Thriving Brain® Seminar Topics

The following are typical topics and presentations by Dr. Briggs.
Specific presentations can be customized or fully developed as requested for a particular audience.

Affirmation—the Power of Positive
Growing up most people heard seven to nine negative comments for each positive one. No wonder communication problems abound! Fortunately, it's never too late to get started. This seminar is designed to increase your understanding of the power of a positive mindset and communication style. You will learn that with knowledge, commitment, and practice you can make affirmations as powerful as negative statements used to be. Research indicates that affirmation is the programming language of the subconscious and the most effective way to communicate with this portion of the human brain. The formula is simple: short, positive, present tense, unconditional, and empowering statements.

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in one 50-minute segment, with additional time for questions and answers, if desired.

Target Audience - Businesses and individuals who are interested in learning how to communicate more effectively with themselves and others by honing the art and science of affirmation.

Seminar Objectives - Upon completion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• Define affirmation
• List the components of the affirmation formula
• Describe the connection between communication styles and one’s neurochemistry
• Provide examples of helpful versus unhelpful self-talk

Age Proofing Your Brain
You can age-proof your brain. In fact, you're the only one who can! More than half the factors that have been found to impact aging and the brain are within your partial if not complete control. Now that is good news! Such good news that it forms the basis for Briggs’s new book, co-authored with Arlene R. Taylor PhD: Age-Proofing Your Brain-21 Key Factors You Can Control. Studies have shown the way in which a variety of key factors impact the brain and its aging process begin to validate the impact of what can be derived through challenging brain stimulation! Scientists agree that preventing brain deficits will always be easier than restoring them. This seminar is for those who are concerned about how their brain will function as they age. It is designed to outline key factors along with strategies and practical applications that you can implement immediately.

Time Frame - Approximately 50 minutes.

Target Audience - People who are interested in implementing strategies to strengthen the brain and prevent loss of function. 

Seminar Objectives - At the conclusion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• List at least seven factors that have been shown to impact aging and the brain
• State how these seven factors will be implemented in their daily living

Age Proofing Your Memory
Do you have those “senior moments”? Those times when you walk into a room and you can’t remember the reason or forget people’s names. Your memory is critical to you. Without your memories and an ability to recall them, you would be unable to know who you are and what has happened to you in the past. Fortunately, you live in a time where research related to the aging process is burgeoning. Studies are beginning to validate the impact of what can be derived through challenging brain stimulation! This new awareness helped to trigger the writing of Briggs new book, co-authored with Arlene R. Taylor PhD, entitled “Age-Proofing Your Memory.”  This seminar is designed to prevent strategies that, when practically applied, may help you strengthen some types of memory and improve your recall. It is worth a shot—but you are the only one who can do it for you!

Time Frame - Approximately 50 minutes.

Target Audience - People who are interested in implementing strategies to strengthen some types of memory and improve recall.

Seminar Objectives - At the conclusion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• State three types of memory
• Identify which memory type can strengthen with age
• List two specific strategies that may strengthen memory and recall 

Brain and Laughter
A spoonful of laughter makes the medicine go down! Is there anything to the old saying, laugh and last! Where does laughter reside in the brain? Can it really alter brain chemistry? Why does one person laugh when another doesn’t? Is there any evidence that laughter can improve one’s state of health? What’s the difference between having a keen sense of humor and laughter?

Current research is providing answers to these questions and more. Studies show that laughter really is good medicine, and it is even good age-proofing medicine. It can also enhance learning and help with recall. And laughter is free! 

Time Frame - Approximately 50 minutes.

Target Audience - People who are interested in improving their physical, mental, and emotional health by including laughter in their high-level-wellness lifestyle on a daily basis.

Seminar Objectives - At the conclusion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• Explain the difference between laughter and a sense of humor
• State the basis for determining whether or not something is humorous
• List three benefits of laughter
• Describe the brain/body connection in relation to laughter and immune system function 

Breaking Free from Old Behaviors
The human brain develops and shapes itself based on what it encounters in its environment beginning with gestation. It is designed to create internal software programs (habits) that enable human beings to engage in repetitive actions, activities, or routines and achieve a consistent, predictable outcome. Human beings often create internal software programs as a form of self-medication, to alter their brain’s chemical stew. Sometimes the software (habit) gets stuck, much like a needle on the old 45-records and escalates into an addictive behavior. Once the software program is created you may not be able to break the habit (short of destroying neurons); but you can learn strategies to help you create a bypass. Each brain is as different as the owner’s thumbprint. No two brains will ever think the same, perceive anything identically, or self medicate for the same precise reasons, or alter old behaviors using identical strategies.

