Are personality tests really accurate—or do they miss what stress reveals about you?

In this episode of the Brain Fitness Podcast, I sit down with Mike Duffy, founder of VennX, to explore personality assessments, stress patterns, HRV, AI, emotional behavior, and the future of self-awareness.

Mike explains why traditional personality tests may only provide a snapshot of who we are, while real human behavior can change over time—especially under stress, in relationships, on teams, and when making important decisions.

Mike Duffy is the founder of VennX, the human waveform company. A former Army paratrooper and Signal Corps officer, three-time chief of staff, and pharmaceutical data executive, Mike spent his career building high-performance systems before applying that same lens to human transformation.

Drawing from his own recovery and 10-year transformation journey, Mike created VennX to explore how psychological shifts connect with physiological outcomes over time. VennX calls this Psychosomatic Intelligence—using real human data to better understand the relationship between insight, action, HRV, emotional resolution, and lasting behavior change.

Mike also serves as CLO of GoBundance and is bringing VennX’s waveform technology to entrepreneurs, high performers, and clinical partners like BrainTap.

Curious what your patterns may reveal? Mike Duffy is offering Brain Fitness Podcast listeners a free VennX scan here:

https://form.typeform.com/to/yzo0vnpN?typeform-source=www.youtube.com

Connect with Mike Duffy:

https://vennwisdom.com/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #PersonalityTests #SelfAwareness #HumanBehavior #HRV

Feeling wired but tired after becoming a mom? You're not alone.

In this episode of the Brain Fitness Podcast, I sit down with Janelle Ardizzone to discuss postpartum nervous system regulation, motherhood overwhelm, and the inspiration behind Welcome Home Mama, a BrainTap series designed to support mothers through the transition after birth.

Janelle is the founder of Desert Moon Wellness in Las Vegas, a Certified Doula, Certified Hyperbaric Technician, and passionate advocate for brain health and nervous system optimization. For more than a decade, she has helped mothers navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and healing while guiding thousands of clients through personalized wellness programs focused on resilience, recovery, and longevity.

Drawing from her own health journey, years of supporting families as a doula, and four years of experience using BrainTap and NeuralChek, Janelle co-created Welcome Home Mama: A Nervous System Reset for Mothers with Dr. Patrick Porter. She created this program for moms who feel exhausted despite sleeping, emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected from their bodies, or unsure how to rediscover themselves after birth. Her mission is to help mothers understand that by regulating their nervous system, they can unlock the capacity to heal, thrive, and show up more fully for themselves and their families.

Welcome Home Mama is a BrainTap postpartum restoration series that meets mothers where they are—physically, emotionally, neurologically, and spiritually. It features guided sessions including Welcome Home, Mama, When Things Feel Tender, Holding the New You, and You Are Still You, helping mothers find calm, resilience, and connection throughout the postpartum journey.

Start the Welcome Home Mama series here:

https://braintap.com/desertmoonwellness/

Connect with Janelle Ardizzone:

https://desertmoonwellness.com/

https://www.instagram.com/desertmoonwellnesslv/

https://www.facebook.com/DesertMoonWellnessLV

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #PostpartumSupport #NervousSystemRegulation #Motherhood #MomBurnout

Want to improve your pickleball mental game?

In this episode of the Brain Fitness Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Gordon Jones to discuss brain training for pickleball, including focus, visualization, recovery, and staying calm under pressure.

Dr. Gordon Jones (DHA, MHSA) is a brain fitness researcher, performance coach, educator, and health technology expert who co-developed the BrainTap DUPR Brain Fitness for Pickleball Performance Series—the official brain training program of DUPR, created in partnership with BrainTap and Dr. Patrick Porter.

A lifelong competitive athlete, Dr. Jones is a state singles pickleball champion, PPR-certified coach, beach ultimate world champion, and former state champion in both tennis and soccer. Drawing on his experience competing at the national level, he teaches why mental preparation is just as important as physical training and how brain training can elevate focus, resilience, and performance on the court.

He writes and teaches as "Dr. J or Coach" and donates proceeds from his work through his Missions and Ministries nonprofit.

In this show, you'll learn:

• How to strengthen your pickleball mental game
• Why focus and visualization improve performance
• How to stay calm under pressure
• Why recovery is essential for brain training
• How to stop overthinking during competition
• Why movement benefits both brain health and athletic performance

Train your mind before your next match: Try the BrainTap DUPR Brain Fitness for Pickleball Performance Series with a free two-week trial at braintap.gordonjones.org



Connect with Dr. Gordon Jones:

https://www.gordonjones.org

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #Pickleball #PickleballTips #BrainTraining #SportsPerformance

Why do zinc supplements make some people nauseous or upset their stomach?

In this episode of the Brain Fitness Podcast, I sit down with Stephen Kavanagh to discuss synthetic vs. food-based zinc, OysterMax®, digestion, and brain health.

