The BrainCore Podcast

Hosted by Tolu Faromika
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Science
  • Updated Semimonthly

The podcast and video series that introduces you to what's possible with psychology! Hosted by Tolu Faromika, BrainCore invites leading students, researchers, practitioners, and changemakers to explore how psychological science intersects with real-world experience across disciplines, cultures, and careers.

  1. ChatGPT Beat Crisis Responders in Empathy Ratings | Psychology Researchers Discuss

    6d ago

    ChatGPT Beat Crisis Responders in Empathy Ratings | Psychology Researchers Discuss

    Can AI actually be empathetic? In this episode of BrainCore, host Tolu Faromika is joined by researchers Dariya Ovsyannikova, Leif Anderson, and Zachary Grey to explore one of the biggest questions at the intersection of psychology and technology: can artificial intelligence (AI) provide empathy, and what happens when it does? The conversation is inspired by Dariya's recent article examining how people perceive empathetic responses from ChatGPT compared to responses from humans, including trained crisis responders. The findings raise important questions about empathy, mental health support, transparency, and the future role of AI in psychological care.Together, we discuss: What empathy actually is and why it mattersWhy ChatGPT was rated as more compassionate than human respondersThe ethical implications of AI-generated empathyAI therapy chatbots and mental health support toolsHow people are already using AI for emotional support The risks, limitations, and concerns surrounding AI in vulnerable populationsWhat the future of psychology and AI could look likeWhether you're interested in psychology, mental health, artificial intelligence, or emerging technology, this episode offers a thoughtful discussion about where these worlds are beginning to overlap.----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

    1h 20m
  2. Can You Actually Prevent Dementia? The Science & The Gaps | ft. Dr. Saskia Sivananthan

    Jun 11

    Can You Actually Prevent Dementia? The Science & The Gaps | ft. Dr. Saskia Sivananthan

    Most of us don't think about dementia until it affects someone we love. But the research says we should have started much earlier.In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with Dr. Saskia Sivananthan - neuroscientist, dementia policy leader, and one of Canada's foremost voices on brain health — to unpack what dementia really is, how it differs from Alzheimer's, and what the science actually says about reducing your risk. Yes, even if you already have a diagnosis.They also get into cognitive reserve, why social connection matters more than most people realize, and what a new drug called Lecanemab could mean for the future of dementia treatment.But this conversation goes beyond the science. Dr. Sivananthan speaks honestly about the communities being left out of dementia research and care, what it means to have culturally grounded conversations about brain health, and why an aging population makes all of this more urgent than ever.----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

    39 min
  3. Mental Health Has No Borders: A Global Perspective | Dr. Benedict Weobong

    May 28

    Mental Health Has No Borders: A Global Perspective | Dr. Benedict Weobong

    A conversation about mental health in Accra sounds different from one in Mumbai. The words are different, the stigma is different, the meaning is different. And for treatment to actually work, it has to start there. That's the work Dr. Benedict Weobong has dedicated his career to.In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with the global mental health epidemiologist and York University professor to get into what global mental health epidemiology really means, why cultural sensitivity isn't one-size-fits-all, and what Western psychology still has to learn from a global outlook. Having worked across West Africa, India, the UK, and now Canada, Dr. Weobong brings a perspective that is rare, necessary, and genuinely eye-opening. They also get honest about what it takes to stay motivated when you're staring down mental health statistics that are hard to comprehend — and where this field still needs to go. Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcastTwitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok -   / thebraincorepodcast  Email - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

    1h 1m
  4. What Healing Really Looks Like | Therapy, Faith & Representation ft. Andrea Boweya

    May 14

    What Healing Really Looks Like | Therapy, Faith & Representation ft. Andrea Boweya

    What does psychotherapy actually look like beyond diagnoses and coping strategies? In this episode of The BrainCore Podcast, host Tolu Faromika sits down with psychotherapist [Guest Name] for an in-depth conversation about therapy, mental health, healing, culture, faith, and representation in mental health care.Together, they discuss: • What psychotherapy is and how therapy helps people heal • Common misconceptions about therapy and the therapeutic relationship • What it means to heal emotionally through psychotherapy • The experience of being a Black psychotherapist in Canada • Why cultural competence matters in mental health care • Faith, spirituality, and mental health • Mental health stigma in underrepresented communities • Advice for new therapists, psychology students, and people considering therapy This episode is perfect for anyone interested in psychology, psychotherapy, counselling, mental health careers, emotional healing, or learning more about how therapy works in real life. ----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

