Being laid off led me to adopt two Maine Coons – and start a business and career I now love passionately. Of course, it wasn’t quite that simple or that quick. There was a pandemic (remember that?), homeschooling, endless courses, frantic soul-searching, a newly bought house, and the usual worries about mortgages and “what now?”. …
For years, we assumed the adult brain was fixed; that once neurons died, they were gone for good. The idea that the brain could change, adapt, and even grow new cells after childhood was considered impossible. That view began to shift only a few decades ago. In the 1960s, researcher Joseph Altman first observed new …
Living Neuroplasticity: Why It’s Time to Rethink Work, Leadership and Age Read More »
Sometimes it feels as if we are told to work longer for jobs that do not exist, for pensions we should not expect, to eventually enjoy an old age that might not be so enjoyable – because we are burned out. That may sound like the pessimist’s view, but it reflects a sentiment many share. …
Much of Europe’s Debate on Pensions Misses the Point: Work Itself Read More »
A week ago, I found myself in an airport hotel outside Helsinki. I had just finished a long day of flying, leaving my children safely at home with my spouse (though never without the familiar logistical stress test of family coordination). The next day, I was set to continue my journey to celebrate the 80th …
A Snapshot of the Future (Already Present) of Learning – from the Sandwich Generation Read More »
A concept came to mind this morning: willful ignorance; the intentional act of avoiding information that reveals the negative consequences of one’s actions (Big Think, 2025). Research on willful ignorance shows that around 40% of people deliberately avoid information that could challenge their choices or self-image (Dr. Linh Vu, in Big Think, 2025). This “strategic …
Why Some Leaders Push False “Facts” – and Why It’s Damaging Read More »
Probably around the time you spend more energy pretending to be excited than actually doing your job. When clapping on demand drains your soul, and your daily inner monologue shifts from “This is fine” to “Who even am I anymore?” I spent close to 15 years in corporate life and, truth be told, I don’t …
When Do You Know You’re Ready to Leave Corporate Life? Read More »
“Our task is to educate their (our students) whole being so they can face the future. We may not see the future, but they will, and our job is to help them make something of it.”– Sir Ken Robinson, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything As the new school term begins for primary …
Educating for the Future: Beyond Standardization Read More »
I remember, almost in slow motion, the first time my mother completely lost her memory and sense of orientation. It was ten years ago, almost to the month. A sunny afternoon on the summerhouse veranda, I sat with my baby and toddler, slowly realizing that life would never be the same again. And also realizing …
Midlife and Memory: Why Women’s Brain Health Deserves More Attention Read More »
I recently came across a compelling article in the Greater Good Science Center, titled “What Is Cognitive Warfare and Why Does It Matter for You?” (Gisselsson Nord and Rinaldi, 2025), and it struck me as profoundly timely. It asserts that our cognitive domain -how we perceive, feel, and think – is fast becoming the latest …
The New Battlefield Isn’t Land or Sea – It is your Mind Read More »
In today’s climate of economic uncertainty and ongoing organizational restructurings, I’m noticing a striking pattern in my coaching practice. More and more high-achieving professionals -people being recommended or promoted into people leadership roles – are opting out. Some even voluntarily take a step down. The reason they give? “I feel too much. I care too …
