Super Brain
Episodes
S6:E12 Meet your self
05 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Modern life can estrange us from what truly matters. We chase goals that look like success but feel hollow – and before we know it, we’re overwhel...
S6E11 THe Science of Serendipity
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Episode Summary:Why do some people seem to attract good fortune? In this episode, I explore the neuroscience of serendipity – those chance discoveri...
S6E10 - The great unlearning - AI's hidden cost
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Dr Sabina Brennan explores how generative AI changes learning. She looks at why effortful thinking is the engine of mastery, how AI c...
S6:E9 New Moment - New Choice
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If New Year’s resolutions leave you inspired one day and flattened the next, it’s not a willpower problem – it’s a nervous system problem. In ...
Visualisation
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode summaryWhat happens when you close your eyes and try to “see” something in your mind? For some people it’s a full-colour mental movie. F...
S6:E7 Imposter Phenomenon
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever walked into a room and thought, “Any minute now they’re going to realise I’ve no idea what I’m doing”?In this episode of Super...
S6:E6 Brain Rot
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode summary:“Brain rot” was named the Oxford Word of the Year 2024 – a tongue-in-cheek term for that fried feeling after too much scrolling ...
S6:E5 Puppy Love
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
pisodic-like memory• How dog ageing helps us understand human dementia• Why your dog is a genuine co-regulator of your nervous systemTools in Thre...
S6:E4 Sunshine and SAD
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Summary (short version): Why does winter feel heavier for some of us? In this episode, we explore the neuroscience of Seasonal Affective Disorder — ...
S6:E3 Self-criticism is self-harm
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why are we so much harsher on ourselves than we are on others? In this episode of Super Brain, I explore the neuroscience of self-compassion — what ...
S6:E2 Magic Mushrooms and the Human Brain
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Psilocybin — the psychedelic compound in so-called “magic mushrooms” — has exploded into headlines and social media feeds. Some call it a mira...
S6:E1 Tomorrow Brain
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we put off the very things that matter most? In this episode of Super Brain, I explore procrastination — the irrational gap between what we w...
Season 6 Promo: 'Super Brain is Back!'
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever wondered why you do the things you do, you’re going to love Season Six of Super Brain. In each episode, psychologist and neuroscien...
S5:E7 Mood, Food and the Gut Brain Connection with Prof John Cryan
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan has a fascinating conversation with Prof John Cryan stress neurobiologist and co-author of the Psychobiotic Revolution about the gut...
S5:E6 Help Me with Marianne Power
04 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan chats to journalist Marianne Power about the year she spent following the advice of one self-help book per month. -The book is like...
S5:E5 Bird girl with Mya-Rose Craig
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan chats to 20 year old Dr Mya-Rose Craig about her memoir Birdgirl. Already a woman if substance this young woman who has achieved so ...
S5:E4 Secrets
26 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan takes a look into secret research.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...
S5:E3 Control
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan explores the psychology and neuroscience of control, impulsivity, self-control, taking control and relinquishing control.Support thi...
S5:E2 Headspace for healthy eating with Dr Rupi Aujla
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan chats to NHS doctor, Sunday Times best-selling author and host of the The Doctor's Kitchen podcast about how he overcame a life-chan...
S5:E1 Imaginers
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Super Brain podcast returns with this audio documentary produced and presented by Super Brain host Dr Sabina BrennanDr Edward O'Sullivan, Director...
Super Brain is back
20 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Super Brain is back. Season 5 kicks off March 21st 2022 with the audio documentary produced and presented by Dr Sabina Brennan.Super Brain Episodes wi...
Booster 48 - Stranger Danger
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this, the final episode of Season 4 Dr Sabina Brennan talks about the benefits of talking to strangersSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/...
S4:E12 Strength with Mark O'Halloran
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan and multi-award-winning script writer and actor Mark O'Halloran discuss strength and weakness through the lens of his amazing films,...
