Decisions That Count

Is empathy disappearing in today’s high-pressure workplaces — or are our brains simply overloaded?In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with Mimi Nicklin, global thought leader on organisational empathy and founder of Empathy Everywhere, to explore a powerful question:👉 Is cognitive overload quietly eroding our ability to lead with empathy?As leaders face thousands of decisions every day, the brain’s cognitive resources are pushed to their limits. When decision fatigue sets in, empathy, emotional intelligence, and human connection can become unintended casualties.Together, they unpack the neuroscience behind empathy, the real impact of decision fatigue in leadership, and why protecting your cognitive energy may be the key to better decisions, stronger teams, and healthier workplaces.This conversation sits at the heart of what Decisions That Count is all about — understanding the science of decision-making and the deeper human impact of the choices we make every day.Key Insights From This Episode🧠 The neuroscience of empathy and decision fatigueHow cognitive overload affects the brain’s executive functions and why empathy may decline when mental resources are depleted.⚡ Why empathy isn’t a “soft skill”Mimi explains why empathy is a learnable cognitive skill that drives performance, engagement, and leadership effectiveness.📉 The empathy crisis in modern workplacesResearch suggests empathy has declined dramatically in recent decades — and what that means for culture, performance, and wellbeing.👥 Why connection drives human performanceFrom neuroscience to workplace data, we explore why people perform better when they feel understood and valued.🛠 Practical ways leaders can protect empathySimple leadership protocols to reduce cognitive overload and make better people-impacting decisions.About Our GuestMimi Nicklin is a global expert on organisational empathy and the founder of Empathy Everywhere, a movement dedicated to reconnecting the human race through better listening and understanding. She works with leaders and organisations worldwide to translate empathy into practical frameworks that improve culture, performance, and decision-making.About the PodcastDecisions That Count explores the science of decision fatigue and human performance.Hosted by Dr. Shawn Watson (Neuroscientist) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, marathon runner, and mum), the podcast sits at the intersection of brain science and human potential.Each episode features leaders, athletes, entrepreneurs, and experts sharing how they manage cognitive overload, sharpen focus, and make better decisions in high-stakes environments.Because when you understand how your brain works, you can make every decision count.Follow & Listen🎧 Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0ORNyRJW3k2RNSp41sNUD0🍎 Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decisions-that-count/id1796794128📺 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@DecisionsThatCount📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/DecisionsThatCount🎵 TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@decisionsthatcount💼 LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/decisions-that-count-podcast/👍 If this episode made you think differently about empathy, leadership, and decision-making:• Like the video• Subscribe to the channel• Share this episode with a leader or colleagueAnd remember — protecting your decisions is how we stay human.Because every choice we make has ripple effects.Make every decision count.

Are we expecting children to make decisions their brains aren’t ready for?

In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle O’Brien sit down with Dr. Emma Waddington, Clinical Psychologist and founder based in Singapore, to explore how children actually learn to make decisions—and why many parenting strategies unintentionally create decision fatigue, anxiety, and cognitive overload.

Dr. Emma shares powerful insights from developmental psychology and neuroscience, revealing that children don’t simply need better discipline—they need decision support that matches their brain development.

From toddlers to teenagers, this conversation explores how parents can build autonomy, emotional regulation, and psychological resilience while avoiding the common traps of over-control, over-scheduling, and unrealistic expectations.

If you’re a parent, educator, leader, or anyone interested in brain science, decision-making, and human potential, this episode will completely reframe how you think about children’s choices.

