Podcasts · Health & Fitness

The Dr. Leaf Show

Dr. Caroline Leaf

300 episodes

Hi! I’m Dr. Caroline Leaf. I’m a cognitive neuroscientist, author, & mental health expert. Whether you are struggling in your personal life or simply want to learn how to understand and use your mind to live your best life, this podcast will provide you with practical & scientific tips and tools to help you take back control over your mental, emotional, and physical health. Visit: https://drleaf.com*DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with your personal physician if you have any personal medical questions.

More about the show

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Episodes page 1 of 6

  1. A Neuroscientist on Tradwives: Real Desire or Burnout?

    · 1 h 08 min

    Why does tradwife content pull you in, even if you'd never live that way? My daughter Dominique and I unpack the tradwife trend, the burnout often hiding behind it, and the shame women feel no matter what they choose.…

  2. Sunday Scaries? How to Stop Overthinking the Week Ahead

    · 17 min

    Sunday scaries creeping in? This bonus episode is for the night before the week starts, when your mind keeps replaying last week and rehearsing the next one. I'm bringing back one of our most-requested episodes so you…

  3. How to Stop Caring What People Think: 7 Steps From a Neuroscientist

    · 43 min

    People pleasing and peacekeeping can look identical from the outside. One comes from fear. The other comes from strength. Which one are you running on? We're re-airing this episode because so many of you told us it…

  4. Is AI Making You Forget How to Think? A Neuroscientist Explains

    · 24 min

    AI and your brain: what happens to your memory, focus, and judgment when a machine does the hard thinking for you? We first aired this last year. It's worth a second listen. In the year since, AI has moved into almost…

  5. When Life Feels Like Too Much: A Neuroscientist's 63-Second Reset

    · 58 min

    When life feels like too much, you need something you can do right now. Here's what I do in the first 63 seconds, before the stress takes over. In this episode, my daughter Dominique and I get practical about the…

  6. A Neuroscientist's Near Death Experience: What I Saw When I Died

    · 45 min

    A neuroscientist's near death experience: six years ago, after a long surgery, my heart stopped for three to five minutes. Here's what I saw, and what the science says. I flatlined in the ICU, left my body, and…

  7. How to Stop Fearing Other People's Disappointment

    · 1 h 20 min

    Do you say yes when you mean no? My daughter Dominique and I open up about the fear of disappointing people, and why it runs so many of our decisions without you even noticing. In this episode, I break down where the…

  8. How to Hit Any Goal When You Have Zero Motivation

    · 35 min

    Up to 92% of long-term goals never stick, and it has nothing to do with willpower. A neuroscientist breaks down the real, brain-based reason and the exact steps to fix it. What you'll learn: • Why up to 92% of…

  9. I Had an Eating Disorder. So Did My Daughter. Here's How We Found Healing.

    · 1 h 15 min

    Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf and her daughter Dominique Leaf sit down to talk about something neither has discussed this openly before: their own eating disorders, and how one was handed to the other.…

  10. Is Your Apple Watch Making You Anxious? A Neuroscientist (and Her Daughter) Explain

    · 1 h 08 min

    Is your Apple Watch making you anxious? Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf is joined by special guest Dominique Leaf, her daughter and the show's producer, to ask whether we are over-tracking and…

  11. The Girlboss Trap: Why Ambition Became Burnout

    · 1 h 21 min

    Girlbossing is making us mean, exhausted, and unhappy. A neuroscientist and her daughter on what hustle-culture ambition did to us, and what healthy ambition looks like. Dr. Caroline Leaf and her daughter Dominique…

  12. When Botox Becomes Body Dysmorphia: The 30% Rule

    · 1 h 06 min

    Dr. Caroline Leaf and her daughter Dominique go past the beauty debate into what happens in your mind when you consider a cosmetic procedure. It is for anyone who has asked "should I get Botox?", felt judged for it, or…

  13. Dr. Nicole LePera: Why Your Nervous System Picks Familiar Pain Over Safety

    · 1 h 02 min

    In this episode I sit down with Dr. Nicole LePera, The Holistic Psychologist, to talk about her new book Reparenting the Inner Child: The New Science of Our Oldest Wounds and How to Heal Them. We get into why your…

  14. 2 Simple Rules for Being Happy: Always Have a Quest and a Crush

    · 49 min

    A clinical neuroscientist breaks down the two things that actually make you happy, a quest and a crush, and the brain science behind why a little whimsy is so good for you. Dr. Caroline Leaf sits down with her…

  15. Is Gossip Bad for You? The Science of Good vs Toxic Gossip (ft. a special guest!)

    · 57 min

    Why do we gossip, and is it actually bad for you? Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf unpacks the science of gossip with special guest Dominique Leaf, her daughter and the show's producer: the difference between…

