All platforms and past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/
Direct Link to This Episode:
YouTube Version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l_Kht8WObY&feature=youtu.be

Focus is not about more effort—it’s about better strategy and self-awareness.

ADHD is not a deficit in intelligence but a challenge in managing attention and regulation.

Productivity must include mental health, not come at the cost of it.

Transitions—into university, new careers, or independent learning—can be overwhelming without support systems.

Reflective practices, safe spaces, and collaborative environments are essential for real learning and growth.

Understanding the why behind distraction helps build better habits and not just guilt cycles.

Psychologically informed practices help students and professionals reclaim autonomy in high-demand environments.

Burnout often stems from mismatched expectations and lack of recovery.

Compassionate teaching starts with giving ourselves permission to pause, reflect, and realign.

00:00 Alicia’s Journey into Psychology and Education
06:00 Applying content from Tiny Experiments into her practice
12:30 Focus & Excitement for Learning,
14:00 Power of Vulnerable Spaces and Moving Into Education Spaces
17:30 Procrastination?
20:00 Burnout in High-Pressure Academic and Workplace Settings
24:55 Building Systems That Align With Wellbeing
31:00 Cell Phones In Classrooms
36:00 Less Tolerance For Boredom

39:00 Final Thoughts and Ideas Worth Sharing

43:00 Misconceptions of Engaged vs. Learning and the Perception of Either

Alicia Peña Bizama Website

Tiny Experiments

• Podcast 210 where I speak with author of Tiny Experiments and founder of Ness Labs

Upcoming Sessions with Alicia

Understanding ADHD and Strategies to Improve Focus and Productivity

Friday 09.05.25 at 15:00–16:00 UK time

Monday 12.05.25 at 15:00–16:00 UK time

Check Eventbrite or her website for registration

Aaron’s Full Podcast Archive

All platforms and past episodes: https://coffeeforthebrain.com/podcasts/
Direct Link to This Episode: www.coffeeforthebrain.com/210
YouTube Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM0arJOqDbE

Linear goal-setting can trap us in burnout and a deficit mindset.

Learning and growth are nonlinear—curiosity and experimentation create deeper impact.

Traditional definitions of success often limit creativity and autonomy.

Tiny experiments help reclaim control, joy, and discovery in our personal and professional lives.

The education system can benefit from embracing experimentation over rigid outcomes.

Community and conversation are powerful tools for mental health and learning.

Neuroscience helps explain why curiosity and self-compassion are crucial for sustainable progress.

Instead of obsessing over perfection, we can focus on consistent iteration and playful learning.

Self-defined success leads to healthier productivity and long-term well-being.

Educators and knowledge workers alike need safe, brave spaces to question norms and try new paths.

00:00 Welcome + Introduction of Anne-Laure
03:10 Linear Thinking vs. Nonlinear Exploration
06:15 Anne-Laure's Shift from Corporate Life to Purpose-Driven Curiosity
10:50 The Origins of Tiny Experiments
14:20 Power of Community and Learning in Public
2o:45 Neuroscience of Learning and Curiosity with Plus, Minus, Next
26:00 The Beauty of New Learning With Published Book
30:30 How to Start a Tiny Experiment Today
Educators as Explorers, Not Just Executors

Ness Labs Community

Tiny Experiments: A Book by Anne-Laure Le Cunff

• Book website

Anne-Laure’s Keynote at SXSW

Anne-Laure on Twitter/X

Aaron’s Full Podcast Archive

• Learning is a vulnerable experience that requires admitting what you don't know.
• Creating engaging learning experiences is essential for both students and teachers.
• Trust and faith in the learning process are crucial for transformative education.
• Experience is the best teacher, and learning should be experiential.
• The education system needs to be remade to support teachers effectively.
• AI can enhance learning but does not replace the need for human creativity and experience.
• Creating a safe space for failure is necessary for real learning to occur.
• Communal learning experiences foster trust and collaboration among educators and students.
• Professional development should focus on what teachers are doing, not just what they are being told to do.
• Education should prioritize ideas and personal expression over performative tasks.

00:00 Introduction to CodeJoy and Kelsey Derringer
03:10 The Importance of Lifelong Learning in Education
05:57 Vulnerability in Learning: A Personal Perspective
09:01 Breaking the Education System: Kelsey's Journey
11:53 Innovative Approaches to Teacher Engagement
15:02 Creating Interactive Learning Experiences
18:06 The Role of Social Learning in Education
21:01 Reframing Teacher and Student Roles in Learning
26:33 The Nature of Learning and Experience
27:50 Human Evolution and Learning Challenges
28:50 Creating Safe Spaces for Learning
30:12 The Importance of Iteration and Failure
32:35 The Role of Experience in Education
34:35 Creativity and Trust in Learning
36:48 The Intersection of AI and Education
39:22 Shifting Focus from Performance to Ideas
42:10 The Human Experience in Education
46:09 Building Trust and Community in Learning

• CodeJoy
• CodeJoy on Socials
• 25 Days of Making
• The Artist's Way
• Hans Zimmer Isn't Scared of AI