The Dr. CK Bray Show is a 20-minute science and research-based podcast that aims to provide the information you need to create a better life and career. Dr. Bray shares the latest research findings in the areas of business, personal excellence and achievement, resilience and thriving, career, learning, leadership, change, and health. He also provides a one-stop resource for actionable advice and tools to cover every aspect of your life. Be prepared to be simultaneously educated and entertained.
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Findapromotion Podcasts
As the year comes to a close, many people feel it. A mix of relief, pressure, and a quiet sense that something needs to change. Not because they failed, but because despite doing many things right, the year felt heavier than expected. In this episode, Dr. Christopher K. Bray explores a different way to approach the New Year. Instead of setting bigg…
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Episode 609: Design Your Brain Not Your Goals for 2026
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8:37Everyone is talking about goals right now. New habits. New plans. New resolutions. But what if the most important thing to design for the New Year is not your goals, but your brain? In this episode, Dr. Christopher K. Bray introduces a different way to think about the year ahead. Instead of focusing on what you want to accomplish in 2026, he explor…
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The holidays look simple from the outside, but inside the brain they are anything but. This week, Dr Bray explores why this season stirs up so much emotion and how small rituals, tiny moments of connection, and simple sensory cues can create the holiday season you really want. You will hear stories, science, and a few practical ideas and tips you c…
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Sometimes a single month can hold enough joy, loss, wonder, and meaning to rearrange the way you see your entire life. In this episode, I share three moments that arrived unexpectedly and changed me in ways I didn't anticipate. You'll hear about neighbors who taught me something about legacy, a newborn who altered my sense of what truly matters, an…
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Episode 606: The Language of Leadership: Seven Phrases Every Leader Should Use
9:28
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9:28If you want to level up your leadership in under fifteen minutes, this episode is for you. Dr. Bray is breaking down seven simple phrases that can completely change how your team collaborates, performs, and shows up every day. These are not clichés, and they are not soft skills. They are powerful signals that shift how the brain responds to stress,…
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Episode 605: The Meeting Habit That is Ticking Everyone Off!
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12:11In this episode of the Dr. CK Bray Show, Dr. Bray unpacks the "Fester List," Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky's bold move to expose the quiet problems rotting his company from within. The top offender? Leaders and teams glued to phones during meetings, including Chesky himself. Dr. Bray goes beyond the headlines, exploring why people are on their devices an…
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FAN FAVORITE Episode 306: Thankful, Grateful and a Dose of History
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7:21We all need a day to celebrate and acknowledge all that we are grateful for. No matter where you live in the world today listen to the story of Squanto and how he changed Thanksgiving for numerous immigrants. Also, take up the Thanksgiving challenge to do service for others and be an individual someone else is grateful for! Dr. Bray starts off the …
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Episode 604: The Science of Stillness: Quieting the Brain
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14:24We live in a world that glorifies speed, noise, and constant doing. But what if the secret to thinking better, leading better, and living better is actually found in the moments when we stop? In this episode, Dr. Bray dives into the neuroscience of stillness; why your brain needs quiet to perform at its best, and how doing nothing may be the most p…
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Episode 603: Why You Don't Need to Worry When Things Don't Work Out
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15:34We have all been there. The job that didn't happen, the plan that fell apart, the moment that left you wondering, what now? In this episode, Dr. Bray explores what happens in your brain and body when life doesn't go as planned, and why learning to let go, reframe, and keep moving forward is one of the most powerful things you can do for your mental…
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Episode 602: Personality Tests: Why We Love Them and Why They Can Mislead Us
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12:29Everyone loves a good personality test. Whether it is the Myers-Briggs, the Enneagram, or that quiz you took online that told you which TV character you are most like, there is something satisfying about seeing yourself neatly described in a few short sentences. But here is the question: are these tests actually telling you who you are, or just giv…
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Episode 601: Be Yourself Is Terrible Advice: The Neuroscience of Authenticity
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14:40We have all heard it. Someone looks at you with a smile and says, "Just be yourself." Nice idea, but have you ever tried it? It turns out being yourself is not nearly as simple as it sounds. In this episode, Dr. Bray digs into the science of authenticity and why the version of you that shows up at work, at home, or even at dinner with friends is of…
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Episode 600: Smarter, Stronger, Sharper: The Science of Measuring and Improving Your Brain Health
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16:28Smarter, Stronger, Sharper – How to Measure and Improve Your Brain Health What if your brain had a dashboard that told you exactly how well it was performing before you hit burnout, before focus fades, and before your memory starts to slip? In this episode, Dr. Bray dives into the cutting edge science that is reshaping how we understand brain healt…
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Episode 599: Why Bronze Feels Better than Silver
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10:40Ever noticed that the athlete standing in second place sometimes looks less happy than the one in third? Turns out, it is not just your imagination, it is neuroscience. In this episode, Dr. Bray dives into thirty years of research showing why bronze medalists often leave the podium smiling while silver medalists are silently stewing. The culprit? T…
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Episode 598: The Work Connection Deficit And How To Fix It
