In episode 18 I am breaking down cognitive flexibility, essentially being able to go with the flow, having higher resilience when life doesn’t go your way and the ability to adapt our behavior and thinking in response to the environment. As an added bonus I discuss several ways you can improve your cognitive flexibility. In the Botanical Bri segment, I discuss Gotu Kola, an herb known for its ability to support cognitive functions and get into the Nerd Alert section of the show, where I talk about the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC), which is responsible for a host of cognitive functions, including emotional expression, attention allocation, and mood regulation.

Botanical Bri- Gotu Kola

Nerd Alert- Anterior Cingulate Cortex

Knowledge Bites- Cognitive Flexibility 

Be sure to follow my Instagram @briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content!

You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com for previous blog posts

Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio

In episode 17 I have my second guest, Katey Yurko (my research girl crush) and founder of Violet Fog Potions, a blend of super foods and adaptogens. 

Katey specializes in research in skin, gut, brain and liver health and in this weeks episode we chat about some of her favorite credible sources for research, her love for Maca root and why it is in her Stress Blend potion, staying healthy while traveling and her best piece of underrated health advice! Katey recently launched a podcast of her own, called Violet Fog as I know It. 

Follow Katey on Instagram to learn about her potions and all of her research!

IG: @thevioletfog & @violetfogpotions

Be sure to follow my Instagram @Briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content!

You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com for more information.

Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio

In episode 16 I discuss the neuroscience of change, or why change is actually so difficult! I discuss the differences between the Reflexive and Reflective functions of brain, parts of the brain that deal with change and the science behind why old habits die hard. I touch on the threat reward system (and why we can’t always see big picture goals when working towards change) and how to actually go about changing!

Nerd Alert- Parts of the brain that resist change (orbitofrontal cortex)

Homework Assignment- Working on intentional changes

Be sure to follow my Instagram @Briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content!

You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com for more information. 

Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio

In Episode 15 I have my first guest, Reed Davis, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) founder. We sit down to talk about functional labs, health entrepreneurs, the difference between health coaching and becoming an FDN practitioner and so much more ! You can watch the full Youtube video at the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6H6ILlQkAk&t=1217s 

Be sure to follow FDN on Instagram @fdntraining

To learn more about FDN or becoming a FDN practitioner visit https://fdnthrive.show/brianna-approved.

Be sure to follow my Instagram @Briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content!

You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com for previous blog posts

Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio

In Episode 14 of the podcast we are talking herbs for summer heat! I will discuss how herbs can be cooling, different herbal energetics that encompass cooling (including diaphoretic and astringent properties), my favorite herbs during the summer months (plus an added bonus on my must have botanicals for your herbal first aid kit), why you should breakup with someone if they give you yellow roses and an herbal sun tea recipe!

Knowledge Bites- Herbs for Summer Heat (Yarrow, Calendula, Rose, Hibiscus, Lemon Balm, Hawthorn and St. John's Wort)

Botanical Bri - Sun Tea Recipe 

Be sure to follow my Instagram @Briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content!

You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com for previous blog posts

Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio

In episode 13 I discuss a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approach towards summer, which includes emotions associated with summer, balancing “Shen” and identifying what “yang” imbalances look like. I also discuss the Heart in Chinese Medicine (as well as differences in the physical heart vs emotional heart), the fire element and an extra credit at the end, where I give a Botanical Bri Summer Tea!

Episode 14 will go into specific herbs for the summer.

Knowledge Bites- Shen and Physical/ Emotional Heart in Chinese Medicine

Botanical Bri- Summer Tea Recipe

Be sure to follow my Instagram @briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content!

You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com for previous blog posts

Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio

In episode 12 I dive into the concept of Positive Psychology. I start off with the fun fact of the day, which covers why you feel good after doing a good deed, the concept of cultivating positive wellbeing (aka living your best life), different levels of positive psychology and the idea of peace vs happiness. I finish the episode with the five levels of wellbeing.

Knowledge Bites: Positive Psychology (and how this differs from positive thinking)

Be sure to follow my Instagram @briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content!

You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com for previous blog posts

Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio

In episode 11 I break down the connection between our heart and our brain, also know as Neuro-cardiology. I discuss HOW your heart communicates with your brain  and why you can actually feel if the “vibes are off with someone” and hormones your heart produces. Of course I give y’all some extra credit at the end of the show and a few FREE ways you can emotionally calibrate your heart/ brain. 

Nerd Alert: Neuro Cardiology

Knowledge bites: Heart-Brain Coherence

Be sure to follow my Instagram @briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content!

You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com for previous blog posts

Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio

Episode 10: Healthy Aging

In episode 10 I am discussing the value of aging and ways to optimize aging! I discuss the differences between your biological age and your chronological age, I briefly I discuss epigenetics, longevity genes and factors that can influence healthy aging. I finish the show by going over the 7 dimensions of wellness of personal health!

Knowledge Bites- Biological age vs your Chronological age

Nerd Alert- Sirtuins aka longevity genes (AMPK and mTOR)

Be sure to follow my Instagram @briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content!

You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com for previous blog posts

Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio