Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning
Education & Explainer
About
The Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast provides support for school leadership and the workplace with a proven approach for implementing social and emotional learning as it’s well-known in our schools today and emotional intelligence in the modern workplace, with a proven strategy to increase well-being, achievement and results, backed by the most current neuroscience research.Andrea Samadi, a teacher from Toronto, (now living in Arizona, USA) began working with success and social and emotional learning principles with students in the late 1990s. Her programs, and trainings, grounded in brain-based research and practical neuroscience, help parents, teachers, coaches and employees to optimize learning, well-being and achievement at home, school or the workplace. Learn more at https://www.achieveit360.com
Episodes
- Theory of Mind: The Missing Link Between Attention, Reward, and Motivation with John Medina
Episode 395 explores how theory of mind — our ability to understand others' intentions — drives attention, emotional relevance, and reward, shaping motivation and behavior. Dr. John Medina explains why the brain pays attention to people an…
- Thought Patterns & Neurochemistry — The Hidden Drivers of Your Life (Revisiting Dr. Caroline Leaf)
In this episode Andrea Samadi revisits her October 2022 interview with Dr. Caroline Leaf about how our thought patterns act as biological instructions that shape brain chemistry, behavior, and results. They explore the mind–brain distincti…
- The Neuroscience of Belief: How Meaning, Identity and Frequency, Drive Motivation (Featuring Bob Proctor)
Andrea Samadi explores Phase Two of the brain roadmap, showing how belief—shaped by meaning, identity, and daily practice—starts the motivation loop and drives action. Featuring insights from Bob Proctor, this episode offers practical step…
- The Motivation Loop: How Your Brain Decides What’s Worth Doing
Season 15, Episode 392 introduces phase two of the roadmap: neurochemistry and motivation. Andrea Samadi breaks down the motivation loop—expectation, thought patterns, attention and action, feedback, and repetition—and explains how belief…
- When Brains Dream: How Sleep Integrates Emotion, Insight, and Creativity (Revisiting Antonio Zadra)
Andrea Samadi revisits a conversation with sleep researcher Antonio Zadra on why the brain dreams, how REM sleep integrates emotions and memories, and the NextUp model (Network Exploration to Understand Possibilities). Learn that dreaming…
- What Gets Measured Gets Improved: Sleep, Recovery & Peak Performance with Dr. Kristen Holmes
Host Andrea Samadi revisits a 2021 conversation with Dr. Kristen Holmes (VP of Performance Science at WHOOP) to explain how measuring sleep, recovery, and strain transforms performance and resilience. The episode emphasizes that small dail…
- Breathe to Reset: How HRV Tech Reveals Hidden Stress (Rohan Dixit)
In this episode Andrea Samadi revisits her conversation with Rohan Dixit, founder of Leaf Therapeutics, exploring how heart rate variability (HRV) and breath awareness reveal hidden stress and support self-regulation. Learn practical breat…
- The Glucose Protocol: How Fueling Your Brain Restores Clarity with Dr. David Stephens
In this episode Andrea Samadi welcomes back Dr. David Stephens to explore his new book, The Glucose Protocol, and the science showing how targeted glucose can restore brain function, improve mental clarity, and reduce symptoms linked to di…
- What Your Eyes Reveal About Your Brain's Future (Revisiting Dr. Sui Wong)
This episode revisits Dr. Sui Wong’s insights on how the eyes are neural tissue that can reveal early signs of brain, vascular, and metabolic issues, and reframes migraine as a common, often invisible neurological condition that causes bra…
- Can AI Personalize Your Brain Health? Inside Brain.One's Protocols with Thoryn Stephens
In this episode Andrea Samadi interviews Thoryn Stevens, CEO and founder of Brain.One, about using AI, wearables, biomarkers and evidence-based micro-habits to create personalized brain-health protocols. Watch our full interview on YouTube…
- Safety First: Why a Regulated Brain Is the Key to Learning (Revisiting Dr. Bruce Perry)
