Episode 247: How To Hack Your Habits, Rewire Your Brain & Leverage Dopamine, with Neuroscientist Nicole Vignola
I don’t know about you, but no matter how old I get, September will always feel like that fresh back to school milestone where you get back into your routine and set new goals and habits. And today’s episode is a must-listen to help us get back on track — we called in the internet’s favourite habits and brain expert, neuroscientist Nicole Vignola.
Welcome back to the show!!! We have an incredible fall lineup planned, and I’m so glad you’re here.
I don’t know about you, but no matter how old I get, September will always feel like that fresh back to school milestone where you get back into your routine and set new goals and habits. And today’s episode is a must-listen to help us get back on track — we called in the internet’s favourite habits and brain expert, neuroscientist Nicole Vignola.
This interview is an empowering reminder that you are not stuck in your life. No matter where you’re at, you are capable of rewiring your brain and changing your life for the better. We’ve probably all said or heard, “I’m just wired this way.” But the science is in… and that’s not true. We can completely reshape and rewire our subconsciously programmed beliefs and change our thoughts, behaviours, and routines.
So today, we’re diving into·the science of breaking bad habits and how to make good ones, the principles of neuroplasticity and how to leverage it for positive change, neurohacks for changing our behavioural patterns, how to focus better and learn new skills, and how to improve our mental health by improving our brain health.
Nicole Vignola is a neuroscientist, keynote speaker, author and expert in organizational psychology who teaches people around the world about the science of human optimization, health and longevity, mental health, and peak performance.
Tune in as we learn about:
The principles of neuroplasticity
Why it feels so hard to make big changes
The anatomy of a habit, and the key to making a new habit stick
How long it takes to fully integrate new habits
Building a routine around time of day and your chemical reactions
The truth about negativity bias and positive reinforcement
Using big life changes as a catalyst
Reducing our phone usage
A genius way to break a bad habit
How dopamine impacts motivation and warps time
Boosting productivity by maximizing your mental currency
Why brain health is key for mental health
Nicole’s refreshing take on failure
Follow Nicole:
- Get her revolutionary first book, Rewire: Break The Cycle, Alter Your Thoughts and Create Lasting Change
- Follow Nicole on Instagram
- Check out her website
Our show is produced by:
Gillian Berner, Host, Producer & Editor
Olivia Nashmi, Audio Engineer
Carolyn Schissler, Designer & Web Producer
Sara Valentine, Content Producer
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
If you have a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you want us to interview, comment or DM us on Instagram:
Related Episodes:
Episode 241: Stop Perfectionism With This Game-Changing Reframe On Success | I’m The Problem, It’s Me
I’ve always struggled with perfectionism and getting caught up in an endless cycle where no success is ever enough, I’m constantly dissatisfied with my achievements, and always in search of something I can’t grasp because I’m forever moving the benchmark of what success should be.
Today’s adulting confession: I have a toxic relationship with success.
Welcome back to another episode of “I’m the problem, it’s me,” where I call bullshit on myself for the things I’m getting wrong, so we can all learn from the struggle.
I’ve always struggled with perfectionism and getting caught up in an endless cycle where no success is ever enough, I’m constantly dissatisfied with my achievements, and always in search of something I can’t grasp because I’m forever moving the benchmark of what success should be.
I’ve learned that the antidote to this unachievable idea of success is (spoiler alert!) learning to embrace the journey, and find fulfillment in the doing.
Today’s episode dives into the game-changing reframe my amazing career coach gave me to help me redefine success and overcome my limiting beliefs. If you’re feeling stuck, this is a must-listen tool that has stopped everyone I’ve shared it with in their tracks.
Tune in to hear more about:
Perfectionism and defining your self-worth
Feeling dissatisfied with your successes
How my toxic ideas of success have held me back
The a-ha advice that reframed my idea of success
How I now define failure
Overcoming comparison and procrastination
The power of self-accountability for confidence and self-efficacy
You’ve got this!
