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Mind Pilot 92

In this episode of Mind Pilot, Dr. Jana Price-Sharps and Dr. Matthew Sharps break down the science of why most New Year's resolutions fail by February. Introducing the concept of "Feature Intensive Analysis," they explain the difference between vague "Gestalt" thinking—like simply wanting to get healthy—and creating a linear, tactical plan that actually works. The discussion covers the importance of verifying that your goals are truly your own and offers strategies for using visual aids, such as phone wallpapers and sticky notes, to keep those objectives front of mind. Tune in to learn how to replace radical, overwhelming overhauls with small, incremental changes that lead to sustainable success.

Key Takeaways:

Ditch Vague Goals: Move beyond generalized "Gestalt" desires (e.g., "get healthy") and use "Feature Intensive Analysis" to break resolutions into specific, measurable, and linear steps.

Validate Your Motivations: Ensure your goals are realistic and truly important to you, rather than based on external pressures from others or the internet.

Keep It Highly Visible: Don't bury your plans deep in an app. Use physical reminders like 3x5 cards on a mirror or a dedicated phone lock screen to keep your goals "alive" and in front of you daily.

Focus on Incremental Change: Radical life overhauls often lead to burnout. Focus on making small, sustainable adjustments and build flexibility into your plan for when life inevitably interrupts your schedule.

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Mind Pilot Episode 91

In this episode of Mind Pilot, Dr. Jana Price-Sharps and Dr. Matthew Sharps explore the psychological reality of high-stakes decision-making. Discussing his new book, The Forensic View, Dr. Sharps explains the "continuity of the nervous system"—the biological fact that even trained first responders are vulnerable to the brain's natural stress responses. They discuss how trauma affects the prefrontal cortex, why memory errors during critical incidents are a matter of biology rather than competence, and how understanding these mechanisms can help officers navigate the stress of post-incident investigations.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Physiology of Stress: How adrenaline drains resources from the prefrontal cortex, literally changing how officers interpret reality during dangerous encounters.
• The Trauma of Scrutiny: How the stress of hostile interviews, media narratives, and repeated questioning can permanently rewrite an officer’s memory of an event.
• Normalizing Perception Errors: Understanding that the brain naturally "fills in the blanks" (like mistaking a manatee for a mermaid or a phone for a gun) is a standard biological survival mechanism, not a sign of mental instability.

Featured Book: The Forensic View: Investigative Psychology, Law Enforcement, Space Aliens, Exploration, and the Nature of Madness by Dr. Matthew Sharps.

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Mind Pilot Episode 90

What happens when a command-presence mindset meets a strong-willed partner at home? In this episode of Mind Pilot, Dr. Jana Price-Sharps addresses the unique friction that occurs when two "Type-A" personalities share a life.

For first responders and veterans, "winning" is often a survival mechanism—but applying that same urgency to household chores can be disastrous for a relationship. Dr. Jana breaks down why you are hard-wired to win, why it’s okay for your spouse to have a different opinion, and how to shift your goal from "winning the argument" to "resolving the issue." Tune in for practical advice on how to navigate the small battles—like the dishwasher and toothpaste—so you don't lose the war for your marriage.

Topics Covered

• Leave command presence at work: Giving orders works on the job, but it doesn't translate to a healthy partnership.
• Shift from winning to resolving: Winning the skirmish often means losing the war; focus on the solution, not the victory.
• Accept different opinions: Unless it is a life-or-death scenario, it is okay for your partner to do things differently.
• Gamify the small stuff: Turn petty irritations—like how to load the dishwasher—into a playful dynamic rather than a fight.
• Don't communicate while angry: You cannot resolve issues when you are heated; take a break to avoid unnecessary power struggles.

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