🧠 What You’ll Learn in This Episode

✔️ Why children aren’t “bad decision makers” — they’re developmentally appropriate ones

✔️ How decision-making evolves as the brain develops

✔️ The role of emotional regulation before logic even comes online

✔️ How to support better decisions in toddlers, kids, and teenagers

✔️ Why experience teaches better than rules

✔️ How modern academic pressure and cognitive overload affect children’s mental health

✔️ The hidden dangers of achievement culture and overscheduling

✔️ How neurodivergent children (ADHD, autism) experience decision fatigue differently

✔️ Practical strategies to reduce decision overload at home while building independence

Key Takeaways

• Children build decision-making skills through experience, not control
• Parents should focus on guiding decisions instead of dictating them
• Autonomy, competence, and connection are the foundations of confident children
• Too many expectations can create anxiety, stress, and cognitive overload
• The goal isn’t perfect parenting—it’s helping children learn, adapt, and grow

About the Podcast

Decisions That Count explores the science of decision fatigue and cognitive overload, and how our daily choices shape performance, wellbeing, and success.

Hosted by Dr. Shawn Watson, neuroscientist and entrepreneur, and Michelle O’Brien, biotech CMO, mum, and marathon runner, the podcast blends brain science with real-life experience to help you make better decisions with clarity and confidence.

Whether you’re a leader, athlete, entrepreneur, parent, or student, you’ll gain tools to improve mental clarity, focus, resilience, and peak performance.

Follow & Listen

🎧 Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/0ORNyRJW3k2RNSp41sNUD0

🍎 Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decisions-that-count/id1796794128

📺 YouTube

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

📱 Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/DecisionsThatCount

🎵 TikTok

https://www.tiktok.com/@decisionsthatcount

💼 LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisions-that-count-podcast/

Subscribe for Weekly Episodes

If you want to understand the science of decision-making, brain optimization, focus, productivity, and mental resilience, subscribe to Decisions That Count for weekly conversations with experts, athletes, entrepreneurs, and high-stakes decision makers.

👉 Subscribe, like, and share this episode with someone raising the next generation of decision makers.

Because better decisions don’t just shape our lives—they shape the world.

In this episode, Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist + entrepreneur) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner) sit down with Leah Stockley — organisational psychologist, speaker, writer, and co-founder of Let’s Flow — to explore why so many leaders feel stuck, exhausted, and overwhelmed… and why it’s not a personal failing.Core truth: Leaders aren’t failing because they lack capability — they’re getting crushed by systems that overload decisions and block meaningful progress.If you’ve ever felt like work is harder than it “should” be, this conversation will land.What you’ll learn in this episode: • Why leadership overwhelm is often a systems problem, not a motivation problem • Leah’s ACT Leadership System: Aspire, Collaborate, Thrive - a human-centred approach to restoring clarity and momentum without adding pressure • The two biggest drivers of decision fatigue: • The sheer number of decisions you make • The emotional weight attached to those decisions • Why “clearing your inbox first” can be the worst way to structure your day (and what to do instead) • A practical shift: swap your to-do list for a Decision List - and protect your best brainpower for your most important decisions • What healthy cultures do differently: how trust, clarity, autonomy, and capability create teams that thrive (especially in startups and fast-growth environments)🧠 Keywords for this episodedecision fatigue, cognitive overload, leadership systems, organisational psychology, decision-making, neuroscience, peak performance, mental clarity, productivity, focus, stress management, burnout prevention, culture building, AI and leadership, leadership strategy, high-stakes decision makers, cognitive performance⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction01:05 Meet Leah Stockley + why she left corporate03:05 Why startups have a “blank slate” advantage05:10 The ACT Leadership System (Aspire, Collaborate, Thrive)08:05 What’s breaking leaders today: clarity, authority, overload11:20 Why “too much work” creates toxic cultures14:40 AI at work: opportunity vs fear (and what leaders miss)18:20 The 3 psychological needs at work: connection, autonomy, capability22:05 Culture in remote/global teams (without pointless meetings)26:30 Generational expectations + working agreements that actually work30:10 Measuring success: science + soul (and what “better decisions” means)35:10 Decision fatigue: what it is + why it’s physiological39:05 The 2 drivers of decision fatigue (quantity + emotion)43:30 The “Decision List” (why your to-do list is hurting you)47:10 Why communication drops when fatigue hits (team performance insight)50:05 Wrap-up + Leah’s book Momentum (Q3)51:10 Make every decision count — closing👤 About Our Guest: Leah StockleyLeah Stockley is an organisational psychologist with 35+ years across leadership, technology, transformation, and large-scale change. She helps senior leaders break through inertia inside systems that reward speed over sustainability — so people and organisations can thrive.🌐 Let’s Flow: www.letsflow.sg🔗 Leah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahstockley/📚 Book in progress: Momentum: Small Steps Lead to Big Impact (expected Q3)👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on decision fatigue, cognitive performance, and real-world tools for better decision-making.💬 Comment below: What’s one decision you’ll protect your energy for this week?⭐ And if you know a leader, founder, or high-performer who’s running on fumes — share this episode with them.Follow + listen: • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DecisionsThatCount • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decisions-that-count/id1796794128 • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ORNyRJW3k2RNSp41sNUD0 • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DecisionsThatCount • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@decisionsthatcount • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisions-that-count-podcast/

