Emily McDonald: Can You Rewire Your Brain?

What Now? with Trevor Noah

SiriusXM & Day Zero Productions

News, Comedy, Society & Culture

4.6 • 4.3K Ratings

🗓️ 19 March 2026

⏱️ 115 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Trevor and Eugene sit down with neuroscientist and content creator Emily McDonald (aka EmOnTheBrain) to explore how our brains shape the way we think, feel, and behave. From the real limits (and possibilities) of neuroplasticity to the surprisingly persistent pull of old habits, McDonald breaks down what’s actually happening inside our nervous systems. Along the way, the trio dive into Emily’s own neurological journey, how elite athletes train their brains for peak performance, and even the spiritual energy of Sedona — all in an effort to understand how we change, and why our brains don’t always make it easy.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	My idea is we create old age homes that are kindergartens.
0:11.1	Yeah.
0:11.6	Because old people...
0:13.1	They've done that.
0:14.2	Wait, they have?
0:14.9	So they've done a research study.
0:16.0	Come on.
0:17.0	So if...
0:18.0	No, no.
0:18.2	So they haven't done this for like as a business.
0:20.4	So go to do... No, but there is actually research to show your idea would work if I'm clear on your idea. This is why I need you in my life. So my. Let me tell you something. You know how many times I say things to people and then they'll be like, I don't know if that. And if I had you around, you could be like, there's research to show. Bam!
0:42.6	This is What Now with Trevor Nella.
1:01.1	Well... Well, I'm going to call you M on the brain, but what do your friends call you?
1:02.0	They call me M.
1:03.4	They call you M as well. M, yeah.
1:04.0	I like this.
1:04.5	M on the brain.
1:05.6	No, you know, at least you got it right because a lot of people think it's like Eamon, the brain.
1:10.8	They think my name's E-M-O-N.
1:12.2	Yeah.
1:13.4	It's a common misconception.
1:15.1	Why?
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from SiriusXM & Day Zero Productions, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of SiriusXM & Day Zero Productions and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.