Smashing the Brainblocks

Habit Formation

Why Negative Reinforcement Isn’t a Bad Thing

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on February 16, 2026

Negative reinforcement has a bad reputation. Here’s what it really means, and why it can be surprisingly helpful.

Negative reinforcement has a bad reputation. Here’s what it really means, and why it can be surprisingly helpful.

Fear

Beyond FOMO: Why We Have an Expanding Alphabet of Fears

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on November 17, 2025

FOFO, FOBO, and FOSO can be especially stressful.

FOFO, FOBO, and FOSO can be especially stressful.

Emotion Regulation

The 3 Emotions That Hijack the Brain

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on June 16, 2025

3. Lust, the stealth hijacker.

3. Lust, the stealth hijacker.

Self-Control

How to Avoid the Self-Defeating Path of Blame and Shame

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on January 24, 2025

Stop shaming yourself for lacking willpower. Self-discipline isn't the whole story, and taking a more compassionate approach to growth is more helpful.

Stop shaming yourself for lacking willpower. Self-discipline isn't the whole story, and taking a more compassionate approach to growth is more helpful.

Self-Control

Where Did My Willpower Go?

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on October 25, 2024

What happens to our willpower? Do we run out of it, or do we not have enough to begin with? Let's find out!

What happens to our willpower? Do we run out of it, or do we not have enough to begin with? Let's find out!

Authenticity

How to Know if Someone Is Authentic

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on July 25, 2024

How can you be sure that someone is being authentic?

How can you be sure that someone is being authentic?

Cognition

Are Your Emotions Interfering With Your Thinking? Probably Not

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on January 23, 2024

If you are not an emotional thinker, you must be rational, right? Explore the true opposite of rational thinking.

If you are not an emotional thinker, you must be rational, right? Explore the true opposite of rational thinking.

Emotions

Are You a Rational Thinker or an Emotional Thinker?

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on November 19, 2023

Are you a rational thinker or an emotional one? The answer is neither.

Are you a rational thinker or an emotional one? The answer is neither.

Emotions

How Many Emotions Can You Feel?

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on July 23, 2023

The real answer may be: Who cares?

The real answer may be: Who cares?

Happiness

Should Happiness Be a Factor in Our Decisions?

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on February 7, 2023

The truth is, we are not impressive fortune-tellers of our emotional future.

The truth is, we are not impressive fortune-tellers of our emotional future.

How to increase your success.

Motivation

How Happy Will You Feel When You Reach Your Goals?

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on December 27, 2022

Is it possible to predict happiness?

Is it possible to predict happiness?

Authenticity

What It Means to Be Truly Authentic

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on November 17, 2022

Are you living a truly, genuinely, honestly authentic life? There is only one correct answer to this question.

Are you living a truly, genuinely, honestly authentic life? There is only one correct answer to this question.

Stress

Fight or Flight: Which Is a Better Choice?

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on March 28, 2021

Fight or flight? Which is the better choice?

Fight or flight? Which is the better choice?

Health

Our Mental Health Is at Risk (but Not Because of COVID)

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on November 19, 2020

Improving mental health requires a big shift in our perspective.

Improving mental health requires a big shift in our perspective.

Motivation

What Makes Change Difficult?

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on October 16, 2020

Is change really so hard—or are we making it harder?

Is change really so hard—or are we making it harder?

Burnout

The Unsolvable Problem of Burnout

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on August 18, 2020

Are we fighting burnout the right way?

Are we fighting burnout the right way?

Attention

Reducing the Risk of Emotional Fatigue During the Pandemic

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on April 8, 2020

Three easy ways to reduce emotional fatigue.

Three easy ways to reduce emotional fatigue.

Motivation

Are You Working Hard Enough?

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on February 2, 2020

Are you working hard enough or do you need to work harder?

Are you working hard enough or do you need to work harder?

Cognition

3 Habits That Will Leave You Emotionally Exhausted

Theo Tsaousides Ph.D. on September 15, 2019

Are these thinking habits affecting your emotional health?

Are these thinking habits affecting your emotional health?