In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner) sit down with Vera Siertsema - senior AI and digital transformation leader at Microsoft ASEAN and host of the State of Mind podcast — to unpack a question every leader, parent, and high-performer is facing right now:AI is accelerating decision-making… but are we designing it in a way that reduces cognitive overload - or quietly amplifies burnout, bias, and bad calls?From responsible AI and accountability to AI-assisted parenting and decision clarity, this conversation lives at the intersection of Science + Soul - and gives you practical ways to stay human-centred in an AI-driven world.🎧 What You’ll Learn:✅ Why accountability can’t be outsourced: AI doesn’t carry responsibility - people and organisations do.✅ Responsible AI principles leaders need to know: fairness, inclusion, transparency, and “who’s accountable when something goes wrong?”✅ The real decision fatigue risk with AI: faster tasks can mean compressed decisions - and decision quality can drop as volume rises.✅ A smarter framework for adopting AI at work: prioritise use cases by risk vs human value, not hype.✅ How to use AI to reduce pressure (not add it): shift from “more output” to “better wellbeing + better decisions.”✅ AI and kids: how Vera and the hosts think about boundaries, critical thinking, and raising conscious AI users.🧠 Episode Theme: Decision-Making in the Age of AIAI can be a cognitive exoskeleton… or a cognitive amplifier of overwhelm. Vera shares what she’s seeing across ASEAN organisations — where leaders get stuck, how they decide where to start, and why human-centred leadership is the difference between transformation and burnout.If you’ve ever wondered: • Should I trust AI with high-stakes decisions? • How do I adopt AI responsibly in my team or business? • How do I protect my attention when information is infinite?…this one’s for you.📌 Connect + Follow▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DecisionsThatCount🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decisions-that-count/id1796794128🟢 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ORNyRJW3k2RNSp41sNUD0📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DecisionsThatCount🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@decisionsthatcount💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisions-that_count-podcast/Connect with Vera Siertsema:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verasiertsemaPodcast: State of Mind (search on your favourite platform)🔑 Keywordsdecision fatigue, cognitive overload, decision-making, neuroscience, responsible AI, ethical AI, human-centred leadership, AI transformation, Microsoft ASEAN, productivity, mental clarity, focus, burnout prevention, stress management, peak performance, cognitive function, brain optimisation, habit formation, mindfulness, AI agents, leadership in the age of AI, digital transformation, parenting with AIIf this episode helped you think more clearly about AI, accountability, and decision fatigue, hit Subscribe, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share this with a leader, parent, or teammate who’s feeling the cognitive squeeze.#DecisionsThatCount #DecisionFatigue #DecisionMaking #CognitiveOverload #Neuroscience #PeakPerformance #MentalClarity #ArtificialIntelligence #ResponsibleAI #EthicalAI #HumanCenteredAI #AILeadership #DigitalTransformation #AIInBusiness #FutureOfWork #AITransformation #AIAccountability #CognitivePerformance #MentalResilience #Productivity #BurnoutPrevention #StressManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #VeraSiertsema #MicrosoftASEAN #WomenInTech #AIAndLeadership

In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner) go inside the world of HYROX Pro Doubles with Máire Mc Ginley and Rachel O’Connor—two elite athletes proving that performance isn’t just about fitness… it’s about decision-making under fatigue.

