The science behind 'renewing your mind' and changing your habits.

“Take every thought captive isn’t just Scripture. It’s neuroscience.”

“Your brain is actively rewiring itself every second. The question is: Will you do it on purpose?”

That’s from my fascinating conversation with Dr. Lee Warren. Dr. Lee isn’t just a neurosurgeon—he’s a husband, father, Iraq War veteran, and grieving dad who lost his 19-year-old son in a tragic and mysterious death. He’s also one of the most compelling voices today on how faith and neuroscience intersect to transform your life.

In this episode, I talk to Dr. Lee about the mind-blowing science of neuroplasticity, what it means to “do self-brain surgery,” the science behind the Bible’s commands regarding our thinking, and how trauma—if we let it—can either define us or refine us. Dr. Lee opens up about surviving more than 100 mortar attacks during the Iraq War, his battle with PTSD, and how he and his wife Lisa rebuilt their lives (and faith) after the unimaginable loss of their son.

But this isn’t just a story of suffering. It’s a story of redemption. It’s a masterclass in how to find hope again—even after the worst day of your life. And it’s essential for anyone who has been told to “renew your mind” but never felt like that mandate came with any how-to instructions.

We explore:
—The night Dr. Lee got caught outside in a mortar attack with no gear
—What PTSD taught him about unprocessed trauma and healing
—Losing his 19-year-old son—and how that reshaped his faith
—Why the brain can literally change based on what you choose to think about
—How Scripture aligns with neuroscience on anxiety, gratitude, and transformation
—The connection between addiction, neuroplasticity, and the lies we believe
—The principle of “loss to legacy” and how suffering can become ministry

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About this week's guest: Dr. Lee Warren

Dr. Lee Warren is a board-certified neurosurgeon, Iraq War veteran, and author of several books, including No Place to Hide and Hope Is the First Dose. After experiencing extreme trauma both on and off the battlefield, including the loss of his teenage son, Dr. Lee developed what he calls “self-brain surgery”—a practical and faith-based approach to rewiring the mind through Scripture and neuroscience. He hosts the popular podcast, Self-Brain Surgery, and writes a weekly newsletter at drleewarren.substack.com.

Resources and links

• Subscribe to Dr. Lee’s newsletter: drleewarren.substack.com

• Listen to the Self-Brain Surgery podcast

• Dr. Lee’s books

• Sign up to be a future guest at ChristianAlcoholic.com

• Explore more podcasts at LifeAudio.com

Key moments

03:00 – Dr. Lee shares his background, early marriage, and control issues as a neurosurgeon
05:00 – Serving in Iraq and surviving over 100 mortar attacks
07:00 – A turning point during a mortar attack and realizing he was not in control
09:00 – PTSD flashbacks and Lisa’s push to unpack his war trauma
10:00 – Finding the thumb drive and reconnecting with a soldier he saved
12:00 – The tragic, mysterious loss of his 19-year-old son
16:00 – Witnessing neuroplasticity in action through functional brain scans
18:00 – Philippians 4 and the power of thought to impact brain function
21:00 – Why Lee didn’t turn to substances, and what kept him anchored
24:00 – Getting to the root of his grief and learning to process suffering
27:00 – Turning loss into legacy and how Mitch’s life continues to help others
31:00 – Neuroplasticity explained: how the brain rebuilds and renews itself
38:00 – Scripture and neuroscience: “take every thought captive” in action
42:00 – Gratitude vs. anxiety: how the brain literally can’t do both at once
46:00 – Dr. Lee previews The Life-Changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery

Quotes

• “Suffering stops being suffering when you find purpose in it.”

• “Anesthesia is great in the OR, but terrible when you're trying to change your mind.”

• “You’re not just your brain—and you’re not stuck with the brain you have.”

• “Take every thought captive isn’t just Scripture. It’s neuroscience.”

• “We can’t be anxious and thankful at the same time. It’s neurologically impossible.”

• “Your brain is actively rewiring itself every second. The question is: will you do it on purpose?”

• “We can be defined by our suffering—or refined by it. That’s the choice.”

Video

Watch the video version of this episode: