Introducing a new, recurring series of episodes, The Brain Surgeon and The Therapist ," where I connect with therapist Gina Birkemeier to explore the intersection of mental health, wellness, and resilience. We discuss the concept of self-brain surgery to help listeners rethink their mental processes for a healthier life. Key themes include resilience, purpose, and navigating challenges such as chronic illness and trauma, as well as the complexities of grief in light of recent events. We address ...
Jul 25, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 12Ep. 63
Life inevitably brings trauma and hardships that create mental blocks. I've been studying these challenges for years, and I've discovered that understanding how to actively engage with our minds can significantly alter our life trajectories. A principal takeaway is that negative experiences do not define us, our responses to those experiences do. The concept of self-brain surgery revolves around this transformative idea of harnessing our thoughts to influence real changes in our lives, promoting...
Jul 21, 2025•51 min•Season 12Ep. 62
Join me for a conversation with world-renowned psychiatrist and neuroscience pioneer, Dr. Jeffrey Schwartz. We discuss the mind-brain relationship, the stunning amount of control that people have over their thoughts, particularly in managing obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Schwartz challenges materialistic neuroscience views with his book You Are Not Your Brain , advocating for mindfulness and metacognition as tools for personal agency. He introduces the "Four Steps" method to help control ...
Jul 18, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 12Ep. 61
This episode provides a re-introduction for new listeners into the transformative concept of self-brain surgery, a revolutionary approach that combines neuroscience with faith to empower individuals to reshape their mental health and life experiences. If you've been listening for a while, this will remind you of where we start on our journey to change our minds and change our lives. I reflect on how our conversations on the podcast over the past year contributed to the development of my upcoming...
Jul 14, 2025•50 min•Season 12Ep. 56
In this episode, I explore the themes of grief, hope, and healing with Mattie Jackson Smith, an author who opens up about her journey following the loss of her husband. We discuss her new book, Through the Valley of Grief , a 365-day devotional meant to support those navigating grief. Mattie shares her personal story and emphasizes the complexity of grief while detailing her grief management course designed for those beginning to tackle their emotions. We unpack four key practices from her book—...
Jul 11, 2025•56 min•Season 12Ep. 59
In this special episode, we cover what to do when massive things happen to someone else. Inspired by a friend's question about how to help someone she loves who lost a child in the devastating South Texas floods, this one will give you some practical tools to help you know: What to do When to do it What to say and not say A simple rule for what to do when you yourself are on the holy ground of helping someone when God feels distant Click here for the transcript Chapters The Call to Compassion Na...
Jul 07, 2025•50 min•Season 12Ep. 58
In this episode, I chat with Zach Windahl, a popular author and content creator, about his latest book, The Bible Simplified: Learn the Story, Live the Story . Zach reflects on his journey of faith, shares insights on overcoming the complexities of the Bible, and the importance of direct engagement with Scripture. We explore the implications of faith deconstruction among younger generations, and discuss practical approaches to Bible study. Zach's experiences highlight the transformative power of...
Jul 04, 2025•45 min•Season 12Ep. 57
In this episode, we learn the transformative practice of anticipatory metacognition, or AMP, a groundbreaking approach I'm excited to share as a key component of self-brain surgery. This concept combines neuroscience and faith, demonstrating that we hold the power to influence and reshape our minds, ultimately leading to profound life changes. By engaging in anticipatory metacognition practice, we can anticipate risks, direct our attention towards positive outcomes, and use our unique cognitive ...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 12Ep. 56
In this episode, I reunite with Steve Mesler, the 2010 U.S. Olympic gold medalist in bobsled, as he shares his journey through unexpected mental health challenges post-Olympics. We discuss the impact of professional stagnation and health issues on his mental state, including the sobering realization of suicidal thoughts. Steve emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in dismantling the stigma around mental health and highlights the medical and therapeutic support that aided his recovery. He al...
Jun 27, 2025•50 min•Season 12Ep. 55
In this episode of the Self Brain Surgery Podcast, Dr. Lee Warren discusses the power of metacognition and how rewiring your brain starts with thinking about rewiring your brain. He introduces the 'patchbay' concept to illustrate how you can direct your thoughts to make structural changes in your brain. The episode delves into the scientific basis of neuroplasticity and how microtubules in the brain respond to our thoughts and intentions. Dr. Warren emphasizes the importance of examining our tho...
Jun 23, 2025•47 min•Season 12Ep. 54
In this episode, Dr. Lee Warren discusses the importance of setting the right goals and targets in life. Using metaphors from sports and personal stories, he illustrates how pursuing the wrong objectives can lead to dissatisfaction and penalties. He emphasizes the significance of internal joy and spiritual goals over transient pleasures and external validations. Click here for the transcript Chapters Introduction and Overview Understanding Goalposts and Targets The ABIDE Process: Preparing for...