If you’ve ever felt your brain go foggy mid-pressure (in sport, business, parenting, or life), this conversation is your playbook. Máire and Rachel break down how they pre-make micro-decisions, use data to stay calm, and run a “two brains, one race” protocol that keeps emotion from hijacking execution—especially when the wheels start to wobble late in the race.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• The Doubles Decision Protocol: how two athletes operate like one high-performance system
• Why pre-made decisions protect energy (and reduce mistakes) when cognitive load spikes
• How “wasted time” (transitions, hesitation, confusion) becomes the hidden performance killer
• The moment decision fatigue hits: confidence drops, cohesion slips, physical output declines
• Mantras that keep you present when doubt creeps in (“Right here, right now”)
• Why a coach or program can be a decision-fatigue tool: less choosing, more executing
• The neuroscience edge: how cognitive load can literally reduce physical performance, and what helps
  

Why this matters

Science: Decision fatigue is real, physiological, and costly - especially when you’re making thousands of micro-decisions in a high-stress environment.

Soul: Better decisions create ripple effects - confidence, calm, clarity, and leadership that lasts (in sport, work, and at home).

If you’re building a team, leading a business, training for an event, or just trying to stay steady through life’s mental load—this episode will change how you think about performance.

Listen, reflect, and make every decision count.

👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes of Decisions That Count

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DecisionsThatCount

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decisions-that-count/id1796794128

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ORNyRJW3k2RNSp41sNUD0

Follow the show:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DecisionsThatCount

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisions-that-count-podcast/

💬 Question for you: Where do you feel decision fatigue most—work, training, or home—and what’s one decision you could pre-make this week?

#DecisionsThatCount #DecisionFatigue #CognitiveOverload #Neuroscience #PeakPerformance #MentalClarity #HYROX #EnduranceTraining #Mindfulness #Focus #Productivity #MentalResilience #AthleteMindset #PerformancePsychology #HabitFormation

🧠🌍 The Decision to Build Smarter: How AI Can Reduce Chaos, Carbon & Cognitive LoadWhat if the hardest decision of your life became the catalyst for improving millions of others?In this episode of Decisions That Count, Dr. Shawn Watson and Michelle O’Brien sit down with Richard Savoie, third-time founder and CEO of Adiona, to explore how decision fatigue, cognitive overload, and emotional strain don’t just affect individuals - they quietly shape entire systems, industries, and workforces.From global logistics and labour shortages to AI ethics and sustainability, this conversation sits at the intersection of neuroscience, leadership, technology, and human impact - asking a vital question:How do we optimise for efficiency without losing the humans inside the system?🎯 Key Takeaways • Why emotion plays a bigger role in decision-making than we think • How decision fatigue shows up at a systems level, not just a personal one • What digital twins are - and how they improve decision quality • How AI can reduce cognitive load, not replace human judgment • The “triple win” of profit, planet, and people • Why labour shortages are a design problem, not just a hiring problem⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Introduction 02:55 – Why decisions are driven by emotion06:02 – From medical devices to logistics optimisation08:48 – Designing AI for the human experience12:01 – What digital twins really are15:01 – Quality of life, cognitive load & AI17:48 – The triple win: profit, planet, people20:55 – The future of logistics & automation23:50 – Why human context matters in AI26:56 – Guardrails for ethical AI implementation30:00 – Personal insights on decision overload32:58 – Final thoughts: building better systems👤 About the GuestRichard Savoie is a third-time founder and the Founding CEO of Adiona, a decision-optimisation platform helping global logistics organisations reduce emissions, waste, and cognitive strain while improving performance and quality of life.🔗 Connect with Richard: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richsavoie/ • Adiona: https://www.adionatech.com/▶️ Make your next decision countIf this episode resonated: • 👍 Like the video • 💬 Comment with your biggest takeaway • 🔔 Subscribe for weekly conversations on decision-making, neuroscience, and human potential🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts📲 Follow Decisions That Count on Instagram, TikTok & LinkedIn for clips and insightsKeywords:decision fatigue, cognitive overload, decision making, future of work, labour shortage, AI and jobs, human-centred AI, leadership, neuroscience, systems thinking, sustainability, profit vs people, workforce wellbeing, digital twins, logistics optimisation

