{"id":49548,"date":"2018-09-06T16:11:39","date_gmt":"2018-09-06T20:11:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsroom.carleton.ca\/?post_type=cu_story&p=49548"},"modified":"2025-09-30T10:53:56","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T14:53:56","slug":"minding-the-brain-podcast","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/news\/story\/minding-the-brain-podcast\/","title":{"rendered":"Minding the Brain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n\n \n \n \n \n
\n\n
<\/div>\n \n
\n
\n\n

\n Minding the Brain\n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n

Carleton University Neuroscience<\/a> Prof. Kim Hellemans<\/a> and Cognitive<\/a> and Computer Science<\/a> Prof. Jim Davies<\/a> are well known for their innovative and enthusiastic approach to teaching and extensive expertise in their fields.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now the duo is taking their knowledge and devotion to education to a new platform beyond lecture halls or seminar rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their podcast, Minding the Brain<\/a>,<\/em> focuses on the science behind the human mind and brain. The monthly episodes explore a diverse range of topics, from stress and social networks to marijuana and concussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Minding<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, episodes cycle back and forth between Davies and Hellemans as they interview each other about brain and mind topics related to their scientific backgrounds and research. They  often feature guests as well.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n

“We aim for more of a conversational tone, although there is certainly science embedded within the show,” Hellemans says.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

“We’re attempting to translate scientific topics in a way that is meaningful to all audiences.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last spring, the show took an exciting turn when the two partnered with Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of Nature<\/a> to produce a series of episodes in conjunction with the museum’s brain-themed exhibit.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

\"Minding<\/figure>\n\n\n

Podcasting is a Natural Medium For Science Communication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Davies and Hellemans, who share a comfortable and lively rapport, a podcast was the obvious avenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Kim and I are both very dynamic teachers and our voices and charisma can come across in a way that’s very hard to capture in text,” Davies explains.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n

“We’re excitable, we’re emotional, we laugh, she snorts, all that stuff. We wanted the podcast to sound like you’re sitting and chatting with interesting friends.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

“There is certainly a case against multi-tasking, but I think there’s also that edge to podcasts,” Hellemans explains. “When I hear of what people are doing when they listen to podcasts they’re going for a walk, they’re going to work, they’re in their car, they’re travelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“On the other hand, podcast listeners are doing dishes or going to the gym. I look at podcasts as that possibility for temptation bundling,” she says, referring to a term coined by University of Pennsylvania<\/a> Prof. Katherine Milkman<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Minding<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a paper<\/a> published in 2013, Milkman described temptation bundling as the “coupling of instantly gratifying “want” activities (watching the next episode of a habit-forming television show, checking Facebook) with engagement in a “should” behavior that provides long-term benefits but requires the exertion of willpower (exercising, completing a paper review, spending time with a difficult relative).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Statistics suggest podcasts are posed to become Canada’s next favourite mode of media consumption. A study<\/a> to be released in full this fall by Ulster Media<\/a> and Audience Insights<\/a> shines a light on Canadians’ listening habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n