The Plasticity Podcast

Hi, it's me, Santina, a 20-something-year-old woman who forcibly took you away from your cat parents and brought you into a tiny, cold apartment, and you kind of like it because she gives you churus. This week, we're talking impostor syndrome because oh boy do I (and most people I know) have it. Imposture syndrome is everywhere in academia, but it’s rarely talked about honestly. In this episode, we explore why so many capable scientists feel like they don’t belong—and how competitive systems, peer review, and chronic evaluation wire the brain for self-doubt.As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and remember that as the horrors persist, so do you!

Hi, its me, Santina, that girl in your class who shows up just to work and pay 0 attention to the lecture itself. In this episode, we break down how peer review works, why it exists, and how decisions get made behind the scenes. From editors to reviewers to revisions, we unpack the process that shapes what science gets published—and what never sees the light of day. It's publish or perish, baby, and we are in the thick of it. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and maybe this week incorporate some fibre in your diet instead of watching people torture sims on TikTok, that is a good place to begin, I think.

Bariatric surgery is one of the most effective treatments we have for obesity—yet it remains one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we break down what bariatric (metabolic) surgery actually does, why it works, and why the “easy way out” narrative is scientifically wrong.Using evidence from neuroscience, endocrinology, and long-term clinical outcomes, we explore how bariatric surgery changes appetite regulation, reward processing, hunger hormones, and energy balance at the biological level. We also discuss how modern weight loss medications fit into obesity treatment, why they work, and how surgery and pharmacotherapy are often complementary—not competing—tools.As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening. I have also included some resources below if you are considering any bariatric surgery or pharmaceutical obesity interventions. Obesity Canada – Medications for Obesity Management + Bariatric Surgery https://obesitycanada.ca

Obesity is one of the most misunderstood—and most stigmatized—medical conditions we treat. In this episode, we dismantle the idea that body weight is simply a matter of willpower, discipline, or personal responsibility and replace it with what the science actually shows. Using evidence from neuroscience, endocrinology, and metabolism research, we explore how the brain regulates weight, why the body fiercely defends stored energy, and why long-term weight loss through lifestyle intervention alone is statistically unlikely for most people. We also examine how medical anti-fat bias has shaped clinical care, research priorities, and patient outcomes—often causing more harm than the disease itself.As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening. This week, if you are interested in any resources, please check out obesity.ca below, which has many incredible resources for understanding obesity and weight loss. Obesity Canada – Evidence-based resources, clinical guidelines, and patient education https://obesitycanada.ca

Hi, it's me, Santina... actually Sequoia now, according to some random man who compared me to a tree when he tried to pick me up at a grocery store. In this episode, we unpack the neuroscience and psychology behind what many women recognize immediately: male audacity. From unsolicited grocery-store pickup lines to dating app overconfidence, we explore why men are more likely to initiate, overestimate interest, and persist despite clear social feedback.As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and if you are also stuck in a frozen wasteland (a.k.a. Quebec), then wear some ice cleats this week; it's better than the alternative, which is slipping and almost falling in the middle of traffic, as I did a few days ago.

Hi, it's me, the girl who tried to wash her duvet in her apartment washer/dryer and ended up going to bed with 50 blankets to stay warm because it wasn't dry, Santina Duarte. Since last week was all sex, I wanted to talk a bit about the gaps in women's research and why we are currently in the girliest scientific renaissance known in existence. In this episode, I dive into the dumpster fire that is women's research, why researchers have never explored female health, and how that is affecting women everywhere. I dive into controversies, misdiagnoses, and all the times science did us ladies dirty, so buckle up and get ready to get angry at the male scientists of yore with me. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and this week, honestly, do yourself a solid and dive down the rabbit hole that is Phyllis from the Sotheby's auctions. Ladies, gentlemen and all my non-binary friends, I want to be her when I am older.

Hi, it's me, your cousin, who was recommending gay hockey shows to the whole family on Christmas, Santina Duarte. Since we finished off last year pretty rough, I want to start this year off a little more fun. We are going to talk about sex, ladies! Specifically from the lens of women, sex, and neuroscience, health, and all things biology. In this episode, I dive into what happens in the brain during sex, the health benefits of regular sex, how sex is different in women compared to men (based on very little research in the field), and the stigma surrounding sex. A little steamy, a little sciency, and a whole lot of me giggling while hippo stares at me from the corner of my apartment. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening and dont drink too many cosmos or play with the rabbit too much (i am addicted to Sex and the city, it is an issue, send help).