The Chinese Bamboo Tree: How Patience and Execution Drive Human-Centric AI with Siddharth Astir (EVP Brand, Gary Vaynerchuk | Babson MBA)

In a world obsessed with instant results, what if the real advantage is patience, self-belief, and execution?

In this episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with Siddharth Astir, Executive Vice President of Brand at Gary Vee, to explore a powerful metaphor that reshapes how we think about growth: the Chinese bamboo tree.

For years, the bamboo grows unseen underground — building deep roots before explosive growth. Siddharth uses this metaphor to unpack how patient decision-making, human-centric AI, and intentional execution are the real drivers of long-term success — in business, career, parenting, and life.

This is a conversation about resisting hustle culture, making peace with the long game, and using technology (including AI) to amplify human creativity, not replace it.

🔍 In this episode, we explore:

• Why decision fatigue quietly sabotages growth and clarity
• How self-belief creates patience, and patience enables better decisions
• The truth behind “overnight success” — and what Gary Vee’s brand really took to build
• How to use AI as a human amplifier, not a crutch
• Why execution beats ideas — every time
• When feeling stuck is actually a signal to pivot, not push harder
• How to diversify happiness and make decisions that serve the long term
  

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• Patience is grounded in self-belief, not passivity
• Growth comes from curiosity and consistent reps, not milestones
• Results change - but foundations compound
• Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s often the catalyst
• Better decisions today create ripple effects tomorrow

⏱ Chapters:

00:00 The Bamboo Tree Metaphor: Patience & Growth

03:04 Gary Vaynerchuk’s Brand: The Truth Behind Execution

06:04 From Engineer to Brand Strategist

12:06 Intent, Curiosity & Decision-Making

15:00 Parenting, Happiness & Long-Term Thinking

21:02 Pivoting When You Feel Stuck

27:00 Resilience, Failure & Growth

29:48 Final Reflections: Making Every Decision Count

🎯 Why this episode matters:

This conversation sits at the intersection of neuroscience, leadership, AI, and human potential. It challenges fast-thinking culture and offers a grounded framework for making clearer, more meaningful decisions — whether you’re leading a company, raising kids, building a brand, or navigating what’s next.

👉 Take action:

If this episode gave you a new way to think about growth, patience, or decision-making:

• 👍 Like the video
• 🔔 Subscribe to Decisions That Count
• 💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments
• 📤 Send this to someone who’s feeling stuck
  

Because better decisions don’t just change your life —

they change the world you impact.

Make every decision count.

🔗 Follow & listen:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DecisionsThatCount

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decisions-that-count/id1796794128

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ORNyRJW3k2RNSp41sNUD0

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DecisionsThatCount

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@decisionsthatcount

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisions-that-count-podcast/

The Invisible Decisions Behind Addiction: How Trauma, Genetics & Environment Shape Our Choices. What if addiction isn’t about “bad choices” - but about constrained decision-making capacity?

In this powerful episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and Biotech CMO Michelle O’Brien sit down with entrepreneur and digital health leader James J. Piacentino, Co-Founder & CEO of Thrive Genetics, to unpack the invisible decisions behind addiction - and what they reveal about decision fatigue, trauma, genetics, environment, and human resilience.

