Podcast
The Neuro Collective Podcast
Hosted by Dr. Michael Bagnell & May Bagnell · EN
Welcome to The Neuro Collective Podcast!
We are your hosts, Dr. Michael Bagnell, Functional Neurologist and May Bagnell, Mindset and Nutrition Coach. Together, we are here to guide you through the dynamic intersection of Functional Neurology, Mindset Coaching, and Functional Medicine. If you're passionate about neuroscience, alternative health, and holistic wellness, you're in the perfect place.
Our podcast is designed for those who are eager to explore innovative ways to heal brain conditions, optimize brain performance, and enhance overall well-being.
We cater to everyone from health-conscious individuals to high-performing athletes.
Each week, we bring you expert interviews, the latest research, and actionable tips to help you achieve peak mental and physical health. Together, we'll dive deep into the science and practicalities of brain health, empowering you to live your best life with a sharper mind and a healthier body.
So, let's embark on this journey together and unlock the limitless potential of your brain. This is The Neuro Collective Podcast—where holistic health meets neuroscience.
40episodes
Episodes
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Part 6: The Parietal Lobes: Sensory Processing, Overwhelm & Your Brain’s Internal Map- Episode 178
Yesterday00:32:38Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, Dr. Michael and May Bagnell,IHP continue their Inside the Brain series with a fascinating deep dive into the parietal lobes — the brain regions responsible for sensory processing, body awareness, spatial orientation, attention, and sensory integration. Discover why some people feel easily overstimulated, overwhelmed in busy environments, disconnected from their body, or mentally exhausted after sensory-heavy experiences like crowded stores, concerts, airports, or loud restaurants.Learn how the parietal lobes act as your brain’s internal mapping system, helping you understand where your body is in space through proprioception, movement, touch, and coordination. Dr. Bagnell explains how these brain regions influence everything from clumsiness and coordination to focus, filtering information, visual processing, and emotional overwhelm. The episode also explores how conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia, concussion, stroke, apraxia, and sensory processing challenges may involve parietal lobe dysfunction — and how functional neurology can help retrain and strengthen these systems.You’ll also discover practical ways to support your brain naturally, including reducing sensory overload, improving nervous system regulation, using intentional movement and cross-body exercises, creating visual calm, and strengthening body awareness through activities like yoga, stretching, grounding, and water therapy. Whether you’re a neuroscience enthusiast, a parent navigating sensory challenges, or someone trying to understand why your brain feels overloaded, this episode offers powerful insight into how the brain processes the world around you — and how healing and regulation are possible.Highlights from this episode:What the parietal lobes actually doWhy busy environments can feel exhaustingThe connection between sensory overload and anxietyHow the brain maps the body through proprioceptionClumsiness, coordination, and brain functionParietal lobes and ADHD, dyslexia, concussion, and sensory issuesFunctional neurology approaches for brain retrainingSimple ways to support sensory regulation and brain healthBecause when the brain processes the world differently, life can feel overwhelming — but understanding the brain is the first step toward healing.
Transcribe →Part 5: Inside the Brain Series: The Brainstem:Your Survival Center- Episode 177
6d ago00:33:19Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWelcome back to The Neuro Collective Podcast as Dr. Michael and May Bagnell,IHP continue their Inside the Brain series with a deep dive into the brainstem — the powerful control center responsible for breathing, heart rate, balance, stress regulation, sleep, swallowing, and autonomic function. Although small in size, the brainstem plays a massive role in your daily health and survival.In this episode, they explore how stress, concussion, aging, nervous system overload, and lifestyle habits can impact brainstem function and contribute to symptoms like dizziness, anxiety, migraines, chronic fatigue, POTS, sleep disturbances, and sensory overload. They also discuss the fascinating role of the Reticular Activating System (RAS) and the vagus nerve in focus, attention, emotional regulation, and nervous system balance.You’ll also learn practical ways to support your brainstem through regulated breathing, sleep rhythms, movement, vagal stimulation, and nervous system regulation strategies — helping you better understand your brain and optimize your health from the inside out.
