The FitMind Podcast: Mental Fitness, Neuroscience & Psychology

Delson Armstrong is a meditation teacher and author of A Mind Without Craving.

He trained for extended periods in the Himalayas and mastered several systems of yoga, including the ten levels of samadhi (meditative states of absorption). Delson has recently collaborated with leading neuroscience research labs interested in studying his brain.

On this episode, we discuss how to conquer a craving mind, cessatio...

Dr. Anna Abraham is a psychologist and neuroscientist who investigates creativity and how we can optimize this key trait. She’s also a leading scholar on the study of human imagination.

On this episode, we discuss the key ingredients of a creative mind, how to become more creative, and how the brain can tell the difference between real and imaginary worlds.

FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind
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Nick Littlehales has been an elite sport recovery coach for nearly a quarter-century and is the bestselling author of Sleep: The Myth of 8 Hours, the Power of Naps... and the New Plan to Recharge Your Body and Mind.

On this episode, we uncover the common myths and misunderstandings about sleep. We also discuss the circadian rhythm, chronotypes, polyphasic sleep, and treating sleep as recovery.

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Donald Hoffman, PhD is a cognitive scientist and author of The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes.

He is currently a professor at UC Irvine, where he studies consciousness, visual perception and evolutionary psychology.

On this episode, we “take the red pill” and hear Dr. Hoffman’s theory on why reality is not what it seems. He explains this complex topic by comparing reality to a user interface.

We dis...

Andrew Holecek is an author and meditation teacher with decades of intensive practice experience, including a 3-year silent retreat in the Tibetan tradition.

Andrew’s work combines ancient wisdom with modern science.

We discuss the insights gained from his lengthy silent retreat, the 2 vectors of enlightenment, how our minds construct our realities, and much more.

FitMind Neuroscience-Based App: http://bit.ly/afitmind
Website: www....

Miguel Nicolelis, MD, PhD is a Brazilian neuroscientist and physician famous for his pioneering work in the field of brain-machine interface (BMI) technology.

Dr. Nicolelis’s extensive research with brain-machine interfaces blurs the lines between real life and science fiction. 

In the episode, we discuss neuroprosthetics, monkeys controlling robots, brain-to-brain communication, and the ...

Edward Slingerland, PhD, is a Professor of Philosophy and Associate Member in the Asian Studies and Psychology Departments at the University of British Columbia. He's an expert on the cognitive science of ancient philosophies.

On this episode, we discuss the science of ancient concepts like Wu Wei (”effortless action”), hot vs cold cognition, ways to alter consciousness, the paradox of trying not to try, and much more.

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Dr. Susana Martinez-Conde and Dr. Stephen Macknik are neuroscientists who specialize in the science of magic and illusion.

Both are professors of ophthalmology, neurology, and physiology & pharmacology at the Downstate Medical Center.

Together they pioneered the study of various aspects of magic such as perception, cognitive illusion, and attentional misdirection.

On this episode, we discuss how magic tricks fool the brain, why eve...

Dr. Elena Antonova is a neuroscientist and senior lecturer in psychology at Brunel University London.

Her research focuses on the effects of long-term mindfulness meditation practice in the hope of promoting mental wellbeing in the general population.

On this episode, we dive into the different approaches to meditation and the 4 levels of meditation practice development. 

We also discuss w...

Dr. Antonio Damasio is a neurologist, psychologist and best-selling author.

He's the Founder & Director of the Brain and Creativity Institute, which researches human emotions, memory, communication, and decision-making, and is regarded as one of the most influential psychologists of the modern era.

On this episode, we discuss the evolution of the mind, the surprising role of feelings in consciousness, and why we have a brain in the...

Dr. Sidarta Ribeiro is an award-winning neuroscientist, author, and Founder of the Brain Institute at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte in Brazil, where he is also a professor of neuroscience.

In this episode, we discuss how dreams have influenced human evolution, the connection between sleep and learning, and how to cultivate a rich dream life.

He gives his top tips for how to get a better night’s sleep and stresses the ...

Ramses Alcaide, PhD is an electrical engineer, neuroscientist, and CEO of Neurable, an innovative brain-computer interface company.

At Neurable, he is the inventor and primary developer of a brain-computer interface technology that is designed to turn human biometrics into actionable insights.

On this episode, we discuss his work at Neurable, how thoughts can be read by machines, and the benefits, ethical concerns, and future of br...

Dr. Amishi Jha is a neuroscientist and professor of psychology at the University of Miami. She's the Director and Co-Founder of Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative.

Dr. Jha leads research on the neural basis of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion, resilience, and performance, working with the military, educators, e...

Apkar V. Apkarian, PhD is a professor of physiology, anesthesiology, and physical medicine and rehabilitation at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.

He has been studying pain for more than two decades and is a pioneer in the use of fMRI to study the neurochemistry of the brain. Dr. Apkarian's research has increasingly focused on chronic pain, including the strategic use of placebo treatment.

In this episode, we d...

Dr. James Cooke is a neuroscientist, writer and speaker, focused on consciousness, meditation, psychedelic states, and science.

He studied Experimental Psychology and completed his PhD in Neuroscience at Oxford University.

He holds research positions at University College London and Trinity College Dublin where he investigates how the brain creates our experience of the world.

In this episode, we dive into the concept of nonduality...

Shauna Shapiro, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and an expert in mindfulness and self-compassion. She has spent two decades studying the benefits of mindfulness and compassion. Her TEDx Talk on this topic has been viewed over 2 million times.

Dr. Shapiro is a professor of psychology at Santa Clara University. She graduated summa cum laude from Duke University, and received a PhD in Clinical Psychology from the ...

Elliot Roe is a leading expert in mindset optimization for high performers.

In just the last 3 years his poker clients have won over $150,000,000 and nearly every major tournament title, including the World Series of Poker Main Event. His clientele also includes Olympic medalists, UFC Champions, Hollywood actors, business executives, and Wall Street traders.

He also Co-Founded the mobile mindset app Primed Mind and hosts the A-Game...

Dr. Massimo Pigliucci is Professor of Philosophy at the City College of New York, former co-host of the Rationally Speaking Podcast, and one of the most influential modern Stoics.

He's published several books including How to Be a Stoic, Nonsense on Stilts, and A Field Guide to a Happy Life. Professor Pigliucci has a PhD in Evolutionary Biology and also a PhD in Philosophy.

We go in-depth on Stoicism, what it is, and how to apply i...

Sharon Salzberg is a world-famous meditation teacher and NY Times bestselling author.

She's largely responsible for popularizing mindfulness in the West.

Sharon co-founded the Insight Meditation Society with Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein and has been leading meditation retreats around the world for over three decades.

Her books include Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness, A Heart as Wide as the World, Real Happ...