What if the very thing mental health culture tells you to do—focus on your trauma, honor your feelings, explore your pain—is actually reinforcing the patterns that are keeping you stuck?

In this episode, Dr. Lee Warren and I tackle one of the most controversial (and most important) truths about how the brain works: where you put your attention literally shapes your reality. What you focus on expands. And if you're spending years focusing on your trauma, your pain, your "broken" parts, you're training your brain to keep running those patterns.

We talk about the observer effect from quantum physics, how the ACC (the social-emotional brain) operates at the subconscious level, and why your beliefs have to align with what Scripture says about you—not just intellectually, but at the deepest level where your brain is automating your identity.

This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending the pain isn't real. It's about understanding that constantly rehearsing "I AM anxious, I AM broken, I AM not enough" is literally giving your brain permission to keep being that. And there's a better way.

If you've ever felt like you've been "working on yourself" for years but you're still stuck in the same patterns, this episode will show you why—and what needs to shift.

GUEST: Dr. Lee Warren // wleewarrenmd.com // @drleewarren
Listen to Dr. Warren's Podcast here.
Order Dr. Warren's New Book, The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery.

HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // @LeanneEllington // @theteenagerbrain

To learn more about Leanne, head over to www.LeanneEllington.com, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com.

What if the very thing mental health culture tells you to do&mdash;focus on your trauma, honor your feelings, explore your pain&mdash;is actually reinforcing the patterns that are keeping you stuck?
In this episode, Dr. Lee Warren and I tackle one of the most controversial (and most important) truths about how the brain works: where you put your attention literally shapes your reality. What you focus on expands. And if you're spending years focusing on your trauma, your pain, your "broken" parts, you're training your brain to keep running those patterns.
We talk about the observer effect from quantum physics, how the ACC (the social-emotional brain) operates at the subconscious level, and why your beliefs have to align with what Scripture says about you&mdash;not just intellectually, but at the deepest level where your brain is automating your identity.
This isn't about toxic positivity or pretending the pain isn't real. It's about understanding that constantly rehearsing "I AM anxious, I AM broken, I AM not enough" is literally giving your brain permission to keep being that. And there's a better way.
If you've ever felt like you've been "working on yourself" for years but you're still stuck in the same patterns, this episode will show you why&mdash;and what needs to shift.
GUEST: Dr. Lee Warren // <a href="http://wleewarrenmd.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://wleewarrenmd.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779408648183000&amp;usg=AOvVaw396xpRrM3P9YjJgIAGF0k_">wleewarrenmd.com</a> // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/drleewarren/">@drleewarren</a> Listen to Dr. Warren's Podcast <a href="https://wleewarrenmd.com/podcast/">here</a>. Order Dr. Warren's New Book, <a href="https://wleewarrenmd.com/books/the-life-changing-art-of-self-brain-surgery/#buy-now">The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery</a>.
HOST: Leanne Ellington // StresslessEating.com // <a href="https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/">@Lea</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/"></a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/leanneellington/">nneEllington</a> // <a>@theteenagerbrain</a>
To learn more about Leanne, head over to <a href="http://www.leanneellington.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.LeanneEllington.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1776798953917000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0my7fpV1WTEFpQNjJA-Pwa">www.LeanneEllington.com</a>, and to share your thoughts, questions, feedback, or guest suggestions instantly, head on over to <a href="http://www.whatsgodgottodowithit.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1776798953917000&amp;usg=AOvVaw075j5SlsH8aRHNRV2nWd74">www.WhatsGodGotToDoWithIt.com</a>.

Are you looking to carve out your own spiritual path and connect with a higher power? Maybe you’re on a quest for meaning, purpose, or a sense of belonging?



Perhaps you grew up in a religion that doesn’t quite align with who you are now, or maybe you’ve lost your connection to God and want to find your way back?



Or if you’re like a lot of people, you’re simply trying to make sense of a world that sometimes seems overwhelming and confusing…



Welcome to "What's God Got To Do With It?" – a podcast that’s anything but preachy, but will cut through the noise to meet you exactly where you are in your journey – without judgment or shame. It’s your spiritual safe space, where skepticism and doubt are welcome.



Join our host, Leanne Ellington, a once-skeptical bacon-loving, Hebrew-speaking Jew who, wrestling with her own beliefs, set out on a quest to discover her own faith and found God in the most unexpected places.



Leanne, a “self-image scientist” will be your companion and guide on this incredible adventure, sharing her own unconventional journey while inviting you to discover your own spiritual path and connect with a higher power in a forum where you can build confidence and feel supported.



And if you're wondering What's God Got To Do With It? The short answer is....EVERYTHING!

Are you looking to carve out your own spiritual path and connect with a higher power? Maybe you’re on a quest for meaning, purpose, or a sense of belonging?
 
Perhaps you grew up in a religion that doesn’t quite align with who you are now, or maybe you’ve lost your connection to God and want to find your way back?
 
Or if you’re like a lot of people, you’re simply trying to make sense of a world that sometimes seems overwhelming and confusing…
 
Welcome to "What's God Got To Do With It?" – a podcast that’s anything but preachy, but will cut through the noise to meet you exactly where you are in your journey – without judgment or shame. It’s your spiritual safe space, where skepticism and doubt are welcome.
 
Join our host, Leanne Ellington, a once-skeptical bacon-loving, Hebrew-speaking Jew who, wrestling with her own beliefs, set out on a quest to discover her own faith and found God in the most unexpected places.
 
Leanne, a “self-image scientist” will be your companion and guide on this incredible adventure, sharing her own unconventional journey while inviting you to discover your own spiritual path and connect with a higher power in a forum where you can build confidence and feel supported.
 
And if you're wondering What's God Got To Do With It? The short answer is....EVERYTHING!

What's God Got To Do With It? With Leanne Ellington

The Observer Effect Problem: Why Focusing on Your Problems Makes Them Worse [With Neurosurgeon Dr. Lee Warren]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/94c2de0c-9ff6-4a5e-95fc-b45d007a6510/transcript