Jun 20, 2025•36 min•Season 12Ep. 53
What if not every thought you have is true? In this powerful episode, Dr. Lee Warren takes you into the mental operating room to practice the Thought Biopsy , a self-brain surgery procedure that helps you examine automatic thoughts before you let them dictate your emotions, choices, and behaviors. With neuroscience, scripture, and a surgeon’s clarity, Dr. Warren guides you through a practical, life-saving mindset shift: you are not your brain, and you don’t have to believe everything you think. ...
Jun 16, 2025•37 min•Season 12Ep. 52
In this episode of the Self Brain Surgery Podcast, Dr. Lee Warren explores the intricate relationship between physical and emotional pain, showcasing how the brain processes both in similar ways. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences and scientific research, Dr. Warren sheds light on why heartaches can feel as intense as physical injuries. He provides listeners with practical tools and strategies to reframe their grief, including self-brain surgery techniques, journaling, meditation, and...
Jun 13, 2025•47 min•Season 12Ep. 49
In this episode of the Self-Brain Surgery Podcast, Dr. Lee Warren hosts Dr. James Tour , a world-renowned synthetic chemist and Christian evangelist, to discuss the intersection of faith and science. Dr. Tour, named one of the top 50 most influential scientists globally, shares insights from his extensive research in chemistry, including advancements in brain and spinal cord injury repair, cancer treatments, and AI technology. Beyond his scientific achievements, Dr. Tour speaks passionately abou...
Jun 08, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 12Ep. 50
In this powerful episode of the Self-Brain Surgery podcast, Dr. Lee Warren discusses the overarching mission of his show, which combines neuroscience and faith to transform lives. Dr. Warren explains the concept of 'resistance' (inspired by Steven Pressfield) as a force that inhibits personal growth, drawing parallels to the devil from a spiritual perspective. He explores the difference between the brain and the mind, the significance of mental resilience, and the practical application of scient...
Jun 06, 2025•28 min•Season 12Ep. 49
In this episode of the Self Brain Surgery Podcast, Dr. Lee Warren welcomes neurosurgeon Dr. Michael Egnor (written with Denyse O'Leary ), who discusses his new book, The Immortal Mind: A Neurosurgeon's Case for The Existence of the Soul. Dr. Egnor shares his journey from atheism to faith, emphasizing the distinction between the mind and the brain. They delve into scientific evidence, including functional MRI studies and split-brain research, that suggests a non-material aspect of the mind. Addit...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr•Season 12Ep. 48
In this episode, Dr. Lee Warren welcomes Rick Burgess, New York Times bestselling author and celebrated radio host ( Rick and Bubba , The Rick Burgess Show ), who shares invaluable life lessons and stories from his new book, Men Don't Run in the Rain . Rick talks about his father's enduring influence as a legendary Alabama football coach, his own journey through personal and professional highs and lows, and how faith and resilience shape his life's mission. Click here for the transcript Chapters...
May 30, 2025•53 min•Season 12Ep. 47
Overcoming Sexual Addiction & Rebuilding Trust: A Journey with Matthew & Joanna Raabsmith In this episode of the Self-Brain Surgery podcast, Dr. Lee Warren delves into a sensitive yet critical topic—sexual addiction, infidelity, and pornography. Featuring Matthew and Joanna Raabsmith, professional therapists specializing in sexual addiction and betrayal trauma from Memphis, TN, the conversation explores their personal story of brokenness and redemption. The Raabsmiths share insights into...
May 26, 2025•53 min•Season 12Ep. 46
In this episode of the Self-Brain Surgery Podcast, Dr. Lee Warren introduces a Science Spotlight special focused on the molecule sulforaphane, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Dr. Warren interviews David Roberts from Mara Labs , who shares the sad but inspiring story of how the company was founded and the journey of creating a stabilized form of sulforaphane. They discuss the benefits of sulforaphane, including detoxification, brain health, and pain reduction, and delv...
May 23, 2025•45 min•Season 12Ep. 45
In this episode of The Self Brain Surgery Podcast , Dr. Lee Warren interviews Jon Seidl, author of the upcoming book, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic , (click the link to pre-order). Jon shares his deeply personal journey from battling alcoholism despite being a Christian to finding solace and redemption through faith. They discuss the importance of trauma therapy, radical vulnerability, and reordering one’s life around Christ. Their conversation emphasizes the transformative power of abidi...
