Fear isn’t just a feeling — it’s a survival system hardwired into the brain. Neuroscientist Dr. Samantha Yammine explains how the amygdala triggers the fight or flight response and what that cascade of cortisol and adrenaline actually means for how we react, cope, and sometimes spiral.

In this episode, explore how fear functions as both a protective tool and a challenge to mental well-being. Dr. Yammine breaks down the biology behind anxiety and shows how understanding the brain can lead to more self-compassion. From survival instincts to emotional patterns, this conversation brings clarity to the science behind what scares us — and why that knowledge is power.

GUEST:
Dr. Samantha Yammine
@‌science.sam
http://samanthayammine.com

Originally aired on 2025-10-30

Fear isn&rsquo;t just a feeling &mdash; it&rsquo;s a survival system hardwired into the brain. Neuroscientist Dr. Samantha Yammine explains how the amygdala triggers the fight or flight response and what that cascade of cortisol and adrenaline actually means for how we react, cope, and sometimes spiral.
In this episode, explore how fear functions as both a protective tool and a challenge to mental well-being. Dr. Yammine breaks down the biology behind anxiety and shows how understanding the brain can lead to more self-compassion. From survival instincts to emotional patterns, this conversation brings clarity to the science behind what scares us &mdash; and why that knowledge is power.
GUEST: Dr. Samantha Yammine @&zwnj;science.sam <a href="http://samanthayammine.com">http://samanthayammine.com</a>
Originally aired on&nbsp;2025-10-30

Shane Hewitt & The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world—always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.

From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane’s signature style—thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.

If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt &amp; The Nightshift is your late-night companion for real talk, bold ideas, and unfiltered conversations that matter. Hosted by Canadian radio veteran Shane Hewitt, each episode dives into the headlines, human stories, and hidden truths shaping our world&mdash;always with curiosity, compassion, and a sharp edge.
From politics and pop culture to mental health, technology, and everyday life, this podcast is where night owls, deep thinkers, and curious minds come to connect. Featuring expert guests, passionate callers, and Shane&rsquo;s signature style&mdash;thoughtful, fearless, and refreshingly real.
If you crave meaningful dialogue, smart perspectives, and late-night radio energy in podcast form, subscribe now and join The Nightshift.

Shane Hewitt and The Nightshift

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Shane Hewitt is known for his engaging and relatable on-air personality, which captivates listeners. His ability to blend insightful commentary with humour and empathy creates a genuine connection with listeners.  Shane Hewitt and the Night Shift provides relatable content, informative discussions and expert insights – along with a balance of anecdotes and entertainment.

Inside the Brain’s Fear Factory: How the Amygdala Shapes Anxiety

Tipping before service puts you in an impossible position the second the payment screen flips around. You're standing at the counter. Your sandwich isn't made yet. Your coffee isn't poured. But the machine wants 18%, 20%, or 25% right now—before anyone's done anything. Do you tip for a service that hasn't happened, or look cheap in front of a stranger?

Shane breaks down why he won't tip while standing anymore, and Ryan admits he's been guilted into a "millennial tax" he can't explain. The real problem? You might not even know where that money's going. Shane teases a conversation with Tony Tedesco that proves the person you think is getting your tip might not be touching a cent of it. The timing's broken. The transparency's gone. And the guilt is doing all the work.

Discover why the moment you're asked to tip matters more than the amount. Learn what changes when you flip the script and tip after the service instead of before. Understand why standing versus sitting became Shane's new rule for deciding who deserves it.

