Neuroscience of Coaching

In each episode, host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices.

Neuroscience of Coaching is a science podcast hosted by Mirasee FM, with 74 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Mirasee FM hosts Neuroscience of Coaching, a science show with 74 episodes published.

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  Episode #73

  Producer's Pick: Burnout in the Age of Hustle – Finding Balance in a Demanding World (Ana Melikian)

  Sep 24, 202644 min

  As we head into the busy final quarter of 2026, our Producer's Pick is this replay on burnout. Guest Ana Melikian explores deliberate practice in the face of hustle culture and key strategies for managing energy. You’ll also learn how to balance a productive life with mindfulness and strategic rest. In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching , host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices. “Success doesn’t make us immune to burnout. We always have to be aware, keep in check, and keep taking care of ourselves from the basic needs to the more advanced needs.” — Ana Melikian Guest Bio: Dr. Ana Melikian is a speaker, top 1% podcaster, and the author of MINDSET ZONE: Actualize Your Human Potential , a #1 Amazon Best-Seller in Organizational Learning. Ana earned a Ph.D. and two masters in Psychology, laying a solid foundation for her work that integrates research data with practical applications. She is also a cancer survivor, embodying resilience and inspiring change through self-leadership. Dr. Melikian is at the forefront of navigating the human side of the AI disruption. Her work aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence to leverage our human potential, ensuring that technological advancements enhance — rather than diminish — our humanity and collective well-being. It’s all about impact without burnout. Host Bio: Dr. Irena O’Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience. She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit. Dr. O’Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a Ph.D. in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University. Resources mentioned in this episode: Mirasee Dr. Irena O’Brien’s website: The Neuroscience School Ana’s Website: AnaMelikian.com Credits: Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien Producer: Andrew Chapman Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario Executive Producer: Danny Iny Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio Music credits: Track Title: Sneaker Smeaker Artist: Avocado Junkie Writer: Sander Kalmeijer Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: Coo Coos Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo Writer: Matthew Wigton Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: In This Light Artist: Sounds Like Sander Writer: Sander Kalmeijer Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Special effects credits: 24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market. To catch the great episodes coming up on Neuroscience of Coaching , please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It’s the best way to help us get these ideas to more people. Episode transcript: Producer's Pick: Burnout in the Age of Hustle – Finding Balance in a Demanding World (Ana Melikian) coming soon.

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  Episode #72

  From Founder to Leader: The Psychology of Letting Go (Dr. Jena Booher)

  Sep 10, 202636 min

  The behaviors that make a founder successful can eventually hold them back. Business psychologist Dr. Jena Booher explores why leadership growth can require an identity shift—and how coaches can help clients let go of old patterns, redefine their value, and become the leaders their companies need. In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching , host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices. “Leaders, especially at the top, don't get any feedback. As they're stepping into a new identity, they need you to tell them when things are going well.” — Dr. Jena Booher Guest Bio: Jena Booher, PhD, is a business psychologist, executive coach, and adjunct professor teaching leadership at Rutgers Business School. She works with founders, CEOs, and executive teams navigating the psychological demands of scaling organizations, with a particular focus on judgment, courage, and leadership under pressure. Before becoming a psychologist, Jena spent nearly a decade on Wall Street at JPMorgan, including through the 2008 financial crisis. Her work today sits at the intersection of psychology, business, and human behavior helping leaders understand how they think, adapt, and make decisions when the stakes are high. Host Bio: Dr. Irena O’Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience. She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit. Dr. O’Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a PhD in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University. Resources mentioned in this episode: Mirasee Dr. Irena O'Brien’s website: The Neuroscience School Dr. Jena Booher’s website: www.jenabooher.com Dr. Jena Booher’s LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/jenabooherphd Credits: Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien Producer: Andrew Chapman Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario Executive Producer: Danny Iny Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio Music credits: Track Title: Sneaker Smeaker Artist: Avocado Junkie Writer: Sander Kalmeijer Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: Coo Coos Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo Writer: Matthew Wigton Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: In This Light Artist: Sounds Like Sander Writer: Sander Kalmeijer Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Special effects credits: 24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market. To catch the great episodes coming up on Neuroscience of Coaching , please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It’s the best way to help us get these ideas to more people. Episode transcript: From Founder to Leader: The Psychology of Letting Go (Dr. Jena Booher) coming soon.

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  Episode #71

  The Third Option: Coaching Beyond Binary Thinking (Beck Sydow)

