Health & Well-being, Humanities & Science: Links

Talks

What makes a good life Robert Waldinger (13 min)

What keeps us happy and healthy as we go through life? If you think it’s fame and money, you’re not alone – but, according to psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, you’re mistaken.

The power of introverts Susan Cain (19 min)

In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.

The importance of laughter Anthony McCarten (18 min)

Anthony McCarten outlines the importance of humor and laughter in today’s world.

The way we’re working isn’t working Tony Schwartz (17 min)

Time is finite. Tony Schwarz debunks the myth that “We are meant to run like computers; at high speeds for long periods of time”. He eloquently outlines how the reality of renewing our personal energy is just as important as expending it. This discipline grants value to rest which ultimately allows us to manage more skillful lives.

Unconditional positive regard – the power of self acceptance Michelle Charfen (19 min)

Michelle shares her personal journey towards Unconditional Positive Regard and self acceptance through the lens of parenting. This is a story about relationships and ultimately the relationship you have with yourself.

Why Aren’t We Awesomer? Michael Neill (14 min)

Michael Neill is a coach, adviser, friend, mentor, and creative spark plug to celebrities, CEOs and royalty from the United Nations and five continents around the world. To Neill, happiness is our natural state and we’re always just one thought away from peace.

Your elusive creative genius Elizabeth Gilbert (19 min)

Eat, pray, LoveElizabeth Gilbert muses on the impossible things we expect from artists and geniuses — and shares the radical idea that, instead of the rare person “being” a genius, all of us “have” a genius. It’s a funny, personal and surprisingly moving talk.

The happy secret to better work Shawn Achor (12 min)

We believe we should work hard in order to be happy, but could we be thinking about things backwards? In this fast-moving and very funny talk, psychologist Shawn Achor argues that, actually, happiness inspires us to be more productive.

The power of vulnerability Brené Brown (20 min)

Brené looks at two group of people (A and B) who, A: have a sense of worthiness (a strong sense of love and belonging) and B: struggle for a sense of worthiness and feel they never have enough. The difference, she explains, is that group A believed they were worthy of love and belonging. They embraced vulnerability and all had cultivated qualities such as courage, compassion and connection.

Why leaders eat last Simon Sinek (45 min)

Simon explains the connection between energies such as love, compassion, fear, satisfaction, leadership and the hormones that are linked with these energies such as Endorphines, Dophamine / Serotonine, Oxitocine and…. the big C, Cortisol.

The habits of happiness Matthieu Ricard (21 min)

What is happiness, and how can we all get some? Biochemist turned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard says we can train our minds in habits of well-being, to generate a true sense of serenity and fulfilment. Sometimes called the “happiest man in the world,” Matthieu Ricard is a Buddhist monk, author and photographer.

How to buy busyness Michael Norton (11 min)

Michael Norton shares fascinating research on how money can, indeed buy happiness — when you don’t spend it on yourself. Listen for surprising data on the many ways pro-social spending can benefit you, your work, and (of course) other people.

Design for generosity Nipun Metha (18 min)

Nipun Mehta is the founder of “Service Space” (formerly Charity Focus), an incubator of projects that works at the intersection of volunteerism, technology and gift-economy. What started as an experiment with four friends in the Silicon Valley has now grown to an global ecosystem of over 350,000 members that has delivered millions of dollars in service for free.

Nipun has received many awards, including the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the President’s Volunteer Service Award and Wavy Gravy’s Humanitarian award. He is routinely invited to share his message of “giftivism” to wide ranging audiences, from inner city youth in Memphis to academics in London to international dignitaries at the United Nations. He serves on the advisory boards of the Seva Foundation, the Dalai Lama Foundation, and Greater Good Science Center.

The danger of a single story Tchimamanda Ngozi Adichie (19 min)

Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice — and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding.
Adichie’s newest book, The Thing Around Your Neck, is a brilliant collection of stories about Nigerians struggling to cope with a corrupted context in their home country, and about the Nigerian immigrant experience.

Life is easy. Why do we make it so hard? Jon Jandai (15 min)

Jon is a farmer from northeastern Thailand. He founded the Pun Pun Center for Self-reliance, an organic farm outside Chiang Mai, with his wife Peggy Reents in 2003. Pun Pun doubles as a center for sustainable living and seed production, aiming to bring indigenous and rare seeds back into use. It regularly hosts training on simple techniques to live more sustainably.

