Advertise on podcast: Coffee with a Neuroscientist

In this episode of 'Coffee with a Neuroscientist,' Shonté Jovan Taylor delves into the concept of intentional joy, particularly Black joy, as a form of resistance and a power strategy. She explains how experiencing joy can heal hijacked nervous systems and become a tool for individual and collective well-being. Emphasizing the difference between joy, pleasure, and happiness, Taylor frames joy as an intentional, engaging practice rather than a passive state. She discusses the historical roots of black joy, its role during the civil rights movement, the neuroscience behind the benefits of collective singing, and the importance of maintaining joy in the face of systemic oppression. Taylor argues that joy is a revolutionary act that enhances resilience and creativity, spreading through mirror neurons and influencing entire communities. The episode calls listeners to intentionally cultivate joy, use it to reclaim attention from societal distractions, and frame it as a practice for healing and empowerment.

In this episode of "Coffee with a Neuroscientist," host Shonté Jovan Taylor delves into the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and musical theater, using the Broadway show and now movie "Wicked" as a focal point. With her new OZ vibes Starbucks coffee mug in hand, Shonté explores how the storytelling and music of "Wicked" impact the brain, fostering empathy, connection and compassion. Shonté discusses how watching Elphaba’s journey in "Wicked"—from being labeled as the Wicked Witch to understanding her struggles and humanity—challenges viewers to question preconceived narratives and consider multiple perspectives. She explains the role of mirror neurons in creating empathy, how oxytocin helps deepen trust and social bonds, and how music activates the limbic system (aka emotional brain) for emotional engagement. Additionally, Shonté highlights how engaging the prefrontal cortex during such performances helps in perspective-taking and understanding complex social situations. She also underscores the broader societal lessons we can derive from musical theater: - questioning divisive narratives,  -bridging divides through shared emotional experiences, and  -embracing self-worth and resilience. Listeners are encouraged to apply these insights in their own lives to build empathy and strengthen connections. Shonté concludes by inviting listeners to continue the conversation and share their own experiences with musical theater and its impact on their lives. This episode is a blend of personal reflection, scientific explanation and practical application, making it a thought-provoking exploration of how the arts can enrich our understanding of ourselves and others.   Link to her article correlating with the article -->  

🚀 Elevate your performance with Julie Lowe, the high performance coach on the latest ☕️"Coffee with a Neuroscientist" podcast episode!    🔎 Explore the power of habits and discover a few good habits that can transform your life in ways you never imagined. 🌟   Join Neuroscientist & host Shonté Jovan Taylor in a captivating conversation with Julie Lowe as they dive deep into her book "A Few Good Habits." Discover how these habits can reduce stress, increase energy, boost creativity, and improve relationships.    Tune in to this mind-expanding episode and unlock the secrets to unlocking your full potential. Don't settle for average or burnout when you can achieve greatness! Listen now to gain valuable insights and practical tips from Julie Lowe, the high performance coach who will guide you on the path to success. 🎯 Start building your habits arsenal today! 🚀 #Podcast #Neuroscience #HighPerformance #Habits #Transformation #UnlockYourPotential   About Julie Julie Lowe is an Author, Speaker, and Certified High Performance Coach. Using neuroscience-backed practices, she teaches ambitious professionals how to prioritize their mindset, health, and relationships without sacrificing the quality of their work.   Julie's expertise has been featured on Good Morning Washington, The List, Huffington Post, and Yahoo! Life, to name just a few, and her first book, A Few Good Habits, debuts October 5th.   Connect at: CoachJulieLowe.com | Facebook |  LinkedIn.com Read the first chapter of A Few Good Habits for free now at https://coachjulielowe.com/books/   Grab your copy (or 5!) of "A Few Good Habits" on Amazon at: https://amzn.to/46xg02a   INTERNATIONAL AMAZON LINKS IF YOU NEED THEM: AMAZON CANADA LINK: https://amzn.to/46gSlTY AMAZON AUS LINK: https://amzn.to/46fyrZD AMAZON UK LINK: https://amzn.to/46h4sAu

