In this episode, I present a guide for preparing for 2025 with intention and purpose. I emphasize the importance of crafting a meaningful plan to uncover the best in our lives and transforming suffering into purpose.

I provide practical steps for daily engagement with scripture to gain insights into our existence and recommend resources like the Bible Recap for structured reflection. I also discuss the value of continuous learning and supportive relationships.

Resources and Links:

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In this heartfelt episode, Dr. Lee Warren welcomes Stephanie Duncan Smith to discuss her powerful new book, Even After Everything: The Spiritual Practice of Knowing the Risks and Loving Anyway. Together, they explore themes of grief, faith, resilience, and the cyclical nature of life and hope.

0:04 Introduction to Self-Brain Surgery

1:44 Meet Stephanie Duncan Smith

4:07 The Power of Loss and Hope

8:14 Navigating Grief and Whiplash

11:26 Naming the Night

12:59 Connecting with the Liturgical Calendar

15:11 Life and Death Juxtapositions

18:03 Breathwork as a Spiritual Practice

22:39 Writing Through Pain

26:49 The Process of Healing

34:48 Encouragement for the Grieving

36:37 Conclusion and Reflections

Our featured partner for this episode is Adapt Naturals:

As we enter the winter season, staying healthy is more important than ever. That’s why Lisa and I trust Adapt Naturals Bioavail Colostrum+ to support our immune system and overall well-being. You can try it too—use code DRLEEWARREN for 15% off your first order.

Key Benefits of Bioavail Colostrum+:

You can use this link to try Bioavail Colostrum+, and use code DRLEEWARREN for 15% off your first order.

Be sure to check out my latest book, Hope Is the First Dose!

Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Lee Warren tackles the challenges of maintaining positive habits during the holiday season, a time often filled with stress and triggers. Drawing from his upcoming book, The Self-Brain Surgery Handbook, he introduces two innovative self-brain surgery techniques: the "Five-Minute Freeze" and "Flash Forward to Flashback." These methods are designed to help listeners resist reverting to harmful habits by fostering self-awareness, encouraging reflection, and leveraging neuroplasticity to reinforce healthier behaviors. Dr. Warren also weaves in spiritual insights and scripture to empower individuals in their journey toward resilience and transformation.

Chapters

Key Takeaways

1. The Five-Minute Freeze

1. Flash Forward to Flashback

1. Neuroplasticity in Action

1. Spiritual Foundations

Quotes from the Episode

Tags

#PositiveHabits #HolidayStress #SelfBrainSurgery #Neuroplasticity #Resilience #FiveMinuteFreeze #FlashForwardToFlashback #Transformation

Actionable Steps

Listener Challenge

This holiday season, commit to practicing the Five-Minute Freeze at least once daily. Share your experience on social media using #SelfBrainSurgery and tag @drleewarren to join the conversation!

Click here for the computer-generated transcript

Our featured partner for this episode is Adapt Naturals:

As we enter the winter season, staying healthy is more important than ever. That’s why Lisa and I trust Adapt Naturals Bioavail Colostrum+ to support our immune system and overall well-being. You can try it too—use code DRLEEWARREN for 15% off your first order.

Key Benefits of Bioavail Colostrum+:

You can use this link to try Bioavail Colostrum+, and use code DRLEEWARREN for 15% off your first order.

Be sure to check out my latest book, Hope Is the First Dose!

Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Lee Warren sits down with Christy Osborne, sobriety coach and author of Love Life Sober. Christy recounts her transformative journey through grief, addiction, and healing, offering listeners a raw and hopeful narrative. After the loss of her mother, Christy turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, which led her to a turning point in 2020. She shares her insights into the societal pressures around drinking, the neuroscience of addiction, and the importance of addressing the root causes of alcohol dependency.

Christy introduces her "40-Day Alcohol Fast," a grace-filled, judgment-free approach to exploring sobriety, and emphasizes the transformative power of faith in the recovery process. The conversation delves into challenges like social pressures, marriage dynamics, and the "friendship shuffle" that often accompanies sobriety. Christy’s message is one of hope, encouraging listeners to find authentic joy and connection beyond alcohol.

