In the conclusion of my book Read to Lead (BakerBooks, 2021), I argue that the evolution of our brains have been adversely impacted by technology. That books helped rewire our brains in a positive way when they came on the scene hundreds of years ago, and that today’s screens—and the ways in which we interact with them—are undoing much of that rewiring.

One only need to read the book written by today’s guest to confirm my not-so-positive assertion.

It’s called, appropriately, Rewired: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age and it’s written by Dr. Carl D. Marci.

He says that living in an age of digital distraction has wreaked havoc on our brains―but there’s much we can do to restore our tech–life balance.

We live in a world that is always on, where everyone is always connected. But we feel increasingly disconnected. Why? The answer lies in our brains.

Dr. Marci, a leading expert on social and consumer neuroscience, reviews the mounting evidence that overuse of smart phones and social media is rewiring our brains, resulting in a losing deal: we are neglecting the relationships that sustain us and keep us healthy in favor of weaker and more ephemeral ties.

As a psychiatrist working at the forefront of research on the impact of digital technology, Dr. Marci has seen this transformation up close and developed a range of responses. 

Rewired provides scientifically supported solutions for everyone who wants to restore their tech–life balance―from parents concerned about their children’s exposure to the internet to stressed workers dealing with the deluge of emails and managing the expectation of 24/7 availability.

I hope you’ll click the play button below to learn more about Carl and his work. For a summary, just keep scrolling.

Join in on our chat below

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In today’s episode, I ask Carl about:

• The effect of digital media consumption on our attentions spans
• The consequences of spending time with an increasing number of virtual “friends” rather than investing in real-world relationships
• The impact on our health of spending more time indoors than our ancestors
• What it means to choose JOMO over FOMO
• And plenty more!

Order Carl’s Book

You can order your copy of Rewired: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age right now!

Consider Ordering My Book Too!

Purchase a copy of my new book (written with Jesse Wisnewski) Read to Lead: The Simple Habit That Expands Your Influence and Boosts Your Career. There, you can also download the introduction and first chapter for free!

Note-Making Mastery Cohort or the Read to Lead Community

Get notified when I open up my next Note-Making Mastery Cohort for registration (space is limited)! Conversely, try ReadtoLead+ free for thirty days.

Books Carl Recommends

The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are by Daniel J. Siegel

Check Out These Additional Resources

Grab a copy of Carl’s book now.

Find out more about Carl at his website.

Consider inviting Carl to speak to your group or organization.

Connect with Carl personally on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Finally, thanks for listening and remember, “Leaders read and readers lead.”