Procrastination keeps you walking past the same task for years. You know cleaning out that closet will take eleven minutes. You put it off for months anyway. Your brain evaluates the effort cost before you even start. That calculation happens in a separate pathway from the reward you'll feel when it's done.

Dr. Yammine references a study that mapped the motivational break in monkey brains. Scientists manipulated cells to turn off procrastination and motivate monkeys to do avoided tasks. Your brain runs two separate calculations: how good the outcome will be versus how much the journey might suck. Anxiety and depression share the outcome of not doing tasks, but the study shows they're anatomically caused by different pathways.

Discover how breaking tasks into smaller items reduces starting energy when rewards aren't motivating you. Learn why existing depression medications might work better once researchers examine how they influence this newly mapped pathway. Understand the difference between being motivated by outcomes versus being deterred by effort costs.

GUEST: Dr. Samantha Yammine | http://samanthayammine.com

Originally aired on 2026-01-26

Procrastination keeps you walking past the same task for years. You know cleaning out that closet will take eleven minutes. You put it off for months anyway. Your brain evaluates the effort cost before you even start. That calculation happens in a separate pathway from the reward you'll feel when it's done.
Dr. Yammine references a study that mapped the motivational break in monkey brains. Scientists manipulated cells to turn off procrastination and motivate monkeys to do avoided tasks. Your brain runs two separate calculations: how good the outcome will be versus how much the journey might suck. Anxiety and depression share the outcome of not doing tasks, but the study shows they're anatomically caused by different pathways.
Discover how breaking tasks into smaller items reduces starting energy when rewards aren't motivating you. Learn why existing depression medications might work better once researchers examine how they influence this newly mapped pathway. Understand the difference between being motivated by outcomes versus being deterred by effort costs.
GUEST: Dr. Samantha Yammine |<a href="http://samanthayammine.com"> http://samanthayammine.com</a>
Originally aired on&nbsp;2026-01-26

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.