In this episode Andrea Samadi revisits Season 15’s foundation with Dr. Bruce Perry to explore how safety, regulation, and patterned experience shape the brain’s capacity to learn and create. We examine why potential must be activated throu…
- How Learning Begins in the Brain: Sleep, Safety and Curiosity (Revisiting Dr. Baland Jalal)
Andrea Samadi revisits a conversation with neuroscientist Dr. Baland Jalal about how curiosity launched his career and how transitional sleep states fuel creativity. The episode explores sleep paralysis research and the hypnagogic window—t…
- Sales Mastery is Not a Tactic: It Requires Decision, Persistence and the Power of the Mastermind PART 3 Think and Grow Rich for Sales
Episode 383 applies Napoleon Hill’s timeless principles to sales, showing how decision, persistence, and the mastermind turn inner preparation into consistent results. Learn practical, neuroscience-backed actions to make clear decisions, s…
- Sales Mastery From the Inside Out: Autosuggestion, Authority, Imagination and Execution PART 2 (Think and Grow Rich for Sales)
Season 14, Episode 382 reviews chapters 4–7 of Think and Grow Rich for Sales, showing how autosuggestion, specialized knowledge, imagination, and organized planning transform inner belief into consistent sales results. This episode explain…
- Think and Grow Rich for Sales: Why Thought, Desire, and Faith Create Results PART 1
Episode 381 reframes Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich for sales professionals, reviewing Chapters 1–3 to show how thought, desire, and faith create predictable sales results. Andrea Samadi connects these timeless principles to practical…
- Sleep, Learning and the Brain: Why Performance Collapses Without Rest PART 3 with Dr. Shane Creado
In this Season 14 review (Part 3) Andrea revisits key insights from Dr. Shane Creado on the critical link between sleep, concussions and performance. The episode explains how even mild or repeated head impacts and sleep deprivation damage…
- Sleep Is Your Superpower: Optimizing Brain Health & Performance with The Silva Method PART 2 with Dr. Shane Creado
Join Andrea Samadi as she reviews Dr. Shane Creado’s insights on why sleep is a core pillar of brain health, how chronic sleep deprivation harms reaction time, inflammation, pain perception, and why children pay the highest price. Learn pr…
- Unlock Peak Performance with Strategic Napping — Dr. Shane Creado's Sleep Research Combined with The Silva Method
Episode 378 revisits Dr. Shane Creado’s science-driven advice on sleep, strategic napping, and why sleep is foundational for health, hormones, immunity, and performance. Learn practical nap protocols (10–20 minutes or 90-minute recovery na…
- Half a Million and Just Getting Started: Lessons from 7 Years of Neuroscience Meets SEL
Andrea Samadi reflects on seven years hosting the Neuroscience Meets SEL podcast and celebrates reaching 500,000 downloads. She shares seven strategies—clarifying mission and vision, defining the audience, setting measurable goals, creatin…
- Move, Eat, Connect: 3 Science-Backed Keys to Brain Health PART 2 with Dr. John Ratey
In this Season 14 review (episode 376) Andrea Samadi revisits highlights from her interview with Dr. John Ratey about the science of exercise, nutrition, and social connection for brain health and longevity. The episode explains Peter Atti…
- How Exercise Primes the Brain: Insights from Dr. John Ratey
Season 14, episode 375 reviews episode 116 with Dr. John Ratey, exploring how exercise and lifestyle shape brain health and learning. The episode highlights Naperville’s Zero Hour PE case study, explains how physical activity boosts attent…
- Willpower Is Limited: Build the Brain That Gets Things Done PART 2 with Friederike Fabritius
Season 14 Episode 374 reviews neuroscientist Friederika Fabritius on the limits of willpower with tips from Dr. Andrew Huberman's research on how to strengthen the anterior mid-cingulate cortex through deliberate focus and challenging task…
- Fun, Fear & Focus: Neuroscience Hacks for Peak Performance with Friederike Fabritius
Andrea Samadi revisits her 2019 conversation with neuroleadership pioneer Friederike Fabritius to explore practical neuroscience strategies for better productivity, well-being, and workplace happiness. On this episode, we’ll learn: ✔ Why o…
