logo
episode-header-image
Aug 13
24m 28s

What the No.1 Brain Surgeon Taught Us Ab...

High Performance
About this episode

Some conversations change lives. Others change the way we think about how we have them.


In this episode, I share the lesson I took from Dr. Rahul Jandial, world-renowned brain surgeon, neuroscientist, and author, about the quiet power of the pause.


Rahul has delivered some of the hardest news anyone can hear. And what he’s learned is that it’s not just the words that matter, it’s what happens after them. In those seconds of silence, people begin to process, to find their footing, to summon the courage for what comes next.


It’s a habit we can all use. At work when we’re giving feedback. At home in tough conversations. In moments with friends when they trust us enough to share what’s really going on.


In this episode, we explore:


  • How silence builds trust faster than reassurance
  • The neuroscience behind giving people space to think
  • Why the pause can change the way we lead, comfort, and connect
  • How to practice it in your everyday life


If you’ve ever wanted to show up better in the conversations that matter most, this one’s for you.


Here is more information on the studies referenced: 


  1. Physician–Patient Communication: The Relationship With Malpractice Claims (Wendy Levinson et al., JAMA 1997)
  2. How to Stop Saying “Um,” “Ah,” and “You Know” Harvard Business Review


Listen to the full episode with Dr. Rahul Jandial: https://pod.fo/e/251425




Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Gareth Southgate: The Truth About Leaving England (E380)
<p>We welcome back Gareth Southgate to High Performance for his most open and reflective conversation yet.&nbsp;</p><br><p>In this episode, Gareth breaks his silence on England’s “almost” era, revealing the fear of failure, pressure of history, and fine margins that have shaped h ... Show More
1h 16m
Nov 21
Stop Caring What Everyone Thinks
<p>Most of us care far too much about what other people think, and it’s holding us back.</p><br><p>In this episode, Jake and Damian break down how to free yourself from the need for approval, drawing on powerful insights from Adam Grant, Fernando Alonso, Mat Fraser, Mark Manson, ... Show More
26m 35s
Nov 19
Why Fear Is Not a Weakness: UFC Champion Tom Aspinall
<p><em>Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off to be in with a chance of winning: </em><a href="https://hppod.co/HPComp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>htt ... Show More
27m 54s
Recommended Episodes
Dec 2023
The Hard Truth About Psychology, Learning New Skills, & Making Mistakes with Dr. Art Markman & Dr. Bob Duke
In this episode we discuss whether time speeds up as we get older, why your life story only makes sense looking in reverse, whether or not brain games actually work, the importance of proactive learning instead of passive learning, why psychology confirms all your worst fears abo ... Show More
52m 42s
Oct 2024
Change Your Brain: #1 Neuroscientist’s Exercise Protocol for Peak Energy and Focus
<p>This episode will change your brain forever.</p><p>World-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki is here to share new research around the brain-changing benefits of exercise. Dr. Suzuki is the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at New York University and is a leading re ... Show More
1h 6m
Mar 2025
Manage Your Emotions So They Don’t Manage You | Dr. Ethan Kross
<p><em>How much control do we really have over our emotions? And what if the key to mastering them is easier than you think?</em></p><p>This week’s conversation is a special one. It was recorded in front of a live audience at <strong>Live Talks Los Angeles</strong>, where I had t ... Show More
59m 50s
Oct 2
Use Your Mind to Heal Your Body With the #1 Harvard Psychologist
<p>What if everything you’ve been told about health, stress, and aging is wrong? </p><p>Today, the legendary Dr. Ellen Langer – pioneering Harvard psychologist and global mindfulness legend, renowned for her 50+ years of groundbreaking research – joins Mel for the conversation of ... Show More
1h 18m
Jul 2025
#1 Neurosurgeon: How to Manifest Anything You Want & Unlock the Unlimited Power of Your Mind (In Memory of Dr. Jim Doty)
<p>This is one of the single best conversations ever had on the podcast. </p><p>Today, in honor of Dr. Jim Doty, Mel is sharing this episode on manifestation, neuroscience, and what’s truly possible when you unlock the power of your mind and heart.</p><p>Dr. Doty was truly an ext ... Show More
1h 20m
Sep 29
This One Research Study Will Change How You Think About Your Entire Life
<p>What if the world became a better place by becoming better, more authentic versions of ourselves?</p><p>Despite what the headlines and social media might suggest, we’re not as divided as we think. Most people want the same core things: to be a good person, to live with integri ... Show More
1h 30m
Apr 2025
Master Hypnotist Reveals The Manifestation Formula That’s MORE Powerful Than The Law of Attraction | Jim Curtis
<p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/money" target="_blank">Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!</a></p><p>I was captivated by Jim Curtis's profound insight that most of our limitations are self-created "mind traps" we fall into without realizing it. As a master ... Show More
1h 28m
Nov 2024
TMHS 840: Your MIND is the Key to Healing Your BODY - With Dr. Joe Dispenza & Dr. Bruce Lipton
The human body has an amazing capacity to heal. Whether you’re dealing with an injury or an illness, there’s no denying the mind’s critical role in facilitating healing. But for most folks, understanding the powerful connection between the mind and the body takes practice – and t ... Show More
1h 25m
Apr 2025
How To Awaken Your Brain To Heal Yourself
<p><a href="https://lewishowes.com/money" target="_blank">Get my New York Times Bestselling book, Make Money Easy!</a></p><p>The awakened brain's extraordinary power to transform our mental health lies at the intersection of spirituality and neuroscience. This episode proves that ... Show More
1h 11m
Aug 2024
Life Lessons From a Hospice Doctor: You Have It Completely Backwards
<p>This one episode will change how you think about your entire life – and what comes after life ends. </p><p>You are going to learn how to let death, the regrets of the dying, and near death experiences shape your life.</p><p>Joining Mel today in this deeply profound and moving ... Show More
46m 18s