Stephen Kavanagh is a marine biologist and the Founder & CEO of Marine Health Foods Ltd. in County Wicklow, Ireland. With more than 30 years of experience in marine science, he graduated from the School of Ocean Sciences at the University of Wales, Bangor. His work has focused on the health benefits of marine nutrition, particularly through the company's flagship product, OysterMax®, a nutrient-dense oyster extract that supports overall wellness, including sexual health, energy, hormonal balance, and skin health.

In this conversation, Stephen explains why oysters are among nature's most nutrient-dense foods, naturally providing zinc, copper, selenium, and vitamin B12—nutrients that support normal cognitive function, nervous system health, and protection against oxidative stress.

We also explore why not all zinc supplements are created equal, the potential advantages of food-based minerals, and why Stephen's advice is simple: "Think before you zinc."

Learn more: Visit marinehealthfoods.com and use code BRAINTAP10 to receive 10% off your first order.

Connect with Stephen Kavanagh:

https://www.instagram.com/marine_health_foods_ltd/

https://www.facebook.com/marinehealthfoodsltd/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #Zinc #BrainHealth #OysterExtract #NervousSystemHealth

Ever had your bloodwork come back "perfectly normal" while you feel anything but?

If you're struggling with long COVID, chronic fatigue, brain fog, or unexplained symptoms, this episode is for you.

I sit down with Dr. Evan Hirsch to explore why the body sometimes can't seem to recover. We discuss chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), long COVID, and what Dr. Hirsch calls the "Toxic 5"—five hidden factors that may keep the immune system and nervous system stuck in a cycle of dysfunction.

Known as the EnergyMD, Evan H. Hirsch, MD specializes in helping people with Long COVID and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome restore their energy naturally. After overcoming his own five-year battle with chronic fatigue syndrome, he developed the EnergyMD Method, a four-step approach designed to address the root causes of persistent fatigue. Through his book, podcast, and virtual programs, he has helped thousands of people around the world reclaim their health.

If you've ever felt dismissed because your lab work was "normal" despite ongoing symptoms, this conversation may help connect the dots and provide a new perspective on recovery.

Connect with Dr. Evan Hirsch:

https://www.energymdmethod.com/

https://www.instagram.com/evanhirschmd/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/fixyourfatigue

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #LongCOVID #ChronicFatigue #BrainFog #BrainHealth

What are exosomes, and why are they generating so much interest in brain health, aging, energy, and regenerative medicine?

In this episode of the Brain Fitness Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Kelly Miller to explore the science behind stem cell exosomes, bioidentical sequential amino acids, mitochondrial health, NAD, glutathione, and the future of cellular communication.

Dr. Kelly Miller brings more than 46 years of clinical experience, having treated over 17,000 patients. His background includes chiropractic, acupuncture, and naturopathy. He is a Fellow in Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Melillo Method Certified, Board Certified in Neurofeedback, and the bestselling author of Saving Your Brain: Causes, Prevention, and Reversal of Dementia/Alzheimer's.

In this conversation, Dr. Miller shares what he has learned about bioidentical sequential amino acids and stem cell exosomes, including how these emerging therapies may support brain health, cellular energy, healthy aging, inflammation balance, recovery, and overall cellular function.

Special Offer: Dr. Kelly Miller is offering a free consultation for listeners interested in learning whether bioidentical sequential amino acids or stem cell exosome therapy may be appropriate for them. Visit www.drkellymiller.com to learn more.

Connect with Dr. Kelly Miller:

https://drkellymiller.com/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #Exosomes #BrainHealth #RegenerativeMedicine #StemCells #HealthyAging

Most people think they’re stuck… but it’s not a mindset problem.

Today, I talk with Elisabeth Carson about how trauma lives in the nervous system and why unresolved stress responses can keep you repeating the same patterns.

Elisabeth Carson is a global speaker and transformational leader focused on nervous system healing, personal reinvention, and human potential. After overcoming trauma and addiction, she built a global consciousness brand reaching over 11 million people. Through her work at Enhanced Flow, she integrates science, spirituality, and nervous system regulation to help individuals create lasting change.

In this episode, we cover what’s happening in the body, why familiar pain feels “safe,” and what actually needs to shift for real change.

Elisabeth shares a free 5-day guided meditation journey designed to help reset your nervous system: https://unlimitedmeditationpack.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 Trauma isn’t what you think

07:30 How trauma is stored in the nervous system

14:00 Why you keep repeating the same patterns

22:00 Why mindset alone doesn’t create change

30:00 What healing actually requires

38:30 How to regulate your nervous system

Connect with Elisabeth Carson:

https://www.elisabethunlimited.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@ElisabethUnlimited

https://www.instagram.com/elisabeth_unlimited/

https://www.facebook.com/iamelisabethcarson/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #trauma #nervoussystem #brainhealth #healingtrauma

What is EMF pollution, and how do dirty electricity, Wi-Fi exposure, and electromagnetic noise affect the spaces where we live and work?

