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Artwork for Performance Neurology

Performance Neurology with Josh Turknett, MD

Josh Turknett, MD
Neuroplasticity
Music Learning
Banjo
Brain
Learning
Nelson Dellis
Music Education
Performance Anxiety
Motivation
Anyone Can Play Music
Neuroscience
Spotlight Effect
Discipline
Combinatorial Skills
Pickleball
Music
Brain Change
Practice Methods
Motor Skill Learning
Error Rate

Extraordinary minds are built from ordinary brains. This show is about how to build yours, and how to get out of its way when it counts. I'm Josh Turknett, a neurologist and the author of The Genius and the Impostor. I talk with people who have built remarkable skills, from a three-time Grammy-winning guitarist and a six-time USA Memory Champion to a man who stuttered for more than sixty years, th... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes47Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Life SciencesHealth & FitnessScience

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Artwork for Performance Neurology

Latest Episodes

For more than sixty years, Ron Ruiz stuttered. It shaped his school years and kept him from flying for the airlines. Through decades of therapy, the advice he kept hearing was to accept it. Then, after he retired, Ron started learning the banjo, and ... more

Banjo player Bennett Sullivan was sure he'd ruined a Broadway show with one flubbed intro, and the research on how audiences actually hear our mistakes explains why almost nobody noticed.

Links:

• Order the bookThe Genius and the Impostor at Gen... more

Bennett Sullivan has played banjo on Broadway, at the Grand Ole Opry, and on the Poker Face soundtrack. By any measure, he belongs on any stage. And for years, he couldn't convince himself of it. In this episode, Bennett is honest about the gap betwe... more

More from Josh:

• The Genius and the Impostor is out now: geniusandimpostor.com

• Brains, Banjos and Beyond (newsletter): joshturknett.substack.com

• Keynotes and workshops: joshturknett.com/speaking

• Instagram: https:/... more

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Recent Guests

Ron Ruiz
Stuttering survivor and former pilot who retrained his brain to stop stuttering at 70
Episode: How Ron Ruiz Rewired His Brain at 70
Bennett Sullivan
Banjo player mentioned in the episode
Episode: Your Inner Critic Is Not Reality
Bryan Sutton
Guitarist, renowned flat-picker and multiple-time award-winning musician
Notable musician featured in episode
Episode: The Making Of A "Natural" (Bryan Sutton)
Nelson Dellis
6th time US Memory Champion
Memory Championship
Episode: The Genius Arc: How Nelson Dellis Beat the Panic Before His 6th Title

Host

Dr. Josh Turknett
Host of the show

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 28 ratings
  • Brain training for music

    Excellent accompaniment to the book, and my guitar learning journey.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Genufix
    United States10 months ago
  • Excellent

    What a great was to help us learn to look at building a skill differently. I always find at least one thing to take with me during each podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sterling1201
    United States2 years ago
  • Brilliant!!

    As a musician, something I’ve become increasingly aware of over the past few ears is that it is CRUCIAL to understand HOW TO PRACTICE. It may seem obvious but overall, it’s not. What I find most compelling about Josh’s advice is that he is both a musician AND a NEUROLOGIST!! Who better qualified to understand the SCIENCE behind how our brains learn. He’s also a big advocate- as am I - of the idea that Talent is that important. IWhat mostly matters is understanding the practice of learning ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    soundsgood5
    Canada2 years ago
  • Love Dr. Josh’s methods!

    I highly recommend this podcast for the adult learner of any musical instrument. Lots of great information and inspiration!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sadie's art
    United States3 years ago
  • excellent

    I'm not a banjo player; I find these applicable to learning other things because the examples are very concrete. When I'm stuck, I try approaching something related and the stickiness soon evaporates.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bob6.022E23
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Shows real-world usefulness, not just theory
Guest choices feel credible and relevant to skill-building
Clear, science-based explanations paired with practical steps
Accessible for non-experts while still rigorous
Focus on practice and mindset resonates with performers and lifelong learners

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How 3x Grammy Winner Bryan Sutton Gets Out of His Own Way
Q: What is the hardest part about performing under pressure, and how do you handle that in the moment?
The hardest part is getting out of your own way, especially when peering at a room of peers; the solution is external focus, mindfulness, and staying in the present with the music and the people.
How 3x Grammy Winner Bryan Sutton Gets Out of His Own Way
Q: What strategies do you use to quiet the thoughts that creep in before performances?
He uses a mix of awareness, breath work, external focus on the listening environment, and internal strategies from The Inner Game of Music to balance allowing and effort.
How 6x Memory Champion Nelson Dellis Built His Memory From Scratch
Q: How did you move from being middle-of-the-pack to winning multiple times?
Progress came from disciplined, targeted practice on the events that were in the records, monitoring performance with stats, and gradually arming himself with higher-stakes rehearsal, including public practice to reduce stress and improve consistency under pressure.
How 6x Memory Champion Nelson Dellis Built His Memory From Scratch
Q: What actually happens at a memory championship and what is a memory athlete?
Nelson explains that events involve memorizing sequences like decks of cards under time pressure, then re-assembling them in order on stage, with scores based on accuracy first and time second; there are varying formats across championships, but the core challenge is extreme short-term memory and rapid recall.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Performance Neurology

What is Performance Neurology about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Performance-focused neuroscience podcast exploring how brains learn, stay present under pressure, and get out of their own way. Across episodes, frequent themes include growth mindset, deliberate practice, brain plasticity, and practical mental strategies for performers and learners. Noteworthy angles include blending clinical neuroscience with real-world performance (music, memory, public speaking), actionable routines like breathing, visualization, and pre-performance states. The show often features high-caliber guests from music, memory sports, and cognitive science, and it leans toward science-backed, long-term performance improvements over quick fixes.

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How many listeners does Performance Neurology get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Performance Neurology?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Performance Neurology:

1. The Peter Attia Drive
2. The Fretboard Journal Guitar Podcast
3. Office Hours with Arthur Brooks
4. FoundMyFitness
5. The Headlines

How many episodes of Performance Neurology are there?

Performance Neurology launched 4 years ago and published 47 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Performance Neurology?

Recent guests on Performance Neurology include:

1. Ron Ruiz
2. Bennett Sullivan
3. Bryan Sutton
4. Nelson Dellis

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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