Originally aired on 2026-01-14

Tipping before service puts you in an impossible position the second the payment screen flips around. You're standing at the counter. Your sandwich isn't made yet. Your coffee isn't poured. But the machine wants 18%, 20%, or 25% right now&mdash;before anyone's done anything. Do you tip for a service that hasn't happened, or look cheap in front of a stranger?
Shane breaks down why he won't tip while standing anymore, and Ryan admits he's been guilted into a "millennial tax" he can't explain. The real problem? You might not even know where that money's going. Shane teases a conversation with Tony Tedesco that proves the person you think is getting your tip might not be touching a cent of it. The timing's broken. The transparency's gone. And the guilt is doing all the work.
Discover why the moment you're asked to tip matters more than the amount. Learn what changes when you flip the script and tip after the service instead of before. Understand why standing versus sitting became Shane's new rule for deciding who deserves it.
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-14

Tipping Before Service Kills the Whole Point

Tech toys and imagination collide over one controversial brick. Your kid gets a Lego set where the plane makes its own flying sounds. Swoosh. Pew pew. Automatic. You panic: what happened to using your imagination? What happened to making the noises yourself? The toy just handed them the creativity on a circuit board.

Ryan O'Donnell: upset, this dilutes childhood magic. Michelle Parnett Dwyer from the Strong National Museum of Play counters: tech innovation challenges makers, not just kids. Furby did it. Tickle Me Elmo did it. Ryan's moment of clarity: kids ignore designer intent entirely. They take the brick off. They use it differently. They play how they want. O'Donnell admits: "I am not a child anymore."

Discover why adult nostalgia distorts what kids actually need. Learn how children have always repurposed technology beyond its intended use. Understand the difference between protecting imagination and protecting your memories.

Originally aired on 2026-01-14

Tech toys and imagination collide over one controversial brick. Your kid gets a Lego set where the plane makes its own flying sounds. Swoosh. Pew pew. Automatic. You panic: what happened to using your imagination? What happened to making the noises yourself? The toy just handed them the creativity on a circuit board.
Ryan O'Donnell: upset, this dilutes childhood magic. Michelle Parnett Dwyer from the Strong National Museum of Play counters: tech innovation challenges makers, not just kids. Furby did it. Tickle Me Elmo did it. Ryan's moment of clarity: kids ignore designer intent entirely. They take the brick off. They use it differently. They play how they want. O'Donnell admits: "I am not a child anymore."
Discover why adult nostalgia distorts what kids actually need. Learn how children have always repurposed technology beyond its intended use. Understand the difference between protecting imagination and protecting your memories.
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-14

NEW -  Why Smart Toys Won't Ruin Your Kid

AI implementation problems start with a toddler metaphor. Your boss hands you an LLM. Make it work. Make it earn billions. Now. You ask for time to understand it, research it, pilot it. They say the toddler is smarter than you. They read the brochure. You smile. You say you'll get back to them. You swear in every language you know.

Greg Fish: LLMs understand natural language, not just word matching. Autocomplete. Translation. Search that actually finds what you meant. Fish: the "everything model" approach wastes billions upfront. OpenAI burn rate: $80 billion. Revenue: $12 billion. They can't break even. Fish: they need you using it constantly to justify investor funding.

Discover what LLMs actually do well versus where they're forced to fail. Learn why the business model drives misuse instead of practical application. Understand when AI is the right tool and when it's just expensive desperation.

GUEST: Greg Fish | cyberpunksurvivalguide.com

Originally aired on 2026-01-14

AI implementation problems start with a toddler metaphor. Your boss hands you an LLM. Make it work. Make it earn billions. Now. You ask for time to understand it, research it, pilot it. They say the toddler is smarter than you. They read the brochure. You smile. You say you'll get back to them. You swear in every language you know.
Greg Fish: LLMs understand natural language, not just word matching. Autocomplete. Translation. Search that actually finds what you meant. Fish: the "everything model" approach wastes billions upfront. OpenAI burn rate: $80 billion. Revenue: $12 billion. They can't break even. Fish: they need you using it constantly to justify investor funding.
Discover what LLMs actually do well versus where they're forced to fail. Learn why the business model drives misuse instead of practical application. Understand when AI is the right tool and when it's just expensive desperation.
GUEST:&nbsp;Greg Fish | cyberpunksurvivalguide.com
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-14

Inside the Brain’s Fear Factory: How the Amygdala Shapes Anxiety

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