In this episode, I sit down with Joaquin Machado to talk about EMF exposure: something most people never stop to think about.

Joaquín Machado is an EMR researcher, inventor, and CTO and co-founder of NOXTAK, with over 20 years dedicated to understanding how artificial electromagnetic fields affect biological systems and what can be done to restore coherence. He holds 14 international patents in nanotechnology and materials science and is the creator of SPIRO® Technology a unique nanomagnetic filtering approach that doesn't block electromagnetic fields but reorganizes their spin polarization at the quantum level, allowing devices to function normally while reducing the biological impact of artificial EMFs.

Joaquin shares what first put this on his radar, and I get into what we found when we tested it inside our own lab at BrainTap (let's just say it was a wake-up call).

We dig into dirty electricity, Wi-Fi, and all the invisible noise running through the spaces we spend our days in. Give it a listen – you might look at your home or office a little differently afterward!

Learn more at https://spiroemf.com/

Find Joaquin's books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.-Joaqu%C3%ADn-Machado/author/B0DLLM6QF8

Connect with Joaquin Machado:

https://www.instagram.com/spiro_emf/

https://www.facebook.com/noxtak

https://www.linkedin.com/company/noxtak/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #EMFPollution #DirtyElectricity #WiFiExposure #BrainHealth

Most people think acupuncture is just for back pain. But what if it’s doing something much deeper inside the brain?

Today, I sit down with Dr. Ayla Wolf to explore how acupuncture may influence nervous system regulation, pain signaling, migraines, dizziness, and post-concussion recovery.

Dr. Ayla Wolf is the host of Life After Impact: The Concussion Recovery Podcast and author of The Concussion Breakthrough: Discover the Missing Pieces to Recovery. With more than 20 years of clinical experience and a doctorate in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, she specializes in neurological rehabilitation, including post-concussion syndrome, traumatic brain injury, migraines, dizziness, stroke, and dysautonomia.

She is the founder and clinic director of Healing Response Acupuncture & Functional Neurology, where she combines clinical neuroscience with evidence-based, holistic therapies for complex neurological conditions. Dr. Wolf also serves as an Associate Professor of Physical Medicine at the Carrick Institute, speaks internationally on concussion recovery and brain health, and participates in clinical research on acupuncture for post-traumatic headaches.

In this fascinating conversation, we explore the science behind acupuncture, its role in brain health and recovery, and how this ancient practice may support resilience, healing, and optimal neurological function.

Special Gift from Dr. Ayla: Follow the link below to access the Concussion Impact Tracker, a symptom checklist from her book Life After Impact, designed to help you monitor and track your post-concussion recovery journey.

https://www.lifeafterimpact.com/concussion-impact-tracker

Connect with Dr. Ayla Wolf:

https://www.instagram.com/lifeafterimpact/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aylawolf

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559805806528

https://www.youtube.com/@lifeafterimpact

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #Acupuncture #BrainHealth #NervousSystem

Brain recovery is becoming a bigger part of the performance conversation for athletes, high performers, and organizations that support them.

Is Your Brain Getting the Recovery It Needs?

Dr. Peter Cummings, MD, joins me on the Brain Fitness Podcast to reveal the science behind hydration, cognitive recovery, and muscle resilience—and why true recovery goes beyond rest.

Dr. Cummings is a Harvard-trained physician, sports neuroscientist, and former professor specializing in brain health, movement, and performance optimization. A pioneer in recognizing gait as the 6th vital sign, he has worked with athletes at all levels on injury recovery and performance. As CEO of TBRx Sports, he advances the TB12 approach to pain-free movement, while also serving as a medical advisor for multiple sports organizations.

Tune in to this episode to learn how brain fitness, hydration, and mental resilience play a role in preventing injuries, enhancing performance, and keeping you sharp, whether you're an athlete, executive, or simply someone looking to optimize your health.

Connect with Dr. Peter Cummings:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-cummings-md-2276b3248/

https://www.instagram.com/petercummingsmd/

https://tbrxsports.com/

Connect with Dr. Patrick Porter:

https://drpatrickporter.com/

https://www.instagram.com/drpatrickporter/

https://www.facebook.com/DrPatrickPorter/

https://www.youtube.com/c/drpatrickporter

Other helpful links & information:

http://www.braintap.pro/

*Our content is for informational purposes only and should not be treated as medical or health advice. Please consult with your doctor / healthcare provider if you have any questions about your medical condition.

#BrainFitnessPodcast #BrainTapSports #AthleteRecovery #SportsPerformance #MentalFitness