Why do we replay conversations in our heads? Why can making a simple decision sometimes feel impossible? And why does thinking things through occasionally turn into a cycle of endless questions, scenarios, and “what ifs”?

In this episode of Hello, Brain :), Collin Adams is joined by Dr. Ramona Von Leden and Dr. Dan O’Brien to explore the science behind overthinking and repetitive thought patterns.

Together, they break down what’s happening in the brain when we get caught in a thought loop, why some people may be more prone to overthinking, and how to recognize the difference between productive thinking and thoughts that simply keep going in circles.

Thinking isn’t the enemy. Our brains are designed to analyze, predict, prepare, and protect us. But sometimes the same systems that help us solve problems can get stuck running the same problem over and over again.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in your head, replaying a conversation, second-guessing a decision, or imagining every possible outcome, this conversation is for you.

What does each part of your brain actually do?

In this episode of Hello, Brain :), Collin Adams and Dr. DeJ’a Crippen welcome psychologist and researcher Dr. Tiffany Copeland back to the show for a fascinating tour of the human brain.

Together, they break down some of the brain’s major regions and explore how they communicate with one another to influence the way we think, feel, behave, learn, remember, and respond to the world around us.

Starting with the frontal lobe and the brain’s executive functions, the conversation moves into the limbic system, including structures such as the amygdala and hippocampus, and then explores the connection between the brain and body through the hypothalamus and brainstem.

Along the way, Dr. Copeland helps make neuroscience approachable and understandable, addressing common misconceptions about the brain and explaining why we can sometimes know what we should do while still struggling to do it, or understand that we are safe while our body continues to respond as though we aren't.

Because when we understand the brain, we can start to better understand ourselves.

This is Part 1 of our conversation with Dr. Tiffany Copeland. In the next episode, we'll continue the tour and explore additional brain regions involved in habit development, stress responses, and the way these interconnected systems work together.

Subscribe to Hello, Brain :) on YouTube and follow along for more conversations about the brain, behavior, neuroscience, and what makes us human.

What does your gut have to do with your brain? A lot more than you might think.

In this episode of Hello, Brain :), Collin Adams sits down with Dr. Ramona Von Leden, Dr. Dan O’Brien, and Dr. DeJ’a Crippen to explore the connection between gut health and brain health.

We break down the gut-brain axis in simple terms and talk about how digestion, food, the microbiome, mood, energy, and cognitive performance can all be connected.

We also tackle the overwhelming nutrition advice we see online, from keto and carnivore to vegan, fasting, gluten-free diets, probiotics, and elimination diets.

Instead of chasing the latest nutrition trend, the conversation focuses on learning to understand your own body and recognizing the signals it may be sending you.

Follow Hello, Brain :) on YouTube and Instagram @hellobrainpod and share this episode with someone who might benefit from it.

What if brain health technology could move beyond the clinic and become something people could experience in the places where they already live, work, learn, recover, and age?

In this episode of Hello, Brain :), Collin Adams sits down with Dr. Ramona Von Leden and Tanja Yardley, Founder and CEO of Brainnovation Network, to explore the story and vision behind the NeuroLounge.

They discuss why a new model for accessing brain health technology is needed, what actually happens inside a NeuroLounge, and how these spaces can bring together neurotechnology, education, coaching, assessment, and community.

From athletes and schools to clinics, workplaces, and aging populations, the conversation explores how the NeuroLounge concept could create greater access to brain health tools while keeping the human element at the center of the experience.

Learn more about Brainnovation Network at brainnovationnetwork.com and follow @brainnovationnetwork on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Is “mom brain” actually a thing?

In this episode of Hello, Brain :), Collin Adams sits down with Dr. Ramona Von Leden, Dr. Dan O’Brien, and Dr. DeJ’a Crippen to explore what really happens to the brain when you become a mother.

From forgetfulness and distraction to cognitive overload and emotional changes, the conversation goes beyond the joke of “mom brain” to explore how the brain adapts to the demands of motherhood.