This seminar is designed to increase an understanding of how the brain develops habits (internal brain software). How you think and feel at any given time related to the type and level of chemicals in your brain. Many habits and probably all addictive behaviors involve attempts to self-medicate, directly or indirectly. Self-medication involves an attempt to alter those chemicals. Strategies for altering brain software (breaking free from old behaviors) are discussed.

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in two 50-minute sessions.

Target Audience - People who want to understand more about the brain and habits, and strategies for breaking free from old behaviors

Seminar Objectives - At the conclusion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• Define a habit
• Explain direct versus indirect self-medication
• Describe two brain function layers that are involved with habits and/or addictive behaviors
• List ten steps for altering old behaviors

Cellular Memory—Past, Present, and Future
There are many different types of memory. Cellular memory, for example, that all cells are believed to possess. While not a conscious, cognitive type of memory, cellular memory can impact every area of your life. Much like you input numbers into your cell phone so you can do automatic dial, cellular memory pushes you toward exhibiting learned behaviors, often as a subconscious level. To a great degree you control the cellular memory you input. An increased understanding can provide you with an expanded framework of knowledge within which to make healthy personal and behavioral choices—and we haven’t even mentioned organ transplants.

This seminar is designed to heighten your awareness of a type of “memory” that all cells are believed to possess. Potential implications of cellular memory in a variety of areas are discussed (e.g., organ transplants, choice of foods, alternative medicine strategies, trauma, lifestyle, cancer, impact on the immune system). An increased understanding can provide you with an expanded framework of knowledge within which to make health-relevant, personal, behavioral choices.

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in one 50-minute segment.

Target Audience - People who are interested in understanding more about cellular memory and its impact on aspects of daily living.

Seminar Objectives - Upon completion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• Describe cellular memory
• List four areas of life that may be impacted by cellular memory
• Identify behavioral choices that may be related to cellular memory
• State one way in which cellular memory is transferred or built

Distress, Eustress, and Mistress
Stressed? Depressed? Know someone who is? Then this is for you! Much of human experience has its origin in the brain. This includes the downshifting that occur in the brain in the presence of trauma/crisis/any type of fear, and one’s own unique perception of three different types of stress: distress, eustress, and mistress. Current research has provided information that can help you identify and manage your stressors more effectively.

This seminar is designed to describe mechanisms for responding to crisis (real or imagined) and the consequences that can result from their chronic triggering:

• Flight/Fight—ulcers, high blood pressure
• Tend/Befriend—(the female equivalent of Fight/Flight) tolerating the intolerable
• Conserve/Withdraw—depression, immobility

Strategies are included for: identifying and managing stressors, and tips for reversing stress-related depression occasioned by the chronic triggering of Conserve/Withdraw. Handouts include the Stress of Adjusting to Change scale and a Check Your Stress Level questionnaire.

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in three 50-minutes segments including time for questions and answers.

Target Audience - Businesses and individuals who are interested in taking a new look at stress, learning how to identify and manage their work and personal stressors more effectively, and developing personal prevention/recovery strategies for stress and stress-related depression professionally.

Seminar Objectives - Upon completion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• Define distress, eustress, and mistress and list two examples of each
• Describe the relationship between stressors and downshifting of the brain
• Calculate individual cumulative stress points for the previous twelve months
• Pinpoint several common sources of stressors
• Describe the Quieting Reflex
• List five strategies for managing stressors
• Outline steps to reverse stress-related depressive behaviors associated with Conserve/Withdraw

EQ - Emotional Intelligence
Many people think primarily of I.Q. when the word "intelligence" is mentioned. Researchers have defined several different types of intelligences, however. One of these is Emotional Intelligence. E.Q. for short. Experts state that emotions are designed to serve as guides, to help individuals when they face tasks or situations too important to leave to intellect alone. In fact, it may be even more important to one's overall success in life than I.Q.! The equation may actually be: I. Q. plus E. Q. equals S. Q. (our success quotient). You can learn to become emotionally intelligent and enhance all your relationships.

