This is Your Brain With Dr. Phil Stieg

15/05/2026

What does it feel like to have a stroke from the inside? Nancy Jarecki knows — and her resilience, humor and spirit made her unforgettable to everyone who treated her. In our Season 6 finale, she shares her inspiring journey through brain aneurysm, emergency surgery and recovery with Dr. Phil Stieg and Dr. Hooman Kamal. 🎙️ Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/not-just-another-victim-nancy-jareckis-recovery-from/id1457049580?i=1000767883183

Podcast Episode · This Is Your Brain With Dr. Phil Stieg · May 15 · 35m

01/05/2026

What does it feel like to look in the mirror and see a monster — when everyone else sees a perfectly normal person?

Body Dysmorphic Disorder affects an estimated 5–10 million Americans, yet it's still widely misunderstood — and dangerously under-recognized.

In the latest episode of This Is Your Brain, Dr. Phil Stieg sits down with psychiatrist and BDD expert Dr. Katharine Phillips of Weill Cornell Medicine to unpack the neuroscience behind this condition: why the brains of people with BDD are literally wired to over-process detail, how behaviors like mirror-checking and reassurance-seeking keep sufferers trapped, and why cosmetic surgery almost never helps.

The good news? With the right treatment — cognitive behavioral therapy and/or medication — there's a 90% chance of substantial improvement.

🎧 Listen now → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-your-brain-with-dr-phil-stieg/id1457049580

"30 years ago we had no treatments for this disorder. And now we have really, really good treatments. There's so much hope." — Dr. Katharine Phillips

03/04/2026

Why do some people drink for decades before realizing they have a problem — and what does it actually take to stop?

Dr. Charles Knowles is a surgeon, Chief Academic Officer at Cleveland Clinic London, and a recovering alcoholic. In his new book Why We Drink Too Much, he weaves neuroscience with his own lived experience to explain what alcohol really does to the brain — and why quitting is so much harder than it sounds.

In this episode of This Is Your Brain, he and Dr. Phil Stieg discuss why alcohol addiction exists on a spectrum, how memory sits at the heart of dependence, the unexpected way sobriety can strain a marriage, and what it finally takes to break the cycle.

🎧 Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-your-brain-with-dr-phil-stieg/id1457049580

Science Podcast · Updated Biweekly · This Is Your Brain With Dr. Phil Stieg provides a fascinating look into the human brain, with each episode asking new questions — and finding new answers — about our most mysterious organ. Together wi…

20/03/2026

What makes someone truly wise?

It's not age. It's not intelligence. According to Dr. Dilip Jeste — one of the world's leading researchers on the science of wisdom — it comes down to something much more human: empathy and compassion.

In our latest episode, Dr. Jeste breaks down the neuroscience behind wisdom, why it matters for our health and happiness, and how we can actually cultivate it at any age.

A few things that stuck with us:
🌿 Wisdom is a personality trait — and it can grow
🤝 You cannot be wise without empathy
🧓 Our brains can form new neurons well into older age (yes, really)
📵 We don't need more artificial intelligence — we need artificial wisdom

Small practices like reflecting on three good things before sleep, volunteering, and spending time with people who are different from you can genuinely move the needle.

🎧 Listen to the full conversation now:

Science Podcast · Updated Biweekly · This Is Your Brain With Dr. Phil Stieg provides a fascinating look into the human brain, with each episode asking new questions — and finding new answers — about our most mysterious organ. Together wi…

06/03/2026

What's the difference between a religion and a cult? More than you might think — and the line is easier to cross than most people realize.

In our latest episode, Dr. Stieg sits down with sociologist and cult expert Dr. Janja Lalich, who spent a decade inside a political cult before dedicating her career to studying how they work. She breaks down the psychology of recruitment, why anyone can be vulnerable, and what recovery actually looks like.

Listen to Tell-Tale Signs That You Are in a Cult: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-your-brain-with-dr-phil-stieg/id1457049580

20/02/2026

Narcissist. It's a word we throw around constantly — but do we actually know what it means? Dr. Phil Stieg and leading expert Dr. Keith Campbell break down the real science behind narcissism, from love bombing to gaslighting to what it looks like in your relationships and your workplace. Listen now:

Science Podcast · Updated Biweekly · This Is Your Brain With Dr. Phil Stieg provides a fascinating look into the human brain, with each episode asking new questions — and finding new answers — about our most mysterious organ. Together wi…

06/02/2026

🎵 Why does music move us so deeply—and can it actually heal?

In this episode, Dr. Phil Stieg talks with neuroscientist, psychotherapist, and musician Dr. Barbara Minton about her groundbreaking work creating music specifically designed for the brain.

From helping patients with chronic pain and PTSD to understanding why some people find heavy metal relaxing, Dr. Minton reveals how different musical elements affect our neural pathways—and how we can harness music's power more intentionally.

🎧 Listen now:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-your-brain-with-dr-phil-stieg/id1457049580

23/01/2026

New Episode: What Makes Us Vulnerable to AI?

AI isn't just changing how we live—it's learning to exploit how we think. Award-winning tech journalist Jacob Ward joins Dr. Phil Stieg to explore how artificial intelligence taps into our ancient decision-making systems, why we're so easily manipulated, and what we can do to stay in control. Listen now. 🎧 podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-your-brain-with-dr-phil-stieg/id1457049580

09/01/2026

We spend years saving for retirement—but what about preparing our minds? Dr. Ross Andel, a gerontologist who studies cognitive aging, joins Dr. Phil Stieg to explain why stepping away from work can lead to cognitive decline and depression if we're not careful.

The good news? It's preventable. Dr. Andel shares practical ways to stay mentally sharp, from maintaining social connections to finding new purpose. His key insight: it matters less what you do than that you stay engaged in something meaningful.

🎧 Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-your-brain-with-dr-phil-stieg/id1457049580

26/12/2025

New Episode: Why Your Brain Needs Friends 🧠❤️

Feeling lonely? You're not alone—nearly 60% of American adults report feeling the same way. In our latest episode, neuroscientist Dr. Ben Rein reveals what's actually happening in your brain when you connect with others, and why social interaction is as essential to your health as diet, exercise, and sleep.

Dr. Rein explains the powerful trio of neurochemicals that get released when we socialize, why married cancer patients often have better survival rates, and the fascinating science of "interbrain synchrony" between loved ones. He also shares simple, practical steps anyone can take to combat loneliness—whether you're an introvert or an extrovert.

🎧 Listen now: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-your-brain-with-dr-phil-stieg/id1457049580