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In this inspiring episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, Mae Bagnell sits down with Orlanda Bettison, a children’s book author, educator, and passionate advocate for teaching kids about their brains in playful and empowering ways.

Through her beautifully illustrated books, Orlanda transforms complex neuroscience into simple, relatable stories that help children (and their parents!) understand their emotions, brain function, and resilience. From characters like the guard dog (amygdala) and the professor wise (prefrontal cortex) to the lovable hippo (hippocampus), her work makes brain science accessible and fun for the whole family.

🔑 Highlights from this episode:

• The power of storytelling in teaching emotional intelligence and mental health.
• How Orlanda’s personal journey with postnatal depression and anxiety led to the birth of her books.
• Why brains are not fixed — the myth of “set wiring” and the truth of neuroplasticity.
• Practical tools from her book My Brain is a Home — including the Problem Scale for teaching kids resilience.
• How parents and teachers can use her books to nurture self-compassion, regulation skills, and empathy.
• A live breathing exercise to calm the nervous system and activate the vagus nerve.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or simply someone curious about brain health, this episode will leave you with actionable tools and a fresh perspective on supporting children’s unique, distinctive brains.

📚 Learn more about Orlanda’s books and how they’re changing the way kids (and adults) view the brain!

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In this powerful episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, we dive deep into the world of mental health, trauma, and healing with our guest, Dr. Jeff Rice—veteran, professor, and mental health professional.

Dr. Rice shares his remarkable journey from skepticism about therapy to finding healing through counseling and ultimately answering a calling to help others. Together with May and Dr. Michael Bagnell, we unpack:

• The difference between Big “T” Trauma and Small “t” Trauma
• Why talking through experiences matters in recovery
• How therapies like EMDR and exposure therapy reshape the brain
• The truth that PTSD is 100% treatable thanks to neuroplasticity
• The concept of Post-Traumatic Growth—turning pain into purpose

We also explore the brain–body connection, the role of the amygdala and hippocampus in trauma, and how addressing mental health is vital not only for individuals but also for future generations.

This episode is an inspiring reminder that your past does not define your future—healing is possible, growth is possible, and transformation is real.

🔗 Tune in, take notes, and discover new ways to support yourself and those you love on the journey to better brain health and mental health.

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In this powerful conversation, Marilyn Ehrhardt sits down with May Bagnell to explore how 21st century technology, Artificial Intelligence, and the human brain intersect—and where they collide.

From May’s calling into Life Coaching and Integrative Health to her passion for helping women transform their lives, this episode highlights how true transformation requires more than data and algorithms. It takes authentic intelligence—faith, compassion, and human connection.

Marilyn shares her own roots in NASA’s space shuttle program and her unique perspective on how AI has evolved from its early days into the massive force it is today. Together, they raise essential questions about the future of humanity, the limits of AI, and why the human brain remains unmatched in creativity, memory, and adaptability.

Episode Highlights:

• May’s calling into Life Coaching & Integrative Health, and her passion for helping women transform.
• Marilyn’s background in NASA and early work with technology and AI.
• How neuroplasticity drives healing at Bagnell Brain Center.
• The risks of technology overuse on mental health and brain function.
• Why AI can never replicate authentic intelligence.
• A vision of the “third way”—blending science, compassion, faith, and innovation.