In this special Q&A episode, Marco answers fascinating questions from fellow voice actors about the brain and performance. Discover why people think so differently (it's actual brain wiring, not just personality), what dreams really do for your brain, and the surprising science behind "manifestation." Plus: where creativity actually comes from, what happens in your brain during those amazing "aha moments," and why exercise might be the single best thing you can do for brain health.

Topics covered: Analytical vs. holistic thinking • Dream science • Positive/negative thinking patterns • Brain aging and adaptation • The neuroscience of creativity • "Eureka moment" brain chemistry • Exercise effects on the brain

Questions from: Norm Izard (vocalnorm.com) • Monique Mosher • Erin Cox

Have a question about the brain and performance? Send a voice recording to marco@thecognitiveperformer.com

The Cognitive Performer explores the fascinating intersection of neuroscience and human performance.

• Physical Activity Lowers Brain Disease Risk - Neuroscience News
• Exercise Increases Brain Size - Neuroscience News
• Exercise-Related Physical Activity Relates to Brain Volumes in 10,125 Individuals
• Differences in psychologists’ cognitive traits are associated with scientific divides | Nature Human Behaviour
• Frontiers | Analytic and Holistic Thinkers: Differences in the Dynamics of Heart Rate Complexity When Solving a Cognitive Task in Field-Dependent and Field-Independent Conditions
• The 'middle-aging' brain
• Frontiers | Horizons in Human Aging Neuroscience: From Normal Neural Aging to Mental (Fr)Agility
• Brain-wide cell-type-specific transcriptomic signatures of healthy aging in mice
• Repetitive negative thinking is associated with amyloid, tau, and cognitive decline
• Dreaming conundrum
• Memory updating in dreams
• Unlocking Dreams and Dreamless Sleep: Machine Learning Classification With Optimal EEG Channels

Copyright 2025 Marco Rigazio