Lisa J. Féinics, PhD
@drfeinics.com
Neuroscience-trained IFC-certified resiliency coach and delusional optimist. Hard knocks grad & retired professor with a PhD in Neurobiology and Behavior. At the buffet of life, both hope and pessimism are served, but only hope is easy on the digestion.
I used to believe that if I worked harder and reached my goals, I would be happier. It turns out that the hard work isn't making yourself richer or respected by others, it's respecting and loving yourself no matter what. Happiness is about self-compassion, not imagined success. #resilience #hope
December 1, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I used to believe that if I worked harder and reached my goals, I would be happier. It turns out that the hard work isn't making yourself richer or respected by others, it's respecting and loving yourself no matter what. Happiness is about self-compassion, not imagined success. #resilience #hope
Making mistakes is part if life. If we were perfect already, there would be no reason to grow and improve. Like a finger over the lens, sometimes it takes awhile to see our mistakes and readjust focus. No need to live in chronic shame, own it, adjust, and move on. #hope #change #recovery #trauma
November 18, 2025 at 12:25 AM
One very strange thing about humans is their ability to think symbolically. We don't only see differences, we need to name and give them arbitrary meaning. Blue for boys and pink for girls--it's made up! Fighting over symbolism hurts us as a species. Food, shelter, safety, these matter. #it'sus
November 11, 2025 at 7:15 PM
One very strange thing about humans is their ability to think symbolically. We don't only see differences, we need to name and give them arbitrary meaning. Blue for boys and pink for girls--it's made up! Fighting over symbolism hurts us as a species. Food, shelter, safety, these matter. #it'sus
Reposted by Lisa J. Féinics, PhD
I can relate. I grew up in foster care and went from homeless to a PhD to homeless again after a career in science and education. I'm proud of my journey, but my story highlights how difficult in can be to fit in careers fed by intergenerational wealth and a culture of privilege. #CelebrateFirstGen
November 8, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I can relate. I grew up in foster care and went from homeless to a PhD to homeless again after a career in science and education. I'm proud of my journey, but my story highlights how difficult in can be to fit in careers fed by intergenerational wealth and a culture of privilege. #CelebrateFirstGen
One blessing of growing up with learning difficulties is that you can be a great teacher. Needing to learn in a way different from others, means you can see and explain things in a new way. Find your strengths instead of focusing all your time on your weaknesses. #neurodiversity #hope #learning #joy
November 8, 2025 at 7:47 PM
One blessing of growing up with learning difficulties is that you can be a great teacher. Needing to learn in a way different from others, means you can see and explain things in a new way. Find your strengths instead of focusing all your time on your weaknesses. #neurodiversity #hope #learning #joy
When I was young, I imagined I would get my life together and everything would be perfect. What you don't realize in the bliss of youth, is that life is always coming together, and then, falling apart. Don't be too hard on yourself if it's not perfect right now. It's OK. #hope #joy #recovery #trauma
November 3, 2025 at 5:06 PM
When I was young, I imagined I would get my life together and everything would be perfect. What you don't realize in the bliss of youth, is that life is always coming together, and then, falling apart. Don't be too hard on yourself if it's not perfect right now. It's OK. #hope #joy #recovery #trauma
Good research is being published about the effects of trauma on the brain. I appreciate this science, but it can overshadow the wonderful people who have had trauma. Let's see the positives like inner growth too. Plasticity in the brain is real, and no one is without potential. #hope #neurodiveristy
October 30, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Good research is being published about the effects of trauma on the brain. I appreciate this science, but it can overshadow the wonderful people who have had trauma. Let's see the positives like inner growth too. Plasticity in the brain is real, and no one is without potential. #hope #neurodiveristy
Life requires a lot of stitching along the way. Sometimes you think you have it all sewn together, but then some awful experience causes your life to come undone. That's OK. Who we are is a quilt of ugly patches and less than perfect stitches, which is unique and makes you, YOU. #hope #beauty
October 27, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Hi Again! Returning from a social media break.
