Afleveringen
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Episode 7: The Relationship Between Attention and Memory
In this episode of Conscious Curiosity, Franck & Matt dive deep into one of the most foundational - and misunderstood - relationships in cognitive science: the dance between attention and memory.
From fleeting thoughts in working memory to lasting life lessons in long-term memory, it turns out that attention isn’t just about what we notice... it's also about what we remember.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
🔹 Revisiting definitions of words we often take for granted, including "memory" and "attention"
🔹 How memories shape the way we direct our attention
🔹 The link between alertness, capability to attend and intensity
🔹 The different types of memory (as interpreted by Franck!)
🔹 The Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve and how learning "little and often" is more effective than last-minute cramming or intensive bursts of learning
🔹 Neuroplasticity and our brain's ability to adapt over time
... and a whole lot more!Whether you're a coach, a curious mind, or someone trying to optimise your mental performance, this conversation offers an insight into important concepts for your everyday life.
📩 Conscious Curiosity: The Newsletter – Stay updated on upcoming episodes and insights from the podcast. Sign up below!
https://www.consciousclarity.co.uk/curiosity
🤝Connect with Franck on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/franckbrown/
📃 Today’s Source Material: "The Relation Between Attention and Memory" by Cowan et al. (2024).
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Episode 6: Paying Attention to Attention
In this episode of Conscious Curiosity, Franck & Matt unpack the groundbreaking work of Michael Posner and Mary Rothbart on the neuroscience of attention.
Far from being a single skill, attention is revealed to be a set of three distinct systems, each with a vital role in how we engage with the world.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
🔹 The three core attention systems – alerting, orienting, and executive control - and how each is fuelled by different neurotransmitters.
🔹 Why some people struggle more with focus, especially under stress or in conditions like ADHD.
🔹 The difference between focusing and filtering – and why great attention is often about what you don’t pay attention to.
... and a whole lot more!📩 Conscious Curiosity: The Newsletter – Stay updated on upcoming episodes and insights from the podcast. Sign up below!
https://www.consciousclarity.co.uk/curiosity
🤝Connect with Franck on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/franckbrown/
📃 Today’s Source Material: "Fifty years integrating neurobiology and psychology to study attention" by Posner & Rothbart (2023).
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Episode 5: Why We're All Designed To Chase Rewards
In this episode of Conscious Curiosity, Franck and Matt explore a fascinating neuroscience paper by Aviv Weinstein titled “The Role of the Reward System in the Regulation of Motivation”.
Together, they unpack what the latest brain research reveals about how motivation really works – and why we sometimes feel energised to act (or not). We'll look at the brain's reward systems and explore how dopamine, anticipation, and our unique neurobiology shape our drive to act.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
🔹 How the brain drives motivation: The role of key brain areas like the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and the dopamine system in regulating how we respond to potential rewards.
🔹 The science behind reward: Why anticipating a reward often motivates us more than the reward itself – and how to use that insight in real life.
🔹 What this means for getting ourselves going and neurodivergent minds: How understanding motivation from a neuroscience perspective can lead to more compassionate, effective strategies for ourselves and others.
🔹 Daniel Pink's Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose framework for motivation - and how understanding and leveraging these three things can make a difference.
📩 Conscious Curiosity: The Newsletter – Stay updated on upcoming episodes and insights from the podcast. Sign up below!
https://www.consciousclarity.co.uk/curiosity
🤝Connect with Franck on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/franckbrown/
📃 Today’s Source Material: “The Role of the Reward System in the Regulation of Motivation" by Aviv Weinstein
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Episode 4: Is Society Mismatched to ADHD's Suiting Evolutionary Traits?
In this episode of Conscious Curiosity, Franck and Matt dive into the thought-provoking paper "Distractibility and Impulsivity in ADHD as an Evolutionary Mismatch" by Anne-Laure Le Cunff.
Together, they explore how ADHD traits, such as impulsivity and distractibility, might have been beneficial in our ancestral past but now present challenges in the modern world.
The aim of this episode is to challenge the common view of ADHD as simply a disorder by proposing that these traits could actually be useful evolutionary adaptations that are misaligned with today's structured and predictable environments
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
ADHD traits as evolutionary advantages: How traits like impulsivity and distractibility helped our ancestors thrive in unpredictable environments.
The evolutionary mismatch: Why ADHD traits that once served us well are now a challenge in a structured, distraction-heavy world.
Reframing ADHD: What happens when we stop seeing ADHD as a "disorder" and start viewing it as an adaptation that doesn’t quite fit modern-day living.
Key insights from the research: What this evolutionary perspective means for supporting neurodivergent individuals in the workplace, schools, and beyond.
