Episode #207 marks a moment of deep gratitude and reflection. In this special episode, I look back on the journey that shaped Thriving Minds from the early days of questioning how the brain works, through decades of neuroscience, to the new era we are stepping into together.

This episode explores how early life experiences shape the nervous system, why connection is a biological regulator, and how compassion, presence and daily habits drive real neuroplastic change and where AI and digital technologies will transform how we detect anxiety, personalise support, and understand the social brain, while reminding us that healing will always come from human connection.

We close the episode with the key takeaways from 2025—lessons to carry forward:

• Connection is medicine. Our brains regulate each other; synchrony is measurable and essential.
• Healing is relational. Being seen, understood and met with compassion changes the brain.
• Neuroplasticity is always possible. Small, consistent actions reshape circuits across the lifespan.
• ACEs matter, but they are not destiny. With awareness and support, resilience can be built at any age.
• Digital life must be redesigned for wellbeing. AI can enhance support—but human presence is irreplaceable.
• We are each other’s environment. The communities we build shape the next three generations.

A hopeful, science-grounded blueprint for anyone seeking resilience, clarity and a future built on seeing and supporting one another as we close out 2025.

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2025 has felt like a turning point.

Across this year’s Thriving Minds conversations—from brain health and dementia, to stress, team flow, near-death experiences, and the “neuroscience of two”—one message keeps rising to the surface:

We are only just beginning to understand how powerful we are for each other’s brains.

In this special reflection episode, I explore what we learned in 2025 and where Thriving Minds is heading next, at the intersection of neuroscience, healing, neuroplasticity and community.

We dive into the major shifts reshaping neuroscience today:
• The move from snapshots to living, dynamic brains, made possible by new imaging and genomic tools.
• The neuroscience of two (and many) with insights from Dr Joy Hirsch on interbrain synchrony and why being in the same room matters.
• Bioelectricity, fields and consciousness, inspired by conversations with Dr Bruce Greyson on near-death experiences.
• A “middle way” that unites rigorous science with lived experience, trauma, recovery and human stories.

We discuss how healing is changing—from a symptom-focused view to a relational, systemic model—where early life experiences shape the nervous system, and being truly seen becomes a biological event that calms and connects the brain.

We revisit practical lessons in neuroplasticity and resilience: small daily actions that build new habits, strategies that strengthen the prefrontal cortex, and a shift from deficits to capacity—especially important in ageing, dementia and mental health.

And we explore the powerful truth revealed again and again this year:
Community is part of our neurobiology.
Humans regulate each other. Team flow, synchrony, compassion and presence activate brain networks that cannot be accessed alone or online.

Finally, we look ahead to the future of Thriving Minds:
bringing connection neuroscience into real-world settings, designing homes, schools and workplaces aligned with what we now know about the brain, and continuing to build a bridge between science and lived experience.

If these ideas resonate, subscribe to the Thriving Minds podcast and join the growing community working toward a more hopeful, brain-wise future.

We change our brains—and each other’s—every day.
The opportunity for the next decade is to do it consciously, together.

#ConnectionNeuroscience #ThrivingMinds #Neuroscience2026 #BrainHealth #HumanConnection #InterbrainSynchrony #Neuroplasticity #CollectiveIntelligence #CommunityHealing #RelationalNeuroscience

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Thriving Minds Podcast Deep Dive: Building a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Team Hosted by Professor Selena Bartlett
Expert: Feather Berkower, Author of Off Limits: A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Kids Safe from Sexual Abuse

The top 5 things to keep children safe in the digital age.

Feather challenges the outdated belief that children should be responsible for protecting themselves. Instead, she empowers adults to take charge by building what she calls a “Prevention Team.” This team includes everyone in your child’s world—teachers, coaches, grandparents, babysitters—and sets clear boundaries and safety rules that deter potential offenders before they ever gain access.

It is the small, brave conversations that can make a lifelong difference. From teaching kids the difference between secrets and surprises, to addressing online grooming and exposure to pornography, Feather shows how open, honest, and continuous dialogue is the most powerful protection tool we have.

Top 5 Takeaways for Parents

1. Adults are responsible, not children, for preventing abuse.
2. Talk, talk, talk—and don’t stop talking about body safety.
3. Build your Prevention Team by having explicit boundary conversations with anyone who cares for your child.
4. Discomfort is protective—feeling awkward now prevents trauma later.
5. Use practical tools like Off Limits and Feather’s Conversation Starter Cards to begin these vital discussions today.