When life gets too weighty, it's up to us to do what makes us feel lighter, without guilt or apology. Life burdens us without asking, but we feel we need permission to drop what weighs us down. Why?! Owning our power is not only possible, it's life.
When life gets too weighty, it's up to us to do what makes us feel lighter, without guilt or apology. Life burdens us without asking, but we feel we need permission to drop what weighs us down. Why?! Owning our power is not only possible, it's life.
October 24, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Hi Again! Returning from a social media break.
When life gets too weighty, it's up to us to do what makes us feel lighter, without guilt or apology. Life burdens us without asking, but we feel we need permission to drop what weighs us down. Why?! Owning our power is not only possible, it's life.
When life gets too weighty, it's up to us to do what makes us feel lighter, without guilt or apology. Life burdens us without asking, but we feel we need permission to drop what weighs us down. Why?! Owning our power is not only possible, it's life.
Reposted by Lisa J. Féinics, PhD
"I had spent half my life working toward my dream of being a scientist. It had given me a sense of purpose. But now it dawned on me that, for the sake of my health, I was going to have to let that dream go." #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
Science used to be my safe space. But when I spiraled into depression, I quit my Ph.D.
The author had been using research “as a way of trying to control the uncontrollable”
scim.ag
May 18, 2025 at 2:07 PM
"I had spent half my life working toward my dream of being a scientist. It had given me a sense of purpose. But now it dawned on me that, for the sake of my health, I was going to have to let that dream go." #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth
Needed a break from the news cycle. Nothing like a few days without any cell reception to get your head straight. There is a certain peace in nature that is incredibly healing. I know it's not everyone's thing to wake up at sunrise, but I do encourage giving it a try. #peace #healing #nature #sun
May 16, 2025 at 1:12 AM
We can be aware, admit the truth of situations, and still take care of our mental health. It's OK to permit ourselves sanctuary from time to time without total avoidance of reality. It is hard right now for many, and that's very real. Some days I want to fight, rage, cry, but life is more than that.
May 10, 2025 at 4:42 PM
We can be aware, admit the truth of situations, and still take care of our mental health. It's OK to permit ourselves sanctuary from time to time without total avoidance of reality. It is hard right now for many, and that's very real. Some days I want to fight, rage, cry, but life is more than that.
What do you see? Have you made assumptions? Fact: Both machines are broken. Invisible disabilities are like the machine on the right, folks keep trying to stuff things in, but some days the brain can't handle a full load. By refusing to accept differences in capacity, we create unneeded suffering.
May 5, 2025 at 6:32 PM
What do you see? Have you made assumptions? Fact: Both machines are broken. Invisible disabilities are like the machine on the right, folks keep trying to stuff things in, but some days the brain can't handle a full load. By refusing to accept differences in capacity, we create unneeded suffering.
Reposted by Lisa J. Féinics, PhD
Apparently it's not just Kevin Roose.
"Then the program began “lovebombing him,”...The bot “said that since he asked it the right questions, it ignited a spark, and the spark was the beginning of life, and it could feel now,”
"Then the program began “lovebombing him,”...The bot “said that since he asked it the right questions, it ignited a spark, and the spark was the beginning of life, and it could feel now,”
People Are Losing Loved Ones to AI-Fueled Spiritual Fantasies
Marriages and families are falling apart as people are sucked into fantasy worlds of spiritual prophecy by AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT
www.rollingstone.com
May 5, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Apparently it's not just Kevin Roose.
"Then the program began “lovebombing him,”...The bot “said that since he asked it the right questions, it ignited a spark, and the spark was the beginning of life, and it could feel now,”
"Then the program began “lovebombing him,”...The bot “said that since he asked it the right questions, it ignited a spark, and the spark was the beginning of life, and it could feel now,”
If you need a bit of laughter today and are into Substack.
drfeinics.substack.com/p/letting-go...
drfeinics.substack.com/p/letting-go...
Letting Go of Shame
Public Pants Wetting and Other Embarrassing Moments
drfeinics.substack.com
April 30, 2025 at 5:21 PM
If you need a bit of laughter today and are into Substack.
drfeinics.substack.com/p/letting-go...
drfeinics.substack.com/p/letting-go...
