Think Twice Podcast

What if learning didn’t just depend on how hard you study or how good your teachers are, but also on how your study tools adapt to you? Artificial intelligence is reshaping education, turning old school classroom learning into personalized, dynamic experiences that evolve with every question you ask and with every new skill you acquire. From real-time feedback to tailored study strategies, AI isn’t just speeding things up, it’s changing how we learn, understand, retain, and apply knowledge. But as these AI systems get smarter, it raises a deeper question: do we have the necessary infrastructures to safely use AI in the classroom? In this episode, we dive into the promise, the pitfalls, and the neuroscience behind AI-enhanced learning.

This episode is sponsored by the Connected Minds program. Connected Minds, funded by the Canadian First Research Excellence Fund, is a 7-year collaborative program between York University and Queen’s University that focuses on interdisciplinary, ethical, and socially responsible research and technology development. The program offers funding for trainees, researchers, and artists. To learn more and get involved, visit the Connected Minds website.

Website: https://www.yorku.ca/research/connected-minds/a

Authors: Eve Racette, Shima Hassanpour, Emily Machel, Golnar Taheri

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast
LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

The link between sleep and epilepsy is powerful, complex, and often overlooked. We know that sleep loss and disruptions can trigger seizures in epileptic patients. We also know that repeated seizures during sleep can fragment sleep and reduce the brain's ability to recover. In this episode, we sit down with Dr Shukla, a neurologist specializing in Epilepsy and Sleep, and discuss the intersection of sleep and epilepsy. We talk about the link between sleep disorders and epilepsy, how doctors diagnose sleep-related issues in epilepsy and why treating sleep problems can be an important part of seizure management.

Dr. Garima Shukla is a Professor of Neurology, specializing in Epilepsy and Sleep Medicine; and faculty at the Center for Neuroscience studies at the Queen’s University in Kingston, ON, Canada. Her prior appointment was as Professor of Neurology at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Her research focuses on clinical and neurophysiological aspects of the sleep-epilepsy-cognition interface and epilepsy co-morbidities as well as neurological sleep disorders, particularly phenotypes and course of Restless legs syndrome. Her team is currently investigating the role of wake and sleep high-density EEG source localization in predicting overall epilepsy outcomes (seizure control, cognition and mood).

Authors: Golnar Taheri, Eve Racette

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast
LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) has long been dismissed, misdiagnosed, and misunderstood. For a long time, we thought PMDD was just a heigthened version of PMS and was simply another consequence of hormonal imbalances associated with a woman's menstrual cycle. But neuroscience is finally catching up! In this episode, we unpack what’s actually happening in the brain during PMDD, from hormone sensitivity to shifts in mood and cognition. We also discuss how perceptions of PMDD have evolved over time, from stigma and skepticism to growing clinical recognition.

Authors: Golnar Taheri, Eve Racette

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast
LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

What really goes on in your brain when you dodge someone on a crowded sidewalk or adjust your step without thinking? From everyday actions like walking and driving to split-second changes in unpredictable environments, our brain is constantly choosing, predicting, and adapting in real time. In this episode, we sit down with Cesar, a PhD student studying how the brain makes complex decisions in the middle of movement. We talk about why even the simplest movements are packed with decision-making to keep us moving in the real world.

Cesar is a 7th year PhD student at Université de Montréal. Academically, Cesar considers himself to be very curious and eager to learn. He enjoys helping others and sharing knowledge, as well as developing new skills. In everyday life, he likes to stay active, work with his hands, and take care of those around him. Sports play an important role in his life, despite having experienced a few interruptions due to injuries. He can also be somewhat reserved, often preferring to give others space rather than take center stage. One thing Cesar acknowledges about himself is a tendency toward indecision, which he finds ironic given that he is pursuing a PhD on decision-making.

Authors: Eve Racette

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast
LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.

How pain would you be willing to endure for 20$? How much money would you be willing to spend to avoid feeling pain? Why does spending money sometimes feel so painful? From the sting of a high price tag to the relief of a good deal, your brain is constantly weighing costs and rewards beneath the surface. In this episode, we dive into the world of neuroeconomics to explore how the brain processes financial decisions in ways that overlap with physical and emotional pain. We talk about how these neural signals shape our everyday choices and why understanding them might change how you think about money.

Authors: Zara Sheikh, Eve Racette, Golnar Taheri

Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @thinktwice_podcast
LinkedIN: Think Twice Podcast
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ThinkTwicePodcast

Disclaimer: Think Twice is a podcast for general information and entertainment purposes only. The content discussed in the episodes does not reflect the views of the podcast committee members or any institution they are affiliated with. The use of the information presented in this podcast is at the user’s own risk and is not intended to replace professional healthcare services.