Neuroscience of Focus with Heather Berlin & Neil deGrasse Tyson

What makes some people better at focusing? Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Chuck Nice and Gary O’Reilly learn about the neuroscience behind concentration and performance with neuroscientist Heather Berlin, PhD.
WARNING: This episode contains strong language.
Can you train to get better at concentration? We dive into cognitive control and the role of the frontal lobe. What causes people to “snap”? Unravel differences in people’s tolerance of stress with us and how music helps us access different parts of our brains. Why can some people tune out outside noise and why others are so distracted? Learn about ADHD and the role of the prefrontal cortex in impulse control.
What part of the brain is the ego in? We discuss if the ego is good or bad and what a vulnerable narcissist is. How do you stop the brain from getting in its own way? Is trash talking actually motivating? Neil talks about his father running track and what motivated him to run faster.
Is there such a thing as a sports IQ? Find out about pattern recognitions and neuropsych tests in athletes. How can you sharpen intuition and game intelligence? How do you become “a natural” at something? When does the subconscious take over certain tasks? All that, plus, discover what motivates cockroaches.
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Science meets pop culture on StarTalk! Astrophysicist & Hayden Planetarium director Neil deGrasse Tyson, his comic co-hosts, guest celebrities & scientists discuss astronomy, physics, and everything else about life in the universe. Keep Looking Up!
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[@StarTalk]

What's Your Attention Hack?

[@jackiechandler6590]

Adderall lol

[@juancarrillo4547]

I do fasting and sometimes dry fasting. It works. 😮

[@_KaiTheGamer_]

Power Metal bands. Need to get an essay done? Powerwolf and Wind Rose have my back.

[@TheRealSkeletor]

I'm sorry, what were we talking about?

[@adrienjohnson5449]

I like to place a subject I really to do as a hobby and kind of infused into what I am trying to pay attention too.

[@LocalFiveGuy]

I just wish I could tell miss Berlin, that everyone should be playing video games, and NOT just watching TV. It's so much better for the brain.

[@mrpearson1230]

FINALLY! Heather is back yet again! By far one of the most fascinating Startalk minds! Heather Berlin & Janna Levin are my favorite guests!

[@diegotornell7445]

big time!!

[@sicfxmusic]

I'm not surprised there are no men in your list 🤣

[@tharrrrrrr]

I second this list.

[@alexandrugheorghe5610]

And Brian Greene

[@davetom8517]

As someone with ADD, this video is a very welcome installment to the StarTalk lineup!

[@jmanj3917]

37:30 The four stages of gaining competence: 1. Unconscious Incompetence - You're so bad that you don't even know how bad you are; 2. Conscious Incompetence - You're learning how much there is to learn, and you know that you're bad at it; 3. Conscious Competence - You're fairly competent, but you need to focus on the task in order for your competence to show itself; and, 4. Unconscious Competence - You're so good at it that you really don't need to think about what you're doing, when you're doing it, to achieve competent results.

[@vme8611]

Please give Dr Berlin her props. She explained how scientists and the like are just as much if not more so super stars than professional athletes. Give science it’s props! 😊

[@davidevans3227]

hello 🙂 i've seen it before, but what do people mean by "props" i just can't think what it's short for! lol

[@1972RB26Datsun]

@@davidevans3227 recognition where it’s due

[@ScoobyYTP]

As we are all here to learn about different aspects of science and other mysteries of the universe. I am so glad that chuck is a part of StarTalk, he just brings so much life and excitement about any topic. Chuck is the icing on the cake.

[@Angel_m7]

Chuck is hilarious!

[@icebrg]

I tend to think of Chuck as the yeast that makes the bread rise: All the ingredients are important but the end result would be very different (and unappetizing) if he weren't in the mix.

[@samantha-jane4424]

I absolutely adore your genuinely warm humour, Chuck. Keep being you, because you is awesome.

[@DankoStojanovic]

I feel the same, 100%

[@tylerneve-harris3336]

As a musician, I was also taught to be confident but not cocky when performing. Concentration and mood definitely effects playing.

[@thegreenhornetkato6211]

Being a product of A Family of Musicians Three generations deep.... This just confirms how I've always felt about Music , experienced, grown up with, studied historically and in theory, as well as performed insturmentaly, all my life !!

[@conradgittins4476]

It's an interesting point about the subconscious and music improvisation. Something that I noticed early on with playing jazz was that if I let the conscious mind sit back and just observe then things started to flow while improvising. It's quite a delicate balancing act too because the pressure of performing in front of others can have the conscious mind interfere and be a distraction.

