Change Your Brain Every Day

Abandoned at birth and handed over to Scientology's paramilitary wing, Jamie Mustard spent his first years in a slum-like "orphanage" where babies were stacked in bunks, starved of human touch, and bathed only once a week in filthy water. Decades later, he's a celebrated author, artist, and survivor. And now, he's exposing the global network of abuse that destroyed thousands of children's lives.   In this jaw-dropping conversation with Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen, Jamie reveals how he escaped a billion-year contract, overcame illiteracy and shame, and discovered the neuroscience of healing trauma through brain health. This is one of the most harrowing—and hopeful—survivor stories ever told on the podcast.   You'll learn: • What really happened to children inside Scientology's secret compounds • Why he called himself "Child X" • How he survived a pressure-cooker environment "kind of like Lord of the Flies" • How medical neglect nearly cost him his hearing… and his life • How a celebrated author could grow up feeling "stupid" • Why shame kept him silent for decades • How trauma rewires the nervous system… and how to reset it • The radical treatment that erased decades of his anxiety in 20 minutes • Why so many of the kids he grew up with were lost to addiction and suicide   Jamie's new book, Child X: https://www.amazon.com/Child-Slavery-Poverty-Celebrity-Scientology/dp/163774708X

All of us know the feeling when stress is running wild through our body. Everything you think about is influenced by the anxiety and worry. It's horrible, right? You can probably relate to this since about 30% of people who visit their primary care physician are actually there as a result of stress-induced symptoms. Things like headaches, muscle tension, stomach and digestive discomfort, anxiety, and depression are tied to stress. The pain that results from these symptoms can produce a deep sense of futility and hopelessness. In fact, people struggling like this often think the pain is permanent. But it's simply NOT true! According to Dr. Amen, you might not be able to eliminate the stressors in your life entirely, but you can start feeling better—immediately! Kill those ANTs! Putting a stop to automatic negative thoughts reduces anxiety and depression symptoms. Gratitude = A Better Attitude. Practicing gratitude actually changes your brain chemistry! Bringing your attention to the good things in your life has a powerful effect. Sweat, Don't Fret. Exercise increases both dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain! Exercise daily to experience radical positive effects on your anxiety symptoms. Eat Smart Carbs. Many of us seek comfort in carbs when we feel stressed or anxious. Eating the right kind of carbs helps stabilize blood sugar for a more balanced mood.

From Heisman glory to brutal truths, former pro football quarterback Tim Tebow opens up like never before. In this deeply intimate conversation with Dr. Daniel Amen, the athlete-turned-humanitarian shares the real story behind his faith, a lifetime of migraines, dozens of concussions, and his calling to stop seeking football MVP trophies and start fighting for the world's MVPs (Most Vulnerable People). Today, he goes into the hardest, darkest places in the world bringing faith, hope, and love. You'll see a side of Tim Tebow that's rarely revealed — raw, humble, and on fire for purpose. In this episode, you'll learn: The miracle story of Tim's birth and why doctors said it was "impossible." The day he decided to accept Jesus into his heart and how it changed his life. How a childhood diagnosis made him feel "less than." The tackle that led to a brain bleed and nearly broke his neck. How years of football and head trauma seriously impacted his brain, and what he's doing to heal it. The powerful moment in the jungles of the Philippines that redefined his purpose. Why his genetics put him at greater risk for dementia. Why he wants to show up to Heaven "exhausted." Tim's new book, Look Again: https://www.amazon.com/Look-Again-Recognize-Worth-Confidence/dp/1400254205  

As parents, we often care so much about our children's wellbeing that we will do whatever we can to make things easier for them. However, when we step in to fix our children's problem, are we helping them or hurting them? In this video clip, taken from Dr. Amen's television special "Raising Mentally Strong Kids", he reveals the approach you should consider taking when it comes to your kids' struggles in order to raise them to be mentally strong, confident adults. 