This seminar is designed to explore the hallmarks of emotional intelligence. The difference between emotions and feelings is discussed and strategies outlined to assist in the effective use and management of emotional intelligence. Like other types of intelligences, we can raise our E.Q.

Time Frame - Approximately 60-90 minutes in one or two sessions.

Target Audience - Businesses and individuals who are interested in honing skills related to emotional intelligence, thereby raising their own or business E.Q. and enhancing their potential for success.

Seminar Objectives - At the conclusion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• Define emotional intelligence
• State the difference between emotions and feelings
• List four core emotions and describe the specific situations each was designed to help us identify and manage
• Describe five hallmarks of emotional intelligence

Gender Intelligence in the Workplace
The Gender Intelligence seminar provides guidance on leveraging 'gender differences' in the workplace to a manager's advantage.  This seminar is a must for leaders who feel that their efforts to bring out the best in teams can get bogged-down by miscommunications that have less to do with words than with gender and perception. It offers critical insight into the minefield of gender relationships in the workplace.

Studies reveal that managers spend an average of 19% of their time resolving communication glitches among employees. Although as members of the same species we are more alike than we are different, there are key dissimilarities! Studies reveal that managers spend an average of 19% of their time resolving communication glitches among employees. This is up 9% from a decade ago. And that doesn’t include business – client glitches, some of which involve cross-gender communication. Does understanding these differences make them go away? No. But knowledge is power! An increased understanding offers you more options for any given situation. It can diminish a tendency to take things personally, reduce frustration, and improve relationships. It can enhance cross-gender communication and improve cross-gender teamwork.

This seminar is designed to increase awareness of gender differences, especially geared to the workplace, in three key areas:

• Structural and Functional Differences
• Emotional Intelligence
• Male Speech and Female Speech

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in three 50-minute sessions.

Target Audience - Businesses and individuals who want to improve communication and enhance relationships with the opposite gender, especially in the workplace.

Seminar Objectives - Upon completion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• List two structural differences between male brains and female brains
• List three functional differences in terms of processing information
• Describe how gender differences influence cross-gender teamwork styles
• State three benefits of becoming gender bilingual
• Identify two strategies that can be implemented immediately for enhancing cross-gender interactions

How the Brain Learns Best
Although science still sees through a glass darkly in terms of how the brain actually learns, it has uncovered how the brain naturally learns best. That knowledge is exhilarating because with some effort and innovation the educational process can be enhanced significantly for most students. You can also implement the strategies on an individual basis.

This seminar is designed to present information related to how the brain learns best, against the backdrop of what we thought we knew about the brain and learning. Practically applied, the information presented can help your brain learn better and can make you more savvy when you need to help other brains learn.

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in one 50-minute sessions.

Target Audience - Businesses and individuals who want learn more about how the brain naturally learns best.

Seminar Objectives - Upon completion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

1. List three specific environmental factors that impact brain learning
2. Describe the impact of “rewards” on high-level learning
3. State the impact of movement on learning  

Male and Female Brains: Vision-Style and Hearing Differences
Did you know that thanks to brain imaging studies, researcher now that that males and females have different vision styles and their brains actually process human voices differently? These two areas are at the root of a great deal of gender heat and misunderstanding. Now you can develop new strategies for communicating more successfully with the opposite gender. Does this knowledge remove the differences? Hardly! But understanding more about underlying differences in brain function can reduce frustration and offer an opportunity for tweaking your behavior. It can also provide a great deal of light-hearted amusement!

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in one 50-minute sessions.

Target Audience - Businesses and individuals who want to improve communication and enhance relationships with the opposite gender by understanding more about vision style and hearing differences

• List one major difference between male and female vision styles
• Identify two practical strategies that can be implemented immediately to address vision style differences
• List one major difference between female and male hearing
• Identify two practical strategies that can be implemented immediately to address hearing difference

Myths of Aging
Myths related to aging abound and many people unwittingly buy into them. Do so and you can develop Gerontophobia, the fear of aging, which can diminish the joy and satisfaction that can occur along with wise maturity. Current brain research related to the aging process has revealed facts that have overturned many of these myths. Older people are not all alike. Brains actually become more different from each other as they get older. The brain can develop new cells. If you are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to age—and many are denied that—the aging process can offer many “ups.” Golden opportunities can exist in those golden years!