Our show is produced by:
Gillian Berner, Host, Producer & Editor
Olivia Nashmi, Audio Engineer
Carolyn Schissler, Designer & Web Producer
Sara Valentine, Content Producer
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
If you have a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you want us to interview, comment or DM us on Instagram:
Related Episodes:
Episode 239: How To Overcome Fear, Embrace The Cringe & Become A Confident Public Speaker, with Judi Holler
Public speaking is one of the most common anxieties — surveys show up to 75% of people fear public speaking. And that’s not the only thing fear holds us back from. Fear of judgment, failure, change, coming off as “cringe”… our fear of fear keeps us from reaching our full potential. But as today’s guest Judi Holler explains, our goal shouldn’t be to be fearless. The goal is to be courageous. To be scared, and do it anyway.
Public speaking is one of the most common anxieties — surveys show up to 75% of people fear public speaking. And that’s not the only thing fear holds us back from. Fear of judgment, failure, change, coming off as “cringe”… our fear of fear keeps us from reaching our full potential. But as today’s guest Judi Holler explains, our goal shouldn’t be to be fearless. The goal is to be courageous. To be scared, and do it anyway.
It’s hard to get uncomfortable, but it’s even harder to never try.
This interview is a must-hear pep-talk for reframing our relationship with fear, caring less what other people think, and building confidence so we can show up as our fullest selves. Whether you dream of a life on stage performing or delivering keynotes, or you want to be able to present at work or make a toast at a wedding without having a panic attack, becoming a confident public speaker and saying yes to scary things will level up your life.
Judi Holler is a keynote speaker, podcaster, best-selling author, and entrepreneur. She’s built a hugely successful keynote speaking business and a top 13% podcast on iTunes, sharing the power of the CEO mindset and her powerful talks for living a courageous life without regret. Judi has been featured in Forbes and Success Magazine, she’s a Second City Conservatory alumnae, and she is the hype girl that everyone needs in their corner.
Join us as we chat about:
How to exude confidence
Overcoming the fear of judgment to embrace the cringe
Reframing your relationship with fear
How to fear our fear less
The power of vulnerability
Judi’s steps for overcoming stage fright
How to prepare for a big presentation/performance
Should we show up before we’re ready?
What we can learn from the principles of improv
Our show is produced by:
Gillian Berner, Host, Producer & Editor
Olivia Nashmi, Audio Engineer
Carolyn Schissler, Designer & Web Producer
Sara Valentine, Content Producer
For advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network.
If you have a topic you’d like us to cover or a guest you want us to interview, comment or DM us on Instagram:
Related Episodes:
Episode 87: How Do I Travel The World On My Own
Taking on the world by yourself can seem overwhelming, but if Eat, Pray, Love taught us anything it’s that solo travel can lead to some of our most liberating, life-changing experiences.
This week we’re diving into one of our most frequently asked questions for our in-house globe trotter, Gill: How do I travel alone? Travelling solo might feel entirely out of your comfort zone, but the benefits of taking time to explore a new place (and yourself) on your own terms can be a serious game-changer for your mental well-being, confidence, and fulfillment. So buckle up, because we’re taking you on a journey through the good, bad, and best parts of flying solo!
Taking on the world by yourself can seem overwhelming, but if Eat, Pray, Love taught us anything it’s that solo travel can lead to some of our most liberating, life-changing experiences.
This week we’re diving into one of our most frequently asked questions for our in-house globe trotter, Gill: How do I travel alone? Travelling solo might feel entirely out of your comfort zone, but the benefits of taking time to explore a new place (and yourself) on your own terms can be a serious game-changer for your mental well-being, confidence, and fulfillment. So buckle up, because we’re taking you on a journey through the good, bad, and best parts of flying solo!
Join us as we chat about:
Gill’s epic trips and why she decided to travel on her own
How travelling solo can be healing during hard times
The importance of setting an intention for your trip
How to keep the vacation sparks alive when you’re back home
How to decide where you should go, and when
Ways to combat loneliness when you’re on your own
Tips for putting yourself out there and meeting new people
Planning your trips with “possibilities” vs. a strict itinerary
Key safety tips you need to know while travelling solo
Gill’s brutal experience getting mugged in Lisbon
3 key tips for anyone who’s thinking about travelling alone
We hope this episode inspires you to take the leap and book your next solo trip! You won’t regret it.