Booster 47 - Tasty train stations - Synaesthesia
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan takes a look at synaesthesia a fascinating neurological phenomenon where certain sensory inputs such as words, letters, numbers or m...
S4:E11 It's only a penis with artist and sex worker Kate McGrew
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan chats to performing artist, activist and sex worker Kate McGrew about her passion for performing, sex work, and the need to make sex...
Booster 46 - Supercharge your creativity
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Eureka moments are a specific form of creativity. They don't just materialise from the ether – it’s simply the work of the human brain. In this b...
S4:E10 That Knocking Sound with Barnaby Walter
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
BP Walter's Sunday Times best seller, The Dinner Guest is one of the best books I've read in quite some time. As soon as I finished it I felt compelle...
Booster 45 Golden Guide to Great Sex
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan hands the mic for this booster to sex therapist and self-confessed sez geek Emily Power Smith who shares her top 4 tips for great se...
S4:E9 Sexual pleasure with sexologist Emily Power Smith
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I've had a clitoris all of my life and never knew that what we refer to as the clitoris is actually only the sensitive tip of an extensive internal or...
Booster 44 - Savant Syndrome
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan explores savant syndrome and the circumstances in which humans can demonstrate extraordinary capabilities, usually in art, music and...
S4:E8 Making new dreams with Lauren White Murphy
24 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lauren White-Murphy, aka @lolopopworld was a successful ghost writer signed with Warner Bros whose music had featured on hit shows like American Horro...
Booster 43 - Where am I?
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this booster shot Sabina Brennan explains how specialised brain cells that only fire in certain places help us to navigate the world around usSuppo...
S4:E7 Life is not a sentence with Amanda Smyth
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan speaks to Irish Trinidadian author Amanda Smyth about her new book Fortune, about being rootless and untethered, about chance meetin...
Booster 42 - I have two sons I love them both equally but....
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan makes a surprising discovery about Monday's guest Norma SheahanSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Ac...
S4: E6 Heal your Hole with Norma Sheahan
10 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sabina Brennan shoots the breeze with multi-talented actor, writer, voiceover artist, Norma SheahanHer weekly podcast is Heal Your Hole with Norma She...
S4:E5 Football: A Concussion Delivery System With Michael Kaplen
03 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan speaks with Michael Kaplen, a personal injury lawyer, who specialises in representing individuals who have sustained a traumatic bra...
Booster 40 - Liar, Liar
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan shares some recent research that shines a light on how the brain detects untruths and why we shouldn't always trust our gut.Support ...
Booster 41 - London Calling
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A brief update from my hotel room in London plus some tips on how to protect your most precious organ - your brainSupport this show http://supporter.a...
S4:E4 Selfie-taking and Self-Esteem
26 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan and Dr Mary McGill continue their conversation about social media with a particular focus on distortion, dehumananisation, selfie-ta...
Booster 39 - Poor Sleep and Pandemic Weight Gain
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sleep loss can lead to weight gain. Did you gain weight during the pandemic? Have you been struggling to lose it? Have you tried and failed at dieting...
S4: E3 The Visibility Trap with Dr Mary McGill
19 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Super Brain host Dr Sabina Brennan chats to Dr Mary McGill author of The Visibility Trap about gender-based online abuse, the need to ethical checks, ...
Booster 38 - Juggling multiple identities builds resilience
15 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing on from the themes of identity and motherhood discussed in Monday's interview with Melissa Hogenboom, Dr Sabina Brennan looks for silver li...
S4:E2 Happy Mum, Happy Baby with Melissa Hogenboom
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan chats to award-winning BBC science journalist Melissa Hogenboom about her new book The Motherhood Complex and the science behind mot...
Booster 37 - It's all in your head
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Building on Monday's fascinating episode on psychosomatic illness with Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan, Dr Sabina Brennan shares her own experiences and more o...
S4: E1 The Brain Detective with Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan chats to neurologist Dr Suzanne O'Sullivan in this fascinating episode about psychosomatic illness, psychogenic disorders and mass h...
