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Welcome to the Better Brain Podcast, your source on all things brain health and how to make it better.
We're your hosts, Drs. Rafie and Bickart, and we are Neurologists specializing in Neuropsychiatry, Dementia, Sports, and Traumatic Brain Injury.
Our mission at the Better Brain Podcast is to provide you with the information and tools you need to improve your brain health and overall well being. We do this by combining the latest evidence-based practices with practical tools to better your brain. Our episodes feature experts and high level performers that will help us navigate this complex and nuanced field, with a goal of attaining a firm grasp on these topics.
Whether you're a healthcare professional seeking to expand your knowledge, a individual concerned about your risk of dementia, a creative looking for inspiration, or simply a curious soul eager to learn more about the brain, the Better Brain Podcast is your trusted companion.
Subscribe for UNRELEASED CONTENT and more at: The Better Brain Podcast
18 Episodes
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Breathing is something we do every moment of our lives—but few realize how deeply it shapes our brain, emotions, and health. In this Better Brain Podcast episode, we sit down with Dr. Jack Feldman, Distinguished Professor of Neurobiology at UCLA, whose groundbreaking research revealed how specific neurons in the brainstem generate and regulate breathing. His work has transformed our understanding of breathing’s role in consciousness, emotional regulation, and even survival. We cover: The b...
What happens when winning a UFC championship doesn’t bring the fulfillment you thought it would? Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate joins the Better Brain Podcast to unpack the mindset of victory, failure, and what it truly means to enjoy the process rather than just the outcome. We explore Miesha’s journey from rising star to world champion, and the unexpected crash that came after achieving her dream. She opens up about balancing motherhood with elite competition, her evol...
Where does pain really come from—and why does it sometimes never go away? UCLA Professor of Psychiatry, pain specialist, and former VA psychiatrist Dr. Brandon Yarns joins the Better Brain Podcast to decode the mystery of pain. From the moment it begins to the ways it can persist for years, we explore the powerful and surprising role the brain plays in both acute and chronic pain. Dr. Yarns shares how chronic pain isn’t just about tissue damage—but about brain circuits, memory, trauma, and ...
What really happens to the brain when surfers face 50-foot waves? And could surfing—despite its risks—actually protect the brain from aging and dementia? UCLA medical student and surfer Jibreel Cader joins the Better Brain Podcast to explore the Anatomy of a Big Wave Surfer. We dive into the brutal physics behind big wave surfing, breaking down shocking wipeout videos and the hidden forces that few outside the surf world understand. We then investigate a silent epidemic: concussio...
Why can’t you sleep — and what’s your brain doing while you toss and turn? World-renowned UCLA neuroscientist Dr. Gina Poe joins the Better Brain Podcast to reveal the surprising science of sleep. We dive deep into REM, sleep stages, circadian rhythm, and how alcohol, weed, antidepressants, and even painkillers disrupt your brain's ability to rest and repair. We break down real sleep data from co-host Dr. Kevin Bickart, uncover how sleep impacts memory and learning, and share powerful, scie...
What if the key to well-being isn’t what you think? In this episode, we sit down with renowned psychiatrist and mindfulness researcher Dr. Richie Davidson—scientific advisor to the Dalai Lama—to explore the science of well-being. We discuss the power of purpose, the proven techniques to boost happiness, and how cultivating well-being can actually extend your life. Chapters Include: The science behind emotional resilience Why purpose is essential to health How mindfulness reshapes t...
In this episode of the Better Brain Podcast, neurologists Drs. Daniel Rafie and Kevin Bickart sit down with two leading experts in nutrition science: Sarah Berry, lead nutritional scientist at Zoe, and Tim Spector, renowned epidemiologist, author, and co-founder of Zoe. We dive into the complex world of nutrition research, exploring: Why traditional studies in nutrition are so flawed How Zoe is changing the game with personalized data The real story behind seed oils and social media myths...
Join Drs. Daniel Rafie and Kevin Bickart for an discussion dementia and the modifiable risk factors that could help prevent or ward off the diagnosis. The duo cover how dementia is diagnosed, what brain imaging demonstrates in dementia, and the most significant risk factors for developing dementia and how to address certain of these risk factors to aid in the prevention of dementia. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 3:17 – Dementia is Growing 5:03 – What is Dementia? 10:43 – Psychological Dis...