Transcribe →Part 4: Inside the Brain Series: The Limbic System - Emotions & Stress- Episode 176
1w ago00:32:21Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat happens when your emotions feel bigger than your thoughts? Why does stress affect your body so intensely? And why can a memory, smell, or song instantly transport you back to another moment in time?In this powerful episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, Dr. Michael and May Bagnell,IHP continue the Inside the Brain Series by exploring one of the most emotionally influential systems in the brain — the Limbic System.Often called the brain’s “emotional center,” the limbic system plays a major role in stress responses, emotional regulation, memory formation, survival instincts, attachment, and nervous system activation. Together, they break down complex neuroscience into practical, relatable insight that helps you better understand why you feel the way you do.In this episode, you’ll learn:How the amygdala acts like the brain’s internal alarm systemWhy stress and trauma can become deeply wired into the nervous systemThe connection between the hippocampus, memory, and emotional experiencesHow chronic stress impacts sleep, digestion, focus, hormones, and immune functionWhy some people feel emotions more deeply as Highly Sensitive People (HSPs)How the frontal lobe and limbic system work together for emotional regulationPractical ways to support your brain through nervous system regulation, sleep, movement, and emotional safetyDr. Michael also shares fascinating insight into how the limbic system influences the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems, while May opens up about her own experience as a highly sensitive person and the importance of learning how to regulate an overwhelmed nervous system.This episode is filled with compassionate education, real-life examples, and empowering reminders that:You are not your anxiety.You are not your overwhelm.You are not your stress response.These are nervous system states — and states can change.If you’ve ever struggled with emotional overwhelm, chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, trauma responses, or feeling “too sensitive,” this conversation will help you understand the deeper neurological “why” behind what you’re experiencing.Tune in as we continue uncovering the incredible connections between the brain, body, emotions, and healing.And remember:You can heal. And we can help.
Transcribe →Part 3: Inside the Brain Series-The Basal Ganglia: Habits, Movement & Motivation- Episode 175
2w ago00:33:44Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this fascinating episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, Dr. Michael and May Bagnell,IHP continue the Inside the Brain series by exploring one of the brain’s most powerful and misunderstood systems — the basal ganglia. Deep within the brain lies this intricate network responsible for movement, motivation, habits, emotional regulation, and automatic behaviors.The conversation unpacks how the basal ganglia acts like the brain’s internal “circuit board,” helping regulate everything from walking, eye movements, posture, and coordination to emotional patterns, thought processes, and even anxiety loops. Dr. Bagnell explains the three major pathways connected to this system — motor, limbic, and cognitive circuits — and why disruptions in these pathways can contribute to conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Tourette’s syndrome, OCD, PANS/PANDAS, stiffness, tremors, unwanted movements, and emotional dysregulation.One of the most eye-opening parts of this episode is the discussion around the brain’s “autopilot system.” The basal ganglia helps automate whatever the brain practices most — whether that’s learning a new instrument, developing healthy exercise habits, or reinforcing negative cycles like stress responses, worry loops, procrastination, doom scrolling, and overthinking. May shares how repeated thoughts and behaviors become deeply ingrained neurological patterns, while Dr. Bagnell explains the powerful role of dopamine and GABA in balancing movement, motivation, calmness, and inhibition.The episode also dives into how functional neurology approaches disorders affecting the basal ganglia through brain-based therapies, neurofeedback, movement training, metabolic support, inflammation reduction, rhythmic exercise, and neuro-optimization strategies. Listeners will gain practical insight into how lifestyle factors like stress, sleep, diet, inflammation, concussions, and emotional overwhelm directly impact these deep brain circuits.May also introduces the newly launched Be Well Fem Program at Bagnell Brain Center, designed to support women experiencing neurological, emotional, and metabolic shifts during perimenopause and menopause.This episode is a powerful reminder that the brain is constantly adapting — and with the right support, new neural pathways can be created for healing, resilience, and transformation.Key Highlights From This Episode:How the basal ganglia controls movement, habits, and emotionsWhy the brain automates repeated behaviors — both positive and negativeThe connection between dopamine, motivation, and movementHow stress and inflammation affect deep brain functionMovement disorders linked to the basal gangliaWhy repetition, rhythm, and intentional movement matter for brain healthHow functional neurology supports brain rewiring and recoveryThe neurological impact of chronic stress, anxiety loops, and emotional overwhelmBecause as always:You can heal. And we can help.
