Mary Poffenroth, Ph.D.
@marypoffenroth.bsky.social
Neurohacking Biopsychologist | Author of Brave New You | Fear/Courage/Innovation Speaker | San Jose State University Faculty | Bibliophile | Canine Companion to Bandit the Wonder Dog | Digital Nomad
Fear isn’t a flaw. It’s your survival system doing its job, but scam artists weaponize it to shut down your reflective thinking and push you into rapid-fire decisions. When urgency hits, your brain goes into protection mode, not logic mode.
#EverydayCourage #FearScience
#EverydayCourage #FearScience
November 20, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Fear isn’t a flaw. It’s your survival system doing its job, but scam artists weaponize it to shut down your reflective thinking and push you into rapid-fire decisions. When urgency hits, your brain goes into protection mode, not logic mode.
#EverydayCourage #FearScience
#EverydayCourage #FearScience
On the My Perfect Failure podcast with Paul Padmore, I share how a few science-backed tools can shift you from avoidance to action, so you can move forward with courage, not just cope.
#MyPerfectFailure #CourageousLiving #MentalFitness #Neurohacks #Podcast
#MyPerfectFailure #CourageousLiving #MentalFitness #Neurohacks #Podcast
November 4, 2025 at 11:13 PM
On the My Perfect Failure podcast with Paul Padmore, I share how a few science-backed tools can shift you from avoidance to action, so you can move forward with courage, not just cope.
#MyPerfectFailure #CourageousLiving #MentalFitness #Neurohacks #Podcast
#MyPerfectFailure #CourageousLiving #MentalFitness #Neurohacks #Podcast
I sat down with Megan Dwyer of the Money Isn’t Scary podcast to talk about breaking that silence. Because the real currency of courage isn’t in your wallet, it’s in your willingness to face what’s underneath your financial fears.
#MoneyIsntScary #LeadershipDevelopment
#MoneyIsntScary #LeadershipDevelopment
October 29, 2025 at 11:13 PM
I sat down with Megan Dwyer of the Money Isn’t Scary podcast to talk about breaking that silence. Because the real currency of courage isn’t in your wallet, it’s in your willingness to face what’s underneath your financial fears.
#MoneyIsntScary #LeadershipDevelopment
#MoneyIsntScary #LeadershipDevelopment
In this powerful conversation, I join From Betrayal to Breakthrough to unpack what really happens in the brain when fear takes the wheel and how to get your courage back in the driver’s seat.
#Fearology #CourageOverComfort #HealingAfterBetrayal #MindBodyScience
#Fearology #CourageOverComfort #HealingAfterBetrayal #MindBodyScience
October 23, 2025 at 11:12 PM
In this powerful conversation, I join From Betrayal to Breakthrough to unpack what really happens in the brain when fear takes the wheel and how to get your courage back in the driver’s seat.
#Fearology #CourageOverComfort #HealingAfterBetrayal #MindBodyScience
#Fearology #CourageOverComfort #HealingAfterBetrayal #MindBodyScience
I’m excited to officially announce that I’ll be leading my TEDNext Discovery Session on Nov 9 from 3–4:30 PM!
We’ll dive deep into the science of fear & the surprising truth about courage, why fear isn’t your enemy, and how you can turn it into your most powerful ally.
#TEDNext2025 #ReimagineFear
We’ll dive deep into the science of fear & the surprising truth about courage, why fear isn’t your enemy, and how you can turn it into your most powerful ally.
#TEDNext2025 #ReimagineFear
October 21, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I’m excited to officially announce that I’ll be leading my TEDNext Discovery Session on Nov 9 from 3–4:30 PM!
We’ll dive deep into the science of fear & the surprising truth about courage, why fear isn’t your enemy, and how you can turn it into your most powerful ally.
#TEDNext2025 #ReimagineFear
We’ll dive deep into the science of fear & the surprising truth about courage, why fear isn’t your enemy, and how you can turn it into your most powerful ally.
#TEDNext2025 #ReimagineFear
Throwback to the original Ologies episode that started it all: we dove deep into the truth about fear and why ignoring it only gives it more power.
