Fewer Things Better
Life is noisy, but your brain doesn't have to be. This quick weekly conversation offers smart, simple ways to retrain your brain to hack your productivity and communicate better. Brain-science-meets-word-nerd host Kristin Graham offers shortcuts on how to navigate our cluttered digital world so you can spend more time enjoying life offline. She's done the research and tried-the-things, so you get the headlines and hacks without all the homework.
Episodes
189 episodes
Ep. 189 - The (Brain) Chemistry of Feeling Good: 3 Happy Hormones
What if those feel-good moments with in life are also doing real, measurable work inside your brain? In this episode, we break down the brain chemicals behind feeling good—dopamine, serotonin, endorphins, and oxytocin—and how everyday experienc...
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Season 1
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Episode 189
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8:42
Ep. 188 - Sleep vs. Fatigue: The Brain Science of Two Very Different Exhaustions
We often lump every kind of exhaustion into being “tired,” but the brain doesn’t see it that way. This episode unpacks the difference between the body needing sleep and the whole system needing recovery...and why those two states feel so differ...
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Season 1
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Episode 188
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12:48
Ep. 187- 4 Ways To Reclaim Your Focus in the Next 4 Weeks
When life speeds up, our focus is usually the first thing to slip through the cracks. In this episode, we talk about why our brains feel so overloaded this time of year and how a few small shifts can change the next four weeks in a meaningful w...
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Season 1
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Episode 187
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10:55
Ep. 186 - Why Personal Notes Still Matter (+ What They Do to the Brain)
In a world built for speed, the smallest slow moments often matter the most. In this episode, we explore the brain science behind surprise, delight, and why personalized effort boosts connection, dopamine, and emotional well-being. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 186
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8:42
Ep. 185 – Time Matters, Part 4 | Real-Life Toolkit: 4 Science-Backed Ways to Maximize Your Minutes
In this final episode of our Time Matters series, we’re bringing together four simple, science-backed tools that help you make the most of the minutes you have. These practices [Key Three, Ridiculously Small Steps, the 10-Minute Kickst...
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Season 1
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Episode 185
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13:20
Ep. 184 - Time Matters, Part 3 | The Economics of Time & How to Stop Donating Yours
We often treat our time like an unlimited resource: available, affordable, and always open for others. But constantly giving without re-calibrating comes at a real cognitive and emotional cost. This third episode in the four-part Time Matte...
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Season 1
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Episode 184
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10:07
Ep. 183 - Time Matters, Part 2: The Myth of Catching Up (& Why We Always Feel Behind)
This episode explores the feeling of always being “behind” and chasing the finish line of being “caught up." What happens when we slow down long enough to look at why we feel so rushed, what that pace is costing us, and how to re...
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Season 1
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Episode 183
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8:42
Ep. 182 - Time Matters, Part 1: The Psychology of Being Always Early (or Always Late)
Why are some people often early while others are usually late? In this episode, we explore what your time habits reveal about your brain and the deeper relationship with time. Plus, why time always seems to slip away, never feel fully caught up...
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Season 1
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Episode 182
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9:29
Ep. 181 - In Good Company: The Science of Solitude
Your brain loves patterns but also thrives on novelty and space to reset. In this episode, we unpack how time alone or stepping into a new environment can shift your perspective, restore focus, and rewire your thinking. You’ll learn how quiet m...
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Season 1
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Episode 181
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8:10
Ep. 180 - Why Messy Is the Best Medicine for Perfectionism and Procrastination
You only do something for the first time once. Every expert was once a beginner who was willing to step into the unknown and learn through the messy middle. In this episode, we’re talking about why waiting for “perfect” only keeps us stuck and ...
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Season 1
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Episode 180
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7:52
Ep. 179 - The Productivity Countdown: 7 Trusted Tips for Focus & Habits
Struggling to stay focused or stick with your habits? In this episode, we revisit 7 of the most trusted lessons from past conversations. They’re simple, steady shifts you can return to when you feel distracted, scattered, or off course. Conside...
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Season 1
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Episode 179
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8:06
Ep. 178 - Sorry Not Sorry: The Brain Science of Apologizing Too Much
Why do we say “sorry” so often — even when there’s nothing to apologize for? In this episode, we dig into the psychology, neuroscience, and social conditioning behind our habit of over-apologizing. From the “likability penalty” to the way our b...