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19:20Work is noisy. Slack pings, endless meetings, emails that never stop. But beneath all that activity, many employees feel something deeper, disconnected. In this episode, Dr. Bray dives into a powerful article from Harvard Business Review that reveals a hidden truth: nearly one in five employees feel lonely at work. That loneliness is not just a per…
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Episode 597 Preparing for Retirement, It is About More Than Money
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13:16Retiring Without Regrets For decades, we've been told the same story: work hard, save well, and one day retirement will be the reward. But what if stepping away from work feels harder than the job itself? What if freedom comes with a side of restlessness? In this episode, Dr. Bray delves into what truly makes retirement fulfilling and why neuroscie…
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Episode 596: Stop Making Life Harder Than It Is
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8:35Ever feel like you're carrying bricks in your backpack that no one asked you to carry? Or turning a five-minute task into a half-hour saga of overthinking? You're not alone, and your brain might actually be the culprit. In this episode, Dr. Bray pulls back the curtain on why we over complicate simple things and what neuroscience reveals about it. (…
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Episode 595: Why Did They Leave? Reinventing and Revitalizing the Exit Interview Guide
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5:18Why do good employees walk away? You might think you know, but most exit interviews never uncover the real story. People rarely say, "I left because I felt stuck" or "I couldn't see a future here." Yet, those are often the true reasons behind turnover. In this episode, Dr. Bray breaks down a powerful interview framework that goes beyond surface ans…
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Episode 594: Why Employees Quit and How Neuroscience Sheds Light on the Answer
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11:27Think you know why employees quit? Think again. It's not about money, perks, or a flashy job offer. In this episode, Dr. Bray uncovers the surprising truth about why top talent leaves your organization. You'll learn what neuroscience tells us about motivation and progress, why our brains rebel when work feels stagnant, and the four "quests for prog…
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Episode 593: The Brain's Energy Budget: Why You're Not Lazy, You're Overdrawn
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12:50If you've ever hit a wall at 2:47 PM and wondered, "Why can't I think straight?" This episode is for you. Spoiler alert: It's not a willpower problem. It's biology. In this episode, Dr. Bray breaks down one of the most overlooked truths in workplace performance: your brain has a limited energy budget. From decision fatigue to task switching to why …
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Episode 592 How to Rewire Your Brain (Without Burning It Out)
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5:56What if the key to unlocking your potential isn't talent but timing, effort, and the way your brain rewires itself? In this episode, Dr. Bray dives into the science of how learning happens, real, lasting, brain-changing learning, with insights from world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Michael Kilgard. You'll learn why your brain doesn't change without…
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Episode 591 The True Wealth That's Not Found In Your Bank Account
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5:38Have you ever stopped and looked at your life and thought, Why do I feel poorer than I am? I know I have. On paper, things are going well. I've written books, worked with big companies, and my little company continues to grow. I've built a career that I'm proud of, and I work hard to live within my means, especially with six kids who are always wan…
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Episode 590 Summer Reads for the Dr. Bray Beach Brain Book Club
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11:33
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11:33Ready to upgrade your beach towel brain food? In this episode, Dr. Bray is providing your official summer reading passport from courtroom drama in the Deep South to alien friendships in deep space. Whether you are a hammock philosopher, poolside thrill-seeker, or someone who likes to feel smart in flip-flops, I've got you covered. We're talking tru…
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Episode 589 Building a Leadership Factory: Why It's Your Best Strategy in an Unpredictable and Changing World
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16:12Leading today is not for the faint of heart. Between generative AI, market instability, rising employee expectations, and the pressure to make fast, high-stakes decisions with limited data, leaders are being tested like never before. So, how do the best ones not only survive but thrive? In this episode, we dive into the neuroscience of leadership u…
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Episode 588 Why Success Often Feels Empty - and What to Do About It
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12:38You crossed the finish line. Got the promotion. Hit the goal. Everyone's congratulating you... So why does it feel so underwhelming? In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Bray dives into the neuroscience behind one of the most surprising emotional twists of modern life: why achievement often leaves us feeling flat and how to reclaim lasting meaning. …
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Episode 587 Laid off, Not Laid Down: Reinventing Yourself After a Late-Career Layoff
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14:05"Laid Off, Not Laid Down. Reinventing Yourself After a Late-Career Layoff" What happens when the career you spent decades building suddenly ends before you're ready? You're not alone, and this episode is for you. Dr. Bray dives into the growing phenomenon of late-career layoffs after several friends and clients have experienced a surprise layoff wh…
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FAN FAVORITE EPISODE 435 Books You Can Read in One Day to Change Your Life
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12:51Dr. Bray takes a time-out this week to share some of his favorite summer reads with you. The first category he discusses books you can read in a day that will change your life. Short, quick reads that will have you thinking differently within a day. (For my audiobook friends, you will get just as much out of listening to these books as reading them…
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Episode 586: How to Use AI as Your Career Coach
