Inside the Mind, Beyond the Desk

Inside The Mind Beyond The Desk
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Where psychology meets occupational therapy. This podcast explores what happens when the brain meets the nervous system, and how that shapes adult life. We examine emotional regulation, executive functioning, attention, memory, time management, sensory processing and rejection sensitivity through psychological, occupational therapy and neuroscience lenses. Evidence informed, neuroaffirmative conversations that translate brain science into practical strategies for real world living.

  1. 5d ago

    Episode 15 - The Neuroscience of Productivity: Why Your Brain Gets Things Done

    Why are some tasks easy to start while others feel almost impossible? In this episode of Inside the Mind: Beyond the Desk, we explore the neuroscience of productivity and what is actually happening in the brain when we plan, start, focus and follow through. We look at motivation, attention, executive functioning, reward and energy, and why productivity is about much more than willpower or better time management. We also explore practical ways to work with your brain, rather than constantly trying to force it to work differently.

  2. Sep 18

    Episode 14 - When hormone health, brain health and everyday life collide

    What happens when hormone health, brain health and everyday life collide? In this episode of Inside the Mind: Beyond the Desk, Dr Áine O’Dea, Occupational Therapist, joins Professor Mary Ryan, Consultant Endocrinologist, for a fascinating conversation about hormones, menopause, the busy brain, and how changes in our bodies can affect how we think, feel, and function. They explore brain fog and executive functioning, ADHD and neurodivergence, sleep, sensory regulation, energy, stress and cognitive fatigue and why supporting women through perimenopause and menopause needs to go beyond medication alone. From pacing and prioritising to nutrition, rest, boundaries and everyday routines, Professor Mary Ryan and Áine discuss the small, practical changes that can make a meaningful difference to performance, wellbeing and daily life. Because sometimes improving our health starts with stepping back and analysing the ordinary. Don't miss the upcoming event with Professor Mary Ryan Empower Her - October 18th 2026 https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/empower-her-tickets-1992882152164 Professor Mary Ryan's book It's Probably Your Hormones https://www.kennys.ie/shop/it-s-probably-your-hormones-from-appetite-to-sleep-periods-to-sex-drive-balance-your-hormones-to-unlock-better-health-ryan-dr-mary-9781529434866

  3. Sep 5

    Episode 13 - Dyspraxia: The Effort Behind Everyday Tasks

    Dyspraxia is often talked about in terms of coordination, but its impact can reach far beyond movement. In this episode of Inside the Mind: Beyond the Desk, we explore dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), and what it can look like in everyday life. We discuss coordination, organisation, planning, fatigue, confidence and the extra effort that can go into tasks other people may barely think about, while also considering the strengths and experiences that are often missed when we focus only on difficulties.

  4. Aug 22

    Episode 12 - Energy Management

    Why do some days leave us completely drained, even when we haven’t done that much? In this episode of Inside the Mind: Beyond the Desk, we explore energy management and why managing your capacity can be just as important as managing your time. We talk about recognising what drains and restores us, planning around our energy rather than constantly pushing through, and finding more realistic ways to navigate work, family life and everything in between.

  5. Aug 8

    Episode 11: Hyperfocus: When Your Brain Won’t Let Go

    Ever sat down to do one thing and looked up three hours later wondering where the time went? In this episode of Inside the Mind: Beyond the Desk, we’re talking about hyperfocus: that intense state of concentration where everything else seems to disappear. We explore why hyperfocus is often associated with ADHD and other neurodivergent brains, what might be happening with attention and motivation, and why it is not quite as simple as being able to “focus really well”. We also look at the other side of hyperfocus: losing track of time, forgetting to eat, struggling to switch tasks, staying up far too late, or putting huge amounts of energy into something while everything else waits. As always, we bring together psychology, lived experience and the realities of everyday life to ask: when can hyperfocus be a strength, when does it become a problem, and how can we work with it rather than constantly fighting against it?

  6. Jul 25

    Episode 10: When Rejection Feels Overwhelming: Understanding RSD

    Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, often shortened to RSD, describes the intense emotional distress some people experience in response to criticism, rejection, disappointment or the feeling that they have let someone down. In this episode, we explore why a small comment, change in tone or unanswered message can sometimes feel so painful, particularly for people with ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles. We discuss how RSD can affect relationships, work, parenting and self-esteem, and why it is often misunderstood as being overly sensitive or dramatic. We also look at the difference between emotional pain and emotional regulation, the role of past experiences, and practical ways to respond with greater understanding, self-compassion and support. RSD is not a formal diagnosis, but the experiences described by the term can be very real.

  7. Jul 11

    Episode 9 - Decision Fatigue

    Decision Fatigue: Why Your Brain Feels Done Before the Day Begins How many decisions have you made before 9 a.m.? What to wear. What to eat. Where the missing school shoes are. Whether to answer that email now or later. By the time the day has properly started, your brain may already be running on empty. In this episode of Inside the Mind: Beyond the Desk, we explore decision fatigue, the mental exhaustion that comes from making countless choices throughout the day. We look at why it affects everyone, why it can be especially challenging for neurodivergent people, parents and professionals, and how it quietly influences our mood, productivity, relationships and wellbeing.

  8. Jun 26

    Episode 8 - Getting things done

    Getting things done is not always about motivation or trying harder. For many people, the real challenge is starting, knowing where to begin, staying focused, and managing the overwhelm that can come with everyday tasks. In this episode, we explore task initiation, procrastination, planning, prioritising, and executive functioning through a psychology-informed lens. We look at why tasks can feel much bigger than they appear, why shame often follows unfinished jobs, and how stress, perfectionism, fatigue, and cognitive overload can all get in the way. We also share practical ways to make tasks feel more manageable, including breaking things into smaller steps, using visual prompts, externalising plans, and working with your brain rather than against it.

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Where psychology meets occupational therapy. This podcast explores what happens when the brain meets the nervous system, and how that shapes adult life. We examine emotional regulation, executive functioning, attention, memory, time management, sensory processing and rejection sensitivity through psychological, occupational therapy and neuroscience lenses. Evidence informed, neuroaffirmative conversations that translate brain science into practical strategies for real world living.

Information

  • Creator
    Inside The Mind Beyond The Desk
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Inside The Mind Beyond The Desk
  • Show Website
    Inside the Mind, Beyond the Desk

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