Why did evolution invest so much energy into thinking when most animals survive just fine without it? Why do some species with massive brains struggle at tasks that smaller-brained animals solve easily?

The story of intelligence isn’t a straight line and it definitely isn’t about brain size alone.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. David Bainbridge, a reproductive biologist and comparative anatomist at the University of Cambridge, to unpack what evolution actually optimized for and what it didn’t. We explore how brains evolved across millions of years, why intelligence shows up in wildly different forms across species, and how humans ended up taking an especially strange evolutionary path.

We dive into why vertebrate brains share a common blueprint, how mammals and birds reorganized that blueprint in completely different ways, and why humans ended up paying such a massive energy cost for cognition. Along the way, we challenge the idea that intelligence has a single definition and question whether the human brain is a triumph of evolution or a risky experiment that happened to work.

If you’re curious about evolution, intelligence, or why the human mind feels both powerful and fragile, this episode will change how you think about what the brain is and why it exists at all.

Hosted by Avanish Srinivasan. Learn more at youngaxons.com.

Why do some leaders make you feel motivated and focused, while others drain you the moment they speak? Your brain isn’t reacting to titles or authority. It’s reacting to biology.

Leadership isn’t just a skill or a personality trait. It’s a neural experience. And the environments we work in can literally reshape how our brains respond to stress, trust, and connection.

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Ryan McCreedy, an organizational psychologist and neuroscientist, to break down what leadership, teamwork, and culture actually look like inside the brain. We explore how transformational leaders create real mindset shifts, why high-performing teams synchronize at the level of brain waves and nervous systems, and how workplace culture can push people into burnout or growth without them realizing it.

We also dive into how assumptions become hardwired, how stress and safety rewire behavior, and why the future of work will belong to people who can think critically, collaborate deeply, and navigate uncertainty.

If you’re a student, future professional, or anyone who plans to lead or work with others, this episode will permanently change how you think about leadership, teams, and the brain at work.

Hosted by Avanish Srinivasan. Learn more at youngaxons.com.

Why do two people experience the same moment and walk away with completely different realities? Why do some minds crave structure while others thrive on creativity, risk, or chaos?

Long before we’re aware of it, our brains are already being shaped. But does that mean our behavior is written into our DNA or is there more room for choice than we think?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Kevin Mitchell, professor of genetics and neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin and author of Innate and Free Agents, to unpack how genes actually shape brain wiring and where their influence stops.

We explore why no two brains are ever wired the same, how randomness and development create individuality even in identical twins, and how genetic differences can subtly change perception, personality, and behavior. We also dive into neurodiversity, the limits of genetic prediction, and why the idea that “genes are destiny” misses what neuroscience really tells us about free will and agency.

If you’ve ever wondered how much of who you are was shaped before you were born and how much is still up to you, this episode will change how you think about genetics, individuality, and the brain.

Hosted by Avanish Srinivasan. Learn more at youngaxons.com.