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Sophie Brooks
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a podcast for cultivating wellness with Sophie Brooks

  1. APR 27

    Dr. Holly Rogers: Mindfulness as Medicine

    Dr. Holly Rogers is a psychiatrist, long-term meditation practitioner, and founder of the Mindfulness Institute for Emerging Adults (MIA). Dr. Rogers shares the origin story of MIA - a mindfulness curriculum she developed at Duke University after noticing that students were struggling with stress and lacked practical tools to manage it. What started as a small experiment in a campus counseling center has since grown organically to over 350 universities worldwide, with more than 70,000 students trained. The secret being 10 minutes of daily practice - the lowest effective dose she discovered after years of research. The conversation goes deeper into how mindfulness has become woven into evidence-based psychiatry, and why Dr. Rogers believes the mind-body divide is a myth - backed by science. She unpacks the power of belief in healing, the surprising data behind placebo and nocebo effects, and how she balances prescribing medication with prescribing presence.

    26 min

  2. MAR 25

    Abdullah Antepli: An Imam's Wisdom on Wellness

    Abdullah Antepli shares his remarkable journey from poverty in southeastern Turkey to becoming an imam, professor, and chaplain at Duke University, and now director of the Rothko Chapel in Houston. Growing up in an environment of violence and hardship, Abdullah was one of the first in his extended family to complete elementary school. His conversion to Islam became a transformative escape from cycles of destruction, providing him with discipline, inspiration, and a framework for meaningful living. After training as an imam and spending eight years doing humanitarian work across Southeast Asia, he found his calling in non-traditional religious leadership settings, eventually serving at Duke University for over 15 years before moving to the Rothko Chapel in Houston. Abdullah emphasizes the importance of religious pluralism, explaining how his deep study of other faith traditions (including Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, and even atheism) actually strengthened rather than weakened his Muslim faith. He views religion as a powerful force "in our hands" that can activate human potential for either good or evil depending on how we choose to engage with it.

    26 min

  3. MAR 20

    Dr. Don Vaughn: Rewiring Your Brain

    Dr. Don Vaughn is a Stanford and UCLA trained Neuroscientist and the co-founder of Ampa Health. He discusses fascinating world of neuroplasticity and groundbreaking approaches to mental health treatment. Dr. Vaughn explains how our brain continuously rewires itself based on our experiences, thoughts, and behaviors. He dives into his compelling research on why we dream as well as Ampa's revolutionary work with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)—a non-invasive technology that uses magnetic fields to target specific brain networks affected by depression and other mental health conditions. Dr. Vaughn shares Ampa's vision to democratize TMS treatment, making it more accessible and affordable as a potential first-line treatment rather than a last resort.

    24 min

  4. MAR 12

    Dr. Bridgette Hard: The Science (and Art) of Teaching Well

    Dr. Bridgette Hard is the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Psychology at Duke University. She shares her journey from accidentally discovering her passion for teaching introductory psychology at Stanford to becoming one of Duke's most beloved professors. The conversation explores Dr. Hard's teaching philosophy, built on three pillars: providing clear structure and support, maintaining high academic rigor, and using storytelling as a powerful pedagogical tool. Dr. Hard challenges the notion that stress is inherently harmful, explaining how reframing stress as fuel for goals we've chosen can transform it from an obstacle into a motivator. The episode also delves into growth mindset theory and the famous "academic bloomers" study, which demonstrates how others' beliefs in our potential can become self-fulfilling prophecies. Finally, Dr. Hard discusses her unexpected passion for group fitness instruction, explaining how teaching cycling, strength training, and other classes provides meaningful recovery from academic stress while empowering others to discover their physical capabilities.

    44 min

  5. MAR 9

    Dr. John Rose: Finding Your Center (Intellectually and Spiritually)

    Dr. John Rose is a theologian and civil discourse expert who bridges faith, philosophy, and productive dialogue across political divides. From his academic journey through Princeton's theology program to pioneering classes at Duke and UNC on navigating polarization, Dr. Rose shares how Christian virtues like love and charity inform his approach to helping students engage across differences. This episode covers big questions: the existence of God, the role of prayer and scripture, open-mindedness as a virtue, and why political identity has become so consuming in modern life. Dr. Rose offers a refreshing perspective on keeping politics in context while building genuine human connection. This episode offers wisdom on staying grounded in what truly matters, cultivating intellectual humility, and loving across lines of disagreement.

    47 min

  6. FEB 26

    Amanda Freeman: Creating a Wellness Movement (Literally)

    Amanda Freeman is a serial wellness founder. She brought high-intensity Pilates to New York with SLT (Strengthen Lengthen Tone) Pilates, everyone's go-to Pilates studio. She shares her journey from trend forecaster to fitness industry pioneer. After identifying "the rise of well-consciousness" in 2006, she launched Vital Juice, a wellness newsletter that reached 250,000 subscribers. She discusses growing SLT to over 26 studios and simultaneously creating Stretched, a one-on-one assisted stretching business. She is now launching Func Fit: a longevity-focused circuit workout studio featuring science-backed exercises such as weighted vest walking, strength training, Pilates reformer work, and zone-five cardio. She also shares her personal work-life balance philosophy of choosing to "do more, worse" rather than sacrificing family for career perfection.

    35 min

  7. FEB 25

    Colin McCabe: Fueling Wellness through Healthy Food

    This episode features Colin McCabe, co-founder of Chopt Creative Salad Company and The Founder's Table. Colin shares the remarkable 25-year journey of building one of the first fast-casual health food chains in America. Starting as two college graduates with no business background selling salads in Union Square, Colin and his best friend Tony Shure pioneered the concept of healthy fast food when the landscape was dominated by burgers and pizza. They built their conviction around a simple belief: healthy food could taste amazing, and health would be the next big movement in food. The conversation explores how Chopt navigates modern challenges - from balancing technology and human connection in an increasingly app-driven world, to competing in a struggling fast-casual space while remaining profitable and private. Colin also shares insights on building a platform of healthy fast-casual brands through strategic acquisitions like Dos Toros and Protein Bar, leveraging decades of operational experience. He reflects on the insecurity and constant drive to improve what has kept Chopt relevant for 25 years, and what makes him feel most in sync: being fully present with his wife and kids.

    29 min

  8. FEB 25

    Dr. Richard Jaffe: Buddhist Philosophy on Living Well

    This episode features Dr. Richard Jaffe, a Duke University Religious Studies professor and Buddhist scholar specializing in Zen Buddhism. Professor Jaffe recounts how his journey began in the 1960s when he left college to practice full-time at the San Francisco Zen Center, including three years at a monastic retreat, before earning his PhD in Buddhist studies from Yale. The conversation explores fundamental Buddhist concepts, including the nature of Zen Buddhism with its emphasis on meditation and paradoxical teachings called koans. Professor Jaffe explains the Buddhist perspective on suffering and "beginner's mind." He also discusses D.T. Suzuki's pivotal role in introducing Zen to Western audiences in the early 20th century. Professor Jaffe shares how the practice of decades of meditation has impacted his life, making him less reactive and more present to the joy found in each moment.

    34 min
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About

a podcast for cultivating wellness with Sophie Brooks

Information

  • Creator
    Sophie Brooks
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sophie Brooks
  • Show Website
    In Sync