Transcribe →Part 2: Inside the Brain Series-The Cerebellum: Coordination & Clarity- Episode 174
2w ago00:30:11Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailMost people think of the cerebellum as the part of the brain responsible for balance and coordination—but what if it’s also deeply connected to your mental clarity, emotional regulation, focus, and cognitive performance?In this episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, Dr. Michael and May Bagnell,IHP continue the Inside the Brain series by exploring one of the most fascinating and often overlooked regions of the brain: the cerebellum.You’ll discover why this remarkable structure—though it makes up only 10% of the brain’s volume—contains more than 50% of the brain’s neurons, and why modern neuroscience is revealing its powerful role in far more than movement.In This Episode, We Explore:• Why the cerebellum is the brain’s “quality control system” How it fine-tunes movement, thought processing, timing, and precision.• The surprising connection between the cerebellum and mental clarity Learn how this brain region directly influences focus, processing speed, decision-making, and cognitive efficiency.• The link between cerebellar dysfunction and symptoms like: Brain fog Anxiety Low motivation Mental fatigue Poor coordination Emotional flatness• Why movement is essential for brain health Discover how coordinated movement activates the cerebellum and strengthens communication across the brain.• Practical ways to activate your cerebellum daily Simple movement-based strategies including: Balance work Cross-body movement Eye-head coordination exercises Intentional movement for mental resetOne of the most powerful takeaways from this episode:“Movement changes your brain’s state—and when your brain state changes, clarity follows.”This conversation reveals why intentional movement is one of the most overlooked tools for improving brain performance, emotional resilience, and overall neurological health.If you’ve ever struggled with feeling mentally stuck, foggy, uncoordinated, overwhelmed, or disconnected, this episode will help connect the dots.The cerebellum isn’t just helping you move—it’s helping you think, adapt, and function at your best.Tune in now and continue your journey Inside the Brain.Because as always: You can heal. And we can help.
Transcribe →Part 1: Inside the Brain Series-The Prefrontal Cortex: Focus, Decisions- Episode 173
3w ago00:28:54Tap to summarizeSend us Fan Mail We’re launching a brand new series on The Neuro Collective Podcast called INSIDE THE BRAIN, and we’re starting with one of the most essential regions for everyday life — the prefrontal cortex. This is the part of your brain responsible for focus, decision-making, emotional regulation, planning, and becoming who you want to be. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, scattered, or stuck in that frustrating space of knowing what to do but not doing it, this episode will help you understand why.Often called the brain’s execution center, the prefrontal cortex is what allows you to follow through, stay organized, regulate emotions, and make decisions aligned with your goals and values. When it’s functioning well, you feel clear, grounded, and in control. But under stress, this region weakens — leading to impulsivity, poor decisions, emotional reactivity, and mental fatigue. In today’s fast-paced world filled with constant inputs and multitasking, it’s no surprise that many people are experiencing what we call prefrontal fatigue, leaving them drained, unfocused, and overwhelmed.The powerful takeaway is this: it’s not just about willpower — it’s about brain function. The good news is that you can strengthen this part of your brain through simple, intentional practices like deep focus, reducing decision fatigue, regulating your nervous system, prioritizing sleep, and moving your body. When you understand how your brain works, you begin to understand yourself — and that’s where real change begins. You are not stuck. Your brain can change, and you can train it to work for you.