  Aug 27, 202638 min

  Beck Sydow , founder of Humankind Business Leaders, joins Dr. Irena O’Brien to explore how coaches can help leaders who are stuck in binary thinking. They also discuss nervous-system regulation practices that can create space for non-binary “both/and” options that a stressed brain can't reach. In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching , host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices. “The leaders’ nervous systems are running the company.” — Beck Sydow Guest Bio: Beck Sydow [they/them] works with leaders who are brilliant, overloaded, and tired of losing themselves under pressure. A business geek with Buddhist roots, Beck teaches founders, entrepreneurs, and senior leaders to recognize fear in real time, steady their nervous system, and return to clarity when it matters most. With four decades of experience as a CEO/COO, therapist, and mindfulness teacher, Beck moves easily between business strategy and the inner workings of a leader’s nervous system. This dual fluency is what clients call “magic” — the moment when reactivity quiets, insight returns, and leadership feels spacious again. Beck’s work offers a way of leading that allows results and humanity to finally coexist. They are the founder of HumanKind Business Leaders and the creator of the People-Hearted & Business-Minded™ framework and Homebase Practice for Leaders™️. Host Bio: Dr. Irena O’Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience. She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit. Dr. O’Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a Ph.D. in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University. Resources mentioned in this episode: Mirasee Dr. Irena O'Brien’s website: The Neuroscience School Beck’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/beck-sydow Beck’s Website: HumankindBusinessLeaders.com Beck’s Homebase Practices Sheet: HumankindBusinessLeaders.com/infographics Credits: Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien Producer: Andrew Chapman Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario Executive Producer: Danny Iny Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio Music credits: Track Title: Sneaker Smeaker Artist: Avocado Junkie Writer: Sander Kalmeijer Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: Coo Coos Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo Writer: Matthew Wigton Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: In This Light Artist: Sounds Like Sander Writer: Sander Kalmeijer Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Special effects credits: 24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market. To catch the great episodes coming up on Neuroscience of Coaching , please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It’s the best way to help us get these ideas to more people. Episode transcript: The Third Option: Coaching Beyond Binary Thinking (Beck Sydow) coming soon.

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  Episode #70

  Special Replay: Inside the Predictive Brain, an Interview with Dr. Irena O'Brien

  Aug 13, 202639 min

  Show producer Andrew Chapman interviews Dr. Irena O’Brien about her mission in neuroscience. They explore how the predictive brain, emotional contagion, and mind-body connection influence behavior, energy, and change—and how coaches can use these insights for deeper, lasting client transformation. In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching , host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices. “The purpose of the brain is not for thinking or feeling but to ensure that we grow, survive, and reproduce.” — Dr. Irena O’Brien Host Bio: Dr. Irena O’Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience. She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit. Dr. O’Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a Ph.D. in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University. Resources mentioned in this episode: Mirasee Dr. Irena O’Brien’s website: The Neuroscience School Credits: Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien Producer: Andrew Chapman Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario Executive Producer: Danny Iny Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio Music credits: Track Title: Sneaker Smeaker Artist: Avocado Junkie Writer: Sander Kalmeijer Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: Coo Coos Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo Writer: Matthew Wigton Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: In This Light Artist: Sounds Like Sander Writer: Sander Kalmeijer Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Special effects credits: 24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market. To catch the great episodes coming up on Neuroscience of Coaching , please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It’s the best way to help us get these ideas to more people. Episode transcript: Special Replay: Inside the Predictive Brain, an Interview with Dr. Irena O'Brien coming soon.

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  Episode #69

  Can Coaching Create Instant Change? (Josh Hornick)

  Jul 30, 202637 min

  Can lasting transformation happen in a single conversation? Dr. O’Brien and Josh Hornick explore the neuroscience behind instant change, memory reconsolidation, shifts in perspective, and why some breakthroughs last while others fade – giving coaches practical insights into lasting transformation. In each episode of Neuroscience of Coaching , host Dr. Irena O’Brien explains the science-based insights behind a particular concept and interviews a coach to discuss how these apply in the real world. Just as she does in her professional programs, Irena “un-complicates” neuroscience and teaches practical, evidence-based tools and strategies that listeners can use in their coaching practices. “A new perspective can change a life in an instant.” — Josh Hornick Guest Bio: Joshua Hornick is the Director of The Hornick School for Coaching. He curates, designs, and teaches/facilitates all the English language programs. Several years before starting HSC, he taught for nine years at another coaching school. Before that, he was an award-winning secondary school teacher as well as a non-profit director, a certified massage therapist, and a Wall Street lawyer. He lives in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he plays ultimate Frisbee, accompanies shows on the piano, and maintains a full coaching practice. Host Bio: Dr. Irena O’Brien teaches coaches and care professionals how to achieve better results for their clients through neuroscience. She is the founder of Neuroscience School, which helps practitioners understand and apply insights from cutting-edge neuroscience research. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their ability to evaluate neuroscience findings and use them successfully in their own practices. Her Certificate Program in Neuroscience is certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF) for Continuing Coaching Education credit. Dr. O’Brien has studied neuroscience for 25 years and holds a Ph.D. in the field from the Université du Quebec à Montréal (UQAM), where she did brain-imaging studies. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at the Centre for Language, Mind, and Brain at McGill University. Resources mentioned in this episode: Mirasee Dr. Irena O’Brien’s website: The Neuroscience School Joshua Hornick’s website: HornickSchoolOfCoaching.com Credits: Host: Dr. Irena O’Brien Producer: Andrew Chapman Audio Editor: Marvin del Rosario Executive Producer: Danny Iny Music Soundscape: Chad Michael Snavely Making our hosts sound great: Home Brew Audio Music credits: Track Title: Sneaker Smeaker Artist: Avocado Junkie Writer: Sander Kalmeijer Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: Coo Coos Artist: Dresden, The Flamingo Writer: Matthew Wigton Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Track Title: In This Light Artist: Sounds Like Sander Writer: Sander Kalmeijer Publisher: A SOUNDSTRIPE PRODUCTION Special effects credits: 24990513_birds-chirping_by_promission used with permission of the author and under license by AudioJungle/Envato Market. To catch the great episodes coming up on Neuroscience of Coaching , please follow us on Mirasee FM's YouTube channel or your favorite podcast player. And if you enjoyed the show, please leave us a comment or a starred review. It’s the best way to help us get these ideas to more people. Episode transcript: Can Coaching Create Instant Change? (Josh Hornick) coming soon.

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