Podcast appearances and mentions of Michael A Rousell

Dr. Michael A. Rousell is a teacher, psychologist, and professor emeritus at Southern Oregon University. He completed his doctoral program at the University of Oregon in 1991. Rousell studied life-changing events for over three decades and established his expertise by writing the internationally successful book Sudden Influence: How Spontaneous Events Shape Our Lives (2007). His pioneering work draws on research from a wide variety of brain sciences that show when, how, and why we instantly form new beliefs. His latest book is The Power of Surprise: How Your Brain Secretly Changes Your Beliefs. He lives with his spouse in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His 2019 TEDx Presentation Sign up for 10% off of Shrink Rap Radio CE credits at the Zur Institute

Welcome back to the Neuroscience Meets Social and Emotional Learning Podcast for EPISODE #159 with Dr. Michael A. Rousell, PhD[i] a teacher, psychologist, and professor emeritus at Southern Oregon University who has studied how random events transform us. After studying formative events, which are moments that define us, or strongly influence us, for over three decades, Michael Rousell discovered that most of them took place during a spark of surprise and serve as a mechanism to instantly change our beliefs. Watch the interview on YouTube here. Learn more about Michael Rousell and The Power of Surprise Book (coming out Sept.15)    I'm Andrea Samadi, author, and educator from Toronto, Canada, now in Arizona, and like many of our listeners, have been fascinated with learning and understanding the science behind high performance strategies in our schools, our sports, and workplace environments with ideas that we can all use, understand and implement immediately.   In today's episode, we will speak with Michael Rousell about his new book, The Power of Surprise: How Your Brain Secretly Changes Your Beliefs.[ii] Michael will show us how surprising events produce invisible influence because they open a window to spontaneous belief change with no warning or conscious awareness. You'll see how a seemingly minor feature of surprise can be devised to strategically enrich someone's life (personally or in the workplace) and create positive mindsets, for students or employees while maximizing your influence for those in leadership roles.   You can dive deeper into The Power of Surprise by watching Michael's TED TALK.[iii] 30% DISCOUNT ON The Power of Surprise BOOK https://rowman.com/ use CODE RLFANDF30 (by Sept. 30, 2021)   Here's what people are saying about Michael Rousell's new book:    “Fascinating read chock full of lots of truly novel information and ideas. A must-read for anyone interested in enriching their lives and finding new ways to expand their mind.”—Andrew Newberg, MD, best-selling author of Why We Believe What We Believe. “A fascinating book. The Power of Surprise shows what most of us miss about moments that change us.”—Jonah Berger, New York Times best-selling author of 3 Books, The Catalyst, Contagious, and Invisible Influence In today's episode you will learn: What happens in the brain when we experience surprise? Why random events transform us, and how they secretly change our beliefs. How to use this understanding of surprise at the brain level to enrich/transform someone else's life dramatically and instantly (in the workplace or classroom environment). As you are listening to this episode I encourage you to think about where surprise has shown up in your life. Has someone ever said something to you that caught your attention, and made you think? What did you do with this new information? Did you use it? Did that moment change or transform you in some way, like Jonah Berger's testimonial offered or did you just dismiss it, never to think about it again? And finally, have you ever wondered “what just happened there?” I hope that we can dive a bit deeper and see if we can uncover some meaning behind the element of surprise in your life and offer you a framework to intentionally impact those around you, on a deeper level, with the Power of Surprise. Let's meet Michael Rousell. Welcome Michael, it's wonderful to see you again--thank you so much for speaking with me today. We set this interview up months ago, and August seemed so far away at the time! Doesn't time fly! Q1: I know that if we all think about it, we can come up with a time in our life where we experienced a surprise that had a profound impact on us, but most of us don't think that deeply about something like this. We plan surprise parties, love surprise gifts, but what makes a surprise so special? Q2: What drew your attention to study the impact that surprise has on someone's life and belief system? Was there an experience that surprised and changed you? When did you first notice The Power of Surprise? Q3: What can we learn from The Power of Surprise? Are there Aha Moments of learning that can be revealed to us if we are self-aware, or paying attention? Are surprises like epiphanies? Q4: What does emotion have to do with surprise? (Positive or negative emotion?) Q5: We all know how powerful the neurotransmitter dopamine is, and its connection to the motivation centers in the brain, but when did science discover the role of dopamine when we experience surprise? Q6: Can you give an example of how to use the element of surprise in the workplace to transform one of your