It’s not that you’re lazy — it’s that your motivation’s being hijacked.

In this episode, I explore how dopamine works, how our devices exploit it, and why you can’t seem to care about the things that actually matter anymore.

This isn’t just a productivity hack. It’s a call to reclaim your drive — without deleting every app or pretending you’re a monk.

🔹 What dopamine really does (it’s not just about pleasure)
🔹 How tech trains your brain to chase pings, not progress
🔹 The 3 dopamine traps baked into modern life
🔹 How I rewired my habits and started winning offline

If you’ve been feeling stuck, scattered, or like your spark is gone — this one's for you.

Pause. Breathe. Reboot. You’ve got this.

A 30-minute deadline. A leadership escalation. And a pressure spiral that nearly broke me.
This episode dives into how I stay calm under pressure — using a 3-step mindset tool I call the “Emergency Triage Rule.”

You’ll learn how pressure hijacks your thinking, why reacting too fast can backfire, and how to contribute meaningfully without checking out or burning out.

If you’ve ever asked:

• “Why do I freeze when urgency hits?”

• “How do I stay calm when leadership is panicking?”

• “Can I respond without losing control?”

This one’s for you.

Topics in this episode:
✅ What pressure actually does to your brain
✅ The Emergency Triage Rule: Contain. Clarify. Contribute.
✅ How to stop overreacting and regain control
✅ Staying focused when everything’s on fire 🔥

🎧 Part of The Glitch in My Brain — a podcast about burnout, mental clarity, and thriving in a tech-saturated world.

I wasn’t tired. I wasn’t sick. But my brain was… gone.I’d open the fridge and forget why I was there. Sit at my laptop and blank out mid-task. I thought I was functioning — but I was offline. Mentally disconnected.This week on *The Glitch in My Brain*, I share what brain fog really feels like, how it quietly hijacks our focus, and the surprisingly simple tool that brought my mind back online.If you’ve ever asked:• “Why can’t I focus no matter how hard I try?”• “Is it burnout, distraction — or something else?”• “How do I reset without deleting all my apps?”This one’s for you.---## In this episode:✔️ The “fog of war” metaphor that made everything click✔️ What causes brain fog (and why it sneaks up on you)✔️ The one thing that finally helped me focus✔️ How to reset without quitting tech or going off-grid---## ⏱️ CHAPTERS:00:00 The Fog of Mental Overload03:00 Understanding Cognitive Overload06:12 The Impact of Digital Distractions09:07 Strategies for Mental Clarity12:04 The Science of Mental Recovery14:54 Cultivating a Mindful Garden---📩 Subscribe for weekly episodes about burnout, digital overload, and finding mental clarity in a tech-saturated world:[https://www.youtube.com/@TheGlitchInMyBrain]🎧 Also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.Let’s connect:🔗 LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauntofsrud](https://www.linkedin.com/in/shauntofsrud)\#brainfog #burnout #mentalclarity #focus #digitalwellness #glitchinmybrain #overstimulation #productivity---## 🛠️ GEAR & TOOLS I USE:🎙️ My Microphone (Rode NT-USB+): [https://amzn.to/3SvcUa8](https://amzn.to/3SvcUa8)💡 My Lighting Kit: [https://amzn.to/4kfjxJG](https://amzn.to/4kfjxJG)📹 My Webcam: [https://amzn.to/45Gyfou](https://amzn.to/45Gyfou)📱 iPhone Tripod I Use for Recording: [https://amzn.to/3FHIzlA](https://amzn.to/3FHIzlA)🖥️ Standing Desk Setup: [https://amzn.to/4kfrqil](https://amzn.to/4kfrqil)📝 My Favorite Sticky Notes: [https://amzn.to/4mGP20W](https://amzn.to/4mGP20W)🔗 These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the channel!---Let me know if you want a **LinkedIn teaser post**, **YouTube Short caption**, or **playlist update** next!

I had dashboards for everything.
Work, school, podcasting — even my breathwork.

My life looked organized.
But inside? I was completely burned out.

In this episode of The Glitch in My Brain, I share how my obsession with productivity systems like Notion became its own kind of stress trap — and how a simple sticky note helped me reclaim clarity, one task at a time.

🎧 In this episode:
• The productivity paradox no one talks about
• Why optimization can become a mask for burnout
• The moment my “perfect system” collapsed
• What actually helped me recover — and it wasn’t an app

If your to-do list is beautiful but your brain is fried... this one’s for you.

