
Ep 76: Your Second Brain: How Gut Health Shapes Focus, Mood, and Executive Function (ft. Dr. Anastasia Galanopolous
From Focus Forward: An Executive Function Podcast by Beyond BookSmart
November 12, 2025 · 43 min · Episode 76
About this episode
This episode explores the connection between gut health and its impact on focus, mood, and executive function with Dr. Anastasia Galanopoulos.
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…
People in this episode
Host: Beyond BookSmart
Guest: Dr. Anastasia Galanopoulos
Topics covered
- gut health
- brain connection
- executive function
- nutrition
- mental health
Keywords
- gut-brain connection
- executive function
- mental health
- nutrition
- microbiome
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Beyond BookSmart
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