NeurOlympics

NeurOlympics

Welcome to the NeurOlympics podcast, brought to you by the award-winning company BrainsFirst, where we believe that every brain's got talent! Join us as we sit down with our in-house neuroscience experts to discuss the cognition behind talent, as well as other hot neuroscience topics, that we envision to help you and your team to enhance productivity, performance, and well-being. Whether you're a talent cultivator and managing a team, coaching athletes, or seeking personal growth- tune in to unlock your and your team's full cognitive potential! www.brainsfirst.com/podcast

  1. Psychologist Explains: Why Mental Health Struggles Are Rising in the 21st Century | Komay Nguyen (AllEars Initiative)

    OCT 22

    Psychologist Explains: Why Mental Health Struggles Are Rising in the 21st Century | Komay Nguyen (AllEars Initiative)

    Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click here Why are mental health struggles increasing, even in an age more connected than ever? In this episode, psychologist and recruiter Komay Nguyen reflects on her experience with AllEars, a student-run listening initiative at the University of Amsterdam. She opens up about loneliness, digital overload, and the growing “listening gap” in today’s world. From the science of attention and sleep to lessons learned from her time in South Africa, Komay reveals what truly helps people heal — connection, community, and compassion. 0:00 Introduction 02:02 Why Mental Health Issues Keep Rising in the 21st Century 09:01 Why I Chose to Become a Psychologist 10:33 Why I Joined All Ears and Chose to Truly Listen 14:49 What University of Amsterdam Students Needed All Ears to Hear 19:00 Are We Getting Lonelier or Just More Aware of Being Lonely? 24:12 How to Care for Your Mental Health Every Day 29:14 What South Africa Taught About Community and Healing 33:38 What the Netherlands Can Learn from South Africa About Mental Health 37: 56 What Everyone Should Understand About Mental Health Today 🔗 Learn more about BrainsFirst: click here 📍 Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here • Instagram: click here • TikTok: click here • Podcast Website: click here 👥 Follow our guest: click here 🎙️ Follow our host: click here

    45 min
  2. How the Municipality of Amsterdam Uses Cognitive Diversity to Build a Better City | Anne Eikenboom

    SEP 24

    How the Municipality of Amsterdam Uses Cognitive Diversity to Build a Better City | Anne Eikenboom

    Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click here In this special episode, Employer Branding Expert Anne Eikenboom shares how the Municipality of Amsterdam is rethinking recruitment, focusing on diversity, potential, and every kind of brain instead of CVs. From traineeships to employer branding, discover how these changes are shaping a fairer, more inclusive job market and building a stronger city for the future. 0:00 Introduction 01:13 Who Is Anne Eikenboom from Gemeente Amsterdam? 2:44 Biggest Challenges in Employer Branding at Gemeente Amsterdam 5:54 Why in 2024 Gemeente Amsterdam Uses Cognitive Data in Hiring 9:48 How Young Talents View Working for a Municipality Today 13:40 We Don’t Read Your CV, We Read Your Brain 16:19 How a Chef Landed an IT Role Without a Resume 19:45 Why Push Further for this Kind of Hiring Approach? 21:16 Why Municipalities Must Rethink Employer Branding 🔗 Learn more about BrainsFirst: click here 📍 Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here • Instagram: click here • TikTok: click here • Podcast Website: click here 👥 Follow our guest: Anne Eikenboom: click here 🎙️ Follow our host: click here

    24 min
  3. Co-Founder Gen X vs Intern Gen Z: Two Neuroscientists on the Best Ways to Recharge

    AUG 13

    Co-Founder Gen X vs Intern Gen Z: Two Neuroscientists on the Best Ways to Recharge

    Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click here How full are your cognitive batteries halfway through the year? In this summer-special episode of the NeurOlympics podcast, Gen X neuroscientist & co-founder Drs. Andries van der Leij and Gen Z data scientist Karen Heredia share how differently they plan (or don’t plan) their holidays, and how their brains handle rest. Whether you’re a meticulous planner or a spontaneous traveler, this episode will help you come back from vacation sharper, more energized, and ready to tackle the rest of the year. 0:00 Are You Already on Vacation Mode? 07:45 What’s Your Mental Battery Level from 1 to 100? 13:17: What Would It Take to Recharge to 100 Percent? 21:59 Do Gen Z Recharge Differently Than Gen X 44:40 Top 3 Vacation Killers for the Brain 51:28 How to Get Back to Work After a Vacation 🔗 Learn more about BrainsFirst: click here 📍 Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here • Instagram: click here • TikTok: click here • Podcast Website: click here 👥 Follow our guests: Karen Heredia: click here Drs. Andries van der Leij: click here 🎙️ Follow our host: click here

    59 min
  4. "Do We Even Stand a Chance?” | Two Women in Data Science Speak Out

    JUL 16

    "Do We Even Stand a Chance?” | Two Women in Data Science Speak Out

    Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click here Only 1 in 5 data scientists is a woman. In this NeurOlympics episode, Inés Cueli Fernández and Karen Saya Heredia share their journey breaking into the male-dominated world of data science. Fresh out of their master’s programs, they share the challenges of entering today’s job market—from unrealistic entry-level expectations to the barriers women face in tech. They talk about dreaming of roles in Formula 1 and the European Union, and how brain data can prove talent beyond bias—opening doors to careers women are often excluded from. 00:00 1 in 5 Data Scientists Is a Woman 03:48 Being a Woman in Data Science 06:48 Why Data Science? What Drives Your Vision? 15:03 Your First Dream Job as a Data Scientist 26:02 Fair Chances & Hurdles 35:14 What Field Needs Data Science the Most 41:14 How Important Is Data in Business Today 🔗 Learn more about BrainsFirst: click here 📍 Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here • Instagram: click here • TikTok: click here • Podcast Website: click here 👥 Follow our guests: Inés Fernández: click here Karen Heredia: click here Follow our host: click here

    47 min
  5. This Is Your Cognitive Mid-Year Reset | Two Grads Shift to Worklife

    JUN 4

    This Is Your Cognitive Mid-Year Reset | Two Grads Shift to Worklife

    Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click here It’s June—time for a mid-year reset. In this episode of the NeurOlympics podcast, we explore how your brain handles transitions, uncertainty, and growth. 🎓 Meet Lars and Maciej, two friends stepping from University into working life. With the help of neuroscience and real-life scenarios, we unpack how to manage fear of the future, bounce back from setbacks, and unlock creativity. Tune in for a practical, brain-based guide to building momentum for the second half of the year. 00:00 What This Episode Is All About 01:36 Fear of the Future 08:40 Dealing with Setbacks 10:43 Creativity & Lightbulb Moments 16:47 Learning Something New 20:41 Finding Your Rhythm & Rebalancing 27:37 Mid-Year Wins Check 🔗 Learn more about BrainsFirst: click here 📍 Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here • Instagram: click here • TikTok: click here • Podcast Website: click here 👥 Follow our guests: Lars Middag: click here Maciej Zabinski: click here 🎙️ Follow our host: click here

    33 min
  6. Do Their Brains Match Their Career? | Sales Coordinator & Digital Marketer Take on the NeurOlympics

    MAY 14

    Do Their Brains Match Their Career? | Sales Coordinator & Digital Marketer Take on the NeurOlympics

    Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click here What happens when two friends test if their brains are wired for their jobs? Carla Mollenhauer, a Sales Coordinator and part-time Flight Attendant, and Klara Jakob, a Digital Marketer, take on the NeurOlympics. They put their careers to the test—predicting their brain profiles, navigating real-world scenarios, and uncovering their top and bottom cognitive skills based on BrainsFirst’s 16 abilities to see if their jobs truly match how their brains are wired. 00:00 How the NeurOlympics Challenge Works 02:34 Get to Know Our Guests First 10:58 Does Your Job Match Your Brain Skills? 24:45 Best Careers That Fit Their Brain Profile 28:56 Deep Dive Into Your Brain Profile 45:06 Let's Reveal Your Top 2 and Bottom 2 Brain Skills 🔗 Learn more about BrainsFirst: click here 📍 Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here • Instagram: click here • TikTok: click here • Podcast Website: click here 👥 Follow our guests: Carla Mollenhauer: click here Klara Jakob: click here 🎙️ Follow our host: click here

