The Little Brain Campaign

About The Little Brain Campaign

Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works.

Publisher

Dr. Lauren LaRose MD

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Aug 2024

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

106 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   How Chess Builds Focus, Confidence & Resilience in Kids | Dan Shapiro

   Dan Shapiro is the author of the newly released book Decoding Genius: The Unexpected Lessons of After-School Chess Club. After seeing how chess helped his son Harry build confidence and stronger decision-making skills, Dan set out to better understand the mindset behind the game and what it can teach kids beyond the board. We sat down with Dan to explore how chess can support focus, patience, resilience, memory, creativity, problem-solving, and the ability to think ahead. We also discuss how the game can be especially valuable for kids who may not naturally connect with more traditional extracurricular activities, and how it can help strengthen executive functioning, frustration tolerance, and self-confidence. We also dive into the ideas behind Decoding Genius, a thoughtful and practical book for parents, caregivers, and families looking for new ways to help kids build confidence, resilience, and real-world thinking skills. Dan shares how the lessons his son learned through chess began carrying over into school, music, technology use, and everyday decision-making, while highlighting the social and lifelong benefits of the game. To learn more about Dan and Decoding Genius, visit https://www.decodinggeniusbook.com/ (https://www.decodinggeniusbook.com/). You can also follow along on social media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decoding.genius/ (https://www.instagram.com/decoding.genius/) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decoding.genius (https://www.facebook.com/decoding.genius). Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign (https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign)

2. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Mental Health, Burnout, and the Future of Healthcare | Dr. Athena Hall

   Dr. Athena Hall is a pediatrician and the founder of ZNA Health Network, where she is working to help reshape healthcare around stronger relationships between patients, providers, and communities. We sat down with Dr. Hall to talk about how her experiences working in Rwanda and the Navajo Nation changed the way she viewed the traditional healthcare system, particularly the limitations of top-down models that do not always reflect the needs, culture, or priorities of the people they are meant to serve. We also discuss physician burnout, distrust in healthcare institutions, the importance of addressing mental, physical, social, and environmental factors together, and why Dr. Hall believes communities should have a greater voice in designing their own care. She shares the vision behind ZNA Health Network, her hope for a more community-centered and relationship-driven healthcare system, and examples of alternative models that show meaningful change is possible. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign (https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign)

3. 

   21 Sept 2026

   What If Mental Illness Is Also a Metabolic Problem? | Dr. Matthew Bernstein

   Dr. Matthew Bernstein is a metabolic psychiatrist and founding partner of Accord, a mental health program focused not just on reducing symptoms, but on helping people regain meaningful, lasting functioning in their daily lives. We sat down with Dr. Bernstein to explore how metabolic health may influence serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and treatment-resistant depression. He shares how his experience in traditional psychiatry led him to question the long-term reliance on antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, and why factors like insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and brain energy may deserve more attention in psychiatric care. We also discuss the role of ketogenic nutrition, exercise, sleep, circadian rhythm, stress reduction, and other lifestyle interventions in supporting brain health. Dr. Bernstein explains how these approaches may help some patients reduce medication burden, improve motivation and functioning, and build a better quality of life. He also shares a powerful patient story, discusses the importance of carefully tapering medications when appropriate, and explores why improving metabolic health earlier in life could potentially play a role in preventing future mental health challenges. Join Dr. Lauren LaRose, psychiatrist and mom of three, as she brings on experts in mental health, physical health and education and explores ideas outside the traditional medical model. The Little Brain Campaign aims to make issues kids and caregivers face easier to understand, while always keeping in mind that we need to look beyond the usual answers to find what really works. Follow The Little Brain Campaign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign (https://www.instagram.com/littlebraincampaign)

Who has been a guest on The Little Brain Campaign

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Lauren Hernandez
• Lauren LaRose
• Dr Megan Landry
• Dr Sara Reardon

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

57,116

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

20 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

22 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 62 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

73

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

51

Contact The Little Brain Campaign

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about The Little Brain Campaign