Program | Day 2
DAY 2 | FRIDAY 18 MARCH 2022
08:30 | OPENING REMARKS FROM THE MC
Dr William DeJean, Inspiring educator and Founder, Unleash Learning™
8:35 - 10:25 | HAPPINESS, KINDNESS & CARING FOR OUR WORLD
8:35 | CONVERSATIONS WORTH HAVING: THE BUSINESS OF BUILDING A BETTER WORLD
Professor David Cooperrider, the world’s foremost authority on strengths-based, positive change, internationally renowned for his research in appreciative inquiry, USA
What conversations do we need to have to galvanize change, unite a global community of inquiry and action, and lead the way to an equitable, sustainable, and flourishing future? Explore the role of a new leadership paradigm, characterised by qualities such as virtue, love, compassion, and connection. Be inspired by what companies can and are doing to move away from “doing no harm” to playing an active role in solving environmental, social, and economic problems.
Includes Audience Q & A
9:05 | THE KINDNESS REVOLUTION
Hugh Mackay AO, renowned social psychologist, researcher and bestselling author
Following the ravages of the bushfires and the effect of the COVID pandemic on our mental and emotional health, many of us reflected on what really mattered to us, what kind of life we wanted to lead. Explore how crises and catastrophes often turn out to be the making of us. Be encouraged to find the best in ourselves and in our society, asking the question: ‘Could we become renowned as a loving country, rather than simply a “lucky” one?’
9:25 | HOW POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY CAN HELP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING
Professor Felicia A Huppert, Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Founding Director of the Well-being Institute, University of Cambridge, UK
The latest IPCC report on climate change leaves no doubt about the human impact on the exponential increase in global warming. Explore how mindfulness, compassion and positive emotions like hope and pride can counteract the fight-flight-freeze response, and fuel the behaviour changes that are urgently needed while the window of opportunity is still open.
9:45 | HAPPINESS AND JOY, WITH MEANING AND CONNECTION - A CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE
Dr Mark Cross, lead Psychiatrist in the ABC TV series, Changing Minds; author of Anxiety
A core feature of depression is “anhedonia”, a loss of pleasure and enjoyment. In 2020, 76M people developed anxiety worldwide, 53M depression. Happiness decreased at home in isolation, surrounded by possessions and social media curated images of ourselves. My clinical practice has been irrevocably changed during Covid and beyond, and what truly makes me happy is the balance of making a difference in people’s lives and spending ongoing quality time with my family and social networks.
10:05 | PERSONAL STORY: BEYOND CLIMATE GRIEF
Dr Jonica Newby, award-winning science reporter, author, TV presenter and director
Be moved by a story devastating climate grief and of how one woman learnt to navigate the emotional turmoil of climate change. What can provide us with guidance and emotional sustenance to help us face the uncertainties ahead?
10:25 – 10:55 | MORNING COFFEE
10:55 - 12:45 | HAPPINESS, HOPE & VULNERABILITY
10:55 | THE POWER OF WISE OPTIMISM
Gillian Coutts, mindful leadership consultant and Australian Country Director of Potential Project
With wise optimism you can see reality as it is, while staying truly open to opportunities. Learn about the power of radical acceptance and active hope in seeing us all through tough times.
11:15 | PANEL: JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT IT WAS OVER: PROTECTING OURSELVES FROM PANDEMIC FATIGUE…
Professor David Cooperrider, the world’s foremost authority on strengths-based, positive change, internationally renowned for his research in appreciative inquiry, USA
Professor Felicia A Huppert, Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Founding Director of the Well-being Institute, University of Cambridge, UK
Dr Mark Cross, lead Psychiatrist in the ABC TV series, Changing Minds; author of Anxiety
Effie Fox, Executive Director People & Culture, Lifeline
Moderator: Jonica Newby, award-winning science reporter, author, TV presenter and director
Excitement was in the air, freedom just around the corner, when the third wave of the pandemic hit. How can we protect ourselves, our loved ones and community from the frustrations and anxiety of not knowing what’s coming next?
11:40 | NUDGING YOUR WAY TO WELLBEING
Dr Michelle McQuaid, best-selling author, wellbeing teacher and playful change activator
In an increasingly dynamic, busy and disruptive world, caring for your wellbeing has never been more important. But what are the small, evidence-based actions that are worth prioritizing? Take some of the struggle out of boosting your wellbeing with six tiny evidence-based nudges you can use in less than five minutes each day!
11:55 | CLEANING OUR TRAUMA
Yemi Penn, engineer, entrepreneur and mindset transformation leader
Yemi speaks from experience, about the importance of acknowledging our distressing life events with a view to transforming our trauma rather than transferring it. She shares ways to clean our trauma, transmuting pain to power in the process.
12:15 | PERSONAL STORY: MY YEAR OF LIVING VULNERABLY
Rick Morton, award-winning journalist and author of acclaimed best-selling memoir, One Hundred Years of Dirt
Be moved and uplifted by Rick Morton, diagnosed with a complex post-traumatic stress disorder due to a failure of love in his childhood, as he shares his journey to ‘betterness’, to rediscovering love.