team members who you notice might be having a difficult time. Can we really transform someone's life with surprise, and will we notice the impact immediately? Q7: Can you give an example of how an educator could use surprise to change a student's mindset in the classroom and how surprise can impact a student's ability to learn? Q8: What's the difference between being startled and surprised? Q9: Can I surprise someone and impact change if they have a strong belief? Q10: Have I missed anything about the Power of Surprise? Any final thoughts? Today's listeners will receive a 30% discount on the purchase of Mike's book, The Power of Surprise: How Your Brain Secretly Changes Your Beliefs. Just hit the link for the discount that you'll find it in the show notes. For those who want to learn more about Mike and the Power of Surprise, go to michaelrousell.com, or find him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. https://www.facebook.com/michael.a.rousell https://twitter.com/rousellm https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-rousell-92839580/ http://michaelrousell.com/books   FOR A FREE EBOOK on The Power of Surprise in the Practical NeuroWisdom series, click the link below. Surprise: The Neurological Spark to Personal Transformation http://hgd.go2jump.org/aff_c?offer_id=129&aff_id=3518&url_id=797   Thank you very much for speaking to me today, and sharing your decades of research of formative events to help us to all impact change, and transform those around us, whether we are a teacher in the classroom, looking to impact our students, or those in the workplace, the understanding of how we can use the element of surprise to influence others is something I know could positively influence others, as we watch those around us flourish, with an understanding of the unexpected. Thank you! FOLLOW ANDREA SAMADI:  YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AndreaSamadi   Website https://www.achieveit360.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samadi/  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Achieveit360com   Neuroscience Meets SEL Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/2975814899101697   Twitter: https://twitter.com/andreasamadi   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreasamadi/    RESOURCES: Wolfram Schultz https://www.neuroscience.cam.ac.uk/directory/profile.php?Schultz 2017 Brain Prize Award Winner Wolfram Schultz https://speakingofresearch.com/2017/03/06/winners-of-2017-brain-prize-announced-peter-dayan-ray-dolan-and-wolfram-schultz/ REFERENCES: [i] http://michaelrousell.com/ [ii] http://michaelrousell.com/books/power-of-surprise [iii]Surprise! How Your Brain Secretly Changes Your Beliefs| Michael Rousell TEDxSalem Published on YouTube March 18, 2019  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5O6mFWpgZo

Will articulates clearly, openly and insightfully his roller coaster ride through his career as a 6ft 10 1st class cricketer right through to running his own business supporting the development of individuals and business. Will is the Founder of Performance Catalyst Ltd. After having served 12 years as a professional sportsman, playing both County and International cricket, Will transitioned into the business world as a successful business and sport consultant. Will has a plethora of skills that are founded on his background in professional sport and experience in business as well as his life-long passion for the psychology of human performance. Equally competent working one-to-one and with larger groups, Will's thoughtful and empathetic approach combines his powerful ability truly to connect with people and to share his deep personal insights into the art and science of excellence. Will represented Essex CCC, Nottinghamshire CCC, Leicestershire CCC and the England A team at home and abroad. He scored over 10,000 runs in all forms of the game, scoring 17 First Class hundreds. Will's first role upon retiring from cricket was working for the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the England Women's cricket teams throughout their performance pathway as the Personal Development and Welfare coach. He worked with the senior women's team (including Katherine Brunt, Anya Shrubsole, Nat Sciver, Georgia Elwiss and Holly Colvin), and the Academy, U19 and U15 teams. Both while playing and since retiring from professional sport, Will has worked as a consultant delivering workshops to male and female school sports teams, sports scholars and team captains, as well as mentoring sports scholars 1-1 (including Tom and Ben Curry) and giving inspirational talks. Will currently works as an ECB Coach Development Mentor for coaches on the International and Specialist coaching programmes. Will has a wealth of experiences which clearly shines through in this conversation. There is something in his story we can all relate to and learn from.  I hope you enjoy!   If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes. It only takes a minute and really makes a difference in helping to convince new listeners. Thanks so much it - is much appreciated!! For show notes and past guests, please visit www.sportstories247.com Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Please make contact at: hello@sportstories247.com Follow Sport Stories: Twitter:            twitter.com/sportstories_ Instagram:       Instagram.com/sportstories247 Facebook:        facebook.com/sportstories247 LinkedIn:         https://www.linkedin.com/company/sportstories YouTube:          Sport Stories YouTube Channel Find out more about Dave at: www.thesummitpartnership.com Follow Dave: Twitter:    https://twitter.com/SummitDave LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davelevine3   Success quotes or sayings: Played all sports through to age of 16/17 yrs Played Rugby 5's Father influence and learnt from older siblings Height – helped and hindered. 