Know Brainer cover art

Know Brainer

Know Brainer

Written by: Dr. Jaya Viswanathan
Listen for free

About this listen

Join Dr. Jaya Viswanathan, a neuroscientist, artist, and author, as she speaks with scientists and researchers exploring the many facets of neuroscience and brain health. Neuroscience research impacts society, technology, and our fundamental understanding of the natural world. Discussions with guests on the show range from addressing mental health issues to conservation; to better understand the brain, ourselves, and the natural world. Dr. Viswanathan's guests also generously share wisdom and practical tips on how to navigate a career journey that feeds your curiosity and affirms your values.Dr. Jaya Viswanathan Science
Episodes
  • Addiction and Recovery – the Art and Science of Breaking Substance Abuse Habits with Recovery Coach Shane Mayson – Part II
    Jul 20 2025

    Addiction is a complex process that changes a person’s physiology and psychology. What are some of the biological and environmental factors that affect addiction and recovery? In this conversation with Shane Mayson, we delve deep into the complex underpinnings of addiction and the long road to recovery. Shane shares his deeply personal journey from addict to recovery coach along with several tipsto break persistent cognitive loops. Tune in to this educational and deeply human episode. Over two episodes, Shane will deepen your understanding of the lived experience of addiction.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    Shane Mayson is a seasoned professional with over four decades of experience in the hospitality industry. As a former restaurateur, Shane built and operated successful dining establishments known for their exceptional service and welcoming environments. Now, he has transitioned his passion for service into a new calling as a Coach, specializing in sobriety and recovery.

    With 21 years of personal sobriety, Shane brings not only lived experience but also deep empathy and insight into the challenges of addiction and the transformative journey of recovery. His coaching approach is grounded, compassionate, and purpose-driven, helping individuals build sustainable, fulfilling lives free from substance use. Shane is committed to guiding others with honesty, accountability, and hope—core values that have shaped both his personal and professional evolution.

    Contact him via: shane@steadfast-support.com

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    Dr. Jaya Viswanathan is a neuroscientist, author, and artist born and raised in India. She earned an engineering degree, a Master’s in neuroscience, and a Doctorate in cognitive neuroscience. Since her post-doctoral fellowship, she continues to deepen her neuroscientific expertise as a contractor at the National Institutes of Health. She was inspired to illustrate and write Baby Senses: A Sensory Neuroscience Primer for All Ages to convey complex scientific concepts through art and whimsy in terms of sensory “superpowers”. She has been interviewed on written, audio/podcasts, and video platforms where she makes neuroscience accessible to lay audiences. Tune intoher podcast “Know Brainer” and other projects through which she disseminates science via ⁠https://babysensesbook.com/⁠.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Addiction and Recovery – the Art and Science of Breaking Substance Abuse Habits with Recovery Coach Shane Mayson – Part I
    Jul 6 2025

    Addiction is a complex process that changes a person’s physiology and psychology. What are some of the biological and environmental factors that affect addiction and recovery? In this conversation with Shane Mayson, we delve deep into the complex underpinnings of addiction and the long road to recovery. Shane shares his deeply personal journey from addict to recovery coach along with several tipsto break persistent cognitive loops. Tune in to this educational and deeply human episode. Over two episodes, Shane will deepen your understanding of the lived experience of addiction.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    Shane Mayson is a seasoned professional with over four decades of experience in the hospitality industry. As a former restaurateur, Shane built and operated successful dining establishments known for their exceptional service and welcoming environments. Now, he has transitioned his passion for service into a new calling as a Coach, specializing in sobriety and recovery.

    With 21 years of personal sobriety, Shane brings not only lived experience but also deep empathy and insight into the challenges of addiction and the transformative journey of recovery. His coaching approach is grounded, compassionate, and purpose-driven, helping individuals build sustainable, fulfilling lives free from substance use. Shane is committed to guiding others with honesty, accountability, and hope—core values that have shaped both his personal and professional evolution.

    Contact him via: shane@steadfast-support.com

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    Dr. Jaya Viswanathan is a neuroscientist, author, and artist born and raised in India. She earned an engineering degree, a Master’s in neuroscience, and a Doctorate in cognitive neuroscience. Since her post-doctoral fellowship, she continues to deepen her neuroscientific expertise as a contractor at the National Institutes of Health. She was inspired to illustrate and write Baby Senses: A Sensory Neuroscience Primer for All Ages to convey complex scientific concepts through art and whimsy in terms of sensory “superpowers”. She has been interviewed on written, audio/podcasts, and video platforms where she makes neuroscience accessible to lay audiences. Tune into her podcast “Know Brainer” and other projects through which she disseminates science via https://babysensesbook.com/.

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • Neural Networking - Bridging Epidemiology and Neuroscience to Improve Health Outcomes with Population Neuroscientist Dr. Beth Shaaban – Part II
    Jun 16 2025

    What insights can be gained from epidemiology in the study of neurodegenerative disorders? In this insightful conversation with Dr. Beth Shaaban, we explore the interdisciplinary study of population neuroscience and how to address dementia from a public health and policy lens. Sharing deep insights from working with patients, outreach, research and public health organizations, Dr. Shaaban bridges these normally siloed topics with ease. Tune into this episode that will enrich your understanding of population neuroscience. Over two episodes, Dr. Shaaban covers essential topics such as building resistance and resilience to disorders and addressing issues of health access in equitable ways for diverse populations. The insights from these episodes will enrich your understanding of both epidemiology and neuroscience.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    Dr. Beth Shaaban is an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health and the Associate Core Leader of the University of Pittsburgh ADRC Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement (ORE) Core. She integrates epidemiology, biostatistics, neuroscience/ neuroimaging, and psychology to study vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), using a Population Neuroscience framework. Her research focuses on identifying promoters of cerebral small vessel integrity to prevent AD and related disorders and has included evaluation of growth factors, physical activity, and vascular risk factor reduction. Her present work includes an NIA-funded K01 award applying a Population Neuroscience approach to evaluate gender/sex influences on the cerebral small vessel disease-to-AD cascade and evaluation of cognition and brain health in people with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. She has an interest in analytic and recruitment/inclusion approaches to enhance external validity. Her aim is to gain insight into gender-related and sex-specific intervention targets to reduce AD and promote brain health equity.

    You may contact Dr. Shaaban through:

    LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethshaaban/⁠

    X: ⁠https://x.com/PopNeurosci⁠

    Website: ⁠https://www.publichealth.pitt.edu/directory/c-elizabeth-shaaban⁠

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    Dr. Jaya Viswanathan is a neuroscientist, author, and artist born and raised in India. She earned an engineering degree, a Master’s in neuroscience, and a Doctorate in cognitive neuroscience. Since her post-doctoral fellowship, she continues to deepen her neuroscientific expertise as a contractor at the National Institutes of Health. She was inspired to illustrate and write Baby Senses: A Sensory Neuroscience Primer for All Ages to convey complex scientific concepts through art and whimsy in terms of sensory “superpowers”. She has been interviewed on written, audio/podcasts, and video platforms where she makes neuroscience accessible to lay audiences. Tune into her podcast “Know Brainer” and other projects through which she disseminates science via ⁠https://babysensesbook.com/⁠.

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
No reviews yet