Sneak Peak - Super Brain - Season 4
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Season 4 of Super Brain kicks off Monday September 6th,I chat to an impressive group of inspiring and fascinating guests this seasonThis trailer gives...
Booster 36 - Rescue Dogs
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
National Rescue Dog Day which aims to encourage people to adopt dogs from shelters and rescues, as well as educating children about animals and their ...
S3:E12 The stabilisers are off with PJ Gallagher
16 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan talks to comedian, actor and broadcaster PJ Gallagher about loving motorbiking racing and his weekly courtship with death, hating st...
Booster 35 Nature and Mental Health
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This week is Mental Health Week and the theme for 2021 is nature, Dr Sabina Brennan explores the neuroscience underlying the mental health benefits of...
S3:E11 Your body is an instrument not an ornament with Anna Geary
09 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan chats to Anna Geary about her career choices, her goals, her hopes for the future and body image, particularly the importance of loo...
Booster 34 Gambling and the Brain
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland has the highest online gambling losses per capita globally and the third highest overall gambling losses per capita (€2.1 billion p.a.). It’...
S3:E10 The act of a fucking idiot - Mark Cagney Part Two
02 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
my chat with veteran broadcaster Mark Cagney, who shares his recent experience of stroke. His thoughts about the future and his reflections on his pas...
Booster 33 - Return to work Anxiety Post-Lockdown
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this booster episode Dr Sabina Brennan explains that it is very natural to feel anxious about returning to work post-lockdown and offers some reall...
S3E9 Difficult Decisions with Mark Cagney
25 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan takes a deep dive into the life and brain of one of Ireland's most respected broadcasters, Mark Cagney. In this the first of a two-p...
Booster 32 Concussion
22 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Dr Sabina Brennan talks about some the long-lasting impact that concussion can have on memory, ability to concentrate and person...
S3:E8 How Blue Spaces Can Make You Feel Better with Dr Catherine Kelly
18 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How Blue Spaces Make you Feel Better with Dr Catherine Kelly Dr Sabina Brennan talks to Dr Catherine Kelly author of Blue Spaces How and Why Wate...
Booster 31 Practical Tips to Support Teens
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan offers practical advice to help support teens through a critical period of brain development that leaves them vulnerable to risky be...
S3:E7 Heart Surgery, Hallucinations and PTSD with Tom Dunne (Part 2)
11 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Tom Dunne talks Super Brain host Dr Sabina Brennan through his journey to and through life-saving heart surgery Tom literally almost ...
Booster 30 Nourish your Brain
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Brennan reads an extract from her book about fueling your brainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. See acast....
S3:E6 Parachute with Tom Dunne
04 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan speaks with Tom Dunne about surviving the music industry and crossing the Rubicon to write new materialSupport this show http://supp...
Booster 29 - Are you getting enough?
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Brennan reads an sxtract from her book about how execising your brain and your body will help you to beat brain fogSupport this show http://support...
S3: E5 Foraging for Joy with Una-Minh Kavanagh
28 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan talks to Úna-Minh Kavanagh an inspiring young woman who ditched the day job to go it alone when she found herself constantly depres...
Booster 28 - What is stress?
25 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan reads a short extract from the Chapter on Stress in her book Beating Brain FogSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
S3:E4 Acts of Desperation with Megan Nolan
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan talks to author Megan Nolan athought-provoking debut novel Acts of DesperationSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Booster 27 - How light can help and hinder sleep
18 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan reads an extract from her new book Beating Brain Fog: your 30-day plan to think faster, sharper, better about the relationship betwe...
S3:E3 Menopause, masturbation and memory loss with Meg Mathews
15 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan chats to straight-talking Meg Mathews about taking on the menopause with attitude and style. Meg speaks openly about the mental aspe...
Booster 26 - Finding your 'self' again after brain fog
11 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan reads an extract from her new book Beating Brain Fog: your 30-day plan to think faster, sharper, better and talks to Anna and Joanna...
