Your Mind On Podcast

John Shaw
  • 4.7 (3)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Your Mind On is a weekly podcast that delves into the world of psychology to teach listeners about psychological concepts, groundbreaking studies, and psychological conditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Loneliness

    2D AGO

    Loneliness

    “Why does a broken heart feel like a broken rib?” In this Thursday Deep Dive, we’re peeling back the layers on one of the most misunderstood biological signals in the human experience: Loneliness. It’s not just a "sad feeling"—it’s a sophisticated, ancient, and expensive survival alarm. We explore the "Sentinel Brain," investigating how the dACC and Anterior Insula map social rejection onto the same neural pathways as physical pain. From the 10,000-year-old archaeological mystery of the Nataruk Massacre to the modern "empty calories" of Social Snacking, we’re looking at why your brain treats isolation as a metabolic emergency. Finally, we discuss Social Baseline Theory and the "Battery-Sharing" analogy. You’ll learn why your brain is more efficient when it’s near your tribe and how we can move from "Neural Static" back into a state of Biological Flourishing. In this episode, we discuss: The Sentinel State: Why the lonely brain is "Wired but Tired."The Vagal Brake: How isolation causes our physiological engines to redline.Neural Dissimilarity: Why the "Default Mode Network" struggles to find a signal in a vacuum.Co-Regulation: The biological "math" of why we are safer together.Connect with the ShowWe’d love to hear your thoughts on this Deep Dive. Email: hello@yourmindonpodcast.comInstagram: @yourmindonpodcastWeb: www.yourmindonpodcast.comMusic CreditsFeatured music in this episode provided by Epidemic Sound: More Now Than Ever – North SphereThrough the Storm – SavvunSoundbed – Blue SagaVroom Vroom – Ruiqi ZhaoSolution in Sight – KikoruSunrise (Instrumental Version) – Victor LundbergIndulgence (Instrumental Version) – JansetWarning Signal – Max AnsonNext Week: We’re diving into the infamous Robbers Cave Experiment to see what happens when the "Sentinel Brain" meets a rival tribe. You won't want to miss it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  2. Mindfulness Monday 6

    5D AGO

    Mindfulness Monday 6

    We spend most of our Monday mornings from the neck up. By 9:00 AM, most of us have already spent hours calculating, planning, and worrying—leaving our physical selves behind in the rush. We carry that mental "buzz" in our shoulders, our jaws, and our breath without even realizing it. In this Mindfulness Monday exercise, we are hitting the manual reset button. This isn't about "fixing" how you feel; it’s about stepping out of the planning mind and back into the physical foundation that supports you. The Sounds of Mindfulness Monday:To help you find your center, today’s episode featured: Intro: Spent a Whole Day in My Head by Rebecca MardalThe Journey: Equanimity by 369Outro: Finetuned Fiesta by Dusty DecksMusic provided by Epidemic Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min
  3. Autism

    APR 9

    Autism

    For nearly a century, the world viewed autism through a "flat-earth" lens—a mystery to be solved, or worse, a "deficit" to be cured. But what if we’ve just been using the wrong maps? In this episode, we move beyond the clinical fog of the "refrigerator mother" era and into the high-fidelity reality of the Intense World Theory. We explore the staggering neurobiology of the "high-resolution" brain—where 50% more local connectivity turns every sensory input into a lightning strike. We also dive into the high-stakes reality of the Intersectional Lens, discussing the dangerous misinterpretation of the Black autistic experience and the quiet grief of the "Lost Generation" of adults finally finding their homecoming. Finally, we look at the internal tug-of-war of the AuDHD mind: the friction between a drive for deep order and a hunger for constant novelty. It’s time to stop trying to dial down the volume to fit a world set to low. It’s time to see the mind in high definition. In This Episode:The Lost Maps: Why Grunya Sukhareva’s 1925 research was ignored for decades.The Lightning Strike: Understanding the "Intense World Theory" and neural micro-circuits.The Empathy Paradox: Dismantling the myth of the "unfeeling" heart through the lens of Affective Empathy.Double Masks & High Stakes: The critical intersection of autism, race, and systemic bias.The AuDHD Seesaw: Navigating the internal friction of Autism and ADHD.Connect With Us:Website: www.yourmindon.comEmail: feedback@yourmindon.comInstagram: @yourmindonpodcastMusic Credits:More Now Than Ever – North Sphere (Intro/Outro)Thyone – Ben ElsonPolygon – Ben ElsonEupheme – Ben ElsonUNIX 82 – Ben ElsonAll music sourced via Epidemic Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  4. Mindfulness Monday 5

    APR 6

    Mindfulness Monday 5

    Who is winning the argument in your head right now? On a typical Monday morning, your mind can feel less like a peaceful sanctuary and more like a crowded room. To-do lists, 'what-ifs,' and that low-level hum of anxiety can sometimes drown out the voices of your presence and capability. In this week's Mindfulness Monday mini-episode, we dive into a timeless story about the battle that wages within all of us. This simple, ancient parable holds the key to changing how we navigate our entire workday. Your week is starting now. Take ten minutes to set the tone and decide which version of yourself you are bringing to the day. New "Mindfulness Monday" episodes drop every Monday. Our full-length deep dives continue every Thursday The Sounds of Mindfulness Monday:To help you find your center, today’s episode featured: Intro: Spent a Whole Day in My Head by Rebecca MardalThe Story: lilja by bomullOutro: Finetuned Fiesta by Dusty DecksMusic provided by Epidemic Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    8 min
  5. ADHD