[@answeris4217]

With me when ever I needed to preform I never see the crowd until after I did something. I am not a musician but I directed boardrooms and some acting and whenever I got into that grove did I care or feel the people around me. What I did see was the intended reaction afterwards. If it was an intense board meeting the silence was incredible you could cut the tension with a knife and I was carving them up.

[@frmrchristian8488]

Wow, this is my first time seeing Heather on the show. She's very articulate in terms of relaying all of those data to the masses.

[@xucaen]

Sleestack!! Land of the Lost!! Chuck!! You the man!! 💛✌️🪐🦕🦖

[@seanpreston3653]

I focus on everything when finding an electrical problem. Electrician since 87' . This can be learned, this focus

[@samantha-jane4424]

A very interesting conversation. Thankyou. I personally find it difficult at times to let go of those intrusive, distracting thoughts. However, I feel I tend to compartmentalize them. I don't let go perse, it's sort of there, like dull white noise in the background. However, I can still do things I need to do pretty efficiently. Like, I can walk and chew gum.

[@johneverett3947]

An old accurate phrase when it comes to performance used to be “being in the zone, were you can do nothing wrong “. Anyone who has been there knows what that feels like . 😊😊

[@Sammasambuddha]

...is what she said.

[@alwaysU916]

I feel that a skill-set can put you on a mental podium. Patterns can come into play with boredom. To push the bounds of a strategy, or narrative in a conversation, we mold our skills to present how we perceive a situation. We mold to cope with our own stress.

[@LocalFiveGuy]

I really wish that I could meet Dr Heather Berlin. Because, I am the luckiest, smartest, and happiest person who ever injured their brain 🧠

[@topspacesource]

Great informative therapy learning Session..😎. This was the best Star Talk show of all time!

[@Joseph_habesha]

Always a pleasure to hear you speak Heather! Wish StarTalk would do these questionnaires more with you.

[@i_smoke_ghosts]

thank you all x

[@909s]

The dive into sports and how athletes can improve their game or be crushed is insanely insightful, and the lessons can be applied to non-athletes as well. Knowing why I get demotivated or motivated at either trash talk or an unpleasant experience has allowed me to completely change my mindset and allow me to change the way I feel to always benefit me.

[@MsTaLaiah]

Love this. I am unlearning being codependent and centering others’ needs way above mine. I’m learning to detach from their opinions and judgments and pressure. I feel too much pressure and criticism coming at me and I just want to finally accept that ppl will always have a comment even if I believe it’s useless and it doesn’t add anything valuable to my life. I am starting to see that I can bring value to it by allowing it to give me the results I desire and deserve. I might as well since I have to hear their mouths anyway. 😅 I will never control how they communicate to me but I can always determine how it bothers or helps me. 🤎😮‍💨🥹 Unlearning is exhausting.

[@scy1038]

The guys roasting Heather over the zen den thing was amazing!

[@oldcowbb]

the discussion on subconscious decision vs conscious decision is really inspiring me on my research on robotics. I'm thinking about how do i choose between machine learning method vs actually solving the optimization problem with traditional method. Solving the optimization problem cost a lot of computation resources but it is reliable even in unseen environment which is analogous to conscious decision. Using machine learning to make the decision is fast on the spot but requires a lot of training and can be very unreliable, this is analogous to intuition

[@eshcadaba]

I'm floored, but this has been my favorite episode of Star Talk so far. Heather Berlin has so much insight and ability to translate this topic to allow me to be able to really know where to direct myself to make some improvements. Thank you all.

[@CasualMutoi]

Always here, Neil. Love your deliveries of information. Thank you. Someday I'll have a question for you // Matthew / Mutoi

[@liveincolorstudio]

This has been one of my favorite episodes. Im not an athlete I am a business owner, yet I still found it very helpful! Can't wait to practice what I've learned.

[@ADergal96]

AMAZING VIDEO! Thank you so much for such wonderful and educational content. Can't wait for the next one!

[@caincha]

She's delightful! When she sang Baby Shark I was in stitches - and that was only the beginning of the video 😂😂

[@dsnitely]

fantastic video about the human brain, with some earth talk about why some people are different, and so forth and so on

[@squeaky_buddha]

I can’t unsee the cockroaches now. Thank you 😊

[@hatzbatzsystem]

We have Dissociative Identity Disorder, so excited to hear this episode!

[@compassbow]

Thanks to Miss Heather for sharing her important knowledge.

[@steelcitysellers]

I love this episode! the laughters and giggles are contagious. the side comments are spot on!

[@MrSqueasil]

chuck is my spirit animal i swear.

[@willsavidge5668]

Just. Wow. Thank you all so much!

[@Makujah_]

This was a brilliant episode, I love Heather episodes so much! And also, it fun hearing Neil saying the hard R, it's a great soundbite XD

[@authormichellefranklin]

Awesome-- I love when Heather is on!