12:35 | MUSICAL MINDFULNESS PRACTICE
Tenzin Choegyal, acclaimed Tibetan musician, composer, activist and cultural ambassador
Together we will practice focusing our mindful attention on some beautiful live music. This practice can help us to cultivate a more spontaneous, deliberate, and meaningful way-of-being in the world.
12:45 – 14:00 | LUNCH BREAK
14:00 - 15:30 | HAPPINESS, HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
14:00 | HABITS FOR GREATNESS
Dr Tim Sharp, (aka Dr Happy) leading positive psychologist – writer, speaker and consultant
While it may seem that chaos and confusion reign today, humans have a long history of wisdom and inspiration. Be inspired by Dr Tim Sharp, aka Dr Happy, as he highlights practical lessons from some of the greatest thinkers of all time. Learn how to apply these lessons as lifestyle habits, so you can step into your own greatness. Discover the path to living your best life now.
14:25 | PERSONAL STORY: HEAL YOUR GUT, HEAL YOUR LIFE
Kirsty Wirth, gut health guru and founder of Kultured Wellness
A personal tale of finding intergenerational joy and wellness through understanding and nourishing the microbes that live within our body. Kirsty’s tale is rich in the scientific evidence of how amazing our gut microbiome and the microbes that live within us are. Her story is also one of hope and inspiration highlighting that with curiosity comes hope and with hope and drive we can truly fulfill our dreams.
14:45 | THE POWER OF LETTING GO
Phil Lee, entrepreneur, author, spiritual practitioner and coach
The Buddha famously stated that the cause of suffering is desire, wanting life to be the way you have determined it should be rather than the way it actually is. Explore how the simple acts of acceptance and “letting go” can totally transform not only the present moment but your entire life.
15:05 | THE EMPATHY DILEMMA: BALANCING SELF-CARE AND CARE FOR OTHERS
Corey Jackson, mental health researcher at the intersection of science and Buddhism; Founder of the Beyond Mindfulness Method
Empathy can be both the cause and solution to stress and burnout. Used skillfully, it can transform self-care from a temporary drowning out of stress to increased resilience and connection with our community.
15:30 – 16:00 | AFTERNOON COFFEE
16:00 - 17:30 | TAKING ACTION FOR A HAPPIER LIFE FOR OURSELVES & OTHERS
16:00 | PERSONAL STORY: RECOVERING FROM BURNOUT - HOW SCIENCE HELPED ME
Sophie Scott, award winning medical reporter, ABC
I’m a medical reporter who burnt out. It took 8 minutes, 3 times a day, to rebuild my life. Hear how you can use science to prevent the same thing happening to you.
16:20 | SOCIAL KUNG FU: LIFE & DEATH IS IN THE POWER OF YOUR SPEECH
Matt Purcell, one of Australia’s leading young entrepreneurs; Founder & CEO of Social Kung Fu
While there are many self-defence codes such as boxing and karate for physical safety, research has shown that the most common form of abuse in our culture is not physical, but rather verbal abuse. The sad truth is no one has systematically taught us a way to deal with verbal abuse. Social Kung Fu offers a new generation of verbal training that works when people are under pressure. Grounded in research, SKF provides a set of techniques and principles that aim to equip young people with personal protection, improve their self–esteem and become better communicators in their schools, workplaces and homes.
16:40 | BRINGING BOUYANCY INTO YOUR LIFE – A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO NAVIGATING CHOPPY TIMES
Anna-Louise Bouvier, one of Australia’s best-known health and wellbeing commentators; Adjunct Fellow, Macquarie University
Constant change in our lives, can make it hard to stay on course. Sometimes the sea of our life is settled and calm, at other times it tosses us around. This inspiring session is full of practical, physical ways to keep the boat of your life buoyant and fill your sails full of energy and vitality.
17:00 | AWAKENING THE KITTEN WITHIN: A MEDITATION ON GRATITUDE AND WONDER
David Michie, meditation coach and internationally best-selling author of many titles including The Dalai Lama’s Cat series
As kittens we feel it often. All it takes is a wind-blown feather, an unexpected delicacy, or the alluring rush of water and instantly we are caught up in it: wonderment. Enchantment. Being fully absorbed in the here and now. By the time we reach senior status however, we have become knowing and indifferent. But we have lost something, have we not? Which begs answers to some intriguing questions. Is it possible to recover the unaffected zest for life which once came to us so naturally? To become un-blasé? Can we awaken the kitten within?
17:20 | CLOSING PERFORMANCE: MUSIC MAKES THE HEART SING
Tenzin Choegyal, acclaimed Tibetan musician, composer, activist and cultural ambassador
Lift your heart, open your mind and experience the joy of music with a renowned musician who has performed for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, collaborated with Phillip Glass, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed and Patti Smith, and played Carnegie Hall.