Hi, it's me, Santina, your older sister in science and in this episode of The Plasticity Podcast, we explore the complex neurobiology of Parkinson’s disease — a progressive movement disorder rooted in the brain’s dopamine networks and neural plasticity. We’ll break down what happens in the nervous system, how scientists are studying its mechanisms, and what living with Parkinson’s really feels like for millions of people around the world. Along the way, we talk about cutting-edge research, community support, and how collective efforts are reshaping our understanding of this condition.Whether you’re a caregiver, someone newly diagnosed, a neuroscience enthusiast, or simply curious, you’ll come away with a deeper grasp of both the science and the humanity behind Parkinson’s disease.If you are interested in learning more, please check out some of the incredible resources below. Thank you all for your support, and I look forward to sharing more science with you next week. Parkinson’s Foundation – Improves care and advances research toward a cure; offers support resources and educational programs. https://www.parkinson.org/ Parkinson's Foundation+1The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research – One of the world’s largest funders of Parkinson’s research, accelerating better treatments and a cure. https://www.michaeljfox.org/ Michael J. Fox Foundation+1Davis Phinney Foundation – Offers tools and education to help people with Parkinson’s live well today. https://davisphinneyfoundation.org/ Davis Phinney FoundationParkinson’s Resource Organization (PRO) – Provides education, community support, and a digital directory of services for people with Parkinson’s and caregivers. https://www.parkinsonsresource.org/

Hello, it is I - Santina Duarte - reporting live from Calgary for a change of pace. I have officially survived my first semester of grad school, everyone. We made it.And listen… it almost broke me. Daily crash-outs, so many cockroaches, fighting with admin, learning how to live alone... and yet, here we are. Still standing. Mostly.So after desperately needing a more chill episode, this week I’m breaking down the top 10 things I learned during my first semester of grad school. From lab dynamics and classes to depanneurs decorated like submarines, this episode is a candid (and slightly unhinged) collection of lessons, reflections, and tips from my first few months of becoming a grad student.As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening and remember that when people do you dirty, ask yourself what would 50 Cent do.

This week, we’re talking about that strangely heavy feeling you get when you go home after a significant life change — the “everything is the same, but I’m not” moment. We’re unpacking the neuroscience and psychology behind growing apart from people, outgrowing old versions of yourself, and why returning home can feel like stepping into a past life.We’ll break down how your brain processes major transitions, why nostalgia hits harder around the holidays, and why drifting from old friends or familiar places activates real social-pain circuits. We’ll talk about identity shifts, reverse culture shock, autobiographical memory, and what actually helps when you feel disconnected from the place (and people) who once defined you.If you’ve ever gone home for Christmas and felt like a visitor in your own story — this episode is for you.A mix of neuroscience, vulnerability, and seasonal bittersweetness… welcome to Stick Season for the brain.As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and I am going to go to bed now since I have the literal plague (please send chicken noodle soup + cold medication)

Hi, it's me, Santina Duarte, the girl in your lab who has like 800 pets and is quite literally a crazy cat lady, and this week we are talking pets. Have you ever thought about how your pet all of a sudden hates your ex when you break up? Or how can they pick out your friends in a crowded room, even if they have never met them before? In this week's episode, we explore the neuroscience of the human–animal bond: oxytocin loops, emotional contagion, how pets read our stress signals, and how our brains light up when we’re with them. From third-party social evaluation (yes, your dog can form opinions about people based on how they treat you) to the biology of comfort, attachment, and why animals often feel like family — this is the science behind the connection we feel in our bones.As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and I am holding space (insert Cynthia Erivo holding just Ariana Grande's finger) for all the new listeners who have joined me :).

Hi, it is me your older sisters ex best friend thats also your ex best friend who now lives in a city where it rains in November, Santina Duarte. This week I am talking about how PhD's actually work and the realities of academia. If you are thinking about grad school and dreaming of that “Dr.” title then this episode is for you. This week, we’re ripping the academic band-aid off. I break down the real difference between an MSc and a PhD, the unspoken truth about burnout in research, and the red flags that scream “run” when choosing a lab. No gatekeeping, no sugarcoating — just the honest, neuroscience-infused reality of what it takes to survive (and actually enjoy) the grad school journey.Whether you’re planning your next degree, rethinking academia, or just curious how people become “Doctor,” this episode demystifies the entire path with clarity, humour, and a few hard truths.As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and i hope your fyp is also full of mort thirst traps like mine is (thats normal right?)..

Hi, it's me, the mother of cats, your older sister in science and the girl in your lab who is trying to learn everything and anything in a super short amount of time for some reason, Santina Duarte. Have you ever wondered how we study the brain? (Spoiler: it’s more than just fMRI scans and lab mice.) Neuroscience involves a broad ecosystem—from glowing neurons in petri dishes to stressed graduate students running maze experiments, computer simulations of depression, and humans lying still in MRI scanners, trying not to sneeze. In this episode, I break down all the types of neuroscience research, from in-vitro work to mouse models and computation; there are so many different kinds of neuroscientists all contributing to the same story of what is happening in our heads. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and please stay warm and safe. Montreal has the world's wettest snow and the iciest sidewalks, so I will be trying not to slip and fall for the week. Please do the same.

