Coaching, Neuroscience and Consciousness

Could it be that true effectiveness is more than simple efficiency or even meeting our goals? At BEabove Leadership, we think a lot about personal, group and organizationaleffectiveness, but what does this really mean? In this eopisode Ann and Ursula explore the neuroscience behind why "effectiveness" is critical to human well-being, and offer some time tested and research-based ways to achieve it.

Empathy is deeply important to human beings and healthy relationships, but what is it, really? Join BEabove Leadership co-founders for a fascinating look at the many ways our brains and bodies connect with each other. From mirror neurons that help us feel what is happening in another person's experience to the benefits and challenges of cognitive empathy, this show will explore the rich complexity of our interrelated empathetic connections.

We are thrilled to have neuroscience expert Joseph Fridman for a lively discussion of how the "three layer" model of the brain is wrong, and why this matters. We'll look at why this myth continues to prevail in conversations about emotional intelligence and coaching, and how it limits human growth and awareness. We'll also discuss more accurate ways of discussing brain complexity as it relates to our emotional life. Joseph is a researcher and science communicator at the Interdisciplinary...

Riverside, California is lucky to have teacher, coach and neuroscience (and consciouness) fan Shay Sun. For the past few years, he has been teaching coaching skills and neuroscience concepts and tools to peer leaders, as well as using them in his own teaching. Join us for a fun, rich, dynamic interview with this amazing teacher and human. Shay will share with us some of his ideas for what young people need, and how we can support them based on the brain and consciousness.

Laughter is indeed often the best medicine. In this episode, humor expert Jim-Bob Williams joins Ann and Ursula for an exploration of how humor can help us get through, well, anything, including a global pandemic. We'll look at the science behind why humor helps with stress and uncertainty, and probably tell a few jokes as well! About Jim-Bob Williams Talented. Handsome. Accomplished. Jim-Bob Williams knows a lot of people like that. Jim-Bob practiced the principles of therapeutic humor...

Our brains are shaped by our culture, experience, and even what we have inherited. In this session, Ann and Ursula are joined by generational expert Lindsay Boccardo for a fascinating look at how different generations tend to respond to crisis -- and what their brains may have to do with it.

Coaches tend to score high in what is called "felt empathy," that is, processing other people's emotions and challenges through our own brains and bodies. This is an amazing skill in terms of deep understanding, insight, and compassion -- all critical aspects of our profession. But it can also lead to the coaching version of compassion fatigue, where a client's issues feel energetically draining and even overwhelming, and/or are difficult to let go of between sessions. In this session, Ann...

In this lively conversation, Ann and Ursula will expore how the science of emotions -- and in particular, the role of prediction -- applies to consciously creating our future. Join us for a fascinating glimpse into the year ahead!

Earlier this year, Ann had the chance to speak at the American Association of Theraputic Humor, which meant some brand-new research on the impact and effect of humor on our brains and biochemistry. In this fascinating episode, she'll share her findings about what makes something funny and why. She and Ursula will also map humor to the BEabove model of the Seven Levels of Effectiveness, looking at the impact "below the line" and "above the line" humor has on our brains, bodies and...

We speak in ways that show our fundamental view of areas of life. For example, do we use a lot of war or sports metaphors in business? We may see that part of life as a battle or a game with clear winners and losers. Do we use a great deal of gardening metaphors when speaking of our children? We may see them as needing nurturing and tending to grow. Recognizing (and then shifting if need be) our "meta-metaphor" can change our entire lives. Join Ann and Ursula for personal examples and ways...

Organziations have an energetic state that is both made up of and larger than the people who work there. Often there are historical incidents that create wounds of shame, abandonment, and betrayal. Building on the incredible work of Dr. Mario Martinez (The Mind-Body Code), in this episode we will explore what creates an organizational wound (or wounds) and how to bring a "healing field" so that the organization can more forward with true effectiveness. Organizational consultant Dr. Jean...

Individually and as business partners, we (Ann and Ursula) have been leaning into the wisdom, power and tools of the Seven Levels of Effectivness for almost 20 years. About 8 years ago, we added neuroscience to the mix. In this podcast, we talk about our journey and the impact of having a scientifically valid map of effectiveness to guide us.

Many of us are parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles, mentors, teachers, etc., and ALL of us were children at one point. Parenting expert Gillian Rowinski joins us to look at parenting above the line -- and how understanding the complexities of both our own and our children's brains can help us be the kind of person we most want to be. Not only for the children we interact with, but for ourselves.

Join us for another episode of our popular Advice Show. Email in advance or call in with your questions, difficult client situations, and more, and we'll do our best to see if we can help!

At BEabove Leadership, we think a lot about integration. I mean, a LOT. Integration of the right and left hemisphere, the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system, the task and default networks, the body and the brain, etc. We're fascinated (and convinced) that integration of all of these is the key to higher states of consciousness. Recently we've realized there is another critcal aspect to integration, which is our ability to have a powerful relatonship with the past, the present and the...

A few years ago, coach and experienced middle school teacher Shay Sun began exploring neuroscience. He quickly realized that there are some key "brain basics" every human should know, no matter how young, and he began sharing interesting brain stuff with his students. In the process of his exploration, we were priviliged to have him with us at BEabove for our Neuroscience, Consciousness and Transformational Coaching program, and he asked for permission to use our tools during homeroom time....

In this episode BEabove Co-Founders Ann Betz and Ursula Pottinga talk about the provocative topic that has been on people's mind - where the heck is the world coming to. Together they look at the neuroscience of consciousness and how brain integration is linked to being a less reactive, more peaceful and open human being.

Summer brings its own expectations, delights, and complications. Join us for this fun and fascinating romp through the Seven Levels as we look at everything we want summer to be, and what the reality often brings. We'll look at the neuroscience research supporting each level and what this tells us about how to maximize enjoyment and minimize stress for the rest of the summer, and into the fall as well .

Join us for a fascinating look at what happens when we sleep. From the rationalist neuroscience view to the magic of dreams, this promises to be a wide-ranging conversation as we explore how our consciousness goes to "night school." Dream expert Will Sharon joins us for this conversation.

It's back! BEabove Leadership's semi-annual neuroscience, consciousness and coaching advice show. Bring us your biggest challenges and we'll see if we have any helpful advice, based on what we understand about the brain. Open to coaches, leaders and curious people in general. Call in with questions or send them in advance to ann@beaboveleadership.com.