Advanced Neuroscience and Consciousness Study Group 2024
Diversity and Difference
In this year’s study group we’ll be exploring diversity and difference in three key areas: neurodiversity, culture, and generations. I was inspired to focus on this for a few reasons – one, the topic of neurodiversity (and coaching) is everywhere these days, but often it isn’t specified what kind of neurodiversity people are talking about. It’s a fascinating area and the more I look at it the more I wonder if neurodiversity of some sort is the rule rather than the exception.
Another big reason was an inspiring book about the role of culture in emotions, which is a profound and deeply complex look at the role of cultural context in emotion prediction. It leads to broader questions of the role of culture on cognition (not, of course, intelligence or ability) in general. How does culture shape how we see and process things? How do racism, bias and microaggressions “weather” a person’s system? This research is truly groundbreaking and important and deserves a good chewing on!
The third reason is that I’ve been having many conversations about generations and how the brain itself is changing due to the environment it is exposed to. What is the impact of being raised with cell phones and iPads? And what about other generations, not just the youngest? We know the brain can’t possibly evolve as quickly as technology, but how is neuroplasticity being impacted?
I am also adding a special bonus session in January on the latest in fraud and bias in science. There’s been a lot in the news lately and I thought it would be good to dive into the issues before we look at this year’s research.
This year I have a couple of experts I am tapping for Q and A sessions related to these topics, and as always, we’ll have discussion times as well. I have spaced things out though, so that we meet once a month except for August. Hoping this pace makes things a bit easier for everyone’s schedules.
Prerequisite: we ask that all participants are currently enrolled in and/or have been through the basics of our Neuroscience, Consciousness and Transformational Coaching program (in-person or virtual) or our Neuroscience, Coaching and Relational Trauma program.
When:
- Main sessions are 90 minutes, discussions and Q and A sessions are one hour
- detailed schedule below
Where: Zoom
your facilitator
A note from Ann:
This group started eight years ago because so many of you expressed an interest in traveling more deeply into pure neuroscience (and being connected to a group of people with similar yearning and background), always as it connects to human development and coaching. And while I love teaching all our programs, this is honestly one of my favorite things to do! It not only keeps me incredibly stimulated, it is also a fantastic structure for staying well-connected to what is out there on the cutting edge. Past years have brought real depth of understanding of new areas and even changes to our core program. We always have a blast and expand our awareness. I hope you can join us in 2024!
What and When
Program Overview
We’ll start January 22 and meet virtually via Zoom 11 times throughout the year (see below for specific dates and content.)
The main calls will have group interaction, sharing of your thoughts and Q and A, but will also have a more comprehensive presentation of the materials we’ve been studying. The discussion groups will focus on applying the learning to our own lives so that we can really appreciate the learning from the inside out!
Here’s what you can expect:
- Pre-reading/viewing assignments approximately 2-4 weeks ahead of each class;
- Study guides and my “Cliff Notes” on each section approximately 1-2 weeks ahead of each class;
- Discussions and/or Q and A with experts along the way;
- A Facebook group for connection and sharing resources; and
- A community of passionate learners who share a neuroscience, coaching and consciousness background and perspective!
Program content
The Sessions
Once a month on Mondays, 12:00 noon EST – January 22 through December 9, 2024 (no session in August).
Main sessions are 90 minutes, discussions and Q and A sessions are one hour (see below for details).
$495 – early bird special $50 off through November 30, 2023 (discount reflected in cart).
Pre-Exploration: What’s the Latest?
Session One
January 22, 2024, 12:00 to 1:30 pm EST
Science Fictions – Exposing Fraud and Bias in Science
In this session, we’ll explore the current “state of the union” of science. Why is there so much inaccuracy and even fraud? (And it is waaaay more than we think.) What motivates scientists to invent, inflate, or hype their results? What can we trust and how can we know?
Part One: What is Neurodiversity?
Session Two
February 26, 2024 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm EST
ADHD, Autism Spectrum and the Brain
In this session, we’ll look at the current research on ADHD and autism and the many (and widely varied) ways it impacts the brain. How does neuroplasticity fit in here? What difference does maturity make? What are the gifts? And more!
Session Three
March 25, 2024 – 12:00 to 1:00 pm EST
ADHD and Autism Spectrum Discussion
A one-hour facilitated discussion of the readings for Session Two.
Session Four
April 22, 2024 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm EST
Highly Sensitive People (HSP) and Other Neurodivergence
In this session, we’ll look at the research on Highly Sensitive People. How do these brains process differently? What is the overlap between HSP and the autism spectrum? We’ll also explore some other ways people can be neurodivergent, including aphantasia, synesthesia, dyslexia/dysgraphia, and more.
Session Five
May 20, 2024 – 12:00 to 1:00 pm EST
Q and A with expert on Highly Sensitive People
A one-hour facilitated discussion and Q and A with Kristy Sweetland, an expert on HSP.
Part Two: The Neuroscience of Cultural Diversity
Session Six
June 24, 2024 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm EST
Cognitive Processing Differences Across Cultures
In this session, we’ll explore how neuroscience intersects with cultural psychology, including research on how even subtle racism impacts a person’s nervous system and health. We’ll also look at the impact of culture on how we see and process the world.
Session Seven
July 22, 2024 – 12:00 to 1:00 pm EST
Cognitive Differences Across Cultures Discussion
A one-hour facilitated discussion of the readings for Session Six.
Session Eight
September 23, 2024 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm EST
How Cultures Create Emotions
In this session, we’ll do a deep dive into the role culture and context play in how we construct emotions. What is the difference between cultures who see emotions as MINE (internal and self-focused) and OURS (external and shared).
Session Nine
October 21, 2024 – 12:00 to 1:00 pm EST
How Cultures Create Emotions Discussion
A one-hour facilitated discussion of the readings for Session Eight.
Part Three: The Neuroscience of Generational Differences
Session Ten
November 18, 2024 – 12:00 to 1:30 pm EST
Cognitive Differences Across Generations
In this session, we’ll look at the research on how the brains of various generations may be different in how they process (and what remains the same). What is the impact of growing up with technology versus acquiring it as an adult? What is generational and what is simply lack of maturity?
Session Eleven
December 9, 2024 – 12:00 to 1:00 pm EST
Q and A with expert on Cognitive Differences Across Generations
A one-hour facilitated discussion and Q and A with Lindsay Boccardo, an expert on generations.
Join Us
Register for $495
Logistics: All calls will be on Zoom, and will be recorded if you can’t make a session. You’ll have access to all notes and recordings through our client management system on Coaches Console.
If time zone doesn’t work for you, you can sign up for recordings of program and all notes and PowerPoints for $195.