Most teenagers grow up navigating a world shaped by social pressure, screens, and constant comparison, yet very few of us are ever taught how our brains actually make decisions.

Michael Platt is a neuroscientist, professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and director of the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative. His work explores how emotion, social connection, and environment shape human behavior. Blending neuroscience with real-world insight, he helps explain why we think, feel, and choose the way we do in a digital age.

In this conversation, we explore:

• What the social brain is and why connection is essential to well-being
• Why teenagers are especially sensitive to social feedback and belonging
• How brands, social media, and digital platforms capture attention and influence choice
• Why herd mentality feels so powerful, and when it helps or hurts us
• How creativity, motivation, and decision-making are shaped by environment
• What skills matter most for teens growing up with AI and “god-like” technology

This isn’t just an episode about neuroscience. It’s about understanding your brain, protecting your autonomy, and learning how to make intentional choices in a world designed to influence you. I hope you enjoy listening.

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School, social media, and constant pressure can make it feel impossible to slow down. Between stress, anxiety, and the noise of everyday life, most teens rarely get a moment to just breathe. Mindfulness offers a way to pause, reset, and actually feel calm.

Joining us on today’s episode is bestselling author Dr. Eline Snel, a mindfulness expert who has helped young people around the world find calm in a noisy world. She’s also about to launch the Sitting Still app, created to make mindfulness easy and accessible for teens everywhere.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How simple, everyday practices can reduce stress and build inner serenity
• Why focusing on your breath helps you observe without reacting
• How mindfulness can improve self-awareness and lower anxiety
• Practical ways to feel more connected to yourself, even in a loud world

This episode is a chance to slow down, breathe, and discover small ways to feel calmer in a busy world.

Check out the resources inspired/mentioned in today’s conversation :

Eline Snel's book "Breathe Through This": https://amzn.to/4fLh9Ju

52 cards with extremely effective exercises for mindfulness, meditation, anxiety relief, stress management, self care, relaxation & more.https://amzn.to/3JmDcK5

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A follow-up to our talk with Dr. Eline Snel, this episode offers a simple breathing exercise from her method to help you release stress and anxiety, stay calm, and practice mindfulness anytime.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.