The Hilary Silver Podcast: "How to Rewire Your Brain; A Neuroscience Hack To Think Better Thoughts"

Release Date: May 23, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "How to Rewire Your Brain; A Neuroscience Hack To Think Better Thoughts," Hilary Silver delves into the intricacies of self-perception and the underlying mechanisms that govern our thought processes. Aimed at individuals struggling with decision-making, overthinking, self-doubt, and perfectionism, Hilary offers a comprehensive guide to transforming one's internal dialogue and, consequently, their life.

1. Understanding the Conscious and Subconscious Mind

Hilary begins by elucidating the distinct roles of the conscious and subconscious minds:

• Conscious Mind (5%): Responsible for logical thinking, decision-making, problem-solving, and impulse control. It encompasses activities occurring in the prefrontal cortex, where active thought processes take place.

• Subconscious Mind (95%): Houses all past experiences, beliefs, thoughts, feelings, habits, and perceptions. This part of the brain operates on autopilot, influencing behaviors and decisions without our explicit awareness.

“Did you know that your conscious mind, while powerful, only accounts for about 5% of your thinking? ... the other 95% of your brain activity is happening subconsciously.”
— Hilary Silver [01:10]

Implications: The subconscious mind's vast influence means that much of our behavior and self-perception is shaped by deeply ingrained, often unrecognized, programming.

2. Identifying Negative Self-Talk

Hilary highlights the prevalence of negative self-talk and its roots:

• Origins of Self-Talk: Most negative internal dialogues stem from external voices experienced during upbringing—parents, teachers, coaches, religious teachings, and societal expectations.

• Nature of Inner Critic: The self-critical voice often mirrors verbal abuse, setting unrealistic standards and perpetuating feelings of inadequacy.

“What you are saying to yourself is actually verbal abuse. And you've been doing this to yourself likely your whole life.”
— Hilary Silver [03:45]

Key Point: Recognizing that this internal dialogue is learned and not inherently true is pivotal in initiating change.

3. Pattern Interrupts: Breaking the Cycle

To combat negative self-talk, Hilary introduces the concept of pattern interrupts:

• Technique: When engaging in self-doubt or criticism, consciously pause and challenge the thought. Replace it with a statement affirming that such negativity is undeserved and untrue.

“The moment that you start going down that same old path, ... you're going to stop and breathe and you're going to remind yourself, I don't talk to myself that way.”
— Hilary Silver [04:50]

Outcome: Each interruption weakens the old neural pathways, making room for healthier thought patterns.

4. Deciding New Beliefs: Conscious Choice

Hilary emphasizes the importance of conscious decision-making in reshaping self-beliefs:

• Intentional Affirmations: Replace negative thoughts with positive, intentional statements that reflect how you want to perceive yourself.

“This is a conscious choice, deciding how you want to talk to yourself and what you want to believe about yourself.”
— Hilary Silver [05:30]

• Example Affirmations:
  • “I can make mistakes and still be good enough.”
  • “I don’t have to be perfect to be loved.”
  • “It’s okay to relax and do nothing.”

Strategy: These affirmations are not mere phrases but powerful declarations that reorient your mindset.

5. The Role of Neuroplasticity: Rewiring the Brain

Central to Hilary's method is the concept of neuroplasticity:

• Definition: The brain's ability to form new neural connections throughout life, allowing for adaptation and change.

• Mechanism: Repeating new beliefs strengthens these connections, gradually embedding them into your subconscious.

“Neurons that fire together wire together.”
— Hilary Silver [07:15]

Process:

1. Choose New Beliefs: Decide on the positive beliefs you wish to adopt.
2. Accept as True: Embrace these beliefs with conviction.
3. Repeat Consistently: Reinforce them through daily practice until they become second nature.

Implication: Consistent repetition transforms fleeting thoughts into ingrained truths, effectively rewiring the brain.

6. Practical Tools and Methods

Hilary introduces practical tools to facilitate this transformation:

• Daily Journal: A structured program designed to help individuals consistently practice new beliefs and track their progress.

“If you're ready to actually rewire your brain and you want the exact structured method and accountability to change your thoughts, your patterns, and your life, go to hillarysilver.com/journal.”
— Hilary Silver [09:00]

Benefits:

• Provides daily prompts to reinforce new beliefs.
• Offers a framework for building and maintaining consistency.
• Acts as an accountability tool to ensure steady progress.

Additional Resources: Hilary mentions episodes that delve deeper into the development of her methods and personal stories, available on her website and YouTube channel.

7. Conclusion and Recap

Hilary succinctly summarizes the steps to effectively rewire the brain:

1. Decide what you want to believe instead of negative thoughts.
2. Accept these new beliefs as true.
3. Repeat them consistently until they become part of your inherent thought process.

“Those are the three powerful steps for changing your brain and changing the way that you think.”
— Hilary Silver [10:00]

Final Thoughts: By consciously choosing and reinforcing positive beliefs, individuals can overcome negative self-talk, build healthier self-perceptions, and ultimately lead more fulfilling lives.

Key Takeaways:

• Awareness: Recognize the extent to which your subconscious influences your thoughts and behaviors.
• Identification: Pinpoint and understand the origins of your negative self-talk.
• Intervention: Use pattern interrupts to challenge and diminish destructive thought cycles.
• Reconstruction: Adopt and consistently practice positive affirmations to foster new, empowering beliefs.
• Consistency: Leverage tools like the Daily Journal to maintain momentum and ensure lasting change through neuroplasticity.

Resources Mentioned:

• Daily Journal Program: For a structured approach to rewiring your brain, visit hillarysilver.com/journal.

By following Hilary Silver's scientifically-backed approach, listeners are empowered to take control of their internal narratives, fostering a healthier, more self-affirming mindset that paves the way for personal growth and success.