Your smartest plan can fail if the brain thinks it’s under threat. That’s why we brought on Dr. Lisa Riegel, a neuroscientist and author of Aspirations To Operations and NeuroWell, to translate brain science into leadership behaviors you can actually use when pressure is high and change is nonstop.

We start with Lisa’s “quarter-life crisis” reset and the moment she realized success on paper can still feel like failure inside. From there we get practical about choice, acceptance, and why “there’s no wrong step” if you stay curious and learn from the dots on your timeline. Then we go deep into the human operating system: how unconscious processing drives most of our behavior, how the amygdala fires fast, and how identity and old associations can hijack the present. Lisa’s “Bob” and “Harold” model makes complex neuroscience clear without watering it down.

If you’re leading through uncertainty, AI disruption, or fast organizational change, we connect the brain to implementation. Lisa shares her 8C commitment framework, including culture and belonging, collective identity, clarity, coherence, cadence, collaboration, coaching, communication, and celebration. We also cover quick vagus nerve and breath practices you can use to improve self-regulation, so you can make better decisions and help your team do the same.

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About Lisa: Lisa Riegel started her career in education, driven by one goal: to help people reach their potential. Over time, she realized that fulfillment—whether in a classroom, company, or community—comes from understanding how the brain drives behavior and how systems shape success. That discovery became the foundation for her life’s work. As an educator, researcher, and author, she has spent two decades helping leaders and organizations align brain science with human systems—creating cultures where people feel connected, capable, and in control of their growth. She delivers keynotes, workshops, and individual leadership coaching that helps people connect the science of behavior, motivation, and fulfillment to their organization's strategic goals. Her counsel and support improves happiness, health, and success for individuals and organizations as a whole.

Connect with Lisa: https://lisariegel.com/

Interested in being a guest on The Talent Forge? Contact our producer, Madison Bennett, via email: [email protected].

Meet the Host
Jay Johnson works with people and organizations to empower teams, grow profits, and elevate leadership. He is a Co-Founder of Behavioral Elements®, a two-time TEDx speaker, and a designated Master Trainer by the Association for Talent Development. With a focus on behavioral intelligence, Jay has delivered transformational workshops to accelerate high-performance teams and cultures in more than 30 countries across four continents. For inquiries, contact [email protected] or connect below!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayjohnsonccg/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jayjohnsonccg/
Speaker Website - https://jayjohnsonspeaks.com