Human behavior is not mysterious. It is mechanical. In this episode of _At Work, Under Pressure_, Jessi Beyer sits down with Evan LaPointe of CORE Sciences to talk about behavioral science, neuroscience, leadership, AI, stress, motivation, culture, and why leaders need to understand how human brains actually work if they want better performance. Evan explains why psychology often fails to land with certain executives until it is translated into the mechanics of the brain: amygdala activation, cortisol, adrenaline, oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine, and how those chemicals shape thinking, trust, creativity, collaboration, and decision-making. He also challenges the idea that AI should be used to replace people, arguing instead that the better current frame is using AI to make humans more capable. Jessi and Evan discuss: • Why behavioral science became more useful to Evan when he translated it into neuroscience • How leaders accidentally create the exact mindset they do not want • Why AI should be treated as a multiplier, not a subtractor • What happens in the brain when stress, threat, or anger take over • Why cortisol and adrenaline can reduce logical thinking and performance • How oxytocin and serotonin support trust, purpose, resilience, and obligation • Why purpose-driven teams outperform teams fueled by fear, pressure, or resentment • How leaders can create meaning by helping teams see the real humans affected by their work This episode is for CEOs, founders, HR leaders, people managers, culture leaders, consultants, and anyone trying to build teams that think clearly, collaborate well, and perform without being driven by fear. Because leadership is not just about getting people to act. It is about understanding which buttons you are pressing.