Are you a creative, healer, educator, leader or activist who is feeling the nudge to take the leap and start your own business? Today’s episode with my special guest is a call for you to listen to your intuition, that voice that is calm, still, non-judgmental and loving, inside of you.  In 2010, Jen Shultz, Founder of The Non-Nine-to-Five™ found herself battling anxiety and depression. During this dark time, she received an intuitive persistent message urging her to create a business and generate an income on her own terms. That year, Jen went against all "safe norms", followed the call, and quit her full-time teaching job to become self-employed. For over 9 years, Jen has been educating, training, and coaching conscientious high-level women who have a deep knowing they are not meant for the 9-5. She leads her clients (creatives, healers, educators, activists, leaders) into successful self-employment tapping into their unique skills and strengths so they can make a difference in the lives of others, generate an income on their own terms, and never go back to a 9-5 job. Jen is a master coach and a highly intuitive educator as well as a workshop facilitator and keynote speaker who has spoken on stages across the nation including Google, Wix, The University of Texas. She holds a BA in Communication (University at Albany), MA in Special & General Education (New York University) and is a Certified Professional Coach through iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching).  In this episode, Jen reveals how to identify the intuitive nudges that you may be feeling and the ways to turn the nine-to-five mindset into what really lights you up. Let us know what inspired you the most from this powerful conversation that I had with Jen, and we  can’t wait to hear how today’s show resonates with you.  Sign up for Shonte’s ‘OptiMind Blog’ to get neuroscience updates to optimize your expertise & life at ShonteJTaylor.com. 

Today’s special guest is first and foremost a teacher, and someone who has a big mission of bringing joy back into reading, education and the workplace. In this episode, Dr. Danny Brassell shares how the sooner we can get our kids loving words, reading them, writing them and performing them, the better it will be not only for their brains, but for society as a whole.  A highly-sought after speaker, trainer and coach known as “Jim Carrey with a Ph.D.,” Dr. Danny Brassell has spoken to over 3,500 audiences worldwide and authored 16 books, including his latest, Leadership Begins with Motivation. He coaches business owners, entrepreneurs and executives how to increase their income, freedom and impact by creating engaging presentations. I like that Danny makes things so understandable for everybody, and for his desire to create sustainable ways to make reading fun and enjoyable for everybody. There are so many powerful lessons in this one conversation, including tips and strategies for entrepreneurs looking to craft their own story to share with others. I really appreciate all the wisdom that Danny gives today, and I can’t wait for you to hear it!  Sign up for Shonte’s ‘OptiMind Blog’ to get neuroscience updates to optimize your expertise & life at ShonteJTaylor.com. 

What if one little gnome and one tiny suitcase, as well as an app and other educational tools, could change your family? In this episode, you’re going to find out how this is possible and the way that one amazing entrepreneur is improving the brain health of people of all ages, by infusing a sense of adventure into their lives!  Anne Armstrong is the Founder of My Gnome on the Roam ® educational toys which inspire a love of reading, writing and adventure for kids, families, students and educators across the globe. After 20 years of teaching gifted and talented students, Anne took on the role of mom entrepreneur to share her formula of small pockets of time + a simple idea for an adventure = deeper family connections in as little as 30 minutes a week. A published best-selling children’s author of the book “My Gnome on the Roam ®,” Anne strives to live by a phrase coined by her brilliant students who refer to her as the Field Trip Queen: ‘Make Your Life a Book Worth Reading.’ She holds a Master’s and Ed. Specialist degree in gifted education and has been featured on NPR, Huffington Post, Treehugger.com, and the New York Times. I’m so excited to introduce you to Anne, who is someone that is tapping into her own strength and talents while making the world a much better place. I encourage you to visit her site at https://mygnomeontheroam.com/, and let us both know which adventures you and your family embark on next!  I’m hosting a workshop called Beyond Vision Boards, which goes even deeper into this topic. In this workshop, you’ll get to see how I balance neuroscience with reality, and I’ll give you something that is applicable and understandable so that you can get to the next level of your potential. To reserve your spot now, go to https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/beyond-the-vision-board-list/!  To apply and schedule a brainstorming session with Shonté, you can visit   https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/apply/ now!

