The Dr CK Bray Show

We love to watch and admire those who have a cause. It stirs something in our souls to believe that there is a reason we are on the earth and that we can make a difference and impact on the world. In today’s episode Dr. Bray shares insights and personal experiences on why we need to find a personal cause and how it impacts those in our lives. Dr. Bray discusses why this is a topic we rarely hear about or discuss anymore and how we are replacing what might be the most important work we do.

Science is discovering aspects of stress that may surprise you. Fight, Flight or Food? During quarantine, many of us choose the food option to deal with stress. Over 42% of North Americans gained weight during the pandemic. An average of 1.5 pounds per month.

In today’s episode, Dr. Bray unveils the research on stress and how it affects what you eat, how you behave, and your mood. New tests are on the way to market to help health providers treat stress, depression, and anxiety more accurately. All they need is a blood sample. Dr. Bray also discusses new research on how to better handle difficult, stressful situations. The answer is not only easy; it takes one decision!

Few individuals will ever admit they are at war with themselves. Research tells us differently. When you look at the mirror, you see five negatives for every positive attribute. When you maneuver throughout the day, you say eight to ten negative thoughts about yourself for every one positive thought. You don't even know it, but you may be a bully---to yourself.

The power of negative thoughts goes by several names in the academic literature: negativity bias, negativity dominance, or the negative effect. All meaning that negative thoughts, events, and emotions affect us stronger and longer than positive ones.

In today's podcast, learn how to win the war and adapt how your brain works to begin creating positive neural networks. Learn why our brains seek out negativity and how to tip the scales to recognize all the good things that happen to us in a day. This podcast is a must listen to for everyone who finds themselves struggling with the narrative running wild in their minds.

This week, three buddies catch up about, well, buddies! Paul Morris, Global Learning Consultant, kicks back and chats with Jason and Chris about the extraordinary, enduring power of friendship. In an increasingly digital world where we can simultaneously feel constantly connected yet deeply disconnected, the definition of 'friendship' is becoming more complex. Covering topics such as psychological safety, courage and social evolution - the friendship continuum is broad, let's explore and jump in!

Welcome to The At Our Best Podcast - hosted by Jason Moore and Dr. CK Bray. Using a little science and a lot of common sense, some smart, funny, interesting people talk about the everyday strategies that help us be at our best.

Interested to learn more and keep updated? https://aob.work/podcast

Everyone’s familiar with the sensation of being trapped in a conversation for too long – be that over the garden fence, by the office water cooler, or even on the phone. On the other end of the spectrum, we’ve also experienced conversations that seem to end prematurely, leaving us dissatisfied and maybe even a little hurt. A new study out of Harvard University provides insight into our daily conversations, and Dr. Bray reviews the Dos and Don’ts of conversations. The most important being how to end a conversation. Dr. Bray also shares the reasons why you should write every day. Yes, there are mental and physical health benefits, but writing 10-15 minutes a day not only improves your thinking but also helps reveal who you are. Writing is one of the critical ways for you to be self-aware. It doesn’t matter if you journal, blog, or post on social media—you just need to write.

All around us are things we have begun. Books we started, workout equipment gathering dust, journals with only a few pages we have written in. Our house or apartment projects are 20 percent finished. Health foods and health supplements are wasting away in cupboards—Hobby paraphernalia is sitting in the corner of the garage. We love to start new things but often have a difficult time finishing them. Dr. Bray dives into a principle called the Law of the Long Haul. It is finding small moments every day to work on or do something important to us. Something that will make us more interesting, help us be fulfilled, and bring meaning to our lives. Dr. Bray provides both personal and professional examples to show the impact of this law. Today, learn one of the most powerful ways to become the person you want to be through micro-moments repeated each day. *Special thanks to Brett & Kate McKay for an article on this topic that inspired this podcast and the use of portions of their brilliant wording. (Art of Manliness – Long Obedience in the Same Direction)

I had to redo this episode several times because it isn’t exactly normal for me to be discussing mediums and what they hear from the other side. The learning may be a little light on this episode, but the entertaining information is off the scale. Enjoy!

There is so much talk about all the different aspects of Covid-19. Should you take the vaccine? Should you not? Should you wear a mask and what type of mask really helps? After watching the news (which I rarely do anymore - too depressing) I had an ugly realization. Many of the most important topics related to Covid-19 that you should know are being drowned out in meaningless noise. Today Dr. Bray talks about your brain and Covid-19. What happens when Covid-19 breaches your brain and what are the acute and long-term effects? Learn what researchers are finding out about the brain and Covid and the difference if you were hospitalized on a ventilator versus having it at home and recovering. Dr. Bray shares recent research published in the last two months on what researchers are doing to learn the long-term consequences of Covid-19 on your brain. This is a must listen to episode!

If you were allowed to change one decision from your past what decision would you change? A question whose answer will likely uncover a regret. Regrets can be dangerous as we focus on what has occurred in the past and wonder, “if only I would have done……..” In today’s episode Dr. Bray discusses regret and two books that helped him change how he views past experiences and choices he would have made differently. If you are stuck in regrets from the past and struggling to move forward this podcast is for you. Don’t regret missing this insightful look at regret. *Matthew Haig, “The Midnight Library” *Andrew Miller, “On Not Being Someone Else” *Psychology Today October 2020 “A Life Worth Living”

What makes your life meaningful? The answer to this question has strong implications to both your physical and mental health. Recent studies have highlighted some of the mechanisms that create meaning in your life and Dr. Bray shares them in this week’s podcast. Discussing research from the University of Sussex Dr. Bray highlights three important factors to a meaningful life, at what age individuals find most meaning and how ordinary, everyday experiences and routines may be the place to look for meaning. Dr. Bray also discusses the blockers to a meaningful life and how he was reprimanded by his 7-11 convenience store friend for what he said in a recent podcast. You don’t want to miss this episode!