Emotion Researcher Explains: Why Repressing Unhappy Feelings Destroys Work Culture | Prof. Dr. Van Kleef

STX Recruitment Experts: 4 Out of Their 5 New Hires Are Women | A Women's Month Episode

Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click here [brainsfirst.com/en/demo] In this episode, we sit down with Leah Shine and Carline Mohr from STX, one of our clients, who recently hired 5 new trainees, four of whom are women. It's a powerful reminder that the status quo of the industry, where fewer than 20% of traders are female, doesn't reflect a lack of ability, but rather a missed opportunity to recognize and support the cognitive strengths and potential women bring to trading. We explore how to attract and empower more women in the workplace, why more women are stepping into new opportunities, and how we can create more inclusive and supportive recruitment processes. We also dive into confidence, employer branding, and practical advice for young professionals entering the workforce.  0:00 Introduction 01:50 Who Are Leah and Carline and What Does STX Do 04:09 Female Role Models That Shape Career Growth 05:28 How STX Is Attracting More Women Into Trading 08:31 The Biggest Challenges Women Face When Applying 13:15 What a Truly Inclusive Workplace Looks Like 16:38 The Double Bind Problem in Female Leadership 18:11 How Events andEmployer Branding Attract Women Talent 28:33 Why Women Actually Performed Better in Hiring 33:47 Practical Career Tips for Women Entering the Workforce 45:19 What Successful Women Would Tell Their Younger Self Learn more about BrainsFirst: ⁠click here [https://www.brainsfirst.com⁠] Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainsfirst/] • Instagram: click here [https://www.instagram.com/neurolympicspod/] • TikTok: click here [https://www.tiktok.com/@neurolympics] • Podcast Website: click here [https://www.brainsfirst.com/podcast] Follow our guest: ⁠Carline Mohr: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carline-mohr-5b6690151/] Leah Shine: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahshine/] Follow our host: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-pressl-9319bb9b/%C3%A2%C2%81%C2%A0]

Emotion Researcher Explains: Why Repressing Unhappy Feelings Destroys Work Culture | Prof. Dr. Van Kleef

Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: brainsfirst.com/en/demo [http://brainsfirst.com/en/demo] Today’s guest is Prof. Dr. Gerben Van Kleef, Professor at the University of Amsterdam and a leading emotion researcher. He explains why emotions are not “soft stuff,” but powerful social signals that shape decisions, relationships, and workplace culture. We explore his Emotions as Social Information (EASI) theory, why forcing a “happy workplace” can backfire, and how emotional intelligence helps teams read the room, handle tension, and solve problems instead of smiling through them. 00:00 Introduction 01:33 What Is the Role of Emotions in the Western Workplace 02:19 Why Is Work Culture Shifting Toward Emotions 03:57 EASI Theory How Emotions Become Social Data 05:25 Can You Trust Your Emotions at Work 12:25 Are Anger Fear and Sadness Really Negative 18:37 How Emotions Change Cognition and Decision Making 27:55 Why Are We Drawn to Narcissistic Leaders 33:59 Winter Blues How Do You Stay Mentally Strong at Work  Learn more about BrainsFirst: https://www.brainsfirst.com [https://www.brainsfirst.com]  Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainsfirst/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainsfirst/] • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurolympicspod/ [https://www.instagram.com/neurolympicspod/] • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neurolympics [https://www.tiktok.com/@neurolympics] • Podcast Website: https://www.brainsfirst.com/podcast [https://www.brainsfirst.com/podcast]  Follow our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerben-van-kleef-27691b7/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerben-van-kleef-27691b7/]  Follow our host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-pressl-9319bb9b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-pressl-9319bb9b/]

Digital Empowerment Expert: Why Feeling Unseen Hurts Like Real Pain | Younes Skalli

Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click here [https://www.brainsfirst.com/en/demo]   Sit down with Younes Skalli, a Digital Empowerment Advisor, educator, and storyteller, to explore one essential question: what does it really take to feel appreciated at work? He breaks down why appreciation matters more than ever, and how being unseen affects motivation and wellbeing. Younes also reveals practical ways leaders can make people feel truly recognized at work.  0:00 Introduction 02:04 What Is Appreciation to You? 08:06 What Happens When You Don’t Feel Valued? 16:54 Why Feeling Seen Is a Basic Human Need 21:38 Can There Be Too Much Appreciation? 26:16 Effort vs Results What Should Leaders Appreciate? 32:12 The Most Powerful Appreciation Isn’t Words 34:03 How Storytelling Makes People Feel Seen 40:10 Digital Empowerment Helping People Feel Valued Online 50:29 Small Acts of Appreciation That Change Everything 59:48 This One Act of Kindness   🔗 Learn more about BrainsFirst: click here [https://www.brainsfirst.com] 📍 Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainsfirst/] • Instagram: click here [https://www.instagram.com/neurolympicspod/] • TikTok: click here [https://www.tiktok.com/@neurolympics] • Podcast Website: click here [https://www.brainsfirst.com/podcast]   👥 Follow our guest: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/younes-skalli3/ ] 🎙️ Follow our host: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-pressl-9319bb9b/]

30 Years in Career Coaching: What Really Makes People Happy at Work | Reinier Meijer (Hera)

Feel free to book a demo call for the NeurOlympics today: click here [https://www.brainsfirst.com/en/demo] In this episode, we sit down with Reinier Meijer, Trainer at Hera Inzetbaarheid, who brings 30 years of coaching experience to improving workplace happiness in the Netherlands. He explains why stress and absenteeism are rising, and how sustainable employment helps prevent burnout instead of reacting to it. We also dive into belonging, behavior, and how managers can better support their teams, plus how cognition and natural talent shape real job satisfaction. 0:00 Introduction 01:33 Why Sustainable Employment Matters in the 21st Century 03:14 Why Reinier Personally Cares About Sustainable Employment 05:47 Hera’s Mission and Why Workplace Stress Is Exploding 10:04 What is the Meaning of a Job Today? 13:03 How Can We Make the Netherlands Happy? 15:02 Why Behavior Is the Key to Reducing Absenteeism 18:48 The Real Struggles of Managers and Employees 20:09 Why Relationships Matter More Than Skills 21:31 What Truly Creates Work Life Balance 23:57 Inside the Coaching Room — Themes Reinier Sees Most 26:11 How Cognition Helps People Find the Right Role 32:50 Why Returning to Work After Absenteeism Is So Hard 38:01 The Manager Support Gap — Why 1 in 4 Feel Unsupported 43:36 Tools and Daily Habits That Boost Job Satisfaction 🔗 Learn more about BrainsFirst: click here [https://www.brainsfirst.com] 📍 Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainsfirst/] • Instagram: click here [https://www.instagram.com/neurolympicspod/] • TikTok: click here [https://www.tiktok.com/@neurolympics] • Podcast Website: click here [https://www.brainsfirst.com/en/podcast] 👥 Follow our guest: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/reinier-meijer-b325438/ ] 🎙️ Follow our host: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-pressl-9319bb9b/]

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 [https://www.brainsfirst.com/en/demo] 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 [https://www.brainsfirst.com] 📍 Follow us on social media: • LinkedIn: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainsfirst/] • Instagram: click here [https://www.instagram.com/neurolympicspod/] • TikTok: click here [https://www.tiktok.com/@neurolympics] • Podcast Website: click here [https://www.brainsfirst.com/podcast] 👥 Follow our guest: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/komay-nguyen/] 🎙️ Follow our host: click here [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-pressl-9319bb9b/]