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16:04What if you could have a world-class career coach in your pocket available 24/7, endlessly patient, and shockingly insightful? In this episode with Dr. Bray, he explores how tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity transform how we navigate careers from writing resumes and preparing for interviews to plotting promotions and managing toxic coworke…
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FAN FAVORITE Episode 485 Insights Into Loneliness and the Brain
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19:00In this fan favorite episode of the podcast, Dr. Bray answers a listener's question on loneliness. Tune in to learn about the neuroscience and psychology of loneliness, what happens in the brain, and specific action steps you can take to combat loneliness. In a world where loneliness is increasing exponentially, it is important to understand this i…
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Episode 585: Global Market Job Trends and the AI Job Ripple
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14:03What do restaurant specialists, dentists, and delivery drivers all have in common? They're part of a surprising surge reshaping the global job market. In this episode, we dive into the most in-demand jobs of 2025 before tariffs and uncertainty rattled the economy. Based on fresh LinkedIn data, you'll get a front-row seat to the unexpected rise of h…
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I was talking to someone who was wildly successful, financially secure, respected, and free to live how he wanted. And yet, he said something that stopped me cold: "I still feel kind of poor." This episode dives into that unexpected moment and why it hit so hard. It's not about dollars. It's about depletion, which doesn't appear on a balance sheet.…
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Episode 583 Reskilling or Rusting? Why Now Is the Time to Reinvent Work
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15:18In 2019, the OECD warned that 14% of global jobs would be eliminated and another 32% would be dramatically transformed by automation. Fast-forward to today, and that prediction feels like an understatement. Generative AI like ChatGPT has accelerated change at a pace no one saw coming. The shelf life of a skill? Less than five years. In tech, someti…
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Episode 582 An Exercise to Avoid Regrets As You Age
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12:46"The 5 Regrets Exercise That Could Change Your Life" What if you could look ahead and sidestep the regrets that often surface at life's end? In this new episode, Dr. Bray delves into the profound insights of Bronnie Ware, an Australian palliative nurse who spent years caring for patients in their final days. Through heartfelt conversations, she unc…
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Episode 581 Sitting for Hours May Shrink Your Brain and Other Brain Facts
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11:26Are you ready to boost your brainpower and calm your anxiety? In this episode of The Dr. CK Bray Show, Dr. Bray reveals groundbreaking research that shows how something as simple as sitting too long can shrink your brain and increase your risk for Alzheimer's, even if you exercise. But don't worry, he's got practical, science-backed strategies to h…
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Episode 580 How to Help a Coworker or Employee in Distress: Part 2
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17:14You walk into the office or log on to your morning meeting, and something feels off. One of your most reliable team members is distracted, quiet, and not meeting expectations. You wonder if you should say something… but you don't want to overstep. You're not a therapist. What if you say the wrong thing? In this episode, Dr. Bray explores what manag…
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Episode 579 How to Help a Coworker or Employee in Distress: Part 1
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16:24Your top performer just isn't themselves. They're distracted, quiet, and missing minor details. You know something's off, but you're not a therapist, and you're not sure what to say. In this episode, Dr. Bray delves into a powerful conversation about how leaders can effectively support employees in distress without crossing boundaries or becoming o…
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Episode 578: Own Your Odd; How Quirks Become Your Superpower at Work
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13:15You know that thing you do; the way you obsessively rearrange pens before a meeting, the random-but-brilliant ideas you toss out mid-conversation, or your love of color-coded spreadsheets? The thing you might've been told was "a little much"? Yeah. That might be your superpower. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of quirks, those s…
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Episode 577: Stop Worrying What Other People Think of You
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16:54What if the biggest thing holding you—or your team—back isn't lack of skill, clarity, or confidence... but the fear of what other people think? In this episode, we're diving into a powerful concept that's quietly shaping how we show up at work: FOPO—Fear of People's Opinions. Backed by neuroscience and field-tested with everyone from PGA golfers to…
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Episode 576: Executive Presence Redefined
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19:29What got you here… won't get you there. In the boardrooms of the early 2000s, executive presence was a well-guarded formula: confidence, a polished suit, a commanding voice, and just the right amount of detachment. You knew it when you saw it—and if you didn't look the part, you probably didn't get it. But in 2024, everything has changed. The pande…
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Episode 575: Don't Be a Victim of Your Past
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15:22What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances, but the story you've been telling yourself about them? We all experience setbacks—failure, rejection, trauma, or just plain bad luck. But instead of seeing these moments as chapters in a bigger story, we often let them define us. We replay the past, reinforce limiting beliefs, and…
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Episode 574: Does Telepathy Really Exist? Science, Skepticism, and the Future of Mind-to-Mind Communication
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9:47Is telepathy real, or is it just a fantasy fueled by sci-fi movies and wishful thinking? In this episode, Dr. Bray goes to the edges of science and dives into the science, the skepticism, and the surprising research that suggests telepathic communication might not be as impossible as we once thought. From groundbreaking neuroscience studies using b…
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Episode 573: The RTO Debate - What's Really Driving the Return to Office?
