Ep 76: Your Second Brain: How Gut Health Shapes Focus, Mood, and Executive Function (ft. Dr. Anastasia Galanopolous

Today’s episode is a fascinating look at the connection between our guts and our brains. This powerful two-way communication between our digestive system and our mind influences everything from mood and sleep to focus and decision-making. My guest is Dr. Anastasia Galanopoulos, is a developmental psychologist and parent coach who is passionate about teaching people about how our gut health shapes our mental health and executive functioning. Anastasia’s interest in this field began with her own health struggles - experiences that led her to connect the dots between nutrition, stress, and brain function in both children and adults.

In our conversation, we talk about the science of the gut-brain connection (I have to admit, it sounds pretty unbelievable to me but it’s a thing people, it’s a thing), how to recognize signs that your microbiome might be out of balance, and what kinds of foods and daily habits can help restore it - including fermented foods, plant-rich meals, and stress management.

Thanks for tuning in! Here are the show notes from today’s episode:

Learn More about Dr. Anastasia Galanopoulos

https://www.getnewperspective.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/galanopouloseducationtraining/

Learn More about the Gut-Brain Connection

Resource Sheet Shared by Dr. Galanopoulos

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EUUvgjhycHuwyRoG_qNKWtJccz3hpSnV/view?usp=sharing

Gut-Brain Connection: Microbiome, Gut Barrier, and Environmental Sensors

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8263213/

The gut-brain connection: What the science says

https://med.stanford.edu/news/insights/2025/03/gut-brain-connection-long-covid-anxiety-parkinsons.html

Recipes

Easy-to-make kimchi by Maangchi

https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/easy-kimchi

Fermented Hot Sauce

https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/recipes/fermented-hot-sauce/

The Simple Guide to Kickass Kombucha

https://www.liveeatlearn.com/the-simple-guide-to-kickass-kombucha/

Fermented Pickles

https://www.feastingathome.com/fermented-pickles/

Learn More About Our MAP Program

https://map.worksmartcoaching.com

Learn More About 1:1 Coaching

https://www.beyondbooksmart.com/how-it-works

Get in Touch

[email protected]

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www.beyondbooksmart.com