Since I like acronyms, and the brain likes acronyms, I want to share with you the acronym “F.O.C.U.S.” In this episode, I cover the importance of fueling your brain and how this can optimize its performance, the role that oxygen plays and how to get more of it to your brain, and a process for creating block time in order to reduce the many distractions that we all face. You’ll learn how to understand your “rocks” and plan for optimal brain power, and you’ll hear why sleep is vital. In addition, I reveal the ways to set and manage your expectations, and what it means to “decide like a CEO” and how doing this will significantly increase your brain’s performance. I want this episode to provide you a framework for having a super brain and a super mind, because this is where it all starts in life and business!  I’m hosting a workshop called Beyond Vision Boards, which goes even deeper into this topic. In this workshop, you’ll get to see how I balance neuroscience with reality, and I’ll give you something that is applicable and understandable so that you can get to the next level of your potential. To reserve your spot now, go to https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/beyond-the-vision-board-list/!  To apply and schedule a brainstorming session with Shonté, you can visit    https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/apply/ now!

Do you think optimism is a bunch of B.S? I’m not talking about that kind of B.S, but I’m talking about brain science! In this episode, I answer this question from the lens of neuroscience, or what I like to call neuro-perspectives, and after listening to what I reveal today, you’ll see that optimism is indeed B.S. - but in a good way!  I’m hosting a workshop called Beyond Vision Boards, which goes even deeper into this topic. In this workshop, you’ll get to see how I balance neuroscience with reality, and I’ll give you something that is applicable and understandable so that you can get to the next level of your potential. To reserve your spot now, go to https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/beyond-the-vision-board-list/!  To apply and schedule a brainstorming session with Shonté, you can visit  https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/apply/ now!

Do you create vision boards each year? Creating vision boards is a common practice that is powerful, even spiritual, but what is happening in our brains that makes this visual tool so effective for manifesting.   In this episode, I reveal the brain science behind vision boards, why having a vision board is so important for everyone to use, and the reasons that using images as a tool is so much faster than just saying words for manifesting what it is that you really want!    I’m hosting a workshop called Beyond Vision Boards, which goes even deeper into this topic. In this workshop, you’ll get to see how I balance neuroscience with reality, and I’ll give you something that is applicable and understandable so that you can get to the next level of your potential. To reserve your spot now, go to https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/beyond-the-vision-board-list/!  To apply and schedule a brainstorming session with Shonté, you can visit  https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/apply/ now!

In the busy times that we live in, it’s easy to feel like we’re drowning in all the things that we feel we have to get done each day. In what areas of your life are you feeling this way, and you don’t even know it?  Today I want to throw you the lifesaver so that you don’t drown. I’m giving you permission to do what I did, by taking time off intentionally and not feeling guilty about it.  You are in control of your calendar and how you show up each day, and I want you to be your best self, operating at the highest level of your mental potential!  To apply and schedule a brainstorming session with Shonté, you can visit    https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/apply/ now! 

Today I’m welcoming a very special guest to the podcast, our own OptiMind graduate, Paddy Moran.  Paddy is a NeuroCulture Coach and NeuroLeader whose passion is people development, and he specializes in team development, leadership development, company culture, and organizational change, bringing out the best in the teams he works with. Of course, he’s using neuroscience to do this!  Would you like to gain exclusive access to the most advanced brain-based personal and professional development strategies on the planet? Shonté’s signature program, Optimind, starts February 22nd, 2022!  OptiMind is an ICF accredited program designed specifically for novice or reputable coaches, trainers and leaders to show you how to effectively utilize the principles of neuroscience to help your clients, your profession and your business reach the highest levels of their human potential. To enroll now and to learn more about this exciting opportunity, go to http://optimindtraining.com. Hurry, the final day for enrollment is February 27th, 2022!  To apply and schedule a brainstorming session with Shonté, you can visit   https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/apply/ now! 

