The Science of Feeling Stuck

About this episode

This episode explores the brain science behind feelings of being stuck in sadness and the mechanisms of resilience and emotional recovery.

Why do some people feel trapped in sadness, while others lose their sense of motivation and purpose? In this episode of Road to Resilience, host Stephen Calabria speaks with Dr. Martijn Figee about the brain science behind depression, resilience, and emotional recovery. A leader in the study of deep brain stimulation and psychiatric neuromodulation, Dr. Figee explains how different brain circuits govern mood, reward, stress, and motivation—and how understanding those systems may reshape...

People in this episode

Host: Stephen Calabria

Guest: Dr. Martijn Figee

Topics covered

• depression
• resilience
• emotional recovery
• brain science
• motivation
• mental health

Keywords

• depression
• resilience
• brain circuits
• motivation
• emotional recovery
• mental health
• psychiatric neuromodulation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mount Sinai Health System

More episodes of Road to Resilience

• Women's Health Reimagined · June 11, 2026 · 45 min
• Turning Off the Noise · May 28, 2026 · 31 min
• From Caregiver to Patient · April 30, 2026 · 32 min
• The Science of Resilience · April 16, 2026 · 46 min
• Seeing the Light · April 2, 2026 · 39 min
• Self-Care for the New Year · January 8, 2026 · 32 min