The Hopeful Brain: A Common-Sense Look at Modern Neuroscience
03/31/25 • 62 min
In this episode of OK State of Mind, a Family & Children’s Services podcast, Dr. Paul Baker, neuropsychologist and author of The Hopeful Brain, shares how breakthroughs in neuroscience have fundamentally shifted the way we view mental health, especially in children. Exploring core needs, rooted in neuroscience, offer a lens to understand behavior not as a problem to fix, but as a message to decode for hope.
Joined by Adam Andreassen, CEO of Family & Children’s Services, and Chris Masopust, Director of Training, the conversation explores how this hopeful science is being integrated across the organization—from therapists to peer support workers. By using simple, accessible brain-based strategies, Family & Children’s Services is creating more effective and compassionate mental health support for those who need it most.
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Share this episode with your friends, family, and anyone who might find it interesting. Word of mouth is a powerful way to grow our podcast family, and we truly appreciate your support.
We're always eager to hear your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for future episodes. Visit www.okstateofmind.com for all of our episodes. You can also email us at [email protected] with any episode ideas or questions. We'd love to connect with you.
Thank you once again for accompanying us on the journey. Until next time!
In this episode of OK State of Mind, a Family & Children’s Services podcast, Dr. Paul Baker, neuropsychologist and author of The Hopeful Brain, shares how breakthroughs in neuroscience have fundamentally shifted the way we view mental health, especially in children. Exploring core needs, rooted in neuroscience, offer a lens to understand behavior not as a problem to fix, but as a message to decode for hope.
Joined by Adam Andreassen, CEO of Family & Children’s Services, and Chris Masopust, Director of Training, the conversation explores how this hopeful science is being integrated across the organization—from therapists to peer support workers. By using simple, accessible brain-based strategies, Family & Children’s Services is creating more effective and compassionate mental health support for those who need it most.
Support and stay connected to us. First, be sure to hit that subscribe button wherever you're listening to us. Subscribing ensures you never miss an episode, and it's absolutely free. It also helps us continue bringing you quality content.
Consider leaving us a review. Your reviews not only make our day, but they also help others discover the podcast and join our community.
Share this episode with your friends, family, and anyone who might find it interesting. Word of mouth is a powerful way to grow our podcast family, and we truly appreciate your support.
We're always eager to hear your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for future episodes. Visit www.okstateofmind.com for all of our episodes. You can also email us at [email protected] with any episode ideas or questions. We'd love to connect with you.
Thank you once again for accompanying us on the journey. Until next time!
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From Struggle to Stakeholder: A Story of Resilience
In this episode of OK State of Mind, a Family & Children’s Services podcast, we share an extraordinary story of perseverance, adaptation, and giving back. Sean MacLeod, an engineer at a Tulsa-based energy company and a Young Professionals Advisory Council (YPAC) board member, joins Adam Andreassen, CEO of Family & Children’s Services, and Tom Taylor, Chief Development Officer of Family & Children’s Services, to discuss the power of resilience and the role of community support in transforming lives.
Sean shares his deeply personal journey—growing up in a cycle of instability, facing abuse and neglect, and navigating the foster care system. Through his experiences, Sean discovered the importance of environmental support in shaping personal growth and success. Now, he is dedicated to mentoring young people, volunteering, and advocating for community programs that provide the same opportunities he wishes his family had access to—programs like Women in Recovery and Family & Children’s Services’ trauma and child abuse prevention services.
Support and stay connected to us. First, be sure to hit that subscribe button wherever you're listening to us. Subscribing ensures you never miss an episode, and it's absolutely free. It also helps us continue bringing you quality content.
Consider leaving us a review. Your reviews not only make our day, but they also help others discover the podcast and join our community.
Share this episode with your friends, family, and anyone who might find it interesting. Word of mouth is a powerful way to grow our podcast family, and we truly appreciate your support.
We're always eager to hear your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for future episodes. Visit www.okstateofmind.com for all of our episodes. You can also email us at [email protected] with any episode ideas or questions. We'd love to connect with you.
Thank you once again for accompanying us on the journey. Until next time!
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Keeping Children Safe at Home
In this episode of OK State of Mind, a Family & Children’s Services podcast, we explore the everyday challenges and life-changing impact of early parenting support. Lorinda Reed and Sarah Lankford Cerbino - leaders in the SafeCare® Home-Based Parenting program - join hosts Chris Posey and Rachel Roberts to discuss how Family & Children’s Services is helping families build safer, healthier home environments for young children.
Designed for parents and caregivers of children ages 0–5, the SafeCare® program provides free, in-home guidance on child safety, health, supervision, and positive parenting practices. Through hands-on coaching and customized support, SafeCare® empowers caregivers to navigate the demands of parenting with confidence—whether it’s choosing the right medicine dosage, understanding discipline versus punishment, or creating daily routines that foster connection and calm.
Support and stay connected to us. First, be sure to hit that subscribe button wherever you're listening to us. Subscribing ensures you never miss an episode, and it's absolutely free. It also helps us continue bringing you quality content.
Consider leaving us a review. Your reviews not only make our day, but they also help others discover the podcast and join our community.
Share this episode with your friends, family, and anyone who might find it interesting. Word of mouth is a powerful way to grow our podcast family, and we truly appreciate your support.
We're always eager to hear your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for future episodes. Visit www.okstateofmind.com for all of our episodes. You can also email us at [email protected] with any episode ideas or questions. We'd love to connect with you.
Thank you once again for accompanying us on the journey. Until next time!
OK State of Mind - The Hopeful Brain: A Common-Sense Look at Modern Neuroscience
Transcript
Adam Andreassen: [00:00:00] What is the thought process about someone? How we help someone and get away from that notion that once the damage is done, well now you're stuck.
Dr. Paul Baker: I say, this is the good news, and this is why I say everyone needs to know about neuroscience. If, if you're in a helping field, you need this information.
Dr. Paul Baker: Because ever since the nineties, which by the way, bill Clinton declared
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