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Exploring Brain and Mind

Exploring Brain and Mind

Written by: Elke Wallace
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Brain and mind are intrinsically connected but often seen as separate. Every week, “Exploring Brain and Mind” will combine neuroscience research, tips to keep brain and mind healthy and functioning well as well as talks with guests in different professions from science, coaching, leadership, healing and spirituality.

Join your host Elke Wallace, founder of Mastering Your Mind Matters, on her mission to help as many people as possible to understand how their brain and mind work so they can take more control of their lives and make better choices.

Follow and subscribe to "Exploring Brain and Mind" on Apple, Spotify and all other podcasts and find more information about Mastering Your Mind Matters on www.masteringyourmindmatters.com.

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Episodes
  • Episode 59 - The DSM: A Guidebook, a Battleground or Both?

    Episode 59 - The DSM: A Guidebook, a Battleground or Both?
    Jun 30 2026
    Episode SummaryWhat exactly is the DSM, and why does it play such a significant role in modern mental health care?In this episode of Exploring Brain and Mind, we take a deep dive into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) – the classification system used by mental health professionals to diagnose and study mental health conditions. From its origins in the mid-20th century to its current influence on clinical practice, research, insurance coverage and public understanding of mental illness, the DSM has shaped how we think about psychological distress for decades.We explore how the DSM came into existence, how new disorders are added, why some diagnoses have been removed or redefined and the rigorous – but often controversial – process behind its revisions.Along the way, we examine major milestones, including the introduction of PTSD, the evolution of autism diagnoses and the historic removal of homosexuality as a mental disorder.The episode also presents both sides of the debate. Supporters argue that the DSM provides a common language for clinicians, improves research and helps people access treatment and support. Critics contend that it can oversimplify human experiences, contribute to overdiagnosis and reflect cultural and social biases.Whether you're interested in psychology, psychiatry, mental health or the philosophy of diagnosis itself, this episode offers a balanced exploration of one of the most influential and debated publications in mental health.Key Takeaways· The DSM was first published in 1952 to create a standardized system for diagnosing mental disorders.· Early editions were heavily influenced by psychoanalytic theories, while later versions focused on observable symptoms and diagnostic criteria.· The publication of DSM-III in 1980 marked a major shift toward a more structured and standardized diagnostic approach.· New disorders are added through extensive research, expert review, field testing and public consultation.· Diagnoses can also be revised, merged or removed as scientific understanding and societal perspectives evolve.· The removal of homosexuality from the DSM in 1973 remains one of the most significant moments in the history of psychiatric diagnosis.· Supporters argue that the DSM improves communication among professionals, advances research and helps individuals access care and services.· Critics argue that the DSM may medicalise normal human experiences and rely on categories that do not always reflect underlying biological realities.· Ongoing debates focus on issues such as overdiagnosis, cultural bias, neurodiversity, trauma-informed approaches and the future of psychiatric classification.· The DSM continues to evolve as mental health professionals seek to better understand the complexities of human psychology and emotional suffering.KeywordsDSM, DSM-5, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, history of the DSM, mental health diagnosis, psychiatric diagnosis, psychology podcast, psychiatry podcast, mental health disorders, how mental disorders are diagnosed, American Psychiatric Association, evolution of psychiatry, history of mental health, PTSD diagnosis, autism spectrum disorder, mental illness classification, psychiatric disorders, psychology education, mental health awareness, controversies in psychiatry, psychiatric classification system, diagnostic criteria, mental health research, psychology and psychiatry, philosophy of mental illness, psychology history, DSM controversies, understanding mental disorders,FURTHER INFORMATON AND LINKS:Exploring Brain and Mind is part of Mastering Your Mind Matters – the website www.masteringyourmindmatters.com is being updated.All enquiries linked to Exploring Brain and Mind, including enquiries about being a guest, should exclusively to the following email: welcome@masteringyourmindmatters.comExploring Brain and Mind is currently a one-person venture with limited financial resources. Donations to the following link would be greatly appreciated to help improve services: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/a91052d4-5b30-406a-a41c-158c4b5f9cc0/donationsTo find out more about the host you can follow Elke Wallace onLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elke-a-wallace
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    28 mins
  • Episode 58 - The Neuroscience of Grief: How Loss Remaps the Brain and Body

    Episode 58 - The Neuroscience of Grief: How Loss Remaps the Brain and Body
    Jun 2 2026

    Episode Summary

    Most people associate grief with the death of a loved one, but grief can arise from many forms of loss. The end of a relationship, redundancy, financial hardship, illness, infertility, retirement, disability, and the loss of a hoped-for future can all trigger powerful grief responses.

    In this episode of Exploring Brain and Mind, we explore the neuroscience behind grief and discover how the brain responds when reality suddenly changes. We examine the role of stress hormones, attachment systems, prediction errors, grief fog, and neuroplasticity, revealing why grief affects not only our emotions but also our cognition, physical health, and overall wellbeing.