James brings a rare perspective: a digital mind with an analog soul. Drawing from two decades in enterprise technology and a deeply personal story shaped by the loss of his father to addiction, he reframes addiction not as moral failure — but as a biological and environmental constraint on choice.

🧠 In This Episode, We Explore:

• Why addiction is often the result of limited cognitive bandwidth, not weak willpower
• How genetics, trauma, head injuries, and environment shape decision-making capacity
• The science behind decision fatigue - and why depleted brains default to habits, avoidance, or risky choices
• How predictive health data can reduce cognitive overload in high-stakes medical decisions
• The role of pain management, caregiving stress, and emotional decision-making
• How one defining decision can transform loss into legacy
• Practical ways to protect your decision energy and reclaim clarity in everyday life
  

🔑 Key Takeaways:

✔️ Decision fatigue is physiological, not personal failure

✔️ Trauma and environment quietly narrow our choices - often without us realising

✔️ Better data enables better decisions, confidence, and compassion

✔️ Awareness of patterns and habits reduces cognitive strain

✔️ Intentional decisions create ripple effects - for ourselves and the people we impact

👤 Connect with James J. Piacentino

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamespiacentino/

🧬 Thrive Genetics: https://thrivegenetics.ai

📌 Watch, Listen & Connect:

▶️ Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DecisionsThatCount

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decisions-that-count/id1796794128

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📲 Follow us for clips, insights & behind-the-scenes:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DecisionsThatCount
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• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisions-that-count-podcast/

🚀 Call to Action

If this episode hit home, help us grow this community:

✅ Like this video

✅ Subscribe for weekly episodes on neuroscience, decision fatigue & peak performance

✅ Comment with one decision you’re making differently after watching

✅ Share this with someone navigating overwhelm, burnout, or behaviour change

How Your Brain Really Decides (and Why That’s Good News) | Dr. Paul Glimcher on Neuroeconomics + Decision FatigueWelcome back to Decisions That Count - where Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner) unpack the science + soul of decision-making, so you can reduce cognitive overload, protect your mental clarity, and make choices you’re proud of.In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Paul Glimcher - Julius Silver Professor of Neural Science, Economics, and Psychology at NYU and a foundational figure in neuroeconomics. Paul has spent decades mapping how the brain assigns value, compares options, and turns competing signals into the decisions that shape our lives.What You’ll Learn in This Episode🧠 1) Your brain often decides before “you” know itPaul reframes the classic question — “Did my brain decide before I did?” — by challenging what “you” actually means. The part of you that talks is just the tip of the iceberg. The rest is still you… it’s just not verbal.⚡ 2) Decision-making is distributed - not one “decision center”We explore how multiple brain systems value different things (habits, long-term goals, impulse cues) and how they “compete” before converging on the circuits that drive behavior.🧩 3) Neuroeconomics: the bridge between neuroscience + psychology + economicsMost fields studied decisions separately for centuries. Neuroeconomics connects them — giving us a more unified understanding of value, choice, and behavior in the real world.😵‍💫 4) Decision fatigue is real… but neuroscience still has gapsPaul gets refreshingly honest: we don’t yet have a clean, proven “neuron gets tired” explanation for why decisions feel harder over time. But we do know what helps — and we discuss practical ways to design your day around decision load.😴 5) Sleep matters (more than you think)Sleep reduces “noise” in the brain and improves decision-making accuracy. If you’re chasing peak performance, sleep isn’t optional — it’s foundational.🌍 6) Your environment is shaping your brain (right now)From literacy to smartphones, the brain adapts to modern life. Paul explains why “nature vs nurture” is the wrong debate — your biology is designed to be shaped by your environment.💛 7) The truth that makes decisions feel lighterPaul’s closing message is one we all need: you’re not broken — you’re an extraordinary, efficient machine operating on limited energy in an overwhelming world.Chapters00:00 Introduction 03:14 The Brain’s Role in Decision-Making05:46 Understanding Decision Fatigue08:53 Neuroeconomics: Bridging Disciplines11:59 The Complexity of Decision-Making14:53 Impulse Control and Personality Traits18:01 Rewiring the Brain for Better Decisions21:09 The Impact of Sleep on Decision-Making24:02 Decision Fatigue: The Modern Epidemic26:57 The Role of Wisdom in Decision-Making30:08 The Influence of Environment on Brain Function32:56 The Future of Decision-Making in a Changing World35:53 Final Thoughts on Decision-Making and OptimismIf this episode hit home…✅ Subscribe for weekly conversations on decision-making, neuroscience, and peak performance💬 Drop a comment: What’s one decision you wish felt lighter right now?⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more people find the show📲 Share this with a friend who’s overwhelmed, overthinking, or running on emptyOur mission is to reignite a generation’s belief in the power of their decisions.As always: make every decision count.Keywordsdecision fatigue, decision-making, neuroscience, neuroeconomics, cognitive overload, brain function, impulse control, mental clarity, focus, productivity, sleep and cognition, stress management, habit formation, cognitive function, brain optimization, peak performance, psychology, wisdom, environment design

