brainSTEM Podcast

05/11/2026

🧠 “ADHD isn’t a deficit. It’s a surplus.” — Dr. Prantik Kundu

What if we’ve been measuring ADHD through the wrong lens all along?

In this clip from the brainSTEM podcast, neuroscientist Dr. Prantik Kundu challenges the idea that ADHD is simply a lack of attention. Instead, he explains how traits like hyperfocus, rapid idea generation, heightened curiosity, and nonlinear thinking may reflect an overflow of cognitive energy. not an absence of ability. ⚡️

The problem may not be the brain itself, but the environments and systems built around narrow definitions of productivity and focus.

🎧 Watch the full conversation in Episode 26 of the brainSTEM podcast, link in bio!

What’s something you once saw as a weakness that turned out to be a strength?

05/06/2026

🚨 Science needs your voice — right now.

A proposed FY2027 federal budget includes a 54% cut to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and would completely eliminate its Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences (SBE) Directorate. These programs fund critical research on mental health, education, human behavior, and the systems that shape our daily lives.

This isn’t just about funding — it’s about the future of evidence-based science, innovation, and public trust.

📣 Our friends at APA are urging the community to speak up. It takes less than 2 minutes to contact your representatives and make your voice heard.

🔗 Take action here: https://www.votervoice.net/APAAdvocacy/Campaigns/137050/Respond

If you care about neuroscience, psychology, and the science behind how we think, feel, and live — this matters.

04/24/2026

E26 is live: Neurodiversity, ADHD, and the Future of the Brain 🧠✨

What if ADHD isn’t just a deficit, but a different way of thinking with real strengths? In this episode of the brainSTEM podcast, Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with neuroscientist Dr. Prantik Kundu to explore the science and lived experience of neurodiversity and why traits like curiosity, impulsivity, and unconventional thinking may be more valuable than ever.

From stigma to strengths to the role of AI in shaping how we value different minds, this conversation rethinks what it means to be “neurodivergent.”

🔗 Tap the link in bio to listen now!

02/11/2025

Exciting news! The brainSTEM podcast was recently featured by Wayne State University! Huge thanks to our amazing team and listeners who’ve supported us through three seasons. Check out the feature here and give us a listen on Spotify and Apple podcasts!

🗞️ Feature: https://shorturl.at/V8fP6

🎧 Give us a listen!
📌 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ghuS9hNq
📌 Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gFtZ4brq

https://today.wayne.edu/news/2025/02/07/brainstem-podcast-doesnt-just-inform-it-empowers-65450?utm_source=link&utm_medium=email-67aa3c46cf9ae&utm_campaign=February+10%2C+2025+-+Visual%40Wayne+-+Wayne+State+University&utm_content=%27BrainSTEM%27+podcast+informs%2C+empowers&utm_term=

Dr. Marusak interviewed Dr. Arash Javanbakht, a psychiatrist and director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic at Wayne State University about fear and his new book, “Afraid”. ...

02/10/2025

‼️ New episode dropped! ‼️

Is va**ng really safer than smoking? 🤔 This week on the brainSTEM podcast, we sit down with addiction expert Dr. David Ledgerwood to break down the science behind va**ng: how it affects the body, the risks for young people, and what the latest research reveals.

Don’t miss this deep dive into one of today’s most pressing public health debates! Listen now on Spotify (link below)! 🧠 🎧

🔗 https://open.spotify.com/episode/5L8eireYKYDtATgwpPcMj0?si=y9PwcGlLRtC9i0_-VJc9yw

02/03/2025

🚨 New episode alert! 🚨

Dr. Eric Woodcock joins brainSTEM to break down the link between neuroinflammation and addiction. From opioid and ni****ne use disorders to PTSD and depression, we explore how brain inflammation shapes addiction — and how it could be the key to new treatments. Don’t miss this fascinating deep dive into the future of addiction science 🎧🧠 Link in bio!

01/27/2025

🌟 Episode 22 is LIVE! 🌟

Gut health and mental health… what’s the connection?

🧠➡️🦠 In this episode of the brainSTEM podcast, we’re joined by the brilliant Dr. Annelise Madison, a clinical psychologist and expert in psycho-neuro-immunology. Together, we explore:

✨ The gut-brain axis and how it influences mood, stress, and thoughts
✨ The role of the gut microbiome in mental health
✨ How diet, stress, and the environment impact this connection
✨ Practical tips for improving your gut-brain health

🎧 Tune in to learn how the gut and brain communicate, why probiotics are trending, and the future of gut-brain research!

01/25/2025

🚨 NEW EPISODE ALERT! 🚨

In this special episode of BrainSTEM, co-producer Aman takes the mic to interview host Dr. Hilary Marusak, neuroscientist and avid runner, about the fascinating connection between exercise and brain health.

What exactly is a runner’s high, and how does it work? How do the brain’s endocannabinoids contribute to this euphoric state, and how does exercise impact mental health, neuron growth, and longevity? Hilary dives into these topics and shares insights from her research, including a groundbreaking study on the effects of exercise on anxiety in adolescents.

Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a fitness enthusiast, or just curious about how movement impacts your brain, this episode will leave you inspired to lace up your shoes and hit the ground running!

🔗 Tap the link in bio to listen now!

                                                         

01/20/2025

New episode dropped!
Curious about cannabis and its impact on the brain? 🌿🧠

In the latest episode of BrainSTEM, Dr. Hilary Marusak sits down with cannabis expert Dr. Matthew Hill to unpack the science behind cannabis use. From THC and CBD to its potential benefits and risks, this balanced conversation dives into:

✔️ How cannabis interacts with the brain
✔️ Short-term and long-term effects
✔️ Cannabis and mental health, including PTSD and psychosis
✔️ Myths vs. facts

Whether you’re exploring its therapeutic potential or looking to separate science from misconceptions, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. 🎙️

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YP4yooEnj33F2DkfvoCpk?si=ab9chmL3QairPkYusOflLQ

01/06/2025

Season 3 of BrainSTEM is here! 🎉 Episode 1 just dropped, and we’re kicking things off with a powerful conversation about mental health advocacy and resilience. Join Dr. Hilary Marusak and Jon Nelson as they tackle the stigma around mental illness and share actionable steps for change. 🌟 New episodes every Monday—don’t miss out!

Episode Description:
In this inspiring episode, Jon Nelson, a mental health advocate and member of the One Mind Lived Experiences Council, shares his journey through depression and recovery. From shaping mental health narratives to addressing misconceptions, this conversation is a call to action for awareness, advocacy, and community. 💙

12/24/2024

What a year it’s been for brainSTEM! ✨ Thanks to YOU, our community has grown, and we’re reaching more curious minds than ever. 🎉 Here’s to new followers, more episodes, and continuing to explore the wonders of the brain together in 2025. Let’s keep growing! 🙌 🧠