthier screen habits at home  The future of the field and the biggest open questions  What gets lost in the public conversation about kids and technology  A message of hope and empowerment for parents and caregivers  🌿 Tune in for a grounded, science-backed, and deeply human conversation about children, resilience, and what it means to grow up in a world built around the scroll.  📢 Follow us on Instagram @brainstempodcast to submit your questions for future episodes.  🎧 Available now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts!  📄 Selected research from Dr. Duerden's lab:  Screen time, social media & adolescent mental health: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2025.108688  Screen time, sleep & cognition during COVID-19: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36889  📰 Op-eds & media:  Burned out by smartphones — The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/drafts/273545  Left to Their Own Devices podcast (Toronto Star): https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/left-to-their-own-devices/id1840912030  The Walrus Talks at Home – Teens and Screens: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpJgqS9dTqs  Digital Tsunami documentary (Hot Docs): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37351073/  ❤️‍🩹 Help is available 24 hours/day at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.  🧠 BrainSTEM is hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak. Production and social media by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, and Gabby Maramag.  This podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Society for Neuroscience and the Michigan Society for Neuroscience.  🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow us! Visit: www.brainSTEMpodcast.com. Full video episodes are also available on YouTube.

    37 min

  4. Feb 26

    E28 – Harnessing Lived Experience: Brandon Staglin’s Mission to Transform Mental Health

    In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with mental health advocate and innovation leader Brandon Staglin, Co-Founder and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer of One Mind.  Brandon has transformed his lived experience with schizophrenia into a national movement to accelerate science-based solutions, elevate lived experience leadership, and reshape policy and workplace culture. His work sits at the powerful intersection of personal story and systemic change — showing what becomes possible when people with lived experience are not just included, but centered.  We explore Brandon’s early journey through mental illness, the turning points that shaped his recovery, and how his experiences informed the creation and mission of One Mind. From advancing early psychosis programs and statewide policy efforts to launching innovation accelerators and workplace initiatives, Brandon shares how advocacy, research, and entrepreneurship can work together to transform mental health systems.  We also discuss why lived experience leadership is essential for scientific progress, what innovations in neuroscience and mental health excite him most, and how institutions can better engage researchers and leaders with lived experience.  At its core, this episode is about possibility — and about redefining what leadership in mental health looks like.    🔗 Topics Covered  Brandon’s early experience with schizophrenia  Turning points in recovery and finding purpose  The founding and mission of One Mind  Why lived experience leadership matters in research  Advocacy wins in early psychosis and policy reform  Breakthrough technologies and mental health startups  The future of workplace culture and mental health  Supporting researchers with lived experience  Daily practices for maintaining mental wellness  A message of hope for individuals and families  🌿 Tune in for a powerful and deeply human conversation about resilience, innovation, and transforming systems from the inside out.  📢 Follow us on Instagram @brainstempodcast to submit your questions for future episodes.  🎧 Available now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts!  📄 Brandon’s recent co-authored publication on lived experience in mental health research:  https://www.nature.com/articles/s44277-025-00048-7  🔗 Learn more about One Mind: https://onemind.org/  ❤️‍🩹 Help is available 24 hours/day at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.  🧠 BrainSTEM is hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak. Production and social media by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, and Gabby Maramag. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Society for Neuroscience and the Michigan Society for Neuroscience.  🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow us!  Visit: www.brainSTEMpodcast.com  Full video episodes are also available on YouTube.

