How open are you to new experiences? Have you found that with age comes a fear of learning new things? Research finds that being willing to admit that we may be wrong about truths we previously held while maintaining confidence is a central tenet of resilience. The inherent capacity for neuroplasticity within our brains means that even with age, our minds remain capable of forming new connections and adapting. This fosters mental agility and emotional intelligence, allowing us to pivot from outdated notions and integrate fresh perspectives without feeling threatened.

For insights on how to keep our mindset flexible, Harvesting Happiness Podcast host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with cognitive psychologist and author Dr. Elaine Fox.

Dr. Fox shares her research about the psychological talents, or tools, required to boost neuroplasticity and promote a growth mindset from her book, Switch Craft: The Hidden Power of Mental Agility. She also explores the concept of intellectual humility and emotional intelligence.

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Meet Our Guest:

Elaine Fox, PhD, is a psychologist, author, and the Head of the School of Psychology at the University of Adelaide, Australia. Prior to her move to Australia, Dr. Fox founded and directed the Oxford Centre for Emotion and Affective Neuroscience (OCEAN) at the University of Oxford, a renowned research center that explores the nature of resilience and mental well-being. A cognitive psychologist by training, she is a leading mental health researcher combining genetics, psychology, and neuroscience in her work.

Dr. Fox also runs Oxford Elite Performance, a consulting group bringing cutting-edge science and psychology to those at the top levels of sport, business, and the military. Her 2012 book Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain is an international bestseller.

Elaine Fox — Building Emotional Intelligence & Mental Agility: 

• What it means to be a Switch Crafter and how it helps humans thrive. {4:15}
• Four powerful mindset talents from Elaine’s book, Switch Craft. {9:01}
• Openness to experience and intellectual humility build resilience and boost neuroplasticity. {17:46}
• In her book, Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain, Elaine explores the reasons some people are optimists and others are pessimists. {26:41}

“We can teach old dogs new tricks.” - Lisa Cypers Kamen

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