6ft 8 when leaving school Played men's cricket at 15 yrs old. Had to become comfortable in my own skin. Many years to get to grips with this and see this as an advantage Connection and relationship with my coach was key – early career (17yrs) through to latter career (28yrs) Coach allowed me to express myself and reach my potential and ability Maximising my talents – from being tangled, through reverting to basics back to loving the game. Strip away everything that wasn't important. Allow my gifts to shine through Had to step up at a young age. Went to the coaches at a young age to find out how I could improve. Allowed my interest, curiosity, and inquisitive mind to come through. Factored in how to be ready for the next level up… My Curiosity comes from a young age – ‘What do I need to do to get better' Grown and developed this mindset. Fuels and excites me. Enthused by variety. Look outside the familiar and bring back in. Mentoring relationship – expertise and outlook that can help! ‘Attitude is everything' – from Merve Genis Attitude in everything – not just sport! Difficult periods – severed tendon in wrist Turned my attention to what could do and what was possible – could do mindset!! Leave no stone unturned to get back to full fitness Attitude is everything examples – Shane Warne. Initially played man before the ball then a few weeks later scored 222 runs. Catalytic moments that positively impacted. The pride coming through from the coach – the attitude and hard work paid off. Catalytic conversations = strong relationship and respect for the person/coach and the ability to ask the tight questions in a timely manner. Asking questions of unlikely people in unlikely places It is hard to get clarity all on your own. Get clarity of mind and iron out your thinking. Nuances and small percentage rewards – look in different places. Found the ability to bounce back – showing greater consistency with mental approach. Understanding what it takes to perform at your top day in day out Life changing news being told you will never run again on that hip. Leading to transformation and re invention The importance of a reflective period. How this helped and aided the transition. It gave me some time to get some closure on my cricket career. This was not a quick process! Creating something as meaningful and fulfilling as my cricket career – if not even more so – was and is my aim! I considered how to best use my time to best equip myself for the next phase of my life. I used a career coach to help me reflect and consider who I am as a person (not just a cricket player). Feeling of positive momentum, direction and purpose as moving toward new identity Getting out there speaking to people I knew and networking was an incredibly important part of the transition years. The importance of the support structure. Willing to embracing the uncomfortable – build, develop and finesse a new set of skills Take lessons from one environment and transfer into another Learning and a sponge for information. Taking insights and turning them into action. The ability to act on what you have learnt…or what you believe to be right. Insight to action…. Clarity – get to close to our own problems and can't see the wood for the trees. Objectivity is so important. People to support and challenge. Humility is needed to expose yourself to new. Key foundational starting places - Self-awareness and self-knowledge – hold the mirror up and engaging those around you Skilful reflection is key to any performer looking to move their performance levels forward   Quick fire questions: The books that you would recommend are? Working Identity: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career by Herminia Ibarra The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by Norman Doidge Sudden Influence: How Spontaneous Events Shape Our Lives by Michael A. Rousell   How do I prepare to be the best version of myself… Mind – body connection. Exercise – swimming and cycling (Healthy thinking space!) Carve out the time every week     In one sentence – What advice would you give to your teenage version of yourself? Express yourself – freedom of thought and mind   Who has made a big impact on you? Father – strength and ability to re-invent himself. Wife – different in character and personality and celebrated this difference.   Whos' Sport Story would you be really interested in hearing? Phil Jackson – NBA coach     Coaching questions I would like to pose: 1 Reflect back and identify a couple of Pivotal moments in your life – what made them pivitol and how have they helped you and hindered you to date. What might you value changing? 2 What skills and behaviours have you developed in one environment that you can transfer and call on in another? How might you do this more?   Contact info: Website: www.performancecatalyst.uk Email: will@performancecatalyst.uk LinkedIn: Performance Catalyst Twitter: @performancecat Instagram: performancecatalyst Facebook: @PerformanceCat