Challenges That Change Us
182 {Allan Parker} From being unable to read to micro behavioural scientist
14 Sep 2025
Try our FREE burnout quiz.Grab your burnout workbook HERE. To sign up for our difficult conversations and workplace culture workshop go here.I’m so excited to be welcoming back Allan Parker to share his personal story of overcoming an extraordinary challenge to being able to learn, and to also share some amazing pearls of wisdom on neuro plasticity and learning.Alan Parker OAM is a distinguished micro‑behavioural scientist, negotiator and educator whose major achievements include developing Australia’s first tertiary degree in negotiation, serving as an adjunct professor on the University of Western Sydney’s Master’s program in Dispute Resolution, and being awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2020 for his contribution to business and dispute resolution. He is a bestselling author (Switch On Your Brain), author of The Negotiator’s Toolkit and Would Could Might (2024). On top of this he has presented and facilitated in 60+ countries, and has led influential, large‑scale negotiations and sector reforms while also building a long‑standing practice delivering practical brain‑health and negotiation training across corporate, regional and rural communities.In this episode he shares:His eye impairment that made learning difficult as a childHow his parents alcoholism affected him growing upHow he learned to listen and compensate for his inability to readHow vision work and training unlocked his reading and learning.The neuroscience of breathing, oxygen, hydration and their effect on attention, emotion and memory.Peripheral vision as a tool to reduce internal narrative/default-mode thinking and improve presence.Stress as a social risk and why he thinks we are addicted to adrenaline/dopamine/drama.His practical behaviour tips to improve brain healthThe importance of communication and leadershipKey Quotes"I was born with an eye condition that meant I didn't read until I was 30, and yet I'm a terminal enthusiastic learner.""I remember the very moment, Ali, that I watched my father beating my mother. And I made a conscious decision in that second that I would never violate, hit another human being. Ever.""I had to sit down and explain him that I couldn't read."More about AllanYou can find out more about Allan here.You can get involved with the podcast onlineOn facebook in our community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/challengesthatchangeusOr on Instagram: @challengesthatchangeusIf you want to contact the podcast, email us here: [email protected] check out our website: www.Challengesthatchangeus.comIf you want to find out more about what Ali does, check out her business via the website: http://www.trialtitudeperformance.com.au Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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