[@Jrorion8]

After seeing this I feel so much better

[@jackiechandler6590]

Youre my favorite astrophysicist Neal.

[@ngnatural]

Chuck's comment on the Zen Den was HILARIOUS

[@booshwilson8814]

Game sense. The ability to predict or intuit the outcome or actions of players and situations.

[@cutto...1473]

You guys are GREAT!

[@wafflebayrescue]

the 'narcissistic vulnerability' is so true. that may not help the person who cannot face their own issues, but can help those around the narcissist who have to deal with their destruslctive behaviour. this is so interesting.

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

Neil and Chuck for 2024

[@jarekad]

Chuck was in his element in this one.

[@_LivingTwice]

wowww there are so many gems in here

[@paternyao]

This is a great episode. First exposure to brain knowledge. Heather is an expert 👌 Can you please ask Heather what are some of the best ressources (books, online courses, talks…) to start learning about the brain and self improve? I did my homework but an expert view can make a difference. Thank you for the show!

[@dunderwood4444]

These episodes are engaging, Informative learning tool for me, articulated in a manner that allow me to absorb the Information and do my own research at the same time. Didn't know I enjoyed reading about science and American History so much( traumatic brain injury Ramadi 2006)(USMC)(I have CTE 1000%)(Alive Day 5-27-07) Dr. Berlin #RESPECT Gary O #RESPECT Lord Nice #RESPECT Dr. Tyson #RESPECT (This is StarTalk)

[@jermellbillsjr.1700]

Love this channel make more ❤

[@texasokiedokie]

This was a VERY interesting episode. Great conversation!

[@RoscoeDaMule]

my favorite, heather!

[@klausbuchhorn476]

Fantastische Diskussion, tolle Gäste, inspirierendes Thema! Als wissenschaftlicher Laie fühle ich mich durch Chuck immer bestens vertreten. Er ist das "goldene" Bindeglied zwischen akademischer und alltäglicher Ebene. Und den Dialog zu verlassen und einen oder mehrere Gäste in den Startalk einzuladen, befördert die Show jedesmal auf eine noch höhere Ebene. Im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen Shows und Sendungen ist mit Neals Startalk niemals auch nur eine Sekunde verschwendet! (I have to apologize for typing in German language but my English listening skills are much better than my writing skills. )

[@tanbui7869]

Amazing episode!

[@PedroAmA]

This episode is amazing

[@Gszada]

this is one of the funniest and most interesting videos I've seen.. great work StarTalk!

[@kerryemberlyhamby6213]

In recent years (decades?), I've noticed that in order for music to lift me up when I'm down, it needs to reach me where I am to start with. If it doesn't reach down low enough, it feels like it doesn't care. If it reaches too low, it feels like it's mocking me. It needs to get reasonably close to where I am. Once it has me in its grasp, it can delicately move me to a brighter place. Or probably a darker one, for that matter. Hopefully, I've explained this in an understandable way.

[@chickenaesthetics]

Thank you sir grasse. You are a very genius which inspires me. At first I felt irrelevant in science but because if you you motivated me help me. Thank you you sooo much. I appreciate you and love you 😁😍😆😉😊

[@seanpreston3653]

Ty Miss. Good advice will try in some aspects.

[@kiidkif2009]

I'm a nerd and a sports fan so this episode was bliss, oh and i enjoyed the bit with Leads abt messing with your opponents mentally i had no idea tht was a thing tht happened with the bathrooms now I'm scared for my team Man United

[@Sammasambuddha]

Video games are not sports, no matter what EA says, NERD! Lol

[@dominiqueandre7750]

Simply amazing

[@thegreenhornetkato6211]

Zen Den .... Chuck ... Is The Bomb !

[@randolphphillips3104]

Seems many of us here had inspiring music teachers and coaches. For me, when I was in the varsity band as a freshman, it was Mr. Olson. He immediately shut down any prank on new members that involved showing them something wrong so they would be embarrassed (for example, on trombone, any note you can play in 6th you can play in first. Takes a lot more control and will leave you out of position going forward.). He would also stop anything along the lines of "if rehearsal goes perfect, opening night will have issues". He said the same thing to both: "Practice doesn't make perfect, practice makes permanent. Practice until the basics come out without thinking about it, then build on those." If you had practiced walking as a toddler as right-left-handstand-left-right, you could get places, but would probably never built up to running or dancing. Works for a lot of things, and may have been one of the most influential thing I ever learned.

[@gladysleon4395]

Great episode❤❤

[@alexgonzalezjr6823]

GUEST OF THE YEAR !!!

