NeurOlympics

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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

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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

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

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Vivian Acquah, a top DEI strategist, shares her journey and the biggest challenges women face at work—from pay gaps to career penalties for motherhood. We also dive into the corporate rollback on DEI and how companies can stay committed. Plus, Vivian introduces her powerful Amplify DEI Cards for workplace inclusion.

00:00 Introduction

01:36 Why Vivian Dedicates Her Life to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

06:12 Alicia Keys: DEI is a Gift, Not a Threat!

08:26 DEI Challenges Women Face in the 21st Century

13:34 What Makes a Workplace Truly Inclusive?

16:57 Google's DEI Shift During Donald Trump's Era

17:34 How Target's DEI Missteps Impacted Shareholders

18:36 Costco's Success Through Embracing DEI

20:08 How Internet Disinformation and News Overload Impact You

21:58 Major Companies Committed to DEI Initiatives

22:57 Self-Advocacy Tips for Women in the Workplace

24:18 Amplify DEI Cards

27:28 Which Influential Woman Do You Look Up To?

30:29 Most Inspiring Woman in Your Life?

33:35 What Every Woman Needs to Know Now

📢 Get Vivian’s Amplify DEI Cards here: [click here] (Discount code: AMP2025MK10 valid until 1/1/2026)

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Pieter Talsma, Talent & Employability Manager, and Rob Oosterveer, Senior HR Advisor, reveal how Atos, a global IT leader, is revolutionizing workforce management in today’s competitive labor market.

Using cutting-edge cognitive tools and skills-based strategies, they’ve saved €200K to €300K, improved employee retention, and fueled career growth—all while driving business success.

00:00 Introduction

01:56 Who is Rob Oosterveer from Atos?

04:01 Rob's Participation in the NeurOlympics

04:58 Who is Pieter Talsma from Atos?

07:08 Pieter's Participation in the NeurOlympics

09:00 Atos' Company Size and Its Global Influence

12:15 Workforce Planning Challenges Faced by Large Companies Like Atos

14:41 Employability Center at Atos

19:34 Integrating TMA & NeurOlympics into Atos Operations

24:36 Impact of Game-Based Assessments on Career Development

30:23 Why Atos Utilizes NeurOlympics for Effective Outplacement

37:59 How NeurOlympics Results Validate Managerial Expertise

41:16 Why Companies Should Support Employees Through Transitions

46:07 Are You Maximizing Employee Potential with Cognitive Insights?

51:05 How Atos will Utilize NeurOlympics for Future Talent Management

01:01:05 One Key Takeaway

01:03:08 Book A Demo Call of the NeurOlympics

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Two psychology master’s degree graduates from BrainsFirst dive into workplace relationships, love languages at work, and the neuroscience behind job satisfaction. Plus, uncover small acts of kindness that enhance happiness, boost productivity, and strengthen team connections!

00:00 Intro

01:50 Are You in the Honeymoon or Married Stage at Work?

04:58 Top & Least Favored Love Languages in the Workplace

09:55 How to Find Gratitude in Your Work?

13:11 Should You Compare Yourself to Your Colleagues?

17:36 How Close or Distant Should Workplace Relationships Be?

21:06 The Best Way to Handle Difficult Conversations at Work

24:06 Top Acts of Kindness to Foster a Positive Workplace

28:09 Benefits of Dog Therapy in the Workplace

31:07 Acts of Kindness at Work for Valentine’s Day

32:03 Love Messages

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What if we were to hire people based on their brains, not their experience? In today’s episode, we explore how Gemeente Rotterdam partnered with BrainsFirst to revolutionize hiring. Our amazing guest, Jan Willem Wiersma, shares how cognitive insights are replacing traditional CVs to uncover hidden talent, reduce bias, and find the perfect job matches.

Hear the incredible story of Samir, a candidate overlooked by traditional methods but discovered through brain-based assessments. We also dive into practical tips for implementing cognitive hiring and why it’s the future of recruitment.

Key Themes:

- Moving beyond CVs to cognitive-based hiring

- Uncovering hidden talent through brain profiling

- Brain-based hiring vs traditional hiring

- Challenges in adapting to new recruitment methods

- Turning the pain of rejection into something valuable!

- Improving candidate experience with detailed feedback

Resources:

- Play the Neurolympics: https://www.brainsfirst.com/en/playthegame

- Learn more about BrainsFirst: https://www.brainsfirst.com/podcast

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainsfirst

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurolympicspod/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neurolympics

- Jan Willem’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-willem-wiersma/

- Connect with Lucie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-pressl-9319bb9b/

In today's episode, we're exploring how your brain filters reality and shapes your whole worldview. From the power of neuroplasticity to cognitive biases, discover how experiences, beliefs, and environments influence your perspective.

Break free from limiting beliefs, level up your mindset, and unlock growth opportunities for 2025. Get ready for a fun, eye-opening conversation that’ll leave you pumped to take on the year ahead!

Key Themes:

Resources:

In our last episode of 2024, we dive into reflections and intentions through a neuroscience lens. Discover how reflecting on both positive and negative moments reshapes your brain, why acceptance is key to growth, and how to transform reflection into actionable change.

Plus, we explore common New Year’s resolutions and provide science-backed strategies to achieve them. Whether you’re resetting for the year ahead or revisiting past challenges, these brain-based tools will help you thrive :brain:

Key Themes:

Resources:

#Neuroscience #NeuroOlympics #ReflectionAndGrowth #GoalSetting #NewYearsResolutions

In today's episode, we're joined again by Dr. Ilja Sligte and Drs. Andries van der Leij to explore the final cognitive skills in the behavioral cycle: acting and executing! They discuss how different brain types (fast vs precise actors and dynamic vs persistent executors) affect productivity and procrastination.

We offer practical strategies to align your work style with your brain's natural tendencies, helping you set and achieve concrete goals in 2025 🧠 Discover how to beat procrastination and handle perfectionism more effectively, ensuring a productive and successful year ahead!

Key Themes:

- Understanding fast vs precise acting

- Dynamic vs persistent execution styles

- Strategies to overcome procrastination

- Setting concrete, achievable goals

- Team dynamics and brain diversity

Resources:

- Play the Neurolympics: https://www.brainsfirst.com/en/playthegame

- Learn more about Brainsfirst: https://www.brainsfirst.com/podcast

- Connect with Lucie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucie-pressl-9319bb9b/

- Connect with Dr Iljas Sligte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilja-sligte/

- Connect with Drs Andries Van der Leij: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andriesvanderleij/

#Neuroscience #Productivity #BrainTypes #Procrastination #Neurolympics