In this thought-provoking episode of the Change It Podcast, host Eloise Seidelin sits down with Michelle Teunis, an expert in brain-friendly change and neuroscience, to explore the intersection of AI and Human Intelligence (HI) in change management. Together, they dive into the fascinating ways our brains react to change and how understanding these mechanisms can help us design more effective, sustainable change strategies.
Michelle shares her journey into applied neuroscience, unpacking how brain-friendly principles can be applied in personal and professional settings. The conversation covers how to foster emotional regulation, maintain social connection in the workplace, and harness co-intelligence between humans and AI to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Key topics include:
The brain’s reaction to change and triggers for resistance. The practical application of neuroscience principles to design brain-friendly change. How to balance AI's capabilities with the irreplaceable value of HI. The risks of over-relying on AI in decision-making.
Michelle offers actionable insights for leaders and change practitioners who want to blend cutting-edge AI tools with a human-first approach to drive impactful transformation.
🎧 Tune in for expert advice, fascinating neuroscience, and practical strategies to lead smarter and more connected change initiatives.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to the Change It Podcast
00:28 Michelle's Journey into Neuroscience
03:16 Applying Neuroscience in Personal Life
07:39 The Four Key Organizing Principles
14:22 Triggers and Responses to Change
18:29 Designing Brain-Friendly Change
25:22 Understanding Immunity to Change
26:30 The Brain as a Prediction Machine
29:54 Comparing Human Brain and AI
34:14 The Role of AI in Enhancing Human Capabilities
37:35 The Risks of Over-Reliance on AI
45:14 Balancing AI and Human Intelligence
46:05 Final Thoughts and Connection
Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleteunis/
https://aclinstitute.teachable.com/p/brainfriendlychange
1. Diagnosing your own immunity to change, Kegan and Lahey, 2009: https://mindsatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Chapter9.pdf
2. Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett (Cutting Edge Neuroscientist).
- The brain is a prediction machine: https://theknowledge.io/the-prediction-machine/amp/
- The theory of constructed emotion: https://fortelabs.com/blog/how-emotions-are-made/
Highly recommended books written by Lisa:
- 7.5 lessons about the brain.
- How emotions are made.
Dr Brett Kagan and Cortical Labs
- Growing neurons / brain-cells in a dish (synthetic brains and AI): https://corticallabs.medium.com/what-does-it-mean-to-grow-a-mind-5819fcdd8a99
- Merging AI and biology: https://youtu.be/L8tX7kMJDT4?si=4s9EX06Pygwqo72X
Don’t miss this episode filled with insights on the balance between technology and human connection in the ever-changing world of work!