[@godfreyojeator999]

This episode and like every other ones was so good and it flew by WOW!!!!

[@jaqbab]

In thoroughbred horse racing there is a term 'class' to describe a horse who has the ability to rise to the occasion or as described above ''winners find a way of winning"

[@Teo117]

The Neil symbol! Shining high in the sky 🪁

[@nonchalantd]

This was such a funny and informative show.

[@teknophyle1]

NGL Heather is my favorite guest.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Neil did have a chat with the 9 year old HS grad, who is now going to college, who was in the news last week. Very cool!

[@jamiboothe]

I am a terrible musician, but I have played terribly long enough to forget about that, and just feel comfortable with whoever I am playing with. Unimagined stuff comes from being comfortable in your own skin. I think that was a Heather Berlin quote, from early in the interview, or just a paraphrase. I will have to watch this episode several times, because I am drunk and have certainly missed or misunderstood key points.

[@josephkryszczak]

For your next topic can you talk about the need for a standard for moon time. How gravity effects it and do time zones on the moon make sense.

[@mecthegreat92]

Very interesting discussion

[@lisacox8109]

It's amazing to me how businesses use this on employees and customers

[@omare7475]

love the Kobe story

[@Pacer...]

I totally agree

[@Zeitaluq]

Interesting analogy with Snooker because under pressure the players miss easy balls or lose positional play. Some players including the multiple world champion had 'yips' or whatever that was and missed balls or made mistakes. This is an example getting to the latter stages of great pressure and pressure long shots for example and disple doubts. Doing the Maximum 147 also takes the mental depths of strength and Focus.

[@pattoneill2402]

Before 1964, we all believed that no one could run a mile in under four minutes. Then Jim Ryun did it (barely). After that, it became a regular occurrence. As of today, the fastest mile run was by Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco in 1999 whose time was 3:43.13. It seems our beliefs have a powerful effect on performance.

[@seanpreston3653]

She's right 100%

[@ilikaplayhopscotch]

Can we get an explainer with Chuck that details his concentration techniques?

[@cobhc1227]

Gotta love it when the triple threat is on

[@davidt.5744]

Huge crush 😍on Heather. She's amazing. 👏👏

[@seanpreston3653]

All humans are equal, confrontation we enhance

[@stevenanderson5272]

I went through this in substance abuse treatment, the ego has to go before you can honestly work on yourself. That ego can be your own worst enemy

[@joseimpact]

the queen of the universe is back

[@JoeyGrafta]

Love it

[@waldemarkirszniok298]

To me Gary pulling off the escaped convict look wins the cake in this episode.

[@djdrack4681]

I think a key to understanding how neurons work and 'unlocking the code' of memory, senses, and neural signals will be answering some of the big questions around wave-particle duality, and time. The fact that memory in any eukaryotes can exist in any form says a lot, but the fact that information can again be 'retrieved' and not just stored and 'forgotten' says a lot about how the inner workings of a neural system are able to either interpret/overcome this duality, or that we're overlooking a simple/intuitive solution to the problem. Uncovering what force/particle mediates time and how it interacts fully with 3 spatial dimensions (and any possible 'higher' ones like in M/Superstring theories) etc will also likely aid in mastering control over our minds/senses. (and being able to fully augment brains w/ digital storage/back-up minds/download knowledge etc). Quantum entanglement and some of the variants in classical double-slit experiment as well as some other work are showcasing that time is in all likelihood either way more complex than we think...and/or >=1 of the 3 (past/present/future) is indeed in a superposition and another of them deterministically affects it (and the future doesn't appear to be the one, despite many thinking it would be, its likely the past and/or present).

[@justinmiller7712]

Don't think, just do. 👌🏼

[@kevdogy]

Chuck is a menace!

[@stevenanderson5272]

Ego is the number one reason so many have to go to so many treatment facilities

[@roobscoob47]

NdGT, C-Nice and Gary O~ ( ...and DR. Berlin 😍 )

[@jeremyjarvis8100]

It's very interesting to think about for the saying you are you own worst enemy is a statement more true than false.

[@sarahpayne5115]

Me too chuck

[@ferilimp1]

I'm over controlled....I use sativas(cannibas) to help me get balanced. Allows me to open up and speak to people instead of worrying about rejection.

[@rautikd]

About time for the resident neuroscientist Dr Heather Berlin…

[@hunglikeahorse---fly]

I'm sure we ALL can think of a particular person who has to "over do" their personal worth/ego!!! Someone who says they can do no wrong, never lose, and when they do lose, the system is against them.

[@darwinlaluna3677]

U feel that all in the universe is connected to you,

[@cirusMEDIA]

When i ran track competitively, i used to listen to the HappyFeet2 album