  16. 5 Mindless Habits that Secretly Exhaust You

    · 22 min

    Do you feel exhausted even after a full night’s sleep or a seemingly restful weekend? You might be unknowingly caught in mindless habits that are slowly wearing you down. In this episode, I break down five common,…

  17. Am I a Narcissist? 4 Signs + Why Confidence Advice Is Backward

    · 52 min

    Self-focus is one of your most powerful tools for change, but there's a point where it quietly turns into a wall. Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down the difference between healthy self-focus and narcissism, the 4 signs to…

  18. How to Become More Confident + 5 Thought Patterns Keeping You Stuck Under Pressure

    · 45 min

    Self-worth is what makes confidence last, and most of us were never taught the difference. In this episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down self-worth, self-confidence, and self-care, why remote work is changing your…

  19. Photographic Memory Is a Myth + Your Inner Critic Isn't the Enemy

    · 45 min

    Your mind doesn't record. Tt builds meaning. In this episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down why photographic memory is a myth, what your inner critic is actually trying to tell you, and why understanding a problem and…

  20. "Mogging" Is Quietly Destroying Your Self-Worth + How to Rebuild It

    · 48 min

    "Mogging" is everywhere right now — and it's quietly reshaping how a whole generation sees themselves. Born in the manosphere from the acronym AMOG ("alpha male of the group"), mogging means outdoing or outshining…

  21. Why horror movies can be healing, breakups feel like drug withdrawal, & attachment styles can be dangerous

    · 45 min

    Why do breakups hurt so much? Because neurologically, heartbreak looks almost identical to drug withdrawal. In a landmark 2010 fMRI study, Helen Fisher and her colleagues showed that the brains of the recently rejected…

  22. High-Functioning Anxiety Isn’t Who You Are. Here’s the Truth

    · 40 min

    High-functioning anxiety isn't a personality type. It's a stress response that's gone unchecked. You look calm. You hit your deadlines. You say "I'm fine." But inside, your body is paying a tax that's quietly editing…

  23. The Exhaustion Sleep Can't Fix — A Scientist Explains NAD Depletion

    · 36 min

    NAD is the molecule in every cell that powers your energy — and there's a kind of exhaustion, the kind a good night's sleep and a weekend off can't fix, that comes from running low on it. If you're a woman in your 40s,…

  24. Pick My Brain: Why Adult Friendships Are Dying (And What to Do About It)

    · 34 min

    Pick My Brain is Dr. Caroline Leaf's new Q&A series — you send the questions, she answers them with real neuroscience. No fluff, no generic advice. Just honest answers to the things you're actually dealing with. This…

  25. The 15-Minute Solitude Practice That Rewires Your Brain

    · 37 min

    Most people would rather shock themselves than sit alone with their own thoughts. In a University of Virginia study, 67% of participants chose physical pain over 15 minutes of silence. That's not a personality flaw —…

  26. Tracking Your Kids Is Wiring Your Brain for Anxiety

    · 38 min

    Tracking apps promise peace of mind — but the neuroscience tells a different story. About half of U.S. parents now use location-tracking apps like Life360, Find My, and Google Family Link to monitor their kids. A 2024…

  27. The Neuroscience of Prayer (Craig Groeschel & Dr. Caroline Leaf)

    · 40 min

    What if prayer isn’t just spiritual—but neurological? In this powerful conversation, Dr. Caroline Leaf sits down with Craig Groeschel—founder of Life.Church and New York Times bestselling author—to explore the science…

  28. The Emotional Affair Starts Before You Notice — 5 Steps to Stop It

    · 56 min

    Nearly half of people in committed relationships admit they've had feelings for someone else. A 2024 meta-analysis found that over 70% consider an emotional affair as painful — or more painful — than a physical one.…

  29. 7 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young (From a Neuroscientist in Her 60s)

    · 34 min

    How do you keep your brain young? Not with supplements or puzzles — but by understanding how your mind drives your brain. Neuroscience now shows that some of the brain's most powerful rewiring happens later in life,…

  30. 5 Signs It's Time to Cut Someone Off (A Neuroscientist Explains)

    · 38 min

    Almost 60% of adults stay in draining relationships far longer than they should — even when their mind and body have already flagged that something is off. You feel it: That subtle drop in energy when their name…

  31. The 3-Step Method to Deal with Jealousy (Backed by Neuroscience)

    · 22 min

    Jealousy isn’t a flaw—it’s a warning signal. In this episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf breaks down why jealousy feels so intense, why it can spiral so quickly, and how to manage it using a simple 3-step method. You’ll learn…

  32. The Science of Aging Well (What Most People Miss)

    · 40 min

    Longevity is having a moment. But a lot of the conversation skips past the basics and goes straight to the extreme—biohacks, expensive protocols, the next big thing. So what actually moves the needle when it comes to…

