I'm writing a book on the science behind why we travel. In this episode, I read the last four pages of my book and share five ways that travel changes us. When we travel, there’s a sense of meaning and purpose. When we travel, we are fully here, present and centered. When we travel, we are open to new experiences. When we travel, we slow down. We savor. We luxuriate. When we travel, we expand our horizons and connect to something larger than ourselves: history, science, religion,...
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I'm writing a book on the science behind why we travel. In this episode, I read the last four pages of my book and share five ways that travel changes us. When we travel, there’s a sense of meaning and purpose. When we travel, we are fully here, present and centered. When we travel, we are open to new experiences. When we travel, we slow down. We savor. We luxuriate. When we travel, we expand our horizons and connect to something larger than ourselves: history, science, religion,...
I'm writing a book on the science behind why we travel. In this episode, I read the last four pages of my book and share five ways that travel changes us. When we travel, there’s a sense of meaning and purpose. When we travel, we are fully here, present and centered. When we travel, we are open to new experiences. When we travel, we slow down. We savor. We luxuriate. When we travel, we expand our horizons and connect to something larger than ourselves: history, science, religion,...
There’s dozens of leadership styles to try on, but choosing one off-the-rack can feel inauthentic, like putting on armor or wearing someone else’s clothes. How can you create a leadership identity that’s completely authentic? The answer lies in the one-of-a-kind design of your brain at its very best You're going to need a partner for this podcast episode (ideally) because we're going to use the power of storytelling to craft a leadership style that is uniquely yours. Personal narratives not ...
What can the Pixar movie Inside Out teach leaders about management? A lot! In this episode of "Leaders' Playground," we dive deep into the emotional landscape. A whirlwind of emotions can hit in a single day—fear, joy, sadness, and everything in between. By understanding those emotions, we can transform our leadership style. We unpack the science of emotions, drawing on the groundbreaking research of psychologists like Paul Ekman, Dacher Keltner, and Lisa Feldman Barrett. Discover how emotio...
The other day, my husband and I were looking at the impact of a recent heat wave on the trees near our property. Some trees were doing okay, others were dying. Why? We consider access to resources, the type of tree, the amount of shade, but ultimately, I think it comes down to the connection between trees -- whether they're all alone in a field or in relationship with others. Just as trees thrive in connected communities, so do we as humans. The Harvard Study of Adult Development shows that c...
Join me, Irene Salter, as I reflect on a serene visit to Arima Onsen, one of Japan's oldest and most charming hot springs. I'll describe how the tranquil waters and peaceful ambiance offered a profound sense of relaxation and inspired a deep dive into mindfulness. In this episode, I’ll guide you through a centering meditation, dive into the neuroscience of mindfulness, and offer practical tips on how to bring the peace of a hot spring back to work, a moment of calm amidst life’s chaos. ...
Stuck in the grip of bad habits? Me too. In this episode, we dive into the challenge of altering entrenched habits, starting with my own terrible phone habits, ending with my friend who is shifting her company from a rigid, top-down culture to one driven by collaboration and innovation. Both scenarios highlight a common theme: despite knowing what needs to change, actual transformation is elusive. Our discussion will center on the science behind motivation and behavior change, drawing on Chip...
Ready to ditch the "super-mom" cape and toss out those impossible workplace expectations? The newest episode of eaders' Playground" is here to shake things up! We're diving into the wild world of social norms and asking the big questions: Can anyone really "have it all"? Why do we keep tying ourselves in knots to please everyone? And what does Barbie have to say about it all? Join us for a fun, science-filled ride (yes, fun and science belong together) as we explore the myths we've all bought...
Can anyone truly become a master, or is it a talent reserved for the naturally gifted? This episode of the Leader's Playground promises to shatter the myth that genius is inborn by drawing upon Robert Greene's book "Mastery" and the lives of icons like Zora Neale Hurston, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Ben Franklin. We'll reveal the hidden truths behind their extraordinary achievements—truths rooted in relentless dedication, practice, and the honing of unique talents. And of course ...