    1h 2m
  7. Neurodiversity Expert: The Workplace Mistake That’s Excluding Neurodivergent Talent

    APR 16

    Neurodiversity Expert: The Workplace Mistake That’s Excluding Neurodivergent Talent

    Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click hereVivian Acquah, a leading DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) consultant, joins us to break down the often misunderstood topic of neurodiversity at work. She shares her personal journey, the harmful stereotypes neurodivergent people face, and why companies are still falling short in creating truly inclusive workplaces.We also discuss how organizations can move beyond surface-level DEI efforts — and how Vivian uses Virtual Reality and her innovative Amplify DEI tools to unlock empathy and drive real change.00:00 Introduction01:10 Why Discuss Neurodiversity?01:36 Vivian Recognizes Her Neurodiversity04:22 How Self-Awareness Transformed Life with Neurodiversity06:09 Harmful Stereotypes of Neurodiverse Individuals in Media08:11 The Struggle of Hiding Who You Are12:57 Neurodiversity is Undervalued at the Workplace14:46 Vivian's Personalized Approach to Work and Neurodiversity16:32 Building an Inclusive Workplace with Virtual Reality19:46 The Impact of Virtual Reality in Neurodiversity Training22:33 Neurodiversity in Media: Representation vs. Reality25:42 Neurodiversity Is a Spectrum, Not an Extreme26:56 Vivian: "You Are Not Crazy. You Are Unique."📢 Learn more about Vivian’s Neurodiversity VR Training here: click here🔗 Learn more about BrainsFirst: click here📍 Follow us on social media:• LinkedIn: click here• Instagram: click here• TikTok: click here• Podcast Website: click here👥 Follow our guest: click here🎙️ Follow our host: click here

    30 min
  8. EMERGENCY CALL: 54% of Autistic Individuals Are Unemployed—Why Businesses Are Missing Out on Top Talent

    APR 2

    EMERGENCY CALL: 54% of Autistic Individuals Are Unemployed—Why Businesses Are Missing Out on Top Talent

    Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click here Saskia Meeuwessen, General Manager at ITvitae—a social enterprise providing ICT training, coaching, and job placement for young people with autism or giftedness—and Dr. Ilja Sligte, a neuroscience professor, break down the alarming 54% unemployment rate among autistic individuals and why businesses are missing out. Traditional hiring processes and rigid workplace structures fail to support autistic and neurodivergent professionals, causing companies to overlook highly skilled talent. In this discussion, we explore the real challenges neurodivergent individuals face in the job market and provide actionable solutions for businesses to foster inclusive, high-performing workplaces. 00:00 Introduction 01:24 My Mission to Help 54% of Autistic Adults Struggling to Find Jobs 03:02 What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? 5:51 Why Autistic Individuals Struggle in Traditional Systems 15:16 How ITVitae Supports Autistic Individuals Beyond the Traditional System 19:00 How Companies React to ITVitae’s Initiatives & Impact 19:47 Common Misconceptions About Neurodivergent Individuals 21:10 How Does ITVitae Train Autistic Individuals for the Workplace? 26:34 A Remarkable Success Story from ITVitae 28:38 How ITVitae and BrainsFirst Align in Their Mission 34:38 The Future of Neurodiversity Support Amid Shifting DEI Efforts 40:01 The Change Needed to Empower Neurodivergent Individuals 🔗 Learn more about BrainsFirst: click here 📍 Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here • Instagram: click here • TikTok: click here • Podcast Website: click here 👥 Follow our guest: click here 🎙️ Follow our host: click here

    47 min
See All (26)

About

Welcome to the NeurOlympics podcast, brought to you by the award-winning company BrainsFirst, where we believe that every brain's got talent! Join us as we sit down with our in-house neuroscience experts to discuss the cognition behind talent, as well as other hot neuroscience topics, that we envision to help you and your team to enhance productivity, performance, and well-being. Whether you're a talent cultivator and managing a team, coaching athletes, or seeking personal growth- tune in to unlock your and your team's full cognitive potential! www.brainsfirst.com/podcast

Information

  • Creator
    NeurOlympics
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © NeurOlympics
  • Show Website
    NeurOlympics