Everyday Decoded
Neuroscience made useful, one everyday question at a time
Much of my work is about creating clear, practical tools—streamlined down to their essence—so you can take action right away, confident they’re built on solid science.
This blog is where I let things be a little messier. It’s where my curiosity wanders, I connect dots across science and life, and I explore questions that don’t always have quick answers. Sometimes those reflections grow into the workshops, courses, and tools I share in my business. Sometimes they just stay as thoughtful detours worth writing down.
Here, you’ll find the behind-the-scenes thinking that fuels my programs—and the joy that comes from following the wandering path.
I write about stress, seasons, productivity, nutrition, parenting, and more. If I haven’t written about something you care about yet, please reach out! I love answering questions.

How to make mental health days more effective
Imagine this scenario: You’re overwhelmed by stress at work and you take a day off. You come back to work refreshed, but the stressors are still waiting. Within hours of returning you feel further behind and more overwhelmed than before the time off, erasing the positive effects of stress management. How do we break this cycle and take a mental health day that actually helps?

Protect Your Brain and Wallet While Holiday Shopping
Holiday Shopping: How retailers trick your brain into overspending during the holidays. Originally appeared in CNN Business Perspectives in November 2018.

Four Ways to Prevent Overspending This Holiday Season
This holiday shopping season is going to be tough. Here are 4 ways to keep from overspending. (Originally published in CNN Business Perspectives)

Black Friday and Neuromarketing
Planning to shop this week? Prepare your brain for the onslaught of influences coming at you.
Watch my interview “Neuromarketing and Black Friday” with my friends at Virginia This Morning on CBS-6, WTVR, from November 2019 to review some of your top questions in under 5 minutes.

Thanksgiving and Pumpkin Spice
As you create and consume your favorite holiday foods, I’m serving up a buffet of pumpkin spice for your entertainment!

Resilience for Global Entrepreneurship Week
Reflection on my invited lecture today. I consider the key personality characteristics of an entrepreneur and the importance of resilience.

The Pumpkin Spice Neuroscientist
Today’s blog is a reflection on my journey of sharing the science of everyday life, featuring my most asked for topic: pumpkin spice!