The talk, although tackling a difficult subject, uses an irreverent and very human tone. The aim is to take the listener out of work mode and into a space where they feel empowered by another person's vulnerability.

In order to achieve this, Niall uses his own story as context. He begins by speaking about his own journey and how his inability to deal with his own mental health struggles led to him sabotaging my relationships and careers.

This came to a moment of clarity where Niall had to make a decision to face these demons head on. Most people's rock bottom is the starting point of their fight back, it just so happened that his rock bottom came 15 minutes before a prime-time television show, The Voice.

Niall goes on to explore how he found a way back to ultimately dealing with his own issues, but then returning to academia to find a way to help others deal with their struggles too.

The most important part of the talk is to make sure the groups leaves feeling empowered and armed with some information that can help them better become guardians of their own minds, in the chaos of the modern world.

This is a simple five step positive psychology, neuroscience and mindfulness plan that us can build into their daily routines. 

(1) Limit exposure to toxic environments and people. Understand how to set boundaries to deal with this

(2) Say one life affirming thing about yourself just before you fall asleep each night

(3) Before you get out of bed in the morning, think of five things you have in your life that you are grateful for

(4) 30 mindful moments each day. Little glimpses of magic moments

(5) Develop a trait of non-judgment both towards yourself and others

Music and mindfulness have a very special alliance. In recent years we have all started to consume and listen to music in a far more passive way. Learning to mindfully listen to music can help us develop the skill of meditation and master our ability to manage our stress.

This talk will be about music and the brain. What happens when we listen or play music and why is it so powerful? The aim is to show how music and mindfulness have a very special alliance that we can tap into to help reduce our stress. The aim is to change our relationships to how we consume music to a much more mindful way rather than passive.

Niall will practically illustrate that by using isolated vocals from some of the biggest songs of all time.

With this talk Niall’s approach is to combine mindfulness and neuroscience education. Niall will deliver a standalone 45 minute talk followed by a 15 minute. Niall will cover the basic science of mindfulness and the brain, in both the short term and with longer term practice. The topics to be covered are:

(a) the basic structure of the brain and how it processes information

(b) how information from our senses is non-consciously processed before we are aware of it

(c) how and why much of our behaviour is non-conscious

(d) why habits develop and why they are so difficult to change

(e) how stress affects how we think and behave

(f) why mindfulness is difficult but worthwhile, including long term changes in the structure and function of the brain

In relation to all these topics, Niall will detail how and why mindfulness is a useful tool to develop resilience, psychological flexibility and good psychological health, regardless of your external environment. Niall will detail why being mindful is the best tool we have to live and thrive in the modern culture and society we have created, and how it can make you more resilient in the face of constant threat and unpredictability.

This 30 min session with your leadership team is to discuss how management can be better managers during this time, be people leaders, what to say / not say, what to look for in their staff to acknowledge someone might be having an issue but not comfortable discussing it. Niall will aim to give your leadership team the tools to successfully manage and support their teams while supporting their own wellbeing.