Can't sleep? Anyone who does shift work, travels across time zones, or simply can't get the deep rest you want needs to listen to this! If you want a sharper mind, stronger memory, better mood—and even a younger-looking brain—it starts with getting your ZZZs. In this episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen sit down with world-renowned sleep psychiatrist Dr. Shane Creado to reveal the surprising science of how sleep impacts every part of your brain and body. Discover why even one lost hour can raise your risk of heart disease, dementia, and depression, and how alcohol, anxiety, and irregular bedtimes secretly sabotage your brain health. Dr. Creado shares his proven strategies for better rest—used by Olympic athletes, CEOs, and patients at Amen Clinics—to help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up truly restored. You'll learn: ·      Why "just one bad night" can age your brain by years ·      The #1 mistake sabotaging your deep sleep ·      Why you need to know your sleep type ·      The sleep robbers stealing your rest ·      Natural, drug-free ways to beat insomnia and jet lag ·      The truth about the 20-minute "power nap" ·      How to train your brain to rest, recover, and repair overnight

Dr. Daniel Amen and actress/model Nikki Leigh demonstrate a technique to break a panic attack in 2 minutes. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which a person experiences recurrent panic attacks. A panic attack involves sudden feelings of intense fear and worry combined with overwhelming physical symptoms even though there is no real danger present. Panic attacks themselves are not life-threatening, but they can make you feel like you can't breathe like you're having a heart attack, or like you might die. Panic attacks tend to come on suddenly and without warning. They can hit you anywhere at any time—even in places you would expect to feel safe. For example, a panic attack can wake you from a sound sleep in your own bed, hit you when you're on vacation at the beach, or strike you while you're in church. The distressing feelings can linger long after the initial onset of the panic attack. You may begin to live in fear of having another attack and begin avoiding places or situations where you think it might happen again. This can ruin your quality of life and cause problems at work, at school, and at home.

Is what we call "normal" actually healthy—or just common? In this powerful episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen sit down with world-renowned physician and bestselling author Dr. Gabor Maté to explore how trauma, stress, and childhood experiences shape our health, addictions, and even our immune system. Dr. Maté explains why depression and anxiety aren't simply "diseases," how suppressed emotions harm the body, and why addictions are not about the drug or behavior—but about unhealed pain. You'll hear deep insights on boundaries, the hidden costs of saying "yes," why so many of us struggle in silence, and how true healing begins with connection. This conversation will challenge everything you think you know about mental health—and give you hope for change.   Dr. Maté's new book, The Myth of Normal: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Normal-Illness-Healing-Culture/dp/0593083881    

When Heather Wyatt lost her bubbly 13-year-old daughter Aubreigh to suicide after relentless bullying, her world shattered. But instead of letting grief consume her, Heather turned her pain into purpose. In this deeply emotional and inspiring episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen sit down with Heather to talk about the warning signs parents often miss, how antidepressants can affect young brains, and practical ways to protect kids from social media bullying. Heather shares her journey through trauma, faith, and advocacy—and how the "Live Like Aubreigh Wyatt" (#LLAW) movement is helping families across the country heal and find hope again. This episode is heartbreaking, raw, and ultimately redemptive—a must-listen for every parent, teacher, and teen.

Actress and mom Odette Annable sits down with Dr. Daniel Amen for a raw look inside her brain scan—and what it reveals about her struggles with ADHD, perfectionism, criticism, and the pressure to be "the strong one." Odette shares what it's like to feel hyper-productive yet scattered, zigzagging through her day only to end up frustrated—like there's a cap on her potential she can't break through. From growing up in pageants to navigating marriage and parenting a child with ADHD, Odette shares how her brain wiring fuels reactivity, stress, and self-doubt—and what she's learning to do differently to create a healthier brain and a stronger family.

Actor Dave Annable opens up to Dr. Daniel Amen in this candid brain scan session that's as raw as it is eye-opening. Dave shares his lifelong struggles with ADHD, insomnia, and self-medication with unhealthy substances—and how they affect his marriage. With Dr. Amen's insights, Dave discovers how brain health impacts not only focus and productivity, but also intimacy, parenting, and long-term happiness. Dr. Amen also reveals the surprising brain patterns shaping Dave's life and explains why he should see a functional medicine doctor. Whether you're married, a parent, or simply curious about how your brain impacts your relationships, this episode is both deeply relatable and full of practical hope.

On this week's podcast episode, the Amens welcome CA Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos. As California's Doctor, she is the leading spokesperson on the most pressing public health issues of the time within the State of California. With a steadfast commitment to addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences, mental health, and maternal mortality and morbidity, Dr. Ramos has been a driving force in shaping policies and programs that make a lasting impact. Her mission is simple: to advance the health and wellbeing of all Californians.