This episode will leave you informed, empowered, and ready to create a safer world for children—one conversation at a time.

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Neuroscience now shows us that human connection changes the brain.

Walking high above the forest floor on the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk in Western Australia, I felt what real strength looks like.

The giant tingle trees reach for the light, but their power doesn’t come from standing alone. Under the soil, their roots and fungi form a living web, sharing water, nutrients, and information. Each tree depends on the health of the whole forest.

That is what thriving organisations do too.

Leadership as Connection

After that walk, I gave a presentation at the Optus Stadium to early childhood educators, as part of the Child Australia conference. They reminded me that leadership isn’t about control. It’s about creating the right conditions for others to grow.

They help children learn through safety, play, and connection. They build trust first, then learning follows.

It’s the same in every organisation. When people feel safe, supported, and seen, they do their best work.

Leadership is no different. It’s not about control, it’s about connection. When people feel seen and supported, they bring their best ideas forward. When leaders make space for visibility, empathy, and trust, the whole system begins to flow.

A healthy organisation works like an ecosystem: it doesn’t rely on one strong trunk, but on many connected roots.

Leaders who create these conditions don’t need to push growth, it happens naturally. Like the forest, their teams become alive with creativity and flow.

When people feel seen, their stress circuits quiet down, and the brain’s higher networks — for creativity, empathy, and problem-solving turn on. That’s how safety becomes innovation.

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Creating Conditions for Flow

Walking among those ancient trees reminded me that growth doesn’t come from control. You can’t force a tree to grow, and you can only create the right light, water, and soil.

Leadership works the same way. Our role is to build the conditions where people feel trusted and visible. When they do, they begin to synchronise, share ideas, and thrive together.

This happens in great conversations, in creative teams, and in organisations where leaders listen more than they direct. The result? Collective intelligence. Decisions become faster, ideas flow freely, and people feel energised rather than exhausted. Most importantly people feel free to say where there are problems and why the idea might fail.

Boundaries protect us. But being seen transforms us.

Read Visible: Rewiring Your Brain for Love, Resilience, and the Courage to Be Seen

https://www.amazon.com.au/VISIBLE-Rewiring-Brain-Resilience-Courage/dp/0999099744

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Today on Thriving Minds, I’m sharing a special replay of my conversation with Dr. Renee White on her Science of Motherhood podcast, where we explored what I wish I knew then—now that I know this—about screens, resilience, and protecting our kids’ mental health in the digital age.

Screens are part of everyday life, but learning how to manage them while protecting our children’s mental health can feel like an uphill battle. In this candid conversation, Professor Selena Bartlett shares the lessons she wishes she knew earlier as a parent—now backed by decades of neuroscience research into stress, resilience, and brain plasticity.

You’ll hear practical, science-informed strategies to help you:

• Set and hold screen time boundaries (without constant battles)
• Support your child’s resilience through the power of neuroplasticity
• Understand how technology impacts kids’ mental health
• Reduce family stress and strengthen connection
• Make everyday changes that protect wellbeing

This isn’t about removing technology altogether—it’s about using it mindfully, while safeguarding what matters most: your child’s mental health and your family’s connection.

Resources & Links

• Follow Renee on Instagram: @fillyourcup_
  
  
• Learn more about The Science of Motherhood and Fill Your Cup services

🌿 Connect with Professor Selena Bartlett:

• Website: profselenabartlett.com
  
  
• Instagram: @prof_selena_bartlett
  
  
• Explore more at womenrise.com.au
  
  

If this replay sparks an “I wish I knew that earlier” moment for you, share it with another parent navigating the same challenges—and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes of Thriving Minds.

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Learn more at www.profselenabartlett.com

“The brain wave is not just a scientific object—it’s a cultural one.” – Dr. Caitlin Shure

What is a brain wave? How “brain waves” became a metaphor for mind control, telepathy, and spiritual resonance. That’s the question we explore in one of the most surprising and thought-provoking episodes of the Thriving Minds podcast to date—with science journalist and technologist Dr. Caitlin Shure, whose PhD work traced the strange cultural journey of the brainwave from telepathy and spiritualism to modern neurotech and wellness wearables. Link to Episode #202: Brainwaves, Culture, and the Future of Healing.

It turns out this simple question—"What is a brain wave?"—unlocks a much deeper one:

A deceptively simple question—yet one that opens a portal into 150+ years of science, culture, and imagination.