#EmotionalIntelligence #SelfAwareness #BraveNewYou #CourageAtWork #LeadershipGrowth
#EmotionalIntelligence #SelfAwareness #BraveNewYou #CourageAtWork #LeadershipGrowth
October 7, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Throwback to the original Ologies episode that started it all: we dove deep into the truth about fear and why ignoring it only gives it more power.
#EmotionalIntelligence #SelfAwareness #BraveNewYou #CourageAtWork #LeadershipGrowth
#EmotionalIntelligence #SelfAwareness #BraveNewYou #CourageAtWork #LeadershipGrowth
So many of us have been told to just be fearless. Put it on a mug. Slap it on a meme. Move on. I sat down with Kayla at the Shift Happens Podcast to talk about the real deal with fear.
#BraveNewYou #FearConversation #CourageAtWork #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipMindset
#BraveNewYou #FearConversation #CourageAtWork #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipMindset
October 2, 2025 at 11:13 PM
So many of us have been told to just be fearless. Put it on a mug. Slap it on a meme. Move on. I sat down with Kayla at the Shift Happens Podcast to talk about the real deal with fear.
#BraveNewYou #FearConversation #CourageAtWork #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipMindset
#BraveNewYou #FearConversation #CourageAtWork #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipMindset
Most of us were never taught how to deal with fear in real time so we ignore it, numb it, or try to “power through.” But there’s a better way.
The RAIN Method
R – Recognize
A – Assign
I – Identify
N – Navigate
#CourageAtWork #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment
The RAIN Method
R – Recognize
A – Assign
I – Identify
N – Navigate
#CourageAtWork #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment
September 22, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Most of us were never taught how to deal with fear in real time so we ignore it, numb it, or try to “power through.” But there’s a better way.
The RAIN Method
R – Recognize
A – Assign
I – Identify
N – Navigate
#CourageAtWork #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment
The RAIN Method
R – Recognize
A – Assign
I – Identify
N – Navigate
#CourageAtWork #EmotionalIntelligence #LeadershipDevelopment
We live in a world that high-fives stress. Feeling overwhelmed? “Same!” But here’s the problem: when we lump everything uncomfortable into the “stress bucket,” we lose the power to actually deal with it.
#LeadWithCourage #StressCulture #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkPlaceWellness
#LeadWithCourage #StressCulture #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkPlaceWellness
September 17, 2025 at 11:13 PM
We live in a world that high-fives stress. Feeling overwhelmed? “Same!” But here’s the problem: when we lump everything uncomfortable into the “stress bucket,” we lose the power to actually deal with it.
#LeadWithCourage #StressCulture #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkPlaceWellness
#LeadWithCourage #StressCulture #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkPlaceWellness
On Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, we unpacked how fear is a vast spectrum. Not ready to talk about deep fears like not being enough or losing autonomy? That’s okay. We can start with clowns and spiders.
#fearology #selfgrowth #everydaycourage #emotionalintelligence #neurohacks
#fearology #selfgrowth #everydaycourage #emotionalintelligence #neurohacks
September 12, 2025 at 11:13 PM
On Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors, we unpacked how fear is a vast spectrum. Not ready to talk about deep fears like not being enough or losing autonomy? That’s okay. We can start with clowns and spiders.
#fearology #selfgrowth #everydaycourage #emotionalintelligence #neurohacks
#fearology #selfgrowth #everydaycourage #emotionalintelligence #neurohacks
Free Event • Live Q&A 📅 September 10 | 🕛 12–1 PM ET
Fear doesn’t just show up when life gets messy, it is life sometimes. But what if you could change your relationship with it?
Register at vist.ly/44736
#BraveNewYou #LiveCourageously #Neurohacks #MentalFitness
Fear doesn’t just show up when life gets messy, it is life sometimes. But what if you could change your relationship with it?
Register at vist.ly/44736
#BraveNewYou #LiveCourageously #Neurohacks #MentalFitness
August 21, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Free Event • Live Q&A 📅 September 10 | 🕛 12–1 PM ET
Fear doesn’t just show up when life gets messy, it is life sometimes. But what if you could change your relationship with it?
