In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Emily Smith, a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, whose own experience with autoimmunity in high school sparked her passion for studying the link between metabolic health and psychiatric illness. She explains how inflammation, diet changes, and mental health are deeply connected—how antipsychotic medications can lead to metabolic side effects, and how metabolic illness itself can affect cognition and day‑to‑day functioning. Emily also dispels common myths—about mental illness, medication, and recovery—and shares why we need to stop defining people by their conditions. She argues for earlier education around the brain‑body connection and greater compassion and understanding in how we talk about illness. Tune in for an enlightening conversation that bridges physical and mental health, pushing us to rethink stigma, treatment, and what it means to support someone fully.

In this episode, we sit down with Bailey Agard, a PhD student at the University of Toronto’s Learning and Neural Development Lab, to explore the fascinating world of developmental reversals — moments when children outperform adults in memory, learning, and perception. From language acquisition to visual illusions to probability reasoning, Bailey unpacks how growing minds often see the world more clearly than we realize. We discuss the science behind why children sometimes learn better than adults, how memory doesn't always benefit from repetition, and why executive function — while helpful — might limit what we notice and absorb. Drawing from her dual perspective as both a scientist and a varsity athlete, Bailey also shares advice for student-athletes navigating high performance in both academics and sport. Tune in for a refreshing, eye-opening conversation about how kids learn, why the journey of development matters, and what adults can relearn from childhood.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mary Balliett, a clinical nutrition expert and educator, to explore the overlooked connections between food, health, and performance — especially for athletes and growing bodies. From muscle breakdown to thyroid dysfunction, Dr. Balliett explains how hidden ingredients like Roundup and nutrient imbalances quietly sabotage our energy, recovery, and long-term well-being. With a mix of humor, science, and actionable advice, she unpacks why magnesium matters as much as protein, what most pre-workouts get wrong, and how even a bag of celery or a sweet potato can be a performance game-changer. Whether you're a parent, athlete, coach, or just trying to feel better, Dr. Balliett shows how eating clean isn’t about being perfect — it’s about understanding the fuel your body really needs. Tune in for a candid, practical, and often surprising conversation about reclaiming your health one bite at a time.

In this episode, we sit down with Claudia Zeppetelli, a PhD student and mental performance consultant exploring how the pressures of elite sport affect mental health — especially for women. From her own experience as a competitive soccer player to working with hockey, ringette, and soccer teams, Claudia unpacks what really happens inside the minds of high-level athletes. She shares how a difficult coach-athlete relationship sparked her research journey, why some athletes push back against mental training, and what it takes to build motivation and focus under pressure — whether you’re chasing a championship or writing a thesis. Tune in for a grounded, personal look at sports psychology that goes beyond the buzzwords — and discover how its lessons can apply far beyond the field, into school, work, and everyday life. Sport psychology: The study of the psychological basis, processes, and effects of sport (FEPSAC, 1996). Applied Sport Psychology: Involves facilitating the development of mental and emotional skills, techniques, attitudes, perspectives, and processes that lead to performance enhancement and positive personal development (CSPA) Resources: CCMHS: https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/ CSPA: https://www.cspa-acps.com/ Books: Dare to Win: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/dare-to-win-the-blueprint-to-building-and-leading-high-performance-and-championship-teams/9781770418257.html Mind Gym: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/mind-gym-an-athletes-guide-to-inner-excellence/9780071395977.html Rebound: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/rebound-train-your-mind-to-bounce-back-stronger-from-sports-injuries/9781472961433.html

In this episode, we sit down with Danae Penichet, a neuroscience researcher and PhD student at McGill University exploring how disruptions to our internal clocks — our circadian rhythms — can shape mental health across a lifetime. From studying infections during pregnancy to the hidden impact of late nights and irregular schedules, Danae unpacks why our biological rhythms touch every part of our health, from metabolism to mood. She shares how her passion for women’s health led her to circadian science, what she’s learned from mice (and her own sleep habits!), and practical advice you can apply today to sleep better, feel better, and protect your mind. Tune in for an eye-opening look at why your body’s internal clock matters more than you think — and how small, simple changes can transform your day-to-day life.

In our debut episode, we sit down with Dr. Ashraf Mahmud, a neuroscience researcher at McGill University's Flores Lab, to explore how chronic stress rewires the brain—especially the prefrontal cortex, the very region that makes us human. From his experience as an immigrant child in Quebec to long nights in the lab, Ashraf shares what drew him to neuroscience, how stress affects behavior and cognition, and why his research has changed how he lives, parents, and interacts with others. Tune in for an insightful, personal, and surprisingly practical conversation on how cutting-edge brain science intersects with everyday life.