Transcribe →Part 7-The Why You Feel This Way Series-Why You Don’t Feel Like Yourself Anymore- Episode 172
3w ago00:26:53Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this final episode of the “Why You Feel This Way” series, Dr. Michael & May Bagnell, IHP explore a deeply personal and often unspoken experience: not feeling like yourself anymore.In this solo conversation, May breaks down what is really happening beneath the surface when you feel more tired, less clear, disconnected, or different from who you used to be. This episode brings both compassion and science together to help you understand that this feeling is not random—and it is not a sign that something is wrong with you.At the core of this conversation is a powerful truth: your brain is always adapting. Through neuroplasticity, your brain rewires itself based on your experiences, stress levels, responsibilities, emotional load, and environment. When these inputs shift, your internal state shifts with them.You will learn how increased life demands can lead your brain to reallocate energy, resulting in fatigue, reduced patience, lower clarity, and emotional disconnection. You will also discover how your sense of identity is not fixed, but influenced by brain networks like the default mode network (DMN)—which means that when your life changes, your sense of self can feel like it is changing too.This episode also explains why, under stress, the brain shifts from connection to protection, leading to patterns like withdrawal, reactivity, or feeling less like yourself. These responses are not personality flaws—they are protective adaptations.To support you through this season, May shares practical coaching insights:Name the season, not the problem. Shift from asking “What’s wrong with me?” to “What season am I in?” to create compassion instead of self-criticism.Reduce before you rebuild. Before trying to “find yourself,” begin by reducing pressure, expectations, and overwhelming inputs so your brain has space to reset.Reconnect through small moments. You don’t need a major transformation. You need small, consistent reconnections like quiet time, journaling, or creative expression to help your brain feel safe again.Support your nervous system daily. Simple practices like intentional breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 6 seconds) can regulate your system and help restore a sense of self.The most important takeaway from this episode is this: You have not lost yourself. You have been adapting.Your brain is still capable of change. Your clarity, energy, and connection can return—but it happens when you support your brain instead of pushing through exhaustion.This episode is a reminder that you are not broken. You are in a transition. And within that transition is the opportunity to reconnect with who you already are.For those ready for deeper support, May offers one-on-one coaching through the Be Well Femme Program at Bagnell Brain Center, designed to guide women through brain health, nervous system regulation, and mindset transformation.Reach out to learn more and begin your journey back to yourself.
Transcribe →Part 6-The Why You Feel This Way Series-Why You Feel Overwhelmed So Easily- Episode 171
4w ago00:33:41Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailFEELING OVERWHELMED LATELY? YOUR BRAIN MAY BE TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING.In today’s episode of the Neuro Collective Podcast, Dr. Michael & May Bagnell, IHP unpack why you feel overwhelmed so easily—and it’s not what most people think. It’s not about being weak or “too sensitive.” It’s about your brain’s current capacity to process everything coming at you.You may notice that small things feel bigger than they used to, your bandwidth feels narrower, and environments that never used to bother you—like noise, clutter, or busy spaces—now feel like too much to handle. This is often a sign of cognitive overload, where your brain is taking in more input than it can efficiently process.Overwhelm is not a strength issue—it’s a capacity issue. Your brain has limits, just like carrying luggage. There’s only so much it can hold at once. When that limit is exceeded, you may experience emotional flooding, where your emotions spill into everything—impacting your decisions, communication, and reactions.In today’s fast-paced world filled with notifications, responsibilities, and constant stimulation, your brain can get stuck in a survival mode state—making everything feel louder, brighter, more intense, and more urgent. This is why overwhelm can feel physical, not just emotional.But here’s the good news: you can rebuild your capacity.Start with these powerful steps: • Reduce input – limit unnecessary notifications and stimulation • Support regulation – use breathwork, movement, and intentional pauses • Simplify decisions – reduce choices to avoid decision fatigue • Create recovery time – slow down and allow your brain to reset • Protect your energy – set boundaries with your time and emotionsIf you’re someone who feels deeply or notices everything around you, you may be a highly sensitive person (HSP)—which means your brain processes more information at a deeper level. This is not a flaw. It’s a neurological trait—and with the right strategies, it can become a strength.Awareness is the first step. Action is the next.If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck in overwhelm, it may be time to look deeper. Your brain may need targeted support to restore balance and function.You are not broken. Your brain is asking for help.And remember: You can heal. And we can help.
