The BrainCore Podcast

In this episode, Tolu sits down with Dr. Margaret Steele - psychiatrist, certified physician executive, and former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland. Dr. Steele's path to psychiatry wasn't a straight line: she studied microbiology, considered actuarial sciences, even explored interior design before finding her way to medicine. Today she holds one of the most decorated careers in Canadian psychiatry.They talk about what it actually means to be a psychiatrist, what leadership in medical education looks like from the inside, and why interprofessional collaboration matters more than most people realize. Dr. Steele also opens up about navigating leadership as a woman in medicine, the emotional weight of this work, and where she thinks the field still has to go - especially for youth mental health.----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - [email protected] Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

Can AI actually be empathetic?

In this episode of BrainCore, host Tolu Faromika is joined by researchers Dariya Ovsyannikova, Leif Anderson, and Zachary Grey to explore one of the biggest questions at the intersection of psychology and technology: can artificial intelligence (AI) provide empathy, and what happens when it does?

The conversation is inspired by Dariya's recent article examining how people perceive empathetic responses from ChatGPT compared to responses from humans, including trained crisis responders. The findings raise important questions about empathy, mental health support, transparency, and the future role of AI in psychological care.Together, we discuss:

• What empathy actually is and why it matters
• Why ChatGPT was rated as more compassionate than human responders
• The ethical implications of AI-generated empathy
• AI therapy chatbots and mental health support tools
• How people are already using AI for emotional support
• The risks, limitations, and concerns surrounding AI in vulnerable populations
• What the future of psychology and AI could look like

Whether you're interested in psychology, mental health, artificial intelligence, or emerging technology, this episode offers a thoughtful discussion about where these worlds are beginning to overlap.----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - [email protected]Creative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

Most of us don't think about dementia until it affects someone we love. But the research says we should have started much earlier.In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with Dr. Saskia Sivananthan - neuroscientist, dementia policy leader, and one of Canada's foremost voices on brain health — to unpack what dementia really is, how it differs from Alzheimer's, and what the science actually says about reducing your risk. Yes, even if you already have a diagnosis.They also get into cognitive reserve, why social connection matters more than most people realize, and what a new drug called Lecanemab could mean for the future of dementia treatment.But this conversation goes beyond the science. Dr. Sivananthan speaks honestly about the communities being left out of dementia research and care, what it means to have culturally grounded conversations about brain health, and why an aging population makes all of this more urgent than ever.----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - [email protected] Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

A conversation about mental health in Accra sounds different from one in Mumbai. The words are different, the stigma is different, the meaning is different. And for treatment to actually work, it has to start there. That's the work Dr. Benedict Weobong has dedicated his career to.In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with the global mental health epidemiologist and York University professor to get into what global mental health epidemiology really means, why cultural sensitivity isn't one-size-fits-all, and what Western psychology still has to learn from a global outlook.

Having worked across West Africa, India, the UK, and now Canada, Dr. Weobong brings a perspective that is rare, necessary, and genuinely eye-opening. They also get honest about what it takes to stay motivated when you're staring down mental health statistics that are hard to comprehend — and where this field still needs to go.

Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcastTwitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok -   / thebraincorepodcast  Email - [email protected]Creative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

What does psychotherapy actually look like beyond diagnoses and coping strategies?

In this episode of The BrainCore Podcast, host Tolu Faromika sits down with psychotherapist [Guest Name] for an in-depth conversation about therapy, mental health, healing, culture, faith, and representation in mental health care.Together, they discuss:

• What psychotherapy is and how therapy helps people heal

• Common misconceptions about therapy and the therapeutic relationship

• What it means to heal emotionally through psychotherapy

• The experience of being a Black psychotherapist in Canada

• Why cultural competence matters in mental health care

• Faith, spirituality, and mental health

• Mental health stigma in underrepresented communities

• Advice for new therapists, psychology students, and people considering therapy

This episode is perfect for anyone interested in psychology, psychotherapy, counselling, mental health careers, emotional healing, or learning more about how therapy works in real life.

