Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. James Danckert joins me to unpack what boredom really is, why the brain evolved it, and how to respond to it in a healthy, purposeful way. We dig into trait boredom proneness, addiction-like phone use, kids and screens, the default mode network, interoception, endurance sports, and what clinicians see after traumatic brain injury. If you’ve ever wondered whether to “embrace boredom,” or how to help your kid handle it without an iPad, this one’s for you.
In this episode you’ll learn:
• A clear definition of boredom and why it’s a call to action, not apathy
• How chronic boredom links to anxiety, depression, gambling, and problematic smartphone use
• Practical responses: agency, reframing tasks, intentional screen use, gratitude practices
• Why “downtime” is not the same as boredom
• What happens in the brain during boredom, including the default mode network and salience systems
• Boredom in athletes, free-throw practice, and endurance training
• Considerations for boredom after TBI and stroke, and why motivation circuits matter
Guest: Dr. James Danckert, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Waterloo. Coauthor of Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom.
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