All day long the brain is busy with various things - even when you're not aware of it. But exactly what happens in your mind during all those daily activities? These and many other questions are answered by brain experts in Season 2 of the Over de Kop podcast, produced by Stichting Brein in Beeld in collaboration with De Jonge Akademie. They do so in conversation with Pieter Hulst, presenter of TV programs such as Keuringsdienst van Waarde and de Proefkeuken, and a sidekick. Philosopher Joeri Tijdink adds a philosophical element to each episode, and they also address submitted questions. Starting from June 12, a new episode of Over de Kop, a podcast series by neuroscientists for everyone, will be released every two weeks. The theme of this season is "A Day in the Life of a Brain."
The 5 episodes are packed with knowledge and facts about how the brain works. These topics and experts are featured:
Sleep: June 12
You spend about one-third of your life on it: sleeping. In this episode, Professor of Functional Neuroanatomy at Amsterdam UMC, Prof. Dr. Ysbrand van der Werf, and Dr. Rolf Fronczek, neurologist at LUMC Leiden, explain everything about the brain's nocturnal escapades. Stay awake for this!
Music: June 26
According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, people listen to an average of about 20 hours of music per week, and this number is increasing. In this episode, Dr. Rebecca Schaefer and Dr. Eelke Spaak discuss why we love music so much and whether music can be used as therapy.
Food: July 10
Dr. Garmt Dijksterhuis, author of the book 'Does It Taste Good?' and Prof. Dr. Esther Aarts, professor in nutritional neuroscience, take you on a tasty listening journey in this episode. They explain how food affects your emotions, for example. But also, the other way around: what is the influence of the brain on eating? Why do you sometimes opt for the easy option (fast food) even though you know that cooking a meal is healthier?
Time and Attention: July 24
Prof. Dr. Hedderik van de Rijn and Prof. Dr. Stefan van der Stigchel both conduct research on attention and how to use time wisely to optimize your memory capacity. In this episode, we delve deeper into time perception, mindfulness, concentration (and the lack thereof).
Routines: August 7
Prof. Dr. Roshan Cools and Prof. Dr. Marieke Adriaanse tell us about behavior, from an individual to a population level. How is a routine formed in the brain, and can you change your behavior? After listening to this episode, you will not only know the answer to these questions but also learn more, for example, about the connection between routines, impulsivity, and addiction.
The series can be followed on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Follow @overdekoppodcast on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for all podcast updates!