Episode 1: Five Things About the Brain*

Begin with the brain: an ancient technology we use to navigate the modern world.

“Begin with the brain” has become my mantra. Knowledge of that fascinating, perplexing, yet also somehow uniquely understandable 3-pound organ of survival has, over time, become the secret decoder ring I use to make sense of life.

My intention with The Brain and Beyond is to share what I’ve learned through decades of neuroscience study, direct research, a whole lot of learning from experts, and – well, the school of life, which has been an incredible neuroscience test lab – in ways that are useful and satisfying to you.

This first episode lays the foundation for what’s ahead. Some terms you’ll hear might be unfamiliar at first – yet you can be sure they’ll become easy go-tos with time.

The key takeaway from this episode is to remember the framework of Mindsets, Skillsets, and Brainsets shared as Item Number Five on the list. It’s a powerful cornerstone, one you can use as you learn to direct your brain in ways that serve your goals and aspirations. We’ll have a lot of fun exploring that.

I did promise a PFC (prefrontal cortex) illustration, and a few helpful links. Most articles about the human PFC get a bit academic, yet I found a few and will add as others emerge.

The Evolutionary Layers of the Human Brain, McGill University

The Prefrontal Cortex, Neuroscientifcally Challenged

Please subscribe to The Brain and Beyond Podcast on your favorite platform and definitely stay tuned here. I’ll always share episode notes and fun stuff that explores the brain… and beyond.

You’ll also find info on our beautiful theme song, used with permission from the artist, below.

Best, Ellen
ellen@thebrainandbeyond.com

Six PFCs. Note the proportionally larger expanse of the human PFC, and those all important wrinkles. They imply surface area: the better to send and exchange information with other regions of the brain.

I hope you enjoy the music I’ve arranged with artist Lucia Lilikoi to share on my podcast.

Here’s her website, lilikoimusic.com … and you can listen to the full version here, and follow her on Apple Music and Spotify. Her website links to a range listening platforms. Enjoy.