Register at vist.ly/44736
#BraveNewYou #LiveCourageously #Neurohacks #MentalFitness
Fear doesn’t just show up when life gets messy, it is life sometimes. But what if you could change your relationship with it?
Register at vist.ly/44736
#BraveNewYou #LiveCourageously #Neurohacks #MentalFitness
Come see me speak at TEDNext this November!
TEDNext is the newest creation from the genius minds at TED, designed to help you zoom out from your daily grind and get real about the big stuff—your life, your work, and the world.
#ReimagineFear #TEDNext2025 #CourageIsAPractice #NeurohacksForBravery
TEDNext is the newest creation from the genius minds at TED, designed to help you zoom out from your daily grind and get real about the big stuff—your life, your work, and the world.
#ReimagineFear #TEDNext2025 #CourageIsAPractice #NeurohacksForBravery
August 7, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Come see me speak at TEDNext this November!
TEDNext is the newest creation from the genius minds at TED, designed to help you zoom out from your daily grind and get real about the big stuff—your life, your work, and the world.
#ReimagineFear #TEDNext2025 #CourageIsAPractice #NeurohacksForBravery
TEDNext is the newest creation from the genius minds at TED, designed to help you zoom out from your daily grind and get real about the big stuff—your life, your work, and the world.
#ReimagineFear #TEDNext2025 #CourageIsAPractice #NeurohacksForBravery
Catch me on the Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors podcast with Erica Anderson Rooney! We’re diving into the science of fear, everyday courage, and how to navigate the fears holding us back.
Episode drops July 30!
#FearScience #Neurohacks #EverydayCourage #MindsetMatters
Episode drops July 30!
#FearScience #Neurohacks #EverydayCourage #MindsetMatters
July 29, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Catch me on the Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors podcast with Erica Anderson Rooney! We’re diving into the science of fear, everyday courage, and how to navigate the fears holding us back.
Episode drops July 30!
#FearScience #Neurohacks #EverydayCourage #MindsetMatters
Episode drops July 30!
#FearScience #Neurohacks #EverydayCourage #MindsetMatters
Just packed up some autographed neurohacking cards and sent them off to the amazing students at Yale’s Psychology of Fear summer program!
Want your own deck? vist.ly/3z8es
#Neurohacks #PsychologyOfFear #BraveNewYou #Fearology #CourageInAction
Want your own deck? vist.ly/3z8es
#Neurohacks #PsychologyOfFear #BraveNewYou #Fearology #CourageInAction
July 25, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Just packed up some autographed neurohacking cards and sent them off to the amazing students at Yale’s Psychology of Fear summer program!
Want your own deck? vist.ly/3z8es
#Neurohacks #PsychologyOfFear #BraveNewYou #Fearology #CourageInAction
Want your own deck? vist.ly/3z8es
#Neurohacks #PsychologyOfFear #BraveNewYou #Fearology #CourageInAction
Brave New You took top honors at the LA Book Festival—and we’re sharing the love with another giveaway!
Visit vist.ly/3z36j to enter
ㅤ
Giveaway closes July 31, 2025 at midnight PST. U.S. residents only.
#BraveNewYou #Giveaway #SelfGrowthJourney #SignedBookGiveaway
Visit vist.ly/3z36j to enter
ㅤ
Giveaway closes July 31, 2025 at midnight PST. U.S. residents only.
#BraveNewYou #Giveaway #SelfGrowthJourney #SignedBookGiveaway
July 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Brave New You took top honors at the LA Book Festival—and we’re sharing the love with another giveaway!
Visit vist.ly/3z36j to enter
ㅤ
Giveaway closes July 31, 2025 at midnight PST. U.S. residents only.
#BraveNewYou #Giveaway #SelfGrowthJourney #SignedBookGiveaway
Visit vist.ly/3z36j to enter
ㅤ
Giveaway closes July 31, 2025 at midnight PST. U.S. residents only.
