# Performance Neurology with Josh Turknett, MD A podcast by Josh Turknett, MD. Extraordinary minds are built from ordinary brains. This show is about how to build yours, and how to get out of its way when it counts. I'm Josh Turknett, a neurologist and the author of The Genius and the Impostor. I talk with people who have built remarkable skills, from a three-time Grammy-winning guitarist and a six-time USA Memory Champion to a man who stuttered for more than sixty years, then retrained his speech at seventy. We dig into how they did it, and I walk through what was happening in their brains along the way, so you can put the same science to work on whatever you're learning. The book: https://geniusandimpostor.com The Institute for Performance Neurology: https://performanceneurology.institute Newsletter: https://joshturknett.substack.com Speaking: https://joshturknett.com/speaking Feed: https://rss.libsyn.com/shows/465402/destinations/3932016.xml ## Latest episodes - [Pressure is Trainable, with Aryna Sabalenka's Coach Jason Stacy](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/19ae69e3bd43) (2026-10-27, 55 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Jason_Stacy_-_PN_podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [How Ron Ruiz Rewired His Brain at 70](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/f57a106be76a) (2026-10-02, 45 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/ron-podcast-finalfinal.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Your Inner Critic Is Not Reality](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/47737d493397) (2026-09-24, 5 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/pnp-ennett-broadway-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [He Played Broadway And The Opry But Still Felt Like a Fraud](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/ee36554b1fa1) (2026-09-04, 41 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bennett_Sullivan-pod.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [It Started With a Banjo: The story that changed my life](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/e562d7ad21cd) (2026-08-14, 8 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/startswithbanjo.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [The Making Of A "Natural" (Bryan Sutton)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/986e0c475f36) (2026-07-24, 15 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/PNP-thenatural-final.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [How 3x Grammy Winner Bryan Sutton Gets Out of His Own Way](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/fac4773d82e2) (2026-07-07, 51 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/PNP-bryan_sutton_interview-pod-final.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [The Genius Arc: How Nelson Dellis Beat the Panic Before His 6th Title](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/bd5a499f84fd) (2026-06-26, 12 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/PNP-nelson-followup-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [How 6x Memory Champion Nelson Dellis Built His Memory From Scratch](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/415d1db175b6) (2026-06-19, 38 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Nelson_Dellis_interview-final.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Introducing Performance Neurology](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/0548f97193a5) (2026-06-12, 8 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Performance_Neurology_intro.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Why Anyone Can Play Music](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/99a0a1826886) (2025-03-21, 15 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/bite-acpmannounce-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Brainjo Bite: Why Perfect Practice Is Anything But Perfect](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/4dfbe1e48895) (2024-09-27, 15 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite-pong-podcast-finalfinal.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Brainjo Bite: The Real Reason We Practice](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/8de97909a64c) (2024-05-28, 14 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite-whypractice.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Brainjo Bite: How To Learn Like A Champ](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/1a424f300bf7) (2024-05-20, 9 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite-champions.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Brainjo Bite Is Playing Music Hard?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/b5c2af1aac3d) (2024-02-05, 12 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite-exponential-pod-2.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Brainjo Bite: The Myth About "Discipline"](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/644398ce5fbd) (2023-11-18, 13 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite-icecream-pod.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Brainjo Bite: Stop Comparing Yourself](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/61a821a330d2) (2023-10-15, 7 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/BB-onlyyou-pod-1.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Brainjo Bite: 5 Strategies For Achieving Your Musical Goals](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/69c09e404226) (2023-08-28, 14 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite-newyear2023-podcast_1.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Brainjo Bite: Can Music Save Your Brain?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/d824d0414286) (2023-08-07, 22 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/brainjo_bite_-_demand_coupling-pod_2.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Brainjo Bite: Should You Learn Multiple Styles Or Instruments?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/666020b2c7c5) (2023-07-03, 15 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/brainjo_bite-pieta-pod_1.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [Brainjo Bite: How Good Should You Get?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/8a7c5c55a7f7) (2023-06-05, 17 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/bite-how_good-podcast_1.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [27: Learn Songs Or Learn Skills? (Brainjo Bite)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/cfcb972af4bd) (2023-05-26, 10 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite-songsorskills-pod.