How Learning Begins in the Brain: Sleep, Safety and Curiosity (Revisiting Dr. Baland Jalal) artwork
Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning

How Learning Begins in the Brain: Sleep, Safety and Curiosity (Revisiting Dr. Baland Jalal)

Feb 1, 2026 · 26 min

Andrea Samadi revisits a conversation with neuroscientist Dr. Baland Jalal about how curiosity launched his career and how transitional sleep states fuel creativity. The episode explores sleep paralysis research and the hypnagogic window—the moments before sleep and after waking when the brain makes unexpected connections. This week, Episode 384—based on our review of Episode 224, recorded in June…