Dopamine Nation
by Dr. Anna Lembke
Presented by: Marisa Ortiz
Dopamine Nation was written by Anna Lembke, a Professor and Medical Director at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic. Published in 2021, it became an instant New York Times bestseller.
We are the first generation of leaders forced to manage high-stakes goals while resisting a “24/7 digital candy store.” Dr. Anna Lembke, Chief of the Stanford Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, explores how our pursuit of constant connectivity creates a neurobiological deficit that compromises executive clarity and resilience.
The 5 High-Level Takeaways:
· The Pleasure-Pain Seesaw: Why professional “highs”—like clearing an inbox or closing a deal—are biologically followed by periods of restlessness and anxiety.
· Protecting Executive Focus: The physical impact of digital multitasking on the prefrontal cortex and how to restore capacity for long-term strategy.
· The Reset Strategy: Why intentional “fasts” from high-dopamine triggers are required to find joy in the “slow work” of building a career.
· Radical Honesty: The link between personal transparency and mental stamina; why authenticity is a biological shortcut to sustained energy.
· The Intercultural Connection: How safeguarding your “cognitive bandwidth” is the secret to staying empathetic and culturally agile under pressure.
Join EBR and fellow lifelong learners for a discussion of this book led by Marisa. She will review its strategic framework and guide us in a collective conversation to foster leadership growth within our community.
WHEN:
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
Meet and Greet: 5:30 PM – 5:45 PM (US Central Time)
Presentation: 5:45 PM – 7:00 PM (US Central Time)
Meet Life Long Learners and Open Discussion:
7:00 PM – 7:30 PM (US Central Time)
WHERE (either):
In Person
CHRISTUS Heritage Hall, The Village at Incarnate Word
Braodway at Burr Road
San Antonio, TX 78209
or VIA ZOOM
Presentation:
5:45 PM – 7:00 PM (US Central Time)
**You must register to receive the Zoom Link**
You do not need to have read the book to attend the event.
If you would like to invite other colleagues to join this conference, have them visit the website at www.ExecutiveBookReview.com to find out more about this and future events.