FocusMatters
FocusMatters examines ways to enhance and maintain cognitive performance in high-demand environments. Each episode features in-depth conversations with experts from government, medicine, human performance, and design who share practical insights on brain health, focus, and cognitive capacity. Hosted by Noah Rolland, the show cuts through hype to deliver evidence-based strategies for thinking clearly, performing better, and sustaining a mental edge.
Episodes
15 episodes
A Weather Forecast for the Brain: Cognitive Readiness with Michael LeNeave
Michael LeNeave spent 23 years in Army aviation as a warrant officer and reconnaissance helicopter pilot, accumulating over 4,600 flight hours, many of them in Iraq and Afghanistan, flying the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior in close-proximity combat oper...
Above The Neck: Cognitive Load in the F-22 with Major Michael Broch
In this conversation, Noah sits down with Major Michael Broch — callsign "Mach" — an F-22 Raptor pilot currently at the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base. Mach walks through the cognitive reality of flying a fifth-gene...
The Science of Covert Consciousness with Dr. Brian Edlow
In this episode, Noah is joined by Brian Edlow, a neurologist at Harvard Medical School and Massachusett...
Tools for Improving Cognitive Vitality with Dr Jeremy Bettle
In this episode, Noah is joined by Dr. Jeremy Bettle, who discusses the intersection of cognitive development and athletic performance, emphasizing the importance of cognitive capacity in differentiating elite athletes. He shares in...
Build a High-Performance Brain: Fitness, Nutrition & Focus with Dr. Tommy Wood
In this episode of FocusMatters, Dr. Tommy Wood joins Noah to explore how to build and sustain a high-performing brain across the lifespan.Rather than focusing on disease, this conversation centers on cognitive reserve, resilience, and t...
Major Nick "Bane" Caraballo: A Day in the Life of a Weapons School Instructor
Decision making at the speed of sound.In this episode, I sit down with Major Nicholas Clifton Caraballo, an Air Force pilot at the prestigious USAF Weapons School (think Top Gun for the Air Force), and we explore the cognitive demands of...
Panel Discussion: Cognitive Training in the Real World
Cognitive training is everywhere right now across elite sports and the military.What is far less clear is what it actually looks like when applied in real world, high pressure environments, and how well current approaches are supported ...
How Great Brands Earn Your Attention with Will Misselbrook
Few people understand the power of branding in sports better than Will Misselbrook who led the rebranding campaign for the Washington Commanders while being the first person to hold the title of Chief Creative Officer in the history of the NFL....
Don Moxley: A Deep Dive Into Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
In this episode, we are joined by Don Moxley, a renowned expert in heart rate variability (HRV) and human performance. We discuss the significance of HRV as a key performance indicator, its relationship with recovery, and how it can be measured...
Dr Joe LaPlaca: Optimizing Vision and Cognitive Performance Driven by Metrics and Data
In this conversation, Dr. Joe LaPlaca discusses the critical role of vision in sports performance and how his facility, Aries Elite Sports Vision, addresses the often-overlooked aspects of visual and cognitive training for athletes. He emphasiz...
The Mental Game of Golf with Rick Sessinghaus
Everyone who ever picks up a club learns quickly that golf is a game reliant on mental skills. No other sport has the "rest" to "activity" ratio of golf, and therefore, no other sport gives you more time to dwell on your performance. Great golf...
Mental Skills from the Air Force Research Labs to Red Bull with Anne Shadle
Anne Shadle has been helping athletes across multiple sports and multiple domains for the last decade, including work with USA Baseball, USATF, AFRL, the New York Jets, and now Red Bull.In this conversation, we discuss her extensive back...
Critical Principles of Cognitive Training for Sports and Life with Justin Foster
In this conversation, Justin Foster shares his journey from sports psychology to cognitive training, emphasizing the importance of integrating cognitive skills into athletic performance. He discusses the evolution of sports psychology, the ...
Cognitive Performance and the LA Galaxy: a conversation with Michael Rabasca
In this conversation, Michael Rabasca, the Director of Cognitive Performance for the LA Galaxy, shares his unique journey and insights into the integration of cognitive training within sports. He discusses the evolution of cognitive...
Design Thinking and Attention with Matt Cooke
In this conversation, Matt Cooke, the Creative Director of Iron Creative, discusses the evolution of design in the context of changing consumer behavior, attention spans, and the impact of technology. He emphasizes the importance of...