A Fresh Start: New Beginnings, Big Changes & a New Home for My Work

Rese?? Hi colleagues, friends, and peers,

I hope this email finds you well. It’s been a bit quiet over here, and honestly, I’ve needed that space. I’ve gone inward—not just to navigate these times but to find clarity on the work and projects I want to tackle in 2025. And after much reflection, I’ve realized something: I’m tired.

This geriatric millennial is officially done playing the algorithm games. Social media changes way too fast and I’ve wasted more time than I’d like to admit trying to figure out why posts do or don’t get seen instead of just writing and sharing my work with the people who actually want it. The goal is simple—getting good, actionable brain health content to those who can benefit. Sadly, social media is not so simple. So, I’m making a shift.

Moving forward, Substack will be my main communication hub—a single point of contact for my writing, resources, and updates. I’ll still post a monthly LinkedIn newsletter with upcoming events, free resources, and accessible updates, but Substack is where the real conversation will be happening. I’d love for you to join me there! No more wasting time—just investing it wisely in one space that works for me (there is something to be said about keeping things simple).

On a more personal note, these past few months have also been marked by loss. I said goodbye to my first partner in crime—my black cat, who had been by my side for 16 years. She was the first real adult decision I made, spending strategically hoarded-away waitress tip money on something I thought I could take care of (and somehow, we took care of each other). From grading papers to late-night research articles, from leisure reading to being my weighted blanket during stressful times—she was always there. After reading The Grieving Brain, I know it will take time to “learn” not to look for her. After all, routines built over 16 years don’t just disappear overnight.

Meanwhile, a story about a puppy stole my heart (before my cat broke it) and we agreed to adopt a new puppy. Meet my new office mate, Dolly. She recently saw a specialist and it’s now confirmed—she is fully blind in her remaining eye. We’re on a steep learning curve together and building trust. She may not be food-motivated (making training an adventure) but she’s just like any other rambunctious pup—curious, eager, and ready to learn.

And how could I not mention that Brain Week 2025 is nearly here! This has been in the works for months and I can hardly believe it’s time. I’m looking forward to a full week of meaningful learning, collaboration, and connecting with our growing community at the Virtual Brain Health Center . Time to nerd out with others and talk all things brain health! (I am so excited and hope many of you may join me.)

?? Stay tuned! Next week, I’ll be releasing a bonus newsletter with a full recap of all the available events so you don’t miss a thing.

Thanks for being here and for your continued support. - Krystal

Learn How Attention is the Remote Control of Your Brain

?? Uncertainty can leave us feeling scattered and overwhelmed—but what if you could recognize and harness the power of your attention??

Join Lauren Waldman, The Learning Pirate, and me for a dynamic Brain Week event exploring the connection between somatic responses, learning experiences, and attentional control.

?? Learn how your brain processes attention, explore real-world strategies to navigate today’s demanding environment, and walk away with tools to enhance your mental wellness.

Through hands-on exercises and self-check-ins, you’ll leave with the assurance that you can steer your focus toward what truly matters.

?? Invest in Cognitive Skills to Combat Mental Overload

Do adults have the cognitive skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world?

? Writing often guides me to where my heart and mind naturally want to go, even with a long list of planned topics. After years of blogging, I've learned to embrace the journey—many times I sit down with one idea, only to have something entirely different surface.

With 2025 already bringing new stressors, now is the time to intentionally cultivate brain skills that help us adapt, thrive, and protect our mental well-being.

?? This message has been on my heart and I wanted to gently remind others that as our world evolves, developing and adapting cognitive skills will be essential for navigating future challenges and safeguarding our brain health.

?? Cultivating these skills is a lifelong journey—what once worked may no longer serve us.

?? Embracing new wellness strategies or revisiting past self-care practices can make a meaningful difference. These approaches help us manage stress and find emotional balance amid life’s demands.

Learn more in my latest Psychology Today blog for 6?? cognitive skills to invest in for optimal brain care.

?? Let's Talk Brain Health! Podcast

We kicked off 2025 with some timely topics on the podcast that explored brain health coaching, resilience, oral health, and hearing health.

