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Your Brain Needs More Space, Not More Hacks | Dr. Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Can being "too smart" actually hold you back socially? In this episode of Social Intelligence, AJ Harbinger and Johnny Dzubak sit down with Anne-Laure Le Cunff—founder of Ness Labs and a former Googler turned neuroscience researcher—to explore the psychology of overthinking, social fatigue, and emotional connection for high performers.
If you've ever felt drained after socializing, struggled to connect in unstructured conversations, or defaulted to overanalyzing instead of just vibing, Anne-Laure’s insights will change how you see your brain—and your relationships.
What to Listen For
[00:00:00] Meet Anne-Laure: Neuroscience researcher, entrepreneur, and former Googler
[00:02:01] What inspired Anne-Laure to walk away from Silicon Valley
[00:04:02] The science of mental fitness: training your mind like a muscle
[00:05:42] Why smart people often struggle in social settings
[00:07:50] Overthinking vs. high thinking: what’s the difference?
[00:09:20] Anne-Laure’s framework for emotional granularity
[00:11:03] The hidden impact of unspoken emotions on your connections
[00:12:42] How journaling and reflection sharpen your emotional vocabulary
[00:14:35] Real-time self-awareness: catching yourself before you spiral
[00:16:04] Why smart people default to logic instead of connection—and how to fix it
[00:18:20] The loneliness trap of overperformance
[00:20:03] How Anne-Laure blends neuroscience with self-compassion
[00:22:01] The importance of emotional bandwidth and recovery
[00:24:40] What socially intelligent people do differently after high-effort conversations
[00:27:20] Tools for restoring your energy after social drain
[00:29:00] Why connection doesn’t mean constant performance
[00:31:05] Anne-Laure’s advice for other deep thinkers navigating real relationships
A Word From Our Sponsors
Tired of awkward handshakes and collecting business cards without building real connections? Dive into our Free Social Capital Networking Masterclass. Learn practical strategies to make your interactions meaningful and boost your confidence in any social situation. Sign up for free at theartofcharm.com/sc and elevate your networking from awkward to awesome. Don’t miss out on a network of opportunities!
Unleash the power of covert networking to infiltrate high-value circles and build a 7-figure network in just 90 days. Ready to start? Check out our CIA-proven guide to networking like a spy!
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Ready to turn your business idea into reality? Shopify makes it easy to start, scale, and succeed—whether you're launching a side hustle or building the next big brand. Sign up for your $1/month trial at shopify.com/charm.
Need to hire top talent—fast? Skip the waiting game and get more qualified applicants with Indeed. Claim your $75 Sponsored Job Credit now at Indeed.com/charm.
This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/charm
Stop needlessly overpaying for car insurance. Before you renew your policy, do yourself a favor—download the Jerry app or head to JERRY.com/charm
Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at www.rula.com/charm
Curious about your influence level?
Get your Influence Index Score today!
Take this 60-second quiz to find out how your influence stacks up against top performers at theartofcharm.com/influence.
Episode resources:
https://anne-laure.net/
Check in with AJ and Johnny!
AJ on LinkedIn
Johnny on LinkedIn
AJ on Instagram
Johnny on Instagram
The Art of Charm on Instagram
The Art of Charm on YouTube
The Art of Charm on TikTok
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
View all episodes
By The Art of Charm
4.7
1046610,466 ratings
Can being "too smart" actually hold you back socially? In this episode of Social Intelligence, AJ Harbinger and Johnny Dzubak sit down with Anne-Laure Le Cunff—founder of Ness Labs and a former Googler turned neuroscience researcher—to explore the psychology of overthinking, social fatigue, and emotional connection for high performers.
If you've ever felt drained after socializing, struggled to connect in unstructured conversations, or defaulted to overanalyzing instead of just vibing, Anne-Laure’s insights will change how you see your brain—and your relationships.
What to Listen For
[00:00:00] Meet Anne-Laure: Neuroscience researcher, entrepreneur, and former Googler
[00:02:01] What inspired Anne-Laure to walk away from Silicon Valley
[00:04:02] The science of mental fitness: training your mind like a muscle
[00:05:42] Why smart people often struggle in social settings
[00:07:50] Overthinking vs. high thinking: what’s the difference?
[00:09:20] Anne-Laure’s framework for emotional granularity
[00:11:03] The hidden impact of unspoken emotions on your connections
[00:12:42] How journaling and reflection sharpen your emotional vocabulary
[00:14:35] Real-time self-awareness: catching yourself before you spiral
[00:16:04] Why smart people default to logic instead of connection—and how to fix it
[00:18:20] The loneliness trap of overperformance
[00:20:03] How Anne-Laure blends neuroscience with self-compassion
[00:22:01] The importance of emotional bandwidth and recovery
[00:24:40] What socially intelligent people do differently after high-effort conversations
[00:27:20] Tools for restoring your energy after social drain
[00:29:00] Why connection doesn’t mean constant performance
[00:31:05] Anne-Laure’s advice for other deep thinkers navigating real relationships
A Word From Our Sponsors
Tired of awkward handshakes and collecting business cards without building real connections? Dive into our Free Social Capital Networking Masterclass. Learn practical strategies to make your interactions meaningful and boost your confidence in any social situation. Sign up for free at theartofcharm.com/sc and elevate your networking from awkward to awesome. Don’t miss out on a network of opportunities!
Unleash the power of covert networking to infiltrate high-value circles and build a 7-figure network in just 90 days. Ready to start? Check out our CIA-proven guide to networking like a spy!
Indulge in affordable luxury with Quince—where high-end essentials meet unbeatable prices. Upgrade your wardrobe today at quince.com/charm for free shipping and hassle-free returns.
Ready to turn your business idea into reality? Shopify makes it easy to start, scale, and succeed—whether you're launching a side hustle or building the next big brand. Sign up for your $1/month trial at shopify.com/charm.
Need to hire top talent—fast? Skip the waiting game and get more qualified applicants with Indeed. Claim your $75 Sponsored Job Credit now at Indeed.com/charm.
This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get your summer savings and shop premium wireless plans at mintmobile.com/charm
Stop needlessly overpaying for car insurance. Before you renew your policy, do yourself a favor—download the Jerry app or head to JERRY.com/charm
Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at www.rula.com/charm
Curious about your influence level?
Get your Influence Index Score today!
Take this 60-second quiz to find out how your influence stacks up against top performers at theartofcharm.com/influence.
Episode resources:
https://anne-laure.net/
Check in with AJ and Johnny!
AJ on LinkedIn
Johnny on LinkedIn
AJ on Instagram
Johnny on Instagram
The Art of Charm on Instagram
The Art of Charm on YouTube
The Art of Charm on TikTok
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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