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [26: 5 Mistakes Of Beginning Musicians](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/bb2a3d15156b) (2023-05-10, 16 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite-5_mistakes-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [25: The Brain Of A Master Musician](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/cd0dff45e9a5) (2023-05-07, 18 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite_-_emergence-pod_1.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [24: 3 Ways To Use Your Recordings](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/41c981d45a16) (2023-05-04, 13 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/bite_-_recording_yourself_part_2-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [23: Why You Hate Your Recordings](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/e37120430e10) (2023-05-01, 13 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite-recording-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [22: The Creator Vs. The Critic](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/d07b0c40477f) (2023-04-28, 16 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite_-_creator.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [21: Learning What Can't Be Taught](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/689a51301da2) (2023-04-27, 12 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite_-_you_cant_teach_that-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [20: Stop Comparing Yourself](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/2ace02c1bcb4) (2023-04-25, 7 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/BB-onlyyou-pod.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [19: How To Start Improvising](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/5799f168173c) (2023-04-24, 24 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite-Improv-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [18: The Illusion Of Expertise](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/97da40de11f0) (2023-04-21, 13 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_bite_-_expertise_illusion-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [17: How To End Frustration For Good.](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/e9270487e812) (2023-04-18, 11 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_bite_-_frustration-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [16: How To Use The Tetris Technique](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/b1469c20346d) (2023-04-14, 11 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite_-_tetris_technique-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [15: How To Break A Bad Habit](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/dbbdbb702504) (2023-04-10, 18 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite-breaking_bad_habits-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [14: What You Can Learn From Child Prodigies](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/ad87b9cd8410) (2023-04-07, 13 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Bite_-_prodigies.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [13: 6 Tips For How To Practice More](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/aed4e5b82376) (2023-04-03, 17 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite-more_practice.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [12: How Many Songs Should You Learn At Once?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/e8bdff19ee41) (2023-03-31, 12 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/how_many_songs-podcast-new.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [11: What Song Should You Learn Next?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/86a76b1f0eaa) (2023-03-25, 12 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_bite_-_what_next-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [10: How To Remember The Songs You've Learned](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/d805ee30b3ed) (2023-03-21, 15 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite_-_memory.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [9: Why You Path Matters: a demonstration](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/054f4589b7fb) (2023-03-18, 13 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_bite-phonics2-new.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [8: Why The Path You Take Matters](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/c2d5a04f8339) (2023-03-15, 15 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite_podcast_-_phonics.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [7: 5 Ways To Conquer Stage Fright (with science!)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/c4d0beccde8c) (2023-03-10, 33 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite-stage_fright.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [6: 3 Essential Ingredients of an Effective Practice Session](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/8def8f3257fc) (2023-03-08, 22 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite_-_effective_practice_session-podcast.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [5: How Much Should You Practice?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/167aee2730f7) (2023-03-01, 14 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjobite-howlong.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [4: Why You're Terrible Some Days](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/deae9b176910) (2023-02-22, 14 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_bite_-_why_terrible.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [3: Have You Stopped Getting Better?](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/745473a0a873) (2023-02-15, 14 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_bite-limits.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [2: Why It's Great To Be A Beginner (Brainjo Bite)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/aa84cf31a175) (2023-02-08, 15 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite-shoshin.m4a?dest-id=3932016 - [1: Drinking Beer and Playing By Ear: an unexpected connection! (Brainjo Bite)](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1678867489/a7109f330128) (2023-02-01, 13 min): audio https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/5f9e4bc1-9a7b-4ef2-802f-e6f5a16341f9/Brainjo_Bite-perceptual_plasticity_1.m4a?dest-id=3932016 Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them.