Transcribe →Part 5-The Why You Feel This Way Series-Why You Wake Up Tired & Wired- Episode 170
4w ago00:28:37Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailTIRED BUT WIRED? HERE’S WHAT YOUR BRAIN IS TRYING TO TELL YOUDo you ever wake up feeling exhausted, yet your mind is already racing? Or reach the end of the day feeling completely drained but unable to shut your brain off? This pattern is more common than you think, and it’s important to understand that it’s not random and it’s not just about sleep.In this episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, Dr. Michael & May Bagnell, IHP explain that being “tired and wired” is a physiological state where your body is fatigued, but your brain is stuck in hyperarousal. This means your nervous system is overstimulated, keeping your brain in a constant state of alertness, even when your body is ready to rest.You might notice signs like waking up unrested even after sleeping, a racing mind first thing in the morning, feeling tense or on edge, or struggling to relax despite being exhausted. These are indicators that your brain and nervous system are not shifting properly into a restorative state.From a neuroscience perspective, this often involves an overactive sympathetic nervous system, also known as the body’s “fight or flight” mode, along with elevated cortisol levels at night. When this happens, your brain produces higher levels of fast brainwave activity, making it difficult to transition into deep, restorative sleep. As a result, even if you are sleeping, your brain is not fully recovering.Sleep is not a passive process. It is one of the most active and critical functions of the brain. For true restoration, your brain needs to feel safe, regulated, and stable. If your system remains in a heightened state of vigilance, you will stay in lighter stages of sleep and miss out on the deep and REM stages that are essential for both physical and emotional recovery.The good news is that there are actionable steps you can take. Creating a consistent sleep schedule, building a structured wind-down routine before bed, reducing screen exposure and stimulation at night, and allowing your body time to settle after eating can all support better regulation. These small, intentional habits signal to your brain that it is safe to power down.The bottom line is this: being tired and wired is not just a sleep issue, it is a brain and nervous system imbalance. When you begin to understand the underlying cause, you can take meaningful steps toward restoring balance and improving the quality of your sleep and overall health.To learn more and gain deeper insight, listen to this episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast. You can heal, and we can help.
Transcribe →Part 4-The Why You Feel This Way Series:Why You Feel Dizzy, Off or Unsteady- Episode 169
Apr 1600:22:44Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this episode of The Neuro Collective Podcast, Dr. Michael Bagnell and May Bagnell,IHP continue the Why You Feel This Way series by unpacking one of the most unsettling and misunderstood symptoms people experience — dizziness, unsteadiness, and that “off” feeling.If you’ve ever felt like the ground beneath you isn’t stable, like you’re floating, swaying, lightheaded, or disconnected, this episode dives deep into what’s really happening inside your brain.Here’s the truth: dizziness is not just an ear issue. While the inner ear (vestibular system) plays a role, this episode highlights how your brain is constantly integrating three key systems:• Vestibular (inner ear – balance and motion) • Visual (eyes – tracking and stability) • Proprioception (body awareness – joints, muscles, and movement)When these systems don’t communicate properly, the brain experiences sensory conflict, leading to symptoms like:• Brain fog or “swimming” sensations • Nausea and motion sensitivity • Anxiety and disorientation • Feeling disconnected or unreal (depersonalization)What makes this even more frustrating? Many people are told “everything looks normal” after testing — yet the symptoms persist.This episode breaks down why that happens and explores less obvious contributors, including:• Histamine sensitivity and seasonal allergies affecting balance • Visual-vestibular mismatch (especially in busy environments or car rides) • Poor proprioceptive input from stiff joints or limited mobility • Blood sugar fluctuations and nutritional factors • Orthostatic intolerance (feeling dizzy when standing up)One of the biggest takeaways: Your symptoms are real, and they are rooted in systems — not just isolated problems.Instead of masking symptoms, Dr. Michael and May Bagnell, IHP emphasize understanding the “why” behind them, empowering you to ask better questions and seek more targeted care.They also share real clinical insights and experiences, showing that true healing begins when you look at how the brain and body work together — not separately.If you’ve been feeling stuck, dismissed, or confused about your symptoms, this episode is a powerful reminder:There is a reason you feel this way. There is a system behind it. And there is a path forward.You can heal, and we can help.
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