    53 min

  5. Apr 23

    "I Was 30 When I Found Out I Had ADHD — And It Changed Everything" (ft. Kayla Lewis)

    Kayla Lewis didn't receive her ADHD diagnosis until her 30s — and it changed how she understood her entire life. In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with Kayla to unpack what late diagnosis really feels like, how she navigates motherhood with ADHD (including supporting her son through his own assessment), and what it means to be a Black woman balancing home, work, and mental health. Kayla also opens up about her journey through multiple diagnoses - including GAD, MDD, PMDD, and ADHD - and why finding the right labels was validating, not limiting.They dig into coping strategies, working with clinical psychologists, the gaps in the mental healthcare system, and why community and open conversation are the first step to healing.----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet? Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

    1h 9m
  6. What We Get Wrong About Autism | Dr. Iris Yusupov Rose

    Apr 9

    What We Get Wrong About Autism | Dr. Iris Yusupov Rose

    You’ve probably heard these before: “Autistic people lack empathy.” “You can outgrow autism.” But how many of them are actually true? In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu is joined by Dr. Iris Rose to challenge some of the most persistent myths about autism spectrum disorder. Together, they explore what gets lost when autism is framed only in terms of deficits, and what shifts when we begin to center lived experience, communication differences, and context. This Autism Acceptance Month, we invite you to rethink how you view and understand autism! Special Offer for Clinicians: Interested in deepening your practice? Dr. Rose and other psychologists created Autism Reframe, an online course designed for mental health professionals to learn foundational skills through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. DISCOUNT CODE: Use CODE BRAINCORE50 for $50 off! (https://www.autismreframe.com/) References: ​​Crompton, C. J., Ropar, D., Evans-Williams, C. V., Flynn, E. G., & Fletcher-Watson, S. (2020). Autistic peer-to-peer information transfer is highly effective. Autism, 24(7), 1704-1712. ---------------- Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet? Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠ Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod ⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcast Email - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.com Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-Penson Intro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-Davidson Videography: OluVision Media

    48 min

  7. Mar 26

    When Your Family Doesn’t Believe in Mental Health | Culture & Stigma with Jessie Sidhu

    What do you do when you want help… but your family says no? In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with mental health advocate Jessie Sidhu to talk about navigating mental health in cultures where it’s often misunderstood or dismissed. From late ADHD and autism diagnoses to building platforms that support others, Jessie shares how she turned her experiences into impact. If you’ve ever felt torn between your mental health and your environment, this conversation is for you.Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

    39 min

  8. Mar 12

    Why Do 2/3 of Alzheimer’s Patients Turn Out to Be Women? | The BrainCore Podcast

    Did you know that two-thirds of Alzheimer’s disease patients are women? In this episode, Tolu sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Natasha Rajah to discuss why women are disproportionately affected and what researchers are beginning to learn about the connection between menopause and brain health. We talk about the Canadian Brain Health at Midlife and Menopause (BHAMM) study, why this topic has historically been overlooked, and what women should know about brain fog, aging, and cognitive health. Here are some of the themes we discuss: Why Alzheimer’s disproportionately affects womenThe Canadian Brain Health at Midlife and Menopause (BHAMM) studyWhy this research has historically been overlooked• How sociocultural factors shape brain healthThe impact of studying mostly “WEIRD” populations in psychologyBrain fog during menopause vs. early dementiaWhat women can do to support brain healthWe also explore Dr. Rajah’s journey into neuroscience and her advice for students interested in studying brain health, aging, and gender differences in research. #BrainHealth #WomenAndAging #Neuroscience #HealthEquity #MidlifeMatters Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - thebraincorepodcast@gmail.comCreative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

    50 min
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About

The podcast and video series that introduces you to what's possible with psychology! Hosted by Tolu Faromika, BrainCore invites leading students, researchers, practitioners, and changemakers to explore how psychological science intersects with real-world experience across disciplines, cultures, and careers.

Information

  • Creator
    Hosted by Tolu Faromika
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hosted by Tolu Faromika
  • Show Website
    The BrainCore Podcast

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