The Rise (and Risk) of Neuroscience/Brain-Based Everything
Today, brainwaves are everywhere—from EEG sleep trackers and meditation headbands to marketing slogans and Instagram therapists. And yet:

• Most people don’t know what a brain wave is
• Many companies use “neuroscience” language without scientific rigour
• Consumers are caught between hope, hype, and helplessness

Caitlin and I discussed how this confusion reflects a crisis in our time:

👉 A loss of trust in science

👉 The exploitation of wellness culture

👉 The seductive myth that the mind can be “optimized” or “uploaded”

👉 And a growing yearning for something beyond both clinical reductionism and magical thinking

💡 Why This Matters Now
As someone who has studied the brain for three decades, I’ve seen how easily science can become siloed—or exploited. I've also seen how desperately people are searching for hope, healing, and clarity in an overwhelming world.

We’re overstimulated, overtired, and often overpromised.

But there's a way forward. And it’s not at either extreme.

🔄 The Middle Way is emerging as a necessary path. One that honours science and soul. Logic and lived experience. Data and deep feeling. This is how we build real health systems—ones that don’t just treat symptoms, but restore agency, belonging, and meaning.

🔗 Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

Have you ever used neurotech? Do you think science is losing (or gaining) trust in your community? What does a “Middle Way” look like in your work?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation in the comments or on LinkedIn

#Neuroscience #ThrivingMinds #ScienceCommunication #MiddleWay #EEG #BrainWaves #Healing #BrainHealth #WellnessCulture #Neuroplasticity #ScienceMeetsSoul #CaitlinShure #SelenaBartlett #TeamFlow #Syntony #Neurotech #HealthLiteracy

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For most of my career in neuroscience, I believed the brain alone governed who we are—shaped by genetics, evolution, and early life experiences. I trusted in the power of brain imaging and genomics to reveal the answers. But after decades spent mapping neural circuits, a deeper truth emerged:

We are not isolated minds in skulls. We are wired to connect.

In this episode, I explore the revolutionary science of interbrain synchrony—how our brains light up in rhythm with others when we’re emotionally attuned, collaborating, or solving problems together. Thanks to researchers like Dr. Joy Hirsch, we now understand our ability to thrive may not reside solely in the brain, but between us.

As AI disrupts our workplaces and rewires our attention, we’re increasingly disconnected—from ourselves, each other, and our natural states of flow. But what if we could reclaim connection? What if the edge we need in this uncertain age isn’t more speed or knowledge, but more synchrony?

Drawing parallels from nature—like how fish shoal and school to protect, move, and thrive together—I share a new vision for leadership and learning: designing environments where team flow becomes the norm, not the exception.

This episode is an invitation to rethink intelligence, leadership, and the future of work—through the lens of relational neuroscience.

🔍 Topics covered:

• The neuroscience of interbrain synchrony
• Team flow vs. solo productivity
• How evolution and environment shape intelligence
• Why social intelligence is now our greatest asset
• Practical strategies for designing synchrony in your team
• The mindset shift we need in the AI era

🎧 Tune in to learn how to turn overwhelm into alignment—and why fish don’t swim alone, and neither should we.

#TeamFlow #Neuroscience #InterbrainSynchrony #Leadership #AIandHumanity #Synchrony #MindsetShift #FutureOfWork #PodcastEpisode #SocialBrain

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🎧 Thriving Minds with Professor Selena Bartlett welcomes Dr. Bruce Greyson, a pioneering psychiatrist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia, for a profoundly moving and scientifically grounded conversation on near-death experiences (NDEs) and the nature of consciousness. In this episode, Dr. Greyson reflects on his 40 years of research, the development of the Greyson NDE Scale, and his acclaimed book After, which explores what NDEs reveal about the mind, death, and what might lie beyond.

Together, they delve into the profound stories from Dr. Greyson’s clinical career, including verifiable accounts of consciousness during clinical death, and how these findings challenge the long-held assumption that the brain is the sole source of awareness. Dr. Greyson also shares how studying NDEs transformed his own scientific beliefs, why materialism may not offer all the answers, and how this research can reshape mental health, medical training, and how we approach grief, dying, and healing.

This is a conversation at the frontier of science and mystery, offering hope, humility, and a glimpse at the next revolution in understanding the human mind.

📘 After by Dr. Bruce Greyson is available now.

https://www.amazon.com.au/After-Doctor-Explores-Near-Death-Experiences/dp/1250263034
🎙️ Learn more at [Thriving Minds Podcast].

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