#BraveNewYou #Giveaway #SelfGrowthJourney #SignedBookGiveaway
A huge thank you to Matt Poepsel, PhD, for having me on Lead the People and mentioning our episode in the recent Perspectives webinar! We explored a truth too many leaders overlook: you can’t get the best from your team by leading with fear.
#LeadershipWithCourage #BurnoutPrevention
#LeadershipWithCourage #BurnoutPrevention
July 17, 2025 at 11:13 PM
A huge thank you to Matt Poepsel, PhD, for having me on Lead the People and mentioning our episode in the recent Perspectives webinar! We explored a truth too many leaders overlook: you can’t get the best from your team by leading with fear.
#LeadershipWithCourage #BurnoutPrevention
#LeadershipWithCourage #BurnoutPrevention
On July 16 at 2:00 pm ET, join me and three incredible leaders for a Perspectives webinar that goes beyond surface fixes to explore the science and strategy behind proactive manager support.
#QuietCracking #LeadershipWithCourage #MentalHealthAtWork #CourageousConversations
#QuietCracking #LeadershipWithCourage #MentalHealthAtWork #CourageousConversations
July 10, 2025 at 11:12 PM
On July 16 at 2:00 pm ET, join me and three incredible leaders for a Perspectives webinar that goes beyond surface fixes to explore the science and strategy behind proactive manager support.
#QuietCracking #LeadershipWithCourage #MentalHealthAtWork #CourageousConversations
#QuietCracking #LeadershipWithCourage #MentalHealthAtWork #CourageousConversations
Ever feel that creeping stress… your breath gets short, your heart’s racing, and your brain’s all “what if?” That’s fear. But you’ve got tools.
Fear’s going to show up. But with the right neurohacks, you can meet it with calm, clarity, and courage.
#FearHacks #BoxBreathing
Fear’s going to show up. But with the right neurohacks, you can meet it with calm, clarity, and courage.
#FearHacks #BoxBreathing
July 8, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Ever feel that creeping stress… your breath gets short, your heart’s racing, and your brain’s all “what if?” That’s fear. But you’ve got tools.
Fear’s going to show up. But with the right neurohacks, you can meet it with calm, clarity, and courage.
#FearHacks #BoxBreathing
Fear’s going to show up. But with the right neurohacks, you can meet it with calm, clarity, and courage.
#FearHacks #BoxBreathing
Fear isn’t a big scary monster—it’s biology, psychology, and (surprise!) totally manageable.
I geek out over research, but not just to collect facts. I turn it into simple, science-backed strategies you can actually use.
#BraveNewYou #FearIsNormal #EverydayCourage #Fearology
I geek out over research, but not just to collect facts. I turn it into simple, science-backed strategies you can actually use.
#BraveNewYou #FearIsNormal #EverydayCourage #Fearology
July 3, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Fear isn’t a big scary monster—it’s biology, psychology, and (surprise!) totally manageable.
I geek out over research, but not just to collect facts. I turn it into simple, science-backed strategies you can actually use.
#BraveNewYou #FearIsNormal #EverydayCourage #Fearology
I geek out over research, but not just to collect facts. I turn it into simple, science-backed strategies you can actually use.
#BraveNewYou #FearIsNormal #EverydayCourage #Fearology
From the Brave New You Neurohack Navigation Deck, this Tapping Into Courage card is your go-to move when life feels like a lot.
Want more? Visit lnk.bio/marypoffenroth to grab the full deck!
#TappingIntoCourage #NeurohackDeck #BraveNewYou #CourageInMotion
Want more? Visit lnk.bio/marypoffenroth to grab the full deck!
#TappingIntoCourage #NeurohackDeck #BraveNewYou #CourageInMotion
June 25, 2025 at 11:14 PM
From the Brave New You Neurohack Navigation Deck, this Tapping Into Courage card is your go-to move when life feels like a lot.
Want more? Visit lnk.bio/marypoffenroth to grab the full deck!
#TappingIntoCourage #NeurohackDeck #BraveNewYou #CourageInMotion
Want more? Visit lnk.bio/marypoffenroth to grab the full deck!
