Found that your earnest start-of-the-year sparkle has taken a turn for the tired? Take action and stoke the intellectual fires within by packing your schedule with back-to-back brain boosting LDN Talks @ Night talks!
Allow us to explain. We’ve teamed up with a handful of dynamic entrepreneurs, scientists and general clever types to deliver TED-talk-a-like frontal lobe warmers to the doorsteps of some of London’s most buzzing venues.
From science lectures and cerebral pop up cinema to bar talks on the language of love, stay off the sofa in the coming months and attend a London talk (or ten) that’ll inspire and stimulate you all the way into spring.
London talks about… love
As everyone’s favourite heartsick chanteuse so eloquently mourned…love is a losing game. Inspire a winning streak instead by attending one of our fascinating London lectures on love and relationships.
If it’s the science behind the sweet talk that gets your blood pumping, you’ll want to catch Dr Peter Collet’s London lecture on the 21st of February that explores the role of body language in courtship, love and flirtation – and how to get better at it, too. Ooh er.
Or perhaps you want to improve your behaviour in a relationship to become a superstar boy or girl friend? If that’s the case, you’ll want to join Dr Gabija Toleikyte, for a night exploring the Neuroscience of Successful Relationships, including the differences between the male and female brain and what to expect (or not) from your other half.
London talks about… science
Impress people at parties (or rather: get smarter in your free time and feel quietly smug about it) by attending a science lecture in London. Spend an evening exploring the science behind hypnosis with Dr Michael Heap, whose synapse-stimulating investigation will introduce you to the findings of recent scientific research and demonstrate some simple hypnotic techniques.
After something a little spookier? Join Dr Chris French for a London talk on the science of paranormal experiences, exploring the scientific explanations behind creepy occurrences. We also recommend David Luke’s fascinating exploration of the effect of psychedelic substances on the brain – having published more than 100 academic papers on the subject, it would be fair to say that he knows a thing or two about altered states of consciousness.
London talks about… psychology
Who doesn’t love learning more about why they act the way they do? Join Dr. Gabija Toleikyte for her psychology talk in London on the real nature and importance of emotions and how to let them guide you in making the best choices for you. Think of it as your very own IRL TED talk.
If you’re more interested in how you can effect real lasting change in your life, join her psychology talk on the Neuroscience of Powerful Habits, where she’ll explain why your brain resists change and how to create clever strategies to change it.
Talking of habits, anyone struggling to shake off unhealthy eating habits to lose weight will be interested in joining Graham Price, a master in the field, who looks as the psychology behind sticking to our nutritional and exercise goals. With a 95% success rate, he’s ready to share his secrets.
London talks about… society
The political direction of an already tricky 2017 probably isn’t going to be changed by a free talk in London – but it’s a good place to start. From the psychology of propaganda as explored by leading expert Jonathan Gabay, to an exploration by Jonathan Sacerdoti of the diverse global reactions to terrorist attacks, these London talks are more than food for thought – they’re essential listening for all uneasy humans.
There’s also an interesting analysis and debate on offer between one of Britain’s most controversial broadcasters, Toby Young and former Labour Party politician, Denis Macshane, discussing the the twin terrors of Brexit and Donald Trump. The gloves are officially off.
If that’s not enough for you, join former MI5 whistleblower and author Annie Machon. Using her experience as a former British intelligence officer as well as her current work with notable CIA, NSA and FBI whistleblowers, Machon will attempt to unravel the wild claims which have become (evidence-lite) fact, that “Russia hacked the elections”. Are they true? If not, why and how are they being made, and what is the motivation behind the allegations?
London talks about… being a better you
Anyone stuck in a job or career that they feel disconnected to, that fails to inspire and that they simply feel trapped in should join an uplifting talk with experienced career coach, Bruna. The talk will help you on the process to discovering your real gift and reconnecting with your spark in order to discover the right career for you. The one that will make you feel fulfilled and balanced. And happy!
Or if you’ve decided that 2017 is the year you finally get that business idea off the ground, make sure you catch colourful entrepreneur Jonathan Straight’s London talk where he’ll be telling his incredible story that begins with a one-man start up and ends floating on the London Stock Exchange for eight figures – and he’ll be advising you on how you might do the same, too.