The Kindness Effect: How Your Brain Changes When You Care with Jedidiah Thurner

The Kindness Effect: How Your Brain Changes When You Care with Jedidiah Thurner

Author: Dr Daniel & Tana Amen May 4, 2026 Duration: 43:33
In this fascinating episode, brain health expert Daniel Amen joins forces with special guest Jedidiah Thurner to explore the surprising neuroscience behind kindness. Together, they unpack how simple acts of compassion can rewire your brain, boost mental health, and even improve your physical well-being.
 
From the chemistry of empathy to the long-term effects of positive behavior on brain function, this conversation blends cutting-edge science with real-world insights you can actually use. Jedidiah brings a fresh perspective to the discussion, diving into how intentional kindness shapes relationships, resilience, and personal growth.
 
If you've ever wondered whether being kind really makes a difference—this episode will change how you think about your brain, your habits, and your impact on the world.
 
More on Good Neighbor Day: Good Neighbor Day America is a nationwide movement to inspire the Good Neighbor in every American through love, kindness, and service. As we look ahead to America's 250th anniversary, we're proud to partner with America250 to honor this historic milestone. The nation's most loved charities, faith-based organizations, churches, and businesses are coming together for a monumental day of service.
 

What if the small, daily decisions you make about food, thought patterns, and lifestyle are actively shaping your biology for better or worse? That’s the central exploration you’ll find within Change Your Brain Every Day, a conversation hosted by Dr. Daniel Amen and Tana Amen. Moving beyond theory, this podcast delivers practical, actionable strategies rooted in clinical experience. Each episode feels like a direct consultation, where the Amens translate complex neuroscience into clear steps anyone can use. You’ll hear them discuss how specific habits influence conditions like anxiety, focus, and low mood, offering a tangible sense of agency over your own mental and physical well-being. The tone is both authoritative and deeply encouraging, stripping away the overwhelm that often accompanies health advice. Rather than promising a single miracle cure, the focus is on sustainable, incremental change-the kind that compounds over weeks and months to create lasting results. Tuning into this podcast is an investment in understanding the direct connection between your daily life and your brain’s health. It’s for anyone who feels stuck in unhelpful cycles or is simply curious about optimizing their mind. The Amens act as guides, providing the tools to not just manage symptoms, but to fundamentally reshape your approach to your own health journey, one day at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Change Your Brain Every Day
Podcast Episodes
Mariel Hemingway: Breaking Generational Trauma Before It Breaks You [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:59
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Daniel Amen sits down with Mariel Hemingway to explore the deep connection between family emotional history, trauma, mental health, and hormones. During the interview, Dr. Amen shares M…
Taking Antidepressants (SSRIs): Pros & Cons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:55
For some people, the choice to take antidepressants leads to a happier, healthier quality of life. For others, it only makes things worse. Therefore it's crucial to understand the benefits and drawbacks of choosing this…
I Gave My Pain to God — Everything Changed with Christine D'Clairo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:50
In this week's episode, Dr. Amen is joined by music singer and songwriter Christine D'Clairo. Christine opens up about the trauma that shaped her life, the silent battles she faced, and the journey toward healing. From s…
This Is What You're Getting Wrong in Parenting [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:28
As parents, we often care so much about our children's wellbeing that we will do whatever we can to make things easier for them. However, when we step in to fix our children's problem, are we helping them or hurting them…
Faith & Brain Health with Pastor Miles McPherson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:47
In this week's mini-episode, Dr. Amen sits down with Pastor Miles McPherson for a live conversation on faith and brain health at the Rock Church in San Diego, CA.
The Amen Clinics Method with Dr. Daniel Amen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:53
In today's mini-episode, Dr. Daniel Amen explains his Amen Clinics Method of integrative psychiatric care and how it offers hope. Using innovative and personal care, our outcomes consistently demonstrate improvement for…
Overthinking & Anxiety Is Ruining You—Here's How to Stop Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:42
What if the biggest source of your anxiety isn't the world around you—but the thoughts inside your own mind? In part 2 of the anxiety series, Dr. Daniel Amen And Tana breaks down what's really happening in your brain whe…
This Is Your Brain on Food with Dr. Uma Naidoo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:38
This episode features information, tips, and how to's on food and its effects on the brain. Dr. Uma Naidoo is the director of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, writer for the Harvard…