The Brain and Beyond Podcast

What can we learn from "the giving of gifts" that might help us understand the REAL meaning – and perhaps the biological importance – of generosity? This episode explores how gift-sharing seems to have its roots in stress-reducing, even survival-serving emotions (ones that may date back millions of years!) rather than the fraught and often unsatisfying transactions we enact today. 
You'll learn about healthy neurochemicals and brain patterns associated with altruistic generosity and those that may rise from how we often see "gifting" today – and peek at why neuroscience research may miss the mark when it seeks to measure what REALLY happens in the brain when generous intentions weave together. 
Happy holidays and hope you enjoy! Oh: episode page here. 
Ellen
ellenleanse.com
www.ellenleanse.com

Here's the truth. I've been stuck. Trying to understand why by looking to the brain? Nothing worked. 
And then I stumbled across another organ that offered a clue – and a perspective – about why we get stuck and how to get out of it. 
This one's short and simple. Yet it's set me on my way to what comes next: things that give me (and hopefully you) hope, understood through the lens of the brain...and beyond.
Thank you for being here. Your faith and patience means the world. More from me soon.

Here's a link to the episode page with a few bonus resources. 
With gratitude, 
Ellen
www.ellenleanse.com

Beauty, it turns out, is in the brain of the beholder. Research looking to pin down the correlates and functions associated with "experiencing beauty" so far leave scientists wondering where and how the the whole beauty thing happens.

Yet the chase to "be" beautiful is a major cultural phenomenon, not to mention a $650B + global industry. Today's guest, Grace Gold, is an expert in that industry and the players and products that shape it. Which makes it even more refreshing when she explores beauty as something far beyond the reach of even the best products – an expression of radiance and energy innate in each of us.

Learn more about Grace – and the neuroscience of beauty – at thebrainandbeyond.com/22

Thanks for listening and come back soon.  

Ellen
www.ellenleanse.com

Stories shape our world – and our lives. Even when they're simply... stories, not actual truths.

That's where Lucy Cooke comes in. With a deep understanding of the natural world and the courage to be a shotcaller, she goes to where the truth is revealed: the wild places our animal kin inhabit, getting first-hand accounts of what the world's species are really about.

Looking beyond outdated perspectives and challenging the biases that have skewed our stories, she reveals the incredible complexity of animal cultures – and deeper truths about humans (and how our stories often get US wrong).

Tune in for a wild ride – and be sure to learn more about Lucy and her groundbreaking work at thebrainandbeyond.com/lucy

Thanks for listening and come back soon! 
www.ellenleanse.com

We're back in action – and look forward to sharing a lively interview as our first official episode of Season Two.

Thanks for your patience as I've prioritized other work and taken a deep dive into evolutionary biology – as in "how did our brains evolve?" – human history – as in "what events and changes have made us who we are today?" – and a whole lot about the mutuality of females and males and how we seem to have lost our ways.

Season Two's first episode shares a lively interview with bestselling author, zoologist, and amazing being Lucy Cooke, author of the breakthrough "BITCH: On the Female of the Species." Expect some vivid stories and a lot of laughs when I share that episode later today.

Also: join me for a unique learning experience: Stepping Up Strong. It's a groundbreaking look at female empowerment that's based on my global retreats and workshops. Learn more at ellenleanse.com. 

I look forward to sharing Lucy and other guests, along with friendly neuroscience you can put to work for you, in Season Two. As always: I'm glad you're here. 
www.ellenleanse.com