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Season 1
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Episode 178
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8:29
Ep. 177 - Pick Your Hard: The Brain Science of Doing the Uncomfortable
The path we want isn’t always the easiest one. Our brains are wired to seek comfort and avoid risk. It’s a survival instinct—but it also keeps us stuck. Growth often asks us to lean into what feels uncomfortable—whether that’s having a hard con...
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Season 1
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Episode 177
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10:28
Ep. 176 - Where the Wi-Fi Ends: Finding Calm in a Noisy World
Sometimes the best medicine for a tired mind isn’t found in doing more—it’s found in stepping outside. In a world where almost everything asks us to plug in, true restoration often comes from stepping away. In this episode, we’ll talk abo...
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Season 1
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Episode 176
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8:08
Ep. 175 - The Brain Science of Memory: 4 Tips to Help You Remember More
Our brains were never meant to hold on to everything. Forgetting isn’t a flaw—it’s how we make space for focus, creativity, and clarity. The challenge isn’t remembering it all, it’s remembering what matters. Think of it as lightening the mental...
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Season 1
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Episode 175
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8:17
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Ep. 174- Three Ways to Help an Overwhelmed Brain (Replay)
Feeling overwhelmed? You’re not alone. This replay episode is packed with simple, practical ways to give your busy brain some breathing room. Whether you’re juggling too many mental tabs, wrestling with indecision, or just feeling stretched thi...
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Season 1
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Episode 174
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9:26
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Ep. 173 - AI and the Human Sweet Spot: Where to Save Time—And Where Not To
AI and technology can supercharge our productivity and open doors we never imagined—but they can’t replace curiosity, creativity, or the irreplaceable spark of being human. In this episode, we explore how to use tech as a tool rather than...
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Season 1
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Episode 173
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8:16
Ep. 172 - The Hidden Cost of Holding On: The Less We Own, the More We Have
What if our overflowing closets, packed garages, and cluttered desktops are quietly costing us more than we realize? In this episode, we explore how “owning it all” can actually drain our energy, scatter our focus, and weigh us down emotionally...
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Season 1
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Episode 172
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9:19
Ep. 171 - The Kindest Words Never Said: Showing Up When It Matters
Some words are too important to keep to ourselves—yet we often do. We assume people already know how we feel. We wait for “the right moment” that never comes. Or we shy away because vulnerability feels risky. In this episode, we talk about why ...
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Season 1
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Episode 171
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11:52
Ep. 170 - Summer Series | How Your Brain Finds Magic in the Moments
Our brains are wired to prioritize what's urgent — deadlines, alerts, the next thing on the list. But are we so busy keeping up with our schedules that we miss the moments that actually make life feel full? This episode is about savoring the me...
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Season 1
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Episode 170
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6:56
Ep. 169 - Summer Series: Too Much of a Good Thing: The Psychology of Stuff
In this episode, we’re digging into the connection between physical clutter and mental overload, and how over-choice can leave us feeling stuck and stressed. We explore how simplifying your space can help your brain breathe, and why sometimes l...
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Season 1
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Episode 169
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9:02
Ep. 168 - Summer Series: The Brain Drain Hiding in Plain Sight
We’re all chasing productivity—checking boxes, staying busy, getting things done. But what if the very thing we’re using to stay “on top of it all” is actually what’s draining us? This episode highlights one powerful way to recla...
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Season 1
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Episode 168
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8:51
Ep. 167 - Summer Series: The Lemonade Lesson in Personal Brand
How often do we downplay what we need or what we're offering? When we’re vague, quiet, or overly humble, we leave people guessing. A recent trip to a lemonade stand highlights the connection between how we all can benefit from a little clarity,...
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Season 1
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Episode 167
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7:28
Ep. 166 - Productivity Power: Give Your Brain a Buddy
Some days, the hardest part of doing is just getting started. That's where body doubling comes in. In this episode, we talk about how partnering with others (even if they don’t know they’re helping) can quietly boost our focus, energy, and foll...
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Season 1
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Episode 166
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8:18
Ep. 165 - Micro-Burnout: The Hidden Exhaustion You Might Be Ignoring
Are you feeling drained but can't quite explain why? In this episode, we dive into micro-burnout—the subtle, daily energy leaks that sneak up on us when we’re constantly “on” but never truly recharging. From constant decision-making to...
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Season 1
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Episode 165
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10:25