What if I told you that marketing doesn’t have to be dull, boring, and a chore, but it can actually be joyful and fun? Today’s guest works with life coaches and shows them how to do just that, all while being their true, authentic selves.  Simone Seol is creating a revolution in how life coaches market online. She teaches coaches how to become profitable by putting love first, leaning into their messy genius, and not being afraid to get a little weird. In the past 2 years, Simone has created millions of dollars in her own business and helped countless life coaches scale their businesses with joy and sovereignty. She is the host of the top-rated Joyful Marketing podcast, and author of The Fearless Marketing Bible for Life Coaches. In this episode, Shonté and Simone go deep into a wide range of topics not business related, including why the concept of not doing your best is actually great for your brain (and overall!) health, how to shift your perspectives so you’re not always people pleasing, tips for navigating the relationship with ourselves and our loved ones, and so much more.  Would you like to gain exclusive access to the most advanced brain-based personal and professional development strategies on the planet? Shonté’s signature program, Optimind, starts February 22nd, 2022!  OptiMind is an accredited program designed specifically for novice or reputable coaches, trainers and leaders to show you how to effectively utilize the principles of neuroscience to help your clients, your profession and your business reach the highest levels of their human potential. To enroll now and to learn more about this exciting opportunity, go to https://optimindtraining.com/. Hurry, the final day for enrollment is February 27th, 2022!  What We Cover In This Episode: Why the concept of not doing your best can be good for your own mental health [2:51] The reasons that entrepreneurship can be considered the ultimate personal development journey [6:27] The ways that having a baby has shifted Simone’s perspective on life and business [7:27] What challenges she has faced in navigating who she wants to be versus what her family expects of her [10:05] A look at how owning a business really differs from having a “normal” job [18:27] Shonté’s tips for managing her emotions and conveying them to her family [20:54] The reasons that Simone works specifically with life coaches, and how she helps bring them joy in their marketing [25:23] Why being polished isn’t the most important factor for effective content creation and marketing [27:47]  Quotes: “Although everyone in my family has been incredibly supportive, sometimes navigating who I think they want me to be versus who I want to be, that has been tough.” [12:06]  “As an entrepreneur, we wear 25 different hats all the time. This is why work boundaries with yourself is so important, but there’s never a point where you did all the things [you need to do] and you’re done.” [18:32] “I just love coaches so much, and I think the highest things about the industry and every single coach I know. I think coaches are going to save the world!” [26:12]  “The benefit of only serving one type of client is that you can go really deep into thinking about their specific brains and how they’re experiencing problems.” [26:27]  “I think the greatest gift that I can give someone who is a life coach is to let them see me feeling joy in my work and in my marketing. Let them see me being authentic, being messy, being imperfect, and having fun.” [27:06]    Links:    Simone’s Website & Podcast   Her Instagram   Get Simone’s Books  

Teach the brain to serve you, Omozua says as she explains her coaching techniques in neuroscience and creating a new mindset for her clients. Omozua Ameze Isiramen went through years of schooling to learn about her craft, when she found the OptiMind program. Originally skeptical if she was a good fit in a program designed around neuroscience, she decided to take the leap and use her skill set combined with the OptiMind program to help change the lives of leaders. Omozua helps people to super fuel their emotions and stress on their own terms. Be it the way they relate to people or how they perform, Omozua looks to improve every aspect of your life. With a teaching background, Omozua is driven to help you find that ‘lightbulb’ moment as she transitioned into coaching.  Omozua then went to understand how leaders learn from their point of view and what their needs are with coaching through John Mattone, a former executive coach for Steve Jobs. She has learned through communicating with someone you must learn how to step back to actually see the situation in front of you.  Omozua starts her day with a cup of ‘DOS’; Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin. She expresses that if you want to establish trust with someone, you need to know which of the three you need to deliver to them. This mindset makes communication with leaders smooth and easier to address. Talking about inclusion and diversity, often looked at as a problem, but should be looked at as human. We are different people, and need different things as humans.  Neuroscience is the missing link in communication, and helps you make decisions of who you like or dislike, how to judge situations, and how to identify what is going on. Helping her clients to exercise their power to choose is something Omozua uses to educate and show people how they can be resourceful. She is currently working on an emotional mastery session, teaching people how to re-assign roles for themselves in light of the COVID-19 lockdowns and leaders having to re-learn how to take on more work as they are away from the office, and spending more time at home. Being the CEO of your brain is Omozua’s method to connect your decisions and your inner mind. Tune into this week’s episode to connect the dots between science and leadership!   Quotes:  “You need to understand you are a brain, talking to a brain, and at any given time, every brain needs something different.”  “What I have learned from the OptiMind Neuroscience training, is how do you empower people in such a way that they are able to learn sustainable, long term strategies within their control.”   “What neuroscience coaching allows me to do, is to tell people to allow themselves to operate on their own terms. And I want you to know that the best state of your brain is when you can put the ego aside, and you can create a win win for everybody, because that is what influence is about.”  Links:  www.omozua.com Link to speak with Shonté Taylor--> https://shontejtaylor.lpages.co/apply-copy/

