Inspire Change 5-168 Welcome to Season 5 with Special Guest Dr. Mark Williams

Happy New Year 2023 everybody and welcome to an amazing SEASON 5! Boy do we have some exciting things coming up this season!!First we want to open with a very special return guest and friend to the Inspire Change with Gunter podcast to the stage: Dr. Mark Williams!He is an internationally recognised professor of cognitive neuroscience, with over 25 years experience conducting behavioural and brain imaging research focusing on our social skills. He has taught the fundamentals of neuroscience to a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as publishing more than 70 scientific articles. Mark has been awarded numerous high profile fellowships and grants, and worked both at MIT in the USA and at universities in Australia. He recently took voluntary redundancy to focus on making the many recent discoveries in cognitive neuroscience more accessible to the general public. His academic background allows him to communicate with authority on science and his passion for education makes him accessible to a wide audience.Not a typical ‘academic’, Mark comes from a disjointed family background. He hated school and experienced first-hand the challenges of getting ahead in a small town in Victoria. To describe these years as ‘colourful’ is an understatement. Aged 25, something changed. Mark returned to learning, completed his HSC and began what became a rapid rise to academic achievement, including being awarded both the CJ Martin and the Queen Elisabeth II Fellowships. He became fascinated with how we interact, learn and think. Mark went on to study brain plasticity, attention disorders, autism, prosopagnosia (face blindness), dementia and eating disorders. He has been at the cutting edge of developing computational brain imaging analysis and the adoption of new technologies like virtual reality in research.He now runs programs for schools and businesses on the neuroscience of learning, the neuroscience of emotions and the impact of modern technologies (like smartphones) on our brains. He has considerable media experience, with many television and radio appearances featuring his research on topics ranging from facial expressions, emotions, racism, through to how the brain processes smells and why we can’t tickle ourselves.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/inspire-change-with-gunter--3633478/support.PatreonIf this episode resonates with you and you’d like to go deeper into practical exercises and guided reflection, Gunter offers extended self-development resources and exercises through our Patreon community: www.patreon.com/inspirechangeSponsorDistil UnionThis episode of Inspire Change with Gunter is brought to you by Distil Union, creators of beautifully designed, functional everyday carry accessories that help bring organization, simplicity, and intention into your daily life.Distil Union blends craftsmanship with thoughtful design to help you carry what matters most — without the clutter.👉 Explore their products and receive your exclusive listener discount by visiting: www.DistilUnion.com/discount/inspirechangeReach OutIf you are interested in guest appearances, guest hosting opportunities, or suggesting topics, please contact Emilia Osborne, Showrunner’s Assistant: [email protected] purchase Gunter's books, they are available at all retailers and online shops or check out: The Bookstore