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Our accidental mind is a marvel of evolution—capable of breathtaking creativity, yet vulnerable to distraction, self-deception, and runaway ego. In this week’s Welcoming Wisdom podcast, we explore two unlikely partners in this drama: the premotor cortex and the default mode network (DMN).

• The premotor cortex rehearses actions before we move, allowing us to simulate outcomes and imagine future possibilities.
• The default mode network weaves our sense of self and story, giving us social intelligence while also tempting us into rumination and egocentrism.

Together, they illustrate the double-edged nature of our cognition: the same circuits that enable foresight and empathy can also fuel anxiety, self-absorption, and unintended consequences.

In the episode, I share how understanding these networks helps us manage our minds with greater wisdom. By learning to channel rehearsal toward constructive outcomes and to quiet the DMN’s more ego-driven impulses, we can shape behavior that is virtuous rather than villainous.

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