“It’s neurobiologically impossible to think deeply about something you don’t care about.” — Dr. Missy Widmann
Artificial intelligence is transforming education — but what does that mean for the human brain? In this episode of Vetted by Mark Vetter, Mark sits down with Dr. Missy Widmann, cofounder of Neural Education and Visiting Professor at Pacific Lutheran University, to explore how neuroscience, emotion, and technology intersect in today’s classrooms.
Dr. Widmann brings decades of experience as an educator and researcher. Her passion lies in connecting the science of how the brain learns with how teachers design instruction. From her early years teaching anatomy and physiology in the Bethel School District to cofounding Neural Education, her journey has been guided by one central question: How can we teach with the brain in mind?
Dr. Widmann’s work is grounded in the research of Dr. Marian Diamond, one of the first neuroscientists to prove that the brain can grow and change throughout life — a concept known as neuroplasticity.
According to Diamond’s research, five environmental factors support brain growth:
Diet: What fuels the brain also fuels learning.
Exercise: Physical movement increases attention, regulation, and brain connectivity.
Productive Struggle: Challenge and curiosity strengthen neural pathways.
Novelty: Exposure to new and meaningful experiences boosts engagement.
Love and Belonging: Human connection provides the emotional safety necessary for learning.
Dr. Widmann explains that when these five conditions are present, students’ brains adapt and grow. But when stress, isolation, or overreliance on technology replace authentic engagement, those same neural pathways weaken.
One of the most thought-provoking parts of the conversation centers on AI’s impact on developing minds. As Dr. Widmann puts it, “If we outsource our thinking to AI, we’re not creating adaptation in the brain.”
When students rely on AI to complete tasks instead of working through problems themselves, they miss out on the “productive struggle” that drives learning. The brain strengthens through effort, reflection, and emotional investment—processes that can’t be automated.
Still, Dr. Widmann sees AI as a potential ally in learning, not a threat. The key is how educators integrate it. She encourages teachers to use AI as a thinking partner, helping students ask better questions, explore ideas they care about, and analyze information more critically.
Mark and Missy also touch on how educators can guide students to use AI responsibly: by promoting curiosity over convenience and emphasizing that critical thinking and creativity remain human strengths.
Dr. Widmann draws from another leading researcher, Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, who found that emotion is essential for deep learning. “It’s neurobiologically impossible to think deeply about something you don’t care about,” she says.
That insight reframes how teachers approach instruction. Engagement isn’t just about attention — it’s about emotional investment. When students see their interests reflected in lessons, or when they feel seen and valued by their teachers, their brains literally form stronger connections.
Dr. Widmann encourages educators to build lessons around students’ “funds of knowledge” — the passions, experiences, and perspectives they bring into the classroom. When learning connects to what matters to them, students’ brains respond with curiosity and persistence.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway from the episode is the reminder that human connection is irreplaceable.
Dr. Widmann references Diamond’s famous “love” variable — how rats in nurturing environments lived 50% longer simply because they were cared for. The same holds true for humans: connection fuels both learning and longevity.
In schools, that means relationships aren’t an “extra.” They are the foundation for trust, motivation, and resilience. Teachers who take time to connect with their students—sharing laughter, conversation, and movement — are literally shaping how their students’ brains grow.
As Mark reflects, “The magic of learning happens through community, connection, and curiosity — something no AI can replicate.”
AI is here to stay, but the challenge for educators is to ensure it supports — not replaces — the core of teaching: human relationships, creativity, and meaning.
Dr. Widmann emphasizes that schools must remain spaces of belonging and curiosity, where students are guided by mentors who see them as individuals, not data points. Whether students are researching, problem-solving, or simply wondering about the world, their brains need struggle, connection, and care to truly grow.
As education evolves, “teaching with the brain in mind” means balancing innovation with humanity—leveraging technology to amplify the human experience, not diminish it.
Hear the full conversation on Vetted by Mark Vetter: Teaching with the Brain in Mind with Dr. Missy Widmann, available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Youtube, and wherever you stream.