The “5 Second Rule”  Mel Robbins (12 min)

Understanding the activation energy and how to use it to our benefit with a simple “5 seconds rule”.

Learning to be awesome at anything you do, including being a leader Tasha Eurich (15 min)

Can we learn to lead, or is leadership something we’re born with? In this thought-provoking talk, Tasha Eurich shares a prescription to be not just awesome at leadership, but anything else you want to improve.

Gaining a “Life is good” Perspective Bert Jacob (48 Min)

The fascinating story of how 2 brothers went from running a failing business out of a van to building a $100 million company.

What are we going to do with our lives? That’s the question Bert and John Jacobs were trying to answer when they decided to take a seven-week road trip from California to Boston in 1988. The brothers — 20 and 23 at the time — say that the trip forever changed their lives.

The Power of belief – mindset and success Eduardo Briceno (10 min)

The way we understand our intelligence and abilities deeply impacts our success. Based on social science research and real life examples, Eduardo Briceño articulates how mindset, or the understanding of intelligence and abilities, is key. When students or adults see their abilities as fixed, whether they think they’re naturals or just not built for a certain domain, they avoid challenge and lose interest when things get hard. Conversely, when they understand that abilities are developed, they more readily adopt learning-oriented behaviors such as deliberate practice and grit that enable them to achieve their goals. But this belief is itself malleable, and there are clear actions we can all take to establish a growth mindset and enable success for our children, our peers and ourselves.

How to Turn Stress Into an Advantage Kelly McGonigal (24 min)

In her book, The Upside of Stress, McGonigal asks, “If you could choose how stressful tomorrow will be, would you hope for a great deal of stress?” Our natural response is likely a resounding “No.” Yet, as McGonigal shows, a subtle shift in perspective around stress can be incredibly empowering. By reframing stress as a good thing and a sign of personal progress, we can avoid some of the baggage that comes with becoming stressed and actually turn our anxious feelings into a source of strength.

How to find work you love Scott Dinsmore (17 min)

Scott Dinsmore (who died in 2014) quit a job that made him miserable, and spent the next four years wondering how to find work that was joyful and meaningful. He shares what he learned in this deceptively simple talk about finding out what matters to you — and then getting started doing it

Start with why: How great leaders inspire action Simon Sinek (18 min)

Simon discusses the principal behind every successful person and business. A simple but powerful model for how leaders inspire action, starting with a golden circle and the question “Why?”

Do we see reality as it is?? Donald Hoffman (21 min)

Cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman is trying to answer a big question: Do we experience the world as it really is … or as we need it to be? In this ever so slightly mind-blowing talk, he ponders how our minds construct reality for us.

The story of stuff Annie Leonard (21 min)

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever. http://storyofstuff.org

Movies and documentaries

Home: A film/documentary by Yann Arthus-Bertrand with stunning aerial images about this wonderful world and us, human, as custodian of this amazing planet (A MUST SEE)

“Home” – The movie

Human: Another film/documentary by Yann Arthus-Bertrand on being human and more:

Inspiration about Finding your purpose. 2 hours of Wayne Dwyer

 

Thrive: What On Earth Will It Take? THRIVE is an unconventional documentary that lifts the veil on what’s REALLY going on in our world by following the money upstream. Uncovering the global consolidation of power in nearly every aspect of our lives. Weaving together breakthroughs in science, consciousness and activism, THRIVE offers real solutions, empowering us with unprecedented and bold strategies for reclaiming our lives and our future.

 

Mindfulness and mental health

Cultivating our garden, cultivating our health

  • Brisbane Organic Growers Inc. (BOGI) www.bogi.org.au
  • Ecobotanica www.ecobotanica.com.au Linda is an experienced health practitioner and educator of over 40 years. She is in demand from schools, organisations and individuals who seek a healthier life and a healthier environment.
  • Successful Gardening with Annette McFarlane. By introducing readers to the fundamental principles of organic gardening Annette provides information on organic pest control methods, helps you to identify pests through pictures and suggests organic remedies to solve common gardening problems. www.annettemcfarlane.com
  • Allotments in the UK are popular and waiting lists long. There is, however, little evidence on the health benefits of allotment gardening. A case-control study of the health and well-being benefits of allotment gardening.