159. The Evolved Brain: How To Thrive In A Complex World / Dr Paul Goldsmith

159. The Evolved Brain: How To Thrive In A Complex World / Dr Paul Goldsmith

From In Conversation with Nathalie Nahai by Nathalie Nahai

February 28, 2026 · 1h 6m

About this episode

Nathalie Nahai speaks with Dr Paul Goldsmith about the evolving brain and how to thrive in a complex world.

To kick off this new season, I’m speaking with Dr Paul Goldsmith, a neuroscientist and practising neurologist with a background in founding and building life sciences companies across both the drug and digital therapeutics space, in addition to NHS systems and strategic experience, clinical networks, vanguard and clinical senate roles. Having studied natural sciences at the University of Cambridge and gained a clinical scholarship from the University of Oxford, Paul undertook postgraduate medical training in Oxford, at the National Hospital for Neurology in London, and in Cambridge, and went on to take a Ph.D. in developmental neuroscience at Cambridge, which lead to an interest in evolutionary medicine. A visiting professor at Imperial College London in the Institute of Global Health Innovation, he is also the author of a new book, “The Evolving Brain: How to thrive in a world we weren’t meant for”, a guide that draws from his clinical to offer compassionate, practical insights on the evolutionary origins of our brain and how we can best use it to thrive in our daily lives. Given the increasing complexity and turbulence we face today, this felt like a poignant place from which…

People in this episode

Host: Nathalie Nahai

Guest: Dr Paul Goldsmith

Topics covered

  • neuroscience
  • evolutionary medicine
  • mental health
  • complexity
  • modern life

Keywords

  • neuroscience
  • evolutionary medicine
  • mental health
  • complexity
  • brain function
  • modern challenges
  • clinical insights

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Imperial College London

Books & works: The Evolving Brain: How to thrive in a world we weren’t meant for

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