Click here for the transcript! (Computer transcripts are not perfect)

Key Themes:

Resources Mentioned:

But Jesus Drank Wine Podcast with Christy Osborne and Meade Shirley

Click here for a transcript of this episode! (Remember that computer-generated transcripts are not perfect)

Christy's website

Get Christy's new book, Love Life Sober now!

Chapters:

Five Ways You Can Support this show:

Other Helpful Links:

Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!

Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!

Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!

Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Thanksgiving-themed episode, Dr. Lee Warren explores the intersection of gratitude, grief, and the challenges of the holiday season. Reflecting on personal losses, including the passing of his son and mother-in-law, he introduces the "Loss to Legacy Shift"—a self-brain surgery operation that transforms grief into purpose by focusing on the lasting impact of loved ones.

Dr. Warren highlights the neuroscience-backed benefits of gratitude and the Abide Process, a prayer and meditation method that increases emotional resilience and facilitates healing. He discusses family dynamics during the holidays, offering strategies grounded in neuroscience, such as leveraging mirror neurons and limbic resonance, to foster better interactions.

The episode also revisits the Ten Commandments of Self-Brain Surgery, equipping listeners with practical tools to shift mindsets and reframe negative cycles. As Thanksgiving approaches, Dr. Warren encourages a focus on gratitude and hope, reminding listeners that while loss is a part of life, so is the potential for joy and meaningful connection.

Click here for a transcript of this episode! (Remember that computer-generated transcripts are not perfect)

0:05 Thanksgiving Gratitude

3:15 Holiday Stress Management

7:55 Finding Hope After Loss

12:13 The Loss to Legacy Shift

16:10 Shifting Your Perspective

22:33 Mind Control and Healing

28:15 The Abide Process

37:09 Preparing for Family Dynamics

47:59 Empowering Family Interactions

57:45 The Power of Gratitude

Five Ways You Can Support this show:

Other Helpful Links:

Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!

Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!

Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!

Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Lee Warren interviews Mark Batterson, a pastor and bestselling author, discussing his new book, "A Million Little Miracles." The conversation centers on recognizing the everyday miracles often overlooked in modern life, emphasizing gratitude and the importance of finding hope in tumultuous times, especially during a presidential election year. Batterson blends themes of faith with personal anecdotes, highlighting how life's challenges can deepen appreciation for both small victories and the divine. They explore the relationship between faith and science and the significance of community in acknowledging miracles. The episode encourages listeners to celebrate the ordinary moments that embody miraculous design, concluding with a heartfelt prayer and a strong endorsement of Batterson's work.

Click here to download the transcript

Check out Mark's new book, A Million Little Miracles

Chapters

0:05 Introduction to Mark Batterson

2:15 The Power of Prayer

4:45 The Journey of Writing

7:11 The Significance of Everyday Miracles

10:30 Understanding Conception

13:34 Science and Faith

17:12 What's Really Happening?

18:31 Finding Hope in Hardship

22:41 The Bigger Picture

25:41 Nostalgia for God

28:41 Closing Thoughts and Prayer

Five Ways You Can Support this show:

Other Helpful Links:

Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!

Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!

Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!

Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss generational trauma with Gina Birkemeier, a licensed counselor and author of Generations Deep. We explore her journey from adoption to becoming a therapist and the insights she gained about inherited emotional dysfunction.

Gina teaches us to cultivate resilience, highlighting the interplay between neuroscience and spiritual beliefs. We also talk about the importance of seeking mental health support and building a strong community for healing. Listeners will discover practical tools from Gina's workbook that aid in breaking free from inherited dysfunction, empowering them to reclaim their narratives and initiate positive change in their lives and families.

Click here to download the transcript (Note: Computer-generated transcripts are not perfect. The AI completely mangled Gina's last name!)

Announcement:

The School of Self-Brain Surgery™ is coming soon! If you want to go deep into changing your mind and your life through the power of neuroscience + faith, these five, one-hour livestream training sessions will help you get it done. Enrollment will be limited, and The School will fill up fast. Click here to be notified by email when The School is ready for enrollment!

Click here to download Dr. Warren's free Thought Biopsy worksheet!

Click here for a transcript of this episode!