    We also discuss the science behind Broken Heart Syndrome, why different people grieve in different ways, and how the brain gradually adapts to loss over time.

    Key Takeaways

    · Grief Is More Than Bereavement: Grief is a natural response to significant loss, including relationship breakdowns, job loss, financial hardship, illness, disability, retirement, and other major life changes.

    · The Brain as a Prediction Machine: The brain builds expectations about people, roles, routines, and future outcomes. Grief occurs when reality no longer matches those expectations.

    · The Neurochemical Crash: Major loss disrupts stress, reward, and bonding systems in the brain, contributing to emotional distress and grief fog.

    · The Physical Toll: Chronic grief affects the immune system, digestive system, cardiovascular health, and overall wellbeing.

    · Broken Heart Syndrome Is Real: Severe grief can trigger Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy, a temporary heart condition that mimics a heart attack.

    · Everyone Grieves Differently: Attachment styles, genetics, life history, and current stress levels all influence how individuals experience grief.

    · Healing Through Neuroplasticity: Recovery is not about forgetting. It is about the brain adapting to a new reality while maintaining meaningful connections to what was lost.

    Keywords (SEO)

    grief and loss, neuroscience of grief, grief beyond bereavement, grief after job loss, grief and redundancy, financial loss and grief, grief brain fog, how grief affects the brain, broken heart syndrome, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, attachment and grief, prediction error theory, grief and physical health, neuroplasticity and grief, emotional resilience, psychological adaptation, loss and mental health, exploring brain and mind podcast.

    FURTHER INFORMATON AND LINKS:

    Exploring Brain and Mind is part of Mastering Your Mind Matters – the website www.masteringyourmindmatters.com is being updated.

    All enquiries linked to Exploring Brain and Mind, including enquiries about being a guest, should exclusively to the following email: welcome@masteringyourmindmatters.com

    Exploring Brain and Mind is currently a one-person venture with limited financial resources. Donations to the following link would be greatly appreciated to help improve services: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/a91052d4-5b30-406a-a41c-158c4b5f9cc0/donations

    To find out more about the host you can follow Elke Wallace on

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elke-a-wallace
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    17 mins
  • Episode 57 - The Will to Power: Unpacking the Universal Colonial Mindset

    Episode 57 - The Will to Power: Unpacking the Universal Colonial Mindset
    May 5 2026

    Episode Summary

    In Episode 57 of Exploring Brain and Mind, we examine the psychology behind the colonialist mindset—not simply as a feature of modern European imperialism, but as a recurring pattern throughout human history. This episode explores the evolutionary and psychological roots of domination, status-seeking, and tribalism, and how cultures across time have justified conquest through “civilizing missions,” moral superiority, and ideological certainty.

    From the Mongol Empire and early Islamic Caliphates to European colonial powers and modern cultural hegemony, we investigate how belief systems, religion, and ideology can transform domination into perceived moral duty. We also explore how “othering” and dehumanization reduce empathy and enable conquest, before asking what it might take to move beyond domination toward pluralism, collaboration, and mutual learning.

    Ultimately, this episode argues that the colonial mindset is not confined to one civilization, race, or era—but reflects a broader human struggle with difference, power, and the temptation to impose one worldview upon others.

    Key Takeaways

    · The colonialist mindset is a recurring human psychological pattern, not exclusive to Western history.

    · Evolutionary pressures contributed to tribalism, hierarchy, and status-seeking behaviours that can scale into domination.

    · Civilizations often justify conquest through “civilizing” narratives and moral superiority.

    · Religion, ideology, and belief systems can provide moral justification for domination and expansion.

    · Othering and dehumanization reduce empathy and make domination psychologically easier.

    · Modern forms of colonial psychology persist through cultural, economic, technological, and ideological dominance.

    · Moving beyond the colonial mindset requires embracing pluralism, humility, and collaboration over domination.

    Keywords (SEO)

    colonialist mindset, psychology of colonialism, colonial mentality, psychology of domination, evolutionary psychology of power, tribalism and human behaviour, othering psychology, superiority complex, civilizing mission, colonial history psychology, decolonizing the mind, psychology of empire, belief systems and domination, religion and conquest, ideology and power, cultural hegemony, pluralism vs domination, collaboration over competition, human nature and power

    FURTHER INFORMATON AND LINKS:

    Exploring Brain and Mind is part of Mastering Your Mind Matters – the website www.masteringyourmindmatters.com is being updated.

    All enquiries linked to Exploring Brain and Mind, including enquiries about being a guest, should exclusively to the following email: welcome@masteringyourmindmatters.com

    Exploring Brain and Mind is currently a one-person venture with limited financial resources. Donations to the following link would be greatly appreciated to help improve services: https://app.redcircle.com/shows/a91052d4-5b30-406a-a41c-158c4b5f9cc0/donations

    To find out more about the host you can follow Elke Wallace on

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elke-a-wallace
    Show More Show Less
    17 mins
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