Today, we are having coffee with TWO neuroscientists. On this episode of Coffee with a Neuroscientist, Shonté Jovan Taylor is talking with one of her favorite authors, Dr. Caroline Leaf, about her mission to “shift the paradigms and stigmas” around mental health diagnoses like anxiety and depression. Dr. Leaf is passionate about the fact that all humans struggle with their minds, and need to find ways to “clean up their mental mess” by learning more effective ways to deal with hard experiences like trauma, depression, and fear. Her solution? A process called neuro cycling.  Dr. Leaf says in her book that “anxiety and depression are signals.” Just like hunger, or exhaustion, we get signaled to experience these feelings by existing in our chaotic world. It’s not abnormal, or strange - it’s just how we live today. So how do we deal with these signals? By understanding the difference between the mind and the brain. Using neuro cycling and “mind management” techniques, we can become less afraid of our anxiety and depression, and more intentional about how we respond to it.  Tune in this week to hear Shonté and Dr. Leaf go deep into our cultural ideas about mind, brain, and body, and how to use Neuro cycling to start managing your mind and feeling calmer and happier today.  Quotes: “All humans since the beginning of time have battled with their mind.”  “I’m always neuro cycling, it’s a lifestyle. Because your mind is a lifestyle. You can’t get away from your mind.”  “Our past that’s traumatic and our toxic habits don’t have to control us. We can actually identify them, embrace processes and re-conceptualize them into a healthy version, so we can change how the past plays out into the future.” (13:26-13:42) Links: https://drleaf.com/ https://www.cleaningupyourmentalmess.com/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShonteJTaylor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neuroscientist_coach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontejtaylor Twitter: https://twitter.com/shonte_taylor

How can changing your brain change the world? How can small moments of kindness create ripple effects that echo far into the universe? Shonté Jovan Taylor discusses how compassionate acts, no matter how small, can change both our own and others’ brains in powerful ways. When we witness others acting with kindness or altruism, mirror neurons fire in our brains that help us experience empathy ourselves. From Malala Yousafzai to Greta Thunberg to Oprah to Jane Goodall, Shonté describes countless individuals who have channeled their compassionate brains to mobilize action across the globe. Importantly, Shonté notes that you don’t need to experience trauma or violence in order to make an impact. In fact, all you really need is some deeper knowledge about the most powerful technology on the planet: your brain.  Tune in to this week’s episode of Coffee with a Neuroscientist to learn more about how you can generate lasting change in only a moment.    Quotes “You have trillions and trillions of connections in your brain. You have enough wiring in your brain to stretch from where you’re sitting all the way to the sun. That’s about 90 million miles. And these brain cells are communicating at 200 miles per hour.” (02:42-03:03) “We have the power to engage other people’s brains, to activate other people’s brains in a moment.” (04:18-04:26) “So from that day, I started making the daily shifts, the daily decisions that would ensure that my brain, body, and spirit showed up in a more powerful way. So now my kids, my family, my community, my clients are able to get the best of me instead of the rest of me. They’re able to get the more powerful me instead of the burnt out me.” (08:19 -08:48) “It doesn’t matter your age, and you don’t need all the time in the world. You only need moments because the brain is capable of changing in moments. So I’m going to challenge you in these moments to do those kind things because sometimes we only have brief moments.” (11:04-11:26) Links www.ShonteJTaylor.com