We talk about what changes neurologically, why motherhood can feel mentally overwhelming, and whether “mom brain” ever really goes away.

This is a conversation about neuroscience, motherhood, cognitive load, and understanding what your brain may be asking of you in a completely new stage of life.

Subscribe to Hello, Brain :) on YouTube, follow @hellobrainpod on Instagram, and visit Brainnovation Network to learn more about brain health, neuroscience, and the technologies changing the way we understand the brain.

What if feeling better starts with understanding your brain and nervous system?

In this episode of Hello, Brain :), Collin Adams sits down with Jasmine Hunt to explore the connection between the brain, nervous system, stress, and mental well-being.

They discuss how stress shows up in the body, how breathing, movement, yoga, and mindfulness can influence our state, and why reconnecting with ourselves is so important for overall well-being.

Jasmine also shares practical tools for building greater nervous-system awareness, managing stress, and developing a healthier relationship with your brain and body.

Connect with Jasmine: lifeonamat.com

Subscribe to Hello, Brain :) for more conversations about brain health, neuroscience, mental well-being, and practical tools for optimizing your brain.

What causes brain fog, and why does it sometimes feel like your brain is running on empty?

In the Season 2 premiere of Hello, Brain :), Collin Adams is joined by Dr. Ramona Von Leden, Dr. Dan O’Brien, and Dr. DeJ’a Crippen to explore the causes of brain fog, mental fatigue, distraction, focus, and cognitive performance.

They discuss why brain fog happens, how to tell what’s really going on, and whether that cup of coffee is actually solving the problem.

What happens in the brain when anxiety takes over, stress becomes overwhelming, or our emotional reactions feel automatic?

In this episode of Hello, Brain :), Collin Adams and Dr. DeJ’a Crippen sit down with school psychologist and researcher Dr. Tiffany Copeland to explore the connection between the brain, emotions, behavior, the nervous system, and our life experiences.

Together, they discuss how trauma and stress can shape the brain, why emotional responses can feel automatic, and what it takes to move from survival mode toward safety, healing, and growth.

They also explore common misconceptions about ADHD, anxiety, emotional regulation, and mental health.

If you're interested in brain health, neuroscience, psychology, ADHD, trauma, anxiety, and nervous system health, this conversation offers a deeper look at how our experiences shape the way we think, feel, and behave.

Subscribe to Hello, Brain :) for more conversations about the brain, neuroscience, mental health, and human potential.

What happens when an ADHD diagnosis finally gives you an explanation for the way your brain works but there’s still another problem you can’t explain?

In this special episode of Hello, Brain :), Dr. DeJ’a Crippen turns the microphone around and interviews the show’s OG host, Collin Adams, about the experiences that ultimately led him into brain health, neuroscience, and the Brainnovation Network.

Collin opens up about being diagnosed with ADHD, what that diagnosis meant to him, and the experiences that shaped his understanding of the brain.

He also gets vulnerable about something much less familiar: the yips, the frustrating experience of knowing exactly what you want your body to do, but feeling like your brain and body suddenly aren't communicating the way they should.

From trying to “tough it out” to discovering a different way of thinking about the brain, nervous system, and human performance, Collin shares the turning points that eventually led him to help build Hello, Brain :) and create conversations that bring together different perspectives on brain health.

In this episode of Hello, Brain :), Collin sits down with Dr. Dan O’Brien, MD, MBA, PhD, an award-winning physician, healthcare leader, and innovator passionate about improving patient outcomes through technology.

With experience spanning neuroscience, sports medicine, cardiology, medtech, public health, and healthcare management, Dr. Dan brings a unique perspective on where healthcare is headed and how technology can make care more accessible, effective, and personalized.

Having grown up in Missouri, Dr. Dan is also deeply committed to improving brain health for youth and veterans in his community.

Together, they explore the future of healthcare, the role of technology in brain health, and what it will take to create a healthier future for the brain.