Hey, it's me, the 20-something-year-old girl who moved in across the hall, who spends most of her day talking to her cat, Santina. This week, I talk about seasonal depression and why we have all had a horrible week. From circadian rhythm disruptions to serotonin mysteries to the messed-up hurricane of responsibilities that occur in November and December, this time of year really is the perfect storm of garbage that is sure to lower your mood. I also discuss potential treatments that may help, including light therapies and lifestyle resets. And of course, I talk about some of my current struggles, which include lab cockroaches, dreams of skiing, and even a little bit about me falling up the stairs in front of a professor. As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and please remember to stay strong during these troubling times (and by that I mean the STM strike, I just want to go from point A to B, why is that so hard???).

Hey again, it's me, Santina Duarte, reporting for duty. This week has honestly been filled with the nightmarish experience of crushing on someone now and it has made me s p i r a l like the most unhinged conversations with my friends over the most disgusting feelings. So, anyway, I wanted to talk about some of the neuroscience behind crushes and why love is such an important aspect of human health, because I have been driving myself insane. Also, spoiler alert - my crazy cat lady dendincies also don't help with this and are probably exacerbating my insanity, which is really fun. So, fall down a rabbit hole with me and watch as I justify my recent late-night walks in the rain while listening to The Tortured Poets Department on repeat.As per usual, I release a new episode every Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all podcast platforms and on Instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening, and remember: b*tches aint sh*t, and they aint saying nothing —100 MF's can't tell me nothing.

Hi, it's me, Santina, the human who feeds and takes care of the hippo. It really is his world, and we are all so lucky to just be living in it. This week, I discuss the dark history of neuroscience, a rabbit hole I recently fell down as I learned just how much has actually taken place at McGill. Since I will be discussing dark topics, viewer discretion is advised. We will be talking about horrific experiments like the Montreal experiment, which was a part of MKUltra, some Nazi medical experimentation, as well as some examples of flawed science, such as lobotomies and pseudoscience. As always, you can follow me on Instagram and everywhere you can listen to podcasts at @theplasticitypodcast. I release new episodes weekly on Mondays at 7:00 am EST. Thank you so much for listening and i hope you enjoy this spooky episode as we gear up for halloween this week.

Hi, it is once again my favourite time of the week, where we play the best game: count how many times Santina says "um" or "and so" while talking about science. Also, the words "and so" look like a fish on my audio editing platform, thanks to Audacity. This week, I talk about some of my previous work looking at cerebral (brain) blood flow: specifically, two processes known as neurovascular coupling and cerebrovascular reactivity. We in particular look at the effects of acute hyperglycemia, or a short-term increase in blood sugar, and the effects of sitting, standing and walking. Spoiler alert, we found no changes, so please use this episode as an excuse to eat all the sugary snacks as you would like. As always, I release a new episode weekly on Monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me everywhere you listen to podcasts, and you can also follow me on Instagram @theplasticitypodcast. I hope you all have a good week. This week's energy on my end is me and my little old lady shopping trolley against the world, so face what comes ahead with all the confidence of an old person with their $30 Jean Coutu buggy.

Hello, and welcome back to the plasticity podcast where you listen to me spiral while fighting with my cat to get off the key board. This week I discuss what its like being a women in STEM, from the history behind my leading ladies in the lab, current issues that we face in the field and what you can do to promote more girls looking at graphs. This episode does discuss sensitive topics like sexual harrassment and assault, if you are currently struggling with any of these issues there are a number of resources available. Here is an organization that is STEM specific in Canada: WomanACT As per usual, i release a new episode every monday at 7:00 am EST. You can find me on all platforms that you can listen to podcasts and on instagram at @theplasticitypodcast. Thank you so much for another week of listening and I hope you all gaslight, gatekeep and girlboss through the rest of your week!

Hello! Welcome to the Neuroplasticity podcast, where I discuss how neuroscience research changed my life, all while my cat knocks things over and meows in the background in an attempt to ruin my life. Today's episode focuses on the importance of effective science communication at the academic, government, and social levels. Here, I delve into the realities of grant writing (especially in another language, cough cough Quebec), the challenges science faces in disseminating public knowledge, as well as the challenges of presenting to broader audiences at conferences. Please sit back, grab a tea or coffee, and listen as I share the importance of science communication, all while Hippo knocks things over and mews occasionally in the background (hence why he is a co-host).

Hello! Welcome to the Neuroplasticity podcast, where I discuss how neuroscience research changed my life and brought me to Quebec of all places (cue that clip of Frank Ghallager saying "how did I end up in Canada, I hate Canada"). On a side note, I can't stop watching Shameless; it is an issue. Today's episode focuses on my academic journey and how I ended up conducting research at McGill University in Montreal, from my hometown of Calgary, Alberta. I also briefly discuss some of my work, including a study I previously published that focuses on the intersection of AI and neuroscience (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39569353/), as well as some of the foundations of my current research. Please sit back, grab a tea or coffee, and listen as I share how I arrived here and set my intentions for the rest of this podcast series.