Join Drs. Daniel Rafie and Kevin Bickart for an important discussion on stress with Dr. Aditi Neurukar MD, MPH, a renowned Harvard-trained doctor specializing in stress, public speaker, and best-selling author. Check out her book: The 5 Resets, a reimagined approach to transform your stress and burnout for good. In this episode, Dr. Neurukar defines stress, and how it can progress from healthy to unhealthy. She shares why humans have the need to stay on their phones, and the debilitati...
On this episode of the Better Brain Podcast, Drs. Daniel Rafie and Kevin Bickart chat with Dr. Frederica Amati, head nutritionist at Zoe, the science and nutrition company. She is also a best-selling author, with her new book, Every Body Should Know This, being described as a fascinating DIY guide to food and health. In this episode, Dr. Amati shares insights on early childhood interventions and building a healthy food environment, exploring the connection between the gut microbiome, n...
Drs. Daniel Rafie and Dr. Kevin Bickart examine gut and brain health with Dr. Tim Spector. Dr. Spector is a Professor of Epidemiology at King’s College London and scientific co-founder of ZOE, the science and nutrition company. He is the bestselling author of The Diet Myth, Spoon-Fed and Food for Life. The original pioneer of microbiome research, he is among the top 100 most-cited scientists in the world. In this episode, Dr. Spector discusses the importance of the gut microbiome to variou...
On this episode, we are honored to have Dr. Daniel Geschwind, a renowned expert in neurogenetics, join us for a compelling conversation. Dr. Geschwind holds the prestigious titles of Gordon and Virginia MacDonald Distinguished Professor of Human Genetics, Neurology and Psychiatry at UCLA. He is also the Senior Associate Dean and Associate Vice Chancellor of Precision Health. In this episode, he shares his profound insights into the intersection of neurogenetics with neuropsychiatric diseases...
Join Dr. Daniel Rafie, Sports Neurologist and host of the UCLA BrainSPORT podcast, in an exhilarating conversation with professional downhill skateboarder, Owen Fox. In this episode, they delve into the world of extreme sports, exploring the psychology behind overcoming fear and achieving the elusive flow state. Owen shares his firsthand experiences in downhill skateboarding, shedding light on the adrenaline-fueled thrills and the potential dangers inherent in his sport. Tune in as they discu...
Join host Daniel Rafie and NFL veteran and former Pittsburg Steelers All-Pro defensive linebacker, Ryan Shazier, on this episode of the UCLA BrainSport Podcast. Ryan’s stellar career and his road to the NFL Hall of Fame was suddenly cut short by an on-field spinal cord injury. Ryan was given less than a 20% chance of walking again, but despite these odds, he was able to make a miraculous recovery and is now walking and leading a fulfilled life. The pair discuss the context of his injury and t...
Dive into the exploration of spirituality in the latest UCLA BrainSPORT Podcast episode. Host Adel engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Lisa Miller, Columbia Psychology professor and author of "The Awakened Brain," along with Dr. Kevin Bickart, Neurobehavioral physician at UCLA. Join the trio as they discuss the meaning and science behind spirituality and its indispensable role in the human condition. Discover insights into the connection between spirituality and mental healt...
In Part B of the Brain Energy BrainSPORT Podcast episode, your host Adel is joined by Dr. Chris Palmer, a distinguished Harvard psychiatrist and best-selling author of the book "Brain Energy." Together, they continue their exploration of the Brain Energy theory. The pair discuss the link between diet and mitochondrial function, including the role of the ketogenic diet. The conversation shifts to the connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and A...
Visit https://www.brainsportpodcast.com to subscribe to the BrainSPORT Podcast and access exclusive content unavailable elsewhere. Join host Adel in this UCLA BrainSPORT Podcast episode featuring Dr. Chris Palmer, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the author of the best-selling book, Brain Energy. In part A of this two-part series, they dissect the Brain Energy Theory for Mental Illness. The pair assesses the current state of mental illness diagnosis a...
In this thought-provoking episode of the UCLA BrainSPORT Podcast, host Adel delves into the enigmatic world of the dopamine neurotransmitter and its profound implications for mental health and addiction. Join us as we welcome the distinguished Dr. Anna Lembke, a psychiatrist at Stanford University and the celebrated author of the New York Times bestseller, "Dopamine Nation." Dr. Lembke, a recognized expert in the field, offers a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted role of dopamine i...
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