Smooth Brain Society

Dr. Bailey Rose (Ngāti Maniapoto), Clinical Psychologist at Ora Toa Mauriora, New Zealand, joins us for a conversation on eating disorders, culture, identity, and mental health care.
We explore how eating disorders are often misunderstood through a narrow Western lens, and why that can leave Māori and other underserved communities unseen, misdiagnosed, or excluded from support systems. Bailey shares insights from both her clinical work and research, discussing the cultural meaning of food, barriers to care, stigma, social media pressures, and the limitations of relying too heavily on measures like BMI.
The episode also dives into:
 Māori perspectives on food, care, and wellbeing 
 How culture shapes experiences of eating disorders 
 Emotional regulation, shame, and relationships with food 
 Misconceptions around who “gets” eating disorders 
 The impact of beauty standards and social media 
 Ozempic and the growing conversation around weight-loss medications 
 Why culturally responsive mental health care matters 

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email: [email protected]

Can preparing the body before cancer treatment improve recovery, reduce complications, and even protect brain function?
In this episode, Sahir sits down with Dr. Christopher Gaffney, Senior Lecturer in Integrative Physiology at Lancaster University, to explore the growing science of prehabilitation. Prehabilitation uses exercise, nutrition, and psychological support to help cancer patients better tolerate surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
They discuss how a patient’s baseline fitness can influence treatment outcomes, why exercise is increasingly being viewed as medicine, the emerging evidence around “chemo brain,” and why healthcare may need to shift from reactive treatment to proactive preparation.
A fascinating conversation at the intersection of cancer research, physiology, and preventative medicine.
Topics Covered
 What prehabilitation is and why it matters 
 Exercise as medicine in cancer care 
 How fitness affects surgery and chemotherapy outcomes 
 The science behind chemo brain and fatigue 
 Why medicine needs to think earlier, not later
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Twitter/X:  @SmoothBrainSoc
Facebook: @thesmoothbrainsociety
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email: [email protected]

We explore the rapidly evolving intersection of human psychology and artificial intelligence with Dr. Eeshan Hasan,of the Ohio State University, specialising in computational models of decision-making.
We dive into how humans and AI can work together more effectively, from improving medical diagnoses using “wisdom of the crowd” techniques to tackling misinformation and distortions on social media. Dr. Hasan shares insights into how both human and machine intelligence represent information and what that means for the future of healthcare, and human-AI collaboration.
This conversation unpacks big questions: Can AI help us think better? Where do human biases still outperform algorithms? And how do we design systems that enhance, rather than distort, our decision-making?
If you're interested in the future of AI, psychology, and the way we navigate an increasingly digital world, this episode offers a thoughtful and accessible deep dive.
Dr. Eeshan Hasan: https://eeshanhasan.com/
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email: [email protected]

The episode explores men's mental, sexual, and reproductive health, challenging stereotypes and examining how masculinity influences health behaviors and decisions. Guest Associate Professor Gareth Terry, shares insights from his research on mens identities and how they intersect with things like reproductive health, disabilities, and the social construction of masculinity. We discuss the nuances of the child-free movement, societal perceptions of masculinity, and innovative research ideas in disability and neurodivergence. With the help of questions from our followers, Gareth Terry explores societal pressures, gender dynamics, and future research directions, offering insights into social constructs and personal identities.
https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/expertise/profile.cfm?stref=775822
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Support us and reach out!
https://smoothbrainsociety.com
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Instagram: @thesmoothbrainsociety
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Twitter/X:  @SmoothBrainSoc
Facebook: @thesmoothbrainsociety
Merch and all other links: Linktree
email: [email protected]

Dr. Melanie Altemus of Massey University, New Zealand, explores the complex psychology behind volunteer tourism, including motivations, moral implications, and the impact of the 'white savior' complex. She shares insights from her research on how volunteerism can sometimes do more harm than good and discusses the importance of understanding the underlying psychological traits involved. Dr. Melanie Altemus shares her groundbreaking research on international volunteer tourism, exploring motivations, moral judgments, and community impacts in Fiji and beyond. Discover surprising findings about privilege, cultural exchange, and the true effects of volunteer work.

Dr. Altemus' Thesis:
https://openaccess.wgtn.ac.nz/articles/thesis/Stories_of_Saviourism_Examining_the_Moral_Negotiations_in_Volunteer_Tourism/30586076?file=61733902
Support the show
Support us and reach out!
https://smoothbrainsociety.com
https://www.patreon.com/SmoothBrainSociety

Instagram: @thesmoothbrainsociety
TikTok: @thesmoothbrainsociety
Twitter/X:  @SmoothBrainSoc
Facebook: @thesmoothbrainsociety
Merch and all other links: Linktree
email: [email protected]