    45 min

  5. Feb 12

    E27 – Hooked: Food Addiction, Ultra-Processed Diets, and the Brain

    In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak and co-producer Gabby Maramag sit down with clinical psychologist and leading food addiction researcher Dr. Ashley Gearhardt to unpack the science behind ultra-processed foods and their powerful effects on the brain.  Food is central to our lives — it fuels us, connects us to culture, and brings people together. But in today’s environment, we are surrounded by ultra-processed foods that are engineered to be hyper-palatable, inexpensive, and convenient. This shift has raised urgent questions: Can certain foods be addictive? And what does that mean for our brains, our health, and our children?  Dr. Gearhardt explains what “food addiction” really means — and how it differs from simply enjoying food. We explore the brain’s reward systems, why foods like chips, soda, and fast food can feel so hard to stop eating, and how modern food environments may be reshaping eating behavior at a population level.  Together, we discuss obesity, diabetes, binge eating, mental health, food marketing, and food justice — and why children and adolescents may be especially vulnerable. Dr. Gearhardt also shares insights from her clinical work and policy efforts, including testimony before Congress, outlining what meaningful change could look like.  As ultra-processed diets dominate grocery stores and school cafeterias, this episode offers a science-based perspective on how our food environment influences behavior — and what we can do about it.    🔗 Topics Covered  What “food addiction” really means How ultra-processed foods affect the brain Dopamine, reward, and cravings Why some foods feel harder to stop eating Children and adolescent vulnerability The obesity epidemic and the modern food environment Food marketing and industry influence Food justice and access Clinical overlap with eating disorders Treatment approaches and emerging research Policy solutions and public health strategies Research gaps and future directions 🌿 Tune in for a thoughtful and evidence-based conversation that bridges neuroscience, psychology, and public health — and challenges how we think about food in modern society.  📢 Follow us on Instagram @brainstempodcast to submit your questions for future episodes.  🎧 Available now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts!  ❤️‍🩹 Help is available 24 hours/day at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.  🧠 BrainSTEM is hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak. Production and social media by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, and Gabby Maramag. This interview was conducted by Gabby Maramag together with Dr. Hilary Marusak. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Society for Neuroscience and the Michigan Society for Neuroscience.  🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow us! Visit our website: www.brainSTEMpodcast.com. Our video podcasts are also posted on YouTube.

    33 min

  6. 11/20/2025

    E26 – Neurodiversity, ADHD, and the Future of the Brain

    In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with neuroscientist, innovator, and thought leader Dr. Prantik Kundu to explore the evolving science and personal realities of neurodiversity.  What does it really mean to have a “neurodivergent” brain? How do conditions like ADHD—often framed as deficits—also hold hidden strengths? And as society shifts toward AI-driven productivity, why might neurodiverse minds become more valuable than ever?  Dr. Kundu shares how ADHD has shaped his life and work, reframing traits like impulsivity, alternative thinking, and intense curiosity as powerful cognitive strengths. Drawing an analogy to the history of left-handedness—once stigmatized, now simply a natural variation—he argues that we may be at a similar turning point in how society views ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity.  Together, we unpack the science, the stigma, and the extraordinary potential of diverse minds in a rapidly changing world.  With neurodiversity gaining global attention, this episode offers a fresh and hopeful perspective on why different brains matter—and how embracing them could shape the future.    🔗 Topics Covered  What neurodiversity really means  ADHD as a strength—not just a disorder  Emotional intensity and rejection-sensitive dysphoria  Creativity, innovation, and impulsivity  How AI may reshape how society values neurodiverse minds  Misconceptions about ADHD  The future of neurodiversity in science, culture, and policy    🌿 Tune in for a compelling conversation that blends cutting-edge neuroscience with lived experience — and rethinks how we define “normal.”    🔗 Learn more about Dr. Kundu’s company, EyeThree: https://eyethree.ai/    📢 Follow us on Instagram @brainstempodcast to submit your questions for future episodes.  🎧 Available now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts!  ❤️‍🩹 Help is available 24 hours/day at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.  🧠 BrainSTEM is hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak. Production by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, and Gabby Maramag. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Society for Neuroscience and the Michigan Society for Neuroscience.  🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow us! Visit our website: www.brainSTEMpodcast.com. Our video podcasts are also posted on YouTube.