May 19, 2025•42 min•Season 12Ep. 45
In this episode of the Self-Brain Surgery Podcast, Dr. Lee Warren discusses the meaning and purpose of our work with special guest, Jordan Raynor. Jordan, a serial entrepreneur and bestselling author, shares insights from his new book, Five Mere Christians , which profiles five ordinary individuals whose seemingly secular work transformed the world. The episode includes powerful stories of Fred Rogers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ole Kirk Christiansen, Hannah More, and C.S. Lewis, exploring themes of pers...
May 16, 2025•45 min•Season 12Ep. 43
In this episode of the Self Brain Surgery Podcast, I have an inspiring conversation with Dr. Stephen Meyer, a world-renowned scientist and one of the founders of Intelligent Design. We explore life's big questions regarding purpose and meaning, critiquing the materialistic view that life is merely a product of random processes. Dr. Meyer, with his extensive background in both geophysics and the philosophy of science, shares insights from his work, particularly his books Signature in the Cell , D...
May 12, 2025•57 min•Season 12Ep. 42
In this special science spotlight episode of the Self Brain Surgery podcast, renowned neurosurgeon and author Dr. Lee Warren is joined by Dr. Gena Nikitin, a Russian-born biochemist living in Norway. Dr. Nikitin discusses his company Miphic and its focus on precision medicine, which aims to tailor medical treatments based on an individual's unique biochemical profile. The conversation delves into the importance of mitochondria, the cellular batteries that drive energy production, and how underst...
May 09, 2025•35 min•Season 12Ep. 44
In this episode of the Self-Brain Surgery Podcast, Dr. Lee Warren hosts an insightful conversation with Jo Hargreaves, also known as the Faith-Filled Therapist. Jo, a UK-based therapist, uniquely combines neuroscience and faith, guiding people back to scriptural truths to address life's struggles, including anxiety and depression. Dr. Warren and Jo discuss the intersection of science and faith, the role of the vagus nerve in mental health, and techniques like breath work and worship for emotiona...
May 05, 2025•47 min•Season 12Ep. 40
In this special episode of the Dr. Lee Warren Self Brain Surgery podcast, Dr. Lee Warren celebrates the start of Miracle May, a month dedicated to recognizing the everyday miracles that surround us. This episode features a discussion with Mark Batterson , a New York Times bestselling author, about his new book, A Million Little Miracles . Batterson shares insights on the inherent miracles in our daily lives, from the micro-level wonders of quantum physics to the awe-inspiring creation of human l...
May 02, 2025•45 min•Season 12Ep. 39
Have you ever had a thought or feeling, and then you beat yourself up and say, "I shouldn't feel this way?" If so, join me for this incredible conversation with Dr. Alison Cook, a therapist specializing in the integration of faith and psychology, to discuss her latest book, I Shouldn't Feel This Way . We explore common feelings of guilt and self-blame, emphasizing the importance of 'thought biopsies' and self-reflection to better understand and manage emotions. Dr. Cook outlines her three-step p...
Apr 28, 2025•42 min•Season 12Ep. 36
In this episode, we explore the powerful concepts of selective attention, metacognition, and manual mode as tools for self brain surgery. We explain how these gifts can help us overcome life's challenges, reshape our thinking, and transform our lives. You'll learn about the significance of understanding and controlling your thoughts, and see biblical principles and modern neuroscience connecting to show how we can shift from automated responses to conscious decision-making, leading to better men...
Apr 25, 2025•39 min•Season 12Ep. 37
In this episode of the Self Brain Surgery podcast, we have a powerful conversation with New York Times bestselling author Lee Strobel. Lee is a former atheist turned Christian and New York Times bestselling author, to discuss his latest book, Seeing the Supernatura l. The conversation delves into the existence of a realm beyond the physical world, investigating topics such as angels, demons, mystical dreams, and near-death experiences. Strobel, renowned for his investigative approach, shares com...
Apr 21, 2025•54 min•Season 12Ep. 34
In this episode of the Self Brain Surgery Podcast, we have an incredible conversation with author Angie Howell, a pediatric nurse and mother of eight with a remarkable story of faith and resilience. Angie shares her emotional journey through an unexpected pregnancy during a tumultuous time in her life, her struggles with faith, and her daughter Jade's miraculous healing from a severe brain condition. Angie also discusses her new book, Jewel of Heaven , which chronicles her experiences and the tr...
Apr 18, 2025•46 min•Season 12Ep. 32
In this episode of the Self Brain Surgery Podcast, Dr. Lee Warren hosts a special conversation with bestselling author Ian Morgan Cron about his new book, The Fix . The discussion explores how the 12 Steps , widely known for aiding addiction recovery, can offer a pathway for transformation for anyone, even those who don't identify as being in recovery. Ian provides insights into how these steps aim to mend relationships with God, oneself, and others, and how they can be used as guardrails in our...
Apr 14, 2025•52 min•Season 12Ep. 32