0:00 Introduction to Self-Brain Surgery

3:19 Jamie's Story and Resilience

4:20 Introducing Gina Berkmeyer

6:06 Gina's Journey to Therapy

9:50 The Line in the Sand Moment

11:22 Integrating Faith and Healing

14:46 Generational Curses Explained

17:19

The Good News of Healing

20:03 The Role of a Therapist

26:53 Knowing When to Seek Help

30:23 Insights from Gina's Book

32:52 A Word for Those in Grief

35:32 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Five Ways You Can Support this show:

Other Helpful Links:

Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!

Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!

Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!

Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This conversation will help you find healing and power in the sacred space of prayer.

Be ready to take notes, shed tears, and renew your hope as New York Times bestselling author Ann Voskamp gives us a masterclass on neuroscience, theology, and a deep dive into overcoming trauma, tragedy, and all the places where life can hurt,.

We discuss Ann's new prayer journals, Sacred Prayer and Gifts and Gratitude, and Ann gives us a new way to think about how prayer affects our brains.

Click here for the transcript of this episode (note: computer-generated transcripts are not perfect).

Ann's bio

Ann Voskamp is wife of one good farmer, mama to a seven exuberant kids, and author of the four New York Times Bestsellers,  The Broken Way, The Greatest Gift, Unwrapping The Greatest Gift, and One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are, a New York Times 67 week bestseller which has sold more than 1.5 million copies, and is translated into more than 20 languages.

Named by Christianity Today as one of 50 women most shaping culture and the church today, and a partner with Compassion International as a global advocate for needy children, Ann's a regular loser of library books, usually has a sink full of soaking pots, sees empty laundry baskets rarer than a blue moon, and believes that the sky and fresh mercy over the farm is large and all is grace. Her blog, one of the Top 10 Christian blogs on the web, has become a daily well for the weary and soul-thirsty.

0:12 Introduction to Sacred Conversations

1:59 The Importance of Prayer

7:31 Journey from Brokenness to Healing

14:11 Understanding Transactional vs. Covenant Relationships

21:33 Wrestling with God in Times of Loss

32:52 The Power of Gratitude and Prayer

41:46 The Sacred Prayer Acrostic

49:06 Finding Peace in Grief

Five Ways You Can Support this show:

Other Helpful Links:

Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!

Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!

Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!

Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we revisit the Ten Commandments of Self-Brain Surgery, connecting them to scripture for a blend of spiritual and practical self-care. Emphasizing the importance of renewing our minds through Ephesians 4, we discuss how our thoughts and choices shape our mental health.

Click here to download the transcript

Click here to download the Ten Commandments with scripture references

0:04 Introduction to Self-Brain Surgery

1:15 Ten Commandments Overview

2:42 Ephesians Chapter 4 Unpacked

6:06 The Nature of the Battle

12:31 Understanding Automatic Thoughts

19:56 Renewing Your Mind

24:23 The Ten Commandments Revisited

25:46 Commandment One to Three

28:18 Commandment Four to Six

32:08 Commandment Seven to Nine

42:52 Commandment Ten and Conclusion

48:58 Upcoming Guests and Closing Thoughts

Five Ways You Can Support this show:

Other Helpful Links:

Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!

Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!

Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!

Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss practical steps for self-brain surgery™, focusing on the importance of documentation in understanding mental health. We explore the SOAP note method for tracking thoughts and concerns, and introduce two key techniques: the thought biopsy to examine negative thinking, and the whole system scan for comprehensive self-assessment through mindfulness.

I emphasize the need to align subjective feelings with objective reality to foster a proactive mindset. Listeners are encouraged to use accompanying worksheets for reflection and documentation, as consistent practice can lead to meaningful transformation in mental well-being.

Click here to download Dr. Warren's free Thought Biopsy worksheet!

Click here for a transcript of this episode!

Chapters

0:00 Introduction to Self-Brain Surgery™

3:36 Documenting Your Progress

5:36 The Chief Complaint

9:50 Understanding Subjective Experience

14:04 The Objective Assessment

22:02 Formulating the Assessment

23:39 Creating a Plan

27:33 The Importance of Documentation

45:36 The Whole System Scan

54:49 Conclusion and Next Steps

Five Ways You Can Support this show:

Other Helpful Links:

Click here to access the Hope Is the First Dose playlist of hopeful, healing songs!

Be sure to check out my new book, Hope Is the First Dose!

Here's a free 5-day Bible study on YouVersion/BibleApp based on my new book!

Sign up for my weekly Self-Brain Surgery Newsletter here!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices