Dr. Jud on the Gabby Reece Show

Overview

In Episode 68 of The Gabby Reece Show, Dr. Jud sits down with host Gabby Reece to explore a central question: what would happen to our stress and anxiety if we approached life with genuine curiosity? Drawing on his years of research helping people overcome smoking, food addiction, and anxiety, Dr. Jud shares the neuroscience behind why curiosity is such a powerful tool for mental health.

The conversation stands out for its blend of rigorous science and practical lifestyle application. Dr. Jud explains the neural mechanisms that drive stress and habitual behavior, then translates those findings into realistic strategies that listeners can put into practice. Gabby Reece draws out both the “why” — what the research shows about how the brain forms and breaks habits — and the “how” — specific mindfulness exercises and daily practices that make lasting change possible.

Key Takeaways

• Curiosity is a neurological antidote to anxiety: Dr. Jud explains that curiosity and anxiety cannot coexist in the brain at the same time. When you shift from contracting around a worry to getting genuinely curious about it, the brain transitions into a learning state that naturally reduces the stress response.
• Science provides the why, lifestyle provides the how: Understanding that habits form through reward-based learning is important, but it is not enough on its own. Dr. Jud pairs the neuroscience with concrete daily practices — small, realistic habit change strategies that compound over time.
• Bad habits serve a function: Dr. Jud helps listeners see that smoking, stress-eating, and other compulsive behaviors are not signs of weakness — they are the brain’s attempt to solve a problem. Breaking bad habits starts with understanding what need the habit is trying to meet.

Listen to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or online here.

Related Resources

• Curiosity: Our Superpower for Breaking Habits
• Habit Change Strategies Reviewed
• A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit
• Mindfulness Exercises for Anxiety and Stress