FocusMatters examines ways to enhance and maintain cognitive performance in high-demand environments. Each episode features in-depth conversations with experts from government, medicine, human performance, and design who share practical insights on brain health, focus, and cognitive capacity. Hosted by Noah Rolland, the show cuts through hype to deliver evidence-based strategies for thinking clearly, performing better, and sustaining a mental edge.
A Weather Forecast for the Brain: Cognitive Readiness with Michael LeNeave
Michael LeNeave spent 23 years in Army aviation as a warrant officer and reconnaissance helicopter pilot, accumulating over 4,600 flight hours, many of them in Iraq and Afghanistan, flying the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior in close-proximity combat operations. In this conversation, he and Noah Rolland explore what it actually feels like to fly a manually controlled aircraft at the cognitive and physical edge, and what years of that exposure do to a human brain. The conversation moves from the mechanic...
7 May 2026
Above The Neck: Cognitive Load in the F-22 with Major Michael Broch
In this conversation, Noah sits down with Major Michael Broch — callsign "Mach" — an F-22 Raptor pilot currently at the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. Mach walks through the cognitive reality of flying a fifth-generation fighter: how sensor fusion shifts the pilot's workload from data processing to high-speed strategic decision-making, and why more-capable technology doesn't mean lower cognitive demand. The conversation traces Mach's progression from wingman to w...
7 Apr 2026
The Science of Covert Consciousness with Dr. Brian Edlow
In this episode, Noah is joined by Brian Edlow, a neurologist at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, who explores the science of consciousness and what it reveals about brain function, recovery, and human potential. Dr. Edlow shares insights from his work studying coma and disorders of consciousness, including how advanced imaging can detect hidden awareness in patients who appear unresponsive, and the profound implications this has for medical decision-making and recov...
19 Mar 2026
Tools for Improving Cognitive Vitality with Dr Jeremy Bettle
In this episode, Noah is joined by Dr. Jeremy Bettle, who discusses the intersection of cognitive development and athletic performance, emphasizing the importance of cognitive capacity in differentiating elite athletes. He shares insights from his experience in sports science, particularly during his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Anaheim Ducks, and how he adapted training methods during the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion also covers the significance of readiness, th...
19 Feb 2026
Build a High-Performance Brain: Fitness, Nutrition & Focus with Dr. Tommy Wood
In this episode of FocusMatters, Dr. Tommy Wood joins Noah to explore how to build and sustain a high-performing brain across the lifespan. Rather than focusing on disease, this conversation centers on cognitive reserve, resilience, and the lifestyle factors that enhance attention, learning capacity, and mental endurance. They discuss: • Why cardiovascular fitness and strength training directly influence brain performance • How neuroplasticity allows you to keep upgrading your cognitive capac...
3 Feb 2026
Major Nick "Bane" Caraballo: A Day in the Life of a Weapons School Instructor
Decision making at the speed of sound. In this episode, I sit down with Major Nicholas Clifton Caraballo, an Air Force pilot at the prestigious USAF Weapons School (think Top Gun for the Air Force), and we explore the cognitive demands of one of the most challenging roles in the armed forces. He discusses the rigorous training at Weapons School, the importance of intuition and communication, and the challenges of cognitive load during missions. The conversation also explores the s...
29 Jan 2026
Panel Discussion: Cognitive Training in the Real World
Cognitive training is everywhere right now across elite sports and the military. What is far less clear is what it actually looks like when applied in real world, high pressure environments, and how well current approaches are supported by science. In the first in a series of live discussions, Noah and his guests bring together applied and scientific perspectives on cognitive training, with an emphasis on implementation, evidence quality, and common misconceptions. Michael Rabasca, Directo...
6 Jan 2026
How Great Brands Earn Your Attention with Will Misselbrook
Few people understand the power of branding in sports better than Will Misselbrook who led the rebranding campaign for the Washington Commanders while being the first person to hold the title of Chief Creative Officer in the history of the NFL. Will then brought his passion and creativity to the LA Galaxy, where he helped to revitalize and reimagine a new era for the Galaxy, helping to capture $25M in ticket sales and over $34M in brand partnership revenue. In this conversation, Noah and Wil...
18 Dec 2025
Don Moxley: A Deep Dive Into Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
In this episode, we are joined by Don Moxley, a renowned expert in heart rate variability (HRV) and human performance. We discuss the significance of HRV as a key performance indicator, its relationship with recovery, and how it can be measured using various devices. Don shares his personal journey from wrestling to discovering the importance of HRV in athletic training. The conversation delves into advanced techniques for boosting HRV, including vagal nerve stimulation and the use of c...
3 Dec 2025
Dr Joe LaPlaca: Optimizing Vision and Cognitive Performance Driven by Metrics and Data
In this conversation, Dr. Joe LaPlaca discusses the critical role of vision in sports performance and how his facility, Aries Elite Sports Vision, addresses the often-overlooked aspects of visual and cognitive training for athletes. He emphasizes the importance of comprehensive assessments, the distinction between sight and vision, and the integration of cognitive training tools like NeuroTrainer. Dr. LaPlaca also highlights the significance of physical fatigue on decision-making and the need...
11 Nov 2025
The Mental Game of Golf with Rick Sessinghaus
Everyone who ever picks up a club learns quickly that golf is a game reliant on mental skills. No other sport has the "rest" to "activity" ratio of golf, and therefore, no other sport gives you more time to dwell on your performance. Great golfers use this time to tune their mental game. Others use it to wallow in distress. In this episode, I am joined by one of the premier mental skills coaches in the US. Rick Sessinghaus is the Director of FLOWCODE and has spent his career helping golfers a...
30 Oct 2025
Mental Skills from the Air Force Research Labs to Red Bull with Anne Shadle
Anne Shadle has been helping athletes across multiple sports and multiple domains for the last decade, including work with USA Baseball, USATF, AFRL, the New York Jets, and now Red Bull. In this conversation, we discuss her extensive background in sports psychology, focusing on the importance of attentional control, the impact of technology on athletes' focus, and strategies for managing cognitive load. She emphasizes the significance of recovery, mindfulness, and breathing techniques in enha...
17 Oct 2025
Critical Principles of Cognitive Training for Sports and Life with Justin Foster
In this conversation, Justin Foster shares his journey from sports psychology to cognitive training, emphasizing the importance of integrating cognitive skills into athletic performance. He discusses the evolution of sports psychology, the role of cognitive resilience, and the application of the OODA loop in decision-making. Foster highlights key neurocognitive skills, training tools, and the challenges of proving the effectiveness of cognitive training. He concludes with insights on the fu...
8 Oct 2025
Cognitive Performance and the LA Galaxy: a conversation with Michael Rabasca
In this conversation, Michael Rabasca, the Director of Cognitive Performance for the LA Galaxy, shares his unique journey and insights into the integration of cognitive training within sports. He discusses the evolution of cognitive tools, the challenges of proving their effectiveness, and the role of technology in enhancing athlete performance. Rabasca emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, awareness, and breathwork in training, as well as the connection between sleep and cognitive ...
8 Oct 2025
Design Thinking and Attention with Matt Cooke
In this conversation, Matt Cooke, the Creative Director of Iron Creative, discusses the evolution of design in the context of changing consumer behavior, attention spans, and the impact of technology. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to the new customer journey, leveraging data for effective design, and the challenges of managing design teams in a remote environment. The discussion also touches on the role of AI in design and the future of creative work, highlighting the need fo...
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