On this week's episode of Change Your Brain Every Day podcast, NY Times Bestselling Author Dr. Josh Axe sits down with the Amens to discuss his new research and book, The Biblio Diet. For more on Dr. Josh Axe's new book, visit: https://www.amazon.com/Biblio-Diet-Metabolism-Depression-Conquer/dp/1546008438  

When Emma Heming Willis' husband, actor Bruce Willis, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, she felt like her world has fallen apart. In this heartfelt conversation with Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen, Emma opens up about the hidden grief of ambiguous loss, the weight of caregiving, and how she's turning pain into purpose through her advocacy and new book The Unexpected Journey. With raw honesty and hard-won wisdom, she shares how she found strength, community, and resilience while holding onto love in the midst of heartbreaking change. Whether you're a caregiver, grieving, or walking alongside someone you love through illness, this episode will remind you that you're not alone—and that hope can be found even in the hardest places.   Emma's new book, The Unexpected Journey: https://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Journey-Strength-Yourself-Caregiving/dp/0593833945  

What does it take to go from broken bones and broken confidence… to becoming one of the NBA's fiercest playoff performers? In this revealing conversation, 3-time All-Star Julius Randle opens up to Dr. Daniel Amen about his mental health struggles and self-doubt to unlock a championship mindset. You'll hear the surprising brain scan discoveries that changed his game, why he ditched marijuana, and how embracing his "Mamba Disciple" alter ego—honoring his mentor Kobe Bryant—helped him dominate under pressure. Whether you're chasing peak performance, trying to capture that flow state at work on on the court, or simply trying to find more zen in your life, this story will inspire you to rewrite the limits of your life.

In this week's episode, Daniel G. Amen, MD sits down with professional basketball star Sedona Prince. Sedona discusses her diagnosis with Bipolar II and past emotional trauma. Dr. Amen shares Sedona's brain SPECT scan results and provides a pathway for healing.

Think ADHD is just a childhood issue? Think again. In this revealing episode, Amen Clinics psychiatrist Dr. Steven Storage takes the mic to explore how ADHD often shows up for the first time in college, young adulthood, or even midlife. You'll learn the surprising science behind why symptoms can emerge after mental health struggles, mild head injuries, or hormonal shifts like perimenopause. Dr. Storage also breaks down the genetic component of ADHD—and why having a parent or sibling with it doesn't mean you're doomed to struggle too. If you've ever asked, "Do I actually have ADHD?"—this episode could change everything. Plus, get real-world strategies for screen use, dopamine balance, and raising resilient kids in a hyper-digital world.

Traditional psychiatry claims there are just three types of ADHD—what if there are actually seven? In this enlightening guest featured episode, Amen Clinics psychiatrist Dr. Steven Storage takes the mic to expose the surprising science behind ADHD, including how brain scans reveal very different types of the condition. And how you might be getting the wrong treatment if you don't know your type. From inattentive and over-focused types to the explosive "Ring of Fire" type, you'll learn how ADHD can show up in unexpected ways… and how to tailor treatment for real results. Whether you're a parent, a patient, or simply know someone with ADHD (and most of us do), this episode will change the way you think about this misunderstood condition.

What if your lifelong struggles with anxiety, procrastination, and lack of follow-through weren't personality flaws—but signs of untreated ADHD? In this raw and revealing episode, actor and podcast host Oliver Hudson sits down with his sister, actress Kate Hudson, alongside Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen, for a brain scan reveal that changes everything. Oliver opens up about decades of panic attacks and anxiety, bizarre side effects from antidepressants, and the brutal reality of withdrawal from that medication—only to discover the real issue may have been overlooked all along. From childhood trauma to chasing dopamine, this episode captures the turning point where understanding begins—and hope for a better brain and a better life takes root.

What happens when you finally see your brain? In Part 1 of this eye-opening series, actress and entrepreneur, Kate Hudson and her podcast co-host brother, Oliver Hudson, join Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen for their brain scan reveal—and the results are as surprising as they are enlightening. From undiagnosed ADHD and childhood concussions to emotional trauma and a strong sense of purpose, Kate opens up about the invisible forces shaping her mind, motivation, and success. You'll hear why her brain shuts down when it should turn on, how soccer headers left a lasting impact, and the natural tools she's using to take control. It's raw, real, and full of insights for anyone who's ever struggled to focus—or wondered why life feels harder than it should. Stay tuned for Part 2 when Oliver sees his brain scan for the first time.

When chaos hits the world, how do you protect your inner peace? In this episode, Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen share real-life tools to manage your mind during turbulent times. From global conflict to personal crises, they reveal how to avoid being hijacked by the 24-hour news cycle, reduce worry and panic, and build true mental resilience. You'll hear how Tana's mindset shifted after facing one of her biggest fears—and why prepping for disease, dementia, and depression might be more important than prepping for doomsday. This is your guide to staying grounded when everything feels like it's spinning out of control.