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13:38The return-to-office (RTO) debate is no longer just about where people work—it's about why companies are making this shift. With office attendance jumping from 35% in 2023 to 68% in 2024, businesses claim that in-office work fuels collaboration, innovation, and culture. But is that the driving force behind these mandates? Or is this shift rooted in…
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Episode 572 Brain Wired for Sound: The Neuroscience of Perfect Pitch
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11:20Once again, we have new research on the brain and Neuroplasticity. A once impossible feat is now proving possible for everyone! For years, we've been told that perfect pitch—the rare ability to identify musical notes without a reference—was something you were either born with or not. But groundbreaking new research from the University of Surrey is …
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Episode 571 Taming the Inner Critic: How to Stop Holding Yourself Back
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13:48Have you ever caught yourself replaying that awkward moment from last week? Or hear that relentless voice in your head whispering, "You're not good enough. You'll never get this right"? You're not alone. In this episode, Dr. Bray dives into the science behind self-doubt, why your brain is wired for negativity, and—most importantly—how to stop letti…
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For years, antidepressants have been the default solution for dementia patients struggling with depression, anxiety, and aggression. But what if they're actually making things worse? A groundbreaking new study from the Karolinska Institute has found that dementia patients on SSRIs like Lexapro, Celexa, and Zoloft experience faster cognitive decline…
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Episode 569 The Science of Living in Uncertainty
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14:10The biggest threat to your team's success isn't AI, the economy, or budget cuts—it's how their brains respond to uncertainty. In times of constant change, fear takes over, the brain shifts into defensive mode, and decision-making grinds to a halt. The best leaders don't just manage people—they rewire how their teams think about change. In this epis…
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Episode 568 The Era of Perpetual Upheaval – Why We're All Crisis Managers Now
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13:29The world of work has changed forever. Disruption isn't an event anymore—it's a constant state. McKinsey calls this the "Era of Perpetual Upheaval," where uncertainty is the new normal. And yet, most leaders and organizations still rely on outdated change management strategies that simply don't work. The old way of adapting is dead. So what do we d…
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Episode 567 How AI is Revolutionizing Workplace Learning & Adaptability
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16:18In today's business world, uncertainty is no longer the exception—it's the rule. The speed of technological advancements, shifting workforce dynamics, and ever-changing market conditions demand that organizations become more agile than ever before. But here's the challenge: Traditional workplace learning simply can't keep up. The way companies have…
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Episode 566 The Science of Oxygen: How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Transform Your Brain and Body
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13:26Imagine if one simple change could sharpen your focus, speed up recovery, and even slow down aging—just by breathing. Sounds too good to be true? Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is proving otherwise, and in the latest Dr. CK Bray podcast episode, we're diving into the cutting-edge science behind this powerful wellness tool. HBOT has been a well-ke…
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Episode 565 Resilience and Adaptability: The Superpowers You Didn't Know You Needed
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14:40Are you ready to turn uncertainty into your organization's greatest advantage? In this week's podcast, we dive into a topic that's never been more relevant: how resilience and adaptability can transform not only how we lead but also how we thrive in today's ever-changing world. With insights grounded in neuroscience and practical strategies, this e…
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Are you feeling stretched too thin, exhausted, or disengaged at work? You're not alone. Burnout is becoming an all-too-common challenge in today's fast-paced world—but the good news is, there are science-backed ways to combat it and thrive and Dr. Bray is going to share them with you. In the latest Dr. CK Bray Show, Dr. Bray shares 4 Steps to Beati…
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