?? Episode 45: ?Episode 45 Navigating Uncertainty: Creating Resilience for All with Kapil Gupta

Did you know your facial expressions might reveal clues about your stress levels? Learn how emerging technology is shaping the future of mental wellness.

Tune in to hear Kapil's unique perspective and gain inspiration for navigating life’s challenges with confidence and clarity!

?? Episode 46: Mind Your Mouth: How Oral Health Impacts Brain Function with Dr. Joy Poskozim DDS FSCD CDP of Joyful Dental Care

In this must-listen podcast episode, we dive into the fascinating connection between oral care and brain health. Discover why women face unique dental challenges, how oral bacteria can affect memory, and practical tips to protect your cognitive well-being at every age. Plus, we explore essential strategies for caregivers to support older adults' oral health.

?? A healthy brain starts with a healthy mouth—don't miss this essential conversation!

?? Episode 47: Hearing and Brain Health: The Link Between Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline with Andrew Campbell of NeuAudio Hearing & Brain Health

Did you know untreated hearing loss can significantly increase your risk of cognitive decline and dementia?Learn the importance of addressing hearing loss early to reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline, particularly highlighting the effects on memory, cognitive load, and social isolation.

Stay tuned for upcoming insights from Dr. Jenna Stedman, DCN, RD, CSSD , Genein Letford, M.Ed , Marie O. ,and more!

?? If you’ve tuned in to at least one episode, would you mind leaving us a review on your favorite place to stream podcasts? It means a lot to us and helps us grow our reach.

?? Thank you for investing your time and energy into better brain health—it’s an honor to be part of your journey.

Pre-Event Kickoff: Brain Week 2025!

Join us Thursday, March 6, 2025, for a special Neuro Nook Book Club session featuring an exclusive video message from the author of The Connection Cure, Julia Hotz—a powerful exploration of how movement, nature, art, service, and belonging can transform your brain health.

?? The Virtual Brain Health Center's Neuro Nook (book club) delves into the neuroscience behind grief and the grieving process.

?? Thursday, March 6, 2025 | ?? 12:00-12:45 PM EST | ?? Live, online via Zoom

?? The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging by Julia Hotz

Why thisbook? As the first book on social prescribing, The Connection Cure empowers you to find, experience, and implement this revolutionary medicine in your own community.

"Science shows that social prescribing is effective for treating symptoms of the modern world’s most common ailments—depression, ADHD, addiction, trauma, anxiety, chronic pain, dementia, diabetes, and loneliness."

And as a general sense of unwellness plagues more of us, social prescriptions can help us feel healthier than we’ve felt in years. Learn more during our monthly discussion.

Research Opportunity

?? CALLING ALL PARENTS IN NORTH AMERICA WITH LITTLE HUMANS- SCIENCE NEEDS OUR HELP! ??

Exciting research opportunity alert! You can contribute to brain science right from home with Dr. Thanujeni (Jeni) Pathman.

Dr. Pathman studies how memory develops—an intricate yet fascinating process! She’s currently looking for young minds to take part in her latest study (and you can also join the list for future research).

The study is open to families with children ages 4-15 with a particular need for 4-5-year-olds and 12-15-year-olds.

Can we spread the word, repost and get this lab the 50+ little brains they need to get us all another piece of the memory puzzle?

?? Information on the Child Memory Study: https://www.childmemorystudy.com/

?? Parent information: https://md.lab.yorku.ca/for-parents/

?? Next Month's Newsletter

If you've made it this far, thanks a myelin for taking the time to read through this month's updates! I hope the articles, events, podcast conversations, and additional resources serve as valuable tools for supporting brain health. Feel free to continue the conversation with me on Substack or share this newsletter with others who might benefit here on LinkedIn.

Stay tuned for our mega event of the year—Brain Week 2025— on March 10-14, 2025.

Remember that we're keeping the brain health conversation going year-round on the Let's Talk Brain Health! Podcast . If you'd like to be a guest and share your ideas, submit your conversation topics on our website or send me a message here on LinkedIn.

Take good care -Krystal