📩 Conscious Curiosity: The Newsletter – Stay updated on upcoming episodes and insights from the podcast. Sign up below!
https://www.consciousclarity.co.uk/curiosity🤝Connect with Franck on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/franckbrown/
📃 Today’s Source Material: Distractibility and Impulsivity in ADHD as an Evolutionary Mismatch by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40806-024-00400-8
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Episode 3: How Thinking About Our Thinking Helps Our Creativity
In today’s episode of Conscious Curiosity, Franck and Matt dive into a deep topic—thinking about their own thinking. That’s right, things start to get deep! 🧠
Together, they explore the paper "Individuals with High Metacognitive Ability Are Better at Divergent and Convergent Thinking" by Jiang et al (2023). This fascinating study explores the link between metacognition (thinking about thinking) and its impact on creative problem-solving.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
What is metacognition?: Understanding how thinking about your own thought processes can enhance creativity.
The power of divergent and convergent thinking: Breaking down the concepts and how they apply to both personal and professional growth.
Metacognition’s role in creative problem-solving: How awareness of your thinking patterns can improve both innovation and decision-making.
Real-life applications: Practical examples of how metacognitive ability can impact creativity in daily life, work, and personal projects.
📩 Conscious Curiosity: The Newsletter – Stay updated on upcoming episodes and insights from the podcast. Sign up below!
https://www.consciousclarity.co.uk/curiosity📃 Today’s Source Material: Jiang et al - 2023 - Individuals with High Metacognitive Ability Are Better at Divergent and Convergent Thinking
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Episode 2: The Power of Different Minds - City & Guilds 2025 Neurodiversity Index Report
In this episode of Conscious Curiosity, Franck and Matt reflect on the 2025 Neurodiversity Index Report, produced by the City & Guilds Foundation and backed by Professor Amanda Kirby.
Together, they explore the latest findings and discuss how the report sheds light on the state of neurodiversity in the workplace, highlighting both progress and challenges.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
Increased participation, though a clear gender split: Analysing the trends in neurodivergent participation, with a focus on gender disparities.
Standout statistics and their implications: Breaking down key figures from the report and what they reveal about the workplace inclusion of neurodivergent individuals.
Trust in HR vs. peers: Exploring whether employees trust HR or their peers more when it comes to neurodiversity support.
Positive and less positive changes year on year: What’s getting better in neurodiversity inclusion, and what still needs improvement.
The sandwiches at the launch event: A lighter take on the launch event, with Franck and Matt discussing an additional positive aspect of the day.
📩 Conscious Curiosity: The Newsletter - sign up below!
https://www.consciousclarity.co.uk/curiosity📃 Today's Source Material: City & Guilds 2025 Neurodiversity Index report https://77f20764.flowpaper.com/CityandGuildsNeurodiversityIndexReport2025/#page=1
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Episode 1: The Myth of Optimality in Clinical Neuroscience
In the first episode of Conscious Curiosity, host Franck Brown is joined by his long-time friend and Season 1 co-host Matt.
Together, they dive into the fascinating world of clinical neuroscience by discussing the paper "The Myth of Optimality in Clinical Neuroscience" by Holmes & Patrick (2018).
This episode sets the stage for the podcast, exploring how thinking differently has shaped both Franck’s and Matt’s lives. As they unpack the paper, they also reflect on the bigger question: what does it mean to challenge traditional ideas of "optimal" brain function, and why is this relevant to the world we live in today?
In this episode, you'll hear:
Franck’s motivations for starting Conscious Curiosity and how curiosity has been a driving force in his life.
Matt’s perspective on how exploring new ideas impacts both personal growth and understanding the world.
The role of neurodiversity and neuroscience in shaping how we think about brain function and what it means to be "normal" or "optimal."
A reflection on why questioning assumptions can lead to better understanding and growth.
This is just the beginning of a journey to unpack the science of the mind, challenge the status quo, and dive deep into curiosity-driven learning.
📩 Conscious Curiosity: The Newsletter - Stay updated on upcoming episodes and insights from the podcast. Sign up below!
https://www.consciousclarity.co.uk/curiosity📃 Today's Source Material: Holmes and Patrick - 2018 - The Myth of Optimality in Clinical Neuroscience
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In just 60 seconds, discover what Conscious Curiosity is all about - where curiosity drives conversations and we explore the fascinating worlds of neuroscience, psychology, and coaching.
Join Franck and a range of regular guest-hosts as they dive deep, challenge ideas, and make complex concepts accessible.
Ready to join the conversation? Hit play and see what’s coming up!
