Episode 86 — The Neuroscience of Anxiety: Dopamine, Procrastination & the Sunday Scaries Explained
Brianna ApprovedShow Notes
In this episode, we break down the real neuroscience behind anxiety, avoidance, procrastination, and the Sunday Scaries — and give you practical tools to interrupt the patterns your brain keeps running on autopilot. You’ll finally understand what your brain is doing, why it’s doing it, and how to retrain it. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away knowing: Why your brain predicts the worst How dopamine actually drives avoidance Why Sundays hit so hard How the threat circuit, DMN, and executive network shape procrastination Why your brain is doing this and how to use these tools to retrain it. ___ Work With Me If you want to go deeper into this work — the patterns, the tools, the rewiring — and you want support and accountability tailored to your brain, you can work with me 1:1. This is where we take the science and apply it directly to your life so you can create real, lasting change.
___ Be sure to follow my Instagram @briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content! Check out my Amazon Storefront for all of my favorite Brianna Approved things! You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com to learn more. Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio ___
More from Brianna Approved
In episode 92 of the podcast, I sit down with author and educator Dr. Najwa Zebian to talk about emotional depth, letting go, and her newest book, The One Who Broke You Can’t Heal You. We get into being a “hopium addict,” confusing someone’s potential with who they actually are, and what happens when being understanding turns into endlessly accommodating. If you’ve ever thought, “I understand why you’re like this, but why am I the one paying for it?”....this conversation is for you. In this episode: Recognizing someone’s emotional capacity before you’re attached. What to look for in a partner when you love deeply. Why their potential can be harder to release than the actual person. The different bonds that keep you stuck in a relationship. Moving forward without their apology, explanation, or closure. Get Najwa’s book: The One Who Broke You Can’t Heal You Listen to her podcast: Beyond Words with Najwa Zebian Follow her on IG ___ Ready to make real changes, not just think about them?If you want support turning insight into action and breaking patterns that keep repeating, you can explore working together here! Coaching is designed to help you build systems, track evidence, and rewire patterns in a way that actually sticks. ___ Be sure to follow my Instagram @briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content! Check out my Amazon Storefront for all of my favorite Brianna Approved things! You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com to learn more. Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio
In Episode 91, we're diving into Why Maximizers Stay Stuck, Satisficers Move Forward, and the Freedom of Choosing. In this episode, we cover: The psychology of maximizers vs. satisficers and why some people stay stuck while others move forward. Why more options don't always lead to better outcomes...and can actually increase anxiety. The difference between settling and making intentional trade-offs. How the Four Burners Theory can help you prioritize what truly matters. Why certainty is a myth and confidence comes from commitment, not perfect information. Practical tools and journal prompts to help you make decisions with greater clarity and less regret. ___ Ready to make real changes, not just think about them?If you want support turning insight into action and breaking patterns that keep repeating, you can explore working together here! Coaching is designed to help you build systems, track evidence, and rewire patterns in a way that actually sticks. ___ Be sure to follow my Instagram @briannadiorio for all the Brianna Approved educational content! Check out my Amazon Storefront for all of my favorite Brianna Approved things! You can visit my website www.briannadiorio.com to learn more. Production Manager and Graphics @kylediorio
If you’ve ever felt stuck, indecisive, or like you’re waiting for clarity before making a big life decision, this episode is for you! In this episode, we will cover: Why you feel stuck: your brain prioritizes certainty over happiness Predictive processing: your brain runs mostly on internal predictions—not reality Why you choose what’s familiar (even when it’s wrong for you) How loss aversion + dopamine keep you looping and overthinking Nerd Alert: Predictive Brain Mode Practice What You Podcast: Manually close the loop: Replace catastrophic thoughts with grounded uncertainty Uncertainty Exposure Training: Small, controlled risks to retrain your brain Name the pattern: Identify where you’re choosing familiar over aligned The 70% Rule: If it’s 70% aligned, take action Track evidence: Build proof that uncertainty doesn’t equal danger Flip loss aversion: Ask “What is it costing me to stay the same?”
In episode 89 of the podcast, we discuss why grief isn’t just emotional….it’s neurological. In this episode, we discuss: Why grief can feel physically painful and what’s happening in the brain when we experience loss in any form (Nerd Alert Segment)
In Episode 88, we’re talking about how to stop letting feelings hijack your choices, and how to start using evidence — not impulse — as your compass.