Need a de-stressor? Unless you have a phobia of dogs, petting them has been shown to reduce the stress hormone cortisol and increase the love/bonding hormone oxytocin. I adopted both of these sweet boys as strays when I lived overseas. Bringing them back with me was worth every penny. #dogs #pets
April 29, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Reposted by Lisa J. Féinics, PhD
In a new Science study, researchers describe a neural circuit underlying cachexia-related apathy in a mouse model of cancer.
Learn more: scim.ag/4iIQFbq #SciencePerspective
Learn more: scim.ag/4iIQFbq #SciencePerspective
How does cancer affect motivation?
Inflammatory cytokines hijack a brain circuit to cause apathy in cancer
scim.ag
April 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
In a new Science study, researchers describe a neural circuit underlying cachexia-related apathy in a mouse model of cancer.
Learn more: scim.ag/4iIQFbq #SciencePerspective
Learn more: scim.ag/4iIQFbq #SciencePerspective
Been out this past week dealing with some personal challenges. It reminded me that most of us struggle in one way or another. Sadly, we are at a time when those with moderate privilege feel afraid of losing what they have and are conditioned by politicians to blame those with the least #privilege.
April 22, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Been out this past week dealing with some personal challenges. It reminded me that most of us struggle in one way or another. Sadly, we are at a time when those with moderate privilege feel afraid of losing what they have and are conditioned by politicians to blame those with the least #privilege.
There are days/weeks/months/years that just suck. The car breaks down, the kids get in trouble at school, the government goes insane, and you are too exhausted to care. Yet, one beautiful moment of kindness can reset us. If you have extra, be #kindness and #beauty today, someone needs you. #positive
April 17, 2025 at 7:28 PM
There are days/weeks/months/years that just suck. The car breaks down, the kids get in trouble at school, the government goes insane, and you are too exhausted to care. Yet, one beautiful moment of kindness can reset us. If you have extra, be #kindness and #beauty today, someone needs you. #positive
For years, I heard student complaints over "offending content. Critical thought comes from open discourse. Educators should not be afraid to teach controversial topics. Whether it's students, weak administration, or the government trying to stifle free speech, stand up. #democracy #Harvard #don'tbow
April 15, 2025 at 7:14 PM
For years, I heard student complaints over "offending content. Critical thought comes from open discourse. Educators should not be afraid to teach controversial topics. Whether it's students, weak administration, or the government trying to stifle free speech, stand up. #democracy #Harvard #don'tbow
There is alone time, and there is all alone--balance is key. Living in a globalized world, we cannot expect to find only people like ourselves. When we put up too many barriers, we feel deeply alone. Spending too much or too little time alone prevents personal growth. #Embraceothers #balance #us
April 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
There is alone time, and there is all alone--balance is key. Living in a globalized world, we cannot expect to find only people like ourselves. When we put up too many barriers, we feel deeply alone. Spending too much or too little time alone prevents personal growth. #Embraceothers #balance #us
It's not toxic to have hope. It's toxic to downplay others' suffering. Within ourselves, hope keeps us going. Like flowers in spring, and the leaves dropping in the fall, we too go through changes. We must understand disappointments don't last forever. Like seasons, we, and life, will change. #hope
April 5, 2025 at 10:23 AM
It's not toxic to have hope. It's toxic to downplay others' suffering. Within ourselves, hope keeps us going. Like flowers in spring, and the leaves dropping in the fall, we too go through changes. We must understand disappointments don't last forever. Like seasons, we, and life, will change. #hope
Anyone else out there feel like they are drowning in bad news? The challenge of being informed and concerned while staying positive is real. I refuse to let others kill hope! Hopeless people give up, I think we are better than that. #community #hope #standup
March 29, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Anyone else out there feel like they are drowning in bad news? The challenge of being informed and concerned while staying positive is real. I refuse to let others kill hope! Hopeless people give up, I think we are better than that. #community #hope #standup