From Loneliness to a Global Running Movement | Decision Fatigue, Consistency & Connection (ft. Tyler Swartz, Endorphins Running)

What happens when you align your energy with your heart—and make one clear decision?

In this episode of Decisions That Count, we sit down in New York with Tyler Swartz, Founder of Endorphins Running, to unpack the moment a simple post (“Hey, does anyone want to run with me?”) turned loneliness into leadership—and sparked a global movement.

Tyler shares how Endorphins grew from one person showing up to a community of 40,000+ runners, hosting 2,000 events a year—and what endurance sports can teach all of us about decision fatigue, cognitive overload, resilience, identity, and habits that actually stick.

Because running isn’t just physical. It’s a real-time lab for decision-making: pacing, fueling, discomfort, self-talk, environment, and the constant micro-choice to keep going. And the best part? The same tools that help you run can help you lead, learn, parent, and perform under pressure.

🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why decision fatigue shows up in training, work, and life—and how to reduce it
  
• How simplifying your systems builds consistency (even when motivation disappears)
  
• Why community is one of the most underrated performance tools for focus and follow-through
  
• How identity shifts (“I’m not a runner” → “I run”) change what you believe is possible
  
• The neuroscience behind why running supports brain health, memory, and mental clarity
  
• Why nature, sunlight, and routine can upgrade your cognitive function and stress management
  
• The power of “energy transfer”—and how your encouragement can change someone’s trajectory
  

🧠 Quotes That Hit

• “The best things in life happen when you align your energy with your heart.”
  
• “Running saved my life.”
  
• “This has nothing to do with running. It’s about making friends.”
  

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:57 The Journey of Tyler Schwartz

05:52 Building a Community Through Running

08:58 The Power of Energy Transfer

11:52 Running as a Metaphor for Life

14:50 Cognitive Decision Making in Endurance Sports

18:05 Translating Running Skills to Life

21:06 Overcoming Identity Barriers in Running

23:53 The Neuroscience of Running

26:59 The Benefits of Morning Runs

29:49 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

🎧 Listen + Follow Decisions That Count

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DecisionsThatCount

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decisions-that-count/id1796794128

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ORNyRJW3k2RNSp41sNUD0

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DecisionsThatCount

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@decisionsthatcount

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisions-that-count-podcast/

🏃 Connect with Tyler + Endorphins Running

Tyler Swartz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylermswartz

Endorphins Running (IG): https://www.instagram.com/endorphinsrunning/

Make every decision count.

Keywords: decision fatigue, cognitive overload, decision-making, neuroscience, running motivation, endurance training, community, mental health, identity change, mental clarity, focus, productivity, brain health, habit formation, stress management, peak performance

Hashtags:

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