Episode 312 - Rewire Your Brain for Happiness with Loretta Graziano Breuning
Bestselling author and Inner Mammal Institute founder, Loretta Graziano Breuning, uncovers the science behind dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins—our mammalian “happy chemicals”— and shares how social comparison (even those rooted in altruism and compassion), pursuit of status, and groupthink are deeply wired into our biology. Discover how our brains are designed for both joy and struggle and why happiness is a learned skill, not our natural state. We bust the myth of the popularized “it’s not my fault” culture and reveal why blaming society, government, or others keeps us stuck in misery. Plus, we pull back the curtain on the mental health industry, SSRIs, and how we can restore our ability to produce our own happy brain chemicals and create our own happiness. This episode is packed with practical wisdom, powerful takeaways, and the raw truth about your biological operating system—so you can start owning your life and thrive as the best version of yourself!
Bio - Loretta Graziano Breuning, PhD, is the author of 10 books including Habits of a Happy Brain: Retrain Your Brain to Boost Your Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin and Endorphin Levels. She is the Founder of the Inner Mammal Institute and Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay. Dr. Breuning's many books, videos and podcasts explain the brain chemistry we've inherited from earlier mammals, how our "happy chemicals" evolved for specific jobs (not to flow all the time for no reason), and the natural way to enhance our power over these chemicals. Before teaching, Loretta worked for the United Nations in Africa. Today, she gives zoo tours on animal behavior, after serving as a Docent at the Oakland Zoo. She is a graduate of Cornell University and Tufts. The Inner Mammal Institute offers videos, podcasts, books, blogs, multimedia, a training program, and a free five-day happy-chemical jumpstart.
Loretta’s website: InnerMammalInstitute.org
Loretta’s latest book: Why You’re Unhappy: Biology Vs. Politics
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