Dr Lee Warren, neurosurgeon, Iraq war veteran and trauma survivor, blends clinical experience with faith. He discusses wartime brain surgery, delayed PTSD and profound grief. He explores neuroplasticity, the idea of intentionally rewiring thought patterns, metacognition and how questioning automatic thoughts can change your brain.
01:10:32
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Performing 200 Brain Surgeries In A Warzone
Lee Warren performed over 200 brain surgeries in 125 days at a tented field hospital in Iraq under mortar and rocket fire.
He described simultaneous multi‑specialty operations on severely wounded civilians and combatants with up to eight patients being treated at once.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Loss Of A Son Triggered Deep Grief And Faith Questions
In August 2013 Lee Warren's 19‑year‑old son Mitchell was stabbed to death, which threw his family into deep grief and theological questioning.
That tragedy catalysed Warren's writing and searching for scriptural promises that helped him rebuild faith and mental health.
insights INSIGHT
Thoughts Change Brain Activity And Physiology Instantly
Functional MRI showed thinking about a worst memory lights the amygdala and raises heart rate, while thinking about a best memory activates frontal regions and calms physiology.
Lee uses this to argue thoughts (mind) change brain activity and body responses in real time.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Luke Martin is joined by neurosurgeon, war veteran and author Dr Lee Warren for a powerful and deeply personal conversation on trauma, grief, the brain, and whether we can truly change how we think and live.
After performing over 200 brain surgeries in a warzone in Iraq, Lee returned home carrying the unseen wounds of PTSD. Years later, following the devastating loss of his son, he found himself confronting not just suffering, but the limits of a purely material understanding of the mind.
In this wide-ranging discussion, Lee explores the difference between brain and mind, why neuroscience alone may not explain consciousness, and how our thoughts can literally reshape our brains. Drawing on cutting-edge research, clinical experience and his Christian faith, he makes the case for what he calls “self brain surgery” — the idea that we can intentionally rewire our thinking to change our lives.
They discuss PTSD, grief, near-automatic thoughts, anxiety, ADHD, neuroplasticity, and the role of faith in recovery. Lee also reflects on suffering, the reliability of our emotions, and why learning to question our thoughts might be one of the most important skills we can develop.
A profound and practical conversation at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology and faith — and a hopeful vision for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed or defined by their past.
Subscribe & Support
👉 Support thought-provoking conversations and help keep the show going at www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate💡
🎧 Never miss an episode! Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast a www.premier.plus/unbelievable 🎙️
🔗 Get bonus content, updates, fascinating articles, and early access to new episodes - absolutely free! Join now at www.premierunbelievable.com 📢
Follow usInstagram: https://instagram.com/premierunbelievable
Facebook: https://facebook.com/premierunbelievable
Tik Tok: https://tiktok.com/@premier.unbelievable
X: https://x.com/UnbelievableFE
Unbelievable? 