S3: E1 Revisiting Trauma from a Safe Place with Emilie Pine
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan chats to Emilie PinetwittSupport LinesFree Counselling and Psychotherapy for Adults who experienced childhood abuse or neglect (CaPA...
Booster 24 - Beating Brain Fog
04 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan reads an exclusive extract from her new book Beating Brain Fog: Your 30-Day Plan to Think Faster, Sharper, Better.Links to buy Beati...
S3:E1 Anger in search of Love with Lemn Sissay
01 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan speaks to the truly inspirational poet Lemn Sissay who’s moving memoir ‘I know my name is why’ chronicles his time in care fro...
Season 3 Sneak Peek
25 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A sneak peek at Season 3 which kicks off on Monday March 1stDr Sabina Brennan's new book Beating Brain Fog, your 30-Day Plan to think faster, sharper,...
Just a Minute Motivation - Happiness
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty Second Science - Music
18 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Just a Minute Motivation - Random Acts of Kindness
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty-Second Science - Chocolate
11 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Monday Motivation - Fly a Kite
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty Second Science - Group Exercise
04 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Just a Minute Motivation - Liberate Yourself
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty Second Science - Speak Out or Keep Schtum
28 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Dr Sabina Brennan looks to neuroscience to understand why some people risk social rejection by speaking out while others hold their co...
Just A Minute Motivation - Anxiety
25 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty Second Science - Fake News
21 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sixty Second ScienceIn this episode Sabina Brennan looks to psychology research to see who falls for fake newsSupport this show http://supporter.acast...
Just a Minute Motivation - The Stars
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty Second Science - Conspiracy Theories
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sixty Second ScienceWhy some people are more vulnerable to conspiracy theories than othersSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hos...
Just a Minute Motivation - Puddles
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty Second Science - Rumination
07 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sixty Second ScienceWhat is the best way to get rid of thoughts that keep going around your headSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Just a Minute Motivation - Learn to Live
04 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty Second Science - Resolutions
31 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sixty Second ScienceWhat science says about how to make resolutions stickSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. See...
Just a Minute Motivation - Inner Peace
28 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty-Second Science - Christmas Spirit
24 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sixty Second ScienceWhat happens in your brain when you feel the Christmas spiritSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Ac...
Just a Minute Motivation - The Bright Side
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty Second Science - Body Image
17 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sixty Second ScienceCan music really influence how you feel about your appearance?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on A...
Just a Minute Motivation - Doors
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty-Second Science: Happy Endings
10 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sixty-Second ScienceIs our love for happy endings always a good thing?Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. See ac...
Just a minute motivation - Challenge
07 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation from Sabina Brennan to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrai...
Sixty-Second Science - Make-up may make you feel human but science begs to differ.
03 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan shares snippets from science in sixty seconds or less. Does wearing make up make you feel more human? In this episode Sabina Brennan...
Just a minute motivation - Awareness
30 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just a minute motivation to transform your everyday brain into a Super BrainSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/superbrain. Hosted on Acast. ...
Booster 24: Is being kind good for your brain?
26 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan explores the psychology and neuroscience of kindness and asks whether being kind is good for our brains.Support this show http://sup...
S2:E12 Laughing out loud with Patrick Freyne
23 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode Dr Sabina Brennan and Patrick Freyne delve into the deepest and darkest recesses of the human condition, despite talking about some da...
Booster 23 Sharing Food with Colm O'Gorman
19 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In this special Booster Episode Dr Sabina Brennan talks to foodie Colm O'Gorman about his love of cooking and the importance of sharing mealtimes with...
S2:E11 Wonderfully, Beautifully, Shameless: Surviving Child Abuse with Colm O'Gorman
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Sabina Brennan talks to Colm O'Gorman about how campaigning intensively and consecutively for Marriage Equality, Reproductive Rights and Standing4T...