by Johanna Kate RN
Change of Mind is a conversational podcast about how we adapt, grow, and keep functioning when life doesn’t go to plan. Hosted by Johanna Kate, a nurse, mother, and nerd - the show blends clinical experience, lived caregiving reality, and brain science to explore burnout, neuroplasticity, nervous system regulation, neurodivergence, and mental load. Short, evidence-based episodes for people living complex lives and still wanting to embrace it all.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/18/2025
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June 19, 2026
Sometimes reality hits you harder than you expect. And when it does, you realize just how much you've been protecting yourself from feeling the full weight of it. In this episode, I share something raw and unfiltered: the moment I got a rejection letter for my son's school placement. Why? Because he requires too much one-on-one care to be accepted. It was one of the first times someone told me, in black and white, just how high his needs really are. And that changed something. As a parent of a neurodivergent, developmentally complex, nonspeaking child, I spend most days not thinking about how hard things can be. I just… do them. I show up. I adapt. I advocate. I plan for a future I hope looks different than the one people warn me about. But every now and then, something forces you to stop. To sit with the grief you've been outrunning. To face what you've been too busy, too hopeful, or too afraid to name. This episode isn't polished or retrospective. It's me, 30 minutes after reading that letter, trying to make sense of what I'm feeling. Because I think showing that matters. I think the unprocessed, unpackaged moments matter just as much as the ones we've had time to reflect on or refine our language around. We talk about: • What it's like to parent a child with complex needs and not always see the full picture yourself • The strange kind of imposter syndrome that comes with disability parenting • Why rejection letters hit differently than you think they will • How hope and denial can live side by side • The gap between how you see your child and how the system sees your child • Why finding other parents who just get it can be lifesaving • Grief that shows up in pockets, not waves • What it means to hold space for hard feelings without letting them define the whole story If you're navigating a diagnosis, waiting for answers, or just trying to figure out what comes next for your child, this one's for you. If you've ever had your reality reframed by someone else's assessment, you'll understand this feeling. And if you're someone who loves a disability parent and wonders what's going on beneath the surface, this might give you a window in. This isn't about giving up. It's about being honest. About sitting in the hard stuff long enough to actually feel it, and then getting back up anyway. Because even when it's bad, it's still life. And life with Emmett is still good. About the channel Change of Mind is a long-form podcast and video channel exploring busy lives, caregiving, neurodiversity, and how humans actually change - in real life, not theory. Hosted by Johanna Kate, a registered nurse with experience across healthcare, neuroscience, leadership, and motherhood. Expect thoughtful conversations, evidence-informed insights, and the kind of nuance that might just change your mind. Disclaimer This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, nursing, or mental health advice and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance tailored to your individual needs. While I'm a registered nurse with experience in operating theatres, mental health, neuroscience, and motherhood, the content shared here reflects general information and personal insights - not clinical recommendations. Listen to the podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6YuybHkjX6CsPX8RqNsYAJ Follow & connect Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/thisisjohannakate/ Work With Me https://johannakate.com.au YouTube: You're already here — welcome, stay curious. #changeofmind #neuroscience #neurodiversity #disabilityparenting #specialneeds #globaldelay #nonspeaking #AAC #autism #schoolrejection #grief #mentalload #caregivertrauma #parentingjourney #reallife #vulnerability #podcast
February 25, 2026
<p>In Part 2 of my nursing story, I share the operating theatre experience that sparked my love for neuroscience.</p><br><p>Early in my career, I assisted in a deep brain stimulation procedure for a patient with Parkinson’s disease. Watching tremors stop in real time — and seeing a lifelong musician play his flute again — was a defining moment.</p><br><p>But this episode goes deeper than surgery.</p><br><p>I talk about:</p><ul><li>How deep brain stimulation works</li><li>What happens in awake neurosurgery</li><li>My unexpected Tourette’s diagnosis</li><li>Burnout and a crisis of professional confidence</li><li>The neuroscience of feeling “stuck”</li><li>How changing your internal narrative shifts brain activity from the amygdala to the prefrontal cortex</li><li>The role of dopamine and oxytocin in motivation and identity</li></ul><p><br></p><p>This is where my clinical experience meets personal rebuilding.</p><p>If you’re feeling stuck, doubting yourself, or trying to take the next step toward something meaningful, this episode is for you.</p><br><p>Next week, we break down the brain itself so you can understand the structures involved as we move forward.</p><br><p>Until then, your task is simple:</p><br><p>Identify as the person you’re becoming.</p><p>Let’s see what your brain does with that.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
February 14, 2026
<p>Why do we choose the careers we choose?</p><br><p>In this episode, I share the story of how I became a nurse... and the 15-minute moment that shifted my entire life path.</p><br><p>At 16 years old, newly CPR certified and certain I didn’t belong in healthcare, I found myself at the scene of a serious motorcycle accident. What followed wasn’t dramatic heroics. It was something much quieter - holding a stranger’s hand while waiting for an ambulance, and realising that presence can matter more than perfection.</p><br><p>We explore:</p><ul><li>The psychology of career-defining moments</li><li>How neuroplasticity allows the brain to reorganise during insight</li><li>The role of the orbital frontal cortex in motivation</li><li>Why some people run toward emergencies</li><li>What nursing has taught me about human connection</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Since that day, nursing has taken me into emergency situations, reconstructive surgery overseas, and countless bedside moments where the social layers fall away and only humanity remains.</p><br><p>This episode is about purpose, presence, and remembering what actually matters.</p><p>If you’ve ever experienced a moment that shaped your career, I’d love to hear about it.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
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Change of Mind is a conversational podcast about how we adapt, grow, and keep functioning when life doesn’t go to plan.
Hosted by Johanna Kate, a nurse, mother, and nerd - the show blends clinical experience, lived caregiving reality, and brain science to explore burnout, neuroplasticity, nervous system regulation, neurodivergence, and mental load.
Short, evidence-based episodes for people living complex lives and still wanting to embrace it all.
This podcast updates daily.
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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