Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

Are You Highly Sensitive? The Neuroscience of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, 12 Signs You Might Have It and Why Logic Won’t Fix Emotional Pain.

This might be the most vulnerable episode we’ve ever recorded. No guests. No buffer. Just Mayim and Jonathan…and something we didn’t realize was quietly shaping Mayim's entire life! We’re talking about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) — and what started as a casual conversation turned into a full-blown personal reckoning. If you’ve ever: - Felt physical pain when you thought someone was disappointed in you - Spiraled for HOURS (or years) over one tiny mistake - Assumed you were getting fired every time your boss said, “Can we talk?” - Left parties early because you were sure you didn’t belong - Become enraged, ashamed, or devastated over something other people say “isn’t a big deal” …this is the episode to help you make it all make sense. Mayim & Jonathan break down: - Very real, very intense emotional and physical experience of RSD (the kind often associated with ADHD and neurodivergence, but not limited to it) - What’s happening in the brain - Why logic DOESN’T fix it - Overlap with perfectionism, people-pleasing, codependency, & rage - Why success, fame, or external validation doesn’t magically make it go away - Whether extreme physical training could override emotional sensitivity Mayim shares stories she's never shared before: - Why being late to meetings triggers white hot rage - Why improv makes her want to cry - Why hosting Jeopardy! didn’t protect her from feeling exposed - What it was really like making public appearances while starring on The Big Bang Theory And yes…you know they had to take a quiz. Follow along with us and share your results! This Isn’t About Being “Too Sensitive”. This is about a nervous system that experiences perceived rejection as catastrophe. For some people, it feels like: - Being punched in the chest - Not being able to breathe - Instant shame and/or rage - Total collapse of perspective And if you don’t experience this? You’ll finally understand what someone you love might be going through. The Hard Questions We Ask - Is this just low self-esteem? - Are we over-diagnosing everything? - Is this a modern luxury problem? - Does having a label help…or limit you? - Can confidence actually fix this? - What you can actually do to cope And the most important takeaway: This isn’t about weakness. It’s about perception. And perception can shift. This conversation evolved in ways we did NOT expect. It’s raw. It’s personal. It’s uncomfortable. And it might explain things in your life you’ve never had language for. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why does this hurt so much more for me than for everyone else?” Start here. Head to https://impact.ourritual.com/c/4792730/2005678/24744 [https://impact.ourritual.com/c/4792730/2005678/24744] , take a quick quiz, and use code BREAKER20 for 20% off your first month. Go to https://kachava.com [https://kachava.com] and use the code BREAKDOWN for 15% off of your first order. Take the Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Quiz: https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-adhd-symptom-test/?srsltid=AfmBOopcRDZDw2MNc17wXUaUONbwcpsvWkAoXeD35qBG-GofcYWhcfA_ [https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-adhd-symptom-test/?srsltid=AfmBOopcRDZDw2MNc17wXUaUONbwcpsvWkAoXeD35qBG-GofcYWhcfA_] Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.bialikbreakdown.com/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/mayimbialik%E2%81%A0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Part Two: Co-Inventor of String Theory Dr. Michio Kaku on How Quantum Computers Will End Disease & Aging, Explain Parallel Universes & Reveal What Happens When We Die

What if the technology that could save humanity…could also predict its end? In this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Michio Kaku — legendary cofounder of string field theory and author of Quantum Supremacy — breaks down the quantum revolution that’s about to change everything. What is quantum computing, really? Dr. Kaku explains its evolution from wild theory to world-altering reality — and how it could soon solve problems today’s supercomputers can’t even touch. But that’s just the beginning. He reveals how quantum computing could: - Extend human longevity and transform medicine - Track dangerous asteroids before they strike - Accelerate the search for extraterrestrial life - Predict possible planetary catastrophes - Help us study parallel universes Are black holes actually gateways to interstellar travel? Dr. Kaku explains the shocking physics that suggests they might not just destroy matter, but connect distant regions of space-time. Are we alone in the universe? He explains why he believes we are not, and how string theory may one day prove the existence of a multiverse. Artificial Intelligence: Humanity’s Greatest Tool — or Its Biggest Threat? Dr. Kaku shares why advancing AI deeply concerns him, why fighting AI may be the wrong strategy, and why he believes we may eventually need to merge with it instead. Could AI and robots become our partners in space exploration? Will artificial intelligence ever achieve consciousness? What would physically merging with technology actually look like? And what safeguards must we build before that future arrives? Plus: Why he predicts we may see more “3I/ATLAS”-type interstellar comets entering our solar system, and what that means for Earth. From quantum supremacy to the multiverse…from AI-human integration to black holes as cosmic gateways…this conversation explores the future of humanity at its most extreme edge. The future isn’t science fiction. It’s already unfolding. Dr. Michio Kaku’s book, Quantum Supremacy: How the Quantum Computer Revolution Will Change Everything: ⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697040/quantum-supremacy-by-michio-kaku/⁠ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697040/quantum-supremacy-by-michio-kaku/] Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.bialikbreakdown.com/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/mayimbialik%E2%81%A0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Co-Inventor of String Theory Dr. Michio Kaku on How Quantum Computers Will End Disease & Aging, Explain Parallel Universes & Reveal What Happens When We Die