—

💡 Want more content like this? Subscribe on Spotify or watch on YouTube @TheGlitchInMyBrain
#burnout #productivity #mentalhealth #theglitchinmybrain

Are you feeling drained — even after a day off? You might be “always on”… and your tech could be the reason.In this episode of *The Glitch in My Brain*, I dive into how technology hijacks our focus, breaks our boundaries, and contributes to burnout without us even realizing it.From WhatsApp spirals and work phone distractions to setting boundaries that stick, this episode is packed with personal stories and practical ways to reclaim your energy.✅ Topics covered:- Tech burnout signs you might be ignoring- How to set boundaries with your phone and apps- Tools to rebuild your focus and mental clarity🎧 Watch next: [Episode 8 – Burnout Recovery That Actually Works (ft. Amanda Firby)] https://youtu.be/zVDnEp_lUHY?si=N-ABg6gkbwEVWgpL👇 Let me know in the comments: What’s *one boundary* you're setting with your tech this week?---#Burnout #DigitalBurnout #MentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance #TechAddiction #AlwaysTired #Focus #MindfulTech #MensMentalHealth #RemoteWork #ProductivityHacks #glitchinmybrain --Chapters00:00 The Reality of Burnout and Technology's Role03:00 Finding Balance: The Importance of Disconnecting05:52 Establishing Boundaries for Better Focus09:11 The Myth of Productivity in a Tech-Driven World12:04 Reclaiming Your Time and Mental Space--🎙 Gear I use:- Mic: [Rode NT-USB+] https://amzn.to/4muVzLV- Camera: [Logitech C920] https://amzn.to/3Z1FUd5- Headset [HyperX Cloud III] HyperX Cloud III

If you’re always tired but still pushing through — you might already be in burnout.

In this episode of The Glitch in My Brain, I sit down with [Amanda Firby], TELUS’s Fitness & Wellness Coordinator, to unpack the hidden signs of burnout and what you can do right now to avoid crashing.

With over 20 years in wellness and 15 years focused on corporate fitness, Amanda shares the exact strategies she teaches high-performing teams to build energy, set boundaries, and reset — even when your calendar won’t slow down.

🎯 If you're in tech, leadership, or grinding through your MBA, this conversation is your warning light — and your toolkit.

🎧 In this episode:

• The early warning signs most people miss

• How burnout disguises itself as "productivity"

• Micro-habits that restore energy fast

• The role your workplace plays in keeping you stuck

📉 Burnout creeps in silently — and by the time you feel it, it’s already affecting your health, focus, and performance.

▶️ Listen now before the stress you're ignoring becomes the crash you can’t avoid.

#BurnoutWarning #MentalHealthMatters #WorkLifeBalance #CorporateWellness #TELUSHealth #TheGlitchInMyBrain #TechCulture #RemoteWorkLife #Resilience #MindfulLeadership

AI isn’t replacing humans — it’s redefining what makes us truly irreplaceable. In this episode of The Glitch in My Brain, I explore 5 essential human skills you need to thrive in the AI-driven workplace of 2025: emotional intelligence, adaptability, critical thinking, creativity, and leadership. 💡As a Senior Program Manager working at the intersection of people and technology, I’ve seen how AI tools can enhance performance — but it’s the human touch that drives real innovation. This episode offers practical exercises, research-backed insights, and personal stories to help you future-proof your career.Whether you're a tech professional, a team leader, or simply curious about the future of work, this episode is your roadmap for standing out in a world increasingly shaped by automation.🎯 Learn how to:Improve emotional intelligence for better collaborationAdapt to rapid change and embrace continuous learningSharpen your critical thinking to stay ahead of AIUnleash your creativity in ways machines can’t replicateLead teams with vision and empathy in the digital age🧠 It’s not about competing with machines — it’s about out-humaning them.#AI2025 #FutureOfWork #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipSkills #Adaptability #CriticalThinking #Creativity #HumanSkills #AIandHumans #DigitalWorkplace #TheGlitchInMyBrain******************Chapters00:00 The AI Transformation of Work01:03 Essential Human Skills for 202501:54 Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Connection04:42 Adaptability: Thriving in Change07:07 Critical Thinking: Navigating Complexity09:57 Creativity: The Human Edge12:23 Leadership: Guiding in an AI World15:15 Taking Action: Your Path to AI Readiness

Summary

In this episode, Shaun discusses the critical role of digital empathy in enhancing team engagement and building unbreakable trust in remote work environments. He explores the unique challenges posed by digital communication, such as the absence of nonverbal cues, and offers practical strategies for cultivating empathy online. The conversation emphasizes that empathy is not just a soft skill but a strategic imperative for fostering collaboration and improving workplace culture. Shaun shares personal experiences and encourages listeners to actively practice digital empathy to strengthen their professional relationships.