Tick-tock goes the clock, echoing the relentlessly busy pace of life. From my early days as a teacher to life as a principal juggling a young family, my obsession with time management and productivity twisted my days into a chaotic, multitasking, exhausting whirlwind. In this episode, we explore the concept of "Time Confetti," a term coined by Brigid Schulte, representing the way time in our modern lives gets chopped up into tiny scraps like confetti. Through a series of experiments (try it w...
Why do we endure the hassle of conferences and retreats with time away from family, expensive travel, noisy venues, and exhausting days? The allure of online professional development is strong. Yet, something magical happens at the best events that leave us feeling rejuvenated and inspired. Why? In this episode, we’ll learn what makes some conferences and retreats so powerfully invigorating. After attending a playful and creative DnD convention, I began to see a pattern. The best events reign...
Why can music move you to tears, while other times you walk right by it, not noticing? Why does some art freeze you in your tracks, but other times it's just a desktop screensaver? How does beauty happen in the brain? In this episode we visit Paris! We'll explore museums, chapels, and subway stations on an expedition to understand your brain on beauty. You'll meet several neuroscientists who specialize in neuroaesthetics such as Andrew Chatterjee and Samir Zeki, as well as violinist Jo...
In this episode of the Leaders' Playground, we'll examine how the craft of storytelling can inspire the art of leading. We'll begin by comparing and contrasting two dramatic arcs used by bards from Homer to Steven Spielberg: the well-trodden hero's journey versus the often-overlooked heroine's journey. We traverse through familiar tales and myths, pondering the archetype of the solitary superhero or Jedi knight and wondering whether the stories of community and collaboration found in Harry P...
Follow me through my day as I declutter my to-do list. In an era where adults on average make 35,000 decisions in a single day (it's true!), this episode peels back the curtain on a process you can use to not just manage your overwhelm, but fix it. Learn about the actual capacity of your working memory and the impact of cognitive load. We've all felt the weight of an overflowing inbox and the endless stream of tasks vying for our attention. Me too. With an overwhelming to do list...
Feeling overwhelmed by your to do list? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into the ins and outs of overwhelm, its connection to burnout, how your brain handles the cognitive load, and what to do about is. From the demands-resource imbalance to the limitations of our working memory, this episode explores how our brains handle stress and juggle tasks. I’ll share personal experiences, practical strategies, and insights from experts like Oliver Burkeman and Michael Bungay Stanier. We w...
As I watched the dancers on stage at a fundraiser supporting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, a profound sense of joy washed over me, contrasting with the gravity of the cause. This was a powerful reminder of dance's impact on our emotional landscape. Trauma makes us freeze (or take flight or brace for a fight). The opposite is dance. In this episode we celebrate the mind-body connection via movement and music, sharing stories of my own experience with sexual assault a...
Ever felt pigeonholed by traditional leadership definitions? Ever looked at leaders like Steve Jobs, Abraham Lincoln, or Martin Luther King and thought, I'm not that, so how can I consider myself a leader? In this episode, we shatter the traditional leadership template to create something from scratch that's completely genuine and authentic. I'll walk you through five steps to craft your own unique leadership style, just as you would customize a Dungeons & Dragons character or vide...
Welcome to the very first episode of the Leaders' Playground -- a podcast for people who wish their work could feel more like play. In this episode, you’ll hear the origin story of how this podcast came to be and why it's called the Leader’s Playground. I’m your host Irene Salter, a PhD neuroscientist and science educator with a passion for helping people thrive, not just survive. Consider me a story-telling scientist. In this and every episode you will find: 1) A story: Being challenged to...
Do you ever suffer from impostor syndrome? I do. In this episode, we'll peel back the layers of self-doubt and get to know our inner critics. There’s a voice in my head that sometimes (often) says, “Who do you think you are? You’re a fraud!” Well, today we’re going to sit down to tea with our inner critics. You'll hear my growing up story. Learn about the work of Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance who described the impostor cycle. Get the scoop on the latest rage in therapy, interna...
I'm writing a book on the science behind why we travel. In this episode, I read the last four pages of my book and share five ways that travel changes us. When we travel, there’s a sense of meaning and purpose. When we travel, we are fully here, present and centered. When we travel, we are open to new experiences. When we travel, we slow down. We savor. We luxuriate. When we travel, we expand our horizons and connect to something larger than ourselves: history, science, religion,...