This seminar discusses several myths of aging and presents the facts about those myths. Many are denied the opportunity of aging but for those who do have that opportunity, the aging process can offer many “ups” for those who identify and embrace them. In one sense it is important to become now the person you want to be then. Key strategies to help with the aging process are presented.

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in one 50-minute sessions.

Target Audience - People who are interested in identifying Myths of Aging and the facts related to them.  

• Describe five myths of aging and the corresponding facts related to them
• State two key benefits that can accrue from brain aerobic exercises
• List three strategies for enhancing the process of aging

7 Secrets to Communication—It's More Than Words!
Studies have shown that, if you are like most people, you spend 80% of your waking hours communicating. “Can you hear me? Can you hear me now?” Communication is more than words! Only about 10% of the message in a two-party communication is exchanged through actual words. Sometimes the words don’t even register with the listener because up to 90% of the communication package may send a different message. Often people expect the brains of others to function much the same as their own, and when they don’t they aren’t sure how to proceed. While you can’t make others listen, you can increase the odds that they will, and you can increase your communication effectiveness—by design.

This seminar is designed to highlight the contributions of differing portions of the brain to effective communication. It describes the importance of congruence and age differences in cognitive processing. A Sensory Preference Assessment is included.

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in two 50-minutes segments.

Target Audience - Businesses and individuals who are interested in strategies for enhancing communication effectiveness, personally and professionally.

Seminar Objectives - Upon completion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• Identify personal sensory preference
• Recognize the impact of congruence
• Understand some of the ramifications of age differences in communication
• Describe ways in which this information can enhance communication, personally and/or professionally

Upshift, Downshift, and About Shift
In situations of trauma, crisis, or any type of fear, the brain downshifts in an attempt to access functions that promote safety. While this is a helpful strategy, it can be very deleterious when activated frequently or when sustained over time. The outcomes can range from failure to learn to relapse into addictive behaviors. Your brain can be compared to an automatic transmission. When the going gets tough (e.g., situations of trauma, crisis, or any type of fear) your brain automatically downshifts to help you get through. This is a life-saving strategy but you always give something up to get something. You can learn how to minimize what you give up. 

This seminar is designed to increase your understanding of the downshifting phenomenon in the brain, and explains the consequences of existing in a downshifted state for any prolonged period of time. At work or at home, communication can be derailed if either the sender or the receiver (or both) are downshifted. Strategies to help you identify downshifting in a timely manner are included, along with suggestions for ways to promote upshifting and for communicating congruently with someone who is in a downshifted state.

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in one 50-minute sessions.

Target Audience - People who want to recognize downshifting in a timely manner, and implement strategies to upshift the brain and/or to communicate more successfully with a person whose brain is in a downshifted state.

Seminar Objectives - Upon completion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• List the three functional layers of the brain
• State two key functions of each brain layer
• Describe what is meant by downshifting of the brain
• Identify factors that can contribute to downshifting
• State two behaviors that could indicate a state of downshifting
• Describe two behaviors that could be exhibited related to downshifting of the brain
• State the main problem with communication that is not congruent
• List two strategies for upshifting the brain

Use Your Brain for Success!
Your brain is as unique as your thumb print. It starts developing by the 4th day of conception and the way it functions determines the quality of your life! Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with an owner’s manual. Fortunately, current research is shedding new light on it. An increased understanding of the brain can help you to be more realistic in terms of relating to the brains of others and in developing strategies for relating to your own brain more effectively. And it can be fun!

This seminar is designed to demystify your brains—yes, there are more than one of them—in easy-to-understand language. It includes explanations related to generation gap, maturation rates, and energy efficiency. An increased understanding of the brain can help you to be more realistic in terms of relating to the brains of others and in developing strategies for relating to your own brain more effectively.

Time Frame - This seminar can be presented in two 50-minute sessions.

Target Audience - People who are interested in understanding more about their amazing brain, including factors that can contribute to gender gap and energy-inefficiency.

Seminar Objectives - Upon completion of the seminar, participants should be able to:

• Describe our “brains” in terms of conscious versus subconscious portions
• Outline the maturation process in terms of myelination and pre-frontal lobe development
• Identify factors that can contribute to the generation gap
• Explain the difference between having learned to do something well versus easily
• Implement two personal strategies for relating to our brains more effectively