How to help your brain thrive in a rapidly changing world

How to help your brain thrive in a rapidly changing world

Author: Our Media April 27, 2026 Duration: 43:32
For thousands of years, the evolution of the human race has been driven by natural selection and the passing on of genes that have helped us to thrive in the environments we live in. However, in current times, advances in technology and rapid societal change are shaping our lives like never before. So, what impact is this having on the way we think and act, and how can we best position ourselves to navigate the age of rapid change we find ourselves in? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Hannah Critchlow, a neuroscientist and author based at Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, to talk about her latest book, The 21st Century Brain – Cutting-edge Neuroscience to Help Us Navigate the Future. She tells us why developing emotional intelligence and connections with one another is vital if we are to succeed in a rapidly changing world, what happens in our brains in times of uncertainty, and talks us through some of the tactics we can all employ to help us succeed in the rapidly changing world we live in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Curiosity doesn't have to be a deep dive; sometimes, you just want a clear, smart answer. That's the idea behind Instant Genius, a production from Our Media that brings the editorial expertise of BBC Science Focus Magazine into audio form. Each episode is a compact conversation with a leading researcher, scientist, or technologist, designed to unpack a complex topic in a single sitting. You might explore the mechanics of memory one day and the engineering behind quantum computers the next, all within the same accessible format. This podcast operates on the belief that profound understanding doesn't require hours of your time. Released every Monday and Friday, these bite-sized masterclasses are perfect for a commute or a coffee break, turning spare moments into genuine learning. The discussions are focused and surprisingly thorough, moving from fundamental principles to cutting-edge implications without getting lost in jargon. It’s for anyone who has ever wondered about the science of sleep, the truth about nutrition trends, or how black holes actually work, and wanted a reliable source to explain it clearly. Tuning into this podcast means getting a direct line to experts who are shaping our understanding of the world, all structured to deliver insight efficiently. The range is deliberately broad, spanning health, cosmology, technology, and everyday science, reflecting the endless questions a curious mind can hold.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Instant Genius
Podcast Episodes
Why connecting with others is vital for our mental health [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:51
Statistics show that half of us will experience a mental health condition of some kind by the time we turn forty. Could this be due to the increasing pressures and looming crises we’re currently facing in the modern worl…
How metabolism really affects your health, weight and wellbeing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:38
Whether we’re working at a desk in an office, running a marathon or even asleep in bed, our bodies are host to thousands of chemical processes that are continually converting the food we eat into energy and repairing our…
What faces reveal about us and the societies we live in [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:48
The human face contains more than 40 muscles, giving us an ability to visually express our thoughts and emotions that is unique in the animal kingdom. This has perhaps led to a long-held obsession to uncover the many mys…
How our planet connects to the Solar System around it [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:42
We often think of our planet as an isolated island, solitary and cut off from the cosmic ocean it resides in. But the truth is, Earth is intimately connected with the Universe surrounding it. What’s more, by learning mor…
How AI could help us create life from scratch [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:10
For the last several billion years, all life on Earth has progressed according to the rules of evolution by natural selection – a step-by-step process that has given rise to the fascinating complexity and beauty of all t…
What happens in our brains and bodies when we fall in love [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:23
The chances are that if any of us were asked to describe what it feels like to be in love we’d turn to art, poetry or music to help give us the answer. But what does science have to say about this uniquely human experien…
Why gradual change is the true driving force of innovation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:36
Over the past several decades, many technologists and policy makers have sought out huge, disruptive shifts in thinking in almost every area of science, business and commerce in the hope that they’d help to drive innovat…
Why we need to rethink our concept of evil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:15
If most of us are put on the spot and asked to name acts that we think would define a person as evil, it’s likely our minds would turn to murderers, rapists and war criminals, to name a few. But could it be that this com…
The hidden ways the Internet and social media are shaping healthcare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:30
From famous actors and pop stars to the legions of social media influencers with millions of views, it seems almost everyone has something to say about the best ways to boost our health and wellbeing. But is this trend l…
How to break free from the negative cycle of overthinking [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:59
While the human mind is capable of great insight, original thoughts and acts of tender kindness towards others, it can also, at times, act like our own worst enemy. Feelings of worthlessness, shame and disappointment can…