What if the technology that could save humanity…could also predict its end? In this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Michio Kaku — legendary cofounder of string field theory and author of Quantum Supremacy — breaks down the quantum revolution that’s about to change everything. What is quantum computing, really? Dr. Kaku explains its evolution from wild theory to world-altering reality — and how it could soon solve problems today’s supercomputers can’t even touch. But that’s just the beginning. He reveals how quantum computing could: - Extend human longevity and transform medicine - Track dangerous asteroids before they strike - Accelerate the search for extraterrestrial life - Predict possible planetary catastrophes - Help us study parallel universes Are black holes actually gateways to interstellar travel? Dr. Kaku explains the shocking physics that suggests they might not just destroy matter, but connect distant regions of space-time. Are we alone in the universe? He explains why he believes we are not, and how string theory may one day prove the existence of a multiverse. Artificial Intelligence: Humanity’s Greatest Tool — or Its Biggest Threat? Dr. Kaku shares why advancing AI deeply concerns him, why fighting AI may be the wrong strategy, and why he believes we may eventually need to merge with it instead. Could AI and robots become our partners in space exploration? Will artificial intelligence ever achieve consciousness? What would physically merging with technology actually look like? And what safeguards must we build before that future arrives? Plus: Why he predicts we may see more “3I/ATLAS”-type interstellar comets entering our solar system, and what that means for Earth. From quantum supremacy to the multiverse…from AI-human integration to black holes as cosmic gateways…this conversation explores the future of humanity at its most extreme edge. The future isn’t science fiction. It’s already unfolding. Check Out Odoo, The all-in-one platform to manage your business by visiting https://www.odoo.com/r/J4l [https://www.odoo.com/r/J4l] Make a change this spring with a scientific approach to clean air. Visit h [http://rabbitair.com/]ttp://rabbitair.com/ or call their 24/7 consultants today. Get 20% off all IQ Bar products - plus free shipping by texting BREAKDOWN to 64000. Dr. Michio Kaku’s book, Quantum Supremacy: How the Quantum Computer Revolution Will Change Everything: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697040/quantum-supremacy-by-michio-kaku/ [https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697040/quantum-supremacy-by-michio-kaku/] Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.bialikbreakdown.com/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/mayimbialik%E2%81%A0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Re-Air: Why Our Current News Media is in the Toilet & How the Legendary Connie Chung Changed Media

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re revisiting one of our favorite episodes from 2024 with legendary journalist, Connie Chung. Connie Chung Shattered the Chains of her Cultural Traditions and Navigated the News Waters in a Sea of Men. Now she’s opening up about being sexually abused by her doctor as a teenager, her deep desire to be “one of the guys”, and why she thinks current news media is in the toilet. She reveals how she conquered the male-dominated realms of journalism and politics, the clever ways she combated sexism and racism in the newsroom, how she managed to keep her emotions in check while delivering impartial news that shaped our world, and her struggles with tying her self worth to her career. Hear about Connie’s wild stakeouts during the Watergate scandal, the reason she was forced to cover controversial figures like Tonya Harding & OJ Simpson, and her longtime marriage to daytime talk show host Maury Povich! Connie Chung also breaks down: - Her parents’ arranged marriage at a very early age & the loss of her older siblings - How she broke out of the mindset of the traditional Chinese caste system - Dangers of being seen as a feminist when she began & what feminism mean to her now - Her first big news break - Importance of neutrality & credible fact-checking in the news media - Challenges women in media face today It’s no wonder why so many Asian-American parents continue to name their kids after THE Connie Chung! Don’t miss this exclusive look into the life of a trailblazer - TUNE IN to MBB today! Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.bialikbreakdown.com/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/mayimbialik%E2%81%A0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Part Two: Tufts Biologist: AI Breakthroughs In Cancer & Limb Regeneration — And What They Reveal About Alien Intelligence & Human Biology | Dr. Michael Levin

What if cancer isn’t just a disease… but a split personality inside your own body? In this episode of Mayim Bialik's Breakdown, Dr. Michael Levin (Professor of Biology at Tufts University, Director of the Allen Discovery Center) drops paradigm-shattering insights that could redefine medicine, consciousness, intelligence...and what it even means to be human. He explains why he calls cancer “dissociative identity disorder of the body” — a breakdown in the body’s bioelectrical network — and how this could open the door to treating cancer without drugs or chemotherapy, why “mind blindness” prevents us from recognizing nonhuman intelligence, and how “human” might be defined in a future of tech implants and biological augmentation. Dr. Levin also breaks down: - What does a body think about before there is a brain? - Can we regrow limbs in our lifetime? - Are we closer than we think to communicating with our organs via an app? - What flatworms reveal about how trauma and memory are imprinted in tissue, and whether we might one day overwrite trauma itself - What nonhuman intelligence could actually look like - How you might play tic-tac-toe with an alien - Real dangers of anthropomorphizing AI Dr. Levin also tackles some of humanity’s biggest existential questions: - Are we defining consciousness all wrong? - How can ancient traditions and modern biophysics coexist? - Why compassion may be the most advanced technology we have From developmental biophysics to computer science to cognitive science, this conversation explores how intelligence may be woven into life itself — from cells to organs to entire bodies. If what he’s saying is right… Medicine will change. AI debates will change. And our understanding of ourselves will change. You will never look at your body the same way again! Learn more about Dr. Michael Levin and his work: * ⁠https://drmichaellevin.org/⁠ [https://drmichaellevin.org/] * ⁠https://thoughtforms.life/⁠ [https://thoughtforms.life/] * ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@drmichaellevin/playlists⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@drmichaellevin/playlists] Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0%E2%81%A0] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BialikBreakdown.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.bialikbreakdown.com/] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube.com/mayimbialik⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/mayimbialik%E2%81%A0] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]