    53 min

  7. 02/14/2025

    E25 – Science Under Threat: NIH Funding Cuts and the Future of Research

    In this special episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak is joined by Dr. Alaina Jaster, host of Psychedelic Brain Science, a science advocate, and a postdoctoral research fellow in the THINK lab. They are also joined by Dr. Christine Rabinak, a world-leading PTSD researcher, who brings a unique perspective on the impact of recent federal funding cuts—not just on scientific innovation, but also on patients whose lives depend on this research.  The conversation centers on the Trump administration’s executive actions affecting NIH indirect costs and broader federal science funding freezes. These cuts threaten groundbreaking research, training the next generation of scientists, and the economic and public health benefits of biomedical innovation. Beyond the numbers, they also affect real people—patients with PTSD, cancer, and other life-threatening conditions who rely on scientific progress for hope and treatment.  Scientists across the country are facing uncertainty, and the lack of clear information has created widespread concern. But there are ways to take action. In this episode, we highlight concrete steps researchers, advocates, and the public can take to push back against these harmful policies and fight for the future of science.  🔗 Topics Covered:  How recent NIH funding cuts and freezes impact research, jobs, and innovation  The ripple effects on early-career scientists and the next generation of researchers  The role of science in shaping policy—and how policy shapes science  Firsthand perspectives from both researchers and patients affected by these decisions  Actionable steps for advocacy and protecting scientific funding  📢 Take Action:  Contact your representatives via phone or email: Find your elected officials  Make 5 calls in 5 minutes to advocate for NIH and NSF funding: 5 Calls  Use email templates and fact sheets for advocacy: SSDP Action Alert  Sign petitions and stay informed through professional societies: Society for Neuroscience Petition  Join activist groups and find more resources:  Indivisible – Fighting against the constitutional crisis  The People’s Union – Economic boycotts and protest organizing  Stand Up for Science – Grassroots science advocacy  🧠 BrainSTEM is hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak. Production by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, and Gabby Maramag. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Society for Neuroscience and Michigan Society for Neuroscience.  🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow us! Submit your questions for future episodes on Instagram @brainstempodcast. Visit our website: www.BrainSTEMpodcast.com.  📺 Video podcasts available on YouTube: BrainSTEM YouTube Channel  ❤️‍🩹 Help is available 24/7 at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

    59 min

  8. 02/10/2025

    E24 – Clearing the Haze: The Science Behind Vaping

    In this episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with Dr. David Ledgerwood, a leading expert in nicotine, vaping, and addiction, to explore the complex science behind vaping. Vaping is often seen as a safer alternative to smoking, but is it really? Dr. Ledgerwood breaks down the chemical processes involved in vaping, its impact on the body, and how it compares to smoking. He also discusses the effects of vaping on lung and cardiovascular health, especially for young people and adolescents.    With vaping becoming increasingly popular, especially among teens, this episode uncovers the risks and benefits of vaping, and what the latest research tells us about its long-term impact.    🔗 Topics Covered:  Key differences between smoking and vaping  Vaping and its impact on lung and cardiovascular health  The risks of vaping for young people  Vaping as a smoking cessation tool  Nicotine and cannabis in vapes  The safety of vaping devices  Regulation and public health policies on vaping    🌿 Tune in to get a clearer understanding of vaping from a leading expert.    🔗 Resources mentioned in the episode:  Wayne State Nicotine and Tobacco Research Division  National Institute on Drug Abuse - Vaping  Drug Lab Detroit    📢 Follow us on Instagram @brainstempodcast to submit your questions for future episodes.    🎧 Available now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts!    ❤️‍🩹 Help is available 24 hours/day at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.    🧠 BrainSTEM is hosted by neuroscientist ⁠Dr. Hilary Marusak⁠. Production by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, and Gabby Maramag. This podcast is made possible by the generous support of the ⁠Society for Neuroscience⁠ and ⁠Michigan Society for Neuroscience⁠.    🎙️ Subscribe, share, and follow us! Email us with topic or guest suggestions. Visit our website: www.brainSTEMpodcast.com. Our video podcasts are also posted on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2LTYvOoFc6L7p2kUMaFhCA/videos

    38 min
See All (33)

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

A podcast for anyone interested in the brain or brain disorders, hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Hilary Marusak and produced by Amanpreet Bhogal, Manmeet Bhogal, and Gabby Maramag. Episodes feature individuals with lived experiences and experts, covering a range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as depression, PTSD, and Alzheimer's disease. We also discuss "hot topics" like how pregnancy shapes "mommy brain" and the effects of air pollution on the brain. Follow us and email us!

Information

  • Creator
    Hilary Marusak
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hilary Marusak
  • Show Website
    brainSTEM