----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - [email protected] Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

Kayla Lewis didn't receive her ADHD diagnosis until her 30s — and it changed how she understood her entire life. In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with Kayla to unpack what late diagnosis really feels like, how she navigates motherhood with ADHD (including supporting her son through his own assessment), and what it means to be a Black woman balancing home, work, and mental health. Kayla also opens up about her journey through multiple diagnoses - including GAD, MDD, PMDD, and ADHD - and why finding the right labels was validating, not limiting.They dig into coping strategies, working with clinical psychologists, the gaps in the mental healthcare system, and why community and open conversation are the first step to healing.----------------Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?

Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - [email protected]Creative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

You’ve probably heard these before:

“Autistic people lack empathy.”

“You can outgrow autism.”

But how many of them are actually true?

In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu is joined by Dr. Iris Rose to challenge some of the most persistent myths about autism spectrum disorder. Together, they explore what gets lost when autism is framed only in terms of deficits, and what shifts when we begin to center lived experience, communication differences, and context.

This Autism Acceptance Month, we invite you to rethink how you view and understand autism!

Special Offer for Clinicians:

Interested in deepening your practice? Dr. Rose and other psychologists created Autism Reframe, an online course designed for mental health professionals to learn foundational skills through a neurodiversity-affirming lens.

DISCOUNT CODE: Use CODE BRAINCORE50 for $50 off! (https://www.autismreframe.com/)

References: ​​Crompton, C. J., Ropar, D., Evans-Williams, C. V., Flynn, E. G., & Fletcher-Watson, S. (2020). Autistic peer-to-peer information transfer is highly effective. Autism, 24(7), 1704-1712.

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Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?

Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com

⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠

Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod

⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcast

Email - [email protected]

Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-Penson

Intro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-Davidson

Videography: OluVision Media

What do you do when you want help… but your family says no?

In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with mental health advocate Jessie Sidhu to talk about navigating mental health in cultures where it’s often misunderstood or dismissed.

From late ADHD and autism diagnoses to building platforms that support others, Jessie shares how she turned her experiences into impact. If you’ve ever felt torn between your mental health and your environment, this conversation is for you.Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - [email protected]Creative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

Did you know that two-thirds of Alzheimer’s disease patients are women?

In this episode, Tolu sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Natasha Rajah to discuss why women are disproportionately affected and what researchers are beginning to learn about the connection between menopause and brain health.

We talk about the Canadian Brain Health at Midlife and Menopause (BHAMM) study, why this topic has historically been overlooked, and what women should know about brain fog, aging, and cognitive health. Here are some of the themes we discuss:

• Why Alzheimer’s disproportionately affects women
• The Canadian Brain Health at Midlife and Menopause (BHAMM) study
• Why this research has historically been overlooked• How sociocultural factors shape brain health
• The impact of studying mostly “WEIRD” populations in psychology
• Brain fog during menopause vs. early dementia
• What women can do to support brain health

We also explore Dr. Rajah’s journey into neuroscience and her advice for students interested in studying brain health, aging, and gender differences in research.

#BrainHealth #WomenAndAging #Neuroscience #HealthEquity #MidlifeMatters

Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - [email protected] Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media

In this episode of BrainCore, Tolu sits down with behavioural scientist and professor Tosen Nwadei for a wide-ranging conversation about identity, academia, and the science of human behaviour. As a first-generation Nigerian American, Tosen reflects on the concept of double consciousness and how it shapes his experience navigating academic and professional spaces.Together, they explore how behavioural science connects with psychology, the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, and what research reveals about identity expression in the workplace. Tosen shares insights from his work on career outcomes, belonging, and the subtle social forces that shape decision-making. The episode closes with reflections on the future of behavioural science and an unexpected turn into salsa!Want to find BrainCore elsewhere on the internet?Website - ⁠thebraincorepodcast.com ⁠Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/thebraincorepodcast/⁠Twitter - ⁠https://x.com/thebraincorepod⁠TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@thebraincorepodcastEmail - [email protected]Creative Team:Intro/Outro Graphics Design: Earl Bamidele-PensonIntro/Outro Jingle: Jakim Iretomide Ayo-DavidsonVideography: OluVision Media