#TappingIntoCourage #NeurohackDeck #BraveNewYou #CourageInMotion
Ever wish you had a reset button before walking into a high-pressure meeting or navigating your kiddo’s after-school meltdown? Here’s one you can literally do with your fingertips.
#TappingIntoCourage #BraveNewYou #Neurohacks #EverydayCourage #FearScience #PersonalGrowthTools
#TappingIntoCourage #BraveNewYou #Neurohacks #EverydayCourage #FearScience #PersonalGrowthTools
June 17, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Ever wish you had a reset button before walking into a high-pressure meeting or navigating your kiddo’s after-school meltdown? Here’s one you can literally do with your fingertips.
#TappingIntoCourage #BraveNewYou #Neurohacks #EverydayCourage #FearScience #PersonalGrowthTools
#TappingIntoCourage #BraveNewYou #Neurohacks #EverydayCourage #FearScience #PersonalGrowthTools
To celebrate Brave New You taking top honor at the London Book Festival, I'm giving away a signed copy.
Visit lnk.bio/marypoffenroth to enter.
Giveaway closes June 19, 2025 at midnight PST. U.S. residents only.
#BraveNewYou #Giveaway #LondonBookFestival
Visit lnk.bio/marypoffenroth to enter.
Giveaway closes June 19, 2025 at midnight PST. U.S. residents only.
#BraveNewYou #Giveaway #LondonBookFestival
June 12, 2025 at 11:13 PM
To celebrate Brave New You taking top honor at the London Book Festival, I'm giving away a signed copy.
Visit lnk.bio/marypoffenroth to enter.
Giveaway closes June 19, 2025 at midnight PST. U.S. residents only.
#BraveNewYou #Giveaway #LondonBookFestival
Visit lnk.bio/marypoffenroth to enter.
Giveaway closes June 19, 2025 at midnight PST. U.S. residents only.
#BraveNewYou #Giveaway #LondonBookFestival
Ever feel overwhelmed but can’t quite put your finger on why? Try this: pause and name one single emotion that you're feeling in the moment. If you need a little help, use my handy fear wheel as a reference.
#neurohacks #courageoverfear #mindfulmoments #bravenewyou #fearnavigation
#neurohacks #courageoverfear #mindfulmoments #bravenewyou #fearnavigation
June 9, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Ever feel overwhelmed but can’t quite put your finger on why? Try this: pause and name one single emotion that you're feeling in the moment. If you need a little help, use my handy fear wheel as a reference.
#neurohacks #courageoverfear #mindfulmoments #bravenewyou #fearnavigation
#neurohacks #courageoverfear #mindfulmoments #bravenewyou #fearnavigation
Remember those old-school game cheat codes (that came in, gasp, book form) that gave you secret powers and shortcuts? Well, neurohacks are kinda like that… but for your brain.
#neurohacks #bravenewyou #courageousmindset #mentalwellnesstools #brainboosters
#neurohacks #bravenewyou #courageousmindset #mentalwellnesstools #brainboosters
June 5, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Remember those old-school game cheat codes (that came in, gasp, book form) that gave you secret powers and shortcuts? Well, neurohacks are kinda like that… but for your brain.
#neurohacks #bravenewyou #courageousmindset #mentalwellnesstools #brainboosters
#neurohacks #bravenewyou #courageousmindset #mentalwellnesstools #brainboosters
Whether you’re standing in front of an ancient wonder or just trying to survive your Monday meeting, neurohacking helps you move forward when your brain wants to freeze.
#FieldGuideToFear #NeurohackingTools #BraveNewYou #FearIsNormal #PersonalGrowthJourney #CourageInAction
#FieldGuideToFear #NeurohackingTools #BraveNewYou #FearIsNormal #PersonalGrowthJourney #CourageInAction
May 30, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Whether you’re standing in front of an ancient wonder or just trying to survive your Monday meeting, neurohacking helps you move forward when your brain wants to freeze.
#FieldGuideToFear #NeurohackingTools #BraveNewYou #FearIsNormal #PersonalGrowthJourney #CourageInAction
#FieldGuideToFear #NeurohackingTools #BraveNewYou #FearIsNormal #PersonalGrowthJourney #CourageInAction