"Being authentic to oneself can be a superpower."

In this episode of the Unbreakable Podcast, Kait sits down with Dr. Ty McKinney (Ty the Neuro Guy), an Alberta-born neuroscience researcher and founder of 8Bit Cortex, to break down what burnout really is (spoiler: it’s not just “stress”), why our systems resist change, and how data + neurodiversity-informed thinking can reshape workplace wellness and addiction recovery outcomes.

We get into the brain side of modern life: media overload, survival mode vs abundance, emotional suppression, psychological safety, boundaries in white-collar culture, and why rest isn’t lazy, it’s biology. If you’ve felt fried, overstimulated, or like you can’t fully “turn off,” this conversation will hit.

This episode shows why burnout is often a body problem (hormones + recovery), not a motivation problem.

You’ll hear how social media and constant news can lock the brain into survival mode, and why “expressive suppression” (bottling it up) can backfire by revving the stress system even harder.

Ty also explains why white-collar work is uniquely vulnerable: no physical “end of shift,” blurred boundaries, guilt-driven availability, and the performance pressure that keeps people “on” late into the night.

And you’ll get a practical frame for sustainable wellbeing: rest + boundaries + psychological safety + presence, plus why better measurement matters in addiction recovery and human outcomes.

Want to ask a question for a future episode or be a guest? Drop a comment, DM us, or use the links on our website.

New episodes weekly. Protect your peace, chase your dreams, and stay Unbreakable.

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Connect with Ty + 8Bit Cortex:

• 8Bit Cortex: @8bitcortex (LinkedIn/Instagram)

• Email: info@8bitcortex.com

• Ty: @tytheneuroguy (LinkedIn/Instagram)

• Ty email: ty@8bitcortex.com

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In this Episode:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ty McKinney

01:31 The Journey from Therapist to Researcher

03:45 Cultural Dynamics of Alberta: Calgary vs. Edmonton

12:23 Media Consumption and Emotional Regulation

21:18 Navigating a Multi-Generational Workforce

24:05 The Importance of Authenticity in Communication

30:00 Transitioning from Survival to Abundance

34:08 The Perils of Perfectionism

36:08 Authenticity and Excellence: A Balancing Act

39:02 Understanding Burnout in the Workplace

44:44 The Role of Psychological Safety

50:46 Self-Care and Holistic Well-Being