- Mindsight and Theory of Mind PART 2: Master Your Inner Lens with Dr. Dan Siegel
In this episode review (Season 14, Ep. 372), Andrea revisits interviews with Dr. Dan Siegel to explore Mindsight—the focused attention that helps us see and reshape our own minds and connect with others. She breaks down how Mindsight under…
- Review of Daniel J Siegel MD's Mindsight PART 1: Become the Captain of Your Own Mind
In this episode Andrea revisits her 2019 conversation with Dr. Daniel J. Siegel to explore Mindsight — his science-based approach to understanding the mind, integrating the brain, and cultivating empathy. Dr. Siegel explains the difference…
- John Medina's Brain Rules Revisited: How Neuroscience Can Transform Classrooms and Workplaces of the Future
Episode 370 reviews Dr. John Medina's insights from Brain Rules and explores how neuroscience and social-emotional learning combine to improve teaching, learning, and well-being. Key takeaways: teachers need basic neuroscience to support l…
- Revisiting Bliss Brain with Dr. Dawson Church: How to Rewire Your Brain in Minutes a Day
In this episode Andrea Samadi revisits a popular interview with Dr. Dawson Church about his book Bliss Brain and the neuroscience of meditation. They explore how simple, evidence-based practices can quiet the brain's default mode, trigger…
- Elevating Your Frequency: How Bob Proctor Taught The Science of Goal Attainment - PART 3
In this Season 14 review (Episode 368), Andrea Samadi revisits key clips from her original interview with Bob Proctor (Episode 66), exploring how frequencies, imagination, and intuition shape our goals and results. We will cover: Tip #1: H…
- Understanding Your Six Higher Faculties — Lessons from Bob Proctor- PART 2
Season 14, Episode 367 revisits Episode 66 with the late Bob Proctor, distilling two powerful clips about why people get stuck and how to move forward. Andrea Samadi connects Proctor’s timeless success principles — the six higher faculties…
- Unlocking Your Potential: Redefining Goals with Bob Proctor's Wisdom- PART 1
Welcome to Season 14 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast! Join Andrea Samadi as she revisits past episodes to unearth profound insights from experts like Bob Proctor. As the podcast embarks on a journey of refle…
- Unlocking School Bias: Using Neuroscience to Improve Student Outcomes with Horacio Sanchez
In this enlightening episode, Andrea Samadi welcomes resiliency expert and author Horacio Sanchez to discuss his latest book, "Unlocking School Bias: Using Neuroscience to Improve Student Outcomes." Together, they delve into how educators…
- Uncovering Hidden Gifts: Dr. Robert Melillo's Revolutionary Approach to Developmental Neurology
In Episode 364 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, host Andrea Samadi welcomes Dr. Robert Melillo, a pioneer in developmental neurology. Dr. Melillo, co-founder of Brain Balance Achievement Centers and an accla…
- "Opening the Door to the Future: Biocomputers and AI with Dr. Fred Jordan"
In this enlightening episode of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast, we delve into groundbreaking territory with Dr. Fred Jordan, CEO and co-founder of Alt Vision and FinalSpark, as he joins us from Switzerland. Dr…
- Unlocking Inner Healing: The Power of Qigong and Practical Neuroscience with Sifu Boggie
Welcome to Season 13 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast, where we delve into the fascinating intersection of brain science, emotional intelligence, and educational training for enhanced well-being and performan…
- Discovering the Secret to a Clear, Fog-Free Brain with Dr. Sui Wong
Welcome to episode 361 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we reconnect with Dr. Sui Wong, a leading neuro-ophthalmologist, for an enlightening discussion on her new book, Sweet Spot for Brain Health: Why…
- Unlocking Resilience & Authenticity Through Neuroscience: PART 4 Chapters 14-16 (Grant Bosnick)
Welcome to Season 13 of Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning. Join Andrea Samadi as she wraps up a year-long exploration of Grant Bosnick's book on self-leadership, diving into the final chapters focused on the neuroscience of…
- Unlocking the Power of Self-Talk for Success and Well-being with Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D.