    APR 2

    ADHD

    "You are not a broken version of 'normal.' You are a high-performance version of 'different.'" In this episode, we peel back the layers of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to move beyond the "moral defect" myths of the past. We explore the fascinating neurobiology of the "Dopamine Chase" and the evolutionary history of the nomadic hunter, reframing ADHD as a specialized operating system built for a high-intensity world. In This Episode, We Cover:The Evolution of the Explorer: How the DRD4 7R "Nomadic" allele provided a survival advantage 45,000 years ago.The Dopamine Harbor: Understanding Reward Deficiency Syndrome and why "boring" tasks feel like physical torture.Theta vs. Beta States: The science of why the ADHD brain "falls asleep" during meetings but "unlocks" during hyperfocus.The Volume Knob of Emotion: A deep dive into Emotional Dysregulation and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD).The High Cost of Masking: Why "performing normal" leads to chronic burnout and how to stop wasting your battery.Hardware Hacks: Practical, evidence-based strategies for "Case Modding" your environment and your workflow.Connect with the ShowI love building this community of divergent thinkers. If you have a question, a story about your own "ADHD Hardware," or a topic suggestion, please reach out! Email: hello@yourmindonpodcast.comInstagram: @yourmindonpodcastWeb: yourmindonpodcast.com (Stream episodes, read show transcripts, and learn more about the show).Music CreditsTheme and background music provided by Epidemic Sound. Main Theme: More Now Than Ever by North SphereAmbient Underscore: Lost in Thought by Amaranth Cove Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
  6. Mindfulness Monday 4

    MAR 30

    Mindfulness Monday 4

    Welcome Mindfulness Monday! I will be releasing these short 5-10 minute episodes each Monday to help power you through your week. Some weeks it will be a motivational story, some will be mindfulness and relaxation exercises. Please feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or episode suggestions! Website: www.yourmindonpodcast.com Email: hello@yourmindonpodcast.com Instagram: @yourmindonpodcast Music for this episode: Spent a Whole Day in My Head by Rebecca Mordal Sow by Harbours & Oceans Finetuned Fiesta by Dusty Decks Don't for get to like, comment, download, and share with friends and family! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 min
  7. Nostalgia

    MAR 26

    Nostalgia

    In this episode of Your Mind On, host John Shaw explores the complex evolution of nostalgia—from its 17th-century roots as a fatal medical "plague" to its modern role as a vital psychological resource. We dive into the biological mechanisms behind the "Reminiscence Bump," the unique power of sensory triggers like scent, and the critical distinction between restorative and reflective nostalgia. Finally, we discuss how digital algorithms are reshaping our memories and provide a "Nostalgia Audit" tool to help you use your past as a foundation for a healthier present. Key Topics Covered: The History of "Sickness of the Heart": How early physicians treated nostalgia with leeches and public shaming. The Reminiscence Bump: Why our brains are hardwired to prioritize memories from ages 10 to 30. Restorative vs. Reflective Nostalgia: Learning to distinguish between the desire to rebuild the past and the ability to savor it with "aesthetic distance." The Olfactory "Fast-Pass": Why smell is the only sense that bypasses the brain’s traditional relay station to hit your emotions directly. Virtual Reconstruction: How we use digital tools and simulation to "export" our memories into virtual spaces. The Nostalgia Audit: A three-step process to identify your triggers, check your lens, and build a continuity bridge to your present self. Connect with the Show: Website: yourmindonpodcast.com Email: hello@yourmindonpodcast.com Instagram: @yourmindonpodcast Music & Sound Credits:Ashen by Luba Hilman Honorable Salute by Sage Oursler More Now Than Ever by North Sphere The Light from Within by Howard Harper-Barnes Next Week: We shift our focus to the present as we explore the "Gift" of ADHD—reframing it from a deficit to a specialized "operating system" designed for a high-speed world. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform to help us spread the word! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    32 min
  8. Mindfulness Monday 3

    MAR 23

    Mindfulness Monday 3

    Welcome to Mindfulness Monday! I will be releasing these short 5-10 minute episodes each Monday to help power you through your week. Some weeks it will be a motivational story, some will be mindfulness and relaxation exercises. Please feel free to reach out with questions, comments, or episode suggestions! Website: www.yourmindonpodcast.com Email: hello@yourmindonpodcast.com Instagram: @yourmindonpodcast Music for this episode: Finetuned Fiesta by Dusty Decks lilja by Bomull Don't for get to like, comment, download, and share with friends and family! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    6 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Your Mind On is a weekly podcast that delves into the world of psychology to teach listeners about psychological concepts, groundbreaking studies, and psychological conditions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    John Shaw
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © John Shaw
  • Show Website
    Your Mind On Podcast

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