Growing Tall Poppies Podcast Season 2, Episode 10

The Predictive Brain: How Neuroscience Unlocks Healing After Trauma

Podcast| Growing Tall Poppies| Season 2
April 08, 2025•2 min read

Growing Tall Poppies Podcast: Season 02, Episode 10 (#51)

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In this week’s episode of Growing Tall Poppies, Dr Nat Green sits down with Dr Irena O’Brien, cognitive neuroscientist, founder of the Neuroscience School, and host of The Neuroscience of Coaching Podcast (ranked in the top 10% globally!). Together, they explore how our brain’s predictive nature is shaped by past experiences - and how it impacts trauma, healing, and the ability to change.

Dr Irena breaks down complex neuroscience into relatable insights, empowering listeners with practical tools for healing and transformation. If you've ever wondered why you react the way you do, or whether it’s truly possible to change, this episode is filled with hope and clarity.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

  • How the brain predicts your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors based on past experiences.

  • Why the brain prioritises survival over rational thinking - and how that ties into trauma.

  • The role of interoceptive and exteroceptive sensations in emotional response.

  • How lifestyle habits like sleep, diet, and exercise support brain health.

  • The concept of neuroplasticity and how it enables recovery and growth.

  • The science of rewiring your brain through neuroplasticity - even after trauma.

  • What happens when your brain’s predictions are wrong and how to change the response.

Episode Highlights & Takeaways

  • Neuroscience Meets Lived Experience: Dr Irena skillfully bridges the gap between cutting-edge science and real-life healing, showing how trauma imprints itself in the brain and how we can use neuroplasticity to rewire our responses.

  • Practical Tools for Healing: Dr Irena offers actionable insights on how coaches, therapists, and individuals can tap into brain science for sustainable healing.

  • Lifestyle and Mental Health: Sleep, diet, and exercise play a pivotal role in supporting brain health. Dr Irena dives deep into the science behind these everyday habits and how they contribute to emotional well-being.

  • Neuroplasticity Explained: Learn how your brain’s ability to change (neuroplasticity) is a key component of trauma recovery and post-traumatic growth.

Learn More & Connect with Dr Irena O’Brien

Want to dive deeper into Dr Irena’s work? Here’s how to connect with her:

Next Episode

👉 S02E11: The Hidden Crisis: What Every Helping Professional Needs to Hear

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Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be deemed or treated as psychological treatment or to replace the need for psychological treatment.

Growing Tall Poppies Podcast

Hosted by Dr Nat Green, this podcast empowers individuals to rise above trauma and create lasting transformation. Each episode features inspiring stories, expert advice, and practical strategies to help you break free from adversity, build confidence, and thrive. Tune in for real conversations that inspire personal growth and resilience.