In this illuminating episode of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, host Andrea Samadi sits down with Dr. Shad Helmstetter, a best-selling author renowned for his work in personal growth and self-talk. Dr. Helmste…
- "Unlocking Reality Shattering Insights: A Roadmap for Human Transformation" with Craig Polsfuss
Welcome to another enlightening episode of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast. In today's episode, we delve deep into the transformative world of practical neuroscience with our special guest, Craig Polsfuss, a pi…
- Unlocking the Power of Persuasion, Time Management, and Change: PART 3 Chapters 10-13 (Grant Bosnick)
Welcome back to Season 13 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast! In this episode, we explore Part 3 of our review of Grant Bosnick's book on self-leadership, focusing on Chapters 10 to 13. Discover how the latest…
- Unlocking the Secrets of Self-Leadership: PART 2: Chapters 6 to 9 Review (Grant Bosnick)
Welcome to Part 2 of our in-depth review of Grant Bosnick's 'Tailored Approaches to Self-Leadership.' In this episode, we delve into the significance of hydration for brain health, discovering 'aha' moments through creative insights, and t…
- Mastering Self-Leadership with Neuroscience REVIEW PART 1 Chapters 2-5 (Grant Bosnick)
Welcome back to Season 13 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast. In this episode, join Andrea Samadi as we delve into practical neuroscience applications for self-leadership in 2025. Discover how to balance variou…
- Unlocking the Power of Presence: Neuroscience Meets Self-Leadership
Welcome to Episode 354 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast! Join host Andrea Samadi as she concludes the 18-week self-leadership series with Grant Bosnick's revolutionary insights into the neuroscience of presen…
- Unlocking Empathy: The Neuroscience Behind Understanding Others
Join Andrea Samadi in Episode 353 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast as we explore the intricacies of empathy, guided by Grant Bosnick's tailored approaches to self-leadership. Delve into the foundation of empa…
- Unlocking the Neuroscience of Trust: Strengthening Leadership
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series, where we delve into the fascinating topic of trust and its underpinning neuroscience. In episode 352, we revitalize our understanding of trust by revisiting our initial interview with Gr…
- Unlocking the Secrets of Magnesium for Brain and Body Health with Dr. Gregory Kelly from Qualia Life
Welcome to the latest episode of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast, where we dive into the cutting-edge fusion of neuroscience and emotional intelligence training. Today, we are thrilled to host Dr. Gregory Kelly…
- Unlocking Brain Health with Dr. David Stephens
Welcome to Episode 350 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast! In this episode, Andrea Samadhi delves into an enlightening discussion with Dr. David Stephens, a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist renowned…
- Unlocking Radical Self-Acceptance: A Journey with Dr. Laura Gallaher
Welcome to today's enlightening episode of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast. Join host Andrea Samadhi as she explores the insights of Dr. Laura Gallaher, an organizational psychologist and executive coach. Dr. G…
- Unveiling Exponential Intelligence with Masati: Transform Your Life by Shifting Frequencies
Welcome to Episode 348 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where host Andrea Samadi explores the intersection of neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and social learning. In this enlightening episode, Andrea i…
- Unlocking the Science of Bias: Mastering Self-Leadership and Cognitive Awareness
Welcome back to Season 12 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast, where we bridge the gap between neuroscience and emotional intelligence to enhance well-being and productivity. In this episode, host Andrea Samadhi…
- The Midlife Shift: Discovering Authenticity and Vulnerability with Mo Issa
Welcome back to Season 12 of the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning podcast, where host Andrea Samadhi connects the dots between neuroscience and emotional intelligence for improved well-being and productivity. In this episod…