Notes From a Neuro Nerd: The Science Behind Living Your Best Life
Welcome to Notes from a Neuro Nerd, where brain science meets practical tools for living with purpose, clarity, and joy. Join Monica—a certified life-purpose coach and neuroscience enthusiast—and her partner, Austin, as they explore the mindset shifts, habits, and tools that can help you build a fulfilling life.
Tune in to uncover the ‘why’ behind your thoughts and behaviors and get actionable, science-backed strategies to boost your well-being. If you're ready to design your best life, you’re in the right place!
Episodes
144 episodes
142. You Know Sleep Matters—Here’s How to Actually Get It
We all know sleep is important. That’s not news. The real question is: why is it so hard to get enough of it?In this episode, I talk with Caitlin Shure about what messes with our sleep and what actually helps. You’ll learn what your body...
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30:54
141. Reframing Is a Skill
Reframing means seeing a situation from a different angle. It doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine when it’s not.In this episode, I talk about how reframing has helped both me and Austin. It’s not about slapping a positive quote on ...
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23:23
140. What a Low Body Budget Does to You
Your brain tracks your energy like a budget. It’s always asking: Do I have enough to get through the day?If you feel tired, overwhelmed, irritable, or numb, your body budget is probably low. Things like poor sleep, skipping meals, consta...
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17:23
139. The Magic of Music | Katie San Diego
Music isn’t just entertainment—it’s a brain booster, a mood lifter, and even a secret weapon for learning. In this episode, I sit down with my sister and music instructor Katie San Diego to explore how music shapes us physically, em...
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43:40
138. Real Healing Starts When You Stop Feeding Your Stress
For a long time, I thought healing was just about managing stress—deep breathing, meditation, journaling. But no amount of self-care was going to help if I kept letting the same stressors into my life.In this episode, I’m talking about t...
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20:29
137. How Chronic Stress Showed Up in My Body (And Might Be Showing Up in Yours Too!)
For years, I thought my body was just difficult—random stomach aches, migraines, jaw tension, constant fatigue. Turns out, it was all stress.In this episode, I’m sharing the sneaky ways chronic stress showed up in my body and ho...
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34:41
136. How to Reset When You're Feeling Stressed
Several people have written in to me recently asking about how to reset when you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed. We don't always feel like we have the time, budget, or space to do the things we know will relax and reconnect us. ...
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14:03
135. Emotional Regulation - How to Keep Your Cool When Life Gets Messy
Ever feel like your emotions have a mind of their own? Today I'm talking about emotional regulation and how to keep your nervous system from running the show. I'll give you simple tricks to calm your body along with mindset shifts t...
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35:01
134. Make Creativity a Habit | Mike Brennan
Ever feel like life’s gotten a little too serious? Like creativity and fun are distant memories buried under to-do lists and deadlines? It’s time to bring fun back! Mike Brennan—author, creative consultant, and ma...
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41:51
133. The Hidden Reason You Keep Losing Momentum
Do you ever feel like you start strong on your goals but then hit a wall—and suddenly, all that momentum is just gone? There’s a hidden reason for this, and today we’re going to uncover it.Want to join my goal setting mast...
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9:35
132. The One Mistake Holding You Back from Your Goals
What if I told you there's ONE mistake you've been making that's keeping you from hitting your goals? Listen in to find out why relying on momentum is that one mistake and more importantly, what to do about it!Want to join my...
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12:32
131. Why Goal-Setting Feels So Hard (And How to Make It Easier)
Did you know that about only 8% of people's New Year's Resolutions last more than a month?Goal s...
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15:00
130. Women's Health Part 3: The Mindset of Losing Weight as a Woman
Losing weight is about more than just food and exercise—it’s a mindset shift. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal health journey, the challenges I’ve faced, and the mental breakthroughs that have made all the difference. ...
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19:07
129. Wellness That Fits | Cassie Groeschl
Today I sit down with Cassie Groeschl, a registered dietitian and wellness coach who specializes in helping busy moms overcome exhaustion and burnout through holistic nutrition and sustainable wellness routines.Cassie shares actionable t...
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46:26
128. Women's Health Part 1: The Gut Brain Conection
Did you know your gut and brain are in constant conversation? For women, this connection plays a huge role in everything from mood and hormones to overall health. In this episode, I'm unpacking the gut-brain connection and its uniq...
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16:44
127. Antifragility: We’re Wired to Get Stronger Through Struggle
Our brains are incredible—they're designed not just to bounce back from challenges but to grow stronger because of them!In this episode, we’re diving into the science of antifragility and how our minds thrive under pressure. Let’s explo...
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14:59
126. What Happened to Us in 2024
2024 brough some major changes to our lives - some major curveballs for sure! In this episode, we're reflecting on the moments that shaped the year—the good, the tough, and what we're carrying into 2025.
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15:38
125. Ms. World Traveler Spills the Tea | Kerry Damiano
Get ready to be inspired! Kerry Damiano—aka Ms. World Traveler— dives into her incredible journey through pageants, globe-trotting adventures, and faith. Kerry shares her insights on facing fears, building confidence, and stepping into opportun...
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31:36
124. Let's Talk About Triggers...
Triggers aren’t just random annoyances—they’re signals pointing to wounds that still need healing. In this episode, we’ll unpack how to handle triggers in the moment (or after the fact), why it’s okay to feel all the feels, and how journaling, ...
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13:10
123. Why Your Emotions Are Low-Key Amazing
In a world that shames us for feeling, we’ve learned to push emotions away—but what if they’re our secret superpower? This episode dives into why your feelings, even the tough ones, are essential for better decisions, deeper connec...
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18:52
122. Starting with Strategy | Interview with Morgan Rutledge
This week we sit down with social media strategist Morgan Rutledge to explore why having a plan is everything—not just for building your brand online and business growth, but for life in general. Morgan breaks down how a solid strategy ...
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32:34
121. The 4 Levels of Growth to Go From Surviving to Thriving
Feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your personal growth? One big secret to lasting change is knowing where you fall in the 4 levels of growth and self development. Let’s break down the 4 levels of growth that will take yo...
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13:52
120. A No-Nonsense Guide to Setting Holiday Boundaries
Holidays with family can be incredible—or incredibly draining. In this episode, we’ll dive into why setting boundaries with loved ones is an absolute game-changer for your peace and sanity. Setting boundaries is about focusing on t...
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8:13