  33. You Might Be the Toxic One — Here’s How to Fix It in 5 Steps

    · 42 min

    Most people believe they’re less harmful than the average person. But research tells a very different story. The small things — short replies, subtle defensiveness, dismissive reactions — are often the behaviors that…

  34. Why You Keep Giving Your Power Away (5 Brain-Based Steps to Take It Back)

    · 38 min

    Most people don’t realize how often they give their power away—through people-pleasing, over-explaining, or shrinking in certain situations. In this episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf explains the neuroscience behind why we…

  35. 7 Ways to Future-Proof Your Brain for the Next 50 Years

    · 44 min

    Your brain encounters more information in 24 hours than people in the 1970s absorbed in an entire month. The world is accelerating—but cognitive decline is not inevitable. In this episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf—clinical…

  36. Are You Too Independent? It Might Be a Trauma Response

    · 38 min

    Hyper-independence often looks like strength — being capable, self-reliant, and emotionally steady on the outside. But for many people, it forms as a protective response when the mind learns it can’t safely rely on…

  37. How to Stop Settling and 5 Steps to Building Healthier Relationship

    · 35 min

    Settling in relationships isn’t a flaw in your personality — it’s a mental pattern shaped by years of reinforced experiences, internal narratives, and emotional habits. In this episode, I break down the science behind…

  38. You’re Not Afraid of Failure—You’re Afraid of What Success Will Cost You (And How to Break the Pattern in 5 Steps)

    · 41 min

    Most people assume they’re afraid of failure. But for many, the deeper fear is actually success—the visibility, responsibility, and identity shift that comes with getting what you’ve been working toward. In this…

  39. Your Anxiety Isn’t Anxiety — It’s a Misread Signal (Fix It in 5 Steps)

    · 51 min

    Most people think they’re living with anxiety. Neuroscience shows many are actually responding to a misread internal signal—and that misunderstanding is what intensifies the experience. In this episode, you’ll learn…

  40. Most People Lose Their Friends In Their 30s: The Neuroscience of Why People Drift Apart

    · 35 min

    If you’re in your 30s+ and your friend group has gotten smaller, quieter, and harder to maintain—this episode explains why it happens and how to rebuild real adult friendships without forcing awkward “we should catch…

  41. The 7-Step Process to Finally Stop Caring What People Think

    · 42 min

    If you’ve spent years caring what people think, here’s the truth: you’re not “weak,” despite what others might tell you. This isn’t another motivational video that shames you into a false sense of hyper-confidence.…

  42. Ozempic and the Brain: What GLP-1 Drugs Are Really Doing to Your Mind

    · 59 min

    Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications aren’t just changing bodies. They’re changing brains too. In this episode, I unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface when you take medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or…

  43. The Secret to Achieving Goals (Even if You Have No Motivation)

    · 35 min

    In this episode, discover why traditional motivation methods often fall short when pursuing long-term goals, such as health, career, or personal growth. Learn the five scientifically-backed steps to align your…

  44. Before You Start Therapy: What No One Tells You About the First Weeks

    · 22 min

    Thinking about starting therapy? Or just beginning your healing journey? Before you dive in, there’s something most people are never told. In the first few weeks of therapy, emotions can intensify, old memories can…

  45. Why You’re Attracted to the Wrong People — The Neuroscience of Love Patterns (7 Brain Traps)

    · 22 min

    Most people think their struggles in love come down to bad luck or the wrong partner. Neuroscience tells a different story. In this episode,I break down the 7 hidden brain traps that shape attraction, repeat unhealthy…

  46. Why Your Team Fails + 7 Science-Backed Commitments That Fix It

    · 34 min

    Why do teams break down — and what makes them thrive? In this episode, Dr. Caroline Leaf and bestselling author Jon Gordon unpack the real reasons teams fail and the 7 science-backed commitments that create trust,…

  47. Stop Trying to Stay Safe—It’s Making You Sick

    · 1 h 09 min

    You've trained your brain to see danger everywhere—and you didn't even realize it. Every notification. Every "suspicious person" post. Every late-night scroll through your neighborhood app. Your brain is learning that…

  48. Cutting Off a Parent: The Neuroscience Behind the Hardest Decision

    · 1 h 05 min

    Have you ever wondered when creating distance from a parent becomes an act of protection rather than abandonment? Or why stepping back can bring both a deep sense of calm and a quiet ache that lingers beneath the…

  49. Why You Become Triggered by Family During the Holidays

    · 24 min

    Have you ever walked into your family home for the holidays and felt yourself slipping back into old patterns—people-pleasing, shutting down, overreacting—even when you thought you’d grown past them? It’s not just…

  50. The Hidden Cost of Office Culture

    · 55 min

    Is return to office really about “culture”—or is it quietly draining families, energy, and trust? In this episode, I unpack what’s actually happening in your mind and brain when RTO policies shrink your choices,…

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