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.

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Most of us will go through the pain of losing a close friend, yet very few of us are ever shown how to handle it. Whether it’s a sudden fallout or a slow drift apart, the end of a friendship can shake your confidence, trigger self-doubt, and leave you wondering who you are without that connection.

Dr. Aman Bhonsle is a psychotherapist, youth mentor, and relationship counselor based in Mumbai. With years of experience helping young people navigate anxiety, heartbreak, and identity struggles, he brings a mix of clinical insight and practical wisdom.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why drifting apart from a friend can hurt as much as a breakup
• How to know when to let go versus when to reach out
• The emotional traps teens often fall into after losing a friend
• Why silence and lack of closure can feel unbearable, and how to process it
• Small daily habits to restore balance and self-worth
• How to grieve a friendship without letting it define your future connections

This isn’t just an episode about losing friends. It’s about finding yourself again, building emotional strength, and understanding that healing is possible. I hope you enjoy listening.

Check out these resources inspired by today’s conversation :

Journey to Your Best Self: Gratitude Journal: 6 Month Daily Guide for Self-Reflection, Self-Love, and Mindfulness : https://amzn.to/3HWz4jC

Book "The Art of Letting Go": Stop Overthinking, Stop Negative Spirals, and Find Emotional Freedom (The Path to Calm) : https://amzn.to/45IDGDl

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Every teen faces mental health struggles, but they don’t always look the same. For some it’s school stress, for others family pressure or body image worries. The challenges differ, but the feelings underneath are something we all share.

Joining us today from the heart of India, Mumbai is Dr. Ria Talwar, a counseling psychologist trained in the UK who brings a global perspective shaped by years of experience supporting teens, adults, and families.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Whether privilege and social class affect mental health struggles
• The unique pressures young people face today
• How social media impacts self-worth and body image
• The stigma around therapy and ways to break it
• Simple daily habits that build resilience and balance

The lesson of this episode is clear : mental health is universal. We all feel it, we all live it, and we can all learn to take care of it.

Check out these resources inspired by today’s conversation

Mental health affirmation "Progress is not Linear" Wooden Box Sign : https://amzn.to/3K0nrc0

"Mental Health Matters" Sticker that you can glue on anywhere : https://amzn.to/41YRrLG

"Kohut's Twinship Across Cultures" : The Psychology of Being Human book https://amzn.to/3VxEnZX

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