Change of Mind

One Small Event Shaped My Entire Nursing Career

In Part 2 of my nursing story, I share the operating theatre experience that sparked my love for neuroscience. Early in my career, I assisted in a deep brain stimulation procedure for a patient with Parkinson’s disease. Watching tremors stop in real time — and seeing a lifelong musician play his flute again — was a defining moment. But this episode goes deeper than surgery. I talk about: * How deep brain stimulation works * What happens in awake neurosurgery * My unexpected Tourette’s diagnosis * Burnout and a crisis of professional confidence * The neuroscience of feeling “stuck” * How changing your internal narrative shifts brain activity from the amygdala to the prefrontal cortex * The role of dopamine and oxytocin in motivation and identity This is where my clinical experience meets personal rebuilding. If you’re feeling stuck, doubting yourself, or trying to take the next step toward something meaningful, this episode is for you. Next week, we break down the brain itself so you can understand the structures involved as we move forward. Until then, your task is simple: Identify as the person you’re becoming. Let’s see what your brain does with that. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Craziest 15 Minutes That Turned Me Into a Nurse

Why do we choose the careers we choose? In this episode, I share the story of how I became a nurse... and the 15-minute moment that shifted my entire life path. At 16 years old, newly CPR certified and certain I didn’t belong in healthcare, I found myself at the scene of a serious motorcycle accident. What followed wasn’t dramatic heroics. It was something much quieter - holding a stranger’s hand while waiting for an ambulance, and realising that presence can matter more than perfection. We explore: * The psychology of career-defining moments * How neuroplasticity allows the brain to reorganise during insight * The role of the orbital frontal cortex in motivation * Why some people run toward emergencies * What nursing has taught me about human connection Since that day, nursing has taken me into emergency situations, reconstructive surgery overseas, and countless bedside moments where the social layers fall away and only humanity remains. This episode is about purpose, presence, and remembering what actually matters. If you’ve ever experienced a moment that shaped your career, I’d love to hear about it. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

A Rant (And a Reframe) About Self Care

Self-care gets talked about like it’s spa days, journaling, and perfect routines… but for a lot of us, it just feels like another thing we’re failing at. In this episode, Johanna (nurse and mum of three boys including one with additional needs) breaks down why “self-care” can feel triggering, guilt-inducing, and unrealistic in the season of life where you’re exhausted, overstimulated, and just trying to get through the day. Together, we reframe self-care as something personal, proactive, and small - sometimes as simple as forgiving yourself, taking real rest, or using micro-practices like gratitude to shift your nervous system and build momentum. You’ll hear: * A grounded definition of self-care (without the wellness-guru pressure) * Why “basic hygiene” isn’t always the self-care you think it is * How to choose between sleep, exercise, meditation, and survival * What to do when therapy is accessible… but not always affordable * How habit stacking can make self-care actually doable * A quick gratitude reset + the neuroscience of why it works * Why the “right people” matter — and how relationships can be self-care (or the opposite) If self-care has become a burden, this conversation offers a kinder, more realistic way back. Listener question: What’s one simple self-care practice that actually works for you right now? #selfcare #burnoutprevention #mumlife #parenting #selfcompassion #nervoussystem #gratitude #mindfulness #meditation #habits #australiamums #overwhelmed #burnoutrecovery ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Autism Barbie: The Convo We Aren't Having

The debate around Autism Barbie has been loud, emotional, and deeply divided. But I think we’re missing something important. In this episode, I unpack why the backlash isn’t really about the doll — and why compassion has been in short supply on all sides of the conversation. As a nurse, a parent, and someone who works in brain science, I explore a less-discussed angle: that many autism parents aren’t reacting to representation itself. They’re reacting to years of unacknowledged strain, grief, and trauma. In this episode, we talk about: - Why “palatable” neurodivergent representation can still have value - How public discourse often overlooks caregiver trauma - Why anger around Autism Barbie may actually be about being unseen - The difference between criticism and compassion and why we need more of the latter - How nuance gets lost when conversations turn performative If you care about autism, disability, parenting, or how we talk about difference in public spaces, this conversation matters. Study Referenced (PTSD Symptoms in Autism Parents): https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/11/1642 About the channel Change of Mind is a long-form podcast and video channel exploring neuroscience, busy lives, caregiving, neurodiversity, and how humans actually change - in real life, not theory. Hosted by Johanna Kate, a registered nurse with experience across healthcare, neuroscience, leadership, and motherhood. Expect thoughtful conversations, evidence-informed insights, and the kind of nuance that might just change your mind. Disclaimer This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, nursing, or mental health advice and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance tailored to your individual needs. While I’m a registered nurse with experience in operating theatres, mental health, neuroscience, and motherhood, the content shared here reflects general information and personal insights - not clinical recommendations. Follow & connect Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/thisisjohannakate/ Instagram Show: https://www.instagram.com/changeofmindpodcast/ Work With Me https://johannakate.com.au #changeofmind #neuroscience #neurodiversity #disabilityparenting #mentalload #burnoutprevention #autismacceptance #assumecapacity #podcast #longformconversation #softrewiring #sciencesis ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Your Brain Can't Relax Because of This One Thing

In this episode of Change of Mind, Johanna Kate unpacks the one quiet reason your nervous system won’t settle, even when you finally sit down: unfinished business. The Zeigarnik effect explains why half-done tasks linger in the mind, and dopamine explains why your brain keeps poking them like a sore tooth instead of letting you rest. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand why “just relax” is terrible advice for an overloaded brain, and why mental exhaustion often has nothing to do with laziness or resilience. You’ll see your restlessness for what it is — a predictable neurochemical loop, not a personal flaw. This matters right now because modern parenting is basically a live demo of constant interruption. Open loops everywhere. No closure. And a brain that evolved to remember unfinished threats doesn’t know the difference between a half-written email and a real emergency. The science comes from early Gestalt psychology (Bluma Zeigarnik’s original work), modern dopamine research, and cognitive load theory. Together, they explain how task incompletion heightens memory recall, keeps dopamine circuits active, and blocks the shift into genuine rest. In this episode, we cover: * Why unfinished tasks stick louder than finished ones * What dopamine